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Space Engineers similar games & best alternatives

Space Engineers

PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 • 2019

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Quick resume

Space Engineers is a sandbox game about engineering, construction, exploration and survival in space and on planets. Players build space ships, space stations, planetary outposts of various sizes and uses, pilot ships and travel through space to explore planets and gather resources to survive.

Global score

89/100

Genres

Action, Indie, Simulator, Strategy, Adventure

Similar games

    Pros

    • Extensive creative freedom and building possibilities
    • Complex physics and engineering simulation
    • Active and supportive modding community
    • Engaging multiplayer with cooperation and factions
    • Regular updates and developer involvement

    Cons

    • Steep learning curve and complex ui
    • Performance and optimization issues especially on weaker pcs
    • Lack of strong narrative and npc interactions
    • Multiplayer can be affected by trolls and griefing
    • Some bugs and glitches persist

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      5

      "Players have full freedom to explore, build, trade, fight, and customize ships and stations in a vast sandbox universe."

      Capsule for Evochron Legacy SE Evochron Legacy SE

      "Players have full freedom to design, build, and control their own ships, bases, and strategies in an open sandbox environment without fixed paths or objectives."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      4

      "The game offers a challenging building and piloting experience with skill-based physics and scenario challenges."

      Capsule for KitHack Model Club KitHack Model Club

      "The game features complex engineering challenges, physics-based building, resource management, and survival mechanics that require skill and learning."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      1

      "There is some PvP and faction rivalry, but many players focus on cooperative or solo play without heavy competition."

      Capsule for Empyrion - Galactic Survival Empyrion - Galactic Survival

      "While PvP and faction conflicts exist, many players focus on personal or cooperative play; competition is present but not the main focus."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      4

      "Many players report long sessions, habitual play, and strong attachment to the game."

      Capsule for Wildgate Wildgate

      "Many players report long sessions and habitual play, with high attachment to ongoing projects and repeated return to the game."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      4

      "Strong teamwork within factions, coordinating strategies and sharing information to achieve goals."

      Capsule for Throne of Lies®: Medieval Politics Throne of Lies®: Medieval Politics

      "Strong multiplayer and faction systems encourage teamwork, cooperative building, and shared goals among players."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      5

      "Core gameplay revolves around creating and modifying builds with diverse combinations of classes, skills, and equipment."

      Capsule for Path of Achra Path of Achra

      "Core gameplay revolves around creative building, customization, and modding, with nearly unlimited possibilities for player creations."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      1

      "Some players engage in faction dominance and PvP, but interactions are mostly balanced and respectful."

      Capsule for Avorion Avorion

      "Some players engage in PvP and faction warfare, but interactions are often balanced with cooperation and mutual respect."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "Players use the game as an immersive space sandbox to escape real life and engage in epic space battles."

      Capsule for Void Destroyer 2 Void Destroyer 2

      "Players use the game as a deep immersive space sandbox to escape reality, exploring and building in a vast universe."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -3

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

      Capsule for Dragon Nest Dragon Nest

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and passion rather than obligation, though some feel pressure from community or multiplayer."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      4

      "The game encourages trying different strategies, roles, and mods, fostering exploration of mechanics."

      Capsule for Mount & Blade Mount & Blade

      "The game encourages trying new designs, testing mechanics, and modding, fostering exploration of novel gameplay elements."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      4

      "Players explore vast galaxies, planets, and ecosystems, discovering new content and player creations."

      Capsule for SPORE™ Creepy & Cute Parts Pack SPORE™ Creepy & Cute Parts Pack

      "Players explore vast planets, asteroids, and space environments, with discovery and navigation being key parts of gameplay."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      4

      "Players can customize ship appearance and design extensively, expressing personal style through creations."

      Capsule for Cosmoteer: Starship Architect & Commander Cosmoteer: Starship Architect & Commander

      "Players extensively customize ships, bases, and equipment, expressing personal style and creativity."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      2

      "While grounded in realistic physics, the game allows imaginative scenarios and creative space missions."

      Capsule for Spaceflight Simulator Spaceflight Simulator

      "The game is set in a sci-fi universe with some imaginative elements, but physics and engineering are grounded in realism."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      4

      "Strong community and multiplayer roleplay foster a sense of belonging and shared identity."

      Capsule for Flashing Lights - Police, Firefighting, Emergency Services (EMS) Simulator Flashing Lights - Police, Firefighting, Emergency Services (EMS) Simulator

      "Strong community presence and multiplayer factions create a sense of belonging and shared identity."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      4

      "Players learn complex mechanics, research tech, and improve strategies over time, showing strong personal development."

      Capsule for Warzone 2100 Warzone 2100

      "Players learn complex systems, engineering, and game mechanics over time, showing significant personal development."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -4

      "Gameplay is primarily sedentary with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

      Capsule for Judgment Judgment

      "Gameplay is predominantly sedentary with no physical activity or health-related mechanics beyond in-game survival."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -4

      "Gameplay requires constant attention and active engagement, especially at higher difficulty levels."

      Capsule for VR The Diner Duo VR The Diner Duo

      "The game requires constant attention and active engagement, especially in survival and multiplayer modes."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      1

      "Some social interaction and friendships form in multiplayer, but emotional sharing is limited."

      Capsule for Stellaris Stellaris

      "Some social interaction and friendships form in multiplayer, but emotional sharing is limited and mostly surface-level."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      3

      "Players can lead factions and manage party members, guiding decisions and strategies."

      Capsule for Hero's Adventure: Road to Passion Hero's Adventure: Road to Passion

      "Players can lead factions and groups, managing resources and strategies, though many also play supportive roles."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      4

      "Strong progression through resource gathering, tech unlocking, ship and base upgrades."

      Capsule for Empyrion - Galactic Survival Empyrion - Galactic Survival

      "Strong progression through resource gathering, crafting, and upgrading ships and bases is central to gameplay."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      2

      "Some players find relaxation in building and exploration, though survival and combat add tension."

      Capsule for Empyrion - Galactic Survival Empyrion - Galactic Survival

      "Players experience flow and relaxation in creative building, though survival and combat can create tension."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      3

      "Visuals, physics, and sound design provide engaging sensory feedback and excitement."

      Capsule for Mash Box Mash Box

      "Visuals, sound design, and physics effects provide stimulating sensory feedback and emotional excitement."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      1

      "Some recognition through multiplayer and community, but mostly individual focus"

      Capsule for Warhammer® 40,000: Dawn of War® II Chaos Rising Warhammer® 40,000: Dawn of War® II Chaos Rising

      "Some recognition occurs through multiplayer and community, but many players focus on personal or cooperative goals."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      -2

      "Minimal narrative or lore; gameplay centers on sandbox building and survival rather than story immersion."

      Capsule for Don't get lost Don't get lost

      "The game has minimal narrative and lore; gameplay is largely context-free sandbox without strong story immersion."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      4

      "Players engage in planning, problem solving, and optimizing business operations requiring strategic thinking."

      Capsule for King of Retail King of Retail

      "Players engage in complex problem solving, planning, and engineering challenges requiring strategic thinking."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      3

      "Combat difficulty and survival mode provide suspense and excitement."

      Capsule for Armed with Wings: Rearmed Armed with Wings: Rearmed

      "Survival mode and combat provide suspense and excitement, though creative mode is more controlled and calm."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      4

      "Players perceive good value for time and money due to engaging content and long playtime."

      Capsule for Rusty's Retirement Rusty's Retirement

      "Players perceive good value for time and money due to extensive content, modding, and long-term engagement."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      2

      "Combat and destruction are present and enjoyable but balanced with constructive and strategic gameplay."

      Capsule for Heart of the Machine Heart of the Machine

      "Combat and destruction are present and enjoyed by some players, but building and constructive play are equally emphasized."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      4

      "Survival mechanics with resource management, avoiding threats, and strategic defense are key."

      Capsule for SKIBIDI GYATROOMS SKIBIDI GYATROOMS

      "Survival mechanics such as resource management, energy, and life support create meaningful challenges and threats."

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Fellowship, Domination, Status. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Exploration, Creativity. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on 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.

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 30/04/2026