Games Like Star Traders: Frontiers

This "spaceship simulation roguelike-like" allows you to take your ship and crew on an adventure through a randomly generated galaxy filled with glory and bitter defeat.

Why similar: Space 17.1%, Space Sim 16%, Perma Death 15.5%, Sci-fi 14.6%, Difficult 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the intense pressure of ship management, tactical combat, and crew survival in a hostile galaxy.

Space adventure, open world RPG, strategy, arcade, quest and more!

Why similar: Space 32.3%, Sci-fi 12.8%, RPG 12.3%, Open World 10.7%, Strategy 10.3%

Why You'll Like It: This is the closest spiritual successor to the sandbox, faction-driven, and multi-role gameplay found in Star Traders.

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: Moddable 17.8% ★, Trading 16.5%, Space Sim 15.9%, Economy 8.3%, Space 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: Provides an unparalleled sandbox space simulation with complex economic and faction-based systems.

Halcyon 6: Starbase Commander is a retro space strategy RPG with base building, deep tactical combat, crew management and emergent storytelling.

Why similar: Turn-Based Combat 24.7%, Space 23%, Tactical RPG 19%, Strategy 13.7%, RPG 9%

Why You'll Like It: Features deep tactical combat and crew management mechanics set within a retro-styled sci-fi universe.

Crying Suns is a tactical rogue-lite that puts you in the role of a space fleet commander as you explore a mysteriously fallen empire. In this story rich experience inspired by Dune and Foundation, each successful run will uncover the truth about the Empire... and yourself as well.

Why similar: Perma Death 20.1%, Space 17.7%, Sci-fi 17.2%, Procedural Generation 16.6%, Roguelite 15.2%

Why You'll Like It: A narrative-heavy tactical roguelite that emphasizes exploration and managing a flagship through a dying empire.

Lead a mercenary company in this tactical RPG set in a medieval fantasy world. Chase fame and fortune as you choose where to go, who to recruit, which contracts to pursue, and how to train and equip your men in a procedurally generated open world campaign.

Why similar: Moddable 43.5% ★, Sandbox 18.4%, Open World 13.9%, Simulation 8.2%, RPG 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: While fantasy-themed, it is the gold standard for the specific style of mercenary crew management and tactical turn-based combat seen in Star Traders.

Battle for survival in the skies of a mysterious future Earth in this unique action-strategy game mixing arcade combat, exploration, management and diplomacy. As giant flying ships wage spectacular aerial warfare, a prophecy tells of one who will save the world – could it be you?

Why similar: Sci-fi 47.7%, Strategy 27%, Simulation 25.4%

Why You'll Like It: Offers a unique blend of strategic fleet management and intense tactical combat with a heavy focus on ship customization.

A Sci-Fi role-playing game featuring turn-based ground combat, space exploration, deep character customization and a massive living universe with thousands of star systems. Equip your ships with the best equipment you can find, gather a powerful crew of mercenaries and set out into the void!

Why similar: Tactical RPG 32.8%, Sandbox 16.6%, Turn-Based Combat 13.8%, Sci-fi 10.6%, Space 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: Combines deep tactical RPG combat with space exploration and ship-based progression.

Shortest Trip to Earth is a roguelike spaceship simulator focused on exploration, ship management and tactical battles. Embark on a perilous journey across the universe with nuclear missiles, armed crew and a cat.

Why similar: Space Sim 24%, Sci-fi 16.1%, Space 15.9%, Roguelite 15%, Difficult 12.4%

Why You'll Like It: A challenging roguelite that forces you to manage ship systems and crew survival during a long-distance space journey.

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: Space Sim 18.8%, Sandbox 17.2%, Procedural Generation 16%, Space 15.5%, Sci-fi 13.9%

Why You'll Like It: An action-RPG sandbox that excels at ship customization and procedural exploration.

Approaching Infinity is a turn-based space RPG in the spirit of the sci-fi classics, with endless progression and exploration. Fight tactical battles or use diplomacy. Seek powerful artifacts. Quest, mine, trade, and craft. Level up forever or attempt 10 victories in hardcore or adventure mode.

Why similar: Space Sim 20%, Perma Death 17.1%, Procedural Generation 15.4%, Sci-fi 15.3%, Open World 11.4%

Why You'll Like It: A deep, procedurally generated space exploration RPG that focuses on discovery and character growth.

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 35.3%, Space 14.3%, Trading 11.3%, Sci-fi 11.1%, Open World 10.6%

Why You'll Like It: The definitive open-world space simulation for players who want to live the life of a captain in a massive, realistic galaxy.

SAIL THE STARS. BETRAY YOUR QUEEN. MURDER A SUN. Sunless Skies is a Gothic Horror roleplay game with a focus on exploration and exquisite storytelling.

Why similar: Space 46.6%, RPG 40.9%, 2D 12.5%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses on exploration, narrative-driven choices, and the constant struggle to manage your vessel and crew in a perilous environment.

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 22.2%, Trading 18.9%, Space Sim 15.4%, Sci-fi 11.5%, Open World 10.3%

Why You'll Like It: A classic open-world sandbox that allows for trading, combat, and exploring a vast, procedurally generated galaxy.

Navigate your scrappy ship through the boneyard in search of valuable parts in abandoned vessels. Use salvage to upgrade your ship, or sell it for cash to pay down your mounting debt, or restock fuel, air, or food. Fly and role-play aboard your dream spaceship in this hardcore noir space-sim.

Why similar: Space Sim 24.5%, Trading 15.4%, Sandbox 11.8%, Difficult 10.9%, Space 10.1%

Why You'll Like It: A hardcore space simulation that focuses on the gritty, detailed management of a ship and its crew.

Strategy from the front lines! Starpoint Gemini Warlords combines 3rd person capital spaceship combat with 4X strategy and RPG gameplay elements. Build mighty war fleets and send them into battle or lead them into combat yourself. Become the Warlord and conquer the Gemini system!

Why similar: Space Sim 19.6%, Moddable 19% ★, Tactical RPG 12.2%, Space 10.5%, Sci-fi 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: Blends space combat with strategy and faction management, allowing you to build your own space empire.

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 24.2%, Space Sim 22.3%, Sci-fi 15%, Open World 11.7%, Trading 10.3%

Why You'll Like It: Captures the sci-fi atmosphere and ship-to-ship combat feel with a focus on trading and mercenary work.

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 28.7%, Space Sim 27.6%, Sci-fi 21.1%, Open World 11.6%, RPG 9.3%

Why You'll Like It: An exploration-heavy RPG that features modular ship construction and a focus on uncovering alien mysteries.

An alien invasion has fractured humanity into seven ideological factions each with a unique vision for the future. Lead your chosen faction to take control of Earth’s nations, expand across the Solar System, and battle enemy fleets in tactical combat.

Why similar: Moddable 31.1% ★, Economy 16.6%, Management 14.3%, Sandbox 13.7%, Space 10.9%

Why You'll Like It: A grand strategy game that leans heavily into the political intrigue and faction-based conflict found in the background of Star Traders.

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 21.3%, Moddable 19.2% ★, Trading 18.2%, Sandbox 9.9%, Sci-fi 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: A sandbox space sim that balances action-heavy combat with strategic command elements.

Stardeus is a deep colony sim set on a broken starship manned by drones and hibernating human survivors. As the AI, have your drones repair your ship, save your crew and travel the stars in this beautiful simulation.

Why similar: Moddable 20.1% ★, Space Sim 17.8%, Sci-fi 9.5%, Sandbox 9.4%, Space 9%

Why You'll Like It: A colony-management sim that focuses on the survival and maintenance of a ship and its crew.

Objects in Space is a retro space game centred on 2D point-and-click stealth action in a massive open world. Players have their own customisable ships and can meet people, become a trader, bounty hunter, explorer, scavenger or all of them at once.

Why similar: Space Sim 25.9%, Space 20.8%, Simulation 15.4%, RPG 11.9%, Strategy 11.6%

Why You'll Like It: A realistic space simulation that emphasizes navigation, ship management, and strategic decision-making.

Convoy is a tactical roguelike-like inspired by Mad Max and FTL in which you cross a wasteland in search of parts for your broken ship. Presented in pixel art and set in a future post-apocalyptic setting, Convoy is a squad based tactical combat roguelike-like in its core.

Why similar: Moddable 30.2% ★, Sci-fi 15.5%, Roguelite 14.2%, Difficult 13.9%, Strategy 11.4%

Why You'll Like It: Features tactical combat and resource management in a harsh, procedurally generated world that mirrors the survival feel of Star Traders.

Out There is an award-winning space exploration game blending roguelike, resource management and interactive fiction.

Why similar: Space 24.9%, Sci-fi 23.4%, Procedural Generation 20.2%, Roguelite 16.8%, Strategy 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: A survival-focused space game that emphasizes resource management and difficult narrative choices.

A space trader & combat sim meets squad-RPG, large scale conquest, choice driven gameplay with fluid & punchy tactical real-time combat set in a dynamic open-world sandbox.

Why similar: Space 16.2%, Space Sim 14.1%, Sandbox 11.8%, Sci-fi 11.2%, Simulation 9.7%

Why You'll Like It: An RPG-focused sandbox game that allows for trading, combat, and exploration in a top-down perspective.

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 25.4%, Space 16.4%, Sci-fi 10%, Tactical RPG 9.6%, Sandbox 8.6%

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 26.9%, Trading 18.1%, Sandbox 12.7%, Open World 9.9%, Space 9.8%

Why You'll Like It: Offers deep ship construction and sandbox exploration in a persistent, dangerous galaxy.

Managing a fleet across a dangerous galaxy. Every star and planet holds untold riches and dangers. Each encounter will require skills in trading, diplomacy, and combat. Allocate power to engines, charge all weapons, and take on the worst the galaxy has to handle.

Why similar: Trading 28.4%, Space Sim 25.5%, Management 12.9%, Sci-fi 12.7%, Space 12.7%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses on crew management and ship-to-ship combat with a charming pixel-art aesthetic.

It is the year 2938. The long wished-for encounter of the X Universe and the Earth holds both joy and sorrow for the people. Despite flourishing trade, the clash of the diverse races, cultures and life forms creates new tensions, mistrust and open conflict that need to be overcome!

Why similar: Space Sim 17.7%, Space 17.5%, Trading 17.3%, Sandbox 10.2%, Sci-fi 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: A classic, deep space simulation that offers a massive sandbox for trading, fleet management, and faction warfare.

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 25.6%, Management 14.4%, Sandbox 13.8%, Space 12.5%, Sci-fi 12.4%

Command an ancient starship and fight your way to the heart of a dying Empire. Fend off attacks from demented cultists, craven space pirates, and xenophobic Imperial soldiers. Discover powerful artifacts and use them to build your ship into a fearsome war engine.

Why similar: Perma Death 21%, Space 14.7%, Procedural Generation 13.7%, Difficult 13.4%, Roguelite 13.3%

Cosmonautica is a fresh take on space trading in a procedurally generated universe, paired with quirky humor for your intergalactic enjoyment.

Why similar: Trading 22.3%, Space Sim 16.3%, Economy 9.9%, Management 8.5%, Space 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: A trading and management simulation that focuses on the daily life of a space captain and their crew.

Take on the role of a spaceship captain. Explore new worlds, and engage in intense ship-to-ship battles. Develop unique battle tactics, upgrade your ship, and recruit crew members as you fight for peace or piracy.

Why similar: Space 23.3%, Sandbox 21.1%, Sci-fi 15.1%, Strategy 10.9%, Perma Death 9.8%

Why You'll Like It: A survival-focused strategy game that emphasizes exploration and tactical decision-making in space.

Explore the farthest reaches of Human Space in this open-world space adventure. Compelled to journey to the Galactic Core by a mysterious hyperintelligence, you must fight your way through dozens of star systems teeming with clashing empires, expansionist AIs, and fearsome xenophobes.

Why similar: Space Sim 17.4%, Trading 17.1%, Space 11.7%, Procedural Generation 11.3%, Sci-fi 9.7%

Captain your own space ship and roam the galaxy in 3D in this tactical space simulator with tons of RPG depth ! Space has never looked so inviting - but images can betray...It has been two years since the end of the second Gemini war, the situation in the wartorn system is further from resolution than ever.

Why similar: Moddable 18.3% ★, Trading 16.7%, Space Sim 16.2%, Space 14.5%, Tactical RPG 12.6%

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 26.3%, Open World 12.3%, Sci-fi 11.1%, Sandbox 10.6%, Strategy 10.2%

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: Moddable 22.6% ★, Space 20.7%, Sci-fi 13.7%, Sandbox 13.1%, Open World 11.7%

Lead a paramilitary force against a growing space Cult threat. Program your units, build a fleet, trade, research, and engage in deep tactical combat in this RPG-strategy hybrid.

Why similar: Moddable 21.8% ★, Sandbox 12.8%, Tactical RPG 11.8%, Space 9.7%, Open World 9.7%

In the distant future, the X universe faces a period of profound and irrevocable change. While the universe stumbles towards an uncertain future, countless adventures await as new enemies rise in search of power.

Why similar: Space 21.1%, Space Sim 19.9%, Sci-fi 15.1%, Simulation 11.4%, Sandbox 9%

Battlevoid: Harbinger is a hard sci-fi space exploration game blending roguelike, turn-based, star map strategy, and real-time space battles. You are a young commander venturing out into enemy territories, to unknown galaxies, never knowing what you will face as you jump out from hyperspace.

Why similar: Space 30.2%, Strategy 14.6%, Roguelite 13.3%, Simulation 12.3%, Sci-fi 11.2%

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 36.9%, Space 23.6%, Open World 15.2%, Sci-fi 15.1%, RPG 6.6%

3030 Deathwar is a unique mix of Adventure and Space Sim. Explore star systems, mine and hunt pirates in top-down mode. Leave your ship and switch into classic Adventuring mode, where you explore derelicts, talk to shady characters or head over to the space bar for a drink.

Why similar: Space Sim 24.2%, Space 20.4%, Sci-fi 15.5%, Open World 12.3%, Sandbox 12.2%

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 42.2%, Space 17.3%, Trading 16.7%, Simulation 9.4%, Strategy 7.3%

Starship Inspector is a Space Roguelike in which every choice you make matters. Save a galaxy or rescue your crew member? Serve an evil empire or help an ancient tribe? You'll constantly have to make hard decisions and deal with consequences.

Why similar: Space Sim 15.5%, Perma Death 14.5%, Sci-fi 11.3%, Roguelite 10.9%, Strategy 10.5%

FPS is a Sci-Fi cargo pilot sim, with an engaging emergent mission-driven storyline, with a real-time economy with free flight and trading, on an alien world to explore. All in customizable upgradeable, well-simulated VTOL craft with real weather, and flight dynamics.

Why similar: Trading 21.8%, Space Sim 19.6%, Economy 13.6%, Management 9.9%, Space 9.3%

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 22.7%, Space Sim 20.4%, Sandbox 16.5%, Sci-fi 11.9%, Simulation 11.4%

Gemini is a dangerous place with riches waiting to be claimed by the more daring and capable captain.

Why similar: Space Sim 25.3%, Space 20.6%, Simulation 19.7%, RPG 18.6%, Sci-fi 15.8%

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 22.9%, Trading 17.1%, Sandbox 11.2%, Economy 10.6%, Space 9.3%

A sci-fi colony sim driven by an intelligent AI storyteller. Generates stories by simulating psychology, ecology, gunplay, melee combat, climate, biomes, diplomacy, interpersonal relationships, art, medicine, trade, and more.

Why similar: Moddable 26.3% ★, Tactical RPG 14.5%, Management 11.2%, Sandbox 10.9%, Sci-fi 10.1%

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 32.3%, Space 23.5%, Sandbox 15.1%, Open World 10.4%, Simulation 9.6%

Soulash 2 is a sandbox RPG roguelike with a procedurally generated open world, simulated history, skill-based progression system, customizable abilities, material-based crafting, building, trading, and the possibility of total mayhem. Will you save your world or destroy it?

Why similar: Moddable 23% ★, Procedural Generation 13.6%, Sandbox 12.6%, Economy 11.3%, Perma Death 10.3%

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 26.2%, Space 20.3%, Sci-fi 12%, Trading 11.1%, Sandbox 10.9%

Trigon: Space Story sees you take command of your very own spaceship. Carry out tactical battles, defend your vessel against space pirates, and escape from enemy territory. On your voyages, you’ll face a slew of tricky decisions in your quest to uncover the mystery of the galaxy.

Why similar: Perma Death 23.5%, Procedural Generation 19.2%, Difficult 16.7%, Space 16.7%, Sci-fi 16%

Take the reins of a feudal dynasty in a divided galaxy following the destruction of earth. Star Dynasties is a turn based, procedurally generated narrative of human drama and personal politics, mixed with a light empire management layer. Your choices. Your legacy.

Why similar: Procedural Generation 21.7%, Sci-fi 20.8%, Management 18.2%, Space 14.8%, RPG 9.5%

Unending Galaxy is a unique space-sim in which you can fill any role from pirate or trader to the leader of a large galactic empire.

Why similar: Space Sim 21%, Space 14%, Simulation 13.2%, Strategy 12.2%, Sandbox 11.8%

Explore a randomly generated Galaxy populated with factions, enemies, missions, and items providing you with a unique experience each time you play.

Why similar: Space 29.8%, Sci-fi 18.6%, Procedural Generation 15.5%, Open World 9.5%, Sandbox 8.3%

Play as an A.I tasked with helping mankind explore the vastness of space. Customize your ship, recruit a crew, battle alien vessels, research new technology and explore randomly generated universes.

Why similar: Space Sim 32.9%, Space 15.2%, Management 14.7%, Simulation 13.3%, Strategy 12%

X3: Reunion continues the epic space saga, blending deep space trading and intense real-time combat. Explore a vast universe, establish your empire, and shape the new frontier. With enhanced graphics and intricate economies, it's a journey of strategy, simulation, and interstellar intrigue.

Why similar: Space Sim 23.4%, Space 16.5%, Trading 12%, Economy 10.8%, Sandbox 10.1%

Naev is a game about space exploration, trade, and combat in a large and vibrant universe. Players travel the galaxy and earn money by trading, fighting, and performing missions.

Why similar: Trading 24.5%, Space Sim 21.9%, Moddable 19.8% ★, Space 9.7%, Sci-fi 7.5%