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Star Trek Online similar games & best alternatives

Star Trek Online

PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Mac • 2012

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Quick resume

In Star Trek Online, the Star Trek universe appears for the first time on a truly massive scale. Players take the captain's chair as they command their own starship and crew. Explore strange new worlds, seek out new life and new civilizations, and boldly go where no one has gone before.

Global score

79/100

Genres

Massively Multiplayer, Role-playing (RPG), Free To Play, Adventure, Strategy, Simulator, Tactical

Similar games

    Pros

    • Rich star trek lore and story content
    • Extensive character and ship customization
    • Engaging space combat
    • Free to play with no content locked behind paywall
    • Active community and frequent content updates

    Cons

    • Dated graphics and clunky ground combat
    • Grind-heavy progression and reputation systems
    • Pay-to-win elements in premium ships and items
    • Complex interface and learning curve
    • Some bugs and server lag reported

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      4

      "Players have freedom to choose factions, classes, roles, and play styles including roleplay and chaotic or regimented gameplay."

      Capsule for Holdfast: Nations At War Holdfast: Nations At War

      "Players have freedom to choose factions, customize characters, ships, and play solo or with groups; multiple playstyles and roleplay options available"

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      3

      "Game involves upgrading ships, managing resources, and combat requiring some skill, though combat is described as simple and repetitive."

      Capsule for Galaxy on Fire 2™ Full HD Galaxy on Fire 2™ Full HD

      "Game involves skillful space combat and character/ship build optimization; ground combat is simpler but still requires some skill"

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      1

      "Some PvP servers and competitive elements exist but many players focus on solo or cooperative play."

      Capsule for Once Human Once Human

      "Some PvP content exists but is limited and less popular; most players focus on solo or cooperative PvE"

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      4

      "Players report long-term engagement with frequent updates, missions, and DLC content encouraging habitual play."

      Capsule for DJMAX RESPECT V DJMAX RESPECT V

      "Players report long-term engagement with frequent content updates, events, and community-created missions supporting habitual play"

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      2

      "Guilds and multiplayer events exist, fostering some teamwork, but much gameplay is solo-focused."

      Capsule for LAST CLOUDIA LAST CLOUDIA

      "Group missions and fleets (guilds) exist and enhance experience, but solo play is fully supported and common"

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      4

      "Extensive ship design and fleet customization allow players to create unique configurations and strategies."

      Capsule for Distant Worlds 2 Distant Worlds 2

      "Extensive character and ship customization; players can create and share missions via the Foundry system"

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -3

      "Community is described as friendly or toxic in parts, but no strong evidence of domination or power imposition."

      Capsule for ATLYSS ATLYSS

      "Community described as generally friendly; no strong evidence of toxic dominance or power imposition"

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      5

      "Players use the game to immerse in the Star Trek universe and escape real life through story and strategic gameplay."

      Capsule for Star Trek: Voyager - Across the Unknown Star Trek: Voyager - Across the Unknown

      "Players use the game to immerse in Star Trek universe, relax, and escape real life through story and exploration"

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and fandom; no indication of obligation or external pressure to play."

      Capsule for Sword Art Online Re: Hollow Fragment Sword Art Online Re: Hollow Fragment

      "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and fandom; no evidence of obligation or pressure to play"

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      3

      "Players experiment with ship builds, tactics, and economic strategies; some routine grinding but also exploration of mechanics."

      Capsule for Windward Horizon Windward Horizon

      "Players experiment with different builds, ships, and mission creation; some routine grinding but also exploration of mechanics"

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      2

      "Players unlock new maps and features progressively, though exploration is limited to known game areas."

      Capsule for NGU INDUSTRIES NGU INDUSTRIES

      "Game features many known Star Trek locations and some new areas; exploration is limited by instanced missions and maps"

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      5

      "Extensive character and ship customization options for self-expression."

      Capsule for Warframe Warframe

      "Highly detailed character and ship customization allows strong self-expression and personalization"

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      5

      "Strongly rooted in imaginative Star Trek fiction and roleplaying as starship officers."

      Capsule for Star Trek™: Bridge Crew Star Trek™: Bridge Crew

      "Strongly rooted in imaginative Star Trek fiction with roleplaying and interaction with iconic characters"

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      2

      "Community and multiplayer foster social connection, but many players also enjoy solo play."

      Capsule for Stationeers Stationeers

      "Community and fleets provide social connection; however many players enjoy solo play and independent progression"

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      4

      "Players develop skills, knowledge of game systems, and character progression over time."

      Capsule for Cyberpunk 2077 Cyberpunk 2077

      "Players develop skills, knowledge of game systems, and character progression over long periods"

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

      "Typical sedentary MMO gameplay with no physical activity elements."

      Capsule for RIFT RIFT

      "Typical sedentary MMO gameplay with no physical activity involved"

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires focused attention during missions; some downtime but generally active engagement."

      Capsule for Panzer Knights Panzer Knights

      "Requires focused attention during missions and combat; some downtime during travel but generally active engagement"

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      -2

      "Limited evidence of close emotional connections; social interactions appear casual and surface-level."

      Capsule for MY HERO ONE'S JUSTICE 2 MY HERO ONE'S JUSTICE 2

      "Social interactions mostly surface-level within fleets and chat; limited evidence of close emotional connections"

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      2

      "Players can lead fleets and coordinate teams, though leadership roles vary by match."

      Capsule for NEBULOUS: Fleet Command NEBULOUS: Fleet Command

      "Fleet leadership and admiralty roles exist; players can guide groups but many play independently"

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      5

      "Strong emphasis on leveling, acquiring gear, upgrading ships and characters."

      Capsule for Stellar Tactics Stellar Tactics

      "Strong emphasis on leveling, reputation, gear, and ship upgrades as core motivators"

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      3

      "Players find enjoyment and flow in exploration and gameplay despite some bugs and glitches."

      Capsule for Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition

      "Players find flow and enjoyment in story and space combat; some frustration with grind and bugs"

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      3

      "Visual and auditory effects of space combat provide stimulating sensory experience."

      Capsule for Deep Space Battle Simulator Deep Space Battle Simulator

      "Visual and auditory effects in space combat and story enhance sensory enjoyment"

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      1

      "Some recognition through leaderboards and community, but not a primary motivator."

      Capsule for Airline Manager Airline Manager

      "Some recognition through fleet membership and leaderboards but not a primary motivator"

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      5

      "Narrative immersion is a core strength with complex story, rich lore, and exceptional voice acting."

      Capsule for Legacy of Kain™ Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered Legacy of Kain™ Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered

      "Narrative immersion is a major focus with episodic missions, voice acting by original cast, and rich lore"

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      3

      "Ship design, resource management, and tactical combat require planning and problem solving."

      Capsule for Starcom: Unknown Space Starcom: Unknown Space

      "Ship build optimization and tactical combat require planning and problem solving"

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      2

      "Space and ground combat provide moments of tension and excitement, though some find combat predictable."

      Capsule for Parkan 2 Parkan 2

      "Space combat provides excitement and tension; ground combat less so"

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      2

      "Free-to-play model with some pay-to-win concerns; many players find good value in gameplay despite monetization issues."

      Capsule for Alpha League Alpha League

      "Free to play with extensive content; some pay-to-win concerns but many players find good value without spending"

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      4

      "Gameplay centers on space combat, shooting enemies, and destruction of targets."

      Capsule for EVERSPACE™ 2 EVERSPACE™ 2

      "Combat against enemies in space and on ground is central gameplay element"

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      2

      "Players manage resources and avoid damage to survive, but threats are moderate and manageable."

      Capsule for Dolls Nest Dolls Nest

      "Players manage resources and combat threats, but overall risk is moderate and manageable"

    Analysis

    Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Story, Expression. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Intimacy.

    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