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Starbound

6 Melee games like Starbound that you should try

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We filtered the 16 games similar to Starbound down to the 6 that fit the “Melee” category. Scrap Mechanic, Space Engineers and No Man's Sky top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Starbound.

iRank82/ 100

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GenreSandboxSubgenreCrafting Sandbox
Tags
CasualRelaxingMultiplayerCo-op
Year 2016Dev Chucklefish
Stores
Steam ↗GOG ↗

Quick answer

Within the “Melee” category, the closest game to Starbound is Scrap Mechanic — scoring 95/100 on our similarity scale. Space Engineers and No Man's Sky follow close behind.

#1Scrap Mechanic95#2Space Engineers87#3No Man's Sky86#4Unturned83#5Terraria83
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The best melee games like Starbound

6 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Starbound. Each one has been evaluated across 22 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.

#1Scrap Mechanic
95
iRank83
Scrap Mechanic
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
MultiplayerCo-opSoloOnlineMeleeSandbox WorldOpen WorldExplorationCrafting
Steam👍 92%· 117KRAWG👍 70%· 124
Year 2016Dev Axolot GamesPlaytime ~6hOn PC

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

≠ Stands apart with deep simulation, base building and visual first person, while skipping deep RPG systems

Details →
Steam
#2Space Engineers
87
iRank76
Space Engineers
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeSandbox WorldOpen WorldSpaceSci-FiExplorationCrafting
Steam👍 89%· 134KRAWG👍 58%· 269MC68IGDB80· 1OC80· 5
Year 2013Dev Keen Software HousePlaytime ~5hOn PC · Xbox

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

≠ Stands apart with deep simulation, combat tactical and visual first person, while skipping deep RPG systems

Details →
SteamXbox
#3No Man's Sky
86
iRank76
No Man's Sky
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldSandbox WorldProceduralSpaceSci-FiExplorationCrafting
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 survival mechanics

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

Details →
SteamGOGXbox
#4Unturned
83
iRank66
Unturned
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloMultiplayerCo-opOnlineMeleeCasualNarrativeOpen WorldSandbox WorldExplorationCrafting
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 RPG systems

Details →
SteamXboxPS
#5Terraria
83
iRank86
Terraria
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloMultiplayerCo-opOnlineMeleeNarrativeSandbox WorldOpen WorldProceduralSci-FiCraftingExploration2DPixel Art
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, deep RPG systems and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: deep simulation, dark, oppressive atmosphere and combat magic, while skipping vibe casual

Details →
SteamGOGXbox
#6Kitchen Simulator 2015
76
iRank40
Kitchen Simulator 2015
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloMeleeCasualNarrativeSandbox WorldExplorationCrafting
Steam👍 40%· 329
Year 2015Dev WhackAKey GamesPlaytime ~4hOn PC

✓ Both are crafting sandboxes — sharing sandbox freedom, adventure storytelling and vibe casual

≠ Where it differs: brings deep simulation, horror tension and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping deep RPG systems

Details →
Steam

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