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Volcanoids similar games & best alternatives

Volcanoids

PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux • 2019

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Quick resume

A base-building open-world survival shooter that replaces your typical base with a giant drill. Alone or with friends, explore an island plagued by eruptions, upgrade your drill, and fight robots to uncover what's been hiding beneath the surface.

Global score

83/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Indie, Simulator, Early Access

Similar games

    Pros

    • Unique steampunk setting and concept
    • Engaging drillship customization and progression
    • Solid cooperative multiplayer experience
    • Frequent developer updates and community involvement
    • Stable performance and good optimization

    Cons

    • Limited map variety and endgame content
    • Some ui and crafting complexity
    • Combat can feel clunky or repetitive
    • Single-player experience less balanced
    • Occasional bugs and performance drops in crowded areas

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      4

      "Players have significant control over dungeon building, minion management, and tactical combat decisions, with freedom to choose playstyle and research paths."

      Capsule for KeeperRL KeeperRL

      "Players have significant control over their drillship customization, resource management, and combat strategies, with freedom to explore and choose approaches."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      3

      "The game offers a moderate challenge with skill-based combat and difficulty levels, rewarding mastery and exploration."

      Capsule for Enclave Enclave

      "The game offers a moderate challenge with skill-based combat, resource management, and progression systems that reward mastery."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      -3

      "Focus is primarily on single-player against AI with no explicit player-vs-player competition or leaderboards."

      Capsule for Dungeons of Aether Dungeons of Aether

      "Focus is primarily on solo or cooperative play against AI rather than player-vs-player competition or leaderboards."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      2

      "Players report long sessions and engagement with story and survival, but some mention limited replayability."

      Capsule for Trans-Siberian Railway Simulator Trans-Siberian Railway Simulator

      "Players report long play sessions and repeated playthroughs, though some mention limited replayability after story completion."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      3

      "Co-op multiplayer is supported and recommended by players for enhanced fun and teamwork."

      Capsule for Black Ice Black Ice

      "Co-op multiplayer is supported and appreciated, with teamwork enhancing the experience, though single-player is also viable."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      3

      "Ship customization, weapon crafting, and station building allow creative expression within gameplay."

      Capsule for Evochron Mercenary Evochron Mercenary

      "Customization of the drillship and crafting systems allow creative expression and strategic building."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -4

      "Interactions are balanced with AI enemies; no evidence of player dominance over others or toxic behavior."

      Capsule for Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts

      "Interactions are balanced with AI enemies; no evidence of player dominance or toxic behavior reported."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "The immersive steampunk world, exploration, and engaging gameplay provide a strong escape from real life."

      Capsule for Airship: Kingdoms Adrift Airship: Kingdoms Adrift

      "The immersive steampunk world and survival mechanics provide a strong escape from reality."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment, with no indication of obligation or pressure."

      Capsule for Deep Sky Derelicts Deep Sky Derelicts

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment, with no indication of obligation or pressure."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      3

      "Players explore different strategies for taming, building, and combat, experimenting with game systems."

      Capsule for ARK: Survival Evolved ARK: Survival Evolved

      "Players explore different modules, combat tactics, and resource management strategies, experimenting with game systems."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      3

      "Exploration of dungeons, biomes, and secrets is a core part of gameplay despite some map size limitations."

      Capsule for Planet Centauri Planet Centauri

      "Exploration of underground areas and enemy drillships is a core part of gameplay, though map variety is limited."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      3

      "Customization of ships and crews allows personal expression within gameplay."

      Capsule for Disney's Treasure Planet: Battle of Procyon Disney's Treasure Planet: Battle of Procyon

      "Drillship painting and module customization enable personal expression within the game."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      3

      "Steampunk setting with imaginative vehicles and robotic characters offers a fictional experience."

      Capsule for Airmen Airmen

      "Steampunk setting with robots and giant drillships creates an imaginative fictional experience."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      2

      "Community and multiplayer interactions exist, with some social engagement; however, much gameplay is solo or limited social connection."

      Capsule for Supreme Ruler 1936 Supreme Ruler 1936

      "Community and multiplayer interactions exist but are not the central focus; some social engagement is present."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      3

      "Players develop skills, unlock abilities, and learn crafting and combat strategies over time."

      Capsule for Bum Simulator Bum Simulator

      "Players learn crafting, combat, and progression systems, improving skills over time."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

      "Game is sedentary with no physical activity elements."

      Capsule for DELTARUNE DELTARUNE

      "Game is sedentary with no physical activity elements."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires continuous attention and active management during play sessions."

      Capsule for Mini Airways - ATC simulator Mini Airways - ATC simulator

      "Requires consistent attention and active management during play sessions."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      -4

      "Social interactions are limited to cooperative gameplay; no deep personal relationships formed."

      Capsule for Sniper Elite 4 Sniper Elite 4

      "Social interactions are limited to cooperative gameplay without deep personal connections."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      1

      "Some cooperative play but no strong leadership or management roles described."

      Capsule for LEGO® STAR WARS™: The Force Awakens LEGO® STAR WARS™: The Force Awakens

      "Some cooperative play involves coordination, but no strong leadership roles are described."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      4

      "Strong emphasis on accumulating experience, crafting better gear, and upgrading base facilities."

      Capsule for SKYHILL SKYHILL

      "Strong emphasis on upgrading drillship, crafting better gear, and advancing through tech tiers."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      2

      "Some players find the game relaxing and immersive, though time pressures and challenges create tension."

      Capsule for The Crust The Crust

      "Some players find the game relaxing and immersive, though the volcano timer adds tension."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      2

      "Visuals and sound are simple but pleasant; combat provides moderate sensory stimulation."

      Capsule for Fight The Dragon Fight The Dragon

      "Visuals and sound design provide moderate sensory stimulation, with satisfying combat feedback."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      -4

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

      Capsule for Trine Enchanted Edition Trine Enchanted Edition

      "No social status or ranking systems; focus is on individual or cooperative achievement."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      2

      "There is a narrative and quests, but story is not the main focus; some players find it engaging."

      Capsule for Mist Legacy Mist Legacy

      "The game includes a story and lore that some players find engaging, though it is not the main focus."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      3

      "Players plan upgrades, combat tactics, and resource management to succeed."

      Capsule for Ancient Dungeon Ancient Dungeon

      "Players must plan resource gathering, combat tactics, and drillship upgrades strategically."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      3

      "Explosive combat and unpredictable encounters provide excitement and suspense."

      Capsule for Far Cry® 6 Far Cry® 6

      "The volcano eruption timer and combat encounters create suspense and excitement."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      3

      "Players generally feel the game offers good value for price, especially given ongoing updates."

      Capsule for Drug Lord Tycoon Drug Lord Tycoon

      "Players generally feel the game offers good value for its price, especially with ongoing updates."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      3

      "Combat involves shooting and melee attacks against robotic enemies, with some destruction."

      Capsule for Dolls Nest Dolls Nest

      "Combat against robots and enemy drillships involves destruction and shooting mechanics."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      3

      "Managing resources, troop morale, and avoiding defeat are important survival elements."

      Capsule for Mount & Blade: With Fire & Sword Mount & Blade: With Fire & Sword

      "Survival elements include managing resources, defending the drillship, and avoiding volcano eruptions."

    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 Intimacy, 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.

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 30/04/2026