Elite Dangerous sets itself apart through its colossal persistent universe. While Starfield has myriad pre-written stories, Outer Wilds challenges you to find the cracks in the solar system, and No Man's Sky makes survival the goal, Elite Dangerous puts all the power in your hands. This sci-fi universe can morph and change thanks to your decisions (or anyone else's), and after ten years it's only getting bigger. So if you fancy giving Elite Dangerous a go, it's currently the cheapest it's ever been on Steam.
MMO, FPS, and space simulator all rolled into one, it's your job to explore a 1:1 recreation of the Milky Way and impact the persistent universe exactly how you see fit. There are factions to , missions to complete, and piles of money to be made if you know where to look.
Just a few months ago Elite Dangerous also underwent a pretty huge shakeup with the Ascendancy update. This introduced Powerplay 2.0, a system that makes the relationships and actions of every faction vying for power across the stars much more complex. You can take control of pockets of the galaxy as you see fit, but doing so does paint a target on your back. Everything about Powerplay 2.0 is reactive, making the Elite Dangerous approximation of our universe more dynamic than ever.
Now that we're in 2025, Frontier Developments has some big plans for the game going into its next ten years. System Colonization is the focus of the year's first major update, which will give you even more control over exploration and decision-making. You'll set out across the Milky Way galaxy, claiming your very own star systems, constructing space facilities, and expanding the reach of humanity further and further.
If you're worried about already being behind the game's other players, don't be, because it turns out that a staggering 99% of the Elite Dangerous universe is still unexplored. So whether you're jumping in alone or playing with friends, it's not as though you'll run out of space in 2025 and beyond.
Elite Dangerous is 75% off on Steam until Thursday January 9, so expect to pay $4.99 / £3.74 until then. You can also save 65% on the game's Deluxe Edition. Elite Dangerous is available right here.
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