Elite Dangerous: The Ultimate Space Sim Experience
The most immersive space sim isn’t a competition, but as a fan of immersive games I couldn’t let the opportunity pass to celebrate the genre’s most prominent entry: Elite Dangerous. The likes of Starfield and No Man’s Sky are getting a lot of attention right now, but despite launching back in 2014, Frontier’s space sim still reigns supreme in the eyes of many players.
It’s easy to see why. From the very first time I stepped out of my ship and onto the surface of a planet, I’ve been blown away by Elite Dangerous. There’s no other space game that can match its scale, and the moment you leave your ship’s cockpit and stand on a planet’s surface is as magical now as it was when the game first released.
The immersion of Elite Dangerous is further enhanced by a HOTAS, and I simply cannot recommend the experience enough. After using a Saitek Combat Pro for a couple of years, I recently upgraded to the Thrustmaster T.Flight Rudder Pedals and am astonished at how much better the experience is.
On PC Game Spotlight, we’ve been championing Elite Dangerous for years. I wrote a love letter to the game as recently as last year, and I’m not alone in my adoration. Almost every comment on our recent Elite Dangerous 2023 preview is positive, with many users believing that the space sim is unparalleled in terms of immersion, especially in VR.
Of course, not everyone shares our love for Elite Dangerous. Some of you have shared your own stories of tedium while grinding away at repetitive upgrades, while others believe the game lacks as a game because you can’t set goals for yourself. I understand both points, but they’ve never been an issue for me.
We’re already seeing some potential contenders emerge to take on Elite Dangerous’ crown, with No Man’s Sky 2 and Starfield both poised to offer incredible space experiences. Other games mentioned in this thread include the likes of Space Station 13, Kerbal Space Program, and the underrated Space Rangers 2.
I’m still playing Elite Dangerous, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the game evolves during the course of the year. If you’re still looking for your next immersive sim, I’d also recommend checking out our best space games list, as well as our rundown of all the upcoming PC games.
