10 Narrative games like Starbound that you should try

With Starbound it shares a relaxing pace, a sandbox world and multiplayer gameplay. Both also lean on crafting mechanics and pixel art. The distance is in setting — its own ground is fantasy world.

Same family as Starbound: a relaxing pace, open world exploration and a sci-fi setting. The common ground extends to crafting mechanics and pixel art. Where the two diverge is game mode and visuals: 3D presentation.

Shelved next to Starbound for good reason: a relaxing pace, a sandbox world and single-player focus. To that it adds crafting mechanics and 2D presentation. They part company on setting and game mode: this one brings a medieval setting and resource management.

It comes from the same genre as Starbound and shares a relaxing pace, a sandbox world and single-player focus. The common ground extends to crafting mechanics and 2D presentation. Where the two diverge is setting and game mode: a medieval setting and resource management.

Its point of contact with Starbound is sandbox freedom, a casual, approachable feel and open world exploration. Both also lean on single-player focus. The distance is in visuals and genre — its own ground is deep simulation and a first-person view.

Genre puts it alongside Starbound, and so does a casual, approachable feel, open world exploration and melee combat. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and multiplayer gameplay. The distance is in setting and visuals — its own ground is dark, oppressive atmosphere and ranged combat.

It comes from the same genre as Starbound and shares a casual, approachable feel, a sandbox world and melee combat. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is setting and visuals: cozy, relaxing feel and horror setting.

What brings it close to Starbound is strong narrative focus, a sandbox world and melee combat, and the two track each other on genre, game mode and world. Both also lean on crafting mechanics and 2D presentation. The distance is in tone and setting — its own ground is dark, oppressive atmosphere and magic-based combat.

If Starbound worked for you because of strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat, the same is here. The common ground extends to crafting mechanics and a space setting. Where the two diverge is visuals and tone: a first-person view.

It comes from the same genre as Starbound and shares strong narrative focus, a sandbox world and single-player focus. The common ground extends to crafting mechanics and 2D presentation. Where the two diverge is setting and tone: punishing difficulty and a cartoon aesthetic.