- #1 Avorion
97% matchVery Positive90% of 14,391 reviews2020
Dev: Boxelware
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 18.7 hrsMean: 99.8 hrs≥1hr: 90%
A procedural co-op space sandbox where players can build their own space ships out of dynamically scalable blocks. Fight epic space battles, explore, mine, trade, wage wars and build your own empire to save your galaxy from being torn apart by an unknown enemy.
Why similar: Space Sim 25.5%, Trading 14.6%, Building 12.1%, Sandbox 10.8%, Space 10.2%
Why You'll Like It: Features procedural ship building and a massive galaxy to explore, trade, and fight in.
- #2 Empyrion - Galactic Survival
96% matchMostly Positive79% of 34,194 reviews2020
Dev: Eleon Game Studios
Windows
Median: 6.3 hrsMean: 76.8 hrs≥1hr: 77%
Build and explore in a true space sandbox survival adventure. Construct mighty capital vessels, sprawling planetary settlements, and vast space stations in your galactic journey to discover the mysteries of Empyrion!
Why similar: Space Sim 21.2%, Building 11.5%, Space 10.1%, Crafting 9.5%, Open World 9.5%
Why You'll Like It: Combines survival, base building, and ship construction across a diverse set of planets and space.
- #3 Space Engineers
96% matchVery Positive89% of 133,721 reviews2019
Dev: Keen Software House
Windows
Median: 9.0 hrsMean: 96.0 hrs≥1hr: 88%
Space Engineers is a sandbox engineering game where you design and build ships, stations, and planetary bases in a fully destructible environment. Explore planets and space, mine resources, survive hazards, and engage in combat alone or with friends in Creative or Survival modes.
Why similar: Space Sim 25.5%, Building 12.6%, Sandbox 11%, Space 10.8%, Open World 10.4%
Why You'll Like It: The gold standard for modular ship building and physics-based engineering in a space sandbox.
- #4 Starbase
95% matchMixed56% of 6,719 reviews2021
Dev: Frozenbyte
Windows
Median: 14.3 hrsMean: 91.3 hrs≥1hr: 91%
Starbase is a hybrid voxel/vertex-based space MMO with a fully destructible and infinitely expanding universe, with a focus on building and designing spaceships and stations, exploration, resource gathering, crafting, trading, and combat.
Why similar: Space Sim 27.6%, Building 14.3%, Open World 12.1%, Sandbox 10.4%, Space 10.1%
Why You'll Like It: A massively multiplayer space sim that emphasizes detailed ship construction and engineering.
- #5 Starship EVO
94% matchVery Positive84% of 1,435 reviews2020
Dev: Moonfire Entertainment
Windows
Median: 1.5 hrsMean: 6.4 hrs≥1hr: 57%
Mine and craft your way to orbit, build your own starship and explore a vast, dangerous galaxy alongside your crew. For players who love a meaningful survival progression, a unique and elegant building system, and epic space-opera scale.
Why similar: Space Sim 19.4%, Building 19.2%, Space 16.2%, Sandbox 13.7%, Open World 7.6%
Why You'll Like It: Focuses heavily on detailed ship construction and realistic physics in an open-world setting.
- #6 X4: Foundations
94% matchMostly Positive80% of 28,557 reviews2018
Dev: Egosoft
Windows · Linux
Median: 5.0 hrsMean: 94.7 hrs≥1hr: 80%
Your journey to building a vast space empire begins behind the controls of a single ship. Explore, trade, fight, and build as you rise to command fleets, stations, and entire economies in a living, fully simulated universe that reacts to every decision.
Why similar: Space Sim 21.4%, Trading 17.2%, Space 9.6%, Building 9.5%, Sandbox 8.9%
Why You'll Like It: Features a deep economy and fleet management system that allows for complex space-sim gameplay.
- #7 Cosmoteer: Starship Architect & Commander
93% matchVery Positive94% of 12,599 reviews2022
Dev: Walternate Realities
Windows
Median: 19.4 hrsMean: 41.0 hrs≥1hr: 92%
Design and simulate the starships of your dreams! Command your ship or fleet in epic battles and manage your crew while exploring a dangerous galaxy. Play alone or with friends, test your ships in online PvP, and let your imagination reach for the stars!
Why similar: Space Sim 30.4%, Building 16.8%, Space 14.3%, Sci-fi 12%, Survival 9.9%
Why You'll Like It: Offers deep ship design mechanics paired with tactical combat in a modular 2D space environment.
- #8 Barotrauma
92% matchVery Positive94% of 86,224 reviews2023
Dev: FakeFishPub: Daedalic Entertainment
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 8.9 hrsMean: 54.8 hrs≥1hr: 91%
Barotrauma is a 2D co-op submarine simulator – in space, with survival horror and RPG elements. Steer your submarine, complete missions, fight monsters, fix leaks, operate machinery, man the guns and craft items, and stay alert: danger in Barotrauma doesn’t announce itself!
Why similar: Survival 53%, Sci-fi 25.3%, Simulation 15.2%, Action 6.5%
Why You'll Like It: A cooperative submarine simulator that captures the intensity of managing a ship with friends in a hostile environment.
- #9 Stationeers
91% matchVery Positive88% of 9,014 reviews2017
Dev: RocketWerkz
Windows
Median: 10.2 hrsMean: 83.9 hrs≥1hr: 85%
Stationeers puts you in control of the construction and management of a space station to run by yourself or online with your friends. Complex atmospheric, electrical, manufacturing, agriculture, and gravitational systems require your thought and management at all times!
Why similar: Mining 27.2% ★, Building 14.8%, Crafting 14.7%, Sandbox 12.8%, Space 12.3%
Why You'll Like It: Provides a hardcore engineering experience where you must manage complex systems to survive in space.
- #10 Void Crew
90% matchVery Positive87% of 8,248 reviews2024
Dev: Hutlihut GamesPub: Focus Entertainment
Windows
Median: 9.0 hrsMean: 16.5 hrs≥1hr: 94%
Void Crew is a Chaotic, Co-op Roguelite game for 1 to 6 players: Outfit your spaceship and crew for thrilling quests, brave fierce enemies in Space Battles... and try not to panic!
Why similar: Space Sim 50.5%, Space 15.3%, Futuristic 8.7%, Sci-fi 5.8%, First-Person 5.6%
Why You'll Like It: A cooperative space game that focuses on the chaos and teamwork required to operate a starship.
- #11 Astrox Imperium
91% matchVery Positive85% of 1,220 reviews2019
Dev: Jace Masula
Windows
Median: 4.2 hrsMean: 16.4 hrs≥1hr: 67%
Astrox Imperium is a relaxing space game where you fly around a generated universe. Mining, Fighting, Building, Exploring, and Surviving. What makes this game unique? You have complete control of how it plays. A robust sandbox and lots of MOD tools. Make it your game, and play it your own way.
Why similar: Space Sim 27.9%, Space 19.2%, Mining 18.9% ★, Sandbox 11.4%, Open World 9.8%
Why You'll Like It: A sandbox space sim that focuses on mining, trading, and exploration in a vast galaxy.
- #12 Elite Dangerous
89% matchMostly Positive77% of 105,919 reviews2015
Dev: Frontier Developments
Windows
Median: 18.3 hrsMean: 147.5 hrs≥1hr: 89%
Take control of your own starship and blaze your trail in an ever-changing galaxy. Master the arts of combat, mining and trade or venture out into the unknown across a 1:1 scale universe.
Why similar: Space Sim 37.1%, Space 14.8%, Open World 12.7%, Trading 9.1%, Sci-fi 6.5%
Why You'll Like It: The definitive open-world space simulation experience for those who enjoy exploration and flight mechanics.
- #13 Star Valor
87% matchVery Positive89% of 3,349 reviews2022
Dev: Rafael Burgos
Windows
Median: 4.1 hrsMean: 28.8 hrs≥1hr: 78%
Choose your own destiny as you explore an open-world procedurally generated galaxy where anything is possible. Become a miner, a trader, a bounty hunter, a pirate, or perhaps a jack of all trades. Start off small and build your way to the top but remember with every action, comes consequences.
Why similar: Mining 27.3% ★, Space 17.6%, Sandbox 15%, Open World 12.3%, Aliens 8.4%
Why You'll Like It: An action-oriented space sandbox that allows for extensive ship customization and loot collection.
- #14 Celestial Command
88% matchMixed63% of 698 reviews2014
Dev: Romenics
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 1.5 hrsMean: 6.3 hrs≥1hr: 62%
Mine asteroids, salvage space debris, design your own small or massive spacecraft using individual functional components, complete missions, and engage in battles against enemies in a vast galaxy with realistic physics based on orbital mechanics or in a classic physics mode.
Why similar: Space 24%, Space Sim 22.2%, Sandbox 15.8%, Building 11.2%, Simulation 8.5%
Why You'll Like It: Features physics-based space construction and combat that rewards creative engineering.
- #15 Starcom: Unknown Space
84% matchVery Positive93% of 4,302 reviews2024
Dev: Wx3 Labs, LLC
Windows
Median: 8.4 hrsMean: 16.9 hrs≥1hr: 83%
Starcom: Unknown Space is an action RPG of space exploration and adventure. Build your own starship while discovering an epic story in a universe of strange mysteries, alien factions and uncharted worlds.
Why similar: Space Sim 29.5%, Space 18.3%, Open World 13.7%, Aliens 9.3%, Building 9.2%
Why You'll Like It: An exploration-focused space adventure that features modular ship customization and discovery.
- #16 From the Depths
85% matchVery Positive89% of 12,623 reviews2020
Dev: Brilliant Skies Ltd.
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 4.2 hrsMean: 40.6 hrs≥1hr: 81%
Over 1000 unique components allow you to build and command voxel vehicles from the deep ocean to outer space! Forge strategies, allegiances and fleets strong enough to destroy eight deadly factions of the planet and reign supreme. A genre-defying mashup of simulation, building, RTS and RPG.
Why similar: Building 24.4%, Crafting 20.7%, Sandbox 20.2%, Space 15.1%, Survival 13.8%
Why You'll Like It: Offers an incredibly deep vehicle construction system with complex logic and combat mechanics.
- #17 Void Destroyer 2
86% matchVery Positive80% of 667 reviews2020
Dev: Iteration 11
Windows
Median: 2.8 hrsMean: 14.5 hrs≥1hr: 75%
Start with nothing... End with everything! All you have is a basic ship, barely fit for combat, with it you'll start your journey and empire. A open world space sandbox, inspired by and expanding the classics.
Why similar: Space Sim 22.6%, Mining 16.6% ★, Trading 14.7%, Sandbox 9.1%, Open World 8.9%
Why You'll Like It: Combines space simulation with strategy and fleet management for a unique tactical experience.
- #18 Kinetic Void
86% matchOverwhelmingly Negative17% of 1,556 reviews2014
Dev: Badland Studio
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 1.9 hrsMean: 3.7 hrs≥1hr: 76%
Kinetic Void is a 3D space adventure with a focus on customization and enjoyable space simulation. The shipyard allows players to construct their ship piece by piece. Ships can be as simplistic as a cockpit, a hull, a engine and a gun, or as complex as a player wants.
Why similar: Space 30.9%, Sandbox 16.7%, Space Sim 15.7%, Building 10%, Sci-fi 9.4%
Why You'll Like It: A sandbox space sim that allows for modular ship building and open-ended exploration.
- #19 Wayward Terran Frontier: Zero Falls
84% matchMixed68% of 537 reviews2016
Dev: Reason Generator Inc.
Windows
2d space combat like no other. From the perspective of a single crew member, explore the fully destructible interior of any ship in a massive living world. Engage in space combat with no hitpoints where you know your enemy is dead when you see them fall out of their ship into the cold dark of space.
Why similar: Space Sim 26.7%, Trading 13.7%, Open World 11.2%, Sandbox 11%, Space 9.6%
Why You'll Like It: A top-down space sim that emphasizes ship building and complex crew management.
- #20 Between the Stars
81% matchMostly Positive75% of 2,444 reviews2024
Dev: Isolated Games
Windows
Median: 54 minMean: 8.8 hrs≥1hr: 49%
Become the Captain of an interstellar cruiser and journey across the galaxy to save the Republic. During your journey you will have to make important decisions, improve the weaponry of your ship and fight against numerous enemies.
Why similar: Space Sim 33.1%, Space 21.4%, Sandbox 10%, Sci-fi 7.3%, Open World 6.9%
Why You'll Like It: An action-RPG space sim that balances ship management with tactical combat.
- #21 Stars End
82% matchMixed61% of 1,419 reviews2023
Dev: Reverie World StudiosPub: indie.io
Windows
Median: 2.5 hrsMean: 10.3 hrs≥1hr: 81%
Stars End is a sci-fi survival sandbox set on the wild frontier of a distant star system. Play solo or host your own server as you craft, build, and battle to survive in a galaxy shaped by danger, discovery, and your own grit.
Why similar: Space Sim 21.1%, Space 11.1%, Crafting 10.5%, Open World 9.6%, PvP 9.5%
Why You'll Like It: A multiplayer survival game set in a space environment with a focus on exploration and crafting.
- #22 Evochron Legacy SE
82% matchVery Positive83% of 442 reviews2016
Dev: StarWraith 3D Games LLC
Windows
Median: 1.5 hrsMean: 6.8 hrs≥1hr: 60%
Advanced Space Flight, Combat, Trading, and Exploration Simulation. Set in a vast explorable universe, Evochron Legacy offers freeform gameplay with many diverse objectives and paths to choose from.
Why similar: Space Sim 28.8%, Trading 18.7%, Space 10.8%, Sandbox 9.7%, Open World 9.3%
Why You'll Like It: Provides a hardcore Newtonian flight model and seamless exploration from planet to space.
- #23 Starcom: Nexus
81% matchVery Positive91% of 2,295 reviews2019
Dev: Wx3 Labs, LLC
Windows · Linux
Median: 3.7 hrsMean: 13.4 hrs≥1hr: 84%
Suddenly thrown into an unknown galaxy, you must explore, fight or befriend aliens and transform your ship from a small survey vessel into a powerful battlecruiser to unravel the mystery of the forces that brought you here and find your way home.
Why similar: Space 26.8%, Space Sim 26.1%, Open World 12.4%, Sci-fi 11.1%, Exploration 8.7%
Why You'll Like It: Focuses on exploration and ship customization within a narrative-driven sci-fi setting.
- #24 Nimbatus - The Space Drone Constructor
80% matchMostly Positive79% of 2,148 reviews2020
Dev: Stray Fawn StudioPub: Stray Fawn Publishing
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.1 hrsMean: 5.0 hrs≥1hr: 84%
Command the Nimbatus and craft drones out of hundreds of different parts. Survive unknown threats in a fully destructible, procedural universe, compete against other players in different arenas or enjoy complete creative freedom in the sandbox.
Why similar: Space Sim 27.1%, Crafting 11.6%, Space 10.6%, Building 9.9%, Sandbox 8.6%
Why You'll Like It: A physics-based game that challenges you to build and pilot drones in a space environment.
- #25 Keplerth
78% matchVery Positive85% of 4,138 reviews2022
Dev: TAROPub: Gamirror Games
Windows
Median: 8.0 hrsMean: 16.1 hrs≥1hr: 85%
Welcome to Keplerth! Try to survive on a hostile alien planet in this 2D sandbox RPG, where you can choose to live alone or fight side by side with your friends in the online multiplayer mode. Survive, build, farm, fight, and explore your way to victory in this open-world adventure!
Why similar: Building 18.4%, Sandbox 18%, Open World 16.1%, Survival 14%, Exploration 9%
Why You'll Like It: A sandbox exploration and survival game that offers deep crafting and base-building mechanics.
- #26 Star Conflict
79% matchMostly Positive73% of 15,162 reviews2013
Dev: Star Gem Inc.Pub: Gaijin Network Ltd
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.0 hrsMean: 34.5 hrs≥1hr: 62%
Star Conflict is an action-packed, massively multiplayer space simulation game that puts players in the role of elite pilots engaging in a widespread interplanetary skirmish. The whole world for PVP and PVE!
Why similar: Space Sim 24%, Trading 19.5%, Aliens 11.4%, Crafting 11.2%, Sandbox 9.8%
Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced multiplayer space combat game with a variety of ship classes to customize.
- #27 Space Engineers 2
76% matchMostly Positive76% of 4,590 reviews2025
Dev: Keen Software House
Windows
Median: 1.4 hrsMean: 7.9 hrs≥1hr: 60%
Space Engineers 2 is a playable Early Access Alpha sandbox focused on engineering, exploration, and colonization in a fully destructible universe. Design and build ships, stations, and planetary bases while uncovering the story of Miro and Ivan Sokol. Help shape the future of the Almagest system.
Why similar: Mining 16.9% ★, Space Sim 16%, Building 11.2%, Sandbox 10%, Space 9.3%
- #28 Astrox: Hostile Space Excavation
79% matchVery Positive84% of 455 reviews2015
Dev: Jace Masula
Windows
Median: 3.0 hrsMean: 9.2 hrs≥1hr: 75%
Exiled to a deep space mining sector, you are left with a crappy ship, a laser, and a small mining beam. It is up to you to survive by working your way through the galaxy. Mine asteroids, refine and trade the ore, buy upgrades for your ship, hunt pirates... you get it.
Why similar: Space Sim 21.8%, Mining 21.3% ★, Space 16.6%, Sandbox 11.5%, Open World 9.6%
Why You'll Like It: A mining and survival-focused space sim that emphasizes resource gathering and progression.
- #29 Rebel Galaxy
78% matchVery Positive85% of 8,321 reviews2015
Dev: Double Damage Games
Windows · Mac
Median: 1.8 hrsMean: 13.5 hrs≥1hr: 62%
Rebel Galaxy is a swashbuckling space adventure, with action-packed combat, exploration, discovery, trade, and “negotiation” with the outlandish denizens at the edge of the known universe.
Why similar: Space 26.2%, Space Sim 24.5%, Open World 14.6%, Sci-fi 9.2%, Trading 8.7%
Why You'll Like It: Features large-scale space combat and exploration with a focus on capital ship battles and trading.
- #30 Space Trash Scavenger
75% matchVery Positive84% of 518 reviews2024
Dev: SquarePlay GamesPub: Paradox Arc
Windows
Median: 3.0 hrsMean: 9.0 hrs≥1hr: 75%
Grab your jetpack and explore procedural asteroid fields, derelict spaceships and abandoned outposts. Build and automate your Space Rig to process scavenged trash. Craft, trade and fight your way home in this interstellar, open-world survival sandbox.
Why similar: Space Sim 15.9%, Crafting 13.4%, Space 11.4%, Building 11.1%, Sandbox 10.3%
- #31 StarMade
77% matchMixed68% of 2,982 reviews2014
Dev: Schine GmbH
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 1.3 hrsMean: 18.8 hrs≥1hr: 54%
The ultimate space sandbox. Participate in epic fleet battles, form alliances, strive to dominate entire galaxies and harness the universe’s resources for your industrious empire or the destruction of others. Customise your experience, the universe is yours!
Why similar: Space 19.4%, Sandbox 17.2%, Building 13.9%, Open World 13.3%, Space Sim 12.5%
- #32 Astrometica
73% matchVery Positive83% of 3,055 reviews2024
Dev: BeryMeryPub: RockGame S.A.
Windows
Median: 4.1 hrsMean: 17.3 hrs≥1hr: 73%
Astrometica is a space exploration and base-building survival game. After a catastrophic event, explore vast space, gather resources, build bases, and uncover cosmic mysteries. Use advanced technology, craft tools, and discover new blueprints to survive and thrive in the unknown.
Why similar: Space Sim 33.2%, Crafting 13.7%, Open World 12.7%, Space 11%, Survival 11%
- #33 SPACERIFT: Arcanum System
75% matchMostly Positive77% of 499 reviews2020
Dev: Arcanum Team
Windows
Median: 54 minMean: 10.0 hrs≥1hr: 43%
At the sunset of human life on planet Earth, you are a military pilot controlling a space ship, and you find yourself at the very epicenter of the battle in the solar system. You are forced to retreat into the unknown, distant Arcanum system through hyper-jumping.
Why similar: Space Sim 34%, Open World 14.5%, Crafting 14.4%, Space 12.5%, Sci-fi 8.7%
- #34 TerraTech Worlds
73% matchMixed63% of 2,228 reviews2024
Dev: Payload StudiosPub: Mythwright
Windows
Median: 7.3 hrsMean: 21.9 hrs≥1hr: 86%
TerraTech Worlds is an open world, build-craft adventure game, set on an uncharted alien world. Play solo or with friends, explore your surroundings, craft unique vehicles, construct automated bases, and battle your way through hazards and enemies to harness the power of your environment
Why similar: Mining 21.9% ★, Crafting 13.6%, Building 13.1%, Sandbox 11.9%, Open World 11.1%
- #35 EVE Online
74% matchMostly Positive73% of 38,745 reviews2010
Dev: CCP
Windows · Mac
Median: 3.0 hrsMean: 138.3 hrs≥1hr: 73%
Over 20 years of legendary space battles! Explore a massive living universe of danger and opportunity in a challenging and highly rewarding space adventure. Fight, trade, build, and connect with a universe driven and shaped directly by players.
Why similar: Space Sim 21.6%, Trading 17.8%, Mining 15.9% ★, Space 8.8%, Open World 8.7%
- #36 PULSAR: Lost Colony
72% matchVery Positive90% of 5,710 reviews2021
Dev: Leafy Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 7.5 hrsMean: 16.7 hrs≥1hr: 88%
The co-op open-world space sim where everyone has a role! Pilot the ship. Reroute power. Launch nukes. Explore alien planets. Research new talents. Work together to find the Lost Colony! ...or just deliver some biscuits
Why similar: Space Sim 38%, Open World 15%, Space 14.4%, Sci-fi 8.6%, First-Person 7.5%
- #37 Star Rangers™ XE
76% matchMixed40% of 153 reviews2016
Dev: Project Whitecard Studios Inc.Pub: Awestruck Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Explore space and build on other worlds in Star Rangers! Star Rangers is a space exploration and construction game that allows players to build habitats and spacecraft, acquire gear and explore the solar system.
Why similar: Space Sim 19.1%, Building 13.2%, Sandbox 12%, Space 10.6%, Crafting 10.4%
- #38 The Last Starship
70% matchMostly Positive75% of 1,491 reviews2026
Dev: Introversion Software
Windows · Mac
Median: 6.1 hrsMean: 11.2 hrs≥1hr: 81%
The Last Starship is a 2D space construction game where you design and upgrade your starship. Choose your path: pirate hunter, miner, engineer, spacebus driver, and more, whilst exploring vibrant star systems. Enjoy a growing sandbox world, with regular free updates. Your cosmic adventure awaits!
Why similar: Space Sim 26.1%, Mining 24.1% ★, Building 12.5%, Sandbox 11.5%, Space 11.2%
- #39 No Man's Sky
71% matchVery Positive85% of 406,987 reviews2016
Dev: Hello Games
Windows · Mac
Median: 20.2 hrsMean: 70.4 hrs≥1hr: 94%
No Man's Sky is a game about exploration and survival in an infinite procedurally generated universe.
Why similar: Open World 16.4%, Space 15.8%, Space Sim 15.7%, Sandbox 9.2%, Survival 9%
- #40 GRAV
74% matchMixed47% of 6,921 reviews2015
Dev: BitMonster, Inc.
Windows
Median: 1.7 hrsMean: 11.6 hrs≥1hr: 60%
GRAV is a sand box experience where you explore a multitude of planets, hunt strange alien creatures, build and defend outposts, craft weapons and armor, and attempt to survive against other players in a hostile environment.
Why similar: Open World 20.5%, Survival 19.9%, Sandbox 17.5%, Crafting 16.8%, Space 12.7%
- #41 The Infinite Black 2
71% matchVery Positive85% of 232 reviews2023
Dev: SpellbookPub: www.Spellbook.com
Windows
Command a fleet of ships to hunt aliens, trade resources and loot treasure! Form corporations with your friends while fighting a never-ending intergalactic war in this open-world online space adventure!
Why similar: Space Sim 30.6%, Space 12%, Open World 12%, PvP 10.7%, Crafting 8.1%
- #42 Occupy Mars: The Game
69% matchMostly Positive70% of 3,070 reviews2026
Dev: ▲ Pyramid Games
Windows
Median: 4.4 hrsMean: 34.4 hrs≥1hr: 78%
Survive and colonize Mars in a highly technical, open-world sandbox game. Build and upgrade your base, discover new regions, conduct mining operations, retrieve water, generate oxygen, grow crops, and fix broken parts.
Why similar: Crafting 14.8%, Building 13.5%, Sandbox 13%, Open World 12.8%, Space 12%
- #43 Evochron Mercenary
73% matchMostly Positive77% of 434 reviews2012
Dev: StarWraith 3D Games LLC
Windows
Median: 2.7 hrsMean: 6.8 hrs≥1hr: 73%
The life of an independent mercenary is rarely without excitement. Your spacecraft awaits and your adventure begins in the Sapphire star system.
Why similar: Space Sim 29%, Space 22.2%, Open World 11%, Sandbox 10.6%, Trading 9.4%
- #44 Star Crafter
70% matchMixed69% of 104 reviews2025
Dev: Tbjbu2
Windows
A space survival crafting mining base building and star system building game. Craft rockets to create planets and Dyson Rings, mine and craft advanced materials, terraform the terrain, manage electricity, farm food, and more as you watch the star system evolve into stunning, ever-changing views.
Why similar: Mining 25.4% ★, Crafting 13.7%, Space 10.9%, Building 8.5%, Sandbox 8.1%
- #45 Helium Rain
71% matchMostly Positive79% of 332 reviews2018
Dev: Deimos Games
Windows · Linux
Median: 3.3 hrsMean: 8.6 hrs≥1hr: 73%
Trade your wares and eliminate the competition in a cutthroat world. Buy new ships and stations to mine and haul resources. Explore the vast emptiness of space.
Why similar: Space Sim 48.8%, Space 19.7%, Trading 14.8%, Simulation 7.4%, Exploration 6.3%
- #46 Landinar: Into the Void
72% matchMixed56% of 244 reviews2019
Dev: Convoy Games
Windows
Median: 2.6 hrsMean: 6.6 hrs≥1hr: 88%
Landinar: Into the Void is a top-down space-adventure-RPG. You are recruited as a rookie bounty hunter in the oppressive Landinar Empire. On your journey through the quadrant you will meet diverse characters, build your own spaceship and choose your battles.
Why similar: Space Sim 31.2%, Space 17.7%, Building 15.8%, Open World 10.5%, Sandbox 9.3%
- #47 Space Haven
66% matchVery Positive86% of 10,442 reviews2026
Dev: Bugbyte Ltd.
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 4.2 hrsMean: 19.9 hrs≥1hr: 72%
Embark on a space voyage with your ragtag crew of civilians in search of a new home. Build spaceships tile by tile, create optimal gas conditions, manage the needs and moods of their crew, encounter other space-faring groups, and explore the universe in this spaceship colony simulation.
Why similar: Space Sim 24.5%, Building 13.2%, Space 11.6%, Sandbox 11.6%, Survival 10%
- #48 Craterbound
70% matchMixed54% of 99 reviews2022
Dev: Daniel Marquez
Windows
Crash-land onto a unique and hostile alien world and begin your fight to survive. Face its inhabitants, upgrade your technology, create outposts & bases, and find a way to repair your ship. Explore the beautifully strange terrain, all while blasting and crafting your way off of the planet.
Why similar: Space Sim 20.7%, Crafting 12.1%, Space 11.7%, Open World 11.7%, Survival 9.9%
- #49 SpaceBourne 2
66% matchMostly Positive76% of 5,057 reviews2025
Dev: Burak Dabak
Windows
Median: 2.4 hrsMean: 11.2 hrs≥1hr: 71%
Embark on a journey to greatness. Get ready for adrenaline-fueled battles and a chance to claim your place in the galaxy. Grab the controls of your ship, gear up for the fight, and unleash your ambition to conquer and build a new empire in the vastness of space.
Why similar: Space Sim 33.7%, Mining 16.9% ★, Open World 11.9%, Space 10.7%, Building 9.6%
- #50 Endless Sky
68% matchVery Positive92% of 7,005 reviews2015
Dev: Michael Zahniser
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 1.0 hrsMean: 13.6 hrs≥1hr: 50%
Endless Sky is a 2D space trading and combat game inspired by the classic Escape Velocity series. Work your way up from a relatively wimpy shuttle, cargo ship, or fighter, to a highly upgraded and customized flagship or to a massive fleet of warships or freighters.
Why similar: Space 26.2%, Space Sim 18.2%, Trading 17.4%, Open World 13.9%, Sci-fi 7.6%
- #51 Reassembly
68% matchVery Positive94% of 4,070 reviews2015
Dev: Anisoptera GamesPub: Indie Voyage
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 5.0 hrsMean: 26.1 hrs≥1hr: 84%
A spaceship building and universe-exploration game. Collect resources, expand and grow your fleet, and conquer your personal galaxy. Stellar ambience by Peaks.
Why similar: Building 30.6%, Space 24.6%, Sandbox 22.6%, Open World 8.7%, Sci-fi 5%
- #52 Stellar Wanderer DX
66% matchMostly Positive71% of 56 reviews2026
Dev: Dream Builder StudiosPub: Leoful
Windows
Fight, trade, mine, and explore the galaxy in this old-school space combat simulator. You are a freelance pilot who survived an assassination attempt. Travel the open world, chase bounties, get new ships, upgrade your gear, and, why not, maybe even save humankind!
Why similar: Space Sim 23%, Mining 19.6% ★, Trading 18.9%, Space 8.9%, Open World 7.8%
- #53 Interstellar Pilot 2
67% matchVery Positive91% of 155 reviews2023
Dev: Pixelfactor Ltd.
Windows
The hit mobile game Interstellar Pilot 2 has come to Steam. Join the TEF forces heading to the Gatopean sector to find a new home for mankind. Play how you like in this open world space-sim developed by Pixelfactor.
Why similar: Space Sim 35.8%, Sandbox 16.7%, Space 11.4%, Open World 9.6%, Simulation 9.2%
- #54 Star Trucker
65% matchMostly Positive79% of 5,148 reviews2024
Dev: Monster and MonsterPub: Raw Fury
Windows
Median: 3.2 hrsMean: 10.6 hrs≥1hr: 78%
Haul cargo, trade salvage and keep your space suit close as you search for fame and fortune among the stars in a game that puts an interstellar twist on the truck sim genre.
Why similar: Space Sim 26.9%, Space 11.2%, Open World 10.6%, Futuristic 9.7%, Sandbox 8.6%
- #55 VoidExpanse
69% matchMostly Positive71% of 763 reviews2015
Dev: AtomicTorch Studio
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.8 hrsMean: 6.1 hrs≥1hr: 93%
Explore the vast reaches of VoidExpanse -- mine asteroids, upgrade your ship, trade, complete missions, advance your character and survive fast-paced combat with hostile aliens and mercenaries in the rich and exciting Sci-Fi universe of VoidExpanse!
Why similar: Space 33.7%, Open World 21.8%, Sandbox 19%, Sci-fi 12.6%, Simulation 5.8%
- #56 Into the Stars
69% matchMixed41% of 537 reviews2016
Dev: Fugitive GamesPub: Iceberg Interactive
Windows
Median: 3.2 hrsMean: 4.3 hrs≥1hr: 80%
Take the role of Captain in this Space Survival Simulation as you explore a massive star system in search of a new home for humanity. Outfit your ship, hand pick your crew and set off on a journey through an open-world where you must scavenge resources, shelter civilians and outrun a hostile alien force.
Why similar: Space 44.6%, Survival 25%, Simulation 18.1%, Action 6.2%, Adventure 6.1%
- #57 Space Pirates And Zombies 2
67% matchMostly Positive79% of 2,833 reviews2017
Dev: MinMax Games Ltd.
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 4.6 hrsMean: 13.5 hrs≥1hr: 81%
Design and then improve the ultimate mothership. Explore a persistent living galaxy populated by 200 unique captains that can do everything you can do. Survive the zombie infection and then fight them back. Make allies and start your own faction. Build your empire. Also includes Sandbox Mode.
Why similar: Space 28.7%, Open World 15.4%, Sandbox 10.3%, Building 9.5%, Space Sim 7.9%
