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Space Engineers

18 Games like Space Engineers that you should try

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Looking for games like Space Engineers? We analyzed its gameplay DNA — sandbox freedom, sandbox world and combat tactical — against over 6,700 titles. These 18 alternatives are ranked by real similarity, not marketing tags. Stardew Valley leads with 90/100, followed by the rest of the list.

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GenreSandboxSubgenreCrafting Sandbox
Tags
SoloMultiplayer
Year 2013Dev Keen Software House

Quick answer

The closest game to Space Engineers is Stardew Valley — scoring 90/100 on our similarity scale. Scrap Mechanic and Cooking Simulator follow close behind.

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Top games similar to Space Engineers

18 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Space Engineers. Each one has been evaluated across 18 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

Stardew Valley
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
MultiplayerSoloCo-opSandbox WorldOpen WorldCraftingExploration
Steam👍 98%· 1.0MRAWG👍 88%· 2.5KMC89IGDB91· 13OC90· 76
Year 2016Dev ChucklefishPlaytime ~13hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the crafting sandboxes cluster, with sandbox freedom, deep simulation and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings deep RPG systems, visual novel storytelling and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping survival mechanics

Scrap Mechanic
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
MultiplayerCo-opSoloMeleeSandbox WorldOpen WorldExplorationCraftingFirst PersonThird PersonEarly Access
Steam👍 92%· 117KRAWG👍 70%· 124
Year 2016Dev Axolot GamesPlaytime ~6hOn PC

✓ Same family of crafting sandboxes: sandbox freedom, deep simulation and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with online features and base building, while skipping combat tactical

Cooking Simulator
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloCo-opSandbox WorldCraftingFirst Person
Steam👍 85%· 19KOC70· 7
Year 2019Dev Big Cheese Studio · Forever Entertainment S.A.On PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Fits the crafting sandboxes cluster, with sandbox freedom, deep simulation and sandbox world

≠ Stands apart with vibe casual, vibe relaxing and resource management, while skipping adventure storytelling

No Man's Sky
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeOpen WorldSandbox WorldSpaceSci-FiExplorationCraftingFirst PersonThird Person
Steam👍 85%· 407KRAWG👍 67%· 1.6KMC75IGDB74· 38OC71· 149
Year 2016Dev Hello GamesPlaytime ~15hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Same family of crafting sandboxes: sandbox freedom, adventure storytelling and deep simulation

≠ Its own twist: shooter, first-person shooting and strong narrative focus, while skipping combat tactical

Starbound
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
MultiplayerCo-opSoloMeleeSandbox WorldOpen WorldSci-FiSpaceCraftingExploration
Steam👍 90%· 123KRAWG👍 73%· 852MC81IGDB87· 5OC85· 19
Year 2016Dev ChucklefishPlaytime ~17hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Both are crafting sandboxes — sharing sandbox freedom, adventure storytelling and survival mechanics

≠ Where it differs: brings deep RPG systems, precision platforming and vibe casual, while skipping deep simulation

Minecraft
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloMultiplayerCo-opSandbox WorldOpen WorldExplorationCraftingFirst PersonThird Person
OC90· 44
Year 2016Dev Mojang StudiosOn Xbox · PS4 · Linux

✓ Fits the crafting sandboxes cluster, with sandbox freedom, deep simulation and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings turn-based strategy, dark, oppressive atmosphere and fantasy world, while skipping combat tactical

Loddlenaut
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloOpen WorldSandbox WorldSci-FiExplorationCraftingThird Person
Steam👍 98%· 5.7KOC81· 13
Year 2023Dev Moon Lagoon · Secret ModePlaytime ~4hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Fits the crafting sandboxes cluster, with sandbox freedom, adventure storytelling and survival mechanics

≠ Its own twist: vibe relaxing, cozy, relaxing feel and vibe casual, while skipping deep simulation

Terraria
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeSandbox WorldOpen WorldSci-FiCraftingExploration
Steam👍 97%· 1.5MRAWG👍 80%· 2.5KMC81IGDB81· 13OC79· 33
Year 2011Dev Engine Software · 505 GamesPlaytime ~15hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are crafting sandboxes — sharing sandbox freedom, adventure storytelling and survival mechanics

≠ Its own twist: deep RPG systems, precision platforming and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping combat tactical

Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloSandbox WorldCraftingThird PersonIsometric
IGDB78· 2
Year 2017Dev Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development · NintendoOn Android · iOS

✓ Same family of crafting sandboxes: sandbox freedom, deep simulation and sandbox world

≠ Where it differs: brings visual isometric and free to play, while skipping adventure storytelling

Potion Craft
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloSandbox WorldCraftingRelaxingCozy
Steam👍 93%· 43KIGDB70· 1OC83· 11
Year 2022Dev niceplay games · tinyBuildOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Fits the crafting sandboxes cluster, with sandbox freedom, deep simulation and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, deep RPG systems and vibe relaxing, while skipping survival mechanics

Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloSandbox WorldCraftingRelaxingCozy
Steam👍 93%· 43KRAWG👍 72%· 190OC77· 8
Year 2022Dev niceplay games · tinyBuildPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Xbox

✓ Both are crafting sandboxes — sharing sandbox freedom, deep simulation and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings deep RPG systems, puzzle design and vibe relaxing, while skipping survival mechanics

Unturned
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeOpen WorldSandbox WorldExplorationCraftingFirst PersonThird Person
Steam👍 91%· 563KRAWG👍 29%· 1.1K
Year 2014Dev 505 GamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Same family of crafting sandboxes: sandbox freedom, adventure storytelling and survival mechanics

≠ Its own twist: shooter, roguelike runs and first-person shooting, while skipping deep simulation

Poly Bridge
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloSandbox WorldCraftingHardcoreCozy
Steam👍 91%· 19KIGDB75· 2OC66· 12
Year 2016Dev Dry CactusOn Linux · Android · PC

✓ Same family of crafting sandboxes: sandbox freedom, deep simulation and sandbox world

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, punishing difficulty and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping adventure storytelling

Don't Starve
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloMultiplayerSandbox WorldOpen WorldExplorationCrafting
Year 2022Dev FrayzzLoveOn PC

✓ Both are crafting sandboxes — sharing sandbox freedom, survival mechanics and sandbox world

≠ Stands apart with horror tension, roguelike runs and punishing difficulty, while skipping deep simulation

Kitchen Simulator 2015
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloMeleeSandbox WorldExplorationCraftingFirst Person
Steam👍 40%· 329
Year 2015Dev WhackAKey GamesPlaytime ~4hOn PC

✓ Both are crafting sandboxes — sharing sandbox freedom, deep simulation and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings horror tension, vibe casual and strong narrative focus, while skipping survival mechanics

Complete list of Space Engineers alternatives

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Space Engineers, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Space Engineers?
The closest game to Space Engineers is Stardew Valley, scoring 90/100 on our similarity scale. They share 10 gameplay attributes, including sandbox freedom, deep simulation and adventure storytelling. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Space Engineers?
The three closest games to Space Engineers are: 1. Stardew Valley (90/100, 10 shared attributes) 2. Scrap Mechanic (89/100, 15 shared attributes) 3. Cooking Simulator (89/100, 7 shared attributes). All share Space Engineers's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 18 candidates across 18 dimensions.
Is Scrap Mechanic similar to Space Engineers?
Yes, very much so — Scrap Mechanic scores 89/100 similarity to Space Engineers. They share 15 attributes, including sandbox freedom and deep simulation. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What Sandbox games are similar to Space Engineers?
The best Sandbox games similar to Space Engineers are Stardew Valley, Scrap Mechanic, Cooking Simulator and No Man's Sky. All share the Sandbox genre alongside other key Space Engineers attributes like sandbox freedom, deep simulation and adventure storytelling.
How is similarity to Space Engineers calculated?
We compare Space Engineers against every game in our catalog using 18 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Space Engineers experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.
Are there free games similar to Space Engineers?
Yes — Unturned is free and scores well on similarity to Space Engineers. It's a great way to test whether the play style clicks before investing in other paid titles.