14 Sandbox games like Universe Sandbox that you should try

Games like Universe Sandbox · Find similar →

Ranking compiled by Lluis Enric Mayans, Founder & Head of ContentUpdated May 19, 2026How this is calculatedOrdered by an attribute-similarity model, not editorial opinion.

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We filtered the 48 games similar to Universe Sandbox down to the 14 that fit the “Sandbox” category. Kerbal Space Program, X2: The Threat and X: Beyond the Frontier top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Universe Sandbox.

iRank78/ 100

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GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

The best sandbox games like Universe Sandbox

14 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Universe Sandbox. Each one has been evaluated across 7 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.

#1Kerbal Space ProgramClosest overall match

iRank88

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldSpaceExploration

Steam👍 95%· 140KRAWG👍 84%· 408MC88IGDB87· 7OC81· 41

Year 2015Dev Squad · Private DivisionPlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Same family of open-world adventures: deep simulation, sandbox freedom and sandbox world

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, punishing difficulty and setting scifi

How to build a spaceship capable of delivering a human crew into space - and return this crew back?

Genre100Game mode100World100Setting80Progression71

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloOpen WorldSandbox WorldSpaceExploration

Steam👍 83%· 522RAWG👍 58%· 36MC72IGDB67· 2

Year 2003Dev EgosoftPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Same family of open-world adventures: deep simulation, sandbox freedom and open world exploration

≠ Stands apart with turn-based strategy, melee combat and setting scifi

X²: The Threat is of a new generation of space simulator games, you play the role of Julian Gardna who continues the story set by X: Beyond The Frontier. The updated graphics engine gives the universe a fresher feel with newly designed ships and stations adding to the complexity of the universe.

It predates Universe Sandbox by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100World100Setting80Progression58

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Steam GOG

#3X: Beyond the Frontier

iRank60

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldSpaceExploration

Steam👍 75%· 387RAWG👍 56%· 32MC67IGDB30· 1

Year 1999Dev Egosoft · THQPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Fits the open-world adventures cluster, with deep simulation, sandbox freedom and sandbox world

≠ Where it differs: brings turn-based strategy, melee combat and setting scifi

The Human Race had advanced to the point where we could travel among the stars, we developed giant automated machines to help us colonise other worlds, but there was a fault in their programming and they turned and attacked. Forcing us to lay a trap to protect Earth and exiling the Human race to stay on Earth once again.

It predates Universe Sandbox by 16 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100World100Setting78Progression67

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Steam

#4SpaceEngineClosest on progression

iRank93

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloOpen WorldSandbox WorldSpaceExploration

Steam👍 96%· 16KRAWG👍 89%· 36

Year 2019Dev Vladimir RomanyukPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Fits the open-world adventures cluster, with deep simulation, sandbox freedom and open world exploration

≠ Stands apart with vibe casual, vibe relaxing and strong narrative focus

SpaceEngine is a 1:1 scale science-based Universe simulator, featuring billions upon billions of galaxies, nebulae, stars, and planets, all shown at their full real-world scale.

Released 4 years after Universe Sandbox.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100World80Setting70

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldExplorationMagic

Steam👍 67%· 2.9KIGDB80· 5

Year 2011Dev Ubisoft Montpellier · Ubisoft EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3 · PC

✓ Fits the open-world adventures cluster, with deep simulation, sandbox freedom and sandbox world

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, puzzle design and combat magic, while skipping setting space

Where it drifts furthest from Universe Sandbox: setting.

Genre100Game mode100World100Progression100Setting0

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloOpen WorldSandbox WorldExplorationRanged

Steam👍 86%· 36KIGDB89· 7

Year 2011Dev Team Bondi · Take-Two InteractiveOn PlayStation 3 · PC

✓ Both are open-world adventures — sharing sandbox freedom, open world exploration and sandbox world

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, strong narrative focus and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping deep simulation

Where it drifts furthest from Universe Sandbox: setting.

Genre100Game mode100World100Progression100Setting0

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Steam PS

#7Scribblenauts Unlimited

iRank87

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldExplorationMagic

Steam👍 94%· 12KIGDB72· 10

Year 2012Dev 5th Cell · WB GamesOn Android · PC · iOS

✓ Both are open-world adventures — sharing sandbox freedom, sandbox world and open world exploration

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, puzzle design and precision platforming, while skipping deep simulation

Where it drifts furthest from Universe Sandbox: setting.

Genre100Game mode100World100Progression100Setting0

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloOpen WorldSandbox WorldExplorationCasual

Steam👍 92%· 5.6KIGDB78· 6OC76· 38

Year 2015Dev Ubisoft Reflections · Ubisoft EntertainmentOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Fits the open-world adventures cluster, with sandbox freedom, open world exploration and sandbox world

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

Where it drifts furthest from Universe Sandbox: setting.

Genre100Game mode100World100Progression100Setting0

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Steam PS

#9The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldExplorationRanged

Year 1998Dev Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development · Nintendo

✓ Fits the open-world adventures cluster, with sandbox freedom, sandbox world and open world exploration

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, puzzle design and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping deep simulation

Where it drifts furthest from Universe Sandbox: setting.

It predates Universe Sandbox by 17 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100World100Progression100Setting0

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#10The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

iRank95

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldExplorationRanged

IGDB95· 6OC95· 164

Year 2023Dev Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 3 · NintendoOn Switch

✓ Same family of open-world adventures: sandbox freedom, sandbox world and open world exploration

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, puzzle design and ranged combat, while skipping deep simulation

Where it drifts furthest from Universe Sandbox: setting.

Released 8 years after Universe Sandbox.

Genre100Game mode100World100Progression64Setting0

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Nintendo

#11The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

iRank91

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldExplorationMagic

IGDB92· 15OC90· 71

Year 2013Dev Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No.3 · Nintendo

✓ Fits the open-world adventures cluster, with sandbox freedom, sandbox world and open world exploration

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, puzzle design and combat magic, while skipping deep simulation

Where it drifts furthest from Universe Sandbox: setting.

Genre100Game mode100World100Progression51Setting0

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldExplorationStealth

IGDB81· 4

Year 2007Dev Ubisoft Montreal · Ubisoft EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3

✓ Same family of open-world adventures: sandbox freedom, sandbox world and open world exploration

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, precision platforming and stealth mechanics, while skipping deep simulation

Where it drifts furthest from Universe Sandbox: setting.

It predates Universe Sandbox by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100World100Progression51Setting0

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Xbox

#13The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

iRank97

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldExplorationRanged

IGDB98· 27OC96· 167

Year 2017Dev Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 3 · NintendoOn Switch

✓ Same family of open-world adventures: sandbox freedom, sandbox world and open world exploration

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, puzzle design and ranged combat, while skipping deep simulation

Where it drifts furthest from Universe Sandbox: setting and progression.

Genre100Game mode100World100Progression40Setting0

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Nintendo

#14Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

iRank89

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldExplorationMultiplayer

IGDB89· 9

Year 2009Dev Rockstar Leeds · Rockstar GamesOn Android · iOS

✓ Same family of open-world adventures: sandbox freedom, sandbox world and open world exploration

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, shooter and melee combat, while skipping deep simulation

Genre100World100Progression100Game mode54

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