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If you want a first-person starfighter cockpit and a scripted military-style story, start with STAR WARS: Squadrons. For solo combat with exploration and gear progression, choose EVERSPACE 2. Elite Dangerous is worth considering if you want a vast connected-space sandbox, but it is a less direct substitute for a self-contained story campaign. As of October 13, 2026, RSI says Squadron 42 remains in development and is not yet available.
What makes a game a good Squadron 42 alternative?
The right alternative depends on which part of Squadron 42 interests you. A cinematic story, first-person ship combat, a military squadron setting, and a solo campaign are not the same thing as simply being able to fly a spaceship. The three options below emphasize different parts of that appeal.
- For a story-led fighter-pilot experience: look for a first-person cockpit, starfighter combat, and an authored campaign. STAR WARS: Squadrons is the strongest match among these options.
- For solo space combat with room to roam: prioritize exploration, ship choices, weapons, equipment, and character or gear progression. EVERSPACE 2 is the better fit, although its action-RPG structure is not a military squadron story.
- For a huge, connected galaxy: choose an open-ended sandbox if you value broad space activities over a tightly directed campaign. Elite Dangerous fits that preference more than it fits the self-contained-story brief.
One important distinction is that a game may support solo play without being designed around a standalone, authored solo campaign. Check the game’s mode description and the edition’s current store details against what you want before buying.
It helps to compare the games on four separate questions. First, is there an explicitly described single-player campaign, or is the game described as a single-player experience without a campaign emphasis? Second, is the primary draw a first-person cockpit and starfighter action, or exploration and progression? Third, do you want a story with a directed arc or a world that is open-ended? Finally, do you want an isolated solo experience, or are you comfortable with a game whose store listing emphasizes multiplayer and a connected galaxy? Those distinctions separate the closest narrative substitute from games that share only some of the space-combat premise.
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At a glance: the strongest alternatives
| Game | Best fit | Structure and emphasis | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| STAR WARS: Squadrons | First-person starfighter combat and a single-player story | Campaign alongside multiplayer dogfights; Star Wars setting | Its product framing also includes multiplayer, so verify the chosen edition’s current platform and online requirements. |
| EVERSPACE 2 | Solo combat, exploration, and ship-and-gear progression | Narrative-driven, single-player open-world action RPG with looter-shooter elements | Its focus is exploration and RPG-style progression, not a military squadron campaign. |
| Elite Dangerous | A broad, open-ended space sandbox | Vast galaxy; Steam describes it as massively multiplayer | That connected-world emphasis makes it a less direct match for a self-contained authored solo story. |
The descriptions and availability can change. Check the official publisher or store page for the platform, edition, and requirements available in your region at the time you buy.
This is a comparison of the experience each title is presented as offering, not a ranking by price, campaign length, review score, or hardware demand. The current official listings do not provide a verified like-for-like cost comparison here, and prices can differ by platform, edition, region, and sale. Check the exact store listing for your platform before budgeting. The same caution applies to campaign length, player counts, system requirements, and individual flight-control models: confirm those details from the current publisher or storefront material rather than assuming they are the same across editions.
STAR WARS: Squadrons: closest to a story-driven starfighter campaign
Why it matches
Among the options here, STAR WARS: Squadrons most closely combines the two headline elements many Squadron 42 hopefuls want: first-person starfighter combat and a single-player campaign. Electronic Arts describes a single-player Star Wars campaign alongside multiplayer dogfights, and lists PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms. StarWars.com places the story near the conclusion of the Galactic Civil War.
EA’s product description says: “Buckle up, feel the adrenaline of first-person multiplayer space dogfights alongside your squadron, and learn what it means to be a pilot in a thrilling STAR WARS™ single-player campaign.” That is EA’s own product framing, not an independent assessment. It makes the game’s dual emphasis clear: there is a story campaign, but multiplayer is also part of its pitch.
For a prospective player, that combination matters more than the shared word “space.” The game is explicitly presented as having both a single-player campaign and multiplayer dogfights, so it answers the basic question of whether there is a story mode while also warning you not to mistake the product for a campaign-only release. Its Star Wars context is another differentiator: StarWars.com situates the story near the end of the Galactic Civil War, rather than presenting it as an unconnected original military setting.
Who should choose it
Pick Squadrons if your priority is to sit in a fighter cockpit and follow a directed space-opera story rather than spend most of your time roaming a large open world or improving a collection of ships and equipment. Its recognizable Star Wars setting is a particular draw if you want familiar factions and a campaign placed within that fictional conflict.
It is the clearest pick if “alternative” means a game with a defined solo story and first-person starfighter framing. It is less compelling as a match if what you specifically want is open-world exploration, an RPG gear loop, or a game whose presentation is centered only on offline solo play. The available product description confirms the campaign and multiplayer framing, but it does not establish detailed mission structure, campaign length, or whether every part of the campaign can be played offline.
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What to check first
The listed platforms are PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, but that broad list does not guarantee that every edition is currently sold or supported on every platform. Store availability and online requirements can vary by edition and storefront. If you intend to play only the campaign, check the specific edition’s current listing for any connection, account, or service requirements; the campaign’s existence alone does not establish that it can be accessed entirely offline.
Also distinguish “the publisher lists this platform” from “the exact copy I am about to buy is available and suitable for me.” Check the platform and edition on the regional store you plan to use, along with any stated requirements. If access to online services is a deciding issue, look for that information in the current listing rather than inferring offline access from the single-player campaign label.
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EVERSPACE 2: best for solo exploration and progression
How its appeal differs
EVERSPACE 2 offers a solo space-combat experience built around exploration and progression rather than a squadron-centered military narrative. Rockfish describes it as a narrative-driven, single-player open-world RPG with looter-shooter elements. Its game page emphasizes combat, exploration, collecting ships, and acquiring weapons and equipment.
That combination suits players who want their ship and equipment choices to shape their progress. It is a stronger fit than Squadrons if discovering places and developing a build are central to the appeal. But “narrative-driven” should not be mistaken for “military flight campaign”: the developer’s genre description points to an open-world action RPG with a loot loop, not a linear squadron story.
Think of this as a change in the kind of progression you are signing up for. The developer’s description emphasizes exploring, fighting, collecting ships, and acquiring gear. Those details point to an experience where ships, weapons, and equipment are part of the appeal, rather than a substitute that is primarily defined by following a squadron through a military campaign. If you want to spend time making choices about your ship and equipment as you explore, that difference is a selling point. If you want a tightly directed fighter-pilot narrative above all else, it is the central compromise.
Platforms and controls
Rockfish’s official site lists EVERSPACE 2 for Nintendo Switch 2, PC storefronts, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. That platform list is useful for narrowing a choice, but current regional storefront availability and the exact edition should still be checked before purchase.
The developer’s FAQ confirms HOTAS and HOSAS support. These are optional control arrangements—hands on throttle and stick, or hands on stick and stick—not prerequisites established for playing the game. If you plan to use a flight-control setup, verify compatibility for your platform and specific hardware rather than assuming support for the game means support for every device.
HOTAS or HOSAS support is a useful detail for a reader specifically seeking a cockpit-oriented way to play, but it should not be turned into a buying requirement. The confirmed fact is that the developer says the game supports these control arrangements; the available information does not confirm every make or model, every platform-specific setup, or the availability and price of any particular stick or throttle. Check compatibility for your hardware and platform before spending money on accessories. A standard supported control option may be preferable if you do not already own a compatible setup.
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Who should choose it
Choose EVERSPACE 2 if you want a solo game with combat and a narrative, but would rather explore and build up ships, weapons, and equipment than follow a military squadron’s missions. Choose something else if a first-person cockpit and a tightly focused fighter-pilot story matter more than open-world RPG progression.
Its placement between the other two options is helpful: it shares the solo emphasis of a story game, but its open-world RPG and looter-shooter elements make its structure distinct from a linear military narrative. It is not the obvious answer for every person searching for a Squadron 42 alternative. It is the better answer for the player whose interest in space combat includes exploration and the satisfaction of collecting ships and gear.
Elite Dangerous: a connected sandbox, not a close campaign substitute
Elite Dangerous belongs on the shortlist only if your idea of a space-combat alternative includes a large galaxy and open-ended play. Its Steam listing describes a vast, open-ended galaxy and labels the game massively multiplayer. That evidence supports treating it as a connected sandbox, not as a direct stand-in for a self-contained authored solo campaign.
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That distinction is useful when deciding what “single-player” means to you. If you want a defined story that you can follow from mission to mission, this is the least direct match of the three. If you are more interested in an expansive space setting and broad activities than in a campaign with a fixed narrative arc, its open-ended structure may be appealing. The cited listing does not establish it as a close match for a standalone solo story, so do not select it on that assumption.
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Choose by the experience you want
You want a fighter cockpit and a directed story
Start with STAR WARS: Squadrons. It has the clearest overlap with first-person starfighter combat and a single-player campaign. Its Star Wars setting and campaign placement are part of the appeal; its multiplayer framing is the trade-off to consider.
Use this as the quick decision when your essential requirements are “fighter cockpit,” “story,” and “single-player campaign.” Before buying, verify that your platform and edition are currently offered and read the listing’s requirements if you care about offline access or online services. The available description establishes the campaign’s presence, but not every access condition that may matter to your setup.
You want combat plus exploration and ship builds
Choose EVERSPACE 2. Its developer describes a single-player open-world RPG centered on combat, exploration, ships, weapons, and equipment. It suits a player who wants to make progress through exploration and gear choices more than through a squadron-style military story.
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It is also the option to investigate if optional flight controls are important: Rockfish’s FAQ confirms HOTAS and HOSAS support. Do not assume that this guarantees every controller works on every listed platform, and do not treat a flight stick as required. First decide whether the open-world action-RPG structure is the kind of progression you want; then check your particular hardware and platform.
You want a galaxy to roam rather than a campaign to finish
Consider Elite Dangerous if open-ended play and a connected galaxy are the draw. Its massively multiplayer designation is material: the cited store description does not present it as a direct replacement for an isolated, authored solo campaign.
This is a preference-based choice, not the closest match in the comparison. If you are happy to prioritize a vast, open-ended setting over a defined story, the broad sandbox description may fit. If a standalone solo campaign is a requirement, choose one of the alternatives whose developer or publisher explicitly describes a single-player story or single-player game instead.
You mainly want to play alone
Separate “has a single-player campaign” from “supports solo activity” and from “is a connected multiplayer game.” Squadrons is explicitly described as having both a single-player campaign and multiplayer dogfights. EVERSPACE 2 is explicitly described by its developer as single-player. Elite Dangerous is labeled massively multiplayer on Steam. These labels answer different questions; they should not be treated as interchangeable guarantees about offline access, matchmaking, or every mode.
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If offline play is essential, do not stop at a mode label. A single-player campaign establishes that a campaign exists; it does not, by itself, establish that the edition requires no account, connection, or service. Likewise, a multiplayer designation does not answer every question about what an individual can do in a game. Use the current edition listing to resolve those specifics.
Availability and buying checks
Squadron 42 itself is not currently an available game to substitute with: RSI’s support checklist, updated April 16, 2026, says it remains in development and is not yet available. That page does not establish a confirmed release date, so treat any release timing not confirmed by RSI as uncertain.
For alternatives, use the current official storefront listing rather than an old platform roundup. Store pages can change, and the platform lists above do not establish present regional stock, price, physical format, or availability for every edition. Check the following before purchasing:
- Campaign structure: confirm whether the listing describes a single-player story, an open-world RPG, or a multiplayer-connected sandbox.
- Platform and edition: confirm the exact platform and edition in your region; a general platform list is not a guarantee that a particular version is currently available.
- Online or account requirements: check the selected edition’s current store details if offline access or avoiding multiplayer services is important to you.
- Controls: if using HOTAS or HOSAS with EVERSPACE 2, confirm your chosen hardware works with your platform. Developer-confirmed game support does not establish compatibility for every model.
Price and format need the same edition-level check. The current platform descriptions do not establish a single price, current sale, physical copy, or regional inventory for each game. Compare the store listing for your own platform and region, and make sure the product format is what you intend to buy. No campaign-length figure, player count, review percentage, or hardware requirement is established by the cited product information here, so those should be checked separately from an official listing if they affect your decision.
For EVERSPACE 2, the official Rockfish site names Nintendo Switch 2, PC storefronts, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. That gives you a platform shortlist, not confirmation of a specific package on a specific retailer. For STAR WARS: Squadrons, EA’s broad platform list covers PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, but does not prove every edition remains available for purchase. For Elite Dangerous, the cited Steam listing is the basis for the open-ended and massively multiplayer characterization, not a guarantee about other storefronts or platform editions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently asked questions
What is the closest Squadron 42 alternative for a single-player story?
STAR WARS: Squadrons is the closest match among these choices for first-person starfighter combat paired with an explicitly described single-player campaign. EA presents that campaign alongside multiplayer dogfights, and StarWars.com places the story near the conclusion of the Galactic Civil War.
Is EVERSPACE 2 a single-player game?
Rockfish describes EVERSPACE 2 as a narrative-driven, single-player open-world RPG with looter-shooter elements. Its emphasis on exploration, combat, ships, weapons, and equipment makes it a solo alternative with a different structure from a military squadron campaign.
Is Elite Dangerous a good choice if I only want a solo campaign?
It is a less direct choice for that specific preference. Steam describes Elite Dangerous as a vast, open-ended galaxy and labels it massively multiplayer. The listing does not establish it as a close substitute for a self-contained authored solo story, so check its current mode details before choosing it for solo-campaign play.
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RSI’s support checklist, updated April 16, 2026, says Squadron 42 remains in development and is not yet available. That checklist does not establish a confirmed release date.
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Does EVERSPACE 2 support a flight stick?
Rockfish’s FAQ confirms HOTAS and HOSAS support. That does not establish compatibility with every model or platform, so check the specific controller against your chosen platform. The controls are optional; the FAQ does not say they are required.
Which game is cheapest, and is there a physical edition?
The cited product descriptions do not establish current prices, regional stock, or physical formats for a like-for-like comparison. Check the current storefront for the exact game, platform, edition, and region you plan to buy.
Bottom line: the best match depends on what “Squadron 42-like” means to you
STAR WARS: Squadrons is the most direct choice for first-person starfighter action tied to a scripted solo story. EVERSPACE 2 is the stronger solo pick for exploration and RPG-style ship-and-gear progression. Elite Dangerous is better approached as a connected, open-ended galaxy than as a campaign substitute. Since Squadron 42 remains unavailable according to RSI’s April 2026 checklist, choose among them by the kind of play you want now—not by an unconfirmed release date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the closest Squadron 42 alternative for a single-player story?
STAR WARS: Squadrons is the closest match among these choices for first-person starfighter combat paired with an explicitly described single-player campaign. EA presents that campaign alongside multiplayer dogfights, and StarWars.com places the story near the conclusion of the Galactic Civil War.
Is EVERSPACE 2 a single-player game?
Rockfish describes EVERSPACE 2 as a narrative-driven, single-player open-world RPG with looter-shooter elements. Its emphasis on exploration, combat, ships, weapons, and equipment makes it a solo alternative with a different structure from a military squadron campaign.
Is Elite Dangerous a good choice if I only want a solo campaign?
It is a less direct choice for that specific preference. Steam describes Elite Dangerous as a vast, open-ended galaxy and labels it massively multiplayer. The listing does not establish it as a close substitute for a self-contained authored solo story, so check its current mode details before choosing it for solo-campaign play.
Is Squadron 42 available, and does RSI confirm a release date?
RSI’s support checklist, updated April 16, 2026, says Squadron 42 remains in development and is not yet available. That checklist does not establish a confirmed release date.
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Does EVERSPACE 2 support a flight stick?
Rockfish’s FAQ confirms HOTAS and HOSAS support. That does not establish compatibility with every model or platform, so check the specific controller against your chosen platform. The controls are optional; the FAQ does not say they are required.
Which game is cheapest, and is there a physical edition?
The cited product descriptions do not establish current prices, regional stock, or physical formats for a like-for-like comparison. Check the current storefront for the exact game, platform, edition, and region you plan to buy.
The Bottom Line
STAR WARS: Squadrons is the most direct choice for first-person starfighter action tied to a scripted solo story. EVERSPACE 2 is the stronger solo pick for exploration and RPG-style ship-and-gear progression. Elite Dangerous is better approached as a connected, open-ended galaxy than as a campaign substitute. Since Squadron 42 remains unavailable according to RSI’s April 2026 checklist, choose among them by the kind of play you want now—not by an unconfirmed release date.
Quick Recap
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