Top EVE Online Alternatives for Sci-Fi Space Enthusiasts
EVE Online is a massive multiplayer online game that offers limitless potential to discover, explore and conquer an amazing science fiction universe where you pilot spaceships, fight, trade, and form corporations and alliances with other players. While it offers an unparalleled sandbox experience, its steep learning curve, subscription model, or highly competitive nature might lead some players to seek out fresh adventures. If you're looking for a similar blend of space combat, exploration, and economic simulation, but with a different flavor, you've come to the right place. We've compiled a list of the best EVE Online alternative games that offer compelling sci-fi experiences.
Best EVE Online Alternatives
Whether you're after intense dogfights, deep economic simulations, or vast open worlds to explore, these EVE Online alternatives offer diverse experiences that might just be your next space obsession.
Elite: Dangerous
Elite: Dangerous is a space adventure, trading, and combat simulator, serving as the fourth release in the classic Elite video game series. Available on Commercial, Windows, OSVR, HTC Vive, Steam, and Oculus Rift, it offers a vast 1:1 scale recreation of the Milky Way galaxy for a single-player experience. If you enjoy the open-ended exploration and trade aspects of EVE Online but prefer a more direct, first-person piloting experience and single-player focus, Elite: Dangerous is an excellent EVE Online alternative.
Star Citizen
Star Citizen is an ambitious upcoming space sim video game for Microsoft Windows and Linux, planning to consist of both first-person space combat and extensive trading mechanics. Much like EVE Online, it aims to deliver a persistent universe with complex player interactions. If you're drawn to the detailed ship mechanics and the grand vision of a living universe in EVE Online, Star Citizen provides a potentially more immersive, visually stunning, and highly detailed EVE Online alternative, currently in active development.
Oolite
Oolite is a free and open-source space sim game, heavily inspired by the original Elite. Available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, it enhances the gaming experience with a rich context and modding capabilities. For those who appreciate the classic Elite experience and want an EVE Online alternative that is free, open-source, and highly customizable with a strong community, Oolite offers a compelling first-person view space simulation.
X
The X series, developed by Egosoft, comprises science fiction space trading and combat simulators set in the X-Universe. Available commercially on Mac, Windows, Linux, Steam, and GOG.com, these games feature base building, an open world, and single-player sci-fi exploration. If you enjoy the economic simulation and empire-building aspects of EVE Online but prefer a robust single-player experience where you can directly influence your galactic empire, the X series is a fantastic EVE Online alternative.
Entropia Universe
Entropia Universe is a massively multiplayer online virtual universe by MindArk, running on a unique micropayment system. Available as Freemium on Windows, it features gaming, MMORPG, multiplayer, and sci-fi elements. While not strictly a space combat game like EVE Online, its real-cash economy and player-driven content make it an intriguing EVE Online alternative for players interested in a persistent virtual world with significant economic depth and a real-money trading aspect.
Shores of Hazeron
Shores of Hazeron offers an unscripted, living, and thriving universe with first-person action from the ground to the stars and beyond. Available commercially on Mac, Windows, and Linux, it features multiplayer, first-person view, gaming, MMO, MMORPG, open world, procedurally generated content, and sci-fi elements. This game stands out as an EVE Online alternative by offering a truly seamless experience between planetary exploration and space travel, giving players unparalleled freedom in a procedurally generated universe.
Star Conflict
Star Conflict is an action-packed, massively multiplayer space simulation game where players assume the role of elite pilots engaging in widespread interplanetary conflict. Available Freemium on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Steam, it focuses on gaming, MMO, and sci-fi elements. For those who love the fast-paced PvP combat and ship customization of EVE Online but prefer a more arcade-style, direct combat experience with lower entry barriers, Star Conflict is an excellent EVE Online alternative.
Galaxy on Fire
Galaxy on Fire is a space combat and trading simulation designed primarily for mobile platforms. Available Freemium on Android, iPhone, Blackberry, Android Tablet, iPad, PlayBook, and tvOS, it offers cutting-edge 3D graphics and deep gameplay within a sci-fi setting. If you're seeking a high-quality EVE Online alternative that you can play on the go, with engaging combat and trading mechanics, Galaxy on Fire delivers a premium mobile space experience.
TerraGenesis
TerraGenesis is a planet-building simulator rooted in real science, allowing players to engage in space exploration and terraform new worlds. Available Freemium on Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, and iPad, it features free-to-play mechanics, interactive visualization, and terraforming. While not a direct space combat or MMO alternative to EVE Online, TerraGenesis offers a unique sci-fi experience focusing on the strategic and scientific aspects of space colonization, perfect for those who enjoy the macro-level planning and scientific themes of EVE Online but desire a more casual, simulation-focused EVE Online alternative.
Evochron Mercenary
In Evochron Mercenary, players are free to seek their fortune as independent mercenaries in an adventure driven by their choices and accomplishments. Available commercially on Windows, it features gaming, open-world exploration, simulation, and trade. If you appreciate the freedom and open-ended gameplay of EVE Online but desire a rich, detailed single-player experience with deep simulation aspects and a focus on player-driven narrative, Evochron Mercenary is a strong EVE Online alternative.
Each of these EVE Online alternative games offers a unique take on the vast and exciting genre of space simulation. We encourage you to explore them and find the one that best fits your desire for cosmic adventure, strategic depth, or thrilling combat.