Hot topics

The best space exploration games for Android and iOS smartphones!

AndroidPIT best space games
© nextpit

Read in other languages:

Space has always been a fascinating place, an infinite and majestic expanse that extends far beyond our visual capacity. It is the subject of scientific analysis, philosophical discussions, narrative works but also the scenario of many video games animated by spaceships with laser guns, alien populations ready to invade the earth, and unexplored galaxies all to be discovered. The Google Play Store also offers plenty of space-based games, from strategy games to clandestine galaxy races, and in this article, we list the best space exploration games for Android!


NextPit's gaming paradise

The best mobile games for Android & iOS
Best offline games Best multiplayer games
Best graphics Best emulators
Best tablet games Best free games

Best tower defense games

Best FPS games
Adventure games Best RPG games
Best strategy games Best split-screen games (Work in progress!)
The best gaming smartphones
Gaming smartphones: Do gaming modes actually boost performance?

Jump to:

Galaxy on Fire 2HD: an adventure among the galaxies

One of the best space exploration games on the Google Play Store and the iOS App Store is Galaxy On Fire 2! It's a high-definition title that will take you into space through immersive three-dimensional graphics in search of the pirates to defeat. The default game mode provides a virtual joystick, with which you can rotate the direction of your ship, a button dedicated to acceleration, and a button to launch missiles.

Initially, this view can create some confusion and you will have to get used to the idea of selecting the down arrow to go up and vice versa, but you can always change mode and use the accelerometer of the device and rotate it physically to give the right direction to the pilot. It's an exciting galactic war during which you'll be accompanied by a fast-paced soundtrack that will give you the right boost.

Download Galaxy on Fire 2HD from the Google Play Store.

Download Galaxy on Fire 2HD from the iOS App Store.

Green the planet: give new life to an extinct planet

How the hell do you play? This will be the first question that will flash in your brain when you open Green the Planet, a pixelated sci-fi adventure available for free on the Google Play Store. The aim of the game is to grow grass on a lifeless planet by collecting and transforming the energy of comets with a decomposer, making strange objects rain from asteroids flying over the planet, and building more and more tools to accelerate the process.

The game is absurd but for some strange reason manages to capture my attention: it might be the graphics of the 90s or the hypnotic music or the fact that it is one of the most original space video games for Android on the entire Play Store.

Download Green the Planet from the Google Play Store.

Download Green the Planet from the iOS App Store.

MARVEL Contest of Champions: a Cosmic Fighter

This game is also set in space and features superheroes and villains from Marvel. What you have to do is take part in the great cosmic battle by creating a winning team to get the title of Champion of the Marvel Champions!

MARVEL Challenge of Champions is an excellent fighting game where you can test your strategic and management skills. Putting together the winning team and improving your champions won't be hard! Get ready to explore new mission maps and gain relationship-based synergy bonuses. A true Marvel-style adventure awaits you in space!

Download MARVEL Challenge of Champions from the Google Play Store.

Download MARVEL Challenge of Champions from the iOS App Store.

N.O.V.A. Legacy

Many people regard N.O.V.A. Legacy as the best sci-fi game currently available for Android. While many would question that claim, what it does offer is smooth gameplay, excellent graphics, and very good story-telling. You may take some time to get used to the controls - but there is definitely good reason that N.O.V.A. Legacy has managed to rake up more than 50 million downloads on the Google Play Store. Do note that this is, in effect, a third-person shooter that you can play in campaign mode as well as multiplayer mode.

Download N.O.V.A. Legacy from the Google Play Store.

Download N.O.V.A. Legacy from the iOS App Store.

Gravity Rider: Extreme Balance Space Bike Racing

This one might be a controversial entry - but I am adding this to the list anyway because of the good graphics. Detractors may say this is just an arcade game masquerading as a sci-fi game. In my opinion, Gravity Rider has managed to straddle both these genres pretty well.

One major gripe I had with the game is that the actual playtime lasts hardly 20 or 30 seconds, and the rest of the time is spent on cashing awards and upgrading your vehicle. Still, I loved playing the game and that reason alone warrants it to be on this list!

Download Gravity Rider: Extreme Balance Space Bike Racing from the Google Play Store.

Download Gravity Rider: Extreme Balance Space Bike Racing from the iOS App Store.

Space Marshals 2

Space Marshals 2 is a tactical Combat & Stealth action game with its locales set in outer space. There are several modes you can play the game in; including tactical combat, stealth, and load-out & gear.

The graphics are great but the controls will take you some time getting used to. There are 20 different missions to chose from and 70 weapons at your disposal. Definitely worth a look at in my opinion!

Download Space Marshals 2 from the Google Play Store.

Download Space Marshals 2 from the iOS App Store.

Shadowgun Legends

I downloaded Shadowgun Legends with very low expectations as a longtime Call of Duty fan. But this game blew me away with its graphics and engaging gameplay.

The social interactions that you get to make in-between missions are fun and except for some expensive in-app purchases, I have very little to complain!

Download Shadowgun Legends from the Google Play Store.

Download Shadowgun Legends from the iOS App Store.

Xenowerk

Xenowerk comes from the same guys that made Space Marshals. And that seems to be the reason for the excellent graphics. To be honest, it took me a very long time to get used to the top-down action shooter format and the controls were definitely not easy to master- especially coming right after testing an FPS game.

Xenowerk's storyline puts you in the center of a mutant infestation brought about by a scientific experiment gone wrong. Of course,  your mission is to destroy and eliminate all the mutants to prevent them from spreading. I will recommend a download just for the excellent graphics.

Download Xenowerk from the Google Play Store.

Download Xenowerk from the iOS App Store.

Do you know any better sci-fi games? What are you waiting for? Share them in the comments!

The best smartphones under $1,000 

  Editor's recommendation The best iPhone The best camera phone Value for money The best foldable The most affordable
Product
Price
  • $799
  • $799
  • $999
  • $599
  • $999
  • $499
Picture Samsung Galaxy S24 Product Image Apple iPhone 15 Product Image Google Pixel 8 Pro Product Image Nothing Phone (2) Product Image Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Product Image Google Pixel 7a Product Image
Review
Review: Samsung Galaxy S24
Review: Apple iPhone 15
Review: Google Pixel 8 Pro
Review: Nothing Phone (2)
Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
Review: Google Pixel 7a
Offer*
Go to comment (1)
Rahul Srinivas

Rahul Srinivas
Senior Editor

Among the most experienced tech journalists from India, Rahul has spent the better part of the past decade writing and experiencing technology. In his decade-long career, Rahul has contributed to several Indian and International publications, including Mobilegeeks, Onlygizmos, iPhoneHacks, and The Inquisitr. Before joining NextPit, he held the position of Senior Editor at MySmartPrice - one of India's largest product research platforms.

View all articles
Liked this article? Share now!
Recommended articles
Latest articles
Push notification Next article
1 Comment
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing

  • 49
    storm Jul 1, 2021 Link to comment

    I've been wanting a good 4x like Sins of a Solar Empire. Sins itself would be a marvelous port.

    Stefan MöllenhoffCamila Rinaldi