17 Games with a sci-fi setting like Outer Wilds that you should try

What brings it close to Outer Wilds is strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat, and the two track each other on genre, game mode and world. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. The distance is in combat and setting — its own ground is dark, oppressive atmosphere and stealth mechanics.

Genre puts it alongside Outer Wilds, and so does 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 visuals: a casual, approachable feel and pixel art.

It shares the essentials of what Outer Wilds does: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat. The common ground extends to a sci-fi setting and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is visuals and setting: cozy, relaxing feel and stealth mechanics.

What brings it close to Outer Wilds is strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat, and the two track each other on genre, combat and tone. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and a first-person view. They part company on game mode and visuals: this one brings offline play and a third-person camera.

On paper it is what Outer Wilds is — strong narrative focus, open world exploration and a space setting — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. Both also lean on a first-person view and single-player focus. The distance is in game mode and world — its own ground is procedural generation and multiplayer gameplay.

Shelved next to Outer Wilds for good reason: open world exploration, a space setting and single-player focus. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and a first-person view. Where the two diverge is tone and visuals: punishing difficulty and a sandbox world.

What brings it close to Outer Wilds is open world exploration, melee combat and a space setting, and the two track each other on genre, combat and game mode. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. The distance is in visuals and progression — its own ground is a sandbox world and resource management.

Genre puts it alongside Outer Wilds, and so does open world exploration, melee combat and a space setting. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. The distance is in world and visuals — its own ground is a sandbox world and a third-person camera.

On paper it is what Outer Wilds is — strong narrative focus, open world exploration and a sci-fi setting — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. The distance is in tone and world — its own ground is a casual, approachable feel and a sandbox world.

On paper it is what Outer Wilds is — strong narrative focus, open world exploration and a sci-fi setting — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and a first-person view. They part company on setting and tone: this one brings a relaxing pace and fantasy world.

If Outer Wilds worked for you because of strong narrative focus, open world exploration and a sci-fi setting, the same is here. The common ground extends to a first-person view and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is setting: precision platforming.

What brings it close to Outer Wilds is strong narrative focus, open world exploration and a sci-fi setting, and the two track each other on genre, game mode and world. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and a first-person view. Where the two diverge is setting: fantasy world.

It shares the essentials of what Outer Wilds 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 game mode — its own ground is dark, oppressive atmosphere and a cyberpunk setting.

It comes from the same genre as Outer Wilds 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 setting and tone: punishing difficulty and procedural generation.

It shares the essentials of what Outer Wilds does: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and a sci-fi setting. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. The distance is in setting — its own ground is post-apocalyptic world.