- #1 SpaceEngine
96% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 14,936 reviews2019
Dev: Cosmographic Software
Windows
Median: 2.1 hrsMean: 47.7 hrs≥1hr: 66%
The world's first science-based photorealistic interactive 3D planetarium that models the entire Universe, using procedural generation for uncharted areas.
Why similar: Science 19.8% ★, Sandbox 16.3%, Space 16.1%, Space Sim 10.8% ★, Education 8.6%
Why You'll Like It: If your favorite part was freely exploring a scientifically grounded cosmos, SpaceEngine delivers an enormous realistic universe to roam.
- #2 Kerbal Space Program
96% matchOverwhelmingly Positive95% of 133,317 reviews2015
Dev: SquadPub: Private Division
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 5.3 hrsMean: 65.2 hrs≥1hr: 84%
In Kerbal Space Program, take charge of the space program for the alien race known as the Kerbals. You have access to an array of parts to assemble fully-functional spacecraft that flies (or doesn’t) based on realistic aerodynamic and orbital physics.
Why similar: Space 22%, Science 21.4% ★, Sandbox 16.3%, Physics 11.3%, Space Sim 10.4% ★
Why You'll Like It: It turns astrophysics into a playful sandbox, letting you experiment with orbits, gravity, and catastrophic failure in a hands-on way.
- #3 Juno: New Origins
95% matchVery Positive89% of 3,369 reviews2023
Dev: Jundroo, LLC
Windows · Mac
Median: 1.0 hrsMean: 12.8 hrs≥1hr: 51%
Bring to life anything you can imagine from rockets and airplanes to cars and more. Automate them with a visual programming language. Explore 3D planets and make your own. Share your creations online. Complete contracts, conquer milestones, and unlock technology in the newly added Career Mode.
Why similar: Science 25.3% ★, Space 13.7%, Sandbox 13.4%, Space Sim 13% ★, Education 10.3%
Why You'll Like It: Like Universe Sandbox, it rewards tinkering with real physics, but focuses that experimentation on designing craft and entire missions.
- #4 Spaceflight Simulator
94% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 7,486 reviews2022
Dev: Team Curiosity ✦
Windows · Mac
Median: 4.6 hrsMean: 14.2 hrs≥1hr: 84%
In Spaceflight Simulator, you will get to build your rockets, plan launches and flights, attempt landings, deploy payloads and explore new worlds.
Why similar: Science 21.8% ★, Sandbox 19.8%, Space 19%, Space Sim 15.4% ★, Simulation 6.8%
Why You'll Like It: This is a simpler but very approachable space-physics sandbox centered on building rockets and learning orbital mechanics.
- #5 Kerbal Space Program 2
94% matchMostly Negative27% of 31,135 reviews2023
Dev: Intercept GamesPub: Private Division
Windows
Median: 7.7 hrsMean: 19.1 hrs≥1hr: 86%
Kerbal Space Program 2 is the sequel to the acclaimed space-flight simulation game Kerbal Space Program. Enter the next generation of space adventure with exciting new parts, stunning visuals, fully revamped UI and Map View, and rich new environments to explore.
Why similar: Science 24.3% ★, Space 16.4%, Sandbox 15.6%, Physics 11.5%, Space Sim 9.9% ★
Why You'll Like It: Despite its rougher state, it scratches the same itch for large-scale space experimentation, launches, and physics-driven chaos.
- #6 Space Simulation Toolkit
93% matchVery Positive81% of 475 reviews2020
Dev: Pavel Kudinov
Windows
Physics sandbox game that uses a graphics card as a supercomputer. Change the laws of physics, design mechanisms, create A-Life worlds and inhabit them with living beings, experiment with evolution and AI.
Why similar: Sandbox 25.5%, Physics 19.1%, Space 15.7%, Simulation 13.1%, Space Sim 12.4% ★
Why You'll Like It: It is one of the closest pure simulation alternatives, giving you a customizable sandbox for realistic orbital and space-system behavior.
- #7 Children of a Dead Earth
92% matchVery Positive90% of 902 reviews2016
Dev: Q Switched Productions, LLC
Windows · Mac
Median: 2.2 hrsMean: 23.8 hrs≥1hr: 65%
The most scientifically accurate space warfare simulator ever made. Now with Steam Workshop!
Why similar: Science 27.9% ★, Space 27%, Simulation 12.6%, Realistic 10.9%, Space Sim 8.2% ★
Why You'll Like It: This ultra-hard sci-fi simulator shares Universe Sandbox's love of real equations, letting orbital mechanics and Newtonian physics drive everything.
- #8 WorldBox - God Simulator
91% matchOverwhelmingly Positive95% of 52,884 reviews2021
Dev: Maxim Karpenko
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 9.1 hrsMean: 28.7 hrs≥1hr: 92%
WorldBox is the ULTIMATE god simulator and sandbox game. A petri dish for your fantasy civilizations. Create your own world or destroy it using many powers. Watch civilizations grow, form kingdoms, colonize new lands, sail to far continents, wars to ignite, empires to fall and towns to burn!
Why similar: God Game 36.8% ★, Sandbox 30.4%, Destruction 19.6%, Simulation 9%, Relaxing 3.3%
Why You'll Like It: This is a less realistic but very fun alternative for players who mainly love being an all-powerful creator and destroyer.
- #9 Solar 2
91% matchVery Positive91% of 2,205 reviews2011
Dev: Murudai
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.0 hrsMean: 4.3 hrs≥1hr: 71%
Dynamic abstract sandbox universe. Changes and evolves as you do.
Why similar: Space 28.8%, Sandbox 20.5%, God Game 12.6% ★, Physics 8.4%, Space Sim 7.6% ★
Why You'll Like It: It offers a more abstract but still satisfying sandbox where you grow systems, manipulate gravity, and play at a smaller cosmic scale.
- #10 Take On Mars
90% matchMixed55% of 2,023 reviews2017
Dev: Bohemia Interactive
Windows
Median: 3.0 hrsMean: 10.5 hrs≥1hr: 87%
Take On Mars places you right in the middle of mankind’s most exciting undertaking. Start out in the seat of a rover operator, finish as the first human to have ever set foot on the Red Planet.
Why similar: Space 25.5%, Science 22.8% ★, Sandbox 12.4%, Simulation 11.1%, Space Sim 10.8% ★
Why You'll Like It: It channels the educational, science-forward side of Universe Sandbox through realistic Mars exploration, rovers, and space-program systems.
- #11 Outer Wilds
88% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 99,459 reviews2020
Dev: Mobius DigitalPub: Annapurna Interactive
Windows
Median: 4.6 hrsMean: 16.7 hrs≥1hr: 82%
Named Game of the Year 2019 by Giant Bomb, Polygon, Eurogamer, and The Guardian, Outer Wilds is a critically-acclaimed and award-winning open world mystery about a solar system trapped in an endless time loop.
Why similar: Space 54%, Open World 11.7%, Exploration 10.7%, Sci-fi 7.7%, Atmospheric 6.5%
Why You'll Like It: Although it's more adventure than sandbox, its miniature solar system is a brilliant playground of celestial mechanics, curiosity, and cosmic wonder.
- #12 Satellite Command
89% matchMixed64% of 80 reviews2016
Dev: Stormtide
Windows
Satellite Command is a realistic, relaxing astrophysics simulator. Complete contracts with real data, launch and take control of ever more powerful Satellites, research advanced technology and build your Space Agency!
Why similar: Science 22.6% ★, Space 15.5%, Sandbox 15.2%, Space Sim 11.2% ★, Education 10.6%
Why You'll Like It: Managing satellites and orbital paths here taps directly into the realistic, educational space-sim side of Universe Sandbox.
- #13 Flight Of Nova
87% matchVery Positive94% of 513 reviews2022
Dev: Aerovery Lab
Windows · Linux
Flight of Nova is a simulator based on newtonian mechanics in which you control spacecraft in the Noren star system. You fly multiple types of spacecraft doing transport and search missions in an environment with realistic aerodynamics and orbital physics.
Why similar: Space Sim 19.3% ★, Sandbox 16.1%, Physics 14.3%, Space 13%, Simulation 9.1%
Why You'll Like It: This one captures the joy of realistic Newtonian movement in space, emphasizing hands-on physics rather than arcade flight.
- #14 Orbit HD
89% matchMixed58% of 89 reviews2015
Dev: Brainchild
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.9 hrsMean: 3.4 hrs≥1hr: 76%
Explore the cosmos as a comet, orbiting planets with a realistic gravity system and a backdrop of procedurally generated nebulae. Learn to use planetary gravity to your advantage, and relax in the ambience of space.
Why similar: Space 24.8%, Physics 16.7%, Sandbox 15.1%, Space Sim 15% ★, Simulation 7.3%
Why You'll Like It: If you enjoy the clean orbital side of Universe Sandbox, this gives you elegant puzzle-like experimentation with gravity and trajectories.
- #15 Space Engineers
86% matchVery Positive89% of 133,238 reviews2019
Dev: Keen Software House
Windows
Median: 9.0 hrsMean: 95.7 hrs≥1hr: 87%
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 20.8%, Sandbox 20.1%, Space Sim 16.2% ★, Physics 15.2%, Realistic 8.6%
Why You'll Like It: Its space sandbox focuses on building and breaking machines rather than planets, but the engineering freedom and emergent physics overlap well.
- #16 ΔV: Rings of Saturn
86% matchVery Positive93% of 3,305 reviews2023
Dev: Kodera Software
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 8.3 hrsMean: 11.6 hrs≥1hr: 85%
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: Science 21.1% ★, Space 18.9%, Physics 12.3%, Space Sim 11.7% ★, Sandbox 10.6%
Why You'll Like It: Its top-down mining sim uses believable thrust, inertia, and orbital movement, making space feel mechanical and physical.
- #17 The Universim
85% matchVery Positive80% of 10,483 reviews2024
Dev: Crytivo
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 7.3 hrsMean: 33.9 hrs≥1hr: 89%
Jump straight into managing your own planets as you guide a civilization through the ages. Build the ultimate empire in The Universim, a new breed of God Game in development by Crytivo.
Why similar: God Game 36.1% ★, Sandbox 25.6%, Space 19.5%, Simulation 7.1%, Open World 3.9%
Why You'll Like It: It trades astrophysics for civilization management, but the god-game perspective, planet stewardship, and disaster tools hit a similar fantasy.
- #18 Space Engineers 2
84% matchMostly Positive76% of 4,293 reviews2025
Dev: Keen Software House
Windows
Median: 1.3 hrsMean: 7.1 hrs≥1hr: 58%
Space Engineers 2 is a sandbox about engineering and colonization where you build ships, stations, and planetary bases in a fully destructible world. Begin the story of Miro and Ivan Sokol, expand humanity’s foothold in the Almagest system, and fight to survive.
Why similar: Science 18.2% ★, Destruction 14.8%, Sandbox 14.3%, Space 13.9%, Physics 9.7%
Why You'll Like It: Like its predecessor, it offers a more construction-heavy take on space sandbox experimentation with lots of room for creative problem-solving.
- #19 BeamNG.drive
84% matchOverwhelmingly Positive97% of 384,707 reviews2015
Dev: BeamNG
Windows
Median: 9.9 hrsMean: 91.9 hrs≥1hr: 87%
A dynamic soft-body physics vehicle simulator capable of doing just about anything.
Why similar: Destruction 29.1%, Sandbox 21.3%, Physics 19.2%, Realistic 11.1%, Simulation 10.5%
Why You'll Like It: For pure simulation and spectacular physical destruction, few sandboxes rival the 'what happens if we try this?' appeal of Universe Sandbox.
- #20 Hardspace: Shipbreaker
82% matchVery Positive89% of 21,702 reviews2022
Dev: Blackbird Interactive
Windows
Median: 4.7 hrsMean: 23.9 hrs≥1hr: 86%
Equipped with cutting-edge salvaging tech, carve & slice spaceships to recover valuable materials. Upgrade your gear to take on more lucrative contracts and pay your billion credits debt to LYNX Corp!
Why similar: Space 23.6%, Destruction 19.7%, Sandbox 15.5%, Physics 14.3%, Space Sim 9.3% ★
Why You'll Like It: Its tactile, physics-aware destruction in orbit appeals if your favorite part of Universe Sandbox is methodically breaking complex things apart.
- #21 SPORE™
83% matchVery Positive93% of 70,545 reviews2008
Dev: Maxis™Pub: Electronic Arts
Windows
Median: 5.1 hrsMean: 19.3 hrs≥1hr: 86%
Be the architect of your own universe with Spore, an exciting single-player adventure. From Single Cell to Galactic God, evolve your creature in a universe of your own creations.
Why similar: Science 24% ★, God Game 21.7% ★, Sandbox 16.3%, Space 16.2%, Simulation 6.1%
Why You'll Like It: It's far less realistic, but the journey from creation to cosmic-scale play captures a similar fascination with shaping worlds and life.
- #22 Teardown
81% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 126,822 reviews2022
Dev: Tuxedo Labs
Windows
Median: 6.7 hrsMean: 28.0 hrs≥1hr: 88%
Prepare the perfect heist in a fully destructible, simulated voxel world. Tear down walls with vehicles or use explosives to create your own shortcuts. Shape the environment to your advantage in the most creative ways you can imagine. Play solo or with up to 12 players in multiplayer.
Why similar: Destruction 35.6%, Sandbox 26.5%, Physics 20.4%, Realistic 7.8%, Simulation 7%
Why You'll Like It: Its voxel destruction and improvisational sandbox energy make it a strong pick if the seed game's chaos is what you love most.
- #23 Starship EVO
82% matchVery Positive84% of 1,210 reviews2020
Dev: Moonfire Entertainment
Windows
Median: 1.3 hrsMean: 5.8 hrs≥1hr: 55%
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 30.4%, Sandbox 24.5%, Simulation 12.9%, Space Sim 12.3% ★, Physics 7.7%
Why You'll Like It: It emphasizes designing and flying your own ships in a freeform space sandbox, echoing the toybox side of Universe Sandbox.
- #24 Heavenly Bodies
80% matchOverwhelmingly Positive95% of 4,263 reviews2021
Dev: 2pt Interactive
Windows · Mac
Median: 2.7 hrsMean: 5.6 hrs≥1hr: 73%
Wrangle the hands and arms of a 1970s space cosmonaut and push, pull and twist your way through an increasingly precarious range of physically simulated stellar scenarios, where without gravity, nothing is still, nothing is secure, and nothing is simple.
Why similar: Space 41.5%, Physics 33.5%, Simulation 15%, Atmospheric 6.2%, Singleplayer 2%
Why You'll Like It: This is a smaller-scale take on realistic space physics, turning zero-gravity motion and tasks into a playful systems sandbox.
- #25 Nimbatus - The Space Drone Constructor
81% matchMostly Positive79% of 2,144 reviews2020
Dev: Stray Fawn StudioPub: Stray Fawn Publishing
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.0 hrsMean: 5.1 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 25.2%, Space Sim 21.3% ★, Sandbox 19.4%, Physics 14.4%, Sci-fi 6.9%
Why You'll Like It: Building weird machines and testing them in a physics-driven space setting makes it a great fit for experimentation-minded players.
- #26 Planetary Life
77% matchOverwhelmingly Positive95% of 743 reviews2025
Dev: Sotenbox
Windows
Median: 3.5 hrsMean: 7.9 hrs≥1hr: 86%
Manipulate climate, add plants and evolve creatures in this planet and life sandbox simulation game. From cells to civilizations, spread life throughout the whole planet. Or just enjoy watching your creation burn!
Why similar: Science 26.8% ★, God Game 23.7% ★, Sandbox 17.8%, Space 9%, Education 7.3%
- #27 No Man's Sky
79% matchVery Positive85% of 402,164 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: Space 35.9%, Sandbox 19.8%, Open World 12.3%, Space Sim 11.8% ★, Sci-fi 7%
Why You'll Like It: It is less scientific, but its vast planets, open-ended experimentation, and planetary awe make it a strong thematic alternative.
- #28 Besiege
78% matchOverwhelmingly Positive95% of 52,104 reviews2020
Dev: Spiderling Studios
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.4 hrsMean: 19.1 hrs≥1hr: 71%
Besiege is a physics building game about constructing medieval machines to annihilate armies, obliterate castles and overcome challenging obstacles. Conquer the campaign or skirmish with friends in Multiplayer!
Why similar: Destruction 34.9%, Sandbox 30.4%, Physics 22.9%, Simulation 11.8%
Why You'll Like It: It replaces planets with siege machines, but the creative build-test-destroy cycle and emergent physics are very much in the same spirit.
- #29 SimplePlanes
79% matchVery Positive93% of 10,799 reviews2015
Dev: Jundroo, LLC
Windows · Mac
Median: 2.5 hrsMean: 12.7 hrs≥1hr: 74%
Build airplanes by snapping parts together, designing wing sections, and attaching engines. At any time, you can strap yourself into the cockpit and see how it flies with realistic physics. If you're not in the mood for building, over 100,000 airplanes are available to download for free.
Why similar: Sandbox 45.5%, Physics 33.8%, Open World 13.1%, Exploration 7.7%
Why You'll Like It: If you enjoy designing systems and then watching physics decide whether they work, SimplePlanes delivers that sandbox loop beautifully.
- #30 Inspiral: Echoes of Gravity
76% matchMostly Positive80% of 54 reviews2025
Dev: PcZ Games
Windows · Mac
Start as an asteroid, grow by absorbing other celestial bodies to become a planet, a star, and ultimately a black hole. Experience realistic gravity and orbital physics in an ever-evolving sandbox universe.
Why similar: Space 19%, God Game 17.1% ★, Sandbox 16.1%, Space Sim 12.5% ★, Physics 11.3%
- #31 Sand:box
75% matchVery Positive94% of 1,486 reviews2023
Dev: smellymoo
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 54 minMean: 7.4 hrs≥1hr: 49%
"Falling sand" style particle sandbox, now with circuits and stickmen!
Why similar: Sandbox 22.1%, Destruction 19.4%, Science 18% ★, Physics 14.3%, Education 10.8%
- #32 Terra Firma 2
75% matchVery Positive89% of 103 reviews2025
Dev: Working as Intended
Windows
Shape breathtaking worlds in Terra Firma 2, a vast simulation where your creations evolve through the forces of nature. Sculpt the land, then watch as weather, erosion, and life itself transform your world into a dynamic, living ecosystem- right down to every plant and creature.
Why similar: God Game 21.1% ★, Sandbox 17.8%, Science 17.1% ★, Physics 12%, Destruction 8.2%
- #33 Rocket Science
77% matchVery Positive80% of 160 reviews2020
Dev: unbeGames
Windows
Take part in a space program. Design spacecrafts and send them off to explore the vast expanses of space. Experience the real scale of the Solar system and the size of its celestial bodies.
Why similar: Science 21.3% ★, Space 15.7%, Sandbox 14.4%, Physics 10.7%, Space Sim 10.6% ★
- #34 Sandboxels
72% matchVery Positive95% of 844 reviews2025
Dev: R74n
Windows · Mac
Median: 1.8 hrsMean: 3.4 hrs≥1hr: 60%
Falling-sand sandbox game with 500+ elements, chemistry, fire, life, food, and anything you can imagine.
Why similar: Science 31.6% ★, God Game 24.2% ★, Sandbox 21.2%, Education 13.4%, Simulation 4.9%
- #35 The Sandbox Evolution - Craft a 2D Pixel Universe!
78% matchMixed42% of 1,512 reviews2016
Dev: PIXOWL INC.
Windows
Median: 42 minMean: 3.8 hrs≥1hr: 43%
Use your godly powers to craft amazing pixel worlds or destroy the universe! Play with physics, over 200 elements and controllable heroes. Make your own games or levels, and then share your creations online. There are no limits to your creativity and imagination!
Why similar: Sandbox 37.5%, God Game 23.4% ★, Destruction 16.8%, Physics 12%, Simulation 8.9%
- #36 Sinking Simulator
74% matchVery Positive85% of 4,380 reviews2019
Dev: WicparPub: Pac0master
Windows
Median: 42 minMean: 3.2 hrs≥1hr: 41%
The sequel to the unfinished Sinking Simulator, now with a lot more POWER!!!! Witness your witty love of chaos and destruction sinking 2D ships and everything else on board!
Why similar: Sandbox 33.3%, Destruction 30.2%, Physics 16.2%, Simulation 15.4%, Casual 2.4%
- #37 Heliopedia
73% matchVery Positive88% of 212 reviews2021
Dev: Sokpop Collective
Windows · Mac
Median: 1.1 hrsMean: 5.0 hrs≥1hr: 50%
A fictional universe sandbox/exploration game. 🪐☄️✨ Shape your own solar system by terraforming planets. Find new species and make beautiful ecosystems . . . or breed destruction with volcanos, lightning storms and wildfires!
Why similar: God Game 25.9% ★, Sandbox 20.1%, Space 18%, Space Sim 15.8% ★, Simulation 8.4%
- #38 Autocraft
76% matchMixed56% of 297 reviews2017
Dev: Alientrap
Windows · Mac
Median: 54 minMean: 3.2 hrs≥1hr: 44%
Create, Collect, and Crash in Autocraft, a physics destruction sandbox. Create your own cars, rockets, tanks, planes, boats, and more.
Why similar: Sandbox 33%, Space 21.3%, Physics 18.9%, Simulation 12.5%, Space Sim 7.7% ★
- #39 SPORE™ Galactic Adventures
74% matchVery Positive89% of 7,556 reviews2009
Dev: EA - MaxisPub: Electronic Arts
Windows
Median: 3.4 hrsMean: 36.7 hrs≥1hr: 66%
Take Your Creature From Zero To Galactic HeroGet out of your starship and turn your Spore creatures into legendary Space Captains. For the first time, beam down with your allies to take on action-packed, planetside adventures. Complete quests, collect rewards, and even create your own missions.
Why similar: Space 28.4%, Sandbox 21.2%, God Game 17.6% ★, Simulation 14.4%, Open World 7.9%
- #40 Brick Rigs
70% matchVery Positive95% of 56,117 reviews2023
Dev: Fluppisoft GmbH
Windows · Linux
Median: 10.2 hrsMean: 77.6 hrs≥1hr: 88%
Build your own vehicles or download one of the more than 200,000 creations already uploaded to the Workshop and experience the dynamic driving and destruction physics of Brick Rigs!
Why similar: Destruction 31.5%, Sandbox 29.7%, Physics 17.3%, Open World 8.4%, Family Friendly 6.4%
- #41 Fireworks Mania - An Explosive Simulator
72% matchOverwhelmingly Positive97% of 7,671 reviews2020
Dev: Laumania ApS
Windows
Median: 2.5 hrsMean: 20.0 hrs≥1hr: 75%
FIREWORKS MANIA is a small casual explosive simulator game where you play around with fireworks, create beautiful firework shows or just blow stuff up.
Why similar: Sandbox 33.8%, Destruction 22.7%, Physics 21.1%, Simulation 9.1%, Exploration 5.1%
- #42 Destructive Physics - Destruction Simulator
73% matchMostly Positive77% of 105 reviews2021
Dev: KreizLand Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Slowmotion, gravitation control, destructible terrain, blackhole and much more! Destroy a small (huuge) building, using different types of weapons (even custom). When you get tired of exploding prepared structures, you can always visit the map editor to build whatever you want.
Why similar: Destruction 23%, Sandbox 19.3%, God Game 18.6% ★, Physics 13.7%, Realistic 7.7%
- #43 Fantasy Map Simulator
69% matchVery Positive89% of 3,843 reviews2024
Dev: The Stranger
Windows
Median: 1.7 hrsMean: 8.6 hrs≥1hr: 60%
Fantasy Map Simulator: Create and watch imaginary worlds evolve over centuries. Design maps, simulate nations and their politics, and control destinies. See empires rise and fall on your desktop wallpaper. A unique simulation for history buffs and creative minds.
Why similar: God Game 51.7% ★, Sandbox 39.6%, Simulation 8%, Indie 0.7%
- #44 Ultimate Epic Battle Simulator 2
70% matchVery Positive84% of 7,100 reviews2023
Dev: Brilliant Game Studios
Windows
Median: 1.6 hrsMean: 5.7 hrs≥1hr: 62%
Welcome to Ultimate Epic Battle Simulator 2, the most ridiculous and insane battle simulator in existence! Create eye watering battles with hundreds of thousands, even millions of characters on screen! Jump into multiple campaigns in game or player made, or play in sandbox mode and FPS invasion
Why similar: God Game 39.1% ★, Sandbox 33.5%, Simulation 13.6%, Realistic 9.5%, Exploration 4.3%
- #45 People Playground
69% matchOverwhelmingly Positive98% of 308,374 reviews2019
Dev: mestiezPub: Studio Minus
Windows
Median: 7.9 hrsMean: 53.6 hrs≥1hr: 84%
Shoot, stab, burn, poison, tear, vaporise, or crush ragdolls in a large open space.
Why similar: Sandbox 41.7%, Destruction 25%, Physics 23.1%, Simulation 7.1%, Singleplayer 1.5%
- #46 Water Physics Simulation
71% matchVery Positive81% of 95 reviews2021
Dev: Gaming-Apps.com
Windows
Water Physics Simulation & Sandbox! Build ships and let them sink! Build cars and let them sink! Use bombs and destroy ragdolls. Play with natural disasters or create towns.
Why similar: Sandbox 25.6%, Destruction 23.2%, Physics 17.7%, God Game 16.3% ★, Simulation 11.9%
- #47 Ultimate Epic Battle Simulator
71% matchMostly Positive77% of 12,209 reviews2017
Dev: Brilliant Game Studios
Windows
Median: 30 minMean: 5.7 hrs≥1hr: 36%
Here is a sandbox like no other. Create massive battles with absolutely no limits. Want to see 10,000 chickens fight an army of Romans?? Sure, why not. Want to see a company of WW2 U.S soldiers fight 11,000 Medieval soldiers?? There are simply no limits to the carnage you can achieve in UEBS.
Why similar: Sandbox 62%, Simulation 26.6%, Open World 6.2%, Singleplayer 1.9%, Atmospheric 1.7%
- #48 Celestial Command
73% matchMixed63% of 687 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 39.6%, Sandbox 24.7%, Simulation 14.3%, Space Sim 12.1% ★, Sci-fi 5%
- #49 Terra Firma
67% matchVery Positive94% of 569 reviews2025
Dev: Working as Intended
Windows
Play god and create your own world in this complex simulation. Plate tectonics, wind and water erosion and plant life all develop and interact to produce a world that is viewable from a single tree to kilometres across.
Why similar: God Game 32.1% ★, Sandbox 22.6%, Destruction 15.9%, Simulation 15%, Physics 10.4%
- #50 The Powder Toy
67% matchOverwhelmingly Positive98% of 2,488 reviews2024
Dev: The Powder Toy Team
Windows · Mac · Linux
The Powder Toy is a classic physics sandbox game, which simulates air pressure and velocity, heat, gravity and a countless number of interactions between different substances
Why similar: Sandbox 26.4%, Science 20.5% ★, Destruction 18.3%, Physics 11.7%, Simulation 10.9%
- #51 Black Hole Simulator
70% matchVery Positive82% of 153 reviews2021
Dev: PanGuoJun
Windows
A simple black hole simulator.
Why similar: Science 24.2% ★, Sandbox 20.6%, Space Sim 17.3% ★, Physics 8.6%, Simulation 8.5%
- #52 Species: Artificial Life, Real Evolution
71% matchMostly Positive74% of 988 reviews2018
Dev: Quasar
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.3 hrsMean: 8.6 hrs≥1hr: 63%
Play with evolution! Species: ALRE is a scientifically-grounded, emergent simulation of natural selection. Creatures evolve and speciate in response to in-game mutation and selection forces, allowing you to experience and tinker with evolution in real-time.
Why similar: Science 29.9% ★, Sandbox 26.3%, God Game 23.7% ★, Simulation 11.9%, Education 4.2%
- #53 Ages of Conflict: World War Simulator
66% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 7,398 reviews2023
Dev: JoySpark Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.3 hrsMean: 14.5 hrs≥1hr: 71%
Ages of Conflict is a versatile Map Simulation game where you create and observe custom AI nations battle it out across an infinite number of worlds. Paint beautiful maps and scenarios, and command nations to change history into your liking!
Why similar: God Game 45.4% ★, Sandbox 37%, Simulation 13.7%, Casual 2.1%, Singleplayer 1.7%
- #54 Rodina
69% matchVery Positive93% of 1,329 reviews2014
Dev: Elliptic Games
Windows
Median: 2.8 hrsMean: 6.4 hrs≥1hr: 71%
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 39.2%, Sandbox 21.5%, Space Sim 10.9% ★, Open World 9.7%, Sci-fi 5.7%
- #55 Space Mechanic Simulator
68% matchMixed63% of 117 reviews2023
Dev: Atomic JellyPub: Wildlands Interactive
Windows
Become a Space Mechanic! Get your hands dirty, explore the depths of space and repair broken machinery. Diagnose problems using diagrams and tools, perform repairs, manage your resources and watch the simulated machinery come alive. Or just gaze upon the beauty of the Solar System.
Why similar: Science 25.6% ★, Space 19.9%, Space Sim 15.3% ★, Physics 10.2%, Simulation 7.7%
- #56 Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition
67% matchMostly Positive79% of 71,065 reviews2020
Dev: Asobo StudioPub: Xbox Game Studios
Windows
Median: 35.3 hrsMean: 165.3 hrs≥1hr: 98%
From gliders and helicopters to wide-body jets, fly highly detailed and accurate aircraft in the Microsoft Flight Simulator 40th Anniversary Edition. The world is at your fingertips.
Why similar: Simulation 27.4%, Physics 22.6%, Realistic 20.9%, Open World 15.9%, Family Friendly 6.2%
- #57 Everything
68% matchVery Positive83% of 3,828 reviews2017
Dev: David OReilly
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 4.1 hrsMean: 11.9 hrs≥1hr: 79%
Be the Universe in this epic, award-winning reality simulation game - featuring thousands of playable characters, endless exploration, an extraordinary soundtrack and narration from Alan Watts.
Why similar: Sandbox 28.7%, God Game 20% ★, Simulation 16.4%, Open World 9%, Relaxing 8.4%
- #58 Cell to Singularity - Evolution Never Ends
66% matchVery Positive90% of 26,359 reviews2021
Dev: Computer Lunch
Windows · Mac
Median: 5.4 hrsMean: 80.4 hrs≥1hr: 79%
The epic story of evolution, technology, humanity, and dinosaurs is yours to tap.
Why similar: Science 45.3% ★, Space 13.3%, Simulation 11.1%, God Game 10.2% ★, Education 8.5%
- #59 Archean
65% matchVery Positive88% of 236 reviews2024
Dev: batcholi
Windows · Linux
Gather resources, craft components, build vehicles, and code their logic in a physics-driven engineering sandbox and full scale space sim.
Why similar: Science 25.4% ★, Sandbox 17.2%, Space 16.3%, Space Sim 12.6% ★, Physics 11.4%
