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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.