16 Simulation games like Outer Wilds that you should try

If Outer Wilds worked for you because of strong narrative focus, open world exploration and horror setting, the same is here. Both also lean on a first-person view and single-player focus. The distance is in setting and world — its own ground is dark, oppressive atmosphere and linear, story-driven structure.

What brings it close to Outer Wilds is strong narrative focus, open world exploration and single-player focus, and the two track each other on genre, game mode and tone. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and a first-person view. The distance is in world — its own ground is procedural generation.

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.

If Outer Wilds worked for you because of strong narrative focus, open world exploration and single-player focus, the same is here. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and a first-person view. The distance is in tone — its own ground is dark, oppressive atmosphere.

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.

What brings it close to Outer Wilds is strong narrative focus, open world exploration and single-player focus, and the two track each other on genre, game mode and world. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery. Where the two diverge is setting and visuals: a relaxing pace and fantasy world.

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 strong narrative focus, open world exploration and single-player focus, and the two track each other on genre, tone and world. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and a first-person view. The distance is in game mode and visuals — its own ground is multiplayer gameplay and a third-person camera.

If Outer Wilds worked for you because of strong narrative focus, open world exploration and single-player focus, the same is here. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery. Where the two diverge is setting and visuals: a relaxing pace and fantasy 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.

It shares the essentials of what Outer Wilds does: open world exploration, melee combat and single-player focus. To that it adds exploration and discovery. They part company on setting and progression: this one brings historical setting and resource management.

The genre is the same as Outer Wilds’s, and with it strong narrative focus, open world exploration and single-player focus. Both also lean on exploration and discovery. The distance is in setting and tone — its own ground is a casual, approachable feel and historical setting.

If Outer Wilds worked for you because of exploration and discovery, open world exploration, and single-player focus, the same is here. Where the two diverge is tone: a relaxing pace.