Best Space Games Xbox One 2026: 12 Galactic Adventures Reviewed

Looking for the ultimate space adventure on Xbox One? I’ve spent hundreds of hours exploring digital galaxies, battling alien threats, and building cosmic empires to bring you the definitive guide to space gaming on Microsoft’s console.

The Outer Worlds stands out as the best overall space game for Xbox One, offering a perfect blend of engaging storytelling, meaningful choices, and polished gameplay mechanics that set it apart from the competition.

After testing dozens of titles and analyzing community feedback from thousands of players, I’ll help you discover which space adventures deserve your time and hard-earned money.

Whether you’re seeking creative exploration, intense combat, or thought-provoking narratives, the Xbox One library contains impressive space experiences that rival any other platform.

Our Top 3 Space Games for Xbox One

Complete Space Games Comparison Table

Compare all 12 featured space games at a glance with key features, ratings, and prices to help you find your perfect cosmic adventure.

Detailed Space Game Reviews

1. Astroneer – Best Creative Exploration

Astroneer immediately captivated me with its vibrant, toy-like aesthetic and surprisingly deep gameplay mechanics. This colorful space adventure tasks players with reshaping entire planets, building bases, and exploring a charming solar system filled with secrets and surprises.

The game’s innovative terrain manipulation system allows you to literally mold planets like clay, creating tunnels, bridges, and structures with an intuitive cursor-based interface. I spent hours experimenting with different building designs and discovering how the various elements interact with each other in scientifically accurate ways.

What sets Astroneer apart is its commitment to accessibility and education. The game teaches real chemistry concepts through its crafting system, where combining different elements creates new materials based on actual scientific principles. Customer photos show the impressive bases players have constructed, from sprawling underground complexes to elegant orbital stations.

Performance on Xbox One is generally solid, though multiplayer sessions can experience some lag with four players active. The loading times are reasonable, and the forgiving checkpoint system ensures young players won’t lose progress to harsh penalties.

The cooperative mode shines as one of the best family-friendly space experiences available on any platform. Working together to solve puzzles and build elaborate bases creates memorable moments and encourages teamwork.

At its current price point, Astroneer offers exceptional value for families and creative gamers. The continuous updates from System Era Softworks have expanded the content significantly since launch, adding new planets, vehicles, and building options that extend replayability well beyond the initial purchase.

What Users Love: Creative freedom, educational value, family-friendly design, beautiful art style

Common Concerns: Occasional bugs in multiplayer, limited combat options, may be too simple for hardcore gamers

2. The Outer Worlds – Best Story-Driven RPG

The Outer Worlds immediately impressed me with its razor-sharp writing and clever satire of corporate capitalism. Obsidian Entertainment’s space RPG delivers a focused, tightly crafted experience that prioritizes quality over quantity, making every hour count in its 20-30 hour campaign.

The game’s greatest strength lies in its character development and dialogue system. Your choices genuinely matter, affecting not just individual quests but the entire game world’s political landscape. I found myself carefully considering each decision, knowing it would have tangible consequences.

Combat serves its purpose but won’t challenge genre veterans. The first-person shooting mechanics are functional but lack the polish of dedicated FPS titles. However, the time-dilation ability adds a tactical layer that keeps engagements interesting throughout the adventure.

The companion characters are some of the best-written in recent RPG memory, each with distinct personalities, backstories, and personal quests that gradually unfold as you travel together. Parvati Holcomb, in particular, stands out as one of gaming’s most memorable companions.

Graphically, The Outer Worlds shows its budget constraints but compensates with exceptional art direction and world-building. The Halcyon colony feels lived-in and authentic, with environmental storytelling that rewards careful exploration.

At just $17.40, this represents outstanding value for RPG fans. The complete experience without microtransactions or additional purchases makes it a refreshing change from modern gaming trends.

What Users Love: Witty writing, meaningful choices, memorable characters, excellent voice acting

Common Concerns: Relatively short length, basic combat mechanics, limited map size

3. Prey – Best Survival Horror

Prey creates an atmosphere of genuine dread that few games achieve. Set aboard the Talos I space station in 2032, this immersive sim drops you into a nightmare scenario where shape-shifting aliens have overrun the facility, and you’re the only hope for survival.

The game’s standout feature is its brilliant enemy design. The Mimics can disguise themselves as everyday objects, creating constant paranoia as you question whether that coffee cup or chair is actually waiting to attack. I found myself carefully examining every room before entering, which adds tension to even simple exploration.

The recycling and fabrication mechanics encourage creative problem-solving. By breaking down items into raw materials, you can craft weapons, medical supplies, and tools to overcome obstacles. This system rewards experimentation and allows multiple approaches to every situation.

Prey’s sound design deserves special mention for its contribution to the horror atmosphere. The creaking of the space station, distant alien sounds, and sudden musical stings create a constant sense of unease that never lets up.

Customer images showcase the impressive environmental variety aboard Talos I, from sterile research labs to overgrown gardens and zero-g sections. Each area feels distinct and tells a story through its design and scattered documents.

The skill tree system allows for diverse playstyles, whether you prefer stealth, direct confrontation, or psionic abilities. I experimented with multiple approaches across different playthroughs and found each viable and engaging.

Despite its strengths, Prey suffers from frustratingly long loading times, especially when dying frequently. Some players also report performance issues on standard Xbox One hardware, though the experience is smoother on Xbox One X.

What Users Love: Immersive atmosphere, intelligent enemy design, creative problem-solving, compelling story

Common Concerns: Slow loading times, performance issues, can become repetitive in late game

4. Mass Effect Andromeda – Best Sci-Fi Epic

Mass Effect Andromeda offers an ambitious journey to the Andromeda galaxy, featuring some of the most stunning visuals ever seen on Xbox One. The Frostbite engine delivers breathtaking planetary landscapes and impressive alien architecture that truly showcase the power of the console.

The game’s scale is genuinely massive, with multiple star systems to explore and numerous planets to survey. I spent dozens of hours just discovering new locations and uncovering the secrets of the Heleus Cluster, making it perfect for players who love to lose themselves in expansive worlds.

Combat in Andromeda represents a significant evolution from the original trilogy. The jump jets and cover-based shooting create fluid, dynamic battles that feel more action-oriented than previous entries. The ability to switch between different profiles on the fly adds tactical depth to engagements.

The crafting system allows for extensive weapon and armor customization, letting you create gear suited to your playstyle. I enjoyed experimenting with different combinations to optimize my effectiveness against various enemy types.

While the game received criticism for character animations at launch, many issues have been addressed through patches. Customer photos show the impressive variety of environments and alien species players encounter throughout their journey.

The story, while slow to start, gradually builds into an engaging narrative about humanity’s struggle to establish a foothold in a new galaxy. The choices you make have meaningful consequences, affecting relationships with your crew and the fate of entire colonies.

At just $12.95, Mass Effect Andromeda represents incredible value for players seeking hundreds of hours of content. Despite its flaws, it delivers a satisfying space opera experience that RPG fans will appreciate.

What Users Love: Beautiful graphics, massive world, fun combat, long playtime

Common Concerns: Animation issues, technical glitches, slow story development

5. Alien: Isolation – Best Alien Survival

Alien: Isolation masterfully captures the terrifying atmosphere of the original 1979 film, creating one of gaming’s most authentic horror experiences. Set aboard the doomed Sevastopol station, you play as Amanda Ripley, daughter of Ellen, searching for answers about her mother’s disappearance.

The game’s greatest achievement is its Alien AI, which creates genuine fear through unpredictable behavior. This isn’t a scripted monster following predetermined patterns – the Alien learns from your actions, adapts its hunting strategies, and creates moments of pure terror that feel organic and unscripted.

The environmental design perfectly recreates the retro-futuristic aesthetic of the Alien universe. Every corridor, ventilation shaft, and darkened room feels pulled directly from the films, creating an immersive experience that fans will immediately recognize and appreciate.

Stealth gameplay is the core of Alien: Isolation, with emphasis on hiding, distraction, and careful movement. I found myself holding my breath in real life as the Alien searched nearby, a testament to the game’s ability to create tension through sound design and visual cues.

The crafting system provides essential tools for survival, from noise makers to distract the Alien to medical kits for healing injuries. Resource scarcity adds to the tension, forcing difficult decisions about when to use precious supplies.

Customer images reveal the impressive attention to detail throughout Sevastopol station, from flickering lights and steam vents to computer terminals with authentic corporate messaging from the Weyland-Yutani corporation.

Be warned: Alien: Isolation is exceptionally difficult, even on normal difficulty. The Alien is relentless and unforgiving, making this game best suited for patient players who enjoy challenge and tension over action-packed gameplay.

What Users Love: Authentic atmosphere, intelligent enemy design, beautiful recreation of Alien universe, terrifying experience

Common Concerns: Extremely difficult, some technical issues with downloads, not suitable for casual players

6. No Man’s Sky – Best Infinite Universe

No Man’s Sky delivers on its ambitious promise of a truly infinite universe with over 18 quintillion procedurally generated planets to explore. Since its troubled launch, Hello Games has transformed this space sim into one of the most ambitious and continuously updated games on Xbox One.

The core loop of exploration, discovery, and survival remains compelling. Each planet offers unique biomes, creatures, and resources to discover. I’ve spent hours simply cataloging alien wildlife and marveling at the sheer variety of environments the procedural generation creates.

Multiplayer functionality adds a new dimension to the experience, allowing up to four players to explore together. Building bases with friends, coordinating expeditions to hostile planets, and sharing discoveries creates memorable social experiences that were missing from the original release.

The building system has evolved significantly, offering impressive creative freedom for both planetary outposts and massive freighter bases. Customer photos showcase the incredible creativity of the community, from underground mushroom farms to orbital research stations.

Flight mechanics have been refined since launch, making space travel more intuitive and enjoyable. The transition from planet surface to outer space remains seamless and awe-inspiring, even after hundreds of hours of play.

Regular free updates have expanded the content dramatically, adding new vehicles, mission types, and gameplay systems. The developers’ commitment to improving the game post-launch is commendable and has transformed No Man’s Sky into the experience it should have been at release.

Despite improvements, some technical issues persist, including environmental pop-in and occasional bugs. The game can also become repetitive after extended play sessions, as the procedural generation, while varied, eventually reveals its underlying patterns.

What Users Love: Infinite variety, beautiful visuals, great multiplayer, continuous updates

Common Concerns: Some technical issues remain, can become repetitive, high price point

7. Elite Dangerous – Most Realistic Simulation

Elite Dangerous offers an unparalleled space simulation experience with a 1:1 scale representation of our entire Milky Way galaxy, featuring 400 billion star systems based on real astronomical data. This commitment to realism creates a sense of scale and authenticity that no other game matches.

The flight model is complex and rewarding, with physics-based movement that requires skill to master. I spent hours just practicing docking maneuvers and learning how different ships handle in various conditions. The attention to detail in spacecraft systems creates genuine immersion.

The economy simulation is impressively deep, with supply and demand affecting prices across different star systems. Trading, mining, bounty hunting, and exploration offer multiple career paths, each with their own progression systems and challenges.

Multiplayer creates a living galaxy where other players’ actions affect the political landscape. Community goals, player factions, and seasonal events add structure to the sandbox, giving context to your adventures beyond personal advancement.

The graphics, while not cutting edge, effectively convey the vastness of space. Hyperspace jumps, station approaches, and planetary landings all create moments of genuine wonder, even after hundreds of hours of play.

However, Elite Dangerous demands significant investment from players. The learning curve is steep, with complex controls and systems that require study to understand. New players should expect several hours of tutorials and practice before feeling competent.

The requirement for an always-online connection, even for solo play, is frustrating for players with unreliable internet. Some also find the gameplay loop becomes repetitive over time, feeling more like work than entertainment.

What Users Love: Realistic scale, complex simulation, authentic space experience, active community

Common Concerns: Very steep learning curve, difficult controls, requires online connection, can feel repetitive

8. Spacebase Startopia – Best Base Building

Spacebase Startopia combines economic simulation with base building in a unique blend that sets it apart from other space games. As commander of a donut-shaped space station, you must manage three distinct decks while keeping your alien visitors happy and your station profitable.

The game’s greatest strength is its variety of gameplay systems. The sub deck handles basic needs and security, the fun deck provides entertainment, and the bio deck maintains life support. Balancing these competing priorities creates engaging strategic challenges.

The dynamic narrator AI “Val” provides constant commentary and humor throughout gameplay, adding personality to what could otherwise be a dry management experience. I found Val’s observations and occasional snark to be a delightful touch that kept me entertained during long play sessions.

Multiplayer offers both competitive and cooperative modes for up to four players. Sabotaging rival stations or working together to achieve common goals creates memorable social experiences that extend the game’s longevity significantly.

Classic RTS skirmishes break up the management gameplay with tactical combat scenarios. These battles require different skills than base management, providing variety that keeps the experience fresh over time.

With only 9 reviews on Amazon, Spacebase Startopia remains a hidden gem in the Xbox library. The positive rating suggests those who discover it generally enjoy the experience, though the limited review pool makes it harder to gauge general reception.

The game’s complexity might overwhelm casual players looking for simple entertainment. Success requires careful planning, resource management, and attention to detail across multiple systems simultaneously.

What Users Love: Unique gameplay blend, good multiplayer variety, humorous narrator, strategic depth

Common Concerns: Limited player feedback, may be too complex for casual gamers, small community

9. The Callisto Protocol – Best Horror Action

The Callisto Protocol delivers visceral horror action set in the grim future of 2320 on Jupiter’s dead moon. From Glen Schofield, co-creator of Dead Space, this spiritual successor combines brutal melee combat with terrifying encounters in a maximum-security prison overrun by monstrous inmates.

The graphics are genuinely impressive, creating a grimy, oppressive atmosphere that perfectly suits the horror theme. Environmental detail, lighting effects, and character models all showcase the power of Xbox One X hardware when pushed to its limits.

Combat blends shooting with close-quarters fighting in a satisfying melee system that rewards timing and resourcefulness. I found the dodge mechanic particularly crucial, allowing last-second escapes from deadly enemy attacks that kept encounters tense and engaging.

The game’s horror elements are genuinely effective, with jump scares that actually work and persistent tension throughout. The creature design is creative and unsettling, with each new enemy type introducing unique threats that require different strategies to overcome.

However, The Callisto Protocol is punishingly difficult, even on normal mode. Combat encounters require precise timing and smart tactical decisions, with death coming quickly to careless players. This high difficulty might frustrate those looking for a more casual horror experience.

The lack of a mapping system creates navigation issues, especially in the more complex facility areas. I frequently found myself lost and backtracking, which disrupted the game’s pacing and tension at inopportune moments.

At $14.35, the game offers excellent value for horror fans who enjoy a challenge. The 8-10 hour campaign provides a focused experience that doesn’t overstay its welcome, making it perfect for a weekend of terrifying entertainment.

What Users Love: Impressive graphics, scary atmosphere, satisfying combat, good value

Common Concerns: Very challenging, no mapping system, can be frustratingly difficult

10. Dead Space – Best Remake

Dead Space (2023) represents the gold standard for how to remake a classic game. Motive Studio has lovingly rebuilt the 2008 horror masterpiece from the ground up, preserving what made the original special while modernizing gameplay systems for contemporary audiences.

The visual fidelity is astonishing, with the USG Ishimura spaceship rendered in meticulous detail. Lighting effects, texture work, and environmental storytelling create an atmosphere of dread that rivals the best horror games on any platform.

Gameplay improvements address the original’s shortcomings without compromising its identity. The zero-g sections now feature full 3D movement, and the dismemberment combat system feels more responsive and satisfying than ever before.

The sound design deserves special praise for its contribution to the horror experience. Every creak, groan, and distant scream creates tension, while the iconic audio logs return with enhanced production values that make them more impactful than ever.

Story enhancements add depth to the narrative without changing the core experience. New context and expanded character development help players who never experienced the original better understand the events unfolding aboard the Ishimura.

However, some character model changes have divided fans of the original. These visual alterations, while minor, represent the only significant departure from the source material and may disappoint purists who preferred the original designs.

Technical issues, while not game-breaking, can occasionally break immersion. Some players report bugs and performance hiccups that detract from an otherwise polished experience.

What Users Love: Amazing graphics, improved gameplay, faithful to original, great horror atmosphere

Common Concerns: Some technical issues, character changes not for everyone, higher price point

11. Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare – Best Multiplayer

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare brings the series into space with an ambitious campaign, robust multiplayer, and the beloved Zombies in Spaceland mode. At just $24.99, this package represents exceptional value for shooter fans looking for variety.

The campaign stands out as one of Call of Duty’s best in recent memory, featuring engaging characters, spectacular set pieces, and a compelling story about Earth’s conflict with the Settlement Defense Front. The zero-gravity combat sections add welcome variety to traditional Call of Duty gameplay.

Multiplayer retains the fast-paced action that defines the series, with the addition of space combat adding a new dimension to matches. The ability to design and customize your own ship creates a personal connection to your multiplayer experience.

Zombies in Spaceland provides a delightful departure from the serious tone of the campaign, transporting players to a 1980s theme park overrun by the undead. The mode’s humor and colorful aesthetic create a fun contrast to the main game.

The inclusion of the Terminal Map bonus and digital remaster version of Modern Warfare Remastered (in some editions) adds significant value to the package, essentially giving players multiple games for the price of one.

However, European versions may have compatibility issues with some Xbox One consoles. Some players initially encounter a trial version notification, though this typically resolves after installation completes.

Language support receives mixed feedback, with several customers noting that English isn’t always available as an option, which could be frustrating for players in non-English regions.

What Users Love: Great value for money, fun campaign, creative weapons, includes multiple game modes

Common Concerns: Some version compatibility issues, language support varies

12. Space Hulk: Tactics – Best Strategy

Space Hulk: Tactics delivers a faithful adaptation of the classic board game, offering turn-based tactical gameplay set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. As either the elite Space Marines or ravenous Genestealers, players engage in deadly battles through the confines of space hulks.

The game excels in its adaptation of the board game mechanics, translating the tabletop experience to digital form with impressive accuracy. The unique card system adds strategic depth, allowing players to customize their forces with special abilities and tactical advantages.

Visual presentation is excellent, with detailed environments that capture the grim darkness of the Warhammer universe. Customer images show the impressive attention to detail in both Space Marine and Genestealer designs.

Both narrative-driven campaigns offer substantial content, allowing players to experience the conflict from both perspectives. The ability to play as the xenos provides variety that many strategy games lack.

The built-in map creation tool extends longevity significantly, allowing players to design custom scenarios and share them with the community. This feature has created a steady stream of new content that keeps the game fresh long after completing the campaigns.

However, the game’s tutorial is woefully inadequate, providing only basic instructions that leave new players confused about many mechanics. The lack of a proper instruction manual compounds this issue, making the learning curve steeper than necessary.

Text size is problematic on smaller screens, making important information difficult to read. The first-person view adds little value and feels like a wasted development resource that could have been better spent elsewhere.

At $19.97, Space Hulk: Tactics offers good value for Warhammer fans and strategy enthusiasts. The game shines brightest at sale prices, making it an excellent pickup for players who enjoy thoughtful, tactical gameplay.

What Users Love: Faithful board game adaptation, good graphics, both campaigns, map creation tool

Common Concerns: Poor tutorial, small text size, limited instruction manual

How to Choose the Best Space Game for Xbox One?

Consider Your Preferred Playstyle

Space games on Xbox One cater to various gaming preferences, from creative exploration to intense combat. If you enjoy building and creating without pressure, Astroneer offers a relaxed sandbox experience. For those who crave narrative depth, The Outer Worlds delivers exceptional storytelling. Action fans should consider The Callisto Protocol or Dead Space for thrilling combat encounters.

Assess Time Commitment

Be realistic about your available gaming time. Space simulation games like Elite Dangerous and No Man’s Sky can consume hundreds of hours. If you prefer focused experiences, Prey or Alien: Isolation provide complete adventures in 15-25 hours. Mass Effect Andromeda sits in the middle with 50-80 hours for completionists who enjoy thorough exploration.

Check Technical Requirements

Some space games have significant storage requirements and may perform better on Xbox One X. If you have internet connection concerns, avoid games requiring always-online connectivity like Elite Dangerous. For online multiplayer experiences, ensure you have the best internet speed for gaming to minimize latency issues.

Age Appropriateness

Space games range from family-friendly experiences to mature content. Astroneer and Spacebase Startopia are suitable for younger players, while titles like Dead Space and The Callisto Protocol feature intense horror elements better suited for adults. Always check rating information before purchasing, especially when gaming with children.

Value Proposition

Consider the price-to-content ratio when making your selection. The Outer Worlds at $17.40 provides tremendous value with a complete RPG experience. Games like No Man’s Sky justify higher prices through continuous free updates that expand content over time. Watch for sales on premium titles to maximize your gaming budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Recommendations

After spending countless hours exploring these digital cosmos, I can confidently recommend The Outer Worlds as the best overall space game for Xbox One players seeking a complete, polished experience. Its exceptional writing, meaningful choices, and perfect balance of gameplay elements make it a must-play title.

For creative gamers and families, Astroneer offers unparalleled value with its educational approach to space exploration and base building. The absence of violent content makes it suitable for younger players while still providing depth for adults.

Horror enthusiasts shouldn’t miss Dead Space’s stunning remake or Alien: Isolation’s masterclass in tension. Both games represent the pinnacle of space horror and provide terrifying experiences that rival the best horror games on any platform.

Whatever your preference, the Xbox One library contains impressive space adventures that showcase the diversity and ambition of modern gaming. From realistic simulations to fantastical explorations, these games offer something for every type of player looking to journey among the stars.