Astronauts vs. Aliens: The Ultimate Space Survival Games
Space exploration is inherently filled with dangers—hostile environments, unknown phenomena, and, of course, the possibility of encountering extraterrestrial life. This theme has been explored in numerous space survival games, where players must battle against not only the harsh realities of space but also the terrifying presence of aliens. These games combine survival mechanics with science fiction, offering players the chance to experience life (or death) in the vast and unforgiving universe.
If you love the thrill of surviving in space while facing off against alien lifeforms, here are some of the best Astronauts vs. Aliens survival games that you should check out right now:
1. Subnautica
Platform: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
Genre: Survival, Exploration, Underwater Adventure
Why Play It:
Though Subnautica is set on an alien ocean world rather than in deep space, it captures the essence of surviving in an unknown and hostile environment. After crashing on the oceanic planet of 4546B, players must explore its vast underwater world, gather resources, build bases, and avoid dangerous alien creatures. The game beautifully blends exploration, resource management, and survival, and it creates an immersive atmosphere as you discover more about the planet’s mysterious ecosystem and the alien species that inhabit it.
Best For: Players who enjoy underwater exploration with alien creatures in a survival setting.
2. The Long Dark
Platform: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
Genre: Survival, Exploration
Why Play It:
While The Long Dark doesn’t feature aliens in the traditional sense, it provides an intense and realistic survival experience in the Canadian wilderness after a mysterious geomagnetic disaster. The game places heavy emphasis on resource management, weather conditions, and human survival instincts in the face of extreme isolation. Its focus on real-world survival makes it a great comparison to space survival games, with some mods and fan theories even tying the harshness of space exploration to the game’s themes.
Best For: Fans of realistic survival mechanics with a focus on environmental hazards.
3. Dead Space
Platform: PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
Genre: Survival Horror, Space Exploration
Why Play It:
One of the best-known space survival games, Dead Space blends sci-fi, survival horror, and space exploration in an incredibly atmospheric way. You play as Isaac Clarke, an engineer who finds himself aboard the USG Ishimura, a spaceship that has been overtaken by terrifying, hostile alien creatures known as Necromorphs. The game’s mechanics combine combat, exploration, and resource management as you fight to survive while uncovering the ship’s dark secrets.
Best For: Players who want a terrifying, action-packed experience that combines survival with horror elements.
4. Prey (2017)
Platform: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
Genre: First-Person Shooter, Survival, Exploration
Why Play It:
In Prey, players find themselves aboard the Talos I space station, which has been overrun by mysterious alien creatures called Typhons. You take on the role of Morgan Yu, who must survive the alien infestation while uncovering the truth behind the station’s secrets. The game mixes first-person shooting with survival mechanics and exploration, creating a rich narrative filled with dark, atmospheric environments. You’ll need to manage resources, craft tools, and fight off increasingly dangerous aliens as the story unfolds.
Best For: Fans of immersive, narrative-driven space survival with horror elements.
5. No Man’s Sky (Survival Mode)
Platform: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
Genre: Survival, Exploration, Sandbox
Why Play It:
No Man’s Sky is a massive, procedurally generated universe filled with planets, alien species, and, most importantly, survival mechanics. In the game’s Survival Mode, players must contend with hostile environments, manage their resources, and avoid aggressive alien creatures while exploring a nearly infinite galaxy. The game’s recent updates, including Atlas Rises and Beyond, have significantly improved its survival elements, making it one of the best space exploration games with an emphasis on survival.
Best For: Players who want to explore an endless universe while surviving against hostile alien worlds.
6. Alien: Isolation
Platform: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
Genre: Survival Horror, Stealth
Why Play It:
Set in the Alien franchise universe, Alien: Isolation is the ultimate test of survival against a deadly alien predator. Players control Amanda Ripley, the daughter of Ellen Ripley, as she searches for answers aboard the Sevastopol Station. The game is a masterclass in suspense, forcing players to stealthily navigate the station while avoiding the Xenomorph, which hunts you down with terrifying precision. The AI controlling the Xenomorph is highly advanced, making each encounter feel like life-or-death.
Best For: Fans of the Alien franchise and players who enjoy stealth-based survival games with an emphasis on tension and fear.
7. Empyrion – Galactic Survival
Platform: PC
Genre: Space Survival, Sandbox
Why Play It:
Empyrion – Galactic Survival offers a blend of space exploration and survival mechanics, where players crash-land on alien planets, mine resources, and build ships, bases, and weapons to defend themselves from hostile alien lifeforms. The game allows you to explore a procedurally generated universe, gathering materials, creating structures, and surviving in a hostile environment filled with dangerous creatures. The combat, base-building, and spaceflight mechanics make it an enjoyable and complex survival game.
Best For: Players who love crafting, building, and space exploration with a focus on survival and combat against alien threats.
8. Starbound
Platform: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
Genre: Action-Adventure, Sandbox, Survival
Why Play It:
In Starbound, you play as an astronaut who escapes from a destroyed home planet and explores a procedurally generated universe filled with alien planets. The game emphasizes survival as you gather resources, build structures, and face off against various alien species. The game’s sandbox mechanics allow for creative freedom, but the threat of dangerous creatures, natural disasters, and hostile environments means that you’ll need to constantly manage your survival.
Best For: Players who enjoy sandbox-style games with a focus on exploration and survival.
9. Space Engineers
Platform: PC, Xbox One
Genre: Sandbox, Space Simulation
Why Play It:
Space Engineers is a sandbox game that allows players to design and build space stations, ships, and vehicles. While the game’s primary focus is engineering and construction, survival mode throws players into a hostile space environment where they must fend off alien threats, manage their resources, and survive the dangers of the cosmos. The game’s emphasis on engineering and physics makes it a unique take on the space survival genre.
Best For: Fans of engineering, construction, and resource management with a focus on survival in space.
10. The Solus Project
Platform: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
Genre: Survival, Exploration
Why Play It:
In The Solus Project, you play as one of the last survivors of a space expedition, stranded on an alien planet. You must explore the planet, solve puzzles, and manage your survival while dealing with the unpredictable and hostile environment. The game’s immersive world-building and survival mechanics, combined with a strong narrative, make it an engaging experience for fans of space exploration and survival.
Best For: Players who enjoy puzzle-solving, resource management, and exploration with a survival element.
Conclusion
Surviving in space while battling alien creatures offers some of the most thrilling and heart-pounding experiences in gaming. Whether you’re navigating hostile planets, outwitting terrifying extraterrestrials, or managing limited resources to stay alive, these games combine science fiction with survival mechanics in fascinating ways. From the deep-space horror of Dead Space to the survivalist exploration of No Man’s Sky, there’s a game for anyone who dreams of facing off against the unknown in the vastness of space. So, suit up, prepare your weapons, and get ready for some unforgettable intergalactic survival adventures!