Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Core Keeper (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Core Keeper 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: Starbound, which both open world, survival, atmospheric and relaxing.
- Core Keeper is tagged Pixel Graphics, Open World Survival Craft, Online Co-Op, Sandbox, Survival, Adventure, Crafting, Exploration 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.
- 2 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
Starbound
Why it matched: both open world, survival, atmospheric and relaxing; shares 10 player tags including Open World Survival Craft, Sandbox and Survival.
You’ve fled your home, only to find yourself lost in space with a damaged ship. Your only option is to beam down to the planet below, repair your ship and set off to explore the universe...
Starbound at a glance Released 2016 Studio Chucklefish Player sentiment 90% positive of 123,280 Price $14.99 Open World Survival CraftSandboxSurvivalCraftingPixel GraphicsOnline Co-OpExplorationRelaxing
- 2
Forager
Why it matched: both open world, survival and relaxing; shares 11 player tags including Open World Survival Craft, Survival and Pixel Graphics.
The highly popular and quirky "idle game that you want to actively keep playing". Explore, craft, gather & manage resources, find secrets and build your base out of nothing! Buy land to explore and expand!
Forager at a glance Released 2019 Studio HopFrog Player sentiment 89% positive of 43,976 Price $19.99 Open World Survival CraftSurvivalPixel GraphicsCraftingFarming SimSandbox2DBuilding
- 3
My Time at Portia
Why it matched: both open world, survival and relaxing; shares 10 player tags including Farming Sim, Crafting and Simulation.
Start a new life in the enchanting town of Portia! Restore your Pa's neglected workshop to its former glory by fulfilling commissions, growing crops, raising animals, and befriending the quirky inhabitants of this charming post-apocalyptic land!
My Time at Portia at a glance Released 2019 Studio Pathea Games Player sentiment 91% positive of 44,284 Price $29.99 Farming SimCraftingSimulationCasualBuildingSandboxRelaxingMining
- 4
Fields of Mistria
Why it matched: both open world and relaxing; shares 10 player tags including Farming Sim, Simulation and Pixel Graphics; released around the same time (2026).
Start your new life! Build the farm of your dreams as you discover a world brimming with possibilities. Magic, romance, and adventure all await you in this nostalgic farming / life sim RPG!
Fields of Mistria at a glance Released 2026 Studio NPC Studio Player sentiment 97% positive of 33,759 Price $13.99 Farming SimSimulationPixel GraphicsRelaxingSandbox2DCraftingBuilding
- 5
Necesse
Why it matched: both open world, survival and atmospheric; shares 9 player tags including Open World Survival Craft, Sandbox and Pixel Graphics; released around the same time (2025).
Build, quest, and conquer across an infinite procedurally generated world. Play alone or with friends as you establish a settlement and explore deep dungeons, fight monsters and bosses, mine rare ores, craft magical equipment, recruit specialists for your colony, and more!
Necesse at a glance Released 2025 Studio Fair Games ApS Player sentiment 93% positive of 28,893 Price $14.99 Open World Survival CraftSandboxPixel GraphicsSurvivalCraftingBuildingExplorationOnline Co-Op
- 6
Dinkum
Why it matched: both open world and relaxing; shares 10 player tags including Open World Survival Craft, Farming Sim and Relaxing; released around the same time (2025).
Dinkum is a survival life simulation game set on an island inspired by the rugged Australian outback. Farm, hunt, mine, fish, and forage to gather resources, expand your town, and discover what makes Dinkum so special—either solo or with friends.
Dinkum at a glance Released 2025 Studio James Bendon Player sentiment 92% positive of 29,091 Price $15.99 Open World Survival CraftFarming SimRelaxingCraftingSimulationSandboxCasualBuilding
- 7
Terraria
Why it matched: both open world, survival and atmospheric; shares 9 player tags including Open World Survival Craft, Sandbox and Survival.
Dig, fight, explore, build! Nothing is impossible in this action-packed adventure game. Four Pack also available!
Terraria at a glance Released 2011 Studio 505 Games Player sentiment 97% positive of 1,550,032 Price $9.99 Open World Survival CraftSandboxSurvival2DPixel GraphicsCraftingBuildingExploration
- 8
A Game About Digging A Hole
Why it matched: both psychological, atmospheric and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Exploration, Sandbox and Mining; released around the same time (2025).
A minimalist game about digging a hole in the garden of a newly purchased house. Collect resources, sell them, upgrade your equipment and discover a mysterious secret. Costs you only one coffee!
A Game About Digging A Hole at a glance Released 2025 Studio DoubleBee Player sentiment 89% positive of 20,050 Price $4.99 ExplorationSandboxMiningSimulationCraftingProcedural GenerationMysteryCasual
- 9
Green Hell
Why it matched: both open world, survival and atmospheric; shares 8 player tags including Open World Survival Craft, Survival and Online Co-Op.
Plunge into the open-world survival simulation set in the extreme conditions of the uncharted Amazon jungle. Use real-life survival techniques to craft, hunt, fight, and gather resources, set a makeshift shelter, or raise a fortress. Survive alone or team up with your friends and challenge the jungle together.
Green Hell at a glance Released 2019 Studio Creepy Jar Player sentiment 85% positive of 101,599 Price $2.79 Open World Survival CraftSurvivalOnline Co-OpCraftingExplorationSandboxSimulationBuilding
- 10
Abiotic Factor
Why it matched: both open world and survival; shares 8 player tags including Survival, Online Co-Op and Open World Survival Craft; released around the same time (2025).
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 SurvivalOnline Co-OpOpen World Survival CraftCraftingExplorationSandboxBuildingSimulation
- 11
Coral Island
Why it matched: both open world and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Farming Sim, Relaxing and Simulation; released around the same time (2023).
Coral Island is a vibrant, laid-back farm sim reimagined with multiplayer! Experience enchanting island life at your own pace: farm with friends, nurture animals, build relationships, hang out with a diverse cast of characters, and dive into the magical Merfolk Kingdom.
Coral Island at a glance Released 2023 Studio Stairway Games Player sentiment 89% positive of 27,542 Price $29.99 Farming SimRelaxingSimulationCraftingSandboxBuildingCasualMining
- 12
Luma Island
Why it matched: both open world and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Farming Sim, Crafting and Exploration; released around the same time (2024).
Get ready to explore, farm, fish, mine, craft, and raise magical Lumas as you solve puzzles and embark on quests across Luma Island. Play solo, or team up with friends in 1-4 player online co-op. Choose relaxing Cozy, challenging Adventure, or epic Hero mode to match your mood and playstyle.
Luma Island at a glance Released 2024 Studio Feel Free Games Player sentiment 84% positive of 12,673 Price $19.99 Farming SimCraftingExplorationSimulationMiningOnline Co-OpBuildingCasual
- 13
Russian Fishing 4
Why it matched: both open world, survival, atmospheric and relaxing; shares 5 player tags including Simulation, Relaxing and Crafting; released around the same time (2021).
Russian Fishing 4 is a fishing simulator with RPG elements. There is no story line and the whole process is based on the concept of an open, free to roam and free to play game.
Russian Fishing 4 at a glance Released 2021 Studio FishSoft LLC Player sentiment 61% positive of 90,224 Price Free SimulationRelaxingCraftingSurvivalCasual
- 14
Jurassic World Evolution 2
Why it matched: both open world, survival, atmospheric and relaxing; shares 5 player tags including Building, Simulation and Sandbox; 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 BuildingSimulationSandboxSurvivalCasual
- 15
Stardew Valley
Why it matched: both open world and relaxing; shares 9 player tags including Farming Sim, Pixel Graphics and Relaxing.
You've inherited your grandfather's old farm plot in Stardew Valley. Armed with hand-me-down tools and a few coins, you set out to begin your new life. Can you learn to live off the land and turn these overgrown fields into a thriving home?
Stardew Valley at a glance Released 2016 Studio ConcernedApe LLC Player sentiment 98% positive of 1,035,189 Price $14.99 Farming SimPixel GraphicsRelaxingSimulationCraftingSandboxBuildingCasual
- 16
Foundation
Why it matched: both open world, survival, atmospheric and relaxing; shares 5 player tags including Simulation, Sandbox and Relaxing; released around the same time (2025).
Foundation is a grid-less, laidback medieval city-building game with a focus on organic development, monument construction and resource management.
Foundation at a glance Released 2025 Studio Polymorph Games Player sentiment 87% positive of 24,163 Price $23.44 SimulationSandboxRelaxingBuildingSurvival
- 17
ASKA
Why it matched: both open world and survival; shares 8 player tags including Online Co-Op, Crafting and Simulation; released around the same time (2024).
A new Viking age dawns with you at its helm. Forge a thriving colony from nothing in this mythic open-world survival sim. Earn the gods' favor and survive in a land ruled by ancient terrors and unforgiving seasons. Rally unique villagers, expand your settlement and defend your tribe - solo or co-op!
ASKA at a glance Released 2024 Studio Sand Sailor Studio Player sentiment 80% positive of 12,111 Price $24.99 Online Co-OpCraftingSimulationOpen World Survival CraftBuildingSurvivalSandboxExploration
- 18
Fallout Shelter
Why it matched: both survival, atmospheric and relaxing; shares 7 player tags including Survival, Simulation and 2D.
Fallout Shelter puts you in control of a state-of-the-art underground Vault from Vault-Tec. Build the perfect Vault, keep your Dwellers happy, and protect them from the dangers of the Wasteland.
Fallout Shelter at a glance Released 2015 Studio Bethesda Game Studios Player sentiment 88% positive of 82,585 Price Free SurvivalSimulation2DBuildingCasualCraftingSandbox
- 19
No Man's Sky
Why it matched: both open world, survival and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Open World Survival Craft, Exploration and Survival.
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 Open World Survival CraftExplorationSurvivalProcedural GenerationSandboxCraftingSimulation
- 20
ICARUS
Why it matched: both open world and survival; shares 8 player tags including Survival, Open World Survival Craft and Online Co-Op; 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 SurvivalOpen World Survival CraftOnline Co-OpCraftingExplorationBuildingMiningSandbox
- 21
Stranded Deep
Why it matched: both open world, survival and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Open World Survival Craft, Survival and Crafting; released around the same time (2022).
Take the role of a plane crash survivor stranded somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. Come face to face with some of the most life threatening scenarios that will result in a different experience each time you play. Scavenge. Discover. Survive.
Stranded Deep at a glance Released 2022 Studio Beam Team Games Player sentiment 74% positive of 47,793 Price $19.99 Open World Survival CraftSurvivalCraftingExplorationBuildingSandboxSimulation
- 22
The Test
Why it matched: both survival, psychological, atmospheric and relaxing; shares 4 player tags including Simulation, Pixel Graphics and Mystery; released around the same time (2020).
You will answer a series of questions that will reveal truths from deep within. These questions may make you uncomfortable, but with great knowledge comes great sacrifice. Can you make it all the way through The Test, and if you do, are you sure you want the answers you seek?
The Test at a glance Released 2020 Studio Randumb Studios Player sentiment 97% positive of 20,122 Price $1.19 SimulationPixel GraphicsMysteryCasual
- 23
Townscaper
Why it matched: both open world, atmospheric and relaxing; shares 6 player tags including Building, Relaxing and Sandbox; released around the same time (2021).
Instant town building toy. Place housing blocks and watch them transform, piece by piece, into idyllic ocean-side towns, pastoral gardens, or sweeping cities on the sea.
Townscaper at a glance Released 2021 Studio Oskar Stålberg Player sentiment 95% positive of 21,622 Price $2.39 BuildingRelaxingSandboxCasualSimulationProcedural Generation
- 24
Sons Of The Forest
Why it matched: both open world, survival and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Survival, Crafting and Building; released around the same time (2024).
Sent to find a missing billionaire on a remote island, you find yourself in a cannibal-infested hellscape. Craft, build, and struggle to survive, alone or with friends, in this terrifying new open-world survival horror simulator.
Sons Of The Forest at a glance Released 2024 Studio Endnight Games Ltd Player sentiment 88% positive of 318,107 Price $29.99 SurvivalCraftingBuildingExplorationSandboxSimulation
Common questions
What game is most like Core Keeper?
Starbound, on the evidence we have. It both open world, survival, atmospheric and relaxing. 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 Core Keeper" 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 Core Keeper. 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.