You might spend some time staring up at the night sky, spotting the stars and wondering how far they reach. Well get back inside and stare at your screen, because Starfield is going to let us travel to each of those stars. 1,000 planets, actually. Oh boy.
Okay, there's still a little bit of time until we can actually get lost in Skyrim: Space Edition, but until then, there are some fantastic games you can play to fill that void in the meantime. These are those games, and there's no shortage of discovery to be had.
Updated July 4, 2023: We've updated this article to include the video version, in case you feel like doing a little bit of watching instead of reading. Either way, prepare for launch with these games, as Starfield is just around the corner.
5 Starbound
After spending a few years in Steam's classic Early Access cycle, Starbound launched in 2016. It's a 2D survival game where you can explore a galaxy, upgrade and customize your ship, take part in quests and missions, and explore planets to find what's waiting to be discovered. Imagine Terraria, but you have a spaceship.
It certainly had ups and downs throughout the development process, with many features coming and going, but you would absolutely have a great time if you played the game now. There's so much to do, so much to build, and with Steam Workshop support, so many things you can add in to change just about anything.
4 Rebel Galaxy Outlaw
Harkening back to those classic ship-sims of the '90s and early 2000s, Rebel Galaxy Outlaw is a sequel (or a prequel, actually) that changed the gameplay drastically, opting for high-intensity action. One thing that stayed true was the soundtrack, and what a soundtrack it is.
Playing as a lone pilot called Juno, you're free to do as you please in this huge galaxy. There's a main story to follow, but you can also just take on missions, buy new ships and upgrade them, and take on various trades as you see fit. Trader? Gun-for-hire? Pirate? It's your choice, but crank up the radio and get flying.
3 Elite Dangerous
There are many reasons you might want to explore the stars. It could be for a glimpse into what the future could hold. It could be to explore alien planets and discover life out there. Or, you might just love spaceships - and who can blame you? Elite Dangerous is all about the ships, and it will put your skills to the test.
As something of a 'space simulator', Elite Dangerous is a difficult game to learn, with so many controls and systems to memorize in your ship of choice. However, once you adapt and get the hang of things, it can be one of the most thrilling - and even the most relaxing - space games available.
Take on a mission from a space station, head out and jump between systems, and then complete your objective. It could be mining, it could be a delivery, it could be combat. You can even go and fight with or against other players. You can even grab the Odyssey expansion, which adds in some on-foot gameplay and missions. If you love sci-fi and are willing to put that time in to learn it, Elite Dangerous is a fantastic choice.
2 Mass Effect
Chances are you've heard of Mass Effect. Chances are you've already played Mass Effect. However, it still goes without saying, if you can't wait to dive into Starfield's huge galaxy full of stories, mystery, and discovery, then Mass Effect is an excellent choice in the meantime.
In the Mass Effect: Legendary Edition trilogy, you can take the role of Commander Shepard as they travel the stars with a crew, attempting to stop a bigger-than-life threat as it culminates over the course of the three games. Discover worlds, take part in intense shoot-outs, and make choices that will drastically impact the story throughout all of the games.
Alternatively, you could hop over into Mass Effect Andromeda. More recent than the other titles, it doesn't stand as strong as they do, but it's still a great experience if you want more space to discover and alien threats to fight.
1 No Man's Sky
If you've followed along with Starfield - which, if you're here, we're assuming you have been - then you've probably also heard the comparison with No Man's Sky. Maybe you've even made that correlation yourself. But the fact of the matter is, there's truth to the similarities, in all the best ways.
No Man's Sky was always about the discovery of an unknown universe, and while it missed the mark when it launched in 2016, it is now one of - if not the - best space exploration game out there. Take on missions, buy various ships, and travel to entire planets that have never been seen before. A whole galaxy awaits to be discovered, and there is plenty of mystery weaved into the narratives.
You can even take part in multiplayer missions, community goals, and expeditions - limited-time events that give you objectives with exclusive rewards. Or, you could go in another direction entirely, never seeing another soul, and just build yourself a peaceful life among the stars. The choice is entirely yours, and if you're preparing for Starfield, there's no better way to satiate that excitement.