Summary
Space is a popular setting for video games, andspace stationsthemselves are fascinating, often serving as hives of activity for interstellar travelers. Many acclaimed games likeNo Man’s SkyandMass Effectfeature space stations as hubs where players can trade, pick up quests, or purchase and maintain ships, but some want more control over the whole station.
Plenty of games allow players to manage and maintain a spaceship, such asFTL: Faster Than Light, and inGalaxy on Fire 2,players can own the Kaamo Club, but with little to no management elements involves.The following games allow full control over space station operations,from building additional structures to giving orders to personnel, and they are ranked based on a combination of their overall quality and popularity.
8The Spatials: Galactology
Build A Station And Colonize A Planet
Created by a small development team,The Spatials: Galactologyisa base-building gameset thousands of years in the future. An upgraded version ofThe Spatials, the main goal is to build a space station and colonize a planet while keeping crew safety and happiness in mind.
There are plenty of areas to research, tasks to assign, and buildings to construct, with potentially hostile aliens and even the ship’s own crew posing a threat to the station’s stability. Spaceships can be built to explore other planets, and finances and general inventory must be carefully managed. The game is still in active development, but so far, it’s showing promise, and there is plenty of depth already there to keep players interested.
7Trappist
A Colony Builder Set In Deep Space
A solo-developed project,Trappist, takes place over 40 light years from Earth in the Trappist-1 solar system. Aboard the Ark, a central hub station, players can freely explore the system, colonize planets,meet alien civilizations, and uncover an interesting story about the system. Trade can also be initiated between the different settlements and the main spaceship, which is automated, so players only need to concentrate on the fun stuff.
The Ark itself will gradually be built up as players progress and find new resources, with a variety of building options and even the ability to construct robot workers to take care of micromanagement.Trappistis still receiving updates and has so far received an overwhelmingly positive response from players.
6Heliopolis Six
Build A Thriving Station In Space
For players who crave something a little more complex,Heliopolis Sixis a perfect fit. The sole focus is building and controlling the space station, ensuring that the needs of the crew are met, and avoiding the dangers of mismanagement. The tutorials are very useful in the early game, though some players have complained that it becomes a bit difficult later on.
Members of the crew have their own personalities and desires, which players will need to satisfy with certain resources or additional rooms on the station, and assigning tasks best suited to them goes a long way to success. Strategic positioning of the various constructions, combined with careful resource management, are absolutely vital in the harsh and unforgiving environment of space.
Another game with a small development team that is currently in Early Access,Starmancerputs players in charge of a space station lost in a strange star system.Controlling a human-AI hybridtrapped in the Starmancer core, the main task is to build a station capable of sustaining human life and then help those people survive the many trials of space.
The consciousnesses of millions have been stored in the memory banks, so if all humans are killed by pirates, aliens, natural dangers, or their own foolishness, the player can simply create more. There are plenty of morally dubious decisions to be made and a fully customizable station to be carefully built and managed if players choose to play that way.
Taking placeafter the destruction of Earth,Ixionputs players in charge of the space station Tiqqun (pronounced “tycoon”) as it travels through space in search of a viable alternative planet for human life. The journey itself is fraught with danger, but players still need to explore and extract resources as part of the game’s story missions.
Survivors aboard the station are themselves a potential threat, as their desires and happiness at work must be met if players want to avoid strikes or even a full-on mutiny. There is an end if the story is completed, but the destruction of the ship or being overthrown as the administrator also results in game over, so it’s imperative to observe, construct, and manage well.
3Halcyon 6: Lightspeed Edition
Elements Of XCOM And FTL
The enhanced version of the Kickstarter-funded strategy gameHalcyon 6: Lightspeed Editionis a much more streamlined and better-paced experience, combining role-playing, base-building, and turn-based tactical gameplay. Reclaiming and rebuilding a long-abandoned space station, the goal is to prevent an invading alien force from conquering Earth.
There are many aspects to keep in mind, such as which rooms to build, where to assign the crew, and choices to make during story events that could alter the course of the game going forward. Space and ground combat are turn-based, and crew members can be sent on exploration missions to nearby star systems to find resources or meet alien races who might be potential allies.
2Galaxy Pass Station
Silly And Enjoyable Station Management
A more lighthearted entry that is set in the year 3020,Galaxy Pass Stationbearssome similarities toPapers, Please, plus some space station management and plenty of humor. Despite the more casual approach, there are still sinister characters like pyromaniacs and thieves trying to cause trouble, so players must decide who to grant entry to the station.
The procedural generation of alien visitors means that there are potentially infinite appearance variations of the 15 different alien races, ranging from somewhat regular humanoids to mecha cats. Features and facilities need to be constructed in the station to turn a profit, such as karaoke bars and aesthetically pleasing decor, and the necessities like electricity and storage require attention too.
After an apocalyptic galactic war prior to the events ofStartopia, many of the galaxy’s space stations were destroyed or left in a state of disrepair, and it’s up to the player to return them to their former glory. There are 16 stations in total across the main campaign, plus a sandbox mode, and players candetermine the level of micromanagementthey desire when controlling station operations.
The different alien races each have their own characteristics, sources of pleasure, and special skills, so players must be mindful of how to butter them up and utilize their abilities. The tone is somewhat humorous at times, though some monsters and enemy agents are looking to cause trouble, so security droids or alien guards are necessary to maintain order.
