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Space Engineers

18 Games like Space Engineers that you should try

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Space Engineers is hard to replace: few games combine sandbox freedom, sandbox world and combat tactical in quite the same way. We analyzed over 2,000 titles across 18 gameplay attributes and found 18 genuine alternatives — not generic genre suggestions. Stardew Valley, Scrap Mechanic and Cooking Simulator lead the list, with Stardew Valley reaching a 90/100 similarity score. Every game here is ranked by how closely it replicates what makes Space Engineers special.

iRank74/ 100

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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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Games like Space Engineers

18 similar games found
90
iRank92
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

89
iRank83
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

89
iRank76
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

87
iRank84
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

85
iRank90
Minecraft
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloMultiplayerCo-opSandbox WorldOpen WorldExplorationCraftingFirst PersonThird Person
OC90· 44
Year 2016Dev Mojang StudiosOn Xbox · PS4 · Linux

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

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

81
iRank92
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

82
iRank86
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

77
iRank85
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

80
iRank66
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

77
iRank81
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

Games like Space Engineers

Rankings in the same genre

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.