13 Simulation games like Universe Sandbox that you should try

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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 13 that fit the “Simulation” 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 simulation games like Universe Sandbox

13 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 WorldSpaceExplorationMelee

Steam👍 96%· 102KIGDB85· 7OC85· 61

Year 2019Dev Mobius Digital · Annapurna InteractiveOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Both are open-world adventures — sharing deep simulation, open world exploration and setting space

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, puzzle design and horror tension, while skipping sandbox freedom

Released 4 years after Universe Sandbox.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Setting67World62

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloOpen WorldExplorationNarrativeDark

Steam👍 63%· 1.3KIGDB85· 7OC79· 50

Year 2019Dev Furious Bee Limited · Annapurna InteractiveOn PS4 · PC · iOS

✓ Both are open-world adventures — sharing deep simulation, open world exploration and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, puzzle design and strong narrative focus, while skipping sandbox freedom

Released 4 years after Universe Sandbox.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100World64

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Steam GOG PS

#8Train Simulator Classic

iRank65

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloOpen WorldExplorationRelaxingCasual

Steam👍 72%· 29KRAWG👍 54%· 70

Year 2009Dev Dovetail GamesPlaytime ~4hOn PC

✓ Both are open-world adventures — sharing deep simulation, open world exploration and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: vibe relaxing and vibe casual, while skipping sandbox freedom

Train Simulator 2015 is a train simulation game developed by Dovetail Games. It follows Dovetail Games annual game release model. ###Gameplay There is no plot present in the game.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100World50

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloOpen WorldExplorationNarrativeProcedural

Steam👍 87%· 18KIGDB91· 5OC89· 117

Year 2025Dev Dogubomb · Raw FuryOn Xbox · Switch · PC

✓ Fits the open-world adventures cluster, with deep simulation, open world exploration and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, puzzle design and roguelike runs, while skipping sandbox freedom

Where it drifts furthest from Universe Sandbox: world.

Released 10 years after Universe Sandbox.

Genre100Game mode100Progression71World37

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloOpen WorldExplorationNarrativeRelaxing

Steam👍 75%· 5.8KOC80· 14

Year 2017Dev David WehleOn PS4 · Linux · Android

✓ Both are open-world adventures — sharing deep simulation, open world exploration and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, precision platforming and strong narrative focus, while skipping sandbox freedom

Where it drifts furthest from Universe Sandbox: setting.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100World59Setting0

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Steam GOG Epic

#11Thief Gold

iRank91

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloOpen WorldExplorationStealthMelee

Steam👍 92%· 4.1KIGDB90· 1

Year 1999Dev Looking Glass Studios · Eidos InteractiveOn PC

✓ Both are open-world adventures — sharing deep simulation, open world exploration and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, horror tension and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping sandbox freedom

Where it drifts furthest from Universe Sandbox: setting.

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

Genre100Game mode100Progression100World55Setting0

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Steam GOG

#12Agricultural Simulator: Historical Farming

iRank25

GenreAdventureSubgenreOpen World Action-Adventure

SoloOpen WorldExplorationCasualCozy

Steam👍 25%· 304

Year 2013Dev Actalogic · United Independent EntertainmentPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Same family of open-world adventures: deep simulation, open world exploration and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings vibe casual, cozy, relaxing feel and vibe relaxing, while skipping sandbox freedom

Enjoy being a farmer between 1950 and 1970 in the Agricultural Simulator – Historical Farming. The game takes you to the good old days and you will experience the charming farming of the 60's and 70's.

Where it drifts furthest from Universe Sandbox: setting.

Genre100Game mode100World64Progression64Setting0

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Steam

#13Abzu

iRank87