Games Like Starcom: Unknown Space

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 33.2%, Space Sim 17.4%, Open World 9.8%, Sci-fi 8.8%, Exploration 7.5%

Why You'll Like It: As the direct predecessor, this game offers the same core loop of exploration, ship building, and narrative-driven discovery.

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 31.7%, Top-Down Shooter 16.2%, Open World 14.2%, Exploration 8.1%, Sci-fi 7.7%

Why You'll Like It: This top-down space RPG features a deep loot system and open-world exploration that feels very similar to the Starcom experience.

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 41.5%, Space Sim 20.8%, Open World 14.8%, Sci-fi 9.3%, RPG 4.7%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the feeling of being a lone captain navigating a dangerous, open-world galaxy with a strong focus on action and exploration.

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 29.6%, Space 25.9%, Sci-fi 13.8%, Building 10.9%, Exploration 8%

Why You'll Like It: This game excels at the modular ship-building mechanics that fans of Starcom's customization will find highly satisfying.

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 49.7%, Open World 20.5%, Sci-fi 11.8%, RPG 9.2%, Action 3.4%

Why You'll Like It: A top-down space RPG that emphasizes exploration, mining, and faction-based progression in a vast, procedurally generated galaxy.

EVERSPACE 2 is a fast-paced single-player spaceship shooter with exploration in space and on planets, tons of loot, RPG elements, mining, and crafting. Experience an exciting sci-fi story set in a vivid, handcrafted open world full of secrets, puzzles, and perils.

Why similar: Space 26.8%, Open World 15.2%, Action RPG 14.4%, Exploration 8.7%, Sci-fi 7.3%

Why You'll Like It: While more action-oriented, it provides a high-fidelity space exploration experience with deep RPG elements and ship progression.

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 44.2%, Space Sim 16.6%, Open World 15%, Sci-fi 8.2%, Exploration 4.5%

Why You'll Like It: This open-world space exploration game offers a massive galaxy to traverse, trade in, and fight through with a focus on ship upgrades.

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 52.8%, Open World 12.3%, Sci-fi 11.8%, RPG 6.3%, Exploration 5.9%

Why You'll Like It: A classic top-down space action game that features ship customization and a campaign focused on exploring and conquering sectors.

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 29.9%, Space 22.2%, Open World 13.5%, Building 9.5%, Action RPG 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: It combines complex ship building with a vast, procedurally generated galaxy that rewards exploration and resource gathering.

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 22%, Space Sim 17.9%, Action RPG 12.5%, Open World 11.4%, Top-Down Shooter 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: A long-running top-down space exploration game that focuses on upgrading your ship while traveling through dangerous star systems.

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 36.9%, Space 21.7%, Open World 15.5%, Lore-Rich 11.7%, RPG 7.3%

Why You'll Like It: An ambitious action-RPG that allows for deep exploration and ship customization within a dynamic, living universe.

Gaia Beyond is a handcrafted 2D Action-RPG, an exploration mix built around the core features fighting, mining and trading. Your decisions are footprints within a vast non-linear solar system. Forge alliances among numerous factions and develop relations with hundreds of NPCs.

Why similar: Space Sim 25.4%, Space 19.2%, Open World 12.1%, Action RPG 10.4%, Sci-fi 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: This top-down space sim offers a rich, story-driven experience set in a dense, open-world galaxy full of factions and mysteries.

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: Space 46.6%, Building 20.8%, Open World 10.5%, Sci-fi 6%, Exploration 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: A unique sandbox game that focuses heavily on modular ship design and tactical combat within a persistent, evolving universe.

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 35.5%, Space Sim 29.5%, RPG 8.1%, Sci-fi 7.8%, Open World 7.3%

Why You'll Like It: This space RPG features a mix of combat and exploration where player choices significantly impact the narrative and galaxy state.

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 29.2%, Space 24.5%, Open World 14.3%, Sci-fi 8.7%, Building 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: For players who want a deeper simulation, this offers unparalleled freedom in exploration, trading, and building a space empire.

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 31.2%, Space Sim 20.2%, Open World 13.9%, Sci-fi 8.6%, Exploration 6.3%

Why You'll Like It: A top-down space adventure that combines exploration, trading, and combat with a distinct retro sci-fi aesthetic.

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 31.8%, Space 31.4%, Open World 17%, Sci-fi 9.8%, RPG 6.8%

Why You'll Like It: It blends space RPG mechanics with exploration and fleet management, providing a grander scale of play while keeping the exploration focus.

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 41.5%, Space Sim 32.4%, Open World 13.5%, Sci-fi 6.1%, Atmospheric 2.7%

Why You'll Like It: A space simulation that offers a massive, open-world sandbox experience with a heavy emphasis on mining, trading, and ship progression.

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 37.1%, Space Sim 24.7%, RPG 11.1%, Open World 7.5%, Sci-fi 5.9%

Why You'll Like It: A hard sci-fi simulation that focuses on the technical aspects of space travel, navigation, and exploration in a complex universe.

Interstellar Rift is an open world starship simulator with an emphasis on ship construction and multi-player interaction. Survive in a hostile galaxy with your own custom designed and constructed starship. Invite other players to join your crew or fight them across the galaxy!

Why similar: Space Sim 29.5%, Space 18.3%, Open World 13.7%, Aliens 9.3%, Building 9.2%

Why You'll Like It: A space-sim that allows for complex ship building and interior design, perfect for those who enjoy the engineering side of Starcom.

Darkstar One offers a fantastic amount of freedom of choice. The story-based missions gradually lead you deeper into the galaxy to new races, new technologies and ever stronger opponents. Explore a vast array of solar systems in search of hidden artifacts of ancient races, essential objects for upgrading your ship--the Darkstar One.

Why similar: Space 34.2%, Space Sim 30.2%, Open World 10.9%, Sci-fi 9.8%, Exploration 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: A classic space-sim that balances action-packed combat with an engaging story and modular ship upgrades.

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 31.4%, Exploration 21.4%, Story Rich 14.3%, RPG 13.6%, Atmospheric 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: While more gothic and atmospheric, it shares the narrative-heavy exploration and discovery focus that makes Starcom so compelling.

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 32.7%, Space Sim 26.9%, Aliens 12.7%, Sci-fi 11.9%, Exploration 10.5%

Why You'll Like It: This survival-focused space exploration game requires careful ship management and tactical decision-making during your journey.

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 34.3%, Space Sim 22.2%, Building 14.6%, Open World 10.4%, Sci-fi 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: A creative-focused space game that emphasizes building and engineering, allowing for highly detailed ship designs in an open world.

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 32.2%, Space 21.6%, Open World 16%, Sci-fi 7.1%, RPG 5.7%

Why You'll Like It: A sandbox space RPG that allows for detailed ship construction and exploration in a dangerous, open-world environment.

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

Why similar: Space 43.1%, Sci-fi 14.6%, Exploration 12.4%, Lore-Rich 9.6%, Story Rich 7.5%

Why You'll Like It: A challenging exploration game that emphasizes the loneliness and mystery of deep space travel through narrative encounters.

Fight, explore the stars, trade, and lead your fleet across the galaxySpace Commander: War and Trade is an ultimate single player space-sim featuring spectacular graphics, intuitive combat and deep mechanics.

Why similar: Space Sim 32%, Space 15.3%, Action RPG 13.8%, Aliens 10.3%, Exploration 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: A space-sim that provides a variety of missions, from trading to combat, within a structured, story-driven framework.

Oldschool action open-world sci-fi with a unique storyline, frenetic battles, crude humor, loose morals and cows.

Why similar: Space Sim 19.9%, Space 16.9%, Top-Down Shooter 11.8%, Action RPG 10.7%, Open World 10.2%

Why You'll Like It: An indie RPG that captures the sci-fi exploration feel, focusing on character progression and narrative choices in space.

Drifter is an open-world sandbox space trading game with a procedurally-generated galaxy 100,000 light years across made up of tens of thousands of star systems to explore and features an original soundtrack by composer Danny Baranowsky.

Why similar: Space 37.2%, Space Sim 24.6%, Open World 15.7%, Sci-fi 6.8%, Exploration 6.4%

Why You'll Like It: A sandbox space exploration game that focuses on the journey, trading, and surviving in a vast, procedurally generated galaxy.

Spacebourne is an open space exploration game with Rpg elements. Its world consists of different factions at war. You as an expert pilot need to choose your side or be on no one's side and create a force of your own. Load up your weapons, Ready your ship and warp to adventure.

Why similar: Space 43.8%, Space Sim 33.4%, RPG 11.4%, Exploration 7.3%, Indie 4.1%

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 55.1%, Space Sim 15%, Sci-fi 10.7%, Building 6.4%, Open World 4.1%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses on a highly modular ship-building system that lets players customize every aspect of their vessel for space exploration.

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 23.9%, Space Sim 22.7%, Top-Down Shooter 13.3%, Open World 9.1%, Building 7.7%

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 43.2%, Space Sim 21.5%, Sci-fi 8.3%, Building 7.3%, RPG 5.9%

A space action-adventure unlike any other: navigate your spacecraft through a galactic-scale mystery. Make sure to loot, craft and upgrade your space fleet. Play the story campaign or test your skills in vicious arena modes against AI opponents.

Why similar: Space 27.1%, Open World 15.3%, Top-Down Shooter 14.9%, Action RPG 10.2%, Sci-fi 10.1%

A sci-fi exploration & survival game where you take on the role of a spaceship’s AI. Explore, fight, and survive across a mining colony in the Main Asteroid Belt. Rebuild your ship. Rescue your crew. Reveal the truth behind your mission.

Why similar: Space Sim 27%, Space 22%, Open World 13.4%, Sci-fi 8.1%, Exploration 7.5%

Pilot your ship in the seamless open world made of space, planets, and more. Find new ships and equipment, find allies and beat all the enemies in this open source space shooter!

Why similar: Space 46.8%, Open World 23.6%, RPG 12.4%, Action 5.1%, Indie 4.6%

Explore a procedurally generated galaxy, mine asteroids, refine minerals, colonize planets, build stations, deploy drones, salvage rare items, construct gear, level up, improve your ship, assemble a fleet, engage in combat, and take on the void.

Why similar: Space Sim 45.2%, RPG 13.4%, Space 11.4%, Exploration 10.8%, Building 7.6%

A physics-based mining sim, set in the thickest debris field in Sol. Every action has a reaction, lasers are invisible without a medium, and your thrust is a potent weapon. Find trade, adapt your equipment to your playstyle, hire a crew to help. Unravel the mysteries of the rings, or just get rich.

Why similar: Space Sim 29.7%, Space 29.3%, Open World 13.2%, Sci-fi 10.7%, Exploration 8.9%

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 46.4%, Open World 15.9%, Sci-fi 7.1%, Space Sim 6.9%, RPG 6.8%

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 38.9%, Open World 17.1%, Space Sim 13.5%, Building 10%, Sci-fi 8%

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 48.5%, Space Sim 24.9%, Sci-fi 12.5%, Open World 8.2%, Action 3.1%

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 40%, Space 24.6%, Open World 18.2%, Sci-fi 8.7%, Exploration 3.7%

Fight, loot, explore and craft in the living open world of Starpoint Gemini 3. Assemble your trusty ship and boost your RPG skills to face all challenges.

Why similar: Space Sim 27.6%, Space 22.4%, Open World 11.9%, Action RPG 11.6%, Sci-fi 7.8%

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 28.4%, Space 25.1%, Open World 13.7%, Building 10.2%, Sci-fi 9.1%

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 35.4%, Space Sim 16.8%, Open World 14%, Top-Down Shooter 10.3%, RPG 10.1%

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 42.7%, Space Sim 30%, Open World 13.5%, Sci-fi 9.1%, Action 2.4%

You are the captain of a starship venturing through a massive open universe. Customize your crew and take command at the helm of your very own ship as you explore a galaxy torn apart by internal strife, alien threats, and political intrigue.

Why similar: Space Sim 37.1%, Space 23.3%, Sci-fi 15.1%, Open World 15.1%, RPG 6.6%

Scavenge modules, combine them in the deadliest and most efficient ways imaginable, and fly your very own spaceship through alien space with BossConstructor. Thousands of procedurally generated galaxies await you and your space-faring collection of assembled modules to explore them.

Why similar: Space 42.7%, Building 14.1%, RPG 13.9%, Sci-fi 7.2%, Exploration 6.5%

Planets, aliens, resources, upgrades, caves, mapping & documenting star systems ... seek a new home for the human race. An all-inclusive (admittedly janky) procedural space-sim made by solo developer Schmidt Workshops.

Why similar: Space Sim 31.2%, Space 23.6%, Open World 14.2%, Aliens 8.8%, Exploration 7.1%

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 35.7%, Space 23.9%, Open World 16.8%, Sci-fi 9%, Building 8.6%

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: Space 30.5%, Open World 21.7%, Exploration 17.8%, Sci-fi 11.8%, RPG 10.3%

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 33.3%, Space 26.5%, Building 10.6%, Sci-fi 10.2%, Combat 6.9%

Explore asteroid fields, trade rare resources, and upgrade your ship in Cosmic Miners. Navigate faction alliances, complete missions, and rise through the ranks in a dynamic space adventure where your choices shape your path to cosmic power.

Why similar: Space Sim 34.8%, Space 23.7%, Open World 12.4%, Sci-fi 9.7%, Exploration 7.4%

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 68.9%, Open World 9.7%, Sci-fi 9.2%, Action 4.4%, Indie 4%

Star Control is a space role-playing game in which you command Earth's first interstellar starship on a mission to save the Earth from hostile alien empires.

Why similar: Space 27.4%, Aliens 16%, Exploration 11.2%, Sci-fi 10.8%, Story Rich 10.5%

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 28.4%, Space Sim 21.4%, Open World 16.3%, Building 10%, Sci-fi 8%

A single-developer passion project. A seamless full scale solar system. Thrilling action. Be part of an incredible journey as a Universe is built from the ground up!

Why similar: Space 36.2%, Open World 17.3%, Space Sim 16.4%, Exploration 10.9%, Sci-fi 8.1%

Warspace 2 is a 1-4 player CO-OP space shooter with RPG elements, open-world and procedurally-generated galaxy. You can trade, craft, and fight your way through a universe, either solo or with friends.

Why similar: Space Sim 24.1%, Space 19.3%, Top-Down Shooter 16.4%, Open World 8.8%, Aliens 8.1%

Starfield is the first new universe in 25 years from Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4.

Why similar: Space 28%, Open World 15.8%, Space Sim 14.3%, Sci-fi 8.7%, Action RPG 7.6%

Subdivision Infinity is an immersive and pulse pounding sci-fi space shooter featuring stunning graphics and tight spaceship game play. Hunt down and destroy enemy spacecraft, crush capital ships, mine asteroids for rare minerals, and find blueprints to craft amazing new vessels!

Why similar: Space Sim 33.6%, Space 30%, Sci-fi 10.6%, Exploration 7.8%, Open World 6.9%