5 Best Games Like No Man’s Sky

These are games that align with the explorative playstyle offered by No Man’s Sky and are a must-try on PC.

5 Best Games Like No Man's Sky
An image showing multiple games (Image via System Era Softworks | Miju Games | Unknown Worlds Entertainment | Deltia’s Gaming)

No Man’s Sky is an open-world game that offers endless possibilities. It is an infinite space exploration experience across 18 quintillion procedurally generated planets. Players gather resources, build bases, do missions, trade, pilot spaceships, and so much more. The game features four core pillars: exploration, survival, combat, and trading. Players must balance these elements to survive. That said, below are a few titles that are highly similar to No Man’s Sky and are absolutely worth a try.

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1. Elite Dangerous

Screenshot from the game: Elite Dangerous
Screenshot from the game: Elite Dangerous (Image via Frontier Developments)

Elite Dangerous is much older than No Man’s Sky; it offers an extensive space simulation in the Milky Way galaxy. Over here, you pilot and customize spaceships through 400 billion star systems, and that too with realistic physics. Much like No Man’s Sky, there is an active trading system funding the economics of the game. The combat mechanism includes dogfights with space pirates and other adversaries. Overall, it’s a great alternative if you’re looking for something more extensive than No Man’s Sky.

2. Astroneer

Screenshot from the game: Astroneer (Image via System Era Softworks)
Screenshot from the game: Astroneer (Image via System Era Softworks)

If you need something more casual than what No Man’s Sky offers, Astroneer is an excellent alternative. The game almost feels similar, as you explore colorful alien planets, gathering resources like copper, aluminum, and resin.

The crafting system uses 3D printers that physically create items from raw materials. The base-building mechanism involves tethers for oxygen supply alongside modular habitat blocks. There is also vehicle building, such as constructing rovers for planetary travel. Overall, it’s a great alternative and can be enjoyed in a much more casual fashion.

3. Outer Wilds

Screenshot from the game: Outer Wilds
Screenshot from the game: Outer Wilds (Image via Annapurna Interactive)

Outer Wilds takes a very different approach to what No Man’s Sky offers. The game provides a unique exploration mystery with a 22-minute time loop. When each cycle ends, the sun goes supernova, resetting the solar system. You explore six handcrafted planets with unique physics, such as sand flowing between twin worlds, planets collapsing into black holes, quantum objects moving when unobserved, and more.

This is not just mindless exploration; you need to know what you have to do, as this is purely knowledge-based progression. The information you gather here is essential for solving the game’s puzzles. Overall, it’s an outstanding game, with an incredible storyline. Give this a go. It will be well worth your time. 

4. Subnautica

Screenshot from the game: Subnautica
Screenshot from the game: Subnautica (Image via Unknown Worlds Entertainment)

Subnautica is similar yet very different. In No Man’s Sky, you explore the void; over here, this is pure underwater exploration on an alien ocean planet. The biomes, the zones, and everything that builds up Subnautica feel very similar to No Man’s Sky. You get to craft submarines, diving gear, and create underwater bases, while at the same time avoiding dangerous sea creatures like Reaper Leviathans.

The base building mechanics involve connecting corridors and moonpools and making a sustainable habitat. The storyline is outright incredible. Resource and depth management play a crucial role in late-game territory. Sadly, this is purely a single-player title, as multiplayer isn’t available, as others have mentioned here. If you want something different from the space theme, but the same vibe, give Subnautica a try.

5. The Planet Crafter

Screenshot from the game: Planet Crafter
Screenshot from the game: Planet Crafter (Image via Miju Games)

The game emphasizes long-term planetary change rather than instant gratification. Unlike exploration, crafting, and base building aspects of No Man’s Sky, Plant Crafter focuses on transforming barren worlds into habitable planets. Here, you start with lifeless rocks and gradually transform them by increasing oxygen, heat, and pressure levels to a much more habitable state.

There are Various Terraforming machines, including heaters, oxygen generators, and atmospheric processors. All of these slowly change the environment. As the game progresses, you unlock new technologies and biomes, such as ice melts and vegetation grows.  Overall, Planet Crafter takes a deeper dive into making planets habitable than in No Man’s Sky, where you explore for resources and quest progression. It’s worth a try if you are looking for something slow-paced and, in the long term, is highly rewarding.

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