Exoplanet: First Contact similar games & best alternatives

Exoplanet: First Contact - exoplanet-first-contact_1.avif
Exoplanet: First Contact - exoplanet-first-contact_2.avif
Exoplanet: First Contact - exoplanet-first-contact_3.avif
Exoplanet: First Contact - exoplanet-first-contact_4.avif
Exoplanet: First Contact - exoplanet-first-contact_5.avif
Exoplanet: First Contact - exoplanet-first-contact_6.avif

Exoplanet: First Contact

Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2016

Should you play it?

Build your path in this alien world. Do a dirty job for food or become the one who makes calls. Sometimes the right word makes a bigger impact than a big gun. Explore local culture and mysteries, and discover the harsh yet beautiful nature in this handcrafted singleplayer action RPG.

What works
  • Immersive sci-fi western setting
  • Large explorable open world
  • Branching quests with meaningful choices
  • Frequent developer updates and community engagement
  • Crafting and character progression systems
Things to keep in mind
  • Clunky and unpolished combat mechanics
  • Limited character customization
  • Some bugs and performance issues
  • Lack of voice acting
  • Early access content is limited

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • The Bloodline

  • Stygian: Outer Gods

  • Monomyth

  • Touhou Blooming Soul

  • Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon

  • DEAD OR SCHOOL

  • Venetica - Gold Edition

  • Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree

  • Lunavania
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Stygian: Outer Gods

  • Monomyth

  • Shattered Divinities
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Exploration

    Swords 'n Magic and Stuff
  • Autonomy

    Esoteric Ebb
  • Escapism

    Haiku, the Robot

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

Exoplanet: First Contact: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Survival, Violence, Fellowship, Intimacy. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Exploration, Story. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Leadership.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players have freedom to choose character builds, dialogue options, and explore the world at their own pace with multiple approaches to quests."

    Capsule for Esoteric Ebb Esoteric Ebb

    "Players have freedom to explore a large open world, make choices in dialogue, and pursue quests in multiple ways, indicating high autonomy."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    2

    "Combat is simple and somewhat clunky but progression and crafting provide skill challenges; some players find combat easy or basic."

    Capsule for Voyagers of Nera Voyagers of Nera

    "Combat and crafting systems are currently basic and clunky but offer some skill challenge; exploration and quest solving require attention and learning."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -4

    "Focus is on single-player experience with no evidence of competitive modes or leaderboards."

    Capsule for Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed

    "Focus is on single-player experience with no evidence of competitive modes or leaderboards."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    3

    "Players report long play sessions, replayability through multiple modes, and ongoing developer support encouraging habitual play."

    Capsule for War for the Overworld War for the Overworld

    "Players report spending many hours exploring and replaying; devs provide frequent updates encouraging habitual play."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Game is single-player focused with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay elements."

    Capsule for Patron Patron

    "Game is single-player focused with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay elements."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    3

    "Players can customize characters, modify weapons, craft items, and choose different quest solutions, supporting creative problem solving."

    Capsule for Swordhaven: Iron Conspiracy Swordhaven: Iron Conspiracy

    "Players can craft items and customize gear; exploration and quest approaches allow creative problem solving."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control over others; interactions are balanced and player manages NPCs without dominance themes."

    Capsule for Lakeburg Legacies Lakeburg Legacies

    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over other players; interactions are with NPCs in a balanced manner."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Immersive world and exploration provide a strong escape from real life."

    Capsule for Haiku, the Robot Haiku, the Robot

    "The immersive sci-fi western setting and exploration provide strong escape from real life."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment; no indications of obligation or pressure."

    Capsule for Jagged Alliance - Back in Action Jagged Alliance - Back in Action

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment; no indications of obligation or pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players explore new areas, try side quests, and experiment with game mechanics and customization"

    Capsule for Beyond Good & Evil - 20th Anniversary Edition Beyond Good & Evil - 20th Anniversary Edition

    "Players explore new areas, try different quest solutions, and experiment with crafting and combat mechanics."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    5

    "Exploration is a core motivation with hidden quests, secrets, and large open world."

    Capsule for Swords 'n Magic and Stuff Swords 'n Magic and Stuff

    "Exploration is a core motivation with a large open world full of hidden areas, caves, and secrets."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    2

    "Character customization is limited but players can modify weapons and combat styles."

    Capsule for FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH

    "Character customization is limited but players can outfit their character with different gear and weapons."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "Set in a fictional alien world with imaginative creatures and a western theme, blending fantasy and sci-fi elements."

    Capsule for Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD

    "Strong sci-fi western fantasy setting with imaginative alien worlds and characters."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "No social or community gameplay; focus is on solo play."

    Capsule for Airborne Empire Airborne Empire

    "No social or community gameplay; focus is on solo play and individual experience."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop skills, learn game mechanics, and improve character abilities over time."

    Capsule for The Outer Worlds: Spacer's Choice Edition The Outer Worlds: Spacer's Choice Edition

    "Players develop character stats, skills, and abilities; learn game mechanics and improve over time."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Game promotes sedentary play with no physical activity; survival is mental and resource management focused."

    Capsule for Delivery from the Pain:Survival / 末日方舟:生存 Delivery from the Pain:Survival / 末日方舟:生存

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; survival mechanics encourage resource management but not physical exercise."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires active attention and exploration; not designed for background or idle play."

    Capsule for The Witch of Fern Island The Witch of Fern Island

    "Game requires active attention and exploration; not designed for background or idle play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of forming close relationships or emotional sharing; interactions are limited to NPC dialogue."

    Capsule for Lost in Random: The Eternal Die Lost in Random: The Eternal Die

    "Interactions are limited to NPC dialogue with no evidence of forming close relationships or emotional sharing."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership roles or group management; player acts independently."

    Capsule for Virtual Rides 3 - Funfair Simulator Virtual Rides 3 - Funfair Simulator

    "No leadership roles or group management; player acts independently."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

    "Character leveling, skill upgrades, and equipment improvements provide a sense of progression."

    Capsule for Of Orcs And Men Of Orcs And Men

    "Character leveling, acquiring better gear, and completing quests provide a sense of progression."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    2

    "Exploration and atmosphere provide relaxation, though combat and lag can cause tension."

    Capsule for Animyst Animyst

    "Exploration and atmosphere provide some relaxation, though combat and survival elements add tension."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    2

    "Visuals and sound design create immersive sensory experience, though graphics are modest."

    Capsule for Heat Death: Survival Train Heat Death: Survival Train

    "Visuals and sound create an immersive sensory experience, though graphics are modest and combat feedback limited."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "No social recognition or ranking systems; achievements are personal and not publicly evaluated."

    Capsule for SULFUR SULFUR

    "No social recognition or ranking systems; achievements are personal and not publicly evaluated."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    4

    "Rich narrative with character-specific quests and dialogue; story immersion is a key feature."

    Capsule for Eon Altar Eon Altar

    "Narrative immersion is important with branching quests, character interactions, and lore-rich dialogue."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    2

    "Players plan automation, resource management, and combat tactics, though complexity is moderate."

    Capsule for Return from Core Return from Core

    "Players must plan combat tactics, resource management, and quest approaches, though complexity is moderate."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    2

    "Combat and survival elements provide moments of tension and excitement, though overall pacing is moderate."

    Capsule for Bastion Bastion

    "Survival threats and combat provide moments of tension and excitement, but overall pacing is moderate."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    3

    "Players feel the game offers good value for money with ongoing updates and content."

    Capsule for TerraTech TerraTech

    "Players feel the game offers good value for money especially given frequent updates and content additions."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    3

    "Combat and destruction are core gameplay elements with shooting enemies and using weapons."

    Capsule for Blazing Beaks Blazing Beaks

    "Combat with firearms and melee weapons is a core gameplay element involving destruction of enemies."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    2

    "Some survival elements like hunger and resource management, but not very punishing."

    Capsule for Block Story™ Block Story™

    "Survival mechanics like hunger, thirst, and resource gathering are present but not highly punishing."

Last update: 11/07/2026