StarMade

If you loved Minecraft and just wished there was something like it in the sci-fi field, get ready for StarMade. This sandbox style game provides a uniquely generated universe for you that expands infinitely outwards, so you always have something new to explore. The player starts off on their own home planet, where they must first gather enough resources to create a spacecraft. After this, they can fly from planet to planet, where they can find new materials to continue creating with.

Better Together

While you will likely spend most of your time playing in single player mode, there’s also an option that allows you to play on other people’s servers. This not only gives you the chance to interact with others, but also check out their ships and other creations as well.

The sheer number of resources in the game also makes multiplayer come alive with a thriving economy where you can easily buy new resources while selling off what you have found. Busy servers can feel like a real universe with busy trade and dozens of ships zooming in and out of port at any given time.

Mobs, crafting and more

Besides creating your own custom ships, you can also visit friendly space ports, fight NPC space pirates, craft, and mine. StarMade is very generous about how much it steps back and lets you create. While every ship does need certain blocks to function, and it can’t entirely be built however you want, the freedom available is enough to let you recreate your favorite sci-fi ship, or make up your own. You can also add weapons, shields, and other things you’ll need in order to fight space pirate NPCs and protect your ship from damage. There is a lot of room for creativity, and you can even create your own space station to sail with your friends. With an unlimited universe to explore, you’ll essentially never run out of things to do.

Steep learning curve

Understandably, there’s quite a lot you will need to learn before you can reach for the stars. A tutorial takes you through the bare bones basics, but it isn’t everything you need to know. A lot of what you will discover is going to be learned through trial and error, and it could end up being frustrating for some people.

The steep learning curve is entirely worth it however, once you’ve mastered them enough to earn your wings and fly.

Pros

• Limitless play
• Sandbox style creativity
• Multiplayer or singleplayer

Cons

• Tutorial is clunky
• Steep learning curve