Survival games tend to place players in an assortment of different locations while challenging players to test their limits in these environments. While some survival titles approach the genre from a realistic point of view, such as presenting players with real-life locations or at least something similar, other survival titles step outside the box with brand-new environments to survive within, for example, space.
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Players who love a good challenge to go along with their exploration will enjoy what the following survival games have to offer.
These games either allow the player to travel directly through space or put them on various hostile planets that are unlike Earth, with the only goal being to see how long they can survive in such locations and maybe even escape that planet to return home. With so many space-themed survival games available, these are the best.
Oxygen Not Included
Help A Colony Survive In Space
Oxygen Not Included
- Released
- May 18, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Klei Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- Simulation, Survival, Management
- Platform(s)
- PC
Although Oxygen Not Included is predominantly considered a colony simulation title, surviving in this game is far more intense than others, especially as the player isn't focusing on one person but instead several. In this adorably drawn game, the player finds themselves crash-landed on a planet that has little to no oxygen for the player's colonists to use.
As the name of the game suggests, in Oxygen Not Included, it is down to the player, through the aid of automation, to create a base for their colony that has plenty of oxygen and other resources. Players shouldn't just aim to survive, but also to thrive, as they can even make structures such as rocket ships to further their exploration.
Astrometica
Use Advanced Technology To Build Bases In Space
- Released: 2024-12-10
- Platform(s): PC
- Genre(s): Survival, Adventure
- Developer(s): BeryMery
One of the scariest things about exploring space and surviving in it is how vast it feels. Games like Astrometica are perfect for players looking for a space survival title that feels large and abandoned by life.
Even though Astrometica is only in early access, the space survival title already shows great potential as players can harness all sorts of high-end futuristic technology to explore the various asteroid belts, abandoned space stations, and much more that make up the areas of space the player can navigate. Although a player may get distracted by exploring the unknown of Astrometica and discovering its mysteries, it's still important to remember that it's also a survival game that requires players to look for resources and such to keep their thirst, hunger, and oxygen high.
Barotrauma
A Submarine In Space Faces Many Horrors
Barotrauma
- Released
- March 13, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
Besides the regular survival titles, survival horror games are another subgenre to consider, with many space-themed titles that have been released over the years. One of the most recent well-received games in the genre is Barotrauma, the 2D submarine simulator game. Although players find themselves trapped inside this horrifying metal box underwater, Barotrauma is actually a sci-fi title that tests the stress levels of the player and possibly their friends as they must navigate this submarine through the waters of far-away planets filled with hostile alien life.
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Each mission completed is filled with its own obstacles that make surviving in Barotrauma something not for the lighthearted. Avoid becoming infected while within the ship and make sure the submarine doesn't explode, as players begin to experiment in this space title as they become more confident.
No Man's Sky
With Plenty Of New Content, There's So Much To Do
No Man's Sky
- Released
- August 9, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Animated Blood
- Developer(s)
- Hello Games
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Nintendo Switch 2
During its original release, No Man's Sky had quite a rocky start. However, since 2016, No Man's Sky has continued to receive plenty of free updates that saw this space survival game flourish into the title many players have come to enjoy. Exploring in No Man's Sky goes further than simply a few planets, as players have a whole universe they can either explore alone or with friends.
The things for players to do in this title are near infinite, as there are plenty of ways to get stuck in while also making sure the player has the right resources to keep themselves afloat. While the survival may not be as intense as some games previously mentioned, the variety of biomes with harsh climates, as well as the means to create all sorts of bases, make No Man's Sky a perfect choice for many players.
Astroneer
Explore A Unique Assortment Of Colorful Planets
Astroneer
- Released
- February 6, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
Continuing on the theme of highly saturated space survival games, Astroneer is another well-loved title that many players have enjoyed for its uniqueness. While exploring entirely new planets, the player must be careful about what they wish to take with them in Astroneer, as their pack can only carry so many items.
Besides this feature, players are free to reshape the world around them as they explore in the hopes of uncovering the mysteries of this unexplored solar system. Astroneer is another that highlights that not every survival game needs to be intense in its survival features, as players are encouraged to get to know the landscapes and explore every inch of them, from the surface to the core.
Subnautica
Players Can Even Survive Underwater On Alien Planets
Subnautica
- Released
- January 23, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ for Everyone 10+: Fantasy Violence, Mild Language
- Developer(s)
- Unknown Worlds Entertainment
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
As mentioned, not every space survival game requires the player to be able to freely explore the entirety of space. Some, like Subnautica, instead focus on a single place that the player is trying to desperately escape from. In Subnautica, the place in question is a planet that is entirely covered in water. This means the majority of the game is spent under the waves, reserving their oxygen and collecting resources so that they can eventually call for rescue.
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Under the water isn't peaceful in Subnautica, as players encounter all sorts of alien life, from the foliage to the fish. While many may be harmless, there are deadly leviathans deep under the water that will easily catch the player off guard while they search for their escape, making for one of the most horrifying survival titles in space. The ocean can be quite an unforgiving place, and this is no different when on an alien planet.
Rimworld
Create Colonies To Survive On Harsh Planets
RimWorld
- Released
- October 17, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
With so many space survival games available, it's no surprise to see RimWorld make an appearance. Similar to Oxygen Not Included, RimWorld is predominantly a colony simulator title, where players focus on creating their own narrative stories as a small group of colonists that have crashed onto a hostile alien planet.
With several colonists to look after, RimWorld can happily be considered a survival title, as the player must quickly get to work, setting up a base and collecting food to protect these small people from the dangers of this alien world. The planet itself isn't the only thing that the player needs to worry about, as survival can also be threatened by the colonists themselves as they form and break bonds that could cause all sorts of drama within the base.
Starbound
Set Off To Explore The Universe After Fleeing Home
Starbound
- Released
- July 22, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Alcohol Reference, Crude Humor, Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood
- Developer(s)
- Chucklefish
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Sandbox
In Starbound, the player is left to play their own way, as it's up to them to create the narrative. It's no surprise to see that this survival title is deemed one of the best space survival games due to not only the assortment of alien races to play, but also how limitless the world of Starbound is, so that players can either enjoy surviving solo or with friends.
As mentioned, Starbound provides players with an epic story campaign about saving the universe, although some players may instead wish to settle down on a couple of planets like an intergalactic homeowner, as they create bases while also foraging for the most important supplies. No matter how a player chooses to interact with Starbound, this survival title in space has always shown great potential and deserves the praise it has received from players.
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