Intergalactic Combat: The Top Space-Based Multiplayer Games
The vastness of space has always been a captivating setting for video games, especially for those who love the thrill of combat. Space-based multiplayer games offer intense, strategic, and visually spectacular battles where players engage in intergalactic warfare, take on the role of starfighter pilots, or lead massive fleets in epic space battles. Whether you’re piloting your ship against enemy forces or commanding a fleet of warships, these games deliver the ultimate space combat experience. Here’s a rundown of the top space-based multiplayer games that will have you fighting for supremacy across the stars.
1. EVE Online
Platform: PC
Genre: Space MMO, Strategy, Sandbox
Why Play It:
One of the most iconic and ambitious space-based multiplayer games, EVE Online is a massive online universe where players can engage in space combat, trade, exploration, and resource gathering. The game’s sandbox nature allows players to form alliances, wage wars, and control vast territories within the galaxy. The PvP elements are particularly noteworthy, with large-scale fleet battles involving hundreds or even thousands of players. The game’s complexity and open-world nature make it a unique space combat experience.
Multiplayer Features: Massive space battles, player-driven economy, faction warfare, and real-time combat strategy.
Best For: Fans of deep, strategic gameplay and players looking for a complex, persistent universe.
2. Star Wars: Squadrons
Platform: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, VR
Genre: Space Combat, Shooter
Why Play It:
Star Wars: Squadrons delivers an immersive and fast-paced space combat experience set in the iconic Star Wars universe. Players can choose to fly as part of the New Republic or the Empire, participating in dogfights and large-scale space battles. The game emphasizes teamwork, as players take on different roles within a squadron, including pilots, gunners, and strategists. With support for virtual reality (VR), it offers an incredibly immersive space combat experience that brings you directly into the cockpit of iconic ships like the X-Wing or TIE Fighter.
Multiplayer Features: 5v5 dogfights, squadron-based combat, customizable starfighters, VR support.
Best For: Star Wars fans and players who enjoy tactical, team-based space combat.
3. No Man’s Sky (Multiplayer Mode)
Platform: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
Genre: Space Exploration, Survival, Shooter
Why Play It:
While No Man’s Sky is known for its exploration mechanics, it also features a robust multiplayer mode where players can team up to explore the universe, battle hostile creatures, and engage in space combat. Players can build bases, explore planets, and participate in cooperative missions or PvP dogfights. The game has evolved significantly with updates that have improved multiplayer interactions, making it one of the most expansive and dynamic multiplayer space experiences available.
Multiplayer Features: Co-op missions, space combat, base-building, exploration, PvP dogfights.
Best For: Players who enjoy exploration with a side of space combat and cooperative gameplay.
4. Elite Dangerous
Platform: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
Genre: Space Simulation, MMO
Why Play It:
Elite Dangerous is a space simulation game that allows players to engage in a variety of roles, including space combat, trading, and exploration. In multiplayer mode, you can join factions, participate in galactic warfare, and engage in high-stakes PvP combat. The game’s highly realistic flight mechanics and vast, open universe make it a standout for players who want a more immersive and authentic space combat experience. Players can engage in large-scale battles, bounty hunting, or even piracy.
Multiplayer Features: PvP and PvE combat, faction warfare, bounty hunting, deep space exploration, interstellar trading.
Best For: Fans of realistic space combat and immersive simulation experiences.
5. Star Citizen (Persistent Universe)
Platform: PC
Genre: Space Simulation, Shooter, MMO
Why Play It:
Star Citizen is one of the most ambitious space multiplayer games ever created, featuring a persistent universe where players can engage in combat, trading, exploration, and more. The game allows players to pilot ships of various sizes, from small starfighters to massive capital ships, and engage in space combat against other players or NPC enemies. The level of detail in ship systems, combat mechanics, and the vast open universe makes it a thrilling, immersive experience for space combat enthusiasts. While still in development, it already offers a lot of multiplayer space combat content.
Multiplayer Features: Fleet combat, dogfighting, persistent universe, ship customization, exploration, trade, and missions.
Best For: Players who enjoy deep space combat, large-scale battles, and a constantly evolving universe.
6. Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2
Platform: PC
Genre: Space Strategy, RTS
Why Play It:
For those who prefer large-scale space battles over traditional dogfights, Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2 delivers intense real-time strategy combat. Set in the Warhammer 40k universe, players can command massive fleets of warships in epic space battles. The game emphasizes tactical planning and real-time combat, with a variety of factions to choose from, including the Imperium, Chaos, and the Eldar. Multiplayer matches allow players to go head-to-head in space battles that require both strategic thinking and quick decision-making.
Multiplayer Features: 1v1 and team-based battles, fleet customization, tactical space combat, faction-specific strategies.
Best For: Fans of real-time strategy and Warhammer 40k, as well as players who enjoy large, tactical space battles.
7. World of Warships: Legends (Space Variant Mods)
Platform: Xbox One, PlayStation 4
Genre: Action, Naval Combat (Space Variant Mods Available)
Why Play It:
While World of Warships: Legends primarily focuses on naval combat, its mechanics are incredibly well-suited for space combat with mods available that change the setting to space. The game allows players to take part in team-based, tactical combat with ships of various classes, and while it’s set on the seas, mods and community-driven space variants offer a similar experience in a galactic setting. These mods give players the chance to enjoy large-scale space battles with ship classes and tactics borrowed from traditional naval combat.
Multiplayer Features: Tactical combat, team-based strategies, ship classes (with space mod options), cooperative missions.
Best For: Players who enjoy naval combat but want to experience it in a space setting.
8. Star Wars Battlefront II (Space Battles)
Platform: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
Genre: Shooter, Space Combat
Why Play It:
Star Wars Battlefront II features large-scale space battles where players can engage in dogfights between iconic Star Wars factions. The game includes multiplayer modes for space combat, where players can pilot starfighters in epic space battles set against the backdrop of familiar Star Wars locations. The game’s dynamic dogfights, multiple playable factions, and a wide array of ships make it a great option for anyone who loves Star Wars and space combat.
Multiplayer Features: Space battles, dogfights, ship customization, squad-based gameplay, multiplayer space combat.
Best For: Star Wars fans who want to engage in epic space combat alongside friends.
9. Dreadnought
Platform: PC, PlayStation 4
Genre: Space Combat, Tactical Shooter
Why Play It:
Dreadnought is a free-to-play space combat game that focuses on team-based combat between massive capital ships. Players can choose from a variety of ships, each with its unique capabilities, and work together to destroy enemy fleets in tactical battles. The game is all about strategy and positioning, with a focus on capital ship combat rather than dogfighting. It’s a great choice for players who enjoy tactical, team-based multiplayer games.
Multiplayer Features: 5v5 tactical combat, capital ship battles, ship customization, team-based strategy.
Best For: Players who enjoy slower, more strategic space combat with a focus on large, powerful ships.
10. Rebel Galaxy Outlaw
Platform: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
Genre: Space Shooter, Combat, Adventure
Why Play It:
While Rebel Galaxy Outlaw focuses on a more adventurous single-player experience, it features strong multiplayer combat options, especially in its PvP mode. Players can take control of customizable ships and engage in dogfights, bounty hunting, and missions in a vibrant, open-world space setting. The game’s action-packed space combat is easy to get into, with plenty of options for upgrading ships and engaging in space battles.
Multiplayer Features: PvP combat, dogfights, bounty hunting, customizable ships.
Best For: Players who enjoy a mix of adventure, exploration, and space combat with a focus on multiplayer engagement.
Conclusion
Space-based multiplayer games provide some of the most thrilling, immersive, and action-packed experiences for gamers. Whether you’re piloting starfighters in Star Wars: Squadrons, commanding massive fleets in Elite Dangerous, or leading a strategic space battle in Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2, these games allow players to experience intergalactic warfare in exciting ways. Each of these titles offers a unique blend of space combat, strategy, and multiplayer mechanics, so no matter your preferred playstyle, there’s a game that’ll transport you to the far reaches of space for epic battles. Ready your ship, gather your crew, and set off for the stars!