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No Man's Sky

15 Games like No Man's Sky that you should try

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No Man's Sky is hard to replace: few games combine sandbox freedom, strong narrative focus and open world exploration in quite the same way. The NextGameLike team compared No Man's Sky against over 6,700 titles across 21 gameplay attributes and found 15 genuine alternatives — not generic genre suggestions. Scrap Mechanic, Terraria and Space Engineers lead the list, with Scrap Mechanic reaching a 77/100 similarity score. Every game here is ranked by how closely it replicates what makes No Man's Sky special.

NextGameLike76/ 100

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GenreSandboxSubgenreCrafting Sandbox
Tags
NarrativeSoloMultiplayer
Year 2016Dev Hello Games

Quick answer

The closest game to No Man's Sky is Scrap Mechanic — scoring 77/100 on our similarity scale. Terraria and Space Engineers follow close behind.

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Top games similar to No Man's Sky

15 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to No Man's Sky. Each one has been evaluated across 21 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

1

Scrap Mechanic

77
NGL83
Scrap Mechanic
Closest overall match
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
MultiplayerCo-opSoloMeleeSandbox WorldOpen WorldExplorationCraftingFirst PersonThird Person
Year 2016Dev Axolot GamesPlaytime ~6hOn PC

It meets No Man's Sky on a sandbox world, melee combat and multiplayer gameplay. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and a first-person view. What it adds of its own: online features and base building.

Genre100Visuals100Game mode89World80Progression80Combat73
2

Terraria

75
NGL86
Terraria
Closest on world
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeRangedNarrativeSandbox WorldOpen WorldProceduralSci-FiCraftingExploration
Year 2011Dev Engine Software · 505 GamesPlaytime ~15hOn PC · PS · Xbox

Same family as No Man's Sky: strong narrative focus, a sandbox world and melee combat. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and a sci-fi setting. Where the two diverge is visuals and setting: dark, oppressive atmosphere and horror setting.

Genre100World100Progression100Game mode88Combat73Tone46
3

Space Engineers

77
NGL76
Space Engineers
Closest on game mode
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeSandbox WorldOpen WorldSpaceSci-FiExplorationCraftingFirst PersonThird Person
Year 2013Dev Keen Software HousePlaytime ~5hOn PC · Xbox

If No Man's Sky worked for you because of a sandbox world, melee combat and a space setting, the same is here. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is combat: tactical combat.

Genre100Game mode100Setting100Progression100Visuals100World79
4

Unturned

77
NGL66
Unturned
Closest on combat
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeRangedNarrativeOpen WorldSandbox WorldExplorationCraftingFirst PersonThird Person
Year 2014Dev 505 GamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

Genre puts it alongside No Man's Sky, and so does strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. The distance is in setting and tone — its own ground is a casual, approachable feel and horror setting.

Genre100Combat100Visuals100Game mode77World76Progression71
5

Starbound

71
NGL84
Starbound
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
MultiplayerCo-opSoloMeleeNarrativeSandbox WorldOpen WorldProceduralSci-FiSpaceCraftingExploration
Year 2016Dev ChucklefishPlaytime ~17hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

If No Man's Sky worked for you because of strong narrative focus, a sandbox world and melee combat, the same is here. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and a sci-fi setting. They part company on visuals and tone: this one brings a casual, approachable feel and 2D presentation.

Genre100Setting100World100Progression100Game mode83Combat73
6

Minecraft

65
NGL90
Minecraft
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloMultiplayerCo-opSandbox WorldOpen WorldExplorationCraftingFirst PersonThird Person
Year 2016Dev Mojang StudiosOn Xbox · PS4 · Linux

On paper it is what No Man's Sky is — exploration and discovery, a sandbox world, and single-player focus — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. Both also lean on a first-person view. The distance is in tone and setting — its own ground is dark, oppressive atmosphere and fantasy world.

Genre100Progression100Visuals84World77Game mode62Tone0
7

Stardew Valley

64
NGL92
Stardew Valley
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
MultiplayerSoloCo-opNarrativeSandbox WorldOpen WorldCraftingExploration
Year 2016Dev ChucklefishPlaytime ~13hOn PC · PS · Xbox

Same family as No Man's Sky: strong narrative focus, a sandbox world and multiplayer gameplay. The common ground extends to crafting mechanics. Where the two diverge is setting and visuals: cozy, relaxing feel and fantasy world.

Genre100Game mode100Progression86World77Tone21Setting0
8

Loddlenaut

55
NGL92
Loddlenaut
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloNarrativeOpen WorldSandbox WorldSci-FiExplorationCraftingThird Person
Year 2023Dev Moon Lagoon · Secret ModePlaytime ~4hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

It comes from the same genre as No Man's Sky and shares strong narrative focus, open world exploration and a sci-fi setting. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is tone and game mode: a relaxing pace and 3D presentation.

Released 7 years after No Man's Sky.

Genre100Progression100World78Setting48Game mode29Visuals29
9

Cooking Simulator

47
NGL80
Cooking Simulator
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloCo-opSandbox WorldCraftingFirst Person
Year 2019Dev Big Cheese Studio · Forever Entertainment S.A.On PS4 · PC · Xbox

On paper it is what No Man's Sky is — a sandbox world, single-player focus and crafting mechanics — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. The common ground extends to a first-person view. Where the two diverge is tone and world: a casual, approachable feel and resource management.

Released 3 years after No Man's Sky.

Genre100Game mode73Visuals73Progression46World41Tone0
10

Potion Craft

44
NGL85
Potion Craft
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloNarrativeSandbox WorldCraftingRelaxing
Year 2022Dev niceplay games · tinyBuildOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

Same family as No Man's Sky: strong narrative focus, a sandbox world and single-player focus. Both also lean on crafting mechanics. The distance is in setting and visuals — its own ground is a relaxing pace and a medieval setting.

Released 6 years after No Man's Sky.

Genre100Progression56World46Game mode36Tone21Setting0
11

Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator

44
NGL83
Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloNarrativeSandbox WorldCraftingRelaxing
Year 2022Dev niceplay games · tinyBuildPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Xbox

Same family as No Man's Sky: strong narrative focus, a sandbox world and single-player focus. To that it adds crafting mechanics. They part company on setting and visuals: this one brings a relaxing pace and a medieval setting.

Released 6 years after No Man's Sky.

Genre100Progression56World44Game mode35Tone21Setting0
12

Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp

44
NGL78
Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloSandbox WorldCraftingThird PersonIsometric
Year 2017Dev Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development · NintendoOn Android · iOS

Same family as No Man's Sky: a sandbox world, single-player focus and crafting mechanics. Both also lean on a third-person camera. The distance is in game mode and visuals — its own ground is an isometric view.

Genre100Progression61World45Visuals44Game mode34
13

Kitchen Simulator 2015

52
NGL40
Kitchen Simulator 2015
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloMeleeNarrativeSandbox WorldExplorationCraftingFirst Person
Year 2015Dev WhackAKey GamesPlaytime ~4hOn PC

Same family as No Man's Sky: strong narrative focus, a sandbox world and melee combat. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. They part company on setting and tone: this one brings a casual, approachable feel and horror setting.

Genre100Progression100Combat80World50Visuals47Game mode35
14

Don't Starve

49
Don't Starve
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloMultiplayerSandbox WorldOpen WorldProceduralExplorationCrafting
Year 2022Dev FrayzzLoveOn PC

Shelved next to No Man's Sky for good reason: exploration and discovery, a sandbox world, and single-player focus. They part company on tone and setting: this one brings punishing difficulty and horror setting.

Released 6 years after No Man's Sky.

Genre100World100Progression100Game mode57Tone0Setting0
15

Poly Bridge

40
NGL81
Poly Bridge
SandboxCrafting Sandbox
SoloNarrativeSandbox WorldCraftingHardcore
Year 2016Dev Dry CactusOn Linux · Android · PC

Shelved next to No Man's Sky for good reason: strong narrative focus, a sandbox world and single-player focus. The common ground extends to crafting mechanics. Where the two diverge is setting and visuals: punishing difficulty and a cartoon aesthetic.

Genre100Progression61World46Game mode35Tone35Setting0

More similar-games lists to keep going

Found one on the list you already love? Open its own list: the games that play most like it, ranked, with the reason for each.

Explore games similar to No Man's Sky by category

If No Man's Sky left you wanting more, this is where you narrow it down. Was it the adventure or the simulation that hooked you? There is a list of just that. And if you play on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox and Mobile, filter by platform and skip the games you could not play anyway.

Rankings in the same genre

Sometimes what you want is not a No Man's Sky look-alike but simply the best Crafting Sandbox Games there are. That is what these rankings are for: no comparison to anything, just the highest-rated games. And if you feel like widening the net, the Sandbox Games ranking is a good way to run into something you were not expecting.