Alien planets, megacities, space stations: open worlds set in the future, free to explore.
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How to find games that really suit you:
Select up to 5 games you have played and enjoyed. Playalike compares 36 traits such as combat, story and atmosphere and suggests games that hit exactly the same spot, even across genres.
A near-infinite procedurally generated universe where you hop freely between vivid alien planets, gather resources, build bases and upgrade your ships. Years of free updates have turned it into a relaxed sci-fi sandbox with optional co-op.
A sprawling, still-in-development space MMO where you fly seamlessly from planet surfaces into orbit to trade, fight, haul cargo or crew huge multi-person ships with friends. Its level of detail is astonishing, though bugs and rough edges come with the territory.
A near-infinite procedurally generated universe where you hop freely between vivid alien planets, gather resources, build bases and upgrade your ships. Years of free updates have turned it into a relaxed sci-fi sandbox with optional co-op.
2016PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified−60 %58.99 € 23.59 € until tomorrow84 % positive
Very positive, 319,592 reviews on Steam
Distinctive, stylised art style
Sandbox with your own goals
Lavish presentation
A near-infinite procedurally generated universe where you hop freely between vivid alien planets, gather resources, build bases and upgrade your ships. Years of free updates have turned it into a relaxed sci-fi sandbox with optional co-op.
A sprawling, still-in-development space MMO where you fly seamlessly from planet surfaces into orbit to trade, fight, haul cargo or crew huge multi-person ships with friends. Its level of detail is astonishing, though bugs and rough edges come with the territory.
A sprawling, still-in-development space MMO where you fly seamlessly from planet surfaces into orbit to trade, fight, haul cargo or crew huge multi-person ships with friends. Its level of detail is astonishing, though bugs and rough edges come with the territory.
A sprawling irradiated wasteland around Washington D.C. to roam freely, full of darkly funny stories and VATS-assisted gunfights. Moral choices shape towns, factions and the ending.
2008PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck playable9.99 €81 % positive
Very positive, 20,930 reviews on Steam
Post-apocalyptic setting
Dark, serious atmosphere
Choices with consequences
A sprawling irradiated wasteland around Washington D.C. to roam freely, full of darkly funny stories and VATS-assisted gunfights. Moral choices shape towns, factions and the ending.
As the lone survivor of Vault 111, you roam the irradiated ruins of Boston, blending gunplay with the slow-motion V.A.T.S. targeting system and building your own settlements. Faction choices and countless darkly funny side quests shape the fate of the Commonwealth.
2015PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck verified19.99 €81 % positive
Very positive, 292,040 reviews on Steam
Post-apocalyptic setting
Shooting and gunplay
Building and crafting
As the lone survivor of Vault 111, you roam the irradiated ruins of Boston, blending gunplay with the slow-motion V.A.T.S. targeting system and building your own settlements. Faction choices and countless darkly funny side quests shape the fate of the Commonwealth.
A space sim recreating the entire Milky Way at 1:1 scale, letting you pilot your own ship as a trader, bounty hunter, miner or explorer across billions of star systems. Demanding flight controls and sheer vastness create an unmatched sense of scale and solitude.
A space sim recreating the entire Milky Way at 1:1 scale, letting you pilot your own ship as a trader, bounty hunter, miner or explorer across billions of star systems. Demanding flight controls and sheer vastness create an unmatched sense of scale and solitude.
Stranded on an ocean planet, you dive ever deeper into a gorgeous yet terrifying alien sea. You build bases and submarines while piecing together the planet's mystery, and the dark depths themselves become the real source of dread.
Stranded on an ocean planet, you dive ever deeper into a gorgeous yet terrifying alien sea. You build bases and submarines while piecing together the planet's mystery, and the dark depths themselves become the real source of dread.
An underwater survival adventure on a new alien ocean world where you gather resources, build bases and push into ever deeper, more dangerous waters. This time you can also dive together in four-player co-op.
An underwater survival adventure on a new alien ocean world where you gather resources, build bases and push into ever deeper, more dangerous waters. This time you can also dive together in four-player co-op.
A realistic space simulator and planetarium that lets you freely fly through a procedurally generated universe built on real astronomical catalogs, landing on planets and even traveling through time.
2019PC28.99 €96 % positive
Overwhelmingly positive, 12,617 reviews on Steam
Lavish presentation
Cosy, great for unwinding
Sandbox with your own goals
A realistic space simulator and planetarium that lets you freely fly through a procedurally generated universe built on real astronomical catalogs, landing on planets and even traveling through time.
A post-apocalyptic RPG set in the Mojave, where rival factions vie for control of Vegas and your choices, dialogue and skills decide the fate of the whole region. Sharp writing, dark humor and huge freedom in how quests unfold make it a genre classic.
A post-apocalyptic RPG set in the Mojave, where rival factions vie for control of Vegas and your choices, dialogue and skills decide the fate of the whole region. Sharp writing, dark humor and huge freedom in how quests unfold make it a genre classic.
You begin with a modest shuttle and build your way up through trading and combat to a formidable flagship or fleet. The freely explorable 2D galaxy, full of missions and hidden secrets, lets you chart your own path.
2015PCSteam Deck playablefree92 % positive
Very positive, 7,165 reviews on Steam
Strong character progression
Choices with consequences
Sandbox with your own goals
You begin with a modest shuttle and build your way up through trading and combat to a formidable flagship or fleet. The freely explorable 2D galaxy, full of missions and hidden secrets, lets you chart your own path.
An online Fallout set in the irradiated hills of Appalachia, where you explore a huge world solo or with friends, build camps, join public events and shape your character with perk cards. After a rocky launch, NPCs, factions and steady updates turned it into a lively post-apocalyptic sandbox.
An online Fallout set in the irradiated hills of Appalachia, where you explore a huge world solo or with friends, build camps, join public events and shape your character with perk cards. After a rocky launch, NPCs, factions and steady updates turned it into a lively post-apocalyptic sandbox.
A colorful 2D sandbox adventure where you hop between procedurally generated planets to mine, build, farm, found colonies and fight, solo or with friends. There is a main quest, but the real draw is the near-endless freedom of roaming the galaxy.
2016PCXboxSteam Deck playable−60 %14.99 € 5.99 € until tomorrow92 % positive
Very positive, 164,906 reviews on Steam
Distinctive, stylised art style
Sandbox with your own goals
Building and crafting
A colorful 2D sandbox adventure where you hop between procedurally generated planets to mine, build, farm, found colonies and fight, solo or with friends. There is a main quest, but the real draw is the near-endless freedom of roaming the galaxy.
A classic space adventure where you captain a single ship across a huge galaxy, meeting eccentric alien races, gathering resources and allies, and fighting 2D ship duels against an overwhelming threat. Witty dialogue and a legendary soundtrack make it memorable.
1992PC4.15 €80 % positive
Very positive, 154 reviews on Steam
Lots of humour
Strong, story-driven narrative
A classic space adventure where you captain a single ship across a huge galaxy, meeting eccentric alien races, gathering resources and allies, and fighting 2D ship duels against an overwhelming threat. Witty dialogue and a legendary soundtrack make it memorable.
A space sandbox where you pilot a ship and build a fleet, trading, exploring and fighting in tactical real-time battles. You choose freely whether to become a trader, mercenary, pirate or warlord.
A space sandbox where you pilot a ship and build a fleet, trading, exploring and fighting in tactical real-time battles. You choose freely whether to become a trader, mercenary, pirate or warlord.
Aloy heads into a breathtaking post-apocalyptic West to hunt colossal robotic beasts, using bows, traps and tactics to strip their components and exploit weak points. A lush open world full of secrets is tied to a gripping sci-fi mystery about the fall of the old world.
2022PCPlayStationSteam Deck playable59.99 €89 % positive
Very positive, 22,735 reviews on Steam
Post-apocalyptic setting
Lavish presentation
Shooting and gunplay
Aloy heads into a breathtaking post-apocalyptic West to hunt colossal robotic beasts, using bows, traps and tactics to strip their components and exploit weak points. A lush open world full of secrets is tied to a gripping sci-fi mystery about the fall of the old world.
A survival MMO on Arrakis where you battle thirst, sandstorms and sandworms, build bases and fight rival guilds over precious spice. Its draw is a faithful, atmospheric take on the Dune universe, including the lore's Mentat and Bene Gesserit skill paths.
A survival MMO on Arrakis where you battle thirst, sandstorms and sandworms, build bases and fight rival guilds over precious spice. Its draw is a faithful, atmospheric take on the Dune universe, including the lore's Mentat and Bene Gesserit skill paths.
A vast, persistent space sandbox MMO where players shape trade, mining, warfare and politics in a fully player-driven economy. The steep learning curve and costly losses give every decision weight.
A vast, persistent space sandbox MMO where players shape trade, mining, warfare and politics in a fully player-driven economy. The steep learning curve and costly losses give every decision weight.
Bethesda's space RPG lets you roam hundreds of star systems as a custom character, building ships, chasing faction questlines and landing on countless planets. Classic Bethesda freedom meets a grounded NASA-punk look, though the procedural worlds can feel sparse.
2023PCPlayStationXbox49.99 €58 % positive
Mixed, 115,577 reviews on Steam
Shooting and gunplay
Action-packed real-time combat
Strong character progression
Bethesda's space RPG lets you roam hundreds of star systems as a custom character, building ships, chasing faction questlines and landing on countless planets. Classic Bethesda freedom meets a grounded NASA-punk look, though the procedural worlds can feel sparse.
As hunter Aloy you roam a lush post-apocalyptic wilderness full of animal-like machines that you take apart with bows, traps and tactics. A gripping sci-fi mystery about the fall of the old world ties it all together.
2017PCPlayStationSteam Deck verified88 % positive
Very positive, 125,197 reviews on Steam
Lavish presentation
Post-apocalyptic setting
Action-packed real-time combat
As hunter Aloy you roam a lush post-apocalyptic wilderness full of animal-like machines that you take apart with bows, traps and tactics. A gripping sci-fi mystery about the fall of the old world ties it all together.
A deeply complex space sandbox where you pilot ships yourself, run trade routes, build stations and grow an entire economic empire inside a living, simulated universe.
2018PCSteam Deck verified−80 %49.99 € 9.99 € 7 days left79 % positive
Mostly positive, 23,847 reviews on Steam
Economy and management
Deep systems to master
Driving or flying
A deeply complex space sandbox where you pilot ships yourself, run trade routes, build stations and grow an entire economic empire inside a living, simulated universe.
A classic isometric RPG set in nuclear-ravaged California, celebrated for its sweeping freedom of choice, dark humor and morally grey factions. Nearly every problem can be solved through combat, persuasion, stealth or trickery.
1998PCSteam Deck playable9.99 €94 % positive
Very positive, 15,434 reviews on Steam
Choices with consequences
Post-apocalyptic setting
Turn-based combat
A classic isometric RPG set in nuclear-ravaged California, celebrated for its sweeping freedom of choice, dark humor and morally grey factions. Nearly every problem can be solved through combat, persuasion, stealth or trickery.
As an astronaut you explore colorful planets, reshape terrain like clay with your terrain tool, and build bases with automated production chains. A relaxed mix of discovery, gathering and tinkering, solo or in co-op.
2019PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck playable29.99 €92 % positive
Very positive, 128,956 reviews on Steam
Cosy, great for unwinding
Distinctive, stylised art style
Building and crafting
As an astronaut you explore colorful planets, reshape terrain like clay with your terrain tool, and build bases with automated production chains. A relaxed mix of discovery, gathering and tinkering, solo or in co-op.
Hideo Kojima's sequel sends Sam on grueling delivery routes across Mexico and Australia, centered on route planning, infrastructure building and asynchronous cooperation with other players. It pairs this with a bizarre, lavishly cinematic story and more combat options than the original.
Hideo Kojima's sequel sends Sam on grueling delivery routes across Mexico and Australia, centered on route planning, infrastructure building and asynchronous cooperation with other players. It pairs this with a bizarre, lavishly cinematic story and more combat options than the original.
A vast space sandbox where you fly ships, build trading empires and factory complexes, and get drawn into conflicts between rival races. Freedom is huge, but the learning curve is steep.
2008PCSteam Deck playable−80 %15.99 € 3.19 € 7 days left85 % positive
Very positive, 2,791 reviews on Steam
Deep systems to master
Economy and management
Sandbox with your own goals
A vast space sandbox where you fly ships, build trading empires and factory complexes, and get drawn into conflicts between rival races. Freedom is huge, but the learning curve is steep.
As scoundrel Kay Vess and her critter companion Nix, you roam an open Star Wars galaxy, playing crime syndicates against each other while mixing stealth, blaster fights, speeder rides and space dogfights. Its appeal is the authentic smuggler-adventure fantasy across several richly detailed planets.
As scoundrel Kay Vess and her critter companion Nix, you roam an open Star Wars galaxy, playing crime syndicates against each other while mixing stealth, blaster fights, speeder rides and space dogfights. Its appeal is the authentic smuggler-adventure fantasy across several richly detailed planets.
An online space game about exploring a vast galaxy, mining resources, building your own ships, and automating planetary bases and interplanetary logistics. Trading and cooperating with other players is a core part of the experience.
An online space game about exploring a vast galaxy, mining resources, building your own ships, and automating planetary bases and interplanetary logistics. Trading and cooperating with other players is a core part of the experience.
You terraform a hostile planet by gathering resources, building bases and machines, and watching a barren wasteland slowly gain atmosphere, water and life. The blend of calm survival and visible, large-scale progress is what makes it special.
You terraform a hostile planet by gathering resources, building bases and machines, and watching a barren wasteland slowly gain atmosphere, water and life. The blend of calm survival and visible, large-scale progress is what makes it special.
You captain a small survey ship stranded in an unknown galaxy, trading, fighting or allying with alien species while upgrading into a battlecruiser. A space adventure built on discovery and a lingering mystery.
2018PCSteam Deck playable16.79 €90 % positive
Very positive, 2,286 reviews on Steam
Strong, story-driven narrative
Strong character progression
You captain a small survey ship stranded in an unknown galaxy, trading, fighting or allying with alien species while upgrading into a battlecruiser. A space adventure built on discovery and a lingering mystery.
Rodina lets you roam an entire solar system seamlessly, moving from your ship to planet surfaces with no loading screens. Space dogfights against an alien swarm and the mystery behind the fall of the Vanguard Company give the journey its pull.
2014PCSteam Deck playable14.99 €92 % positive
Very positive, 1,227 reviews on Steam
Open world
Lots to discover
Sci-fi setting
Rodina lets you roam an entire solar system seamlessly, moving from your ship to planet surfaces with no loading screens. Space dogfights against an alien swarm and the mystery behind the fall of the Vanguard Company give the journey its pull.
You pilot a spacecraft through a vast freeform universe where you choose your own mix of trading, combat and exploration. The simulation asks for patience to learn, but rewards you with a lot of freedom.
2016PCSteam Deck playable24.50 €82 % positive
Very positive, 416 reviews on Steam
Sandbox with your own goals
Action-packed real-time combat
You pilot a spacecraft through a vast freeform universe where you choose your own mix of trading, combat and exploration. The simulation asks for patience to learn, but rewards you with a lot of freedom.
A space action-adventure where you assemble ships from swappable parts (hull, wings, weapons) and fly freely between planets across an open star system. Mixing weapons, elemental effects and pilots keeps the dogfights varied.
2018PCPlayStationXbox29.99 €64 % positive
Mixed, 274 reviews on Steam
Action-packed real-time combat
Shooting and gunplay
Lavish presentation
A space action-adventure where you assemble ships from swappable parts (hull, wings, weapons) and fly freely between planets across an open star system. Mixing weapons, elemental effects and pilots keeps the dogfights varied.
A space sandbox survival game where you build your own ships, stations and planetary bases while exploring planets and deep space. Gathering resources, defending your bases and playing solo or with friends are at the core.
A space sandbox survival game where you build your own ships, stations and planetary bases while exploring planets and deep space. Gathering resources, defending your bases and playing solo or with friends are at the core.
Hideo Kojima's singular courier odyssey turns traversal itself into the game: balancing cargo, planning routes across haunting terrain, and building roads and bridges with unseen fellow players. It wraps this in a surreal, melancholic story about death and human connection.
2019PCPlayStation93 % positive
Very positive, 81,134 reviews on Steam
Lavish presentation
Strong, story-driven narrative
Post-apocalyptic setting
Hideo Kojima's singular courier odyssey turns traversal itself into the game: balancing cargo, planning routes across haunting terrain, and building roads and bridges with unseen fellow players. It wraps this in a surreal, melancholic story about death and human connection.
Vangers is a bizarre racing adventure set in a strange, mutated world where you play a courier hauling goods, trading and fighting. Its enigmatic atmosphere, great freedom and cryptic storyline make it a unique cult classic.
1998PCSteam Deck playable6.99 €94 % positive
Very positive, 1,268 reviews on Steam
Distinctive, stylised art style
Dark, serious atmosphere
Post-apocalyptic setting
Vangers is a bizarre racing adventure set in a strange, mutated world where you play a courier hauling goods, trading and fighting. Its enigmatic atmosphere, great freedom and cryptic storyline make it a unique cult classic.
A classic sci-fi RPG set in deep space where you recruit a team, outfit your ship and explore a vast procedurally generated universe. Ground battles play out as turn-based tactical combat.
A classic sci-fi RPG set in deep space where you recruit a team, outfit your ship and explore a vast procedurally generated universe. Ground battles play out as turn-based tactical combat.
You live as a freelance outlaw on the frontier of Terran space, choosing whether to trade, smuggle, hunt bounties or fight. The open galaxy full of pirates and Kilrathi is what makes this space game special.
You live as a freelance outlaw on the frontier of Terran space, choosing whether to trade, smuggle, hunt bounties or fight. The open galaxy full of pirates and Kilrathi is what makes this space game special.
An utterly unhinged open-world satire where you, as President of the Saints, sprint, leap and blast aliens with superpowers across a simulated Steelport. Silliness, pop-culture parody and chaotic fun come well before any realism.
2013PCPlayStationXboxSteam Deck playable19.99 €87 % positive
Very positive, 57,582 reviews on Steam
Lots of humour
Action-packed real-time combat
Shooting and gunplay
An utterly unhinged open-world satire where you, as President of the Saints, sprint, leap and blast aliens with superpowers across a simulated Steelport. Silliness, pop-culture parody and chaotic fun come well before any realism.
2025PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified−50 %69.99 € 34.99 € 8 days left
A colorful looter-shooter sending Vault Hunters to the new planet Kairos, packed with endless procedurally generated guns, deep skill trees and a now seamless open world with expanded movement. It shines brightest as chaotic co-op mayhem with friends.
2025PCPlayStationXboxNintendo SwitchSteam Deck verified−50 %69.99 € 34.99 € 8 days left
Shooting and gunplay
Action-packed real-time combat
Playing together in co-op
A colorful looter-shooter sending Vault Hunters to the new planet Kairos, packed with endless procedurally generated guns, deep skill trees and a now seamless open world with expanded movement. It shines brightest as chaotic co-op mayhem with friends.
A sandbox space game where you build your own ships and stations from blocks, explore the void, and fight in combat, whether solo or on multiplayer servers.
2014PC14.99 €68 % positive
Mixed, 2,969 reviews on Steam
Building and crafting
Sandbox with your own goals
Co-op or multiplayer
A sandbox space game where you build your own ships and stations from blocks, explore the void, and fight in combat, whether solo or on multiplayer servers.
A first-person shooter set in a vast, strange sci-fi landscape where you fight robot factions, capture outposts and explore the world at your own pace.
A first-person shooter set in a vast, strange sci-fi landscape where you fight robot factions, capture outposts and explore the world at your own pace.
A procedurally generated space sandbox where you build modular ships block by block and push toward the galactic core as a trader, mercenary or explorer. Ship building and freedom of playstyle are the heart of the game.
2017PCSteam Deck playable−50 %24.99 € 12.49 € 8 days left90 % positive
Very positive, 13,614 reviews on Steam
Building and crafting
Sandbox with your own goals
Strong character progression
A procedurally generated space sandbox where you build modular ships block by block and push toward the galactic core as a trader, mercenary or explorer. Ship building and freedom of playstyle are the heart of the game.
A space sandbox where you fly ships as Julian Gardna, trade, and build stations and factory networks within a living economy. Combat, trading and expansion blend into a complex, open-ended universe.
2003PC−80 %4.99 € 0.99 € 7 days left83 % positive
Very positive, 497 reviews on Steam
Economy and management
Sandbox with your own goals
Deep systems to master
A space sandbox where you fly ships as Julian Gardna, trade, and build stations and factory networks within a living economy. Combat, trading and expansion blend into a complex, open-ended universe.
Spore lets you guide your own species from a single cell to a galaxy-spanning empire, with each stage playing like a different genre. Its playful creature editor, letting you design nearly everything yourself, is the real star.
2008PC19.99 €92 % positive
Very positive, 66,120 reviews on Steam
Distinctive, stylised art style
Sandbox with your own goals
Building and crafting
Spore lets you guide your own species from a single cell to a galaxy-spanning empire, with each stage playing like a different genre. Its playful creature editor, letting you design nearly everything yourself, is the real star.
A visually stunning first-person open-world adventure where you play a Na'vi exploring Pandora's vibrant wilderness and fighting the RDA. Flying banshees, hunting and gathering are central to the experience.
2023PCPlayStationXbox29.99 €69 % positive
Mixed, 4,056 reviews on Steam
Lavish presentation
Shooting and gunplay
Action-packed real-time combat
A visually stunning first-person open-world adventure where you play a Na'vi exploring Pandora's vibrant wilderness and fighting the RDA. Flying banshees, hunting and gathering are central to the experience.
A physics-driven space sandbox where you engineer ships, stations and rovers block by block, mine asteroids and watch your creations get realistically torn apart. Its huge creative and technical freedom shines brightest with friends in co-op.
2019PCPlayStationXbox16.99 €89 % positive
Very positive, 132,347 reviews on Steam
Building and crafting
Sandbox with your own goals
Co-op or multiplayer
A physics-driven space sandbox where you engineer ships, stations and rovers block by block, mine asteroids and watch your creations get realistically torn apart. Its huge creative and technical freedom shines brightest with friends in co-op.
A unique genre blend of turn-based strategy, space trading, and real-time combat in a living galaxy where you fight as a Ranger against the Dominator invasion. Humorous text quests and great freedom in playstyle add to the charm.
A unique genre blend of turn-based strategy, space trading, and real-time combat in a living galaxy where you fight as a Ranger against the Dominator invasion. Humorous text quests and great freedom in playstyle add to the charm.
A top-down space game set in a randomly generated universe where you freely trade, fight and explore while upgrading your ship. Every playthrough differs since you pick your own profession and path.
A top-down space game set in a randomly generated universe where you freely trade, fight and explore while upgrading your ship. Every playthrough differs since you pick your own profession and path.
A vast, freely explorable space sandbox where you fly ships, trade, fight and build your own economic and fleet empire. The focus is on freedom and simulation rather than a tightly told story.
2011PC−80 %9.99 € 1.99 € 7 days left91 % positive
Very positive, 1,755 reviews on Steam
Driving or flying
Economy and management
Sandbox with your own goals
A vast, freely explorable space sandbox where you fly ships, trade, fight and build your own economic and fleet empire. The focus is on freedom and simulation rather than a tightly told story.
You are stranded on the procedurally generated alien planet Ketern, surviving through exploration, research, crafting and base building. A pulp sci-fi comic look gives the hostile world its own flavor.
You are stranded on the procedurally generated alien planet Ketern, surviving through exploration, research, crafting and base building. A pulp sci-fi comic look gives the hostile world its own flavor.
A voxel-style space adventure where you explore colorful planets, craft tools and build vehicles while fighting the Red Darkness. The focus is on discovery, crafting and tinkering in a large universe.
A voxel-style space adventure where you explore colorful planets, craft tools and build vehicles while fighting the Red Darkness. The focus is on discovery, crafting and tinkering in a large universe.
A space sandbox where you lead a fleet through a collapsed, post-apocalyptic galaxy. You scavenge, trade, fight real-time ship battles and customize ships, while AI captains pursue the same goals as you.
A space sandbox where you lead a fleet through a collapsed, post-apocalyptic galaxy. You scavenge, trade, fight real-time ship battles and customize ships, while AI captains pursue the same goals as you.
As a starship captain you build a crew and trade, fight and scheme your way through a huge sandbox galaxy. Turn-based ship and ground combat meets RPG progression and roguelike elements.
2017PCSteam Deck playable14.79 €83 % positive
Very positive, 3,687 reviews on Steam
Turn-based combat
Tactical depth
Strong character progression
As a starship captain you build a crew and trade, fight and scheme your way through a huge sandbox galaxy. Turn-based ship and ground combat meets RPG progression and roguelike elements.
You assemble rockets and spacecraft from parts and send the endearing Kerbals to moons and planets under realistic orbital physics. Failure is part of the fun and often as entertaining as success.
You assemble rockets and spacecraft from parts and send the endearing Kerbals to moons and planets under realistic orbital physics. Failure is part of the fun and often as entertaining as success.
As a FICSIT Pioneer you build sprawling automated factories in first person on an alien planet. Designing efficient production chains in a beautiful open world, solo or in co-op, is deeply satisfying.
As a FICSIT Pioneer you build sprawling automated factories in first person on an alien planet. Designing efficient production chains in a beautiful open world, solo or in co-op, is deeply satisfying.
A Russian hybrid space game where you freely roam a living galaxy as a Ranger, trading, fighting and taking on quests while resisting the Klissan invasion. Turn-based battles, text quests and tongue-in-cheek humor set it apart.
A Russian hybrid space game where you freely roam a living galaxy as a Ranger, trading, fighting and taking on quests while resisting the Klissan invasion. Turn-based battles, text quests and tongue-in-cheek humor set it apart.
An open-world action RPG set in a post-apocalyptic science-fantasy world, where Jax uses a jetpack, guns, and melee to unite factions against an alien invasion. A bit rough around the edges, but full of freedom and quirky charm.
2022PCPlayStationXbox49.99 €74 % positive
Mostly positive, 6,383 reviews on Steam
Post-apocalyptic setting
Melee combat with weapons or fists
Action-packed real-time combat
An open-world action RPG set in a post-apocalyptic science-fantasy world, where Jax uses a jetpack, guns, and melee to unite factions against an alien invasion. A bit rough around the edges, but full of freedom and quirky charm.
Sci-fi open worlds come in several flavors, and the first thing to decide is what kind of freedom you want. Some games hand you a whole galaxy and let you set your own goals, while others place you in one dense, story-driven city or on a single hostile planet. The tags on this list show the split clearly: exploration and survival on one side, RPG and story on the other.
If you want to roam without a fixed path, No Man's Sky offers survival, exploration and co-op across a huge number of planets, and it is available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch. Elite: Dangerous is tagged Difficult and aimed at players who like a more demanding space experience. For a calmer trip, SpaceEngine is tagged Relaxing and Realistic and is more about looking around than surviving. If you prefer a guided narrative, Cyberpunk 2077 combines an open city with an RPG structure, a first-person view and a story-rich setup.
Also check the pace and the platform. Subnautica is a survival game with Horror and Atmospheric tags, so it suits you if you like tension while you explore. Star Citizen and SpaceEngine are PC only, while Outer Wilds, a mystery-and-puzzle game about exploring space, runs on all four platforms listed. Fallout 4 is the pick here if you want a post-apocalyptic RPG with shooting.
Frequently asked questions
Which sci-fi open-world game is best for exploring planets?
No Man's Sky is the most direct choice, since it combines exploration, survival and co-op. SpaceEngine is a quieter option tagged Relaxing and Realistic if you only want to look around.
Which sci-fi open-world games have a strong story?
Cyberpunk 2077 is tagged Story Rich and RPG, and Outer Wilds is a story-rich mystery with puzzles. Endless Sky also carries Story Rich and Choices Matter tags if you play on PC.
Which of these games can I play with friends?
No Man's Sky, Star Citizen and Subnautica 2 are all tagged Co-op. Elite: Dangerous is also tagged Multiplayer.
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