Games like Elite Dangerous on Steam
For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free games like Elite Dangerous are available at the bottom of the page.
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Green Hell
Plunge into the open-world survival simulation set in the extreme conditions of the uncharted Amazon jungle. Use real-life survival techniques to craft, hunt, fight, and gather resources, set a makeshift shelter, or raise a fortress. Survive alone or team up with your friends and challenge the jungle together.
Reentry - A Space Flight Simulator
Do you have what it takes to be an astronaut? Reentry is a realistic space flight simulator based on NASAs space programs; from the first American human spaceflight in Project Mercury, the rendezvous and EVAs of Project Gemini to the Moon landing in Project Apollo.
Raft
Raft™ throws you and your friends into an epic oceanic adventure! Alone or together, players battle to survive a perilous voyage across a vast sea! Gather debris, scavenge reefs and build your own floating home, but be wary of the man-eating sharks!
Planetbase
Guide a group of space settlers trying to establish a base on a remote planet. Grow food, collect energy, mine resources, survive disasters and build a self-sufficient colony in a harsh and unforgiving environment.
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel
Launch into the Borderlands universe and shoot ‘n’ loot your way through a brand new adventure that rockets you onto Pandora’s moon in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel!
Starpoint Gemini 2
Captain your own space ship and roam the galaxy in 3D in this tactical space simulator with tons of RPG depth ! Space has never looked so inviting - but images can betray...It has been two years since the end of the second Gemini war, the situation in the wartorn system is further from resolution than ever.
Retreat To Enen
Base building simulator 1500 years in the future. Journey to the Island of Enen to forage, craft, build, hunt, meditate, and explore across three vast biomes. Discover secrets and create the retreat of your dreams. With over 160 unique items to gather, craft, and build, every home will be unique.
The Orville - Interactive Fan Experience
Step aboard the USS Orville (ECV-197), the Planetary Union's finest mid-level exploratory class cruiser. With every room on every deck recreated with painstaking accuracy, you are free to explore the ship at your leisure and engage in all manner of shenanigans!
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
Fire up a wild ride across the cosmos with a fresh take on Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. In this action-adventure game, you are Star-Lord leading the unpredictable Guardians from one explosion of chaos to the next. You got this. Probably.
Deep Space Battle Simulator
Two teams of players control their capital ship in an epic battle. Customize your ship, control its movement, weapons, and energy distribution or go to one of the hangars to join the battle in a smaller fighter!
Galaxy on Fire 2™ Full HD
A hyperdrive malfunction sends Keith T. Maxwell tumbling through space and time to fight for his life against a mysterious alien armada that is wreaking havoc.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora™
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora™ is a first-person, action-adventure game set in the Western Frontier. Reconnect with your lost heritage and discover what it truly means to be Na'vi as you join other clans to protect Pandora.
The Planet Crafter
A space survival open world terraforming crafting game, designed for 1 to 10 players. Alter the ecosystem of an inhospitable planet to render it habitable for humanity. Survive, gather resources, and build your base. Then, generate oxygen, warmth, and pressure to create a brand new biosphere.
Race for Tuning
The city at night, the roar of the engine, nitrous, neon, a tuning... What else do you need for a street race? Burn rubber and become the king of the streets!
The Crew™ 2
Take on the American motorsports scene as you explore and dominate the land, air, and sea across the entire USA. With a wide variety of cars, bikes, boats, and planes, compete in a wide range of driving disciplines.
Firefighting Simulator - The Squad
Firefighting Simulator lets you experience what it means to fight fires up close as an active part of a major US city's firefighting crew - together with up to 3 friends in the co-op multiplayer- or in the single player mode.
VoidExpanse
Explore the vast reaches of VoidExpanse -- mine asteroids, upgrade your ship, trade, complete missions, advance your character and survive fast-paced combat with hostile aliens and mercenaries in the rich and exciting Sci-Fi universe of VoidExpanse!
House of the Dying Sun
House of the Dying Sun is a tactical space shooter that puts you in the cockpit of the universe's most terrifying starfighter. Hunt the enemies of the Empire and bring ruin to their people.
Tribes: Ascend
This edition packages weapon DLC from ten previous expansions as well new featured content.
Fractal Block World
This is a surreal exploration game. Explore a massive fractal with great complexities. You can shrink infinitely to go deeper into the fractal. Or you can become larger by growing. Inner space awaits you in this infinite world.
The Outer Worlds
The Outer Worlds is an award-winning single-player RPG from Obsidian Entertainment and Private Division. As you explore a space colony, the character you decide to become will determine how this player-driven story unfolds. In the colony's corporate equation, you are the unplanned variable.
Prey
In Prey, you awaken aboard Talos I, a space station orbiting the moon in the year 2032. You are the key subject of an experiment meant to alter humanity forever – but things have gone terribly wrong. The space station has been overrun by hostile aliens and you are now being hunted.
EmergeNYC
EmergeNYC is a simulation of New York City's Emergency Services. Drive over 30 different Emergency Vehicles with up to 32 of your friends through busy City Streets with blazing sirens and air horns. Take the role of a firefighter, medic, or police officer and ride with your friends to emergenciesMost played games like Elite Dangerous on Steam
Take a look at the top games like Elite Dangerous that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 19th 2025.
1. DayZ
Similarity 50% How long can you survive a post-apocalyptic world? A land overrun with an infected "zombie" population, where you compete with other survivors for limited resources. Will you team up with strangers and stay strong together? Or play as a lone wolf to avoid betrayal? This is DayZ – this is your story. DayZ is a survival, open world and online co-op game developed and published by Bohemia Interactive. Released on December 13th 2018 has received 424,833 reviews of which 325,442 were positive and 99,391 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played game like Elite Dangerous, thanks to its 44,343 peak concurrent players over the last day.
7.6
325,442
99,391
44,343
players
2. VRChat
Similarity 52% Join our growing community as you explore, play, and help craft the future of social VR. Create worlds and custom avatars. Welcome to VRChat. VRChat is a vr, free to play and multiplayer game developed and published by VRChat Inc.. Released on February 01st 2017 has received 237,151 reviews of which 179,218 were positive and 57,933 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. While seeing 39,870 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among games like Elite Dangerous based on player count.
7.5
179,218
57,933
39,870
players
3. Destiny 2
Similarity 52% Destiny 2 is an action MMO with a single evolving world that you and your friends can join anytime, anywhere, absolutely free. Destiny 2 is a free to play, open world and multiplayer game developed and published by Bungie. Released on October 01st 2019 has received 622,838 reviews of which 496,312 were positive and 126,526 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. While seeing 25,922 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among games like Elite Dangerous based on player count.
7.9
496,312
126,526
25,922
players
4. ARK: Survival Evolved
Similarity 52% Stranded on the shores of a mysterious island, you must learn to survive. Use your cunning to kill or tame the primeval creatures roaming the land, and encounter other players to survive, dominate... and escape! ARK: Survival Evolved is a open world survival craft, survival and multiplayer game developed by Studio Wildcard, Instinct Games, Efecto Studios and Virtual Basement LLC and published by Studio Wildcard and Snail Games USA. Released on August 27th 2017 has received 724,811 reviews of which 607,154 were positive and 117,657 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. With 22,313 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played games like Elite Dangerous.
8.3
607,154
117,657
22,313
players
5. Satisfactory
Similarity 55% Satisfactory is a first-person open-world factory building game with a dash of exploration and combat. Play alone or with friends, explore an alien planet, create multi-story factories, and enter conveyor belt heaven! Satisfactory is a base-building, automation and open world game developed by Coffee Stain Studios and published by Coffee Stain Publishing. Released on September 10th 2024 has received 228,332 reviews of which 221,780 were positive and 6,552 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. With 19,872 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played games like Elite Dangerous.
9.6
221,780
6,552
19,872
players
6. BeamNG.drive
Similarity 51% A dynamic soft-body physics vehicle simulator capable of doing just about anything. BeamNG.drive is a simulation, driving and physics game developed and published by BeamNG. Released on May 29th 2015 has received 313,990 reviews of which 305,852 were positive and 8,138 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. With 17,673 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played games like Elite Dangerous.
9.6
305,852
8,138
17,673
players
7. Sons Of The Forest
Similarity 51% Sent to find a missing billionaire on a remote island, you find yourself in a cannibal-infested hellscape. Craft, build, and struggle to survive, alone or with friends, in this terrifying new open-world survival horror simulator. Sons Of The Forest is a survival, open world and multiplayer game developed by Endnight Games Ltd and published by Newnight . Released on February 22nd 2024 has received 248,117 reviews of which 217,551 were positive and 30,566 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. With 12,018 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played games like Elite Dangerous.
8.7
217,551
30,566
12,018
players
8. Conan Exiles
Similarity 50% An online multiplayer survival game, now with sorcery, set in the lands of Conan the Barbarian. Survive in a vast open world sandbox, build your home into a kingdom, and dominate your enemies in single or multiplayer. Conan Exiles is a survival and open world game developed and published by Funcom. Released on May 08th 2018 has received 106,283 reviews of which 83,576 were positive and 22,707 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. With 10,537 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played games like Elite Dangerous.
7.8
83,576
22,707
10,537
players
9. No Man's Sky
Similarity 83% No Man's Sky is a game about exploration and survival in an infinite procedurally generated universe. No Man's Sky is a open world, open world survival craft and space game developed and published by Hello Games. Released on August 12th 2016 has received 349,909 reviews of which 290,482 were positive and 59,427 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. With 9,228 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played games like Elite Dangerous.
8.2
290,482
59,427
9,228
players
10. Forza Horizon 5
Similarity 56% Explore the vibrant open world landscapes of Mexico with limitless, fun driving action in the world’s greatest cars. Forza Horizon 5 is a racing, open world and driving game developed by Playground Games and published by Xbox Game Studios. Released on November 08th 2021 has received 218,568 reviews of which 193,697 were positive and 24,871 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. With 7,985 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played games like Elite Dangerous.
8.8
193,697
24,871
7,985
players
Best deals on games like Elite Dangerous on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of games like Elite Dangerous available on Steam right now, updated on April 19th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted games like Elite Dangerous.
1. Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel
Similarity 54% Launch into the Borderlands universe and shoot ‘n’ loot your way through a brand new adventure that rockets you onto Pandora’s moon in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel! Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is a looter shooter, co-op and fps game developed by 2K Australia, Gearbox Software and Aspyr (Linux) and published by Aspyr (Linux) and 2K. Released on October 16th 2014 has received 41,144 reviews of which 33,531 were positive and 7,613 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Featuring a massive 93% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for games like Elite Dangerous.
8.0
33,531
7,613
-93%
41.86€
2.93€
2. Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
Similarity 53% Fire up a wild ride across the cosmos with a fresh take on Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. In this action-adventure game, you are Star-Lord leading the unpredictable Guardians from one explosion of chaos to the next. You got this. Probably. Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is a singleplayer, story rich and action game developed by Eidos-Montréal and published by Eidos Interactive Corp.. Released on October 26th 2021 has received 38,562 reviews of which 36,313 were positive and 2,249 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 92% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in games like Elite Dangerous.
9.2
36,313
2,249
-92%
62.38€
4.99€
3. Chorus
Similarity 62% Take control of Nara on a quest to destroy the dark cult that created her. Unlock devastating weapons & mind-bending abilities in an evolution of the space-combat shooter. Along with Forsaken, her sentient starfighter, explore ancient temples, engage in zero-g combat & venture beyond waking reality. Chorus is a action, adventure and indie game developed by Deep Silver Fishlabs and published by Deep Silver. Released on December 03rd 2021 has received 3,974 reviews of which 3,305 were positive and 669 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 92% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in games like Elite Dangerous.
8.0
3,305
669
-92%
23.50€
1.88€
4. Conan Exiles
Similarity 50% An online multiplayer survival game, now with sorcery, set in the lands of Conan the Barbarian. Survive in a vast open world sandbox, build your home into a kingdom, and dominate your enemies in single or multiplayer. Conan Exiles is a survival and open world game developed and published by Funcom. Released on May 08th 2018 has received 106,283 reviews of which 83,576 were positive and 22,707 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 91% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for games like Elite Dangerous.
7.8
83,576
22,707
-91%
41.89€
3.77€
5. Shortest Trip to Earth
Similarity 51% Shortest Trip to Earth is a roguelike spaceship simulator focused on exploration, ship management and tactical battles. Embark on a perilous journey across the universe with nuclear missiles, armed crew and a cat. Shortest Trip to Earth is a rogue-lite, space and strategy game developed by Interactive Fate and published by Interactive Fate and Iceberg Interactive. Released on August 15th 2019 has received 1,385 reviews of which 1,067 were positive and 318 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 91% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for games like Elite Dangerous.
7.4
1,067
318
-91%
23.78€
2.14€
6. VoidExpanse
Similarity 53% Explore the vast reaches of VoidExpanse -- mine asteroids, upgrade your ship, trade, complete missions, advance your character and survive fast-paced combat with hostile aliens and mercenaries in the rich and exciting Sci-Fi universe of VoidExpanse! VoidExpanse is a space, rpg and open world game developed and published by AtomicTorch Studio. Released on April 02nd 2015 has received 748 reviews of which 534 were positive and 214 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 91% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for games like Elite Dangerous.
6.9
534
214
-91%
15.11€
1.36€
7. Space Rangers HD: A War Apart
Similarity 51% Space adventure, open world RPG, strategy, arcade, quest and more! Space Rangers HD: A War Apart is a space, rpg and strategy game developed by SNK Games, Elemental Games and Katauri Interactive and published by Fulqrum Publishing. Released on October 17th 2013 has received 6,610 reviews of which 6,242 were positive and 368 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for games like Elite Dangerous.
9.1
6,242
368
-90%
15.30€
1.53€
8. Giant Machines 2017
Similarity 52% Take control over seven of the biggest industrial machines in the world. During the 14 mission campaign you will punch through the snows of Greenland, plow the steppes of Wyoming and travel all the way to sunny Florida. Your hard work will be completed by launching a space shuttle into space. Giant Machines 2017 is a simulation, indie and singleplayer game developed and published by Code Horizon. Released on September 29th 2016 has received 538 reviews of which 389 were positive and 149 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for games like Elite Dangerous.
6.9
389
149
-90%
19.99€
1.99€
9. Hardspace: Shipbreaker
Similarity 60% Equipped with cutting-edge salvaging tech, carve & slice spaceships to recover valuable materials. Upgrade your gear to take on more lucrative contracts and pay your billion credits debt to LYNX Corp! Hardspace: Shipbreaker is a space, sci-fi and simulation game developed by Blackbird Interactive and published by Focus Entertainment. Released on May 24th 2022 has received 20,251 reviews of which 18,123 were positive and 2,128 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 89% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for games like Elite Dangerous.
8.8
18,123
2,128
-89%
36.18€
3.98€
10. Breathedge
Similarity 61% Survive in outer space! Together with your immortal chicken, discover the truth behind your sudden spaceship crash. Craft tools, pilot vehicles, and even control space stations to survive and explore the wreckage. Breathedge is a open world survival craft, space and singleplayer game developed by RedRuins Softworks and published by RedRuins Softworks and HypeTrain Digital. Released on February 25th 2021 has received 15,152 reviews of which 12,488 were positive and 2,664 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 88% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for games like Elite Dangerous.
8.1
12,488
2,664
-88%
24.42€
2.93€
Free games like Elite Dangerous on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play games like Elite Dangerous you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 19th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play games like Elite Dangerous.
1. VRChat
Similarity 52% Join our growing community as you explore, play, and help craft the future of social VR. Create worlds and custom avatars. Welcome to VRChat. VRChat is a vr, free to play and multiplayer game developed and published by VRChat Inc.. Released on February 01st 2017 has received 237,151 reviews of which 179,218 were positive and 57,933 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. With 39,870 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free games like Elite Dangerous.
7.5
179,218
57,933
39,870
players
2. Destiny 2
Similarity 52% Destiny 2 is an action MMO with a single evolving world that you and your friends can join anytime, anywhere, absolutely free. Destiny 2 is a free to play, open world and multiplayer game developed and published by Bungie. Released on October 01st 2019 has received 622,838 reviews of which 496,312 were positive and 126,526 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 25,922, this game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free games like Elite Dangerous.
7.9
496,312
126,526
25,922
players
3. EVE Online
Similarity 58% EVE Online is a free-to-play community driven space MMO where players can choose their own path from countless different options. Experience space exploration, immense PvP and PvE battles, mining, industry and a thriving player economy in an ever-expanding sandbox. EVE Online is a space, free to play and open world game developed and published by CCP. Released on December 15th 2010 has received 35,998 reviews of which 26,538 were positive and 9,460 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 3,730, this game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free games like Elite Dangerous.
7.3
26,538
9,460
3,730
players
4. Fishing Planet
Similarity 55% Fishing Planet® is a free-to-play and highly realistic first-person online multiplayer fishing simulator. Developed by avid fishing enthusiasts to bring you the full thrill of actual angling on your PC. Fishing Planet is a fishing, free to play and multiplayer game developed and published by Fishing Planet LLC. Released on August 28th 2017 has received 64,354 reviews of which 55,863 were positive and 8,491 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 2,295 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free games like Elite Dangerous.
8.6
55,863
8,491
2,295
players
5. Rec Room
Similarity 50% Rec Room is the best place to build and play games together. Party up with friends from all around the world to chat, hang out, explore MILLIONS of player-created rooms, or build something new and amazing to share with us all. Rec Room is a free to play, vr and multiplayer game developed and published by Rec Room. Released on September 02nd 2021 has received 70,196 reviews of which 63,221 were positive and 6,975 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 1,771 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free games like Elite Dangerous.
8.9
63,221
6,975
1,771
players
6. Star Trek Online
Similarity 56% In Star Trek Online, the Star Trek universe appears for the first time on a truly massive scale. Players take the captain's chair as they command their own starship and crew. Explore strange new worlds, seek out new life and new civilizations, and boldly go where no one has gone before. Star Trek Online is a free to play, sci-fi and massively multiplayer game developed by Cryptic Studios and published by Arc Games. Released on January 31st 2012 has received 20,017 reviews of which 15,828 were positive and 4,189 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 1,200 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #6 position in the best free games like Elite Dangerous.
7.8
15,828
4,189
1,200
players
7. DCS World Steam Edition
Similarity 52% Feel the excitement of flying the Su-25T "Frogfoot" attack jet and the TF-51D "Mustang" in the free-to-play Digital Combat Simulator World! DCS World Steam Edition is a simulation, flight and free to play game developed and published by Eagle Dynamics SA. Released on August 02nd 2013 has received 36,704 reviews of which 31,246 were positive and 5,458 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 972 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #7 position in the best free games like Elite Dangerous.
8.4
31,246
5,458
972
players
8. PlanetSide 2
Similarity 59% PlanetSide 2 is an all-out planetary war, where thousands of players battle as one across enormous continents. Utilize infantry, ground and air vehicles, and teamwork to destroy your enemies in this revolutionary first-person shooter on a massive scale. PlanetSide 2 is a free to play, fps and massively multiplayer game developed by Rogue Planet Games and published by Daybreak Game Company. Released on November 20th 2012 has received 73,438 reviews of which 59,495 were positive and 13,943 were negative resulting in a rating of 8 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 855 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #8 position in the best free games like Elite Dangerous.
8
59,495
13,943
855
players
9. EverQuest II
Similarity 52% EverQuest® II is the epitome of massively multiplayer gaming - the ultimate blend of deep features, heritage, and community. EverQuest II is a free to play, rpg and massively multiplayer game developed by Darkpaw Games and published by Daybreak Game Company. Released on December 07th 2011 has received 2,675 reviews of which 2,129 were positive and 546 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 216 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #9 position in the best free games like Elite Dangerous.
7.7
2,129
546
216
players
10. Pixel Starships
Similarity 51% Pixel Starships is an FTL-style online sci-fi strategy builder and management game with a competitive PVP tournament. Set in the retro galaxy, your role is to explore space, meet aliens, and develop your ship, crew and AI. The game contains deep strategic and 4x elements. PSS is community-driven. Pixel Starships is a sci-fi, space and strategy game developed and published by SavySoda. Released on May 23rd 2023 has received 2,684 reviews of which 1,976 were positive and 708 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 164 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #10 position in the best free games like Elite Dangerous.
7.1
1,976
708
164
players