Best Sci-fi Games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated sci-fi games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free sci-fi games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Gods and Idols
Take the role of a newly ascended deity in Gods and Idols. Carve your place among the stars in an open, dynamic, and massive MMORTS universe. Command the powers of the cosmos, form alliances, and use your worshipers as instruments to further your goals.
ICEY
ICEY is a 2D side-scrolling action game and a META game in disguise. As you follow the narrator's omnipresent voice, you will see through ICEY's eyes and learn the truth about her world. The narrator will constantly urge you in one direction, but you must ask, "Why? Why am I following his directions?“ Obey? Rebel?
Ashes of the Singularity: Escalation
A massive-scale real-time strategy game where you command entire armies on a dynamic battlefield. Conquer multiple worlds across several single-player campaigns; or play with your friends in multiplayer combat.
Planet Explorers
Planet Explorers is an open world sandbox adventure RPG game set on a distant planet. The game uses a new OpenCL calculated voxel system to allow players to change the terrain in any way, create new objects such as weapons, vehicles, objects, and do it anywhere.
Memory's Dogma CODE:01
Japan, 2030 A.D. Memories can now be digitized and archived, allowing people to communicate with the deceased. With only one week left before his best friend’s memories are deleted, can Hiroki uncover the truth behind Sorano’s death?
Rencounter
Rencounter is a difficult, turn-based, RPG, roguelike game with a mysterious atmosphere. Help your squad survive while navigating through a network of tunnels and rooms. Distribute provisions and medicine to keep them alive.
House of the Dying Sun
House of the Dying Sun is a tactical space shooter that puts you in the cockpit of the universe's most terrifying starfighter. Hunt the enemies of the Empire and bring ruin to their people.
Sakura Space
Captain Shika has seen all kinds of things in her adventures throughout the universe, and with her two loyal crew members by her side, she's managed to make a name for her small company of mercenaries. When Shika finds a bounty job offering an absurd amount of money, she doesn't hesitate to act: tracking hardened criminals is part of the...
Half-Life: A Place in the West
In a devastated America, sinister commandos are kidnapping children and taking them to a hidden city with a mysterious cosmic tower at its heart – a tower that may prove to be humanity’s salvation, or its doom. Join three survivors in this fan-made comic as they attempt to unlock the city’s secrets.
Particle Fleet: Emergence
Build and design your own fleets and stand opposed to the Particulate in this physics/strategy/RTS/fleet hybrid. Build partially destructible and self repairing ships that interact with enemies less controlled by some scripted logic and more driven by a real time massive physics particle simulation.
Quantum Break
From Remedy Entertainment, the masters of cinematic action games, comes Quantum Break, a time-amplified suspenseful blockbuster. The Quantum Break experience is part game, part live action show—where decisions in one dramatically affect the other.
Children of a Dead Earth
The most scientifically accurate space warfare simulator ever made. Now with Steam Workshop!
The Uncertain: Last Quiet Day
The Uncertain is an story-driven adventure game set in a post-apocalyptic world. Experience the mysterious vibe of each of carefully explored locations, solve diverse puzzles, make fateful decisions and discuss intriguing matters to find out the whole truth being kept from you.
Stellar Tactics
A Sci-Fi role-playing game featuring turn-based ground combat, space exploration, deep character customization and a massive living universe with over 160,000 star systems. Equip your ships with the best equipment you can find, gather a powerful crew of mercenaries and set out into the void!
Diaries of a Spaceport Janitor
Diaries of a Spaceport Janitor is an anti-adventure game about picking up trash in an alien bazaar. Play as the Janitor, an Alaensee girlbeast with a municipally-subsidized trash incineration job and dreams of leaving the planet of Xabran's Rock far behind her.
Space Rogue
Take on the role of a spaceship captain. Explore new worlds, and engage in intense ship-to-ship battles. Develop unique battle tactics, upgrade your ship, and recruit crew members as you fight for peace or piracy.
BioShock™ 2 Remastered
In BioShock 2, you step into the boots of the most iconic denizen of Rapture, the Big Daddy, as you explore through the decrepit and beautiful fallen city, chasing an unseen foe in search of answers and your own survival.
BioShock™ Remastered
BioShock is a shooter unlike any other, loaded with unique weapons and tactics. Complete with an arsenal of revolvers, shotguns, and grenade launchers, players will be forced to genetically modify their DNA to become an even deadlier weapon.
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TOXIKK™
FRAG LIKE IT'S 1999! TOXIKK plays as if today's military shooters never existed: Designed as a spiritual successor to the FPS giants of the late 90s and early 2ks, TOXIKK carefully evolves their mechanics with modern technology and fresh ideas elaborated with Arena-FPS enthusiasts.
Most played sci-fi games on Steam
Take a look at the top sci-fi games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of June 17th 2025.
1. Stellaris
Explore a galaxy full of wonders in this sci-fi grand strategy game from Paradox Development Studios. Interact with diverse alien races, discover strange new worlds with unexpected events and expand the reach of your empire. Each new adventure holds almost limitless possibilities. Stellaris is a space, grand strategy and strategy game developed by Paradox Development Studio and published by Paradox Interactive. Released on May 09th 2016 has received 185,433 reviews of which 159,527 were positive and 25,906 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played sci-fi game, thanks to its 12,205 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.5
159,527
25,906
12,205
players
2. No Man's Sky
No Man's Sky is a game about exploration and survival in an infinite procedurally generated universe. No Man's Sky is a open world, open world survival craft and space game developed and published by Hello Games. Released on August 12th 2016 has received 352,858 reviews of which 293,332 were positive and 59,526 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. While seeing 10,610 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among sci-fi games based on player count.
8.2
293,332
59,526
10,610
players
3. Elite Dangerous
Take control of your own starship in a cutthroat galaxy. Elite Dangerous is the definitive massively multiplayer space epic. Elite Dangerous is a space sim, space and open world game developed and published by Frontier Developments. Released on April 02nd 2015 has received 100,024 reviews of which 77,388 were positive and 22,636 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. While seeing 3,985 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among sci-fi games based on player count.
7.7
77,388
22,636
3,985
players
4. Brotato
Brotato is a top-down arena shooter roguelite where you play a potato wielding up to 6 weapons at a time to fight off hordes of aliens. Choose from a variety of traits and items to create unique builds and survive until help arrives. Brotato is a rogue-like, singleplayer and action roguelike game developed and published by Blobfish. Released on June 23rd 2023 has received 97,801 reviews of which 94,525 were positive and 3,276 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. With 3,296 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played sci-fi games.
9.5
94,525
3,276
3,296
players
5. STAR WARS™ Empire at War - Gold Pack
Command or corrupt an entire galaxy in the definitive Star Wars strategy collection. It is a time of galactic civil war. Will you take up the reins of the Rebellion, assume control of the Empire, or rule the Star Wars Underworld? STAR WARS™ Empire at War - Gold Pack is a strategy, rts and space game developed by Petroglyph and published by LucasArts, Lucasfilm and Disney. Released on May 25th 2010 has received 39,435 reviews of which 38,503 were positive and 932 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. With 2,648 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played sci-fi games.
9.6
38,503
932
2,648
players
6. Mass Effect™ Legendary Edition
The Mass Effect™ Legendary Edition includes single-player base content and over 40 DLC from the highly acclaimed Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3 games, including promo weapons, armors, and packs — remastered and optimized for 4K Ultra HD. Mass Effect™ Legendary Edition is a story rich, rpg and choices matter game developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts. Released on May 14th 2021 has received 56,328 reviews of which 51,295 were positive and 5,033 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 2,609 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played sci-fi games.
9.0
51,295
5,033
2,609
players
7. Half-Life 2
Reawakened from stasis in the occupied metropolis of City 17, Gordon Freeman is joined by Alyx Vance as he leads a desperate human resistance. Experience the landmark first-person shooter packed with immersive world-building, boundary-pushing physics, and exhilarating combat. Half-Life 2 is a fps, action and sci-fi game developed and published by Valve. Released on November 16th 2004 has received 245,627 reviews of which 239,721 were positive and 5,906 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.7 out of 10. With 1,520 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played sci-fi games.
9.7
239,721
5,906
1,520
players
8. BATTLETECH
Take command of your own mercenary outfit of 'Mechs and the MechWarriors that pilot them, struggling to stay afloat as you find yourself drawn into a brutal interstellar civil war. BATTLETECH is a mechs, strategy and turn-based tactics game developed by Harebrained Schemes and published by Paradox Interactive. Released on April 24th 2018 has received 31,563 reviews of which 26,438 were positive and 5,125 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. With 1,422 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played sci-fi games.
8.2
26,438
5,125
1,422
players
9. FTL: Faster Than Light
This "spaceship simulation roguelike-like" allows you to take your ship and crew on an adventure through a randomly generated galaxy filled with glory and bitter defeat. FTL: Faster Than Light is a rogue-like, space and strategy game developed and published by Subset Games. Released on September 14th 2012 has received 75,052 reviews of which 71,561 were positive and 3,491 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 1,360 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played sci-fi games.
9.4
71,561
3,491
1,360
players
10. Star Trek Online
In Star Trek Online, the Star Trek universe appears for the first time on a truly massive scale. Players take the captain's chair as they command their own starship and crew. Explore strange new worlds, seek out new life and new civilizations, and boldly go where no one has gone before. Star Trek Online is a free to play, sci-fi and massively multiplayer game developed by Cryptic Studios and published by Arc Games. Released on January 31st 2012 has received 20,145 reviews of which 15,939 were positive and 4,206 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. With 996 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played sci-fi games.
7.8
15,939
4,206
996
players
Best deals on sci-fi games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of sci-fi games available on Steam right now, updated on June 17th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted sci-fi games.
1. Interstellar Space: Genesis
Interstellar Space: Genesis is a turn-based space 4X strategy game in which you attempt to build a thriving galactic empire. Discover mysteries among the stars, colonize worlds, and engage enemies in tactical turn-based combat on your journey to becoming the ruler of the galaxy! Interstellar Space: Genesis is a strategy, indie and 4x game developed and published by Praxis Games. Released on July 25th 2019 has received 772 reviews of which 648 were positive and 124 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. Featuring a massive 99% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for sci-fi category.
7.9
648
124
-99%
27.99€
0.46€
2. Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak
A ground-based RTS prequel to the classic Homeworld games. Assemble your fleet and lead them to victory on the shifting sands of Kharak in this compelling strategy game for PC from Blackbird Interactive. Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak is a strategy, rts and sci-fi game developed by Blackbird Interactive and published by Gearbox Publishing. Released on January 20th 2016 has received 8,519 reviews of which 6,789 were positive and 1,730 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 99% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in sci-fi games.
7.8
6,789
1,730
-99%
45.99€
0.88€
3. Ultros
ULTROS is a psychedelic metroidvania where you wake up stranded on The Sarcophagus — a cosmic uterus holding an ancient, demonic being. Trapped in the loop of a black hole, you will have to explore The Sarcophagus and meet its inhabitants to understand the part you play... Ultros is a metroidvania, adventure and platformer game developed by Hadoque and published by Kepler Interactive. Released on February 13th 2024 has received 744 reviews of which 594 were positive and 150 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 99% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in sci-fi games.
7.6
594
150
-99%
34.99€
0.44€
4. Aven Colony
Build a new home for humanity in Aven Colony. Discover Aven Prime - an alien planet of deserts, tundras, and wetlands light years from earth. Build your colonies into massive, sprawling cities whilst dealing with the challenges faced when settling on a new world. Aven Colony is a colony sim, city builder and strategy game developed by Mothership Entertainment LLC and published by Team17 Digital Ltd. Released on July 25th 2017 has received 2,638 reviews of which 1,921 were positive and 717 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 99% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for sci-fi games.
7.1
1,921
717
-99%
29.99€
0.47€
5. Starpoint Gemini 2
Captain your own space ship and roam the galaxy in 3D in this tactical space simulator with tons of RPG depth ! Space has never looked so inviting - but images can betray...It has been two years since the end of the second Gemini war, the situation in the wartorn system is further from resolution than ever. Starpoint Gemini 2 is a space, simulation and rpg game developed and published by Little Green Men Games. Released on September 26th 2014 has received 4,093 reviews of which 2,843 were positive and 1,250 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 99% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for sci-fi games.
6.8
2,843
1,250
-99%
31.99€
0.56€
6. Rebel Galaxy Outlaw
Out of cash, out of luck, out on the fringe. Juno Markev has a killer to tail, a debt to pay, and more trouble headed her way. Rebel Galaxy Outlaw takes place in a greasy, blue-collar world of outlaws, truckers, cops and thieves. Rebel Galaxy Outlaw is a space sim, open world and action-adventure game developed and published by Double Damage Games. Released on September 22nd 2020 has received 1,033 reviews of which 659 were positive and 374 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 99% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for sci-fi games.
6.2
659
374
-99%
24.99€
0.43€
7. XCOM: Enemy Unknown
The XCOM: Enemy Unknown - Slingshot Pack is Now Available! XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a turn-based strategy, tactical and strategy game developed by Firaxis Games and Feral Interactive (Linux) and published by Feral Interactive (Linux) and 2K. Released on October 11th 2012 has received 56,414 reviews of which 52,717 were positive and 3,697 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for sci-fi games.
9.2
52,717
3,697
-98%
19.99€
0.47€
8. Citizen Sleeper
Roleplaying in the ruins of interplanetary capitalism. Live the life of an escaped worker, washed-up on a lawless station at the edge of an interstellar society. Inspired by the flexibility and freedom of TTRPGs, explore the station, choose your friends, escape your past and change your future. Citizen Sleeper is a rpg, dice and story rich game developed by Jump Over The Age and published by Fellow Traveller. Released on May 05th 2022 has received 8,105 reviews of which 7,522 were positive and 583 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for sci-fi games.
9
7,522
583
-98%
19.50€
0.49€
9. Dome Keeper
Defend against waves of alien attackers in this innovative roguelike survival miner. Dig for resources and choose from powerful upgrade paths. Is there enough time to mine a little deeper and get back to defend before the monsters attack your dome? Dome Keeper is a singleplayer, post-apocalyptic and rogue-like game developed by Bippinbits and published by Raw Fury. Released on September 27th 2022 has received 16,212 reviews of which 14,952 were positive and 1,260 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for sci-fi games.
9.0
14,952
1,260
-98%
17.99€
0.44€
10. Overload
A new six-degree-of-freedom shooter with intuitive controls, amazing lighting and graphics. From the creators of Descent, Overload is the best zero-gravity robot-blasting combat ever. Overload is a action, 6dof and fps game developed and published by Revival Productions and LLC. Released on May 31st 2018 has received 2,022 reviews of which 1,903 were positive and 119 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for sci-fi games.
9.0
1,903
119
-98%
24.99€
0.59€
Free sci-fi games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play sci-fi games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on June 17th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play sci-fi games.
1. Star Trek Online
In Star Trek Online, the Star Trek universe appears for the first time on a truly massive scale. Players take the captain's chair as they command their own starship and crew. Explore strange new worlds, seek out new life and new civilizations, and boldly go where no one has gone before. Star Trek Online is a free to play, sci-fi and massively multiplayer game developed by Cryptic Studios and published by Arc Games. Released on January 31st 2012 has received 20,145 reviews of which 15,939 were positive and 4,206 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. With 996 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free sci-fi games on Steam.
7.8
15,939
4,206
996
players
2. Endless Sky
Endless Sky is a 2D space trading and combat game inspired by the classic Escape Velocity series. Work your way up from a relatively wimpy shuttle, cargo ship, or fighter, to a highly upgraded and customized flagship or to a massive fleet of warships or freighters. Endless Sky is a space, free to play and open world game developed and published by Michael Zahniser. Released on October 30th 2015 has received 6,651 reviews of which 6,141 were positive and 510 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 121, this sci-fi game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free sci-fi games on Steam.
8.9
6,141
510
121
players
3. Hades' Star
A unique space strategy game where thousands of players participate in one shared galaxy. Hades' Star is a free to play, space and strategy game developed and published by Parallel Space Inc. Released on February 27th 2019 has received 2,577 reviews of which 1,874 were positive and 703 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 115, this sci-fi game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free sci-fi games on Steam.
7.1
1,874
703
115
players
4. Pixel Starships
Pixel Starships is an FTL-style online sci-fi strategy builder and management game with a competitive PVP tournament. Set in the retro galaxy, your role is to explore space, meet aliens, and develop your ship, crew and AI. The game contains deep strategic and 4x elements. PSS is community-driven. Pixel Starships is a sci-fi, space and strategy game developed and published by SavySoda. Released on May 23rd 2023 has received 2,732 reviews of which 2,008 were positive and 724 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 110 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free sci-fi games on Steam.
7.1
2,008
724
110
players
5. Prosperous Universe
In Prosperous Universe start your galactic empire by trading on the real-time market exchange with other real players. Build your 1st base from humble beginnings & watch as your business flourishes with complex supply chain strategies. Economics, politics & realism fuel this immersive business MMO. Prosperous Universe is a early access, economy and resource management game developed and published by simulogics. Released on April 20th 2022 has received 899 reviews of which 674 were positive and 225 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free sci-fi games on Steam.
7.2
674
225
29
players
6. 买个可乐饼吧！ - Buy a Croquette!
March 2012, Nagano. The smart and brave high school girl, Chio Aozora, is facing a major crisis: she has no money to buy a croquette! Navigate through the streets and alleys of Nagano, interact with a variety of characters, solve complex puzzles, collect 380 yen in coins, and buy a croquette! 买个可乐饼吧！ - Buy a Croquette! is a rpgmaker, mystery and sci-fi game developed by 越青 and published by Eternal Dream. Released on April 27th 2024 has received 4,397 reviews of which 4,355 were positive and 42 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free sci-fi games on Steam.
9.5
4,355
42
6
players
7. Star Wars: Droid Repair Bay
In Star Wars: Droid Repair Bay by ILMxLAB, Poe Dameron's sidekick needs your help. Repair BB-8 and his astromech droid friends, each with their own unique personalities, so they can roll back into the fight against the First Order. Star Wars: Droid Repair Bay is a free to play, vr and robots game developed by ILMxLAB and published by Disney Platform Distribution and Inc.. Released on December 06th 2017 has received 539 reviews of which 484 were positive and 55 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free sci-fi games on Steam.
8.4
484
55
6
players
8. The Orville - Interactive Fan Experience
Step aboard the USS Orville (ECV-197), the Planetary Union's finest mid-level exploratory class cruiser. With every room on every deck recreated with painstaking accuracy, you are free to explore the ship at your leisure and engage in all manner of shenanigans! The Orville - Interactive Fan Experience is a sandbox, space and sci-fi game developed and published by Messy Desk Interactive. Released on July 23rd 2019 has received 998 reviews of which 901 were positive and 97 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free sci-fi games on Steam.
8.5
901
97
2
players
9. Toaster Arena
Toaster Arena is a first person multiplayer arena shooter where players battle it out on different maps and game modes. Use Advanced movement to traverse obstacles and gain the advantage on the battlefield. Toaster Arena is a early access, action and fps game developed and published by Shadow_hawk. Released on January 20th 2025 has received 322 reviews of which 294 were positive and 28 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free sci-fi games on Steam.
8.4
294
28
2
players
10. Red Planet Farming
Become the first Agricultural Director of Mars in Red Planet Farming! This casual strategy game tasks players with producing enough food to feed a growing population of settlers on the red planet. Red Planet Farming is a strategy, indie and sci-fi game developed by Nina Demirjian, Sean Park and Sean Porio and published by Nina Demirjian. Released on May 25th 2020 has received 832 reviews of which 800 were positive and 32 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free sci-fi games on Steam.
9.0
800
32
1
players