If you’re like me, you’re probably still reeling from the success of Project Hail Mary, one of the year’s largest blockbusters and, until I finally see Obsession tomorrow, my favorite film I’ve seen in 2026. Having read the book just before seeing the movie, I was all in on this space exploration epic, and ever since I’ve been looking for ways to scratch the itch of interplanetary isolation. Sure, I could seek out other films and books that match the vibe, but we here at VGU love video games more than anything, so I thought in honor of the film’s streaming launch on MGM+ today (no, this is not an ad), I would make a Top 10 list of my favorite narrative space games that remind me of Project Hail Mary.
Let’s blast off!

Note: These picks are in no specific order, and there will be some minor spoilers for Project Hail Mary, so you have been warned!

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Tacoma

The first game that came to mind when making this list was Tacoma, Fullbright’s 2017 follow-up to their award-winning walking sim, Gone Home. Tacoma follows the story of a team of astronauts on an ill-fated space expedition, told through echoes of the past that are uncovered by the player character. What makes this gameplay device unique is the ability to rewind and fast forward each scene, allowing you to follow characters from one room to another, seeing every element of the mystery at hand. The characters are diverse and relatable, and the story itself is exciting and emotional, with an ending that’s really stuck with me ever since. I fell in love with Tacoma instantly back in 2017, and if you’re looking for a great story in space, you’ll certainly find it here!

Adr1ft

Similar to Tacoma, Adr1ft follows an astronaut making their way through an abandoned space station. Yeah, this is a common theme for my list, but what can you do? I was drawn to Adr1ft when it released on the PS4 in 2016, and it really began my love of space games. I had seen 2001: A Space Odyssey not too long before, and the long corridors, bright lights, and vast expanse of space felt so familiar to me. The gameplay hook of Adr1ft is having to find oxygen tanks as you float aimlessly through the station, collecting clues as to what went wrong on this mission. It’s not too long, but the slow movement helps add to the experience and the feeling of being completely alone in the atmosphere. Even cooler, the game has a VR version!

Heavenly Bodies

Now to take a little detour from narrative adventures and shine a light on something… a bit silly. You’ve probably heard of Heavenly Bodies due to its big YouTube presence when it hit the scene. The perfect couch co-op title, Heavenly Bodies tasks you and a partner with floating through space and fixing parts of a space station. The catch? Well, imagine having to do that while also playing the flash game, QWOP. The only way to move your character is by wiggling your feet and waving your arms in such a wild manner that you (hopefully) get from point A to point B. You can also grab and pull yourself, but the lack of any gravity at all will make for one hell of a time. It’s frustrating, it’s frantic, it’s fantastic, and it’s one of the best times you’ll ever have with local co-op.

Deliver Us the Moon

It feels weird to randomly throw this one in the middle, as it’s arguably my favorite game on the list. But alas, they are in no specific order, and I just really want to talk about this franchise. Both Deliver Us the Moon and Deliver Us Mars are some of the best puzzle platformers I’ve ever played. There’s jumping and jetpacks, there’s vehicle driving, there’s climbing and lasers and robots. But at the heart of it all, there is an emotional narrative steering these games, taking our protagonist(s) on an isolating journey through a barren space station, and ultimately a barren planet. I’m forever holding my breath for the third installment – Deliver Us Home – to drop any news, as I have not had my fill of these characters, this world, and the story they have to tell.

Fort Solis

This next addition will probably be met with some hesitation. If you didn’t hear about Fort Solis when it launched, well, chances are you haven’t heard of it at all. This quickly forgotten PlayStation/PC exclusive (it later released on Xbox in 2025) had an all-star cast including Roger Clark and Troy Baker, as well as a fairly riveting storyline set on a space outpost under siege. Our protagonist finds himself in the middle of a storm, trapped in the titular Fort Solis and tasked with solving the mystery of its missing crew members. As the tale unwinds, there are some crazy plot twists that had me thoroughly entertained. I was quite sad this one slipped under the radar, as it delivers the kind of short and thrilling narrative experience I love. The excellent performances alone should get you excited for Fort Solis; I highly recommend it.

Alien: Isolation

I’ll be completely honest, my time with Alien: Isolation was extremely minimal. However, it would be a shame not to include it, as it’s one of the best survival horror space games of all time. There were a few I thought about including, from Dead Space to The Callisto Protocol, but Alien: Isolation is unanimously beloved for its direction, its terrifying atmosphere, and the challenging monster pursuing you throughout. It should come as no surprise that I couldn’t play this game once the alien was introduced. I’m far too cowardly for something so immersive and nightmarish. But I will forever applaud the success of Alien: Isolation, and even as its sequel was fully revealed this past month, I raised my glass to the dev team for having yet another gem on their hands.

The Invincible

The next two picks are perhaps the closest to Project Hail Mary that we can get, save from a true video game adaptation. The Invincible lands our protagonist on an alien planet, waking up and setting out on a journey to find her missing crewmates. Based on the 1964 novel of the same name by Stanislaw Lem, I compare The Invincible to Project Hail Mary because of its focus on science to solve problems, as well as the unknown twists and turns in its narrative. The game has a fair amount of choice and “make it your own story” type direction, and for that it quickly became a favorite of mine. Not to mention, its visuals are beautifully inspired by science fiction authors and the vibe is truly stunning.

Observation

Few space games twisted my mind the way Observation did. I feel like I played this so long ago that it’s quite hard to recall the plot… but I kind of love that? Now I get to play it again! I remember thinking about this game’s aesthetic a lot while watching Project Hail Mary, as both of them involve finding a random ship out in space, docking alongside it, and exploring what lies within. While Observation has a much darker tone in its revelations, it’s still a story that should be experienced by anyone who loves a tense and satisfying space game. From what I can remember, this one was a bit of a rollercoaster, and its focus on gameplay through the eyes of AI cameras alone is truly unique.

Chorus

This one might seem super weird on this list, but dammit, I just want to talk about Chorus! Few games have had such an impact on me as Chorus has, and I didn’t even realize how much I was loving it while I played it. How do I even describe Chorus? Imagine Star Fox or Rogue Squadron type gameplay across a variety of hub worlds with customization options for your ship, a plethora of heavy weaponry, and a narrative about ancient aliens and space magic. It’s so cool, man, and it plays so damn well! You can pick this one up for fairly cheap in various sales, and I highly recommend you do so. It’s fast-paced, action-packed, and damn near unforgettable.

Aphelion

Oh, Aphelion, my old friend. My new old friend! If you want to hear my deeper thoughts on Aphelion – including the official VGU score – you can check out my semi-review here. It’s part of a bigger article, but you’ll figure it out. As for its connection to Project Hail Mary, well, it follows a similar theme of loneliness in the vast void of space. Two astronauts are separated on various parts of an alien planet, and as they journey to find each other, they face obstacles – and a mystery – they were not expecting. It’s brilliant, it’s emotional, and it’s one of my favorite games of the year! Not that it comes as a surprise, but Don’t Nod has done it again!

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Okay, I know this list was very loosely based on Project Hail Mary, after all. I’d have more luck connecting these games to something like The Martian! I guess that just helps make Hail Mary even more unique in its storytelling and the space aesthetic it provides. But before you go and watch the film, here’s a few more honorable mentions to round out the list of great space games!

No Man’s Sky

Perhaps the most ambitious video game of all time, this epic from Hello Games has turned into one of the deepest, richest space games out there. From exploration to base building to traversing all kinds of terrain, you (and your friends) will easily get lost in this one.

Titanfall 2

Moving into FPS territory, there’s no denying Titanfall 2 is one of the best story modes ever made. An action-packed narrative with multiple twists and an emotional bond between a soldier and his mech, this one is worth checking out even after all these years. Nobody would’ve expected such an impactful story here!

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare

Less impactful on a global scale, but one of my personal favorite COD titles, Infinite Warfare took the familiar gameplay into space, and it did not disappoint. The jackal missions stand out for their ferocity and tension, and Kit Harington’s antagonist brings an unexpected flair to the story at hand.

Halo 3: ODST

This is a bit of a stretch, yes, but isn’t it a fantastic game? Another space mystery, piecing together what happened to your team of soldiers, and wrapped up in a lovely little Halo aesthetic. It’s the perfect package, and even after so many years, it still holds up as an iconic piece of art.

Under the Waves

Ironically, the last pick of my list takes us not to space, but to the deep-sea depths. One of the most memorable, thought-provoking, and enjoyable narratives I’ve ever experienced, Under the Waves feels like Project Hail Mary in the most tragic of ways – a shared theme that’s all too real: “will I ever go home again?” It’s an incredible tale, truly heartbreaking, and one I’ll surely never forget.

Thank you for reading, and please let me know in the comments what your favorite space games are!