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Roadside Research similar games & best alternatives

Roadside Research

Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2026

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Quick resume

Roadside Research is a 1 to 4 player co-op gas station simulator. Except you’re aliens. And undercover. Do very human things like restocking shelves while preparing for the invasion. Just don’t get caught.

Global score

87/100

Genres

Casual, Simulator, Early Access

buy on steam

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    Pros

    • Fun and unique alien twist on gas station sim
    • Excellent co-op gameplay and humor
    • Frequent developer updates and roadmap
    • Customization options like face masks
    • Engaging progression and upgrades

    Cons

    • Limited content and repetitive solo gameplay
    • Some bugs and ui issues
    • Motion sickness reported by some players
    • Lack of automation for solo play
    • Needs more alien-themed depth and events

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      3

      "Players have freedom to choose upgrades, manage resources, and plan progression, though gameplay is mostly incremental and routine."

      Capsule for Swarm Simulator: Evolution Swarm Simulator: Evolution

      "Players can freely choose how to run their gas station, decide on upgrades, and manage tasks with some freedom, though the gameplay loop is somewhat routine."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      2

      "Players engage in resource management and optimization challenges, but some tasks become repetitive and predictable over time."

      Capsule for Another Farm Roguelike Another Farm Roguelike

      "Players engage in skillful management and multitasking, especially in co-op, but some tasks become repetitive and predictable over time."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      -4

      "Focus is on cooperative play or solo experience without competitive elements or leaderboards."

      Capsule for Never Alone (Kisima Ingitchuna) Never Alone (Kisima Ingitchuna)

      "Focus is on cooperative and personal gameplay without competitive modes or leaderboards."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      3

      "Players report long sessions with friends and habitual play, though some find it repetitive solo."

      Capsule for Gang Beasts Gang Beasts

      "Players report long play sessions and habitual engagement, especially with friends, though some solo players find it overwhelming."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      4

      "Strong emphasis on co-op multiplayer modes and teamwork; many reviews highlight playing with friends and cooperative gameplay."

      Capsule for SCP: Containment Breach 2 SCP: Containment Breach 2

      "Strong emphasis on co-op play and teamwork; many reviews highlight fun playing with friends and coordinating tasks."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      3

      "Customization of character, weapons, armor, and lair; players can modify appearance and unlock various skins and options."

      Capsule for SUCCUBUS SUCCUBUS

      "Players can customize face masks and layout; some desire for more decoration and customization options."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -3

      "Interactions are generally equal and cooperative; no evidence of exerting control or superiority over others."

      Capsule for STORROR Parkour Pro STORROR Parkour Pro

      "Interactions are mostly equal and cooperative; no evidence of exerting control or superiority over others."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "Players use the game as a fun, silly distraction from real life, enjoying chaotic and absurd gameplay."

      Capsule for Havocado: Ragdoll Fighter Havocado: Ragdoll Fighter

      "Players use the game as a fun, silly distraction from real life, enjoying its humor and chaos."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily for fun and social interaction without obligation or pressure."

      Capsule for Use Your Words Use Your Words

      "Players engage voluntarily for fun and social interaction without obligation or pressure."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      3

      "Players try different monsters, strategies, and tactics; some experimentation with game mechanics and emergent play."

      Capsule for Dark Hours Dark Hours

      "Players try different strategies, experiment with alien gadgets and gameplay mechanics, though some routines emerge."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      1

      "Some discovery of new tasks and areas within the gas station environment, though limited by demo scope."

      Capsule for Gas Station Simulator: Prologue - Early Days Gas Station Simulator: Prologue - Early Days

      "Limited exploration of new areas; focus is more on managing and upgrading the gas station environment."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      3

      "Customization of character appearance and base building allows for player expression."

      Capsule for Forsaken Isle Forsaken Isle

      "Face mask customization and some environmental decoration allow for player expression."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      4

      "Strong sci-fi and alien themes with imaginative settings and narrative elements."

      Capsule for Solareth Solareth

      "Strong alien theme with imaginative fiction and humorous sci-fi elements."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      4

      "Strong community and social play aspects, especially through co-op; players enjoy shared experiences and humor."

      Capsule for Quest Hunter Quest Hunter

      "Players feel part of a community through co-op play and shared humorous experiences."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      3

      "Players learn management mechanics, unlock upgrades, and improve skills over time."

      Capsule for Blood Bar Tycoon Blood Bar Tycoon

      "Players learn and improve management skills and unlock upgrades, though some solo players find progression challenging."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

      "Typical sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

      Capsule for The Executive - Movie Industry Tycoon The Executive - Movie Industry Tycoon

      "Typical sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires active attention and multitasking; not suited for idle or background play."

      Capsule for Saloon Simulator: Prologue Saloon Simulator: Prologue

      "Requires active attention and multitasking; not suited for idle or background play."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      2

      "Social play with friends fosters some emotional connection, though interactions are mostly gameplay-focused rather than deep relationships."

      Capsule for FlyKnight FlyKnight

      "Social interactions with friends are meaningful but limited to gameplay cooperation rather than deep emotional connections."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      1

      "Some leadership in coordinating co-op strategies but generally balanced team roles."

      Capsule for Deathtrap Deathtrap

      "Some informal leadership in co-op teams but mostly shared responsibilities."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      4

      "Players accumulate money, upgrade and decorate the gas station, and unlock new features."

      Capsule for Gas Station Simulator: Prologue - Early Days Gas Station Simulator: Prologue - Early Days

      "Players accumulate upgrades, unlock new items and expand their gas station and alien abilities."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      2

      "Some players find the gameplay cathartic and immersive, though multitasking can cause stress."

      Capsule for Tech Support: Error Unknown Tech Support: Error Unknown

      "Generally fun and lighthearted, but some solo players find it stressful due to multitasking demands."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      3

      "Enjoyable visual style, sound effects, and humorous animations provide sensory and emotional fun."

      Capsule for Tape to Tape Tape to Tape

      "Enjoyable visual style and humorous animations provide sensory and emotional fun."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      -4

      "No social status or ranking systems; focus is on personal and cooperative play."

      Capsule for Juicy Realm Juicy Realm

      "No social status or ranking systems; focus is on personal and cooperative play."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      2

      "Some narrative context with ship defense and alien invasion theme, but gameplay is largely mission-based."

      Capsule for SENTRY SENTRY

      "Some narrative elements and thematic context around aliens and agents, but gameplay is mostly day-to-day simulation."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      3

      "Requires planning and problem solving to manage resources, upgrades, and threats."

      Capsule for Internet Cafe Simulator 2 Internet Cafe Simulator 2

      "Requires planning and problem solving to manage tasks, upgrades, and avoid suspicion."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      2

      "Some tension from trial-and-error and risk of failure, but overall lighthearted and humorous rather than suspenseful."

      Capsule for Reventure Reventure

      "Some tension from avoiding agents and managing chaos, but overall lighthearted and comedic."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      4

      "Players feel they get good entertainment value for price, especially with friends."

      Capsule for PILGRIM PILGRIM

      "Players feel they get good entertainment value for the price, especially with friends."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      -3

      "Gameplay focuses on constructive management and exploration rather than combat or destruction."

      Capsule for Promise Mascot Agency Promise Mascot Agency

      "Gameplay focuses on constructive management and humorous chaos rather than combat or destruction."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      2

      "Players must avoid failure by detecting anomalies to progress, creating a mild survival tension."

      Capsule for The Exit 8 The Exit 8

      "Some elements of avoiding failure and suspicion add mild survival tension."

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Violence, Status, Competition.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

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

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • 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.

    Last update: 10/05/2026