Kerbal Space Program similar games & best alternatives

Kerbal Space Program - Trailer
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Kerbal Space Program

PlayStation 4, Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Wii U, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch • 2015

Should you play it?

In Kerbal Space Program, take charge of the space program for the alien race known as the Kerbals. You have access to an array of parts to assemble fully-functional spacecraft that flies (or doesn’t) based on realistic aerodynamic and orbital physics.

What works

  • Highly realistic physics and orbital mechanics
  • Extensive creativity and modding support
  • Steep but rewarding learning curve
  • Long-lasting and addictive gameplay
  • Strong community and developer support

Things to keep in mind

  • Steep initial difficulty may frustrate new players
  • Lack of multiplayer or cooperative modes
  • No narrative or story elements
  • Requires significant time investment
  • Some bugs and performance issues on certain systems

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feels the closest overall

  • SimpleRockets

  • Spaceflight Simulator

  • Juno: New Origins

  • Vehicle Simulator

  • Solargene

  • Rogue Voltage

More story-driven

Games that feels like Kerbal Space Program but with deeper narrative immersion

  • IXION

  • Out There: Ω Edition

  • Subnautica

  • 3030 Deathwar Redux - A Space Odyssey

  • Darkstar One

  • ΔV: Rings of Saturn

More violent

Games that feels like Kerbal Space Program but with more combat and destruction

  • EVERSPACE™

  • Children of a Dead Earth

  • Star Wolves

  • EVERSPACE™ 2

  • LONESTAR

  • Breachway

Choose your own criteria ->

Similarity map

How to use the graph

Similarity map

Each dot is a game placed from its motivation profile relative to this page’s game. Direction shows which motivation differs most; distance along that axis shows how large the gap is.

  • Purple star: this page’s game at the centre — everything is relative to it.
  • Direction: each axis is a main motivational difference vs this game (e.g. more / less competitive).
  • Distance on an axis: how large that difference is (ring scales show +/− points).
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot to preview that game in the panel on the right; click to keep that comparison.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom.

How to read the map This is a polar difference map: direction = which motivation differs, and distance = how much (same units as the sidebar deltas).

Kerbal Space Program: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Violence, Fantasy, Story, Thrill. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Survival, Exploration, Thrill.

Last update: 03/08/2026