Never played a modern game based in space.

Arcadio

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2007
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All of the games I've played are based on Earth. What are some good space-based games. I enjoyed:

Half-life 2
Portal 1 and 2
GTA
Tomb Raider (the new one)
Euro Truck Simulator
Left 4 Dead 2
Burnout
Need For Speed
The Last of Us
Bioshock 1 and 2

I would prefer a game unrelated to any major franchises like Star Wars.

Now that I remember, the last space-based game I played was Galaga.
 
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EDUSAN

Golden Member
Apr 4, 2012
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Mass Effect is the 1st time that comes to my mind

if you like sandbox and indie games: kerbal space program
 

yepp

Senior member
Jul 30, 2006
403
38
91
Dead Space

The Swapper, think 2D Portal but shooting clones of yourself set in a metroidvania style.
 

norseamd

Lifer
Dec 13, 2013
13,990
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106
kotor
x3 (be prepared for a learning curve)
sins of a solar empire
a lot of star wars games in general

play more than mass effect.

a interesting game but kotor has more
 

darkewaffle

Diamond Member
Oct 7, 2005
8,152
1
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Mass Effect definitely. One of the greatest stories/universes to ever grace games - though it's still "our" universe so it still involves humans and Earth to an extent.

It's an MMO (and a complex and slowish one at that from my understanding) but EVE is a pretty massive space world afaik.

You also might be interested in that Star Citizen game which is... still under development? In beta? I don't really know.

It takes place on earth but XCOM is all about defending it from alien invaders and does a lot to 'develop' the aliens as far lore/character/technology/etc goes. Might be worth a look.
 

Rhezuss

Diamond Member
Jan 31, 2006
4,118
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StarDrive for some 4x (eXplore/eXpand/eXploit/eXterminate) fun. The game is fairly simple yet complexe enough to give you some scifi fix.

Mass Effect series though I can't get into the games, dunno why since it have everything to make a great game. RPG (ME1 especially), exploration, story, gameplay (ME2 especially).
 

slpnshot

Senior member
Dec 1, 2011
305
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I also recommend Kerbal Space Program if you like sandbox creation games.

Unfortunately there's not many modern games I can think of that has the 'space' aspect play an integral part of the gameplay.
 

FalseChristian

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2002
3,322
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I wrote a game called 'Star Trek' in which you are in a universe with 10,000 quadrants. You must destroy 4,000 Klingon War ships but the Klingon Empire will manufacture 1 new ship for every 4 that you destroy so destroy them quick. There are also 1,000 Romulans and are tougher to defeat but do not move around like the Klingons. There are 150 bases for you to refuel at and fix damage must faster. Be aware, though, that both Klingons and Romulans will attack bases if given the chance.

I wrote this game in QBasic. I could burn you a copy for $3.00.
 

Elcs

Diamond Member
Apr 27, 2002
6,278
6
81
Freespace 2?

Anyone who dares attempt to throw the 'not modern' card at me, the FSCP keeps it looking great with the engine updates, texture packs etc and additional campaigns/content being modded in by players.

An old'ish (1999?) game which still looks pretty damn good and has a story which could best many an RPG and a scale which is very rarely seen in any game?

A gaming experience that no PC gamer should miss out on... and GOG.com will have it cheap'ish too.
 

Karstein

Senior member
Mar 31, 2011
392
0
71
Freelancer.

Depending on how modern 'modern' is.

Also, look out for Elite: Dangerous and Star Citizen.
 

ImpulsE69

Lifer
Jan 8, 2010
14,946
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Modern ones are:

Mass Effect Series

Dead Space Series (actual gravity etc)

Kerbal Space Program (sim, but very fun)

Faster Than Light (FTL), it's a roguetype - retro looking game, but it does take place in space on a spaceship and addictive

X series - very deep learning curve similar to Eve Online, but single player

Beat Hazard - space shootem up set to music and gives you seizures.

Analogue - A Hate Story - Visual Novel game that takes place on a derelict spacecraft

There is Eve Online, but..that requires you to be jobless and obsessed to really get into it. (<---once was)
 
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Sulaco

Diamond Member
Mar 28, 2003
3,825
46
91
I don't think Mass Effect is a "space game" in the way OP means...

And why not? He lists Half Life 2, Portal, Left 4 Dead, Burnout, Bioshock, and The Last of Us for starters. Looks like he has a pretty diverse interest range, and he didn't give any other qualifiers.
And Mass Effect most definitely is a heralded game that takes place in space.

What exactly do you think "he means" ...?
 

futurefields

Diamond Member
Jun 2, 2012
6,470
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He listed those games as earth based games he had played.

I would think a space game be more like Eve or if you want to go old school Tie Fighter.
 

Sulaco

Diamond Member
Mar 28, 2003
3,825
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He listed those games as earth based games he had played.

I would think a space game be more like Eve or if you want to go old school Tie Fighter.

Those are flying games. Space sims.

If he did mean that, there's nothing in his post to show that. And sadly, if that is true, since he said modern games there aren't many at all that would fit that bill.
 

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
17,082
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I also recommend Kerbal Space Program if you like sandbox creation games.

Unfortunately there's not many modern games I can think of that has the 'space' aspect play an integral part of the gameplay.

Kerbal Space Program is awesome.

Steam has a couple of space sims but they are even more raw the Kerbal. I really hate these early access games. You are paying for an alpha or beta that might never go gold.
 

norseamd

Lifer
Dec 13, 2013
13,990
180
106
Kerbal Space Program is awesome. Steam has a couple of space sims but they are even more raw the Kerbal. I really hate these early access games. You are paying for an alpha or beta that might never go gold.

what about the mars simulator
 

Arcadio

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2007
5,637
24
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After checking out the recommendations, I think Mass Effect is the kind of game I want. I meant games based on interplanetary travel, even if the gameplay takes place mostly on a planet (although it would be cool to fly a spaceship and be part of interplanetary battles).