Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like X4: Foundations (2026)
Every game below overlaps with X4: Foundations 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 and strategy.
- X4: Foundations is tagged Space Sim, Simulation, Sandbox, Economy, Space, Flight, Capitalism, Trading 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.
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 and strategy; shares 10 player tags including Strategy, Simulation and Economy; 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 StrategySimulationEconomySpaceManagementBuildingSandboxBase-Building
- 2
Dyson Sphere Program
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Space, Base-Building and Building; 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 SpaceBase-BuildingBuildingSimulationManagementSandboxStrategySpace Sim
- 3
Avorion
Why it matched: both open world and science fiction; shares 11 player tags including Exploration, Sandbox and Space Sim; released around the same time (2020).
A procedural co-op space sandbox where players can build their own space ships out of dynamically scalable blocks. Fight epic space battles, explore, mine, trade, wage wars and build your own empire to save your galaxy from being torn apart by an unknown enemy.
Avorion at a glance Released 2020 Studio Boxelware Player sentiment 90% positive of 14,555 Price $24.99 ExplorationSandboxSpace SimBuildingSpaceFlight3DSimulation
- 4
Oxygen Not Included
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Base-Building, Building and Management; 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 Base-BuildingBuildingManagementSimulationSandboxStrategySpaceExploration
- 5
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Why it matched: both science fiction and strategy; shares 10 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 ManagementSimulationSpaceStrategyGrand StrategySandboxExplorationSpace Sim
- 6
Surviving Mars
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, Space and Base-Building; 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 StrategySpaceBase-BuildingSimulationBuildingManagementSandboxSpace Sim
- 7
Planetbase
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Base-Building, Space and Strategy; 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 Base-BuildingSpaceStrategySimulationBuildingManagementSandboxSpace Sim
- 8
Dwarf Fortress
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Strategy, Simulation and Base-Building; released around the same time (2022).
Build a fortress and try to help your dwarves survive against a deeply generated world. Keep your dwarves happy, grow their community and beware of digging too deeply. The deepest, most intricate simulation of a world that's ever been created.
Dwarf Fortress at a glance Released 2022 Studio Bay 12 Games Player sentiment 95% positive of 31,446 Price $29.99 StrategySimulationBase-BuildingSandboxManagementBuildingProcedural GenerationEconomy
- 9
Endless Sky
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Space, Simulation and Trading; released around the same time (2015).
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 SpaceSimulationTradingExplorationSpace SimSandboxEconomyStrategy
- 10
Hardspace: Shipbreaker
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Space, Simulation and Sandbox; 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 SpaceSimulationSandboxFirst-PersonSpace SimStrategyBuildingProcedural Generation
- 11
Elite Dangerous
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and strategy; shares 8 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 SimSpaceExplorationSimulationFirst-PersonSandboxTradingStrategy
- 12
Jurassic World Evolution 2
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and strategy; shares 7 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 BuildingSimulationManagementSandboxStrategyEconomyBase-Building
- 13
Empyrion - Galactic Survival
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and strategy; shares 7 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 SimSandboxStrategy
- 14
Kerbal Space Program
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and strategy; shares 7 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 SimBuildingExplorationStrategy
- 15
Satisfactory
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Base-Building, Building and Sandbox.
Satisfactory is a first-person open-world factory building game with a dash of exploration and combat. Play alone or with friends, explore an alien planet, create multi-story factories, and enter conveyor belt heaven!
Satisfactory at a glance Released 2024 Studio Coffee Stain Studios Player sentiment 97% positive of 278,668 Price $39.99 Base-BuildingBuildingSandboxExplorationFirst-PersonSimulationStrategy
- 16
IXION
Why it matched: both science fiction and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Space, Strategy and Base-Building; released around the same time (2022).
IXION is an unrelenting, city-building odyssey across the stars. As Administrator of the Tiqqun, DOLOS’ prototype space station, you are tasked with balancing preservation and exploration as you manage infrastructure, resources and crew. Can you keep the flame of humanity alight in the cold dark?
IXION at a glance Released 2022 Studio Bulwark Studios Player sentiment 79% positive of 17,614 Price $10.49 SpaceStrategyBase-BuildingBuildingSimulationExplorationEconomyManagement
- 17
Jurassic World Evolution
Why it matched: both open world, science fiction and strategy; 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 BuildingSimulationManagementStrategySandboxEconomy
- 18
Transport Fever
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Flight, Sandbox and Building; released around the same time (2016).
Transport Fever is a railroad-focused tycoon game. Players start in 1850 and build up a thriving transport company. As an emerging transport tycoon, the player constructs stations, airports, harbors and makes money by connecting areas requiring transport services. Build up your own Empire!
Transport Fever at a glance Released 2016 Studio Urban Games Player sentiment 83% positive of 10,841 Price $29.99 FlightSandboxBuildingEconomyManagementStrategyProcedural GenerationSimulation
- 19
Airport CEO
Why it matched: both strategy; shares 9 player tags including Flight, Management and Simulation; released around the same time (2021).
Build and manage an international airport!
Airport CEO at a glance Released 2021 Studio Apog Labs Player sentiment 83% positive of 8,337 Price $24.99 FlightManagementSimulationBuildingStrategySandboxCapitalismEconomy
- 20
Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, Simulation and Base-Building.
Build a soviet republic from an impoverished country into a rich industrial superpower in a city builder with intricate production chains and a fully simulated global economy. Manage the lives of your citizens from education to work and party loyalty to criminal activity.
Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic at a glance Released 2024 Studio 3Division Player sentiment 91% positive of 27,164 Price $9.99 StrategySimulationBase-BuildingManagementBuildingSandboxGrand StrategyEconomy
- 21
Manor Lords
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, Simulation and Base-Building.
Manor Lords is a medieval strategy game featuring in-depth city building, large-scale tactical battles, and complex economic and social simulations. Rule your lands as a medieval lord – the seasons pass, the weather changes, and cities rise and fall.
Manor Lords at a glance Released 2024 Studio Slavic Magic Player sentiment 84% positive of 90,905 Price $25.99 StrategySimulationBase-BuildingManagementGrand StrategyBuildingSandboxEconomy
- 22
Gold Mining Simulator
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Simulation, Sandbox and Economy; released around the same time (2017).
Become a gold miner. Work hard, dig deep, explore the world, and you’ll become the wealthiest person in Alaska. Use a variety of specialist machines to find as much gold as you can.
Gold Mining Simulator at a glance Released 2017 Studio Code Horizon Player sentiment 73% positive of 16,382 Price $19.99 SimulationSandboxEconomyBuildingFirst-PersonExplorationStrategyManagement
- 23
Kingdoms and Castles
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Building and Simulation; released around the same time (2017).
Kingdoms and Castles is a city-building simulation game about growing a kingdom from a tiny hamlet to a sprawling city and imposing castle. Make trade agreements, alliance, and war with neighboring AI controlled kingdoms. Each villager and resource is individually simulated.
Kingdoms and Castles at a glance Released 2017 Studio Lion Shield, LLC Player sentiment 94% positive of 31,404 Price $19.99 StrategyBuildingSimulationSandboxBase-BuildingManagementEconomy
- 24
Transport Fever 2
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Simulation, Strategy and Management; released around the same time (2019).
The classic transport simulation genre has a new gold standard with Transport Fever 2. Discover a whole new world by navigating transport routes through land, water and air. May progress and prosperity find their way!
Transport Fever 2 at a glance Released 2019 Studio Urban Games Player sentiment 90% positive of 32,509 Price $39.99 SimulationStrategyManagementEconomySandboxBuildingFlight
Common questions
What game is most like X4: Foundations?
Anno 2205, on the evidence we have. It both open world, science fiction 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 X4: Foundations" 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 X4: Foundations. 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.