Best Space Games on PS4 and PS5: Exclusives and Hits for PlayStation

Best Space Games on PS4 and PS5: Exclusives and Hits for PlayStation

Rodion Ilin
May 17, 2026, 05:42 PM

The best space games on PS4 and PS5 are not just console ports: Returnal and Helldivers 2 were created specifically for PlayStation, while Starfield appeared on the console for the first time only in 2026 in its most complete version. Prey and No Man's Sky reveal their full potential on PS5 thanks to DualSense in a way that's impossible on other platforms. We've selected games for every mood: if you're looking for a single-player story, go for Prey or Outer Wilds; if you want couch co-op with friends, try Helldivers 2 or Destiny 2; if you're interested in a vast open world, choose No Man's Sky or Starfield. Each game comes with a description, trailer, and a link to compare prices.

Space RPGs on PS4 and PS5

PlayStation has built up a strong lineup of space RPGs to suit any playstyle: Prey offers intense exploration of a single station with no loading screens, Mass Effect: Andromeda lets you explore a galaxy full of lively characters and relationships, and Outer Wilds features a solar system of several planets where progress is measured by knowledge, not character level. The Outer Worlds 2 satisfies the need for a satirical RPG with freedom of choice—and it's available exclusively on PS5.

Prey

The main character of Prey, Morgan, wakes up aboard the Talos I space station, which has been taken over by aliens capable of disguising themselves as ordinary pieces of furniture. The story unfolds non-linearly: the more you explore the station, the better you understand what really happened. The game offers rare freedom—objectives can be completed in dozens of ways, and your choice of abilities directly changes your playstyle.

The layout of Talos I is designed as a single interconnected world with no loading screens between areas—on PS5, thanks to backward compatibility, this feels especially smooth due to fast loading times. And remember, this game is scary! If you're looking for more horror games, don't miss our top Best Co-Op Horror Games — The Scariest Titles to Play with a Friend.

Mass Effect: Andromeda

Mass Effect: Andromeda sends players to a neighboring galaxy where they must find a new home for humanity. As a Pathfinder, you will explore uncharted planets, build outposts, search for resources, and establish contacts with representatives of various alien races. The combat system in Andromeda is considered one of the most dynamic and well-developed in the entire series, and the ability to form romantic relationships with crew members has become a recognizable feature of the franchise.

On PlayStation 5, the game runs via backward compatibility, pleasing players with significantly reduced loading times and more stable performance. This allows you to comfortably immerse yourself in space exploration and adventures in a new galaxy.

Outer Wilds

In Outer Wilds, you take on the role of a young astronaut who explores the solar system—and discovers that he is stuck in a 22-minute time loop. There is only one way out: to understand what is really happening in this world. No markers, no hints—only observation, logic, and your own conclusions.

Available on PS4 and PS5. This is one of the few games where all progress exists solely in your head: the character does not level up, and equipment cannot be upgraded. If you love it when a game truly surprises you, Outer Wilds is exactly that kind of experience.

The Outer Worlds 2

The Outer Worlds 2 is an RPG from the creators of the original game and Fallout: New Vegas, set in a new location. You play as an agent of the Earth Directorate investigating mysterious rifts threatening the colony. The spirit remains the same: sharp humor, freedom of choice, nonlinear quests, and characters with deep backstories—all taken to a new level of detail.

Released in October 2025 exclusively on PS5 (and Xbox, but not on PS4). The sequel offers a much more detailed world and an expanded role-playing system—one of the best reasons to upgrade to a PS5 if you haven’t done so yet.

Space Simulators and Strategy Games on PlayStation

On PlayStation, strategy and simulator games about space have carved out their own niche—not the most obvious, but definitely a worthy one. Surviving Mars works well with a gamepad: managing domes and resources is handled through intuitive menus. No Man's Sky supports PS VR2 and cross-save with PC, while Kerbal Space Program is a rare example of a truly educational game that's fun to play from the comfort of your couch.

Surviving Mars

Surviving Mars is a city-building strategy game about colonizing Mars. On the surface, it all seems simple: build domes, establish infrastructure, and manage resources. In reality, it’s a constant balancing act between keeping your colonists alive and expanding your base, where a single mistake can cost you the entire settlement. Starting conditions and random events prevent you from relying on a single winning strategy—every playthrough is unique.

Since release, several major expansions have been launched: Green Planet introduces full-scale terraforming, while Below and Beyond unlocks underground colonies. The game runs on PS5 via backward compatibility.

No Man's Sky

No Man's Sky is a prime example of how a game can be completely reborn. After its controversial launch in 2016, it has become one of the most frequently updated projects on PlayStation: exploring procedurally generated planets, building bases, trading, space battles, or simply flying freely—all with no additional fees.

On PlayStation, the game fully utilizes the platform's capabilities: a native PS5 version with enhanced graphics and 60 FPS, PS VR2 support for total immersion, and DualSense haptic feedback during landings and storms. Cross-save with PC means you don't have to start over when switching platforms. Even more games with vast worlds to explore and discover can be found in our article The Best Open-World Games for Low-End PCs and Laptops in 2026.

Kerbal Space Program

Kerbal Space Program offers the most literal take on the theme: you build rockets and launch them. The physics are real—aerodynamics, gravity, orbital mechanics. A rocket built without understanding the basics will simply crash. But when your homemade ship reaches orbit, it's a personal victory.

The game runs on PS5 via backward compatibility. The planned sequel, KSP2, entered early access on PC in 2023, but development was discontinued—the original remains the best option. On PlayStation, the construction controls are fully adapted for the gamepad.

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Scary Space Games on PlayStation

There aren't many space horror games on PlayStation, but each one is among the best in the genre. The 2023 Dead Space Remake is available only on PS5 and takes full advantage of the console's features for maximum immersion: sound through the DualSense lets you feel every creak of the Ishimura. Adr1ft takes a different approach—there are no monsters here, just the vastness of space and dwindling oxygen.

Dead Space (Remake, 2023)

The 2023 remake of Dead Space is not just updated graphics layered over the 2008 original, but a complete reimagining. Engineer Isaac Clarke arrives on the mining ship Ishimura and discovers that the crew has turned into Necromorphs. To stop them, you have to literally tear them apart—headshots won’t work here.

The PS5 version adds an extra layer of atmosphere thanks to DualSense: haptic feedback transmits the vibrations of the station's hull, and sound from the controller's speaker enhances the sense of presence. Available exclusively on PS5.

Adr1ft

The main heroine of Adr1ft regains consciousness in open space—surrounded only by station debris and silence. Her spacesuit is damaged and losing oxygen. There are no weapons, no enemies—just the vast expanse she must cross to survive.

In spirit, it's closer to an interactive movie than an action game. On PlayStation, the atmosphere is enhanced by the steadily increasing oxygen warning sound coming directly from the DualShock/DualSense. The game runs on PS5 via backward compatibility.

Space Action Games on PS4 and PS5

PlayStation is home to some of the best space action games of recent years. Returnal and Helldivers 2 were created by Sony and its partners specifically for PS5. Starfield finally arrived on the console in 2026 in an expanded edition. Chorus and Destiny 2 offer space battles on different scales—from solo fighter missions to a massive online community.

Returnal

Returnal is one of the main PS5 exclusives, developed by Housemarque specifically to showcase the new console’s capabilities. The main character, Selene, crashes on a mysterious planet and gets trapped in a cycle of death and rebirth: with each loop, the world reshapes itself, enemies behave differently, and random artifacts determine your strength for the current run.

DualSense is used to its fullest here: adaptive triggers change resistance depending on the weapon, and haptic feedback lets you feel every hit and shot—something not found on other platforms. After the Ascension update, a two-player co-op mode and the endless Tower of Sisyphus mode were added.

Starfield

Starfield, Bethesda’s space RPG, arrived on PlayStation 5 in April 2026. The PS5 version launched with the free Free Lanes update, which overhauled space travel, and the story expansion Terran Armada. Over a thousand planets, deep character customization, and a starship builder—all in one package.

On PlayStation, Starfield runs at native PS5 resolution with DualSense support and haptic feedback for shooting and landing. This is the best time to experience the game—more complete than it was at its original 2023 release. Starfield Walkthrough and Endings Guide: Complete Game Solutions find here.

Helldivers 2

Helldivers 2 is a cooperative action game from Arrowhead, developed in partnership with Sony for PS5. A squad of four players drops onto hostile planets, completes missions, and tries to make it out alive. Friendly fire is always on: stratagems and heavy weapons are just as dangerous to teammates as to enemies.

On PS5, DualSense delivers unique feedback for each weapon, and the controller’s speaker is used for call signs. Released in February 2024, the game quickly built a record-breaking community for Sony—servers regularly struggled with the load during the first weeks after launch. If you're craving more shooting, action, and spectacle, don't miss our article TOP-25 Best Shooters for Low-End PCs and Laptops—there you'll find even more options to choose from.

Chorus

In Chorus, you control the starfighter Forsaken and its pilot Nara—a former member of the cult known as the Circle. The Prophet won’t let her go, so she must regain her lost abilities and fight back in open space.

Among space arcade shooters on PlayStation, this is one of the best options: spectacular battles, a narrative that picks up pace by the middle, and excellent ship control via gamepad. Available on PS4 and PS5.

Red Faction Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered

Red Faction Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered, with updated graphics, throws you into the heart of the war between Martian rebels and the Earth Defense Force. Its main feature is the Geo-Mod destruction system: buildings break apart realistically, directly impacting combat tactics.

On PS5, the game runs with an increased frame rate via backward compatibility.

Destiny 2

Destiny 2 is a live-service shooter with one of the most dedicated console communities. Hunter, Warlock, or Titan—your class determines your role in raid groups. The base game is free, with regular seasons and major expansions keeping players engaged for years.

The native PS5 version runs at 4K/60 FPS with DualSense support: different weapon types feel unique thanks to adaptive triggers. Cross-save between PS4 and PS5 ensures you won’t lose progress when upgrading to the new console.

Survival Games in Space on PlayStation

Space survival on PS5 is a genre that's just starting to gain momentum. The Alters offers a rare combination: base-building and resource management mechanics paired with a narrative that asks tough questions about choices and regrets. On PS5, it's one of the most unconventional releases of 2025.

The Alters

The Alters is a sci-fi survival game with a unique mechanic. The main character, Jan Dolski, finds himself alone on a planet where a deadly sun destroys everything in its path. To survive and launch his mobile base, he is forced to create "alternate" versions of himself—people whose lives have taken different paths. Each Jan has unique skills, personalities, and perspectives on what's happening.

Released in June 2025 on PS5. It combines building and resource management with a narrative about identity and regret—a rare mix for the genre. On PS5, DualSense is used to convey the vibrations of the mobile base as it moves across the planet’s surface.

FAQ About The best space games on PS4 and PS5

Which space games are only available on PS5 and not on PS4?

Returnal, Dead Space (Remake 2023), Helldivers 2, The Outer Worlds 2, The Alters, and Starfield are available exclusively on PS5. The other games in this selection were released on PS4 and run on PS5 via backward compatibility—usually with higher frame rates and reduced loading times.

Is it worth buying a PS5 just for space games?

Returnal and Helldivers 2 are designed specifically for the PS5’s capabilities and aren’t the same anywhere else. Starfield launched on PS5 in April 2026 with a major update and expansion—this is the best version of the game. Dead Space Remake uses DualSense to create an atmosphere that’s hard to replicate on other platforms.

Are there any space games on PS5 with PS VR2 support?

Yes—No Man's Sky supports PS VR2 and lets you explore planets in full immersion. It’s one of the few large-scale open worlds available for Sony’s headset.

Which space game on PlayStation is best for beginners?

The best starting point is No Man's Sky or Prey. No Man's Sky doesn’t rush you: you can explore, build, or just fly around. Prey is a solid single-player adventure with clear mechanics and a strong story, available via PS Plus or at a low price.

Are there any co-op space games on PS4 and PS5?

Yes. Helldivers 2 is designed for four-player co-op—that’s its main mode. No Man's Sky supports unrestricted cooperative exploration. Returnal received a two-player co-op mode after the Ascension update. Destiny 2 combines co-op raids with PvP.

Which space games on PS4 and PS5 are similar to Mass Effect?

The Outer Worlds 2 is the closest match in terms of mechanics and tone: the same freedom of choice, satirical narrative, and companions with backstories. Prey offers similar world depth and narrative, but without romance or companions. If you want a true space opera with a team, look for Mass Effect Legendary Edition, which is also available on PS4 and PS5.

How does the PS5 version of Starfield differ from the PC version?

The PS5 version was released in April 2026 and includes all content from the past three years: the base game, the free Free Lanes update with overhauled space travel, and the Terran Armada story expansion. Additionally, there’s DualSense support with adaptive triggers and haptic feedback for shooting.

Which space game on PlayStation surprised you the most? Returnal, with all its toughness, or Outer Wilds with its slow-paced discoveries—everyone has their own story. Share in the comments which game impressed you the most: we’re curious to hear the impressions of those who have played something from this list.

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What else to play?

PlayStation offers one of the best console libraries when it comes to space-themed games: from exclusive hits like Returnal and Helldivers 2 to ports that run better than ever on PS5. If you want to keep exploring the theme, here are some collections to help you find your next game:

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