Space video games have a unique ability to ignite the imagination of gamers across all age groups. Offering a sense of freedom unparalleled by other genres, these games allow players to explore the vast expanse of the universe. And what better way to enhance this experience than by constructing your own spaceship to traverse the cosmos? Join us as we delve into some of the best Ship Building Games available today, promising an intergalactic adventure like no other.

Space adventures are among the best and most extensive journeys you can experience within a video game. The games below will provide you with this experience, as well as some of the best ship-building mechanics.

• Release Date : February 28, 2019

• Developer : Keen Software House

• Publishers: Keen Software House

• Platforms : Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5

• Metascore : N/A

Space Engineers, as its name suggests, is about engineers working in space and on the surface of planets responsible for planning, designing, and building all types of constructions, such as space stations and spaceships.

One of the aspects that differentiate Space Engineers from other games about designing, managing, and building is the voxel-based construction system that incredibly facilitates the process. In this sense, the building methodology here is similar to that found in Minecraft or Terraria.

In Space Engineers, the journey begins the moment you lay eyes on the procedurally generated maps. As an engineer and astronaut, you're armed with an array of tools, from drills to grinders, to extract resources and craft blocks for your creations.

Although you can build only three types of structures: small ships, large ships, and stations, Space Engineers eventually exudes creativity and lets you unleash your imagination to build the composition you want. This is because each block you use to build your ship or station has a particular function that can be structural, interactive, functional, or aesthetic. The way you link these blocks together will determine the general functionality and effectiveness of your structure. Then, becoming a successful space engineer is a matter of exploring to get resources, planning, and building in the best and most accurate way possible.

Key Features:

• Be a space exploration guy with building elements and constructions, and differentiate yourself from other players.

• The possibility to develop a complete engineering plan from scratch just by gathering resources.

• Start in a bare land and construct the biggest space station in the galaxy.

Space Engineers Global Steam CD Key is available on RoyalCDKeys.

• Release Date : March 28, 2002

• Developers : Square | Square Enix | Jupiter | h.a.n.d. | BitGroove | indieszero | Success

• Publishers: Square | Square Enix

• Platforms : PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, Mobile Phone, PlayStation 3, Web browser, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch

• Metascore : 85

Kingdom Hearts is an action role-playing franchise that takes place in a weird universe where Disney and Final Fantasy characters coexist. I must admit the idea is a bit crazy. But what other thing can emanate from Tetsuya Nomura’s mind?

The mix of Final Fantasy characters, such as Tidus, Cloud, or Sephiroth, and classic Disney characters, such as Donald, Goofy, Ariel, or Tarzan, really rocks in Kingdom Hearts. Thanks to this blend, Square Enix enticed many new gamers and fans of Disney movies and, in the process, created a franchise with new and interesting mechanics and lore.

The Kingdom Hearts franchise is not like the other games and sagas on this list since it’s an RPG with action in real-time. Also, each map has its boss and items you can collect. Besides, like in all RPGs, you can improve the stats of your characters.

But let’s go to what interests us: building ships. In the Kingdom Hearts franchise, you travel from one planet to another by piloting a spaceship known as the Gummi Ship. Even though this transport fulfills its duty, you can use new spare parts with new technologies to improve its functionality. This way, you can make the Gummi Ship go faster, have a high-quality blast, or more health, etcetera. Of course, to create these parts, you will need resources you can obtain while visiting the numerous planets on your journey.

Key Features:

• Several planets with a unique Disney environment and plot.

• An interesting crossover between the Final Fantasy series and the Disney universe.

• The Gummi Ship: a space transportation you can modify as you want.

• Release Date : April 27, 2015

• Developer : Squad

• Publishers: Private Division

• Platforms : Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S. Steam

• Metascore : 88

Since Kerbal Space Program is a game based on realistic space exploration mechanics, orbital physics, and aerodynamics, I must include it on a list with spaceship building.

From the very beginning, Kerbal Space Program puts you at the head of the space program of a rare alien race known as Kerbals. Although they are not humans, their and our program to colonize space are very similar. This way, you will need to create the conditions for a successful launch. Here is when the fun begins!

From the space center – which is weirdly very similar to the NASA operation center – you can build the space vehicles you need to colonize space and even other planets. It means you can create vehicles such as aircraft, rockets, spaceplanes, rovers, and more. Sadly, these vehicles do not have weapons, but you surely will notice that it’s not necessary! Of course, creating all these transportation modules involves using different sets of components you need to administrate wisely.

Despite the fact that the game does not occur on the Earth or Solar System, the entire world and universe is a recreation of our space neighborhood. There are nine planets where you should face challenges and missions, such as rescuing lost Kerbals or landing on other celestial bodies.

Key Features: 

• A realistic writing, script, and context based on physics and space exploration.

• Create and manage your real space program. There is no time to tinker around.

• Several missions, such as exploring moons and visiting planets for materials and other resources. 

Kerbal Space Program Steam CD Key is available on RoyalCDKeys.

• Release Date : May 9, 2016

• Developer : Paradox Development Studio

• Publishers: Paradox Interactive

• Platforms : PC, Linux, macOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

• Metascore : 78

Stellaris is the most ambitious title in this list since you control an interplanetary empire or civilization trying to expand its boundaries. Strictly speaking, Stellaris is a 4X video game, which means you and your ships cross the universe exploring, expanding, exploiting, and exterminating threats and other civilizations you find in your path. However, Stellaris poses several ways of achieving victory and relating with other systems, such as diplomacy, trade, or warfare.

Beyond the fact that you have to administer an entire empire, discover new areas in the galaxy where to extract resources, and build a wealthy humanity in the deepest corners of the universe, Stellaris has an interesting ship-building system that is the cornerstone of your conquest.

The conquering process and warfare in Stellaris is carried out by your fleets, which are made up of several ships. You can build all the ships you want if you have enough money, resources, and individual components for that feat.

Spaceships in Stellaris can be built in two different ways: using the ship auto builder and getting a cluster of random ships into your fleets or selecting the proper ships you want your fleet to have. Another interesting point in the ship-building system in Stellaris is its great customization possibilities since you can select the weapons and elements for your ship.

Stellaris has a wide variety of ships ready for you to build, from a cruiser to a megastructure. All ships have a distinctive time and price, so you need to arm yourself with patience, administer your resources wisely, and wait for your ship to be completed.

Key Features:

• An entire universe to conquer and thousands of systems to visit.

• Live an entire life dedicated to the development and rise of your galactic empire.

• Dozens of interstellar boats, vessels, ships, and megastructures to build your fleet.

Stellaris GOG CD Key is available on RoyalCDKeys.

• Release Date : August 5, 2020

• Developer : Eleon Game Studios

• Publishers: Eleon Game Studios

• Platforms : Microsoft Windows

• Metascore : N/A

Empyrion: Galactic Survival has a ship-building system similar to that in Space Engineers since it is also based on blocks you insert within a 3D reticle. However, in Empyrion, you acquire separate blocks to build your desired vessel according to your budget and purposes.

The first is always selecting the shape and then other constituent parts, such as engines, protections, and even weapons. You can also use blueprints and templates to facilitate and accelerate the process if you’re more interested in exploration, combat, and the 3D universe.

Every ship you can create in Empyrion has its statistics, torque details, cargo and production, attacks and defense power, and capacity to gather resources. Besides, you can upgrade ships continuously to increase the strength of your settlement and fleet.

In order to produce all the above and survive in the harsh environment of the planet where you are, you will have to get rare materials and even food. From that point, everything is about creating and building the bases and devices you need to continue exploring the planet and ensure your survivability.

Empyrion boasts a cool and simple system you can learn in a matter of seconds. In this sense, the title will surprise you pleasantly while managing and controlling a rising space base with great ambitions for the future.

Key Features:

• A procedurally generated lost planet where you have to survive.

• Play as you want, get the resources you need, and create the ships you consider necessary.

• Several ships, stations, devices, and more resources to improve your walkthrough.

Empyrion: Galactic Survival Steam CD Key is available on RoyalCDKeys.

• Release Date : November 6, 2007

• Developer : CCP Games

• Publishers: Simon & Schuster Interactive | Crucial Entertainment | CCP Games | Atari

• Platforms : Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac OS X

• Metascore : 69

EVE Online is the only massively multiplayer online role-playing game on this list, and thus, it deserves a special place as the final gem in this article. In a simple sentence, EVE Online takes place in the vast universe, which you can explore at your leisure and even with friends if you want. EO is so huge that nowadays, it contains over 7,500 star systems, each with individual planets. Practically, you can get lost inside this title.

Equally to most MMOs that you can currently find on the gaming globe, in EVE Online, you can carry out several activities, such as mining, pirating, crafting, trading, exploration, and combat in both systems, PvE and PvP.

Regarding the ship-building mechanics, you need to go to the blueprints and resources. Both are acquirable on the market. Of course, to build bigger and more powerful spaceships, you will need more scarce and expensive materials. You can also acquire spare pieces to equip your ships with different abilities that can be useful for particular activities, such as mining and combat. The most important is to achieve a balance between all parts, such as engine power, firepower, and functionality.

Ships play a vital role in EVE Online since they represent the quintessence of gameplay. The continuing improvement of ships will allow you to cross space and reach new systems and, consequently, get new materials to improve your vessel's power even more.

EVE Online is a complete experience of exploration and personal company; you can decide to play solo or with friends. It is also one of the best specimens of the genre, with the best spaceship you can build.

Key Features:

• A massive space-open world with thousands of planetary systems.

• Great travel and combat mechanics against the environment or other players.

• A vast ship-building system that allows you to build hundreds of magnificent ships.

I hope you will enjoy the video games I‘ve described above. They have plenty of options and mechanics reading building spaceships. Surely, you will enjoy them as I did. Just navigate through RoyalCDKeys and acquire them with just one click away!