Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Avorion (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Avorion on things players said about it rather than on our opinion of what feels alike. Each entry shows what it matched on, so you can throw out the ones matching on the part you did not care about.
The short version
- Closest match: X4: Foundations, which both open world and science fiction.
- Avorion is tagged Exploration, Sandbox, Space Sim, Building, Space, Flight, Open World, PvE by Steam players. Those tags are what the matching runs on.
- 24 games qualify, each with at least fifty player reviews behind its sentiment figure.
- 3 are free to download, so you can test the resemblance yourself at no cost.
How these were matched
Steam tags carry the most weight, because players apply them and they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Souls-like, Atmospheric and Cozy exist as tags and as nothing else, which is exactly the vocabulary this question needs. Formal genres count for less, themes and a shared studio for more.
Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are thrown out before matching. Nearly everything is tagged Singleplayer, so matching on it is matching on nothing. That cutoff is computed from the catalogue rather than fixed, so it moves as the catalogue grows.
All 24, closest first
- 1
X4: Foundations
Why it matched: both open world and science fiction; shares 11 player tags including Space Sim, Simulation and Sandbox; released around the same time (2018).
Your journey to building a vast space empire begins behind the controls of a single ship. Explore, trade, fight, and build as you rise to command fleets, stations, and entire economies in a living, fully simulated universe that reacts to every decision.
X4: Foundations at a glance Released 2018 Studio Egosoft Player sentiment 80% positive of 30,064 Price $49.99 Space SimSimulationSandboxEconomySpaceFlightTradingExploration
- 2
Dyson Sphere Program
Why it matched: both open world and science fiction; shares 9 player tags including Space, Building and Simulation; released around the same time (2021).
Build the most efficient intergalactic factory in space simulation strategy game Dyson Sphere Program! Harness the power of stars, collect resources, plan and design production lines and develop your interstellar factory from a small space workshop to a galaxy-wide industrial empire.
Dyson Sphere Program at a glance Released 2021 Studio Youthcat Studio Player sentiment 97% positive of 91,586 Price $19.99 SpaceBuildingSimulationSci-fiManagementSandboxSpace Sim3D
- 3
Empyrion - Galactic Survival
Why it matched: both open world and science fiction; shares 9 player tags including Simulation, Space and Building; released around the same time (2020).
Build and explore in a true space sandbox survival adventure. Construct mighty capital vessels, sprawling planetary settlements, and vast space stations in your galactic journey to discover the mysteries of Empyrion!
Empyrion - Galactic Survival at a glance Released 2020 Studio Eleon Game Studios Player sentiment 78% positive of 34,399 Price $19.99 SimulationSpaceBuildingExplorationSpace SimSandboxVoxelSci-fi
- 4
Star Conflict
Why it matched: both open world and science fiction; shares 9 player tags including Space Sim, PvE and Trading.
Star Conflict is an action-packed, massively multiplayer space simulation game that puts players in the role of elite pilots engaging in a widespread interplanetary skirmish. The whole world for PVP and PVE!
Star Conflict at a glance Released 2013 Studio Star Gem Inc. Player sentiment 73% positive of 15,226 Price Free Space SimPvETradingSandboxFlight3DChoose Your Own AdventureThird Person
- 5
Starpoint Gemini 2
Why it matched: both open world and science fiction; shares 9 player tags including Space, Simulation and Sci-fi.
Captain your own space ship and roam the galaxy in 3D in this tactical space simulator with tons of RPG depth ! Space has never looked so inviting - but images can betray...It has been two years since the end of the second Gemini war, the situation in the wartorn system is further from resolution than ever.
Starpoint Gemini 2 at a glance Released 2014 Studio Little Green Men Games Player sentiment 70% positive of 4,119 Price $34.99 SpaceSimulationSci-fiSpace SimSpaceshipsTradingFlight3D
- 6
Anno 2205
Why it matched: both open world and science fiction; shares 9 player tags including Simulation, Sci-fi and Economy.
In Anno 2205™, you join humankind‘s next step into the future with the promise to build a better tomorrow. You conquer Earth, establishing rich, bustling cities and grand industrial complexes, but to secure the prosperity of your people, you must travel into space.
Anno 2205 at a glance Released 2015 Studio Blue Byte Player sentiment 70% positive of 6,335 Price $39.99 SimulationSci-fiEconomySpaceManagementBuildingSandboxTrading
- 7
Oxygen Not Included
Why it matched: both open world and science fiction; shares 8 player tags including Building, Management and Simulation; released around the same time (2019).
Oxygen Not Included is a space-colony simulation game. Deep inside an alien space rock your industrious crew will need to master science, overcome strange new lifeforms, and harness incredible space tech to survive, and possibly, thrive.
Oxygen Not Included at a glance Released 2019 Studio Klei Entertainment Player sentiment 97% positive of 143,589 Price $24.99 BuildingManagementSimulationSandboxSpaceSci-fiExplorationSpace Sim
- 8
EVERSPACE 2
Why it matched: both open world and science fiction; shares 8 player tags including Space, Exploration and Action RPG; released around the same time (2023).
EVERSPACE 2 is a fast-paced single-player spaceship shooter with exploration in space and on planets, tons of loot, RPG elements, mining, and crafting. Experience an exciting sci-fi story set in a vivid, handcrafted open world full of secrets, puzzles, and perils.
EVERSPACE 2 at a glance Released 2023 Studio ROCKFISH Games Player sentiment 86% positive of 13,004 Price $49.99 SpaceExplorationAction RPGPvESimulationFlightThird PersonSci-fi
- 9
Endless Sky
Why it matched: both open world and science fiction; shares 8 player tags including Space, Sci-fi and Simulation.
Endless Sky is a 2D space trading and combat game inspired by the classic Escape Velocity series. Work your way up from a relatively wimpy shuttle, cargo ship, or fighter, to a highly upgraded and customized flagship or to a massive fleet of warships or freighters.
Endless Sky at a glance Released 2015 Studio Michael Zahniser Player sentiment 92% positive of 7,092 Price Free SpaceSci-fiSimulationTradingExplorationSpace SimSandboxEconomy
- 10
PULSAR: Lost Colony
Why it matched: both open world and science fiction; shares 7 player tags including Space Sim, Simulation and PvE; released around the same time (2021).
The co-op open-world space sim where everyone has a role! Pilot the ship. Reroute power. Launch nukes. Explore alien planets. Research new talents. Work together to find the Lost Colony! ...or just deliver some biscuits
PULSAR: Lost Colony at a glance Released 2021 Studio Leafy Games Player sentiment 90% positive of 5,732 Price $19.99 Space SimSimulationPvESpaceExplorationSci-fiSpaceships
- 11
Surviving Mars
Why it matched: both open world and science fiction; shares 7 player tags including Space, Simulation and Sci-fi; released around the same time (2018).
There will be challenges to overcome. Execute your strategy and improve your colony’s chances of survival while unlocking the mysteries of this alien world. Are you ready? Mars is waiting for you.
Surviving Mars at a glance Released 2018 Studio Haemimont Games Player sentiment 80% positive of 28,730 Price Not listed SpaceSimulationSci-fiBuildingManagementSandboxSpace Sim
- 12
Astroneer
Why it matched: both open world and science fiction; shares 7 player tags including Space, Exploration and Sandbox; released around the same time (2016).
Interact with strange new worlds in a unique and tactile way, molding the environment itself as if it were clay in your hands. Build your base, master resource management, automate your production lines, and more as you unravel the mysteries of the universe, alone or with friends.
Astroneer at a glance Released 2016 Studio System Era Softworks Player sentiment 92% positive of 139,052 Price $29.99 SpaceExplorationSandboxBuildingSci-fiThird PersonSimulation
- 13
Kerbal Space Program
Why it matched: both open world and science fiction; shares 7 player tags including Space, Simulation and Sandbox.
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.
Kerbal Space Program at a glance Released 2015 Studio Squad Player sentiment 96% positive of 146,438 Price $39.99 SpaceSimulationSandboxSpace SimBuildingExplorationSci-fi
- 14
Planetbase
Why it matched: both open world and science fiction; shares 7 player tags including Space, Simulation and Sci-fi.
Guide a group of space settlers trying to establish a base on a remote planet. Grow food, collect energy, mine resources, survive disasters and build a self-sufficient colony in a harsh and unforgiving environment.
Planetbase at a glance Released 2015 Studio Madruga Works Player sentiment 80% positive of 10,438 Price $7.49 SpaceSimulationSci-fiBuildingManagementSandboxSpace Sim
- 15
Elite Dangerous
Why it matched: both open world and science fiction; shares 7 player tags including Space Sim, Space and Exploration.
Take control of your own starship and blaze your trail in an ever-changing galaxy. Master the arts of combat, mining and trade or venture out into the unknown across a 1:1 scale universe.
Elite Dangerous at a glance Released 2014 Studio Frontier Developments Player sentiment 77% positive of 107,348 Price $5.99 Space SimSpaceExplorationSci-fiSimulationSandboxTrading
- 16
EVE Online
Why it matched: both open world and science fiction; shares 7 player tags including Space, Economy and Sci-fi.
Over 20 years of legendary space battles! Explore a massive living universe of danger and opportunity in a challenging and highly rewarding space adventure. Fight, trade, build, and connect with a universe driven and shaped directly by players.
EVE Online at a glance Released 2003 Studio Simon & Schuster Player sentiment 73% positive of 39,389 Price Free SpaceEconomySci-fiSandboxSpaceshipsExplorationPvE
- 17
Jurassic World Evolution 2
Why it matched: both open world and science fiction; shares 6 player tags including Building, Simulation and Management; released around the same time (2021).
Jurassic World Evolution 2 is the much-anticipated sequel to Frontier’s highly successful Jurassic World Evolution. This bold new era in the Jurassic World Evolution game franchise builds upon the ground-breaking and immersive 2018 management simulation.
Jurassic World Evolution 2 at a glance Released 2021 Studio Frontier Developments Player sentiment 90% positive of 47,023 Price $59.99 BuildingSimulationManagementSandboxEconomySci-fi
- 18
Hardspace: Shipbreaker
Why it matched: both open world and science fiction; shares 6 player tags including Space, Sci-fi and Simulation; released around the same time (2022).
Equipped with cutting-edge salvaging tech, carve & slice spaceships to recover valuable materials. Upgrade your gear to take on more lucrative contracts and pay your billion credits debt to LYNX Corp!
Hardspace: Shipbreaker at a glance Released 2022 Studio Blackbird Interactive Player sentiment 89% positive of 22,334 Price $34.99 SpaceSci-fiSimulationSandboxSpace SimBuilding
- 19
Jurassic World Evolution
Why it matched: both open world and science fiction; shares 6 player tags including Building, Simulation and Management; released around the same time (2018).
Place yourself at the heart of the Jurassic franchise and build your own Jurassic World. Bioengineer dinosaurs that think, feel and react intelligently to the world around them and face threats posed by espionage, breakouts and devastating tropical storms in an uncertain world where life always finds a way.
Jurassic World Evolution at a glance Released 2018 Studio Frontier Developments Player sentiment 87% positive of 55,272 Price $44.99 BuildingSimulationManagementSandboxSci-fiEconomy
- 20
No Man's Sky
Why it matched: both open world and science fiction; shares 6 player tags including Space, Exploration and Sci-fi; released around the same time (2016).
No Man's Sky is a game about exploration and survival in an infinite procedurally generated universe.
No Man's Sky at a glance Released 2016 Studio Hello Games Player sentiment 85% positive of 414,641 Price $59.99 SpaceExplorationSci-fiSandboxSpace SimSimulation
- 21
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Why it matched: both science fiction; shares 8 player tags including Management, Simulation and Space.
Command a space-faring empire in Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion, the new stand-alone expansion that combines 4X depth with real-time strategy gameplay.
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion at a glance Released 2012 Studio Ironclad Games Corporation Player sentiment 93% positive of 16,339 Price $19.99 ManagementSimulationSpaceSandboxSci-fiExplorationSpace Sim3D
- 22
ICARUS
Why it matched: both open world and science fiction; shares 6 player tags including Exploration, Building and PvE; released around the same time (2021).
ICARUS is a solo or multiplayer PvE survival game. Explore a savage wilderness in the aftermath of terraforming gone wrong. Complete narrative quests as either Open World operations or Individual Missions. Explore, build, craft and hunt while seeking your fortune and prospecting for exotic matter.
ICARUS at a glance Released 2021 Studio RocketWerkz Player sentiment 75% positive of 67,694 Price $8.74 ExplorationBuildingPvESpaceThird PersonSandbox
- 23
Universe Sandbox
Why it matched: both open world and science fiction; shares 6 player tags including Sandbox, Space and Simulation.
Create & destroy on an unimaginable scale with a realistic physics-based space simulator. Explore the beauty of our universe and the fragility of our planet. Use science to bend the laws of gravity, collide planets, boil away oceans, fire epic space lasers, and customize your universe.
Universe Sandbox at a glance Released 2015 Studio Giant Army Player sentiment 96% positive of 32,082 Price $20.09 SandboxSpaceSimulationSpace SimSci-fiExploration
- 24
Abiotic Factor
Why it matched: both open world and science fiction; shares 6 player tags including Sci-fi, Exploration and Sandbox.
Abiotic Factor is a survival crafting experience for 1-6 players set in the depths of an underground research facility. Caught between paranormal containment failure, a military crusade, and chaos from a dozen realms, the world’s greatest minds must survive against the universe’s biggest threats.
Abiotic Factor at a glance Released 2025 Studio Deep Field Games Player sentiment 96% positive of 58,569 Price $34.99 Sci-fiExplorationSandboxBuildingSimulationPvE
Common questions
What game is most like Avorion?
X4: Foundations, on the evidence we have. It both open world and science fiction. That is a statement about overlap, not a promise you will like it as much: two games can share every tag and still feel different to play.
How is "similar to Avorion" decided?
By overlap on the tags Steam players applied to each game, the formal genres, the themes both sit in, and whether the same studio made them. Tags carry the most weight because players write them, so they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are ignored: matching on "Singleplayer" is matching on nothing. Every entry below shows exactly what it matched on.
Are these ranked by quality?
No. They are ordered by how much they overlap with Avorion. Where two games overlap equally, the better received one goes first, but that only moves a game a place or two. Each entry shows its own player sentiment so you can weigh that separately.
Do you get paid for these recommendations?
No. The order is computed from tag and genre overlap and nothing else. No placement here can be bought, and a game appearing high on this page is a statement about resemblance rather than an endorsement.