Introduction
Ah, space, the final frontier! It’s the dream of every man and woman to boldly go where no man has gone before, into a galaxy far, far away. Since we, the unfortunate, were born too late to discover the World and too soon to explore the cosmos, we have to quench this extra-terrestrial love affair with books, movies, and games! Especially, strategy games! The space strategy genre continues to thrive in 2025, offering players massive galaxies to explore, alien civilizations to command, and tactical battles that unfold across the stars. Whether you prefer deep 4X empire management, high-stakes survival challenges, cinematic real-time fleet combat, or colony building on hostile worlds, today’s lineup of sci-fi strategy games has never been stronger.
This curated list by yours truly highlights the 15 best space strategy games to play in 2025, focusing on titles that range from old classics to modern iterations that deliver exceptional experiences, smart design, and endlessly replayable gameplay—perfect for newcomers and longtime strategy fans who want to dive into the best the genre has to offer this year.
15 – Ixion
Let’s start with a list of strategy games set in space, but that limit their scope to what I consider rather manageable for new players. Released in 2022, IXION remains one of the most gripping space-based strategy games you can play in 2025, especially if you enjoy titles that mix city-building depth with tense, survival mechanics. The game puts players in command of the Tiqqun, a massive, malfunctioning space station drifting across a collapsing galaxy. Your mission? What makes IXION stand out is how effectively it blends colony management, resource logistics, and narrative-driven crises. Every decision carries weight (it’s very similar to Frostpunk in this regard). The game looks fantastic, with the space lighting being downright perfect, and the interiors extremely detailed and well-animated. For a survival game, I also think it’s important that a game is challenging, and IXION delivers on that as well, earning its spot on this list!
14 – Planetary Annihilation: Titans
What if I told you there’s a planet-wide real-time strategy game where each player can attack the other’s planet? Well, if you haven’t heard about it, let me introduce you to Planetary Annihilation: TITANS, a standout space strategy experience in 2025 thanks to its massive scale, fast-paced real-time warfare, and the sheer excitement of commanding armies that battle across — and ultimately destroy — entire planets. The game’s signature orbital mechanics and multi-planet maps create a strategic sandbox where players must think in solar-system terms, juggling planetary invasions, asteroid-base assaults, and the devastating power of Titan-class units, and even chuck a planet against another planet. It’s pretty silly, but it’s a fun take on the RTS genre, with an explosive space twist.
13 – Master of Orion
I know that if I didn’t mention Master of Orion, the comment section would be up in arms! So there you go, have it your way! Released in 1996, this classic earned its lasting place among the best space strategy games in 2025 thanks to its timeless 4X design, charming faction personalities, and elegant balance between diplomacy, exploration, and interstellar warfare. Whether you’re forging alliances with iconic races like the Klackons or customizing your own starships to seize control of the galaxy, the game delivers a classic sci-fi feel that still appeals to modern players. Its clean presentation, smooth pacing, and emphasis on strategic choice over micromanagement make it one of the most accessible and enjoyable entries in the genre. Master of Orion is still a perfect pick for anyone craving old-school galactic conquest with modern polish.
12 – Star Wars: Empire At War
It’s a rare thing to see a game that does everything right. Some games do ground combat really well, but end up falling flat in space combat. Others do it the other way around. And what do you get when those two dimensions perfectly complement each other? You get Star Wars: Empire at War, one of the best Star Wars games ever made, and certainly, the best strategy game in the series (even if Star Wars: Battlegrounds is a lot near and dear to my heart). Are you the kind of player looking for an exceptional blend of galactic conquest, tactical fleet battles, real-time ground combat, and iconic Star Wars atmosphere? Well, then look no further, because Star Wars: Empire at War and its Galactic Conquest mode is the game and game mode for you. Still the highlight of the title, this game mode lets players command massive space armadas, deploy ground forces, and manage resources across a dynamic, ever-shifting galaxy. The game’s enduring modding community keeps it visually fresh and filled with new content, while its cinematic space battles — complete with Star Destroyers, X-Wings, Tie Fighters, and chaotic dogfights continue to deliver that unmistakable Star Wars scale and excitement. It’s the perfect pick for fans wanting classic RTS depth wrapped in one of sci-fi’s most beloved universes.
11 – Endless Space 2
Amplitude Studios has quite the pedigree when it comes to 4X strategy games, having developed one of the best 4X games of all time with Endless Legend, but before that was a thing, the team built their expertise with Endless Space, which came all the way back in 2012. The sequel, Endless Space 2, remains one of the most polished and atmospheric 4X space strategy games in 2025, offering a stunning blend of deep empire management, storytelling, and gorgeous, stylized sci-fi visuals that still outperform many modern releases. Like Endless Legend, each faction feels truly distinct, giving every campaign a unique strategic flavor backed by rich lore. This also gives players an incentive to play around and experiment with each of the factions to discover what they can make out of their capabilities. Its cinematic space battles, dynamic politics, and beautifully presented galaxy map make expanding your empire feel both grand and personal. If you’re a fan of the Endless franchise of games or of Amplitude Studios’ work, you should give Endless Space 2 a try.
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