Best Space Sim 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 space sim games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free space sim games are available at the bottom of the page.
Most played space sim games on Steam
Take a look at the top space sim games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of June 14th 2025.
1. 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. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played space sim game, thanks to its 4,502 peak concurrent players over the last day.2. X4: Foundations
Thrilling space battles meet deep strategy. X4 invites you to explore, fight, trade, and build an empire in a dynamic, fully simulated space sandbox, where every decision shapes your journey. Now featuring the 2025 flight model overhaul. X4: Foundations is a space sim, simulation and sandbox game developed and published by Egosoft. Released on November 30th 2018 has received 23,847 reviews of which 18,951 were positive and 4,896 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. While seeing 2,234 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among space sim games based on player count.3. Void Crew
Void Crew is a Chaotic, Co-op Roguelite game for 1 to 6 players: Outfit your spaceship and crew for thrilling quests, brave fierce enemies in Space Battles... and try not to panic! Void Crew is a co-op, multiplayer and space sim game developed by Hutlihut Games and published by Focus Entertainment. Released on November 25th 2024 has received 6,713 reviews of which 5,922 were positive and 791 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. While seeing 753 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among space sim games based on player count.4. Avorion
A procedural co-op space sandbox where players can build their own space ships out of dynamically scalable blocks. Fight epic space battles, explore, mine, trade, wage wars and build your own empire to save your galaxy from being torn apart by an unknown enemy. Avorion is a exploration, sandbox and space sim game developed and published by Boxelware. Released on March 09th 2020 has received 13,614 reviews of which 12,286 were positive and 1,328 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. With 647 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played space sim games.5. Star Trucker
Haul cargo, trade salvage and keep your space suit close as you search for fame and fortune among the stars in a game that puts an interstellar twist on the truck sim genre. Star Trucker is a transportation, space sim and automobile sim game developed by Monster and Monster and published by Raw Fury. Released on September 03rd 2024 has received 4,271 reviews of which 3,373 were positive and 898 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played space sim games.6. Spaceflight Simulator
In Spaceflight Simulator, you will get to build your rockets, plan launches and flights, attempt landings, deploy payloads and explore new worlds. Spaceflight Simulator is a sandbox, space sim and space game developed and published by Team Curiosity ✦. Released on February 17th 2022 has received 6,318 reviews of which 6,085 were positive and 233 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played space sim games.7. Star Conflict
Star Conflict is an action-packed, massively multiplayer space simulation game that puts players in the role of elite pilots engaging in a widespread interplanetary skirmish. The whole world for PVP and PVE! Star Conflict is a online co-op, free to play and space sim game developed by Star Gem Inc. and published by Gaijin Network Ltd. Released on February 27th 2013 has received 14,853 reviews of which 10,879 were positive and 3,974 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played space sim games.8. Starcom: Unknown Space
Starcom: Unknown Space is an action RPG of space exploration and adventure. Build your own starship while discovering an epic story in a universe of strange mysteries, alien factions and uncharted worlds. Starcom: Unknown Space is a space, exploration and open world game developed and published by Wx3 Labs and LLC. Released on September 02nd 2024 has received 3,168 reviews of which 2,928 were positive and 240 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played space sim games.9. PULSAR: Lost Colony
The co-op open-world space sim where everyone has a role! Pilot the ship. Reroute power. Launch nukes. Explore alien planets. Research new talents. Work together to find the Lost Colony! ...or just deliver some biscuits PULSAR: Lost Colony is a space sim, open world and simulation game developed and published by Leafy Games. Released on June 22nd 2021 has received 5,578 reviews of which 5,020 were positive and 558 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played space sim games.10. Juno: New Origins
Bring to life anything you can imagine from rockets and airplanes to cars and more. Automate them with a visual programming language. Explore 3D planets and make your own. Share your creations online. Complete contracts, conquer milestones, and unlock technology in the newly added Career Mode. Juno: New Origins is a building, science and space sim game developed and published by Jundroo and LLC. Released on January 26th 2023 has received 3,118 reviews of which 2,807 were positive and 311 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played space sim games.Best deals on space sim games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of space sim games available on Steam right now, updated on June 14th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted space sim games.
1. 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. Featuring a massive 99% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for space sim category.2. BattleGroupVR
BattleGroupVR is a first person real-time space strategy where you lead a fleet of powerful warships into battle from the bridge of your own flagship. Assemble your fleet, upgrade your load-outs, train your captains, engage the enemy and secure the sector. Try not to go down with the ship. BattleGroupVR is a space sim, space and vr game developed and published by SpaceOwl Games. Released on July 31st 2023 has received 902 reviews of which 834 were positive and 68 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 98% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in space sim games.3. Juno: New Origins
Bring to life anything you can imagine from rockets and airplanes to cars and more. Automate them with a visual programming language. Explore 3D planets and make your own. Share your creations online. Complete contracts, conquer milestones, and unlock technology in the newly added Career Mode. Juno: New Origins is a building, science and space sim game developed and published by Jundroo and LLC. Released on January 26th 2023 has received 3,118 reviews of which 2,807 were positive and 311 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 97% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in space sim games.4. PULSAR: Lost Colony
The co-op open-world space sim where everyone has a role! Pilot the ship. Reroute power. Launch nukes. Explore alien planets. Research new talents. Work together to find the Lost Colony! ...or just deliver some biscuits PULSAR: Lost Colony is a space sim, open world and simulation game developed and published by Leafy Games. Released on June 22nd 2021 has received 5,578 reviews of which 5,020 were positive and 558 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for space sim games.5. SimpleRockets
I am excited to release my first game on Steam! SimpleRockets was released in 2013 for mobile and I've put a ton of work into it to get it ready for PC and Mac. It was inspired by KSP, and it offers a simpler 2D experience for building rockets and exploring space with realistic orbital mechanics. SimpleRockets is a simulation, sandbox and physics game developed and published by Jundroo and LLC. Released on June 03rd 2015 has received 358 reviews of which 306 were positive and 52 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 89% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for space sim games.6. X3: Reunion
X3: Reunion continues the epic space saga, blending deep space trading and intense real-time combat. Explore a vast universe, establish your empire, and shape the new frontier. With enhanced graphics and intricate economies, it's a journey of strategy, simulation, and interstellar intrigue. X3: Reunion is a space, simulation and strategy game developed and published by Egosoft. Released on July 21st 2006 has received 685 reviews of which 494 were positive and 191 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 86% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for space sim games.7. X4: Foundations
Thrilling space battles meet deep strategy. X4 invites you to explore, fight, trade, and build an empire in a dynamic, fully simulated space sandbox, where every decision shapes your journey. Now featuring the 2025 flight model overhaul. X4: Foundations is a space sim, simulation and sandbox game developed and published by Egosoft. Released on November 30th 2018 has received 23,847 reviews of which 18,951 were positive and 4,896 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 84% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for space sim games.8. Interstellar Rift
Interstellar Rift is an open world starship simulator with an emphasis on ship construction and multi-player interaction. Survive in a hostile galaxy with your own custom designed and constructed starship. Invite other players to join your crew or fight them across the galaxy! Interstellar Rift is a space sim, building and open world game developed by Split Polygon and published by Iceberg Interactive. Released on September 24th 2020 has received 1,627 reviews of which 1,125 were positive and 502 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 84% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for space sim games.9. 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. Currently offered at a significant 80% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for space sim games.10. Avorion
A procedural co-op space sandbox where players can build their own space ships out of dynamically scalable blocks. Fight epic space battles, explore, mine, trade, wage wars and build your own empire to save your galaxy from being torn apart by an unknown enemy. Avorion is a exploration, sandbox and space sim game developed and published by Boxelware. Released on March 09th 2020 has received 13,614 reviews of which 12,286 were positive and 1,328 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 58% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for space sim games.Free space sim games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play space sim games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on June 14th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play space sim games.