đ From Star Wars to Star Trek: The Best Space-Themed Storylines in Gaming
Space has long been a canvas for epic storytellingâbattles between empires, exploration of the unknown, the rise and fall of civilizations. While iconic franchises like Star Wars and Star Trek dominate pop culture, video games have taken these universes (and many original ones) to new heights, crafting some of the most immersive and emotionally powerful storylines in gaming.
Hereâs a curated list of the best space-themed storylines in gaming, blending classic IPs with standout originals that rival (and sometimes surpass) their inspirations.
đ 1. Mass Effect Series â Galactic Stakes & Moral Complexity
Inspired by: Star Trekâs diplomacy and Star Warsâ space opera feel.
BioWareâs Mass Effect trilogy is a masterclass in interactive storytelling. As Commander Shepard, players navigate a galaxy teetering on the edge of annihilation while forming alliances, solving political crises, and making impossible decisions.
- Why it stands out:
- A galaxy full of rich alien cultures and lore.
- Player choices carry across all three games.
- Complex relationships and character development.
- Villains like the Reapers offer existential dread on a cosmic scale.
- Vibes: Star Trek ethics + Star Wars spectacle + Battlestar Galactica grit.
đ 2. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR) â The Jediâs Moral Dilemma
Official Star Wars title, but with BioWareâs RPG magic.
Set thousands of years before the Skywalker saga, KOTOR lets you shape your path as Jedi or Sith in a galaxy torn apart by war. The gameâs legendary twist still ranks as one of the greatest in gaming history.
- Highlights:
- Deep Force alignment system: Light or Dark.
- Memorable companions like HK-47 and Bastila Shan.
- Turn-based combat with real-time feel.
- Legacy: Set the blueprint for modern Star Wars games and influenced Mass Effect directly.
đ¸ 3. The Outer Worlds â Capitalism in Space
Satirical take on corporate-run colonies in deep space.
Obsidianâs The Outer Worlds channels the humor and social commentary of Fallout into a vibrant, greedy space-faring society. You play as a revived colonist caught in a conflict between mega-corporations, rebels, and moral ambiguity.
- Why itâs great:
- Branching storylines with wildly different endings.
- Choices that ripple across planets.
- A colorful yet cynical look at space colonization.
- Tone: Firefly meets Black Mirror in space.
đ 4. Star Trek: Bridge Crew & Star Trek Online â Living the Federation Life
For the true Trekkie.
While Bridge Crew focuses on teamwork aboard a starship bridge in VR, Star Trek Online lets you live the life of a Starfleet officer (or a Klingon, Romulan, etc.) across galaxy-spanning campaigns.
- Strengths:
- Authentic lore woven into new stories.
- Moral decisions in line with Trekâs philosophical tone.
- Interfaction conflicts, diplomacy, and exploration.
- Unique Factor: These games donât just tell storiesâthey simulate the Star Trek lifestyle.
đ˝ 5. Dead Space Series â Horror Among the Stars
Sci-fi meets survival horror in deep space.
While not a traditional space opera, Dead Space tells a compelling story of psychological and cosmic horror. Engineer Isaac Clarke battles grotesque reanimated corpsesâNecromorphsâon a drifting mining ship, with a story that escalates into something far larger.
- Narrative Strengths:
- Claustrophobic, immersive storytelling.
- Gradual worldbuilding that reveals a sinister religion (Unitology).
- Themes of isolation, madness, and humanity’s place in the universe.
- Best Entry: Dead Space (Remake) (2023) revitalized the series for modern audiences.
đ§ 6. Observation â AI Perspective in a Space Thriller
You donât play the astronautâyou are the stationâs AI.
In Observation, you guide Dr. Emma Fisher through a damaged space station, uncovering a cryptic, cosmic mystery. Told from the perspective of the AI, this narrative subverts typical tropes by putting you in the mind of a machine slowly becoming sentient.
- What Makes It Unique:
- A creeping sense of dread.
- A puzzle-like interface that mimics real tech.
- Lovecraftian undertones and cryptic transmissions.
- Vibes: 2001: A Space Odyssey meets Arrival.
đ¸ 7. Starfield â Humanity Among the Stars
Bethesdaâs first new IP in 25 years.
While Starfield leans more on exploration than narrative intensity, its main quest tackles themes of mortality, multiverse theory, and transcendence. Factions, side quests, and moral choices offer mini-stories within the grander cosmic journey.
- Narrative Touchstones:
- The Constellation storyline explores philosophical sci-fi ideas.
- Side quests like the UC Vanguard and Crimson Fleet add intrigue.
- Plenty of branching outcomes and personal stories.
- Feel: A slower burn, but offers big payoffs for lore-lovers.
đ 8. Homeworld Series â A Sci-Fi Exodus
A classic RTS with one of the most emotional space stories ever.
In Homeworld, your species is forced to flee a dying planet, journeying across the stars to reclaim their ancestral home. Told through minimalist yet powerful cutscenes and haunting music, itâs one of gamingâs most underrated narratives.
- Why Itâs Iconic:
- Poetic storytelling with epic scale.
- High emotional weight for an RTS.
- The story of survival, memory, and identity.
đŞ 9. Faster Than Light (FTL) â Story Through Emergencies
A roguelike where every jump tells a tale.
Though not scripted like the others, FTL creates emergent stories: your crew faces fires, alien boarders, and impossible odds. Every decision becomes part of a personal narrative of survival.
- Key Features:
- Permadeath adds real weight to every choice.
- Random encounters create tension and unpredictability.
- Endless replayability with different outcomes.
- What Makes It Work: Itâs a game about stories happening to you, not just ones you watch unfold.
đ 10. Destiny 2 â Space Fantasy with Mythic Weight
Not hard sci-fi, but dripping with space-mythology and cosmic stakes.
Destiny 2 offers a dense, lore-rich world where humanityâs remnants wield ancient power against alien gods and unknowable forces. While the gameplay is FPS-heavy, the evolving narrative has become impressively deep.
- Narrative Highlights:
- Epic seasonal arcs that build over years.
- Strong worldbuilding (Hive, Vex, the Darkness).
- Expanding mythos that feels both ancient and futuristic.
đ Conclusion: Gamingâs Final Frontier Is Storytelling
Whether itâs the political nuance of Mass Effect, the horror of Dead Space, or the idealism of Star Trek, space games have proven time and again that theyâre more than lasers and starshipsâtheyâre vehicles for profound, emotional storytelling.
Each game listed here offers a different take on what it means to venture into the unknownâwhether youâre a rebel, explorer, AI, or just someone trying to survive one more FTL jump.
đŽ Want a follow-up list on underrated space stories or upcoming narrative-driven space games? I can dive deeper or build out a ranked list!