Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Endless Sky (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Endless Sky 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: Anno 2205, which both open world, science fiction, story-rich and strategy.
- Endless Sky is tagged Space, Free to Play, Open World, Singleplayer, Sci-fi, Simulation, 2D, 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.
- 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
Anno 2205
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction, story-rich and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, Simulation and Sci-fi; released around the same time (2015).
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 StrategySimulationSci-fiEconomySpaceSandboxStory RichTrading
- 2
Oxygen Not Included
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and strategy; shares 9 player tags including 2D, Simulation and Sandbox; 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 2DSimulationSandboxStrategySpaceIndieSci-fiExploration
- 3
Dyson Sphere Program
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction, strategy and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Space, Simulation and Sci-fi.
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 SpaceSimulationSci-fiSandboxStrategySpace SimIndieCasual
- 4
SPORE Galactic Adventures
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction, strategy and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Simulation, Space and Exploration.
Take Your Creature From Zero To Galactic HeroGet out of your starship and turn your Spore creatures into legendary Space Captains. For the first time, beam down with your allies to take on action-packed, planetside adventures. Complete quests, collect rewards, and even create your own missions.
SPORE Galactic Adventures at a glance Released 2009 Studio EA - Maxis Player sentiment 89% positive of 7,761 Price $19.99 SimulationSpaceExplorationSandboxStrategySci-fiRPGCasual
- 5
Elite Dangerous
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Space Sim, Space and Exploration; released around the same time (2014).
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-fiSimulationSandboxTradingRPG
- 6
Kerbal Space Program
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Space, Simulation and Sandbox; 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 SpaceSimulationSandboxSpace SimIndieExplorationSci-fiStrategy
- 7
Universe Sandbox
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Sandbox, Space and Simulation; released around the same time (2015).
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 SimCasualSci-fiIndieExploration
- 8
X4: Foundations
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and strategy; shares 8 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 SimSimulationSandboxEconomySpaceTradingExplorationStrategy
- 9
EVE Online
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Space, Free to Play and RPG.
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 SpaceFree to PlayRPGEconomySci-fiSandboxStrategyExploration
- 10
Jurassic World Evolution
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction, strategy and relaxing; shares 6 player tags including Simulation, Strategy and Sandbox; 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 SimulationStrategySandboxSci-fiEconomyCasual
- 11
Octopath Traveler
Why it matched: both open world, story-rich, strategy and relaxing; shares 6 player tags including RPG, Story Rich and Strategy; released around the same time (2018).
Eight travelers. Eight adventures. Eight roles to play. Embark on an epic journey across the vast and wondrous world of Orsterra and discover the captivating stories of each of the eight travelers.
Octopath Traveler at a glance Released 2018 Studio Square Enix Player sentiment 86% positive of 17,150 Price $59.99 RPGStory RichStrategyCasualSandboxSimulation
- 12
Spore
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction, strategy and relaxing; shares 6 player tags including Sandbox, Exploration and Simulation.
Be the architect of your own universe with Spore, an exciting single-player adventure. From Single Cell to Galactic God, evolve your creature in a universe of your own creations.
Spore at a glance Released 2008 Studio Maxis Player sentiment 93% positive of 72,594 Price $19.99 SandboxExplorationSimulationSpaceCasualSci-fi
- 13
Universe Sandbox Legacy
Why it matched: both science fiction and relaxing; shares 9 player tags including Simulation, Sandbox and Space; released around the same time (2011).
Create and destroy on a scale you’ve never imagined!
Universe Sandbox Legacy at a glance Released 2011 Studio Giant Army Player sentiment 80% positive of 2,977 Price Not listed SimulationSandboxSpaceIndieCasualSci-fiFree to PlaySpace Sim
- 14
SpaceChem
Why it matched: both science fiction, strategy and relaxing; shares 7 player tags including Indie, Sci-fi and 2D; 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 IndieSci-fi2DSpaceSimulationCasualStrategy
- 15
Starbound
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and relaxing; shares 7 player tags including Sandbox, Space and Exploration; released around the same time (2016).
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 SandboxSpaceExplorationIndie2DRPGSci-fi
- 16
Planetbase
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Space, Strategy and Simulation; released around the same time (2015).
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 SpaceStrategySimulationSci-fiIndieSandboxSpace Sim
- 17
Jurassic World Evolution 2
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction, strategy and relaxing; shares 6 player tags including Simulation, Sandbox and Strategy.
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 SimulationSandboxStrategyEconomySci-fiCasual
- 18
Hardspace: Shipbreaker
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction, strategy and relaxing; shares 6 player tags including Space, Sci-fi and Simulation.
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 SimStrategy
- 19
HuniePop
Why it matched: both story-rich, strategy and relaxing; shares 6 player tags including Indie, Casual and RPG; released around the same time (2015).
HuniePop is a unique sim experience for PC, Mac and Linux. It's a gameplay first approach that's part dating sim, part puzzle game, with light RPG elements, a visual novel style of presentation, an abrasive western writing style and plenty of "plot".
HuniePop at a glance Released 2015 Studio HuniePot Player sentiment 96% positive of 31,679 Price $9.99 IndieCasualRPGStory RichStrategy2D
- 20
FTL: Faster Than Light
Why it matched: both science fiction and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Space, Strategy and Sci-fi; 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 SpaceStrategySci-fiIndieSpace SimTop-Down2DSimulation
- 21
Prison Architect
Why it matched: both strategy and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Simulation, Sandbox and Strategy; released around the same time (2015).
Only the world’s most ruthless Warden can contain the world’s most ruthless inmates. Design and develop your personalized penitentiary in Prison Architect.
Prison Architect at a glance Released 2015 Studio Introversion Software Player sentiment 89% positive of 73,744 Price $5.99 SimulationSandboxStrategy2DTop-DownEconomyIndieCasual
- 22
Cell to Singularity - Evolution Never Ends
Why it matched: both science fiction, strategy and relaxing; shares 7 player tags including Free to Play, Simulation and Casual.
The epic story of evolution, technology, humanity, and dinosaurs is yours to tap.
Cell to Singularity - Evolution Never Ends at a glance Released 2021 Studio Computer Lunch Player sentiment 89% positive of 27,958 Price Free Free to PlaySimulationCasualSpaceSci-fiSandboxStrategy
- 23
Mabinogi
Why it matched: both open world, story-rich and relaxing; shares 6 player tags including Free to Play, RPG and Casual; released around the same time (2012).
Embark on amazing adventures, build lasting friendships or even find romance in this unique social game, where a welcoming community with thousands of devoted players await! Whoever you are, or whatever your heart’s desire, come express it in Mabinogi and start living your fantasy life!
Mabinogi at a glance Released 2012 Studio NEXON Korea Corporation Player sentiment 74% positive of 4,197 Price Free Free to PlayRPGCasualSimulationSandboxStory Rich
- 24
Empyrion - Galactic Survival
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Simulation, Space and Exploration.
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 SimulationSpaceExplorationSpace SimSandboxSci-fiStrategy
Common questions
What game is most like Endless Sky?
Anno 2205, on the evidence we have. It both open world, science fiction, story-rich and strategy. 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 Endless Sky" 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 Endless Sky. 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.