Best Space Sim Games on Steam

Steam currently has 1,095 Space Sim games available to download and play. Explore our list of the best picks ranked by Player Score. Our Player Score rankings are calculated directly from reviews left on the Steam store and will be updated in real-time as more players leave their feedback. Space Sim game rankings were last updated on 12/2/2024.

Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:

1. Dyson Sphere Program

Build the most efficient intergalactic factory in space simulation strategy game Dyson Sphere Program! Harness the power of stars, collect resources, plan and design production lines and develop your interstellar factory from a small space workshop to a galaxy-wide industrial empire.

Dyson Sphere Program banner

Dyson Sphere Program holds the #1 spot for "best Space Sim game on Steam" with a Player Score of 96. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 82,486 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 80,566 positive reviews and 1,920 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $15.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Dyson Sphere Program on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $15.99
Release Date 1/21/2021
Developer Youthcat Studio
Publisher Gamera Games
Steam App Id 1366540

2. Oxygen Not Included

Oxygen Not Included is a space-colony simulation game. Deep inside an alien space rock your industrious crew will need to master science, overcome strange new lifeforms, and harness incredible space tech to survive, and possibly, thrive.

Oxygen Not Included banner

Oxygen Not Included has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Space Sim games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 122,816 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 118,832 positive reviews and 3,984 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $8.49 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.

Steam Price $8.49
Release Date 7/30/2019
Franchise Klei
Developer Klei Entertainment
Publisher Klei Entertainment
Steam App Id 457140

3. Universe Sandbox

Create & destroy on an unimaginable scale with a realistic physics-based space simulator. Explore the beauty of our universe and the fragility of our planet. Use science to bend the laws of gravity, collide planets, boil away oceans, fire epic space lasers, and customize your universe. VR optional.

Universe Sandbox banner

Universe Sandbox has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Space Sim games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 25,433 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 24,502 positive reviews and 931 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $20.09 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Universe Sandbox on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $20.09
Release Date 8/24/2015
Developer Giant Army
Publisher Giant Army
Steam App Id 230290

4. 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 banner

FTL: Faster Than Light has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Space Sim games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 73,012 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 69,734 positive reviews and 3,278 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $2.49 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play FTL: Faster Than Light on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $2.49
Release Date 9/14/2012
Developer Subset Games
Publisher Subset Games
Steam App Id 212680

5. Kerbal Space Program

In Kerbal Space Program, take charge of the space program for the alien race known as the Kerbals. You have access to an array of parts to assemble fully-functional spacecraft that flies (or doesn’t) based on realistic aerodynamic and orbital physics.

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Kerbal Space Program has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Space Sim games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 124,079 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 118,021 positive reviews and 6,058 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $39.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Kerbal Space Program on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $39.99
Release Date 4/27/2015
Franchise Private Division
Developer Squad
Publisher Private Division
Steam App Id 220200

6. SpaceEngine

The world's first science-based photorealistic interactive 3D planetarium that models the entire Universe, using procedural generation for uncharted areas.

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SpaceEngine has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Space Sim games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 11,379 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 10,919 positive reviews and 460 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $17.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run SpaceEngine on the Steam Deck.

Steam Price $17.99
Release Date 6/11/2019
Developer Cosmographic Software
Publisher Cosmographic Software
Steam App Id 314650

7. 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 banner

Spaceflight Simulator has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Space Sim games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,605 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,396 positive reviews and 209 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Spaceflight Simulator on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $14.99
Release Date 2/18/2022
Developers
Publishers
Steam App Id 1718870

8. Cosmoteer: Starship Architect & Commander

Design and simulate the starships of your dreams! Command your ship or fleet in epic battles and manage your crew while exploring a dangerous galaxy. Play alone or with friends, test your ships in online PvP, and let your imagination reach for the stars!

Cosmoteer: Starship Architect & Commander banner

Cosmoteer: Starship Architect & Commander has achieved a Player Score of 92, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Space Sim games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 10,183 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 9,691 positive reviews and 492 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $15.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Cosmoteer: Starship Architect & Commander on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $15.99
Release Date 10/24/2022
Developer Walternate Realities
Publisher Walternate Realities
Steam App Id 799600

9. Mars First Logistics

Build physically simulated rovers and transport awkwardly shaped cargo across the surface of Mars. Earn funds, unlock new parts, and use your ingenuity to help the martians establish a new home. Playable solo or in online co-op!

Mars First Logistics banner

Mars First Logistics has achieved a Player Score of 91, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Space Sim games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,036 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,005 positive reviews and 31 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.

Steam Price $14.99
Release Date 6/22/2023
Developer Shape Shop
Publishers
Steam App Id 1532200

10. Sins of a Solar Empire®: Rebellion

Command a space-faring empire in Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion, the new stand-alone expansion that combines 4X depth with real-time strategy gameplay.

Sins of a Solar Empire®: Rebellion banner

Sins of a Solar Empire®: Rebellion has achieved a Player Score of 91, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Space Sim games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 15,852 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 14,773 positive reviews and 1,079 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $11.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Sins of a Solar Empire®: Rebellion on the Steam Deck.

Steam Price $11.99
Release Date 6/12/2012
Developers
Publisher Stardock Entertainment
Steam App Id 204880

More Space Sim Games

Explore even more rankings for the 100 best Space Sim games available on Steam.

ImageName
Actions
Dyson Sphere Program steam charts
2,638
1/21/2021
96
$15.99
Steam Charts
Oxygen Not Included steam charts
8,317
7/30/2019
95
$8.49
Steam Charts
Universe Sandbox steam charts
359
8/24/2015
94
$20.09
Steam Charts
FTL: Faster Than Light steam charts
1,223
9/14/2012
94
$2.49
Steam Charts
Kerbal Space Program steam charts
2,454
4/27/2015
94
$39.99
Steam Charts
SpaceEngine steam charts
182
6/11/2019
93
$17.99
Steam Charts
Spaceflight Simulator steam charts
177
2/18/2022
93
$14.99
Steam Charts
Cosmoteer: Starship Architect & Commander steam charts
920
10/24/2022
92
$15.99
Steam Charts
Mars First Logistics steam charts
78
6/22/2023
91
$14.99
Steam Charts
Sins of a Solar Empire®: Rebellion steam charts
228
6/12/2012
91
$11.99
Steam Charts
Dune: Imperium steam charts
435
3/13/2024
91
$18.39
Steam Charts
Reentry - A Space Flight Simulator steam charts
11
11/15/2018
90
$23.99
Steam Charts
Fractal Block World steam charts
24
10/18/2021
90
$6.99
Steam Charts
ΔV: Rings of Saturn steam charts
49
7/21/2023
90
$5.79
Steam Charts
Endless Sky steam charts
82
10/30/2015
89
Free
Steam Charts
Farlands steam charts
6
7/24/2024
89
$13.49
Steam Charts
Cozy Space Survivors steam charts
1
5/3/2024
89
$2.69
Steam Charts
3030 Deathwar Redux - A Space Odyssey steam charts
1
9/13/2017
89
$7.49
Steam Charts
Rodina steam charts
1
7/28/2014
88
$14.99
Steam Charts
The Final Earth 2 steam charts
7
7/15/2022
88
$9.99
Steam Charts
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Soures & References

Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Reviews and rankings are enriched, analyzed, and updated in real-time to ensure we surface the most up-to-date insights. Learn more about the Steambase approach to data collection and our review methodology.

  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 2). Steam Store. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 2). Dyson Sphere Program on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 2). Oxygen Not Included on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 2). Universe Sandbox on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 30). FTL: Faster Than Light on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, September 17). Kerbal Space Program on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 2). SpaceEngine on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 24). Spaceflight Simulator on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 29). Cosmoteer: Starship Architect & Commander on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 29). Mars First Logistics on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 28). Sins of a Solar Empire®: Rebellion on Steam. Steam Store.

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