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Top 7 Reasons Why Space Is the Place

Top 7 Reasons Why Space Is the Place

Still trying to get that bad No Man’s Sky taste out of your mouth? Me too. I didn’t hate the game, but there’s no question it failed to meet the outrageously sky-high expectations set by its marketing campaign. Instead of lamenting what No Man’s Sky could’ve been, why not turn to one of these seven sci-fi games to fulfill your craving for a solid, space-centric adventure? Keep in mind that this is not a definitive ranking, because there are more space games out there than there are stars in the sky. If you’re prepared to launch, then suit up, grab your particle weapon of choice, and let’s get this party started.

Image Credit: MagicnaAnavi

EVE Online

EVE Online

EVE Online has been around for more than a decade, and it stands as the seminal space MMORPG to this day. Set over 21,000 years in the distant future, EVE Online is the story of humanity’s remnants carving out a life in a new galaxy after being forcibly separated from the exhausted Milky Way. Players are at the heart of EVE ‘s universe, as they are responsible for shaping its economy and colonizing the 5,000-plus star systems within its single, persistent game world. The game has a reputation for being notoriously inaccessible to new players, but recent updates have made it far more user-friendly.

Mass Effect Trilogy

Mass Effect Trilogy

I’m Commander Shepard, and this is my favorite relationship simulator on the Citadel. Are we not doing that joke anymore? The Mass Effect games are among the most highly-regarded of the last generation, and for good reason. They weave a lengthy and intricate tale of sci-fi drama with a bevy of permutations based on player choice. The combat, somewhere between third-person shooter and cooldown-based RPG, is fast, flexible, and became increasingly nuanced as the series progressed. Perhaps above all, it features some of the most compelling character relationships in any AAA title over the past decade. With Mass Effect: Andromeda on the horizon, now’s the perfect time to check the series out if you haven’t already.

Star Fox Series

Star Fox Series

Whereas some kids grew up with Homeworld , I never got my hands on a decent gaming PC until many years later, so my space adventure of choice was always Star Fox . This series of arcade-style rail shooters may have faded from the spotlight in recent years, but there’s plenty of joy to be had in a quick run through Star Fox 64 , no matter how old you are. The game’s tight controls and secret, skill-based objectives that lead to branching paths are highlights. Just use caution if you decide to approach Star Fox Zero. There’s a good game buried somewhere in there, but those controls… yikes.

Dead Space Series

Dead Space Series

Resident Evil 4 was my first experience with a behind-the-shoulder shooter, and for many years, it remained the uncontested champion of its sub-genre. Until Dead Space came along, that is. Its legitimately scary setting – an abandoned space station crawling with reanimated monstrosities – and visceral combat made it a serious contender in the bid for the third-person shooter throne. Dismembering enemies with the plasma cutter is far more satisfying than a gentle guy like myself would like to admit.

Kerbal Space Program

Kerbal Space Program

Kerbal Space Program is one of those games that you either “get” or you don’t. It’s something of an oddity; it’s a “multi-genre” space exploration game that tasks players with building a ship and exploring the infinite cosmos. It’s notable for featuring a realistic orbital physics engine that is attentive to micro-level detail, like having vehicle joints that can be disconnected by rocket thrust under the right conditions. The game has even drawn the attention of organizations like NASA and SpaceX. Kerbal Space Program is still being updated and remains popular on streaming sites, so even if it doesn’t seem like something you’d like to play yourself, it’s worth seeing what all the fuss is about.

Gradius Series

Gradius Series

The original Gradius was among the first-ever horizontally-scrolling shooters. It is partially responsible for pioneering the genre, and went on to spawn four direct sequels, as well as a bevy of spin-offs. Each game features numerous power-ups to strategically employ against deadly foes both mechanical and alien in nature. There’s a certain simple pleasure to be found in the arcade-style shoot-’em-ups of the past. If you’re picking up a NES Classic Edition console, you’ll have access to the first Gradius title automatically. PlayStation owners, meanwhile, can pick up Gradius V as part of the PlayStation Network 10th Anniversary Sale. Nice!

Phantasy Star Series

Phantasy Star Series

Sega’s answer to Final Fantasy moved in the complete opposite direction thematically, featuring aliens and spaceships where its counterpart boasted dragons and magic. Phantasy Star remains an absolute classic series, from the strange first-person dungeons of Phantasy Star I to the manga-style cutscenes and blistering electro-synth soundtrack of Phantasy Star IV. Even series black sheep Phantasy Star III made strides to stand out with its unique generational system, flawed as it may be. Phantasy Star Online was something of a gateway to the world of online RPGs for many, myself included, and people are still playing it today on private servers! It’s a shame Phantasy Star Online 2 never made its way west, but perhaps someday we’ll see a proper fifth main series entry on next-generation hardware. A guy can dream, right?

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