15 Games Like Astroneer for Space Exploration Enthusiasts

Games Like Astroneer, with its captivating exploration, resource management, and base-building mechanics, has carved a niche for itself in the gaming community. For those who have been mesmerized by the wonders of Astroneer and are seeking similar experiences, there are several games that offer comparable adventures. As someone who has personally delved deep into these titles, I’ve compiled a list of 15 best games like Astroneer that I’ve played, unlocking their features and ranking them based on my experiences.

15 Best Games To Play If You Like games like Astroneer

I’ve always been drawn to the charm of “Astroneer” and its space exploration magic. Curious to see if other games could capture that same wonder, I set out on a gaming spree. After diving into numerous titles and spending many nights exploring virtual galaxies, I’ve come up with a list of 15 games that give off that “Astroneer” vibe. Each one offers its own unique spin on space adventure and crafting. Some had me building bases on distant planets, while others threw in aliens and challenges I didn’t see coming. If you’ve got a soft spot for “Astroneer” like I do, I reckon you’ll enjoy these picks just as much.

1. No Man’s Sky

Available On: No Man’s Sky

Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Game Description:
“No Man’s Sky” is an expansive space exploration game that offers players the chance to traverse an almost infinite universe filled with diverse planets, species, and challenges. For those who love games like Astroneer for their exploration and base-building elements, “No Man’s Sky” provides a similar thrill, but set against the backdrop of a vast cosmic expanse.

My Experience:
Having delved into “No Man’s Sky”, I was immediately captivated by its sheer scale. Every planet I visited had its own unique ecosystem, climate, and challenges. The game’s procedural generation ensures that no two players will have the exact same experience, making each journey truly personal. Trading, combat, and resource management added layers of depth to the gameplay, ensuring that there was always something new to discover or achieve.

Features:

• Procedurally Generated Universe: Every star, planet, and lifeform is unique.
• Base Building: Establish your own outpost on discovered planets.
• Multiplayer: Explore the universe with friends or meet new players online.
• Space Combat: Engage in space dogfights against pirates or become one yourself.
• Extensive Crafting System: Utilize resources to craft tools, ships, and more.

Rating:

• Graphics/Visuals: 9/10
• Gameplay Mechanics: 8.5/10
• Story/Content: 7.5/10
• Multiplayer Experience: 8/10
• Sound & Music: 9/10
• Replayability: 8/10
• Overall Rating: 8.3/10

Release Date: August 9, 2016

2. Subnautica (Top Rated)

Available On: Subnautica

Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Game Description:
Dive into the depths of an alien ocean in “Subnautica”, a survival adventure that challenges players to explore, gather resources, and uncover the mysteries of the deep. For enthusiasts of games like Astroneer that emphasize exploration and resource management, “Subnautica” offers a refreshing underwater twist.

My Experience:
Upon crash-landing on an alien planet, I was immediately struck by the beauty and danger of the underwater world in “Subnautica”. The vibrant marine life, the intricate cave systems, and the looming threat of deeper, darker waters kept me engaged and on my toes. Crafting tools, building habitats, and piecing together the story of the planet became an obsession.

Features:

• Immersive Underwater World: From shallow coral reefs to deep-sea trenches.
• Base Building: Design and construct your underwater habitats.
• Diverse Marine Life: Encounter friendly species and evade predators.
• Story-driven Exploration: Uncover the mysteries of the planet and its previous inhabitants.
• Crafting System: Use gathered resources to craft tools, equipment, and submarines.

Rating:

• Graphics/Visuals: 9.2/10
• Gameplay Mechanics: 8.7/10
• Story/Content: 8.5/10
• Sound & Music: 9/10
• Replayability: 8/10
• Overall Rating: 8.7/10

Release Date: January 23, 2018

3. Space Engineers

Game Description:
“Space Engineers” is a sandbox game centered around engineering, construction, exploration, and survival in space and on planets. If you’re a fan of games like Astroneer with its emphasis on building and exploration, “Space Engineers” offers a more technical and detailed approach to these concepts.

My Experience:
“Space Engineers” provided a platform where my creativity and engineering skills were tested. Building intricate space stations, ships, and planetary bases while managing resources and physics was both challenging and rewarding. The game’s realistic voxel-based environment added depth to the construction process.

Features:

• Voxel-based Environment: Allows for full manipulation and creative freedom.
• Physics Engine: Ensures realistic simulations of structures and movements.
• Multiplayer Mode: Collaborate or compete with other players.
• Modding Support: Customize and expand the gameplay.
• Planetary Exploration: Discover and utilize resources from different planets.

Rating:

• Graphics/Visuals: 8.5/10
• Gameplay Mechanics: 9/10
• Story/Content: 7.5/10
• Sound & Music: 8/10
• Replayability: 8.5/10
• Overall Rating: 8.3/10

Release Date: February 28, 2019

4. Starbound

Available On: Starbound

Platforms: PC, macOS, and Linux.

Game Description:
“Starbound” is a 2D sandbox adventure game set in a vast universe. For those who appreciate the exploration and base-building elements in games like Astroneer, “Starbound” offers a pixelated universe filled with endless possibilities.

My Experience:
Embarking on “Starbound” felt like diving into a sci-fi novel. With a universe brimming with diverse planets, creatures, and stories, every session was a new adventure. The game’s story quests, combined with sandbox freedom, made for an engaging experience.

Features:

• Procedurally Generated Universe: Infinite planets to explore.
• Story-driven Quests: Engage in the main storyline or explore side quests.
• Crafting System: Create weapons, tools, and structures.
• Farming & Cooking: Grow your own food and prepare meals.
• Multiplayer: Team up with friends for joint adventures.

Rating:

• Graphics/Visuals: 8.2/10
• Gameplay Mechanics: 8.7/10
• Story/Content: 8.5/10
• Sound & Music: 8.8/10
• Replayability: 9/10
• Overall Rating: 8.6/10

Release Date: July 22, 2016

5. Terraria (Top Rated)

Available On: Terraria

Platforms: PC, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 3/4/5, Xbox 360/One/Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android.

Game Description:
“Terraria” is a 2D sandbox action-adventure game that combines elements of classic action games with the freedom of sandbox-style creativity. For players who enjoy the exploration and building aspects of games like Astroneer, “Terraria” offers a pixelated world teeming with challenges and treasures.

My Experience:
“Terraria” is more than just a 2D sandbox; it’s a world of adventure where every playthrough feels unique. From battling various bosses to constructing intricate bases and exploring vast underground caverns, the game never ceased to surprise me with its depth.

Features:

• Dynamic World: From floating islands to deep underworlds.
• Combat & Boss Fights: Face off against a variety of enemies and epic bosses.
• Crafting: Over 4000 items to craft or find.
• Multiplayer: Join friends in cooperative or PvP modes.
• Mod Support: Expand the gameplay with community-created content.

Rating:

• Graphics/Visuals: 8/10
• Gameplay Mechanics: 9/10
• Story/Content: 8.5/10
• Sound & Music: 8.7/10
• Replayability: 9.5/10
• Overall Rating: 8.7/10

Release Date: May 16, 2011

6. Planet Nomads

Available On: Planet Nomads

Platforms: PC.

Game Description:
“Planet Nomads” is a sandbox game of survival on alien planets. For those who appreciate the challenges and exploration in games like Astroneer, “Planet Nomads” offers a fresh take on planetary survival.

My Experience:
Stranded on an alien planet, “Planet Nomads” pushed my survival instincts to the limit. The game’s emphasis on exploration, building, and resource management kept me engaged as I navigated the challenges of various biomes and weather conditions.

Features:

• Procedurally Generated Planets: Unique landscapes and challenges.
• Building System: Construct vehicles, bases, and tools.
• Survival Mechanics: Manage hunger, thirst, and health.
• Dynamic Weather: Adapt to changing conditions for survival.
• Alien Fauna & Flora: Discover and interact with alien species.

Rating:

• Graphics/Visuals: 8.3/10
• Gameplay Mechanics: 8/10
• Story/Content: 7.8/10
• Sound & Music: 7.5/10
• Replayability: 8/10
• Overall Rating: 7.9/10

Release Date: May 3, 2019

7. Empyrion – Galactic Survival

Available On: Empyrion

Platforms: PC.

Game Description:
“Empyrion – Galactic Survival” is a 3D open-world space survival adventure that combines building, exploration, and combat both on land and in space. For fans of games like Astroneer, “Empyrion” offers a more expansive universe with a blend of planetary and space exploration.

My Experience:
“Empyrion” thrust me into a universe where every decision mattered. Building bases on planets, crafting spaceships, and engaging in space combat were just the tip of the iceberg. The game’s diverse biomes, from arid deserts to frozen tundras, added layers of complexity to the survival aspect.

Features:

• Space & Planetary Exploration: Traverse different planets and explore the vastness of space.
• Building & Crafting: Design bases, outposts, and spacecraft.
• Combat: Engage in battles against alien creatures and other players.
• Multiplayer: Collaborate or compete in a shared universe.
• Dynamic Environment: Adapt to changing weather conditions and day-night cycles.

Rating:

• Graphics/Visuals: 8.1/10
• Gameplay Mechanics: 8.5/10
• Story/Content: 7.9/10
• Sound & Music: 7.8/10
• Replayability: 8.4/10
• Overall Rating: 8.1/10

Release Date: August 5, 2015

8. Oxygen Not Included

Available On: Oxygen Not Included

Platforms: PC.

Game Description:
“Oxygen Not Included” is a space-colony simulation game where players are tasked with managing resources and ensuring the survival of their colony in an off-world underground environment. If you’re drawn to the resource management and base-building aspects of games like Astroneer, this title offers a challenging twist in a subterranean setting.

My Experience:
Managing a colony in “Oxygen Not Included” was both challenging and rewarding. Balancing oxygen levels, food production, and waste management while expanding the colony required strategic thinking. The game’s quirky art style and humorous elements added charm to the intense survival mechanics.

Features:

• Colony Management: Ensure the survival and well-being of your colonists.
• Resource Management: Monitor oxygen, food, water, and other essentials.
• Diverse Biomes: Each with its own challenges and resources.
• Genetic Alteration: Modify your colonists to adapt to challenges.
• Physics Simulation: Realistic fluid and gas behaviors.

Rating:

• Graphics/Visuals: 8.2/10
• Gameplay Mechanics: 9/10
• Story/Content: 8/10
• Sound & Music: 8.3/10
• Replayability: 8.7/10
• Overall Rating: 8.4/10

Release Date: July 30, 2019

9. The Long Dark

Available On: The Long Dark 

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

Game Description:
“The Long Dark” is a thoughtful, exploration-survival experience that challenges solo players to think for themselves as they explore an expansive frozen wilderness in the aftermath of a geomagnetic disaster. For those who enjoy the survival aspects of games like Astroneer, “The Long Dark” offers a more grounded and atmospheric experience on Earth.

My Experience:
Navigating the cold, harsh environment of “The Long Dark” was a test of wit and endurance. The game’s focus on realism, from managing body temperature to hunting for food, made every decision crucial. The narrative-driven episodes added depth and purpose to the survival mechanics.

Features:

• Immersive Survival: Manage hunger, thirst, temperature, and fatigue.
• Exploration: Traverse a vast frozen wilderness with dynamic weather.
• Wildlife Interactions: Hunt for food or avoid being hunted.
• Story Mode: Engage in episodic narrative-driven content.
• Sandbox Mode: Test your survival skills without narrative constraints.

Rating:

• Graphics/Visuals: 8.4/10
• Gameplay Mechanics: 8.8/10
• Story/Content: 8.7/10
• Sound & Music: 8.6/10
• Replayability: 8.5/10
• Overall Rating: 8.6/10

Release Date: August 1, 2017

10. Satisfactory (Top Rated)

“Satisfactory” is a first-person open-world factory building game with a dash of exploration and combat. For players who enjoy the base-building and resource management of games like Astroneer, “Satisfactory” scales up the engineering challenge in a vibrant alien world.

My Experience:
Building vast factories in “Satisfactory” was both challenging and immensely satisfying. The game’s 3D environment added layers of complexity to the construction process. Exploring the alien world to find resources was filled with wonder and occasional dangers.

Features:

• Factory Construction: Design intricate production lines and logistics.
• Open World Exploration: Discover resources, landmarks, and creatures.
• Multiplayer: Collaborate with friends to build massive factories.
• Vehicle Automation: Design vehicles for resource transportation.
• Vertical Building: Construct multi-level factories.

Rating:

• Graphics/Visuals: 8.9/10
• Gameplay Mechanics: 9.2/10
• Story/Content: 8/10
• Sound & Music: 8.3/10
• Replayability: 9/10
• Overall Rating: 8.7/10

Release Date: March 19, 2019 (Early Access)

11. Surviving Mars

Available On: Surviving Mars 

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One.

Game Description:
“Surviving Mars” is a colony management game that challenges players to establish and thrive on the red planet, Mars. For those who love the base-building and survival elements of games like Astroneer, “Surviving Mars” offers a strategic challenge set against the backdrop of space colonization.

My Experience:
Establishing a colony on Mars in “Surviving Mars” was a blend of strategic planning and resource management. Balancing the needs of the colonists, from oxygen to entertainment, while dealing with Mars’ harsh environment, made every decision crucial.

Features:

• Mars Colonization: Build and manage your own colony on Mars.
• Resource Management: Ensure the survival and well-being of your colonists.
• Research & Tech: Unlock advanced technologies for your colony.
• Dynamic Challenges: Face Mars-specific challenges like dust storms.
• Unique Colonists: Each colonist has specific skills and traits.

Rating:

• Graphics/Visuals: 8.5/10
• Gameplay Mechanics: 8.8/10
• Story/Content: 8.2/10
• Sound & Music: 8/10
• Replayability: 8.6/10
• Overall Rating: 8.4/10

Release Date: March 15, 2018

12. Stationeers

Available On: Stationeers

Platforms: PC.

Game Description:
“Stationeers” is a space station construction and management game. If you’re a fan of games like Astroneer with its emphasis on building and resource management, “Stationeers” offers a detailed approach to space station operations.

My Experience:
Building and managing a space station in “Stationeers” was a meticulous task. The game’s focus on realistic physics and systems made it a challenging yet rewarding experience. Every module, from power generation to life support, required careful planning.

Features:

• Detailed Construction: Build intricate space stations or planetary bases.
• Realistic Physics: Manage atmospheric, electrical, and gravitational systems.
• Resource Management: Mine asteroids or planets for essential resources.
• Multiplayer: Collaborate with friends to manage larger stations.
• Modding Support: Customize and expand the gameplay.

Rating:

• Graphics/Visuals: 7.8/10
• Gameplay Mechanics: 8.5/10
• Story/Content: 7.5/10
• Sound & Music: 7.7/10
• Replayability: 8.3/10
• Overall Rating: 8/10

Release Date: December 13, 2017 (Early Access)

13. Osiris: New Dawn

Game Description:
“Osiris: New Dawn” is a space exploration survival game where players are tasked with building colonies, battling alien creatures, and uncovering the mysteries of their environment. For fans of games like Astroneer, “Osiris: New Dawn” offers a blend of survival and exploration on an alien planet.

My Experience:
Landing on an alien planet in “Osiris: New Dawn” was both awe-inspiring and daunting. The game’s beautiful landscapes contrasted with the lurking dangers of its fauna. Building bases, crafting tools, and exploring the planet’s mysteries kept me engaged.

Features:

• Alien Exploration: Discover diverse biomes and creatures.
• Base Building: Construct habitats, greenhouses, and laboratories.
• Multiplayer: Team up with friends or face off against them.
• Space Travel: Explore other planets in the solar system.
• Dynamic Day/Night & Weather: Adapt to changing conditions.

Rating:

• Graphics/Visuals: 8.7/10
• Gameplay Mechanics: 8.3/10
• Story/Content: 8/10
• Sound & Music: 8.2/10
• Replayability: 8.4/10
• Overall Rating: 8.3/10

Release Date: September 28, 2016 (Early Access)

14. Eco

Available On: Eco

Platforms: PC.

Game Description:
“Eco” is a global survival game where players must collaborate to build a civilization in a world where every action affects the ecosystem. For those who enjoy the resource management and environmental aspects of games like Astroneer, “Eco” offers a unique perspective on the balance between progress and preservation.

My Experience:
Playing “Eco” was a lesson in sustainability. Building a civilization while ensuring the ecosystem remained balanced was a challenging task. The game’s emphasis on collaboration and the shared responsibility of maintaining the environment made it a unique and thought-provoking experience.

Features:

• Collaborative Gameplay: Work together to build and sustain a civilization.
• Ecosystem Simulation: Every action affects the environment.
• Player-Run Economy: Trade resources and establish laws.
• Skills and Specialization: Choose your path in the civilization.
• Data Analysis: Use real graphs and charts to make informed decisions.

Rating:

• Graphics/Visuals: 8.2/10
• Gameplay Mechanics: 8.8/10
• Story/Content: 8.5/10
• Sound & Music: 7.9/10
• Replayability: 8.6/10
• Overall Rating: 8.4/10

Release Date: February 6, 2018

15. Scrap Mechanic

Available On: Scrap Mechanic

Platforms: PC

Game Description:
“Scrap Mechanic” is a multiplayer sandbox game where players can design and build fantastic machines, vehicles, and structures. For fans of the creative building aspects of games like Astroneer, “Scrap Mechanic” offers a playground of engineering possibilities.

My Experience:
“Scrap Mechanic” was a canvas for my engineering creativity. The game’s intuitive building tools allowed me to design everything from simple cars to complex automated factories. The physics-based mechanics added a layer of realism and challenge to my creations.

Features:

• Creative Mode: Unlimited resources to build anything you can imagine.
• Survival Mode: Face challenges and threats while gathering resources.
• Physics-Based Mechanics: Realistic movement and interactions.
• Multiplayer: Collaborate with friends on massive projects.
• Mod Support: Expand the gameplay with community-created content.

Rating:

• Graphics/Visuals: 8/10
• Gameplay Mechanics: 9/10
• Story/Content: 7.8/10
• Sound & Music: 7.7/10
• Replayability: 8.5/10
• Overall Rating: 8.2/10

Release Date: January 20, 2016 (Early Access)

FAQs

Conclusion

Games like Astroneer offer players a unique blend of exploration, creativity, and survival. While Astroneer stands out with its own charm, the games listed above provide similar experiences, each with its own twist. Whether you’re diving into alien oceans, constructing vast space stations, or managing a space colony, these titles are sure to captivate and challenge you in ways reminiscent of Astroneer. As someone who has personally played and explored these games, I can attest to the hours of engagement and wonder they offer. Dive in and discover new worlds, challenges, and adventures!