Oxygen Not Included similar games & best alternatives

Why it matches

• Both put you in charge Players lead and manage their colony, assigning roles and directing activities.
• Both are about staying alive Strong emphasis on avoiding death, managing resources, and defending colony.
• Both are about getting better Players learn complex systems, improve skills, and develop their colony over time.

Why it matches

• Both put you in charge Players lead the colony, manage policies, and direct rat citizens, embodying a leadership role.
• Both are about staying alive Strong survival elements including resource management, defense, and avoiding colony collapse.
• Both reward thinking ahead High mental challenge requiring planning, problem solving, and strategic decision making.

Why it matches

• Both leave room to create Free-form building, zoning, and customization of workshops and rooms encourage creative colony design.
• Both invite you to experiment Players explore complex mechanics, experiment with different races, and try new colony strategies.
• Both reward thinking ahead Strong mental challenge in planning, resource management, and problem solving.

Why it matches

• Both are about getting better Strong emphasis on learning, research progression, and personal mastery of complex systems.
• Both stay away from violence No combat or destructive gameplay; focus is on constructive building and management.
• Both are driven by steady progression Clear progression through research, resource acquisition, base expansion, and contract completion.

Why it matches

• Both stay away from violence No combat or destruction; focus is on constructive colony building and terraforming.
• Both are about staying alive Players manage scarce resources and environmental challenges to keep colony alive and growing.
• Both reward thinking ahead Strong emphasis on strategic planning, resource optimization, and puzzle solving throughout gameplay.

Why it matches

• Both are driven by steady progression Strong meta-progression system with upgrades, unlocks, and permanent improvements driving advancement.
• Both are about staying alive Strong survival elements in managing threats, resource scarcity, and strategic defense to avoid failure.
• Both reward thinking ahead High emphasis on planning, resource management, tactical decisions, and problem solving.

Why it matches

• Both are about staying alive Strong survival elements with resource management, defense against threats, and strategic planning to stay alive.
• Both are about getting better Players develop skills, technologies, and character abilities progressively, fostering a sense of growth.
• Both reward thinking ahead Gameplay involves strategic planning in resource management, base building, and tower defense.

Why it matches

• Both are about staying alive Core gameplay revolves around managing threats, resources, and colonist survival.
• Both are about getting better Players develop skills, research technologies, and improve colonists over time.
• Both leave room to create High creativity in building custom houses, decorating, and designing colony layouts.

Why it matches

• Both are about getting better Strong focus on learning complex systems, skill acquisition, and personal mastery over time.
• Both invite you to experiment Strong emphasis on exploring mechanics, trial and error, and discovering hidden systems.
• Both are built to keep you coming back Highly addictive with long play sessions and deep engagement; many players report hundreds of hours invested.