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Starbound

4 Games with a sci-fi setting like Starbound that you should try

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We filtered the 16 games similar to Starbound down to the 4 that fit the “Sci-Fi” category. Space Engineers, No Man's Sky and Terraria 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 “Sci-Fi” category, the closest game to Starbound is Space Engineers — scoring 87/100 on our similarity scale. No Man's Sky and Terraria follow close behind.

#1Space Engineers87#2No Man's Sky86#3Terraria83#4Loddlenaut79
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The best games with a sci-fi setting like Starbound

4 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.

#1Space 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
#2No 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
#3Terraria
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
#4Loddlenaut
79
iRank92
Loddlenaut
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloRelaxingCasualNarrativeOpen WorldSandbox WorldSci-FiExplorationCraftingPixel Art
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: cozy, relaxing feel, visual 3d and visual third person, while skipping deep RPG systems

Details →
Steam

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