Space Adventures Await: Top 5 Alternatives to 'Starfield'

While we wait for the release of Bethesda's highly-anticipated interstellar epic, Starfield, there are numerous other space-themed games that can satisfy your thirst for space exploration and adventure. These games offer unique gameplay mechanics, immersive narratives, and stunning sci-fi settings that will transport you to uncharted galaxies. Here are five stellar alternatives to Starfield.

1. Elite Dangerous

Elite Dangerous is a critically acclaimed space flight simulation game developed and published by Frontier Developments. It offers an open-world experience with a galaxy modeled on real-world astronomical data.

Gameplay

In Elite Dangerous, players take on the role of a spaceship pilot who explores a realistic 1:1 scale open-world representation of the Milky Way galaxy. The gameplay is open-ended, allowing players to explore, trade, mine resources, or engage in combat at their leisure.

Story and Setting

The game doesn't have a traditional narrative per se. However, it does feature an evolving player-driven story that unfolds based on the actions of players within the game world. It's set in an incredibly detailed rendition of our own galaxy in the year 3307.

2. No Man's Sky

Hello Games developed and published an action-adventure survival game, No Man's Sky. It has seen significant updates since its initial launch in 2016 which have expanded its universe and gameplay mechanics.

Gameplay

Players start on a random planet at the edge of a procedurally generated universe with over 18 quintillion planets to discover! Gameplay involves exploration, survival, combat, trading and building bases across various planetary systems.

Story and Setting

No Man's Sky features a narrative arc called 'The Atlas Path', along with various side-quests. The setting is a diverse, ever-expanding universe filled with unique planets, alien life forms, and constant surprises.

3. Star Citizen

Star Citizen is an ambitious multiplayer space trading and combat simulator developed and published by Cloud Imperium Games. It's currently in alpha development stage but already offers an impressive level of depth and scale.

Gameplay

Star Citizen gives players the freedom to choose their own path in a vast, persistent universe. They can engage in dogfights, embark on multi-crew ship adventures, discover new worlds or engage in trade or mining operations.

Story and Setting

The game features a rich backstory written by renowned sci-fi writer Dave Haddock. It’s set in the 30th century Milky Way centered around the fictional United Empire of Earth (UEE).

4. Outer Wilds

Annapurna Interactive published an action-adventure game, Outer Wilds, which was developed by Mobius Digital. It’s praised for its innovative gameplay mechanics and engaging storytelling.

Gameplay

Players control a space explorer who repeatedly experiences the same 22 minutes time loop whenever they die. They must uncover secrets scattered across the solar system to break this cycle.

Story and Setting

Outer Wilds has a deeply engaging narrative where players gradually piece together what led to the impending end of their solar system as they explore it. The setting is a compact yet incredibly varied solar system full of unique planets each with its own laws of physics.

5. EVE Online

EVE Online is a massively multiplayer online game (MMO) set in space, developed and published by CCP Games. It’s known for its complex gameplay and vast player-driven economy.

Gameplay

Players pilot customizable spaceships through a galaxy of over 7,800 star systems. They can engage in activities like mining, trading, exploration, and combat. The game is notable for its sandbox design that allows players to freely choose their own activities.

Story and Setting

EVE Online takes place in a science fiction universe full of political intrigue and interstellar conflict. Player actions have significant impacts on the narrative which evolves constantly as factions vie for power in this richly detailed online universe.

While Starfield promises to offer a thrilling space adventure experience, these games provide an excellent alternative until its launch. Each offers unique gameplay mechanics, compelling narratives, and richly detailed settings that will satisfy any fan of sci-fi gaming.