Space. The final frontier. In many ways, that would seem like the perfect setting for video games to take flight, and that has in fact been the case so many times throughout the years.
While the current generation of games has utilized their top-end graphics to get into this genre a bit more, space games have roots all the way back to the beginning of gaming itself.
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We’re going to check out the best RPGs that take place in space and,while the list is pretty long, we managed to narrow them down to 10.
These are games that take place in space, across multiple planets and ones that generally involve space travel of some kind.
10Star Ocean: The Last Hope
A Space-Faring Adventure
Star Ocean: The Last Hope
While it wasn’t hailed as the next great JRPG when it was released,Star Ocean: The Last Hopehas garnered more and more respect over the years since its release.
The reason for that is the fantastic combat, which is about as good as it gets in the action RPG style of game.
It’s fast-paced, it’s got great progression in your Loveset and, despite some less-than-tolerable characters at times, the story is pretty interesting.
It’s got some odd-looking graphics that can look like toys coming to life, but if you get past that, you’ll have yourselfan epic, lengthy, and challenging game that makes great use of space as a backdrop for the action.
9Warhammer 40k: Rogue Trader
A Planet-Sized Adventure
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
Warhammer 40k has been around forever, but it wasn’t until the last few years that we’ve gotten great video game versions of the popular franchise.
One of the more underrated ones isWarhammer 40k: Rogue Trader. Everyone who loved Baldur’s Gate 3 should take a chance on this incredibly deep and lengthy space RPG set in the weird and terrifying world of Warhammer 40k.
It’s gotdeep, tactical combat, utilizing a large team of party members with countless different abilities, weapons, and armor to manage. For those that come to RPGs for the story, it’s here in droves, with tons of lore, characters, environments, and all manner of horrible creatures to encounter along the way.
You also get battles in space, with your ship going to war with various enemies throughout the game and you’re able to also explore different planets, and each has a story to tell. It’s a throwback RPG in many ways, but afantastic, sci-fi, space adventure that shouldn’t be missed.
8The Outer Worlds
Fallout in Space
The Outer Worlds
The Outer Worldswas called ‘Fallout in space’ and while that may seem like a lazy way to describe a game, it’s wildly accurate.
The odd characters, the aloof attitude at worlds crumbling, everything you loved about Fallout: New Vegas is in Obsidian’s last venture.
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The Outer Worlds is quintessentially Obsidian.
While the story isn’t as compelling as New Vegas,the characters here are a real standout, as are the extensive RPG mechanics at work, letting you approach things in a variety of different ways, from guns blazing to talking it out. There are so many paths in the story and even individual missions can go.
The combat is a somewhat basic first-person shooter, but it gets the job done and is more than enough to ferry you through thisfun and unique space RPG.
A Deep, Philosophical Journey in Space
Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht
Xenosagais an experience unlike any other. While it has traditional turn-based JRPG trappings and aesthetics, the story here is incredible and wildly complex, including themes of religion, and existentialism, and it hits so many notes that classic sci-fi like2001: A Space Odysseyintroduced.
The entire trilogy is a great time, butthe first one sets the groundwork and plays out like a thrilling mystery, with a unique cast of characters that buck your typical JRPG trends and a wealth of places to explore as you explore the galaxy on a mission to discover the cause of an alien scourge known as the Gnosis.
It’s got a lot of lengthy cutscenes and some drawn-out boss battles, so if you don’t mind a morecinematic approach to space-based RPGs, you’re undoubtedly going to find something to love here.
6No Man’s Sky
Infinite, Explorable Space
No Man’s Sky
No Man’s Skyisn’t just a video game, but an experience and honestly, for me at least, a revolution in entertainment.
This is the very first game of its kind that lets youinfinitely explore space on foot and in the air. It is graphically stunning, and a fascinating simulation of what space travel could one day be like.
There is a story to follow, which has only grown in complexity over the years, but simply living in this game world is an experience on its own.
The combat is solid, but it’s the interactivity with the world that’s the selling point.Your space adventure is yours.
You are in the role of an explorer and anything you do from there is up to you.Space pirate, salvager, resource gatherer, leisurely flier, derelict ship discoverer, the possibilities are infinitefor a game that sells you an endless, sci-fi fantasy.
5Starfield
A Vast Galaxy to Explore
WhileStarfieldmight not have satisfied everyone due to the massive hype, it still delivers an absolutely epic experience that few other games can manage.
You get to explore pace and an endless number of planets that all have unique points of interest, interesting wildlife, and other secrets to explore.
This is one of Bethesda’s most in-depth RPGs in a while too, so you’ll be able to steer conversations in a variety of different ways. This also goes for how you approach missions too, as there are plenty of chances to go quiet versus loud or take completely different sides in a conflict.
It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely got ahealthy bit of that Bethesda magicwe’ve longed for, and as far as space-faring RPGs go, it’s easily one of the best.
4Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
One of the Best Star Wars Stories
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Star Wars has seen some great titles in its history and while we might see another one on this list, I can’t ignore how great the Star Wars Jedi series has been.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivoris an incredible experience with jaw-dropping visuals, fantastic voice acting, and the best combat that Star Wars has ever seen.
The combat here is every Jedi dream come true. Every style, every Jedi power fantasy, it’s all here and animated beautifully.
There is also an excellent story packed with some great lore reveals and epic twists that you’ve come to expect from the series.
You’lltravel to a variety of different planets throughout the game, making sure no locale ever gets too familiar.
As far as space-based, action RPGs go,Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is an awesome experience.
3Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2
An Epic Space-Faring Sequel
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2 is a decidedly darker tale, with very little of the levity you got from the first game’s colorful cast of characters, but I thought that was a great choice.
With Obsidian behind the controls for this one,the RPG mechanics felt more in-depth, giving you a greater agency in how you want your tale to unfold.
The story itself is a huge standout, with incredible characters like Kreia driving the action forward and some awesome twists that set up the series for the huge success that we are still waiting to see the culmination of 20 years later.
Combat is similar to the first game, but a bit more complex and action-based, leading to a faster-paced affair that gives you a ton of abilities to play with.
The various locales you find throughout the game are also great, offering tons of unique locations in this dense and dark Star Wars journey.
2System Shock
Trapped in the Depths of Space
System Shock
System Shock is a different type of RPG, but it’s absolutely a must-play for fans of space-based RPGS.
You’ll be stuck on a ship for the majority of your time with System Shock, but that time spent is anything but dull.
As the victim of a system override by a rogue AI, it’s your mission to basically figure out what the hell is going on as all manner of horror stalks you on a spaceship.
The game drips with atmosphere and moodand the tense encounters you’ll have throughout the game are ones that will stick with you.
You’ll get to build your character up how you please as well, focusing on different abilities to shift the way you want to play.
It’s a much slower-paced RPG, but if you’re looking for immersion and horror, give this one a try.
1Mass Effect Legendary Edition
A Sci-Fi Space Opera For The Ages
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
Everyone has their favorite in the original Mass Effect series, so I’m putting them all here as you’re able to buy just that in a full bundle for the price of a normal game today.
Where do we begin with this masterwork? We’ve gotan incredible story, unforgettable characters, deep choice and consequence systems, amazing worlds to explore, fun and impactful combat and amazing voice acting.
That’s a great package on its own, but it’s the fact that you get to follow one journey from the first game to the last that makes this so special.
This is your story and all the choices you make carry over from game to game. If a character dies in the first game, they’re dead in the third.
It’s this cohesion that makes this series so incredible and although the ending is a bit divisive, it’s about the journey, not the destination.
If you want a great space RPG, Mass Effect is the standard.
