The genre of space simulations epitomizes ambition in gaming, presenting players with vast galaxies and intricate solar systems to navigate. While the prospect of such expansive exploration can be thrilling, it often leads to feelings of overwhelm, especially when tasked with managing spaceship upgrades, oxygen supplies, and potential alien encounters simultaneously.
Balancing multiple complex systems, mastering intricate mechanics, and fending off fleets of hostile aliens can create a daunting experience. Not to mention the constant pressure of inhabiting an infinite universe. Many casual gamers prefer their gaming sessions to be enjoyable rather than an exhausting exercise in astrophysics or complex planning.
Fortunately, the gaming landscape is rich with space simulation titles that prioritize relaxed gameplay without sacrificing adventure. Here, we highlight some of the best space games tailored for those seeking an enjoyable journey among the stars without the mental strain.
11 Diaries of a Spaceport Janitor
Not All Heroes Wear Capes (Some Wear Overalls)
At first glance, Diaries of a Spaceport Janitor might not seem like a classic space adventure. Instead of commandeering starships or battling aliens, you take on the role of a janitor, tasked with tidying up after the intrepid heroes congregating at a bustling spaceport.
Sounds mundane, right? However, this game’s unique twist transforms it into one of the year’s standout space experiences. In your role as an underfunded Alaensee girlbeast, you strive to make a living while surrounded by exciting stories of brave explorers and interstellar heroes.
While you dream of owning your own spaceship, your current job involves handling the refuse of these gallant figures. Yet, what you discover amidst discarded items provides surprising insights into their lives, turning your scavenger quest into an enjoyable exploration of the mundane.
With choices on what to keep and what to toss away, including the curious option to taste certain items, Diaries of a Spaceport Janitor feels more like an engaging scavenger hunt than a traditional video game. It elegantly captures the notion that adventure can exist in the everyday, proving that epic outer space narratives aren’t always required to enjoy life among the stars.
10 Little-Known Galaxy
Anywhere is Home
Who would have thought that farming could intertwine so seamlessly with space exploration? Little-Known Galaxy merges these seemingly disparate genres into a delightful and cozy role-playing adventure.
In this game, you embody a captain-in-training for the Space Alliance, embarking on a mission to create sustainable farms, craft valuable resources, and explore planets—all on your own schedule. Your primary objective involves unraveling a captivating mystery surrounding a relic discovered on the Grey Planet, and thankfully, there’s no rush to solve it.
Along your journey, you’ll encounter friendly inhabitants, welcoming aliens, and even unique flora with unexpected traits. With numerous worlds to discover and new friendships to forge, the game maintains a relaxed pace that feels inviting rather than overwhelming.
Little-Known Galaxy proves that space can be both vast and cozy, accessible to players no matter their usual gaming preferences.
9 Farlands
If Stardew Valley Were in Space
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Developer |
JanduSoft, Eric Rodríguez |
|---|---|
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Release Date |
July 24th, 2024 |
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Platform |
PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X | S, PC |
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Genre |
Space Adventure, Farming Sim |
Imagine combining the essence of Stardew Valley with the thrill of space exploration, and you get Farlands. Rather than inheriting a farm, you purchase an inexpensive agrarian planet on the fringes of the galaxy.
Having escaped the clutches of a fast-paced urban life, you dive into the tranquil rhythm of cultivating alien crops, raising unusual livestock, and slowly transforming your desolate land into a flourishing homestead, free from the chaos of interstellar capitalism.
However, you’re not confined to this new sanctuary. Your ship, albeit in rough shape, enables exploration of neighboring planets overflowing with resources to enhance your farm and tools.
As you interact with friendly—and occasionally hostile—NPCs, you’ll discover friendships, build relationships, and even explore the possibility of love, enriching your space journey.
8 Among Us
Social Deduction at its Funniest
Among Us has gained notoriety within the gaming community for its unique blend of social deduction and space adventure, proving to be an approachably fun experience.
In this multiplayer game, you and your friends find yourselves on a spacecraft, collaborating to ensure the vessel remains operational. However, one player is secretly an impostor, sabotaging your efforts and eliminating the crew one by one.
The crew’s mission is to deduce the identity of the impostor and vote them off, igniting a thrilling game of suspicion and strategy. This scenario creates a tense atmosphere as players navigate trust and deception.
While it may not be overwhelming in terms of mechanics, the pressure of determining who is trustworthy adds excitement, making every session a unique and intense experience.
7 60 Parsecs!
Soup is Love, Soup is Life
60 Parsecs! serves as a humorous successor to the beloved 60 Seconds, shifting the action from suburban disaster management to a peculiar sci-fi escapade.
As the game begins, you’re informed of impending nuclear destruction. With only 60 seconds to gather essential items and your crew members, the race against time commences.
Once you’re aboard your spacecraft, your job is to manage food supplies, execute vital ship repairs, and prevent your eclectic team from meeting grim fates.
Though the premise sounds intense, the light-hearted humor and whimsical art style reduce the stress, allowing players to enjoy the narrative even amid chaos. The game’s focus is less on minute management and more on surviving bizarre circumstances for comedic outcomes.
6 Mouthwashing
Don’t Drink the Kool-Aid
Mouthwashing might be one of the chilling titles on this list, yet it maintains an approachability that sets it apart from many horror games. Players assume the role of a crew member aboard the merchant spaceship Tulpar, which suffers a disastrous crash.
With dwindling resources and no rescue in sight, you face the grim decision of either succumbing to starvation or relying on the hazardous mouthwash supply aboard.
As isolation takes its toll, choices become increasingly fraught with paranoia, leading you to question what’s real and who can be trusted. As players navigate claustrophobic conditions on the ship, the line between sanity and madness blurs, creating a compelling psychological experience.
5 Dome Keeper
Steal Resources from Abandoned Planets
Dome Keeper is an excellent choice for gamers whowant action without being bogged down by complex systems. Your primary aim is straightforward: gather resources before enemies breach your protective dome.
As you explore various alien worlds, your objective is to harvest as many valuable materials as possible, all while under threat from hostile forces. Within the safety of your dome, you dig and mine, but the challenge increases as survivor hostiles launch their attacks.
You can use the resources collected to upgrade your defenses and tools, encouraging exploration of more treacherous planets with greater rewards. The roguelike structure guarantees that each run feels fresh and never tiresome.
Instead of being overwhelmed with micro-management, players focus on meaningful decisions, creating a compelling yet accessible gaming experience for action lovers.
4 I Was a Teenage Exocolonist
Become a Human Alien
I Was a Teenage Exocolonist offers one of the most accessible pathways into the vastness of space. You play as a ten-year-old who has just arrived on the new planet, Vertumna, aboard a spaceship that has journeyed through a wormhole.
The maiden settlers escaped Earth, a collapsing civilization rife with neglect and despair. Your parents, part of a rebellion, embarked on a wild mission to survive, ultimately landing on Vertumna, a world that initially appears as an idyllic refuge.
Throughout a decade on this planet, your decisions significantly influence both your character’s development and the colony’s survival. Whether exploring your surroundings, socializing, or farming, each choice contributes to the colony’s fate.
Will it thrive harmoniously with its environment or exploit it for resources? Your actions dictate the future of your settlement, providing an engaging narrative within a space setting that values growth over conquest.
3 Risk of Rain Returns
The Riskier and Rainier Remake
Risk of Rain Returns reimagines the original cult classic with modern enhancements while retaining its core attributes. You find yourself crash-landing on an enigmatic alien world where survival against hordes of bizarre creatures becomes paramount.
The straightforward gameplay loop—fight, collect, survive—invites both old fans and new players, as chaotic action unfolds in a 2D side-scrolling format that remains digestible and engaging.
There’s little need for tutorials; you can dive right in and grasp the mechanics with ease. Should you feel overwhelmed by overwhelming hordes, the newly introduced co-op feature allows you to invite friends to lighten the load.
2 Slime Rancher 2
More Sliming, More Ranching
Few titles can match the pure charm of Slime Rancher, and its sequel, Slime Rancher 2, elevates this charm to new heights. Players once again take on the role of Beatrix LeBeau as she explores a new, slime-filled world known as Rainbow Island.
Your main goal? Collect a variety of delightful alien creatures, navigating vibrant environments while expanding your ranch. Each day involves building enclosures, feeding slimes, and caring for their unique needs—all adding layers of challenge without ever feeling overwhelming.
As you cultivate your alien ranch, the resources produced will be invaluable for upgrading and expanding your operations, enhancing your journey toward becoming a top-notch slime rancher.
Proving that adventure doesn’t always require high-stakes scenarios, Slime Rancher 2 illustrates how true satisfaction can blossom amidst a joyful array of alien jelly blobs.
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