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The Universim

7 Games with a space setting like The Universim that you should try

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Ranking compiled by Lluis Enric Mayans, Founder & Head of ContentHow this is calculatedOrdered by an attribute-similarity model, not editorial opinion.

We filtered the 32 games similar to The Universim down to the 7 that fit the “Space” category. Surviving Mars, Oxygen Not Included and Maia top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to The Universim.

iRank71/ 100

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GenreStrategySubgenreColony Sim
Tags
CasualSolo
Year 2024Dev Crytivo

Quick answer

Within the “Space” category, the closest game to The Universim is Surviving Mars — scoring 93/100 on our similarity scale. Oxygen Not Included and Maia follow close behind.

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The best games with a space setting like The Universim

7 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to The Universim. Each one has been evaluated across 14 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.

#1Surviving Mars
Surviving Mars
StrategyColony Sim
SoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldSpaceSci-FiBase BuildingManagementExplorationIsometric
Steam👍 80%· 28KIGDB74· 7OC77· 60
Year 2018Dev Haemimont Games · Paradox InteractiveOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Nearly identical: deep simulation, survival mechanics and sandbox freedom.

≠ Missing: vibe casual.

Genre100Game mode100Setting100Progression100Visuals100World73
Oxygen Not Included
StrategyColony Sim
SoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldSci-FiSpaceBase BuildingManagementExploration
Steam👍 97%· 140KRAWG👍 85%· 379MC86
Year 2017Dev Klei EntertainmentPlaytime ~7hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Both are colony sims — sharing deep simulation, survival mechanics and sandbox freedom

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, punishing difficulty and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping vibe casual

In the space-colony simulation game Oxygen Not Included you’ll find that scarcities of oxygen, warmth and sustenance are constant threats to your colony's survival.

Where it drifts furthest from The Universim: tone and visuals.

Genre100Setting100Progression91Game mode87World74Tone0
Maia
StrategyRTS
SoloProceduralSandbox WorldSci-FiSpaceBase BuildingManagement
Steam👍 44%· 1.1K
Year 2013Dev Simon Roth · Machine StudiosPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Shared with The Universim: deep simulation, survival mechanics and sandbox freedom

≠ Where it differs: brings real-time strategy, crafting mechanics and early access, while skipping vibe casual

About This Game Maia is a strange and hostile alien world, toxic to humans, yet lush with new life. Your mission is to colonise this poison eden, survive it's dangers and establish humanity's first foothold in the stars.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against mostly positive for The Universim.

It predates The Universim by 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Game mode100Setting100Progression86World82Genre50
Dyson Sphere Program
StrategyCity Builder
SoloOpen WorldSandbox WorldSpaceSci-FiBase BuildingExplorationManagement
Steam👍 98%· 91KRAWG👍 85%· 84
Year 2021Dev Youthcat Studio · Gamera GamePlaytime ~8hOn PC

✓ Like The Universim, it's known for deep simulation, sandbox freedom and open world exploration

≠ Stands apart with visual 3d, visual third person and early access, while skipping survival mechanics

Dyson Sphere Program is a sci-fi simulation game with space, adventure, exploration and factory automation elements where you can build your own galactic industrial empire from scratch. In the distant future, the power of science and technology has ushered a new age to the human race.

Where it drifts furthest from The Universim: visuals.

Game mode100Setting100Progression100World79Genre50Visuals0
#5The Mims Beginning
The Mims Beginning
StrategyRTS
SoloCasualSci-FiSpaceBase BuildingManagement
Steam👍 76%· 290
Year 2016Dev Squatting Penguins · Ultimate GamesPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Shared with The Universim: deep simulation, vibe casual and setting scifi

≠ Where it differs: brings real-time strategy, adventure storytelling and fantasy world, while skipping sandbox freedom

Previews:Video game news outlets had this to say on 2 years old beta demo - bear in mind that the game underwent dramatic development since then: "The gameplay so far feels pretty solid, and is very much in line with what you’d expect from a city builder.

Where it drifts furthest from The Universim: visuals.

It predates The Universim by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Game mode100Tone100Progression90Setting83Genre50Visuals0
Unstoppable Gorg
StrategyTower Defense
SoloCasualSci-FiSpaceIsometric
Steam👍 79%· 307MC73IGDB73· 2
Year 2012Dev FuturemarkPlaytime ~1hOn PC · iOS · Apple Macintosh

✓ Like The Universim, it's known for vibe casual, setting scifi and setting space

≠ Stands apart with tower defense planning and melee combat, while skipping deep simulation

Get ready to experience a revolution in tower defense that will send you spinning. Unstoppable Gorg challenges you to defend the solar system from fearsome aliens by sending satellites into orbit. Unlike other tower defense games, in Unstoppable Gorg you can move your towers by rotating the orbits that surround planets, moons and space stations.

It predates The Universim by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Game mode100Tone100Setting100Visuals100Genre50
#7shapez 2 - Factory
shapez 2 - Factory
StrategyCity Builder
SoloCasualSandbox WorldProceduralSpaceManagementBase Building
Steam👍 97%· 14K
Dev tobspr Games · Gamera GamesPlaytime ~6hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Shared with The Universim: deep simulation, sandbox freedom and vibe casual

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, vibe relaxing and crafting mechanics, while skipping survival mechanics

Dive into a factory-building game where the focus is on just that — building huge factories! Construct sprawling multi-level factories and min-max your layouts without limits. Shapez 2 is tailor-made for enthusiasts who crave the thrill of optimizing production lines and perfecting automation.

Where it drifts furthest from The Universim: visuals.

Game mode100World84Setting83Progression75Tone67Genre50

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