Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Cortex Command (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Cortex Command 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: Kerbal Space Program, which both science fiction, strategy and difficult.
- Cortex Command is tagged Strategy, Indie, Action, 2D, Physics, Sandbox, Pixel Graphics, Moddable 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.
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
Kerbal Space Program
Why it matched: both science fiction, strategy and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Sandbox, Physics and Moddable; released around the same time (2015).
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 SandboxPhysicsModdableIndieSci-fiDifficultReplay ValueStrategy
- 2
Dungeon of the ENDLESS
Why it matched: both science fiction, strategy and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Pixel Graphics and Indie; released around the same time (2014).
Dungeon of the ENDLESS™ is a Rogue-Like Dungeon-Defense game, in which the player and their team of heroes must protect the generator of their crashed ship while exploring an ever-expanding dungeon, all while facing waves of monsters and special events as they try to find their way out...
Dungeon of the ENDLESS at a glance Released 2014 Studio AMPLITUDE Studios Player sentiment 85% positive of 14,040 Price $11.99 StrategyPixel GraphicsIndieSci-fiDifficultReplay Value2D
- 3
Polarity
Why it matched: both science fiction, strategy and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Indie, Local Co-Op and Strategy; released around the same time (2016).
Polarity takes it to the next level, demanding all of your wits and reflexes. Full-featured local co-op campaign.
Polarity at a glance Released 2016 Studio Bluebutton Games Player sentiment 79% positive of 4,668 Price $12.99 IndieLocal Co-OpStrategyPlatformerSci-fiSandboxDifficult
- 4
Barotrauma
Why it matched: both science fiction, strategy and difficult; shares 7 player tags including 2D, Sci-fi and Strategy.
Barotrauma is a 2D co-op submarine simulator – in space, with survival horror and RPG elements. Steer your submarine, complete missions, fight monsters, fix leaks, operate machinery, man the guns and craft items, and stay alert: danger in Barotrauma doesn’t announce itself!
Barotrauma at a glance Released 2023 Studio FakeFish Player sentiment 94% positive of 89,445 Price $19.99 2DSci-fiStrategyDifficultModdableGoreViolent
- 5
FTL: Faster Than Light
Why it matched: both science fiction, strategy and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Strategy, Sci-fi and Indie; released around the same time (2012).
This "spaceship simulation roguelike-like" allows you to take your ship and crew on an adventure through a randomly generated galaxy filled with glory and bitter defeat.
FTL: Faster Than Light at a glance Released 2012 Studio Subset Games Player sentiment 95% positive of 78,616 Price $9.99 StrategySci-fiIndieDifficultReplay Value2D
- 6
The Escapists 2
Why it matched: both strategy and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, Pixel Graphics and 2D.
Craft, Steal, Brawl and Escape! It’s time to bust out of the toughest prisons in the world as you return to the life of an inmate in The Escapists 2, now with multiplayer! Have you got what it takes to escape?
The Escapists 2 at a glance Released 2017 Studio Team17 Player sentiment 91% positive of 33,775 Price $19.99 StrategyPixel Graphics2DLocal Co-OpIndieSandboxSplit ScreenDifficult
- 7
Door Kickers
Why it matched: both strategy and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Indie and 2D; released around the same time (2014).
Door Kickers is an innovative realtime strategy game that puts you in charge of a SWAT team and lets you command them during a tactical intervention.
Door Kickers at a glance Released 2014 Studio KillHouse Games Player sentiment 94% positive of 10,057 Price $19.99 StrategyIndie2DReplay ValueRTSModdableDifficult
- 8
Katana ZERO
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Pixel Graphics, Platformer and Indie.
Katana ZERO is a stylish neo-noir, action-platformer featuring breakneck action and instant-death combat. Slash, dash, and manipulate time to unravel your past in a beautifully brutal acrobatic display.
Katana ZERO at a glance Released 2019 Studio Askiisoft Player sentiment 98% positive of 76,036 Price $14.99 Pixel GraphicsPlatformerIndie2DViolentDifficultGoreSci-fi
- 9
Awesomenauts
Why it matched: both science fiction and strategy; shares 7 player tags including 2D, Platformer and Indie; released around the same time (2012).
Use your power, show your might! Play this Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) game! AWESOMENAUTS combines 2D platforming with team-based strategy and hero based action. Whether you are a new recruit or an intergalactic legend, play AWESOMENAUTS!
Awesomenauts at a glance Released 2012 Studio Ronimo Games Player sentiment 85% positive of 26,853 Price $8.99 2DPlatformerIndieLocal Co-OpStrategyLocal MultiplayerSci-fi
- 10
Serious Sam 3: BFE
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Gore, Local Co-Op and Indie; released around the same time (2011).
Serious Sam 3: BFE is a prequel to the original indie fast action FPS and Game of the Year sensation - Serious Sam: The First Encounter!
Serious Sam 3: BFE at a glance Released 2011 Studio Croteam Player sentiment 88% positive of 28,656 Price $29.99 GoreLocal Co-OpIndieSplit ScreenDifficultSci-fiLocal Multiplayer
- 11
Oxygen Not Included
Why it matched: both science fiction, strategy and difficult; shares 6 player tags including 2D, Sandbox and Strategy.
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 2DSandboxStrategyIndieSci-fiDifficult
- 12
Anomaly: Warzone Earth
Why it matched: both science fiction, strategy and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Strategy, Indie and Sci-fi; released around the same time (2011).
Lead an armored squad through the perils of this reversed tower defense action-strategy game!
Anomaly: Warzone Earth at a glance Released 2011 Studio 11 bit studios Player sentiment 87% positive of 4,688 Price $9.99 StrategyIndieSci-fiRTSDifficult
- 13
Iratus: Lord of the Dead
Why it matched: both strategy and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Indie and 2D.
Iratus: Lord of the Dead is a turn-based tactical roguelike RPG set in a dark fantasy universe. Lead an army of undead to help an angry necromancer in his quest to reach the surface world and bring death to the mortal realms!
Iratus: Lord of the Dead at a glance Released 2020 Studio Unfrozen Player sentiment 86% positive of 8,251 Price $2.99 StrategyIndie2DDifficultReplay ValueViolentGore
- 14
Police Stories
Why it matched: both strategy and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Pixel Graphics and 2D.
A fresh take on top-down shooters with an emphasis on tactics that forces you to make split second decisions. Neutralize criminals, rescue civilians and defuse bombs in Single Player mode or Co-op. And remember - shooting first is not an option!
Police Stories at a glance Released 2019 Studio HypeTrain Digital Player sentiment 85% positive of 9,697 Price $2.99 StrategyPixel Graphics2DIndieViolentGoreDifficult
- 15
Stoneshard
Why it matched: both strategy and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Pixel Graphics and 2D.
Stoneshard is a hardcore turn-based RPG about the harsh life of a medieval mercenary: travel with your own caravan, descend into procedurally generated dungeons, learn new skills, survive hunger and injuries - and remember, every mistake can mean death and loss of progress.
Stoneshard at a glance Released 2020 Studio Ink Stains Games Player sentiment 75% positive of 35,515 Price $24.99 StrategyPixel Graphics2DIndieDifficultReplay ValueSandbox
- 16
Gunpoint
Why it matched: both science fiction and strategy; shares 6 player tags including Indie, 2D and Pixel Graphics; released around the same time (2013).
Gunpoint is a stealth puzzle game that lets you rewire its levels to trick people. You play a freelance spy who takes jobs from his clients to break into high security buildings and steal sensitive data.
Gunpoint at a glance Released 2013 Studio Suspicious Developments Player sentiment 98% positive of 13,326 Price $9.99 Indie2DPixel GraphicsStrategyPlatformerSci-fi
- 17
Cook, Serve, Delicious!
Why it matched: both strategy and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Indie, Difficult and Strategy; released around the same time (2013).
Hungry? Take your restaurant from a one star abomination to a five star wonder in Cook, Serve, Delicious! Plan your menu, upgrade your equipment, and master challenges with easy-to-learn, hard-to-master gameplay!
Cook, Serve, Delicious! at a glance Released 2013 Studio Vertigo Gaming Inc. Player sentiment 94% positive of 5,711 Price $3.24 IndieDifficultStrategy2DLocal Co-OpLocal Multiplayer
- 18
SpaceChem
Why it matched: both science fiction, strategy and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Difficult, Indie and Sci-fi; released around the same time (2011).
Zachtronics is back with an ambitious new design-based puzzle game. Take on the role of a Reactor Engineer working for SpaceChem, the leading chemical synthesizer for frontier colonies. Construct elaborate factories to transform raw materials into valuable chemical products!
SpaceChem at a glance Released 2011 Studio Zachtronics Player sentiment 92% positive of 5,085 Price $9.99 DifficultIndieSci-fi2DStrategy
- 19
The Escapists
Why it matched: both strategy and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Pixel Graphics, Strategy and 2D; released around the same time (2015).
The Escapists provides players the opportunity of experiencing a light-hearted insight into everyday prison life with the main objective being that of escaping!
The Escapists at a glance Released 2015 Studio Mouldy Toof Studios Player sentiment 90% positive of 16,194 Price $3.59 Pixel GraphicsStrategy2DIndieDifficultSandbox
- 20
Cave Story
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Platformer, Indie and Pixel Graphics.
Run, jump, shoot, fly and explore your way through a massive action-adventure reminiscent of classic 8- and 16-bit games.
Cave Story at a glance Released 2004 Studio Daisuke Amaya Player sentiment 93% positive of 8,305 Price $14.99 PlatformerIndiePixel Graphics2DReplay ValueDifficultSci-fi
- 21
Papers, Please
Why it matched: both strategy and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Indie, Pixel Graphics and 2D; released around the same time (2013).
Congratulations. The October labor lottery is complete. Your name was pulled. For immediate placement, report to the Ministry of Admission at Grestin Border Checkpoint. An apartment will be provided for you and your family in East Grestin. Expect a Class-8 dwelling.
Papers, Please at a glance Released 2013 Studio Lucas Pope Player sentiment 97% positive of 80,337 Price $9.99 IndiePixel Graphics2DStrategyReplay ValueDifficult
- 22
Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes
Why it matched: both strategy and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Local Multiplayer, Local Co-Op and Indie; released around the same time (2015).
Find yourself trapped alone in a room with a ticking time bomb. Your friends have the manual to defuse it, but they can't see the bomb, so you're going to have to talk it out – fast!
Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes at a glance Released 2015 Studio Steel Crate Games Player sentiment 97% positive of 17,112 Price $14.99 Local MultiplayerLocal Co-OpIndieDifficultModdableStrategy
- 23
VVVVVV
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Pixel Graphics, Platformer and Indie; released around the same time (2010).
VVVVVV is a platform game all about exploring one simple mechanical idea - what if you reversed gravity instead of jumping?
VVVVVV at a glance Released 2010 Studio Terry Cavanagh Player sentiment 96% positive of 10,540 Price $4.99 Pixel GraphicsPlatformerIndieDifficult2DSci-fi
- 24
Scribblenauts Unlimited
Why it matched: both strategy; shares 7 player tags including Sandbox, 2D and Strategy; released around the same time (2012).
The best-selling, award-winning franchise is back – on your home PC in gorgeous HD for the first time.
Scribblenauts Unlimited at a glance Released 2012 Studio 5th Cell Media Player sentiment 94% positive of 12,381 Price $19.99 Sandbox2DStrategyModdablePlatformerReplay ValueIndie
Common questions
What game is most like Cortex Command?
Kerbal Space Program, on the evidence we have. It both science fiction, strategy and difficult. 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 Cortex Command" 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 Cortex Command. 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.