Top 10 Space Games to Play in 2026

From survival and action to strategy and adventure, here are the ten best space games to play in 2026.

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Video games let us experience things that are impossible in real life. We can be heroes, build cities, or travel to places that do not exist. Few settings capture that feeling better than outer space, and space games take full advantage of it. You can land on alien planets, command a starship, or uncover the secrets of a dying solar system. The universe is a place full of mystery and wonder, and these games let you feel that.

In this article, we have selected the ten best space games to play in 2026. Let's check them out!

1. No Man's Sky

No Man's Sky is a game about exploring a huge universe made of billions of planets. You can fly between planets, build bases, trade with aliens, and fight in space. Every planet looks and feels different, with its own creatures, weather, and landscapes. You can play alone or with friends, and there is always something new to discover. It is one of the most open and free space exploration games you can find.

2. Outer Wilds

Unlike most games, Outer Wilds gives you no missions, no combat, and no hand-holding. You explore a small solar system on your own, but there is a catch: the sun explodes every 22 minutes and resets everything. Each time you start over, you keep the knowledge you gained before. You follow your curiosity and slowly piece together a deep story. Many players call it one of the best games ever made.

3. FTL: Faster Than Light

If you love strategy and quick decision making, FTL: Faster Than Light is hard to beat. You command a spaceship and its crew on a mission to cross eight dangerous sectors while enemy forces chase you. Every run is different because the galaxy is randomly generated. You manage your ship's power, weapons, and crew during battles, which you can pause at any time. It is quick to learn but very hard to master.

4. Stellaris

Stellaris is a grand strategy game where you build and lead your own space empire. You start on a single planet and slowly expand across the galaxy. You can choose how your civilization looks, what they believe, and how they treat other species. Along the way, you meet alien empires, form alliances, and fight wars. Every game plays out differently, which makes it a deeply replayable experience for fans of strategy.

5. Dead Space

First released back in 2008, Dead Space remains one of the scariest space games ever made. You play as Isaac Clarke, an engineer who arrives on a mining spaceship only to find the crew has been turned into monsters called Necromorphs. To fight them, you must cut off their limbs instead of just shooting them. The atmosphere is dark and tense, and the sound design makes every moment feel deeply unsettling.

6. Everspace

For fans of fast and exciting space combat, Everspace is a great pick. You pilot a spaceship through randomly generated sectors, fight enemies, collect resources, and try to survive as long as possible. When you die, you start over but keep some progress. The game is visually beautiful and always keeps you on your toes. Its sequel, Everspace 2, expands on this with an open world and a full story to follow.

7. Mass Effect 2

Mass Effect 2 is an action role-playing game set in a rich sci-fi universe. You play as Commander Shepard, who must build a team of unique characters for a very dangerous mission. Each team member has their own story and personality. The combat is smooth and fun, and the choices you make affect how the story unfolds. It is widely considered one of the greatest video games ever made and a must-play for any fan of story-driven games.

8. Observation

What if you played as the AI instead of the human? That is exactly what Observation does. You are SAM, an artificial intelligence on a space station where the crew has mysteriously disappeared. You must help the one surviving astronaut figure out what happened by controlling cameras, unlocking doors, and solving puzzles. The unique perspective makes it feel very different from other space games, and the story is gripping from start to finish.

9. Kerbal Space Program

Developed by Squad, Kerbal Space Program puts you in charge of a space agency for a small alien species called Kerbals. The game uses realistic physics, so your rocket must actually work or it will fail in creative ways. You can play in a free sandbox mode or follow a structured career mode. It teaches real concepts like orbits and gravity without feeling like a class. Whether you want to reach the moon or build a giant space station, the choice is yours.

10. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

For Star Wars fans, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is an easy recommendation. You play as Cal Kestis, a young Jedi who survived the destruction of the Jedi Order, set between the prequel and original films. The game mixes lightsaber combat with puzzle solving and planet exploration. New Force powers unlock as the story progresses, opening up new areas to visit. It is a well-crafted single player experience that feels like a proper Star Wars story.