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Shortest Trip to Earth similar games & best alternatives

Shortest Trip to Earth

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2019

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Quick resume

Shortest Trip to Earth is a roguelike spaceship simulator focused on exploration, ship management and tactical battles. Embark on a perilous journey across the universe with nuclear missiles, armed crew and a cat.

Global score

77/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Indie, Simulator, Strategy, Real Time Strategy (RTS)

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    Pros

    • Deep and challenging gameplay
    • Rich ship and crew customization
    • Engaging tactical combat
    • High replay value
    • Immersive sci-fi setting and story

    Cons

    • Steep learning curve
    • Some ui and micromanagement tedium
    • Occasional bugs
    • Limited social or multiplayer features
    • Some balance issues with weapons and resources

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      4

      "Players have high control over ship systems, crew assignments, and tactical decisions during combat and exploration."

      Capsule for FTL: Faster Than Light FTL: Faster Than Light

      "Players have control over ship customization, crew assignments, and tactical decisions during combat and exploration."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      4

      "The game is challenging with tactical combat, stress management, and resource constraints requiring skillful play and strategic thinking."

      Capsule for Aliens: Dark Descent Aliens: Dark Descent

      "Game is challenging, requiring skillful resource management, tactical combat, and strategic planning."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      -3

      "Focus is on personal progression and overcoming game challenges rather than direct player-vs-player competition."

      Capsule for Brutal Orchestra Brutal Orchestra

      "Focus is on personal progression and overcoming game challenges rather than direct player-vs-player competition."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      4

      "Many players report long play sessions, high replayability, and motivation to keep playing despite difficulty and grind."

      Capsule for Deck of Ashes Deck of Ashes

      "Players report long sessions, high replay value, and motivation to keep playing despite difficulty."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      -4

      "Gameplay centers on managing own crew and ships with limited multiplayer or cooperative elements."

      Capsule for Space Haven Space Haven

      "Gameplay centers on individual ship and crew management with minimal multiplayer or cooperative elements."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      3

      "Players customize ship loadouts, crew composition, and tactical approaches, though ship layouts are preset."

      Capsule for FTL: Faster Than Light FTL: Faster Than Light

      "Players customize ships, crew loadouts, and module configurations, though within some constraints."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -4

      "Interactions are balanced against AI; no evidence of trash talk or social dominance features."

      Capsule for The Troop The Troop

      "Interactions are with AI enemies and environment; no evidence of social dominance or trash talk."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "Players use the game to immerse themselves in space exploration and escape real life."

      Capsule for Kerbal Space Program Kerbal Space Program

      "Players use the game as a challenging space exploration experience, escaping real life through immersion."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or pressure."

      Capsule for KARDS - The WW2 Card Game KARDS - The WW2 Card Game

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or pressure."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      4

      "Players try different ships, modes, and difficulty settings, exploring mechanics and testing strategies."

      Capsule for Super Galaxy Squadron EX Turbo Super Galaxy Squadron EX Turbo

      "Players try different ships, modules, crew setups, and tactics to overcome challenges."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      4

      "Exploration of large galaxies, star systems, and discovery of new planets and phenomena is core gameplay."

      Capsule for Space Empires IV Deluxe Space Empires IV Deluxe

      "Exploration of star systems, planets, and random events is a core gameplay element."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      2

      "Some character and ship customization options exist, allowing for personal expression within the game."

      Capsule for Jump Space Jump Space

      "Some character and ship customization allows for player expression, though limited to gameplay mechanics."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      3

      "Game features imaginative sci-fi setting with aliens and humorous story elements, providing a fictional experience."

      Capsule for Ancient Planet Tower Defense Ancient Planet Tower Defense

      "Game features imaginative sci-fi setting with alien species, space combat, and fictional events."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      -4

      "Minimal social interaction; gameplay is focused on solo play and personal goals."

      Capsule for Jurassic World Evolution Jurassic World Evolution

      "Minimal social interaction; gameplay is focused on solo play and individual objectives."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      4

      "Players learn mechanics, improve strategies, and unlock new captains, ships, and perks over time."

      Capsule for From Glory To Goo From Glory To Goo

      "Players learn game mechanics, improve strategies, and unlock new ships and perks over time."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -4

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

      Capsule for Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires focused attention and micromanagement; not designed for passive or background play."

      Capsule for KeeperRL KeeperRL

      "Requires focused attention and micromanagement; not designed for passive or background play."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      -4

      "No evidence of close social relationships or emotional sharing within the game."

      Capsule for No More Heroes 3 No More Heroes 3

      "No evidence of close social relationships or emotional sharing among players."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      3

      "Players lead and manage the ship and crew, making strategic decisions and directing activities."

      Capsule for Stardeus Stardeus

      "Players lead and manage their ship crew and make strategic decisions."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      4

      "Players accumulate resources, unlock parts, and upgrade ships and fleets over time."

      Capsule for Reassembly Reassembly

      "Players accumulate resources, unlock ships, and gain perks to improve future runs."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      -2

      "Game is challenging and tense, requiring careful planning and attention."

      Capsule for Cogmind Cogmind

      "Game is challenging and tense, requiring constant attention and resource management."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      2

      "Visual and auditory elements provide moderate sensory stimulation, but are simple and not intense."

      Capsule for Trick and Treat - Visual Novel Trick and Treat - Visual Novel

      "Visual and auditory elements provide moderate sensory stimulation, though not highly intense."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      -4

      "Achievements and progression are personal; no social recognition or popularity aspects."

      Capsule for The Slaverian Trucker The Slaverian Trucker

      "Achievements and progression are personal; no social recognition or popularity aspects."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      3

      "Includes some lore and graphic novel style events that add narrative immersion beyond gameplay."

      Capsule for Strinova Strinova

      "Narrative elements and random events add lore and immersion to the gameplay."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      5

      "Heavy emphasis on strategic planning, resource management, and tactical combat."

      Capsule for Songs of Syx Songs of Syx

      "Strong emphasis on tactical combat, resource management, and planning."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      3

      "Tense combat and resource scarcity create suspense and excitement."

      Capsule for Halcyon 6: Starbase Commander Halcyon 6: Starbase Commander

      "Tense combat and resource scarcity create suspense and excitement."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      4

      "Players perceive good value for time invested due to depth and replayability."

      Capsule for Project Hospital Project Hospital

      "Players perceive good value for time invested due to depth, challenge, and replayability."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      3

      "Combat involves destroying enemy ships with various weapons and abilities."

      Capsule for Ring Runner: Flight of the Sages Ring Runner: Flight of the Sages

      "Combat involves ship battles, weapons, and destruction of enemy ships."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      4

      "Core gameplay involves avoiding failure, managing resources, and overcoming threats to survive runs."

      Capsule for Spirit Hunters: Infinite Horde Spirit Hunters: Infinite Horde

      "Core gameplay involves managing resources and avoiding failure to survive through sectors."

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Leadership, Survival, Violence, Strategy. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Exploration. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Relaxation, Cooperation.

    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: 30/04/2026