Top 25 best sci-fi games for Android phones and tablets

Out There is a brilliant, mysterious, brutal choose-your-own space adventure that sets you out exploring the dark void of space. It looks absolutely mesmerizing, and the action has massive comic-book vibes. It pretty much looks like a comic book come to life.

You'll have tons of fun exploring the unexplored and the various sceneries and planets, and the characters you will interact with only add to the quality of the action within. It's absolutely brilliant. Read our Out There review if you don't believe us!

Knights of the Old Republic is a Star Wars title that lets you fill the role of an amnesiac Jedi, forging your path towards the dark or the light. For sci-fi fans, it's paradise. If you haven't played any of the KOTOR games yet, then you're clearly missing out. An engaging story will keep you on the edge of your seat, and although the graphics is a bit outdated, it's still far from being bad or unplayable.

This stunning creation is the epitome of sci-fi - it is a premium title that is well worth devoting your time to, as long as you're a Star Wars fan. Otherwise, you're probably not going to enjoy it as much.

You wouldn't necessarily expect an RPG-puzzler mash-up to come up with an involving sci-fi story, but Ticket to Earth does just that. Even better, this tale of mutant insects and rampaging robots has been rendered in a classy comic book style.

We've also got a Ticket to Earth review if you want to find out how this hybrid RPG puzzler plays out! It's incredibly fun, and makes for a truly terrific, one can enjoy pretty much anytime. Oh, and it's also got an intriguing story that you can unfold in the meantime.

A staggeringly accomplished RPG, ported successfully from PC. This is an ambitious open-world sci-fi adventure that lets you mould your own adventure as the captain of your ship. Fight, trade, steal, explore - it's entirely up to you. There are a plethora of tasks at hand, and there's never a shortage of them when it comes to keeping you busy.

It's one of the best space games that the Android platform can support - even in 2024. There are so many elements that make up the wholesome experience you'll find in Star Traders: Frontiers that no other title comes anywhere close to it. It's probably because of the addition of characters and turn-based battles.

If you ever thought that you'd be great at piloting the Starship Enterprise with your buddies, Spaceteam will hilariously disabuse you of that idea. You are in charge of a ship and you can shout your heart out at your crew if they are doing a poor job. All sounds simple thus far, yeah?

Well, how about the fact that your ship is falling apart and all the while you are doing your best to outrun a supernova? It suddenly gets a tad more complicated. It's a brilliantly well-done space game, and if you haven't checked it out yet, you need to do so ASAP.

Take the much-maligned No Man's Sky, reign in the ambition to a more succinct format, and make it more instantly fun. That's Morphite for you: a wonderfully outward-looking, explorative sci-fi adventure. You have blocky 3D graphics that are not the usual choice for sci-fi games (we all know sci-fi aficionados love a realistic approach), but we cannot be mad at that.

They look particularly delightful, so they perfectly complement Morphite's intriguing narrative. If you want to learn exactly how that plays out, make sure to read our Morphite review. As we mentioned, it does everything perfectly.

Punishing: Gray Raven is a fantastic RPG set in a dystopian far future, where the world is engulfed by Mechanoids. It has you piloting 3 characters called 'Constructs' in the battle against them and boy, do they look astonishing. The anime graphics cleverly combined with the futuristic approach create a fully immersive sci-fi game that gets your blood pumping.

PGR is basically a hack-and-slash RPG with a rich narrative behind it and more than enough fuel to keep it atop the rankings from every point of view. It's not your typical space game though - it's just a clever sci-fi title that is hard not to place in any list.

For more info, take a look at the PGR tier listto find out which characters are in meta, while also redeeming some of the codes for Punishing Gray Raven that we have!

Probably the one that many players are already familiar with, XCOM has made its way onto the mobile leaderboards too. You have to make deeply strategic moves every step of the way, and the narrative and gameplay are perfectly intertwined. That's exactly why we have it lying about in every other list of ours.

But let's talk about this version of XCOM in particular. Okay, so XCOM: Enemy Within's plot is a bit 'B movie' - and not in the knowingly ironic sense. But when it comes down to the gameplay itself, all you can say is that it is a turn-based strategy at its best. I mean, you have to plan every turn during the action, and when you pull off a perfect run without having wounded or killed team members, it feels very satisfying. Of course, if you like the first one, try the XCOM 2.

Not all sci-fi relates to talking robots and space battles. There's a rich seam of dystopian speculative fiction out there, and Beholder 2 is one of the foremost gaming examples. As a newly employed department officer in a totalitarian state, will you become a hardened careerist or protect your fellow citizens?

We cannot help but mention the grey approach when it comes to the characters - it perfectly encompasses their soulless bodies in the world of Beholder 2. And we don't mean that in a gore-y way, but rather a metaphor for how they feel inside - that's what I like to believe, at least. Makes me look at the game from a different angle.

Void Tyrant's playful, cartoony choose-your-own-adventure style hides an ambitious roguelike card battler that applies the basic rules of Blackjack for its simple but strategic battle system. It doesn't do a good job of reflecting just how challenging and deeply strategic it is. Instead, it plays it down and makes you think that it's just another random casual card game. Well, surprise - it's not!

In Void Tyrant you can recruit various heroes and use them to adventure into the secret areas with your self-built card deck, and hope for the best - a good drop, a good encounter, or simply managing to come out victorious. It's truly fun, exciting, and challenging! A fun little Android space game with cards.

Many of you probably know a thing or two about Star Trek, since it's such a popular franchise - however, not many know just how good this mobile adaptation is. Star Trek: Fleet Command is a well-designed and deeply immersive 4X mobile sci-fi game, but its true value is its Star Trek IP and Kelvin Timeline setting (if you don't know what that means, this probably isn't for you).

Fleet Command will let you upgrade, customise and collect various ships from all the factions we all know and love (well, some at least), and the best part - you can collect popular characters and use them to aid you in battle as captains and commanders. Of course, those that love to take shortcuts can read about the Star Trek: Fleet Command best crew combinations !

Stellar Wanderer is one of the best multi-platform space simulators for mobile devices. It's got high-quality graphics, attractive visuals, and a huge space universe divided into galaxies full of unique planets.

You will have to choose one of four classes, upgrade your starships, fight in epic battles and explore boundless space. You can also collect resources, trade, or become a space pirate. Everything is up to you in this game. Considering all activities, playtime can be very extensive. What's more interesting, all of the activities named above are available in multiplayer as well, so you can invite friends to play along.

Pixelbite created a compelling, deeply atmospheric sci-fi world in the original Xenowerk, and we have to admit - Xenowerk Tactics is not too far away either. However, this one has a more tactical approach, straying away from twin-stick shooting to tense team-based tactics. It's a brilliant match.

Everything about it, from graphics to gameplay feels right and delivers a high-quality space game for Android that every fan of strategies should play at least once in their lifetime. And the best part yet - on Android, you can play the first part for free and in case you like it, then you can go ahead and purchase the rest.

A brilliantly tense interactive fiction title, with top writing from Dave Justus. The key twist here is that it all unfolds in real time, with the survivor of a spaceship crash communicating with you directly throughout the day. That's something we see in very few games, but in this environment it makes you look forward to the next event in a... unique way.

You will rarely want to skip through time (fast-forward your device's clock) because it has something new and exciting happening every moment. Of course, it's an interactive sci fi, so there won't be much to brag about in terms of visuals - but the narrative is quite literally out of this world (good pun?).

Lifeline is a premium title, and if you are wondering whether or not you should purchase it, make sure to read our Lifeline review first. We strongly believe it's worth it, but that's just us - if you love a game with a pleasing narrative, you'll probably agree with us.

Are you in hot pursuit of a high-quality space shooter for Android? Then look no further, because CyberSphere Online is the answer. A lovely title that has it all - action, robots, shooting, explosions and lasers. Did I miss anything? Oh, a multiplayer option too.

In CyberSphere you team up with other players across multiple platforms and take part in various game modes. From bosses to PvP matches, there's a little bit of everything. And while the graphics are not nearly as good as in other multiplayer online games, this sci-fi shooter is by no means ugly. It plays smoothly and lag-free (as long as your connection is stable), and you know that when it comes to shooters that's an important factor.

If you love pixelated graphics as much as the next person, but you get easily excited about everything space-related, chances are you won't often put the two together. However, in Pixel Starships the two create something beautiful - a stunning space game where you build your own ship, expand it and carry out interstellar battles.

Pixel Starships is ideal for those who want a more laid-back sci-fi title, with a colourful approach and a multiplayer mode. While there is not much that is original in terms of gameplay, it is still great if you want something simple. In our Pixel Starships review we were actually not impressed with it that much, but it still made the list for several reasons. For one, it's pixelated; two, it's simple, and three, it's got a new challenge at every step.

We have played Infinite Lagrange for a while, and it's safe to say that it's pretty similar to many other space games out there - however, it stands out because it's a game that doesn't actually need you to charge money to become relevant. You have multiple choices in terms of how you want to play - do you want to rely on PvP? Maybe you're more into mining resources idle and letting the game unfold until you're strong enough.

No matter what it is, chances are you can do it. Oh, and it's worth mentioning that the graphics are fairly similar to what you have in EVE Echoes. They're beautiful, realistic, and everything offers a new possibility.

If you're in a new area of the galaxy, you can look for resources and set up a temporary base. If you want to settle down anywhere, you can do it with just a couple of taps. The only problem is finding that one spot which isn't heavily mined by the other players! All in all, it's a beautiful game and if you love sci-fi games, you need to give Infinite Lagrange a shot. We even got a few Infinite Lagrange guides to help you along the way!

If you're looking for ultimate space sci-fi, there's no frontier better and bigger than Warhammer 40K. Ask Henry Cavill if you don't believe us. The Games Workshop should give him a big bonus for advertising their work wherever he goes. Man loves his figurines.

For a good reason, however, as Warhammer 40K lore is pretty deep and engaging, it's not hard to figure out why someone can get hooked that much. Tacticus was a mobile game of the year in 2022 by players' votes, which tells a lot about its quality. Figurine models are well animated, in 3D and it's easy to recognise them.

You'll play several campaigns with various factions and unlock (but also boost) a myriad of characters. It has a PVP element called arena where you can test your teams against others, and a few other modes as well. Combat is turn-based, and it gives you enough time to thing and use the right ability or attack. If your characters are not underpowered, winning or losing is 100% in your hands, so you can't blame it on someone else in case you get wrecked!

SpacePlan is actually a clicker game, but that would be an understatement. You do have to tap continuously in order to make the numbers go higher, but you also have to find some rather intriguing space secrets! This casual clicker is great to play anytime, any day, even when you have just 5 minutes of playtime at your disposal.

You can take your time and let the universe unfold at its own rate (which is not too impressive, we have to admit) but hey - it's the Space Plan all along (I'll see myself out). Jokes aside, there are some quirky remarks in SpacePlan, including launching your very own potato-based probes.

All in all, it's a premium title that will put a smile on your face and if you aren't looking for games with massive action, this is the one you need to play. Just read our SpacePlan review and convince yourself!

Now that we had a few relaxing sci-fi games, it's time to shift the direction and mention one which takes action to a whole new level. Neon Chrome is a roguelike twin-stick shooter set in a dystopian future dominated by corporations and neon signs. It combines cyberpunk elements with laser battles and much more.

There are shades of Gibson, Bladerunner, The Running Man, Cyberpunk, and a bunch of other sci-fi classics here, so it's hard to go wrong with a mash of some of the best titles out there. We even have a Neon Chrome review for you, so if you're up for some next-gen action, you should try this one out.

Its strategic elements combined with beautiful neon visuals make for an incredibly addictive game. See it for yourself!

Even in 2024, EVE Echoes can't be counted out as the best sci-fi game on the Android list. It's still a strong contender, and that's because EVE Echoes has a well-established player base and a massive legacy to keep. In EVE you can choose a faction and start your space journey, upgrading your ships, trading and building, and even becoming a space pirate - why not?

Players can discover unique space regions, or simply cruise through the galaxy and enjoy the view. We love the trading part of the game, which is an alternative that helps players make money. Of course, it takes time and equipment (if you want to go farming for resources), but it's all worth it. There are many layers to EVE Echoes' complexity, and they all make it that much more enjoyable.

Another fun feature is screenshots! EVE Echoes looks so good that you can take screenshots from literally every angle and they'll look fabulous. Easy to use them as your phone wallpaper.

An unexpected guest on our list is Machinarium - but that's not becaue it's an out-of-this-world space game (see what I did there?), but rather because it's a compelling sci-fi story of Joseph who tries to save his girlfriend. Oh, Joseph and his girlfriend are both robots.

In Machinarium, Amanita Games tells a compelling stories without any actual words. Much of its success comes through the richness of its strange sci-fi worlds, such as in this steampunk point-and-click adventure. The world within Machinarium looks like it came from a faraway world. It's brilliant.

If that was not enough to convince you, make sure to read our Machinarium review too!

Hades' Star is a sprawling sci-fi MMO with mining, colonising, and commerce all built into its framework. It takes a very clean approach to space, space exploration and the like, and everything (from the menu to the actual worlds) looks extremely clean and well-polished.

When it comes to gameplay, it's pretty much what you can expect from such a space game - you have to build and expand your very own galactic empire. You have a very similar game to Infinite Lagrange in this one, except a lot simpler in terms of visuals.

Now about the space battles... they are something else. To be fair, they might not be what you might expect. Still, they're good enough to keep you going for more. There are multiplayer modes in Hades' Star to keep players busy, and you can team up with other players to collect artifacts, or you can compete against them (it can be both PvE and PvP focused), so there's something for everyone!

A brilliant roguelike shooter with chunky pixel graphics and a classic '80s sci-fi vibe. Black Paradox takes the R-Type template and blasts it into the stratosphere. With hot pink and blushing orange hues, players can swipe through the galaxy and equip a bunch of lasers meant to blow stuff up.

Black Paradox feels and looks great. In our Black Paradox review we mentioned that there are multiple elements you can upgrade when it comes to your car. All of these upgrades will make you more of a badass, and that's only the icing on the cake.

The cherry on top comes when you fight bosses. If you have another car, it will pop up to fight beside you (not the lone driver/pilot anymore). Small details like this one make Black Paradox one of the best sci-fi games on Android.

Let's wrap up our best sci-fi games with a bang, shall we? And for that, we're going to mention a highly immersive FPS set in a cyberpunk world. Of course, we're talking about Infinity Ops. This brilliant shooter takes place in the far distant future, where technology is no longer limited. Humanity's knowledge of technology has advanced and thus enabled a wide variety of weaponry.

Players can choose between various classes and assume their role in the team. There are multiple weapons with different skills and a bunch of different game modes that players can jump into. We even have an Infinity Ops beginner's guide to help you start your journey!