10 Best Space Combat Games

Summary

• Star Wars: Squadrons offers epic space combat with iconic starfighters like X-Wing and TIE Fighters.
• House of the Dying Sun provides tactical gameplay with challenging scenarios and VR support.
• X4: Foundations features in-depth space simulation with empire management and realistic combat options.

Space combat has been a big part of gaming for decades, and the quality and mechanics of these games have only improved as time has gone on. Most of these games feature epic sci-fi battles that make use of the classic space tropes such as cool spaceships, aliens, fleet battles, as well as many other experiences that any fan of space games will love.

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This article will list some of the best games featuring epic space combat that you need to check out. While some of these are newer games that consist of better graphics and mechanics, a lot of them are older, iconic ones that have stood the test of time.

10 Star Wars: Squadrons

Released: 2020

Developer: MOTIVE

Star Wars: Squadrons may not have been the perfect Star Wars game, but it does feature some of the best space combat we have seen in recent years. You get to compete in large-scale fleet battles, where you can use iconic starfighters such as the X-Wing and the TIE Fighters to take part in dogfights and clear the competition.

Although the multiplayer mode of the game may not be too active, it is worth checking out due to the single-player campaign mode alone, which takes place after Return of the Jedi and is pretty interesting for any Star Wars fan.

9 House Of The Dying Sun

Released: 2015

Developer: Marauder Interactive, LLC

House Of The Dying Sun has some of the best graphics for a space combat simulator game, and it is also one of the most tactical games in this genre. Completing the 14 campaign scenarios of this game at all the difficulty levels will push you to your limits, and you will have to make every move carefully.

This is also one of the few space sims that comes with VR support, which can make the experience even more realistic and make you truly feel as if you're in space.

8 X4: Foundations

Released: 2018

Developer: Egosoft

X4: Foundations is one of the most in-depth space simulator games out there. From amazing, realistic space combat to the ability to manage a vast empire in space, consisting of producing, mining, and trading between planets, this game has everything you could ask for.

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Although combat isn't the biggest part of the game as it is mostly focused on the economic and management aspects, there are still some opportunities where you get to use your guns or energy beams when flying around, which is quite fun.

7 Darkstar One

Released: 2006

Developer: Ascaron Entertainment ltd.

Darkstar One may not be the perfect game due to its various bugs, but it still perfectly encapsulates what a space shooter game should look like. There are over 200 different weapons and equipment to use, with some of the special weapons being extremely fun to experiment with.

This game also gives you a lot of freedom in terms of its storyline, and you get to decide whether you want to play the good or bad guy role. The missions in this game are a lot of fun and its variety of alien races, weapons, and intense gameplay make up for any of its flaws.

6 Star Citizen

Released: 2024

Developer: Cloud Imperium Games

Star Citizen is an open-world MMO game set in outer space. Although the game also features FPS ground combat, its space combat is one of the most challenging yet rewarding parts of it. The realistic physics of this game make it a challenge even to fly your spaceship and use your thrusters properly.

Once you've figured out how to fly, shooting and aiming is even more of a challenge, as tracking your enemies can be quite tough. But once you figure out how to get better at it, it will be a struggle to go back to any other space game.

5 Starpoint Gemini 2

Released: 2014

Developer: Little Green Men Games

Starpoint Gemini 2 takes a lot of inspiration from retro space games such as Freelancer to create a beautiful and immersive environment. This game puts you in an RPG environment where you lead your crew through hundreds of quests and objectives.

Space combat in this game is exceptional, and the ships are easy to command and the variety of weapons makes it even better. The addition of cool space travel methods such as riftways, wormholes, and T-Gates adds a lot of flexibility to the game when it comes to travel.

4 Power Of Ten

Released: 2023

Developer: Pew Times Three

Although the pixel art style of Power Of Ten may not be for everyone, this game is still a lot of fun for anyone who likes space combat. The objective of each level is to save as many civilians as you can before they get overrun by enemy warships.

The procedurally generated maps of Power Of Ten make every level a new challenge and the number of playable ships you can choose from makes it all the more fun. If you're looking for a fast-paced game that focuses mostly on combat, then there aren't many better options than this.

3 Infinity: Battlescape

Released: 2019

Developer: I-Novae Studios, LLC

Infinity: Battlescape is a multiplayer space simulation game that is set in an infinite open-world environment. You have to work together with other players in this game to destroy enemy territories and make sure your faction gets to the top.

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The large-scale, interdimensional wars in Infinity: Battlescape are unlike any other game, and having the right strategy and tactics across your team is essential for success. The fact that every spaceship in the game has its different strengths and the fact that there are so many differing environments to compete in is also a big factor.

2 Everspace 2

Released: 2023

Developer: ROCKFISH Games

Everspace 2 is exactly what a space-shooting and combat game should feel like. This game is intense, fast-paced, and has arcadey mechanics that make it easy and fun to play. Speeding around in your spaceship, taking fights while ducking, dodging, and doing everything you can to avoid getting hit while using your massive arsenal of weapons to take down your enemies is the main concept of this game.

Along with the fun gameplay, there is also an interesting story to go alongside it, as well as an extremely large universe with plenty of side content and activities to keep you engaged.

1 Freespace 2

Released: 1999

Developer: Volition Inc

Although it came out in 1999, Freespace 2 is still one of the greatest space combat games ever made. Along with a great storyline that puts you in the middle of an intergalactic war, the gameplay is also incredible and makes you complete a variety of missions, including destroying large enemy ships and taking down aliens.

You also get the option of customizing your ships, which is pretty cool for such an old game. Some other features, such as managing your team's tactics and guiding your squad to victory in these battles make the game all the more fun.

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