8 Multiplayer games like No Man's Sky that you should try

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.