Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Distant Space (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Distant Space 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: Defy Gravity Extended, which both science fiction, relaxing and difficult.
- Distant Space is tagged Shoot 'Em Up, Indie, Arcade, Space, Pixel Graphics, Casual, Action, Adventure 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.
- 1 are free to download, so you can test the resemblance yourself at no cost.
- 1 are from the same studio: Minimalism.
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
Defy Gravity Extended
Why it matched: both science fiction, relaxing and difficult; shares 9 player tags including Indie, Space and 2D; released around the same time (2016).
Defy Gravity is an action platformer that is a mix between classic platforming and gravity based puzzle solving.
Defy Gravity Extended at a glance Released 2016 Studio Paul Fisch Player sentiment 86% positive of 8,531 Price $0.55 IndieSpace2DDifficultCasualSci-fiRetroArcade
- 2
Ikaruga
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 11 player tags including Shoot 'Em Up, Bullet Hell and Arcade.
Shoot! Dodge! and... Get Hit!? "Ikaruga" is a vertical shoot 'em up that features an unique polarity-switching gameplay. Switch the ship's polarity and "get hit and absorb" enemy bullets! Achieve High Score with the chain bonus!
Ikaruga at a glance Released 2001 Studio Treasure Player sentiment 95% positive of 2,364 Price $9.99 Shoot 'Em UpBullet HellArcadeShooterSci-fiDifficultIndie2D
- 3
Beat Hazard
Why it matched: both science fiction, relaxing and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Bullet Hell, Shoot 'Em Up and 2D.
Experience your music collection like never before with this intense music driven arcade shooter. Each of your songs will have its own unique ebb and flow based on the music.
Beat Hazard at a glance Released 2010 Studio Cold Beam Games Player sentiment 95% positive of 7,449 Price $9.99 Bullet HellShoot 'Em Up2DSpaceIndieArcadeShooterCasual
- 4
Vampire Survivors
Why it matched: both relaxing and difficult; shares 9 player tags including Bullet Hell, Pixel Graphics and 2D.
Mow down thousands of night creatures and survive until dawn! Vampire Survivors is a gothic horror casual game with rogue-lite elements, where your choices can allow you to quickly snowball against the hundreds of monsters that get thrown at you. Be the bullet hell!
Vampire Survivors at a glance Released 2022 Studio poncle Player sentiment 98% positive of 265,103 Price $3.74 Bullet HellPixel Graphics2DIndieCasualArcadeControllerRetro
- 5
VVVVVV
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Pixel Graphics, Indie and Difficult.
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 GraphicsIndieDifficultRetro2DSci-fiMinimalistSpace
- 6
Mighty No. 9
Why it matched: both science fiction, relaxing and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Retro, Indie and Difficult; released around the same time (2016).
Mighty No. 9 is a 2D Side-scrolling Action game that takes the best elements from 8 and 16-bit classics that you know and love and transforms them with modern tech, fresh mechanics, and fan input into something fresh and amazing!
Mighty No. 9 at a glance Released 2016 Studio Inti Creates Player sentiment 50% positive of 3,453 Price $19.99 RetroIndieDifficultCasualSci-fi2D
- 7
Baba Is You
Why it matched: both relaxing and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Indie, Difficult and Pixel Graphics; released around the same time (2019).
Baba Is You is a puzzle game where the rules you have to follow are present as blocks you can interact with. By manipulating them, you can change how the game works, repurpose things you find in the levels and cause surprising interactions!
Baba Is You at a glance Released 2019 Studio Hempuli Oy Player sentiment 98% positive of 24,536 Price $14.99 IndieDifficultPixel Graphics2DMinimalistCasualRetro
- 8
Super Hexagon
Why it matched: both relaxing and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Difficult, Indie and Arcade; released around the same time (2012).
Super Hexagon is a minimal action game by Terry Cavanagh, with music by Chipzel.
Super Hexagon at a glance Released 2012 Studio Terry Cavanagh Player sentiment 97% positive of 25,111 Price $2.99 DifficultIndieArcadeMinimalist2DCasualController
- 9
Brotato
Why it matched: both science fiction, relaxing and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Bullet Hell, Sci-fi and Arcade.
Brotato is a top-down arena shooter roguelite where you play a potato wielding up to 6 weapons at a time to fight off hordes of aliens. Choose from a variety of traits and items to create unique builds and survive until help arrives.
Brotato at a glance Released 2023 Studio Blobfish Player sentiment 96% positive of 118,244 Price $4.99 Bullet HellSci-fiArcadeCasualController2D
- 10
SpaceChem
Why it matched: both science fiction, relaxing and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Difficult, Indie and Sci-fi.
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-fi2DSpaceCasual
- 11
Zero Wing
Why it matched: both science fiction; shares 9 player tags including Shoot 'Em Up, Arcade and 2D.
Defend the galaxy from vicious space pirates! Seize your foes and fire them back at their allies for devastating destruction in Toaplan's legendary horizontal arcade shooter, now on PC with all-new features and quality-of-life bonuses!
Zero Wing at a glance Released 1989 Studio Toaplan Player sentiment 88% positive of 85 Price $7.99 Shoot 'Em UpArcade2DControllerPixel GraphicsSci-fiSpace1980s
- 12
Minimalism
Why it matched: made by the same studio, PixelMouse; both relaxing and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Indie, Casual and Difficult; released around the same time (2017).
Minimalism - platformer with a lot of levels, made in minimalist style - which is a cube protogonist. The game is a kind of labyrinth consisting of levels, to go between them you need to open the doors with collected keys.
Minimalism at a glance Released 2017 Studio PixelMouse Player sentiment 67% positive of 4,631 Price $0.99 IndieCasualDifficultMinimalist2D
- 13
Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number
Why it matched: both difficult; shares 8 player tags including Pixel Graphics, Difficult and Retro; released around the same time (2015).
Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number is the brutal conclusion to the Hotline Miami saga, set against a backdrop of escalating violence and retribution over spilled blood in the original game.
Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number at a glance Released 2015 Studio Dennaton Games Player sentiment 94% positive of 79,987 Price $14.99 Pixel GraphicsDifficultRetro1980sIndie2DShooterArcade
- 14
Super Crate Box
Why it matched: both difficult; shares 8 player tags including Indie, Pixel Graphics and 2D; released around the same time (2012).
Vlambeer's SUPER CRATE BOX is coming to bring back the glory of the golden arcade age, when all that really mattered was getting on that high score list. Grab your baseball cap and loosen your pants, it's time to fight endless hordes of enemies and collect every weapon crate you can.
Super Crate Box at a glance Released 2012 Studio Vlambeer Player sentiment 89% positive of 6,444 Price Free IndiePixel Graphics2DShooterArcadeDifficultRetroController
- 15
Zuma
Why it matched: both relaxing and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Arcade, 2D and Casual.
Deep in the jungle lie hidden temples bursting with traps and trickery, and it's up to you to uncover their treasures. Fire magical balls from your stone frog idol to make matches of three or more and clear the deadly chain before it reaches the golden skull.
Zuma at a glance Released 2003 Studio Oberon Media Player sentiment 96% positive of 6,806 Price $4.99 Arcade2DCasualRetroIndieDifficultShooter
- 16
Cave Story
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Indie, Pixel Graphics and 2D.
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 IndiePixel Graphics2DRetroDifficultShooterSci-fi
- 17
Katana ZERO
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Pixel Graphics, Indie and 2D; released around the same time (2019).
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 GraphicsIndie2DDifficultRetroSci-fi
- 18
Papers, Please
Why it matched: both relaxing and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Indie, Pixel Graphics and Retro; 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 GraphicsRetro2DCasualDifficult
- 19
CrossCode
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Pixel Graphics, Indie and 2D; released around the same time (2018).
A retro-inspired 2D Action RPG set in the distant future. CrossCode combines 16-bit SNES-style graphics with butter-smooth physics, a fast-paced combat system, and engaging puzzle mechanics, served with a gripping sci-fi story.
CrossCode at a glance Released 2018 Studio Radical Fish Games Player sentiment 92% positive of 18,408 Price $19.99 Pixel GraphicsIndie2DRetroSci-fiDifficult
- 20
Furi
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Bullet Hell, Difficult and Shoot 'Em Up; released around the same time (2016).
The jailer is the key, kill him and you’ll be free. Fight your way free in this ultra-responsive, fast-paced sword-fighting and dual-stick shooting game.
Furi at a glance Released 2016 Studio The Game Bakers Player sentiment 90% positive of 14,026 Price $19.99 Bullet HellDifficultShoot 'Em UpSci-fiControllerIndie
- 21
DJMAX RESPECT V
Why it matched: both relaxing and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Casual, 2D and Arcade; released around the same time (2020).
DJMAX RESPECT V is the latest installment from the creators of the critically acclaimed rhythm game franchise ‘DJMAX.’ Experience tracks from popular artists such as Marshmello, Porter Robinson, and Yukika, exclusive Full HD Music Videos, online multiplayer, new game modes, and more!
DJMAX RESPECT V at a glance Released 2020 Studio NEOWIZ Player sentiment 89% positive of 34,805 Price $49.99 Casual2DArcadeDifficultPixel GraphicsPvE
- 22
Sanctum
Why it matched: both science fiction, relaxing and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Indie, Sci-fi and Shooter.
You think Tower Defense games are all about building? You thought wrong. Sanctum is not your average Tower Defense title. When the havoc starts, you get to join the fray! As one of the world’s first First Person Shooter - Tower Defense games, Sanctum has taken the best of both worlds to deliver an epic, one-of-a-kind experience.
Sanctum at a glance Released 2011 Studio Coffee Stain Studios Player sentiment 89% positive of 3,359 Price $1.99 IndieSci-fiShooterCasualDifficult
- 23
Polarity
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Indie, Sci-fi and Retro; 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 IndieSci-fiRetroSpaceShooterDifficult
- 24
EVERSPACE
Why it matched: both science fiction and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Space, Indie and Sci-fi; released around the same time (2017).
EVERSPACE™ combines fast-paced combat with roguelike elements, great visuals and a captivating story. It takes you on a challenging journey through an ever-changing, beautifully crafted universe full of surprises. Shoot, craft and loot your way to victory while the odds are stacked against you.
EVERSPACE at a glance Released 2017 Studio ROCKFISH Games Player sentiment 78% positive of 11,465 Price $19.99 SpaceIndieSci-fiShooterDifficultArcade
Common questions
What game is most like Distant Space?
Defy Gravity Extended, on the evidence we have. It both science fiction, relaxing 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 Distant Space" 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 Distant Space. 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.
What else did the makers of Distant Space do?
Minimalism is also from PixelMouse, and appears in the list below for that reason as well as on tag overlap.
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.