Games like Starbound on Steam
For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free games like Starbound are available at the bottom of the page.
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Subnautica: Below Zero
Dive into a freezing underwater adventure on an alien planet. Below Zero is set two years after the original Subnautica. Return to Planet 4546B to uncover the truth behind a deadly cover-up. Survive by building habitats, crafting tools, & diving deeper into the world of Subnautica.
ARK: Survival Evolved
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!
Rising World
Rising World is a voxel based open-world sandbox game, featuring a procedurally generated world, playable in single and multi-player.
Subnautica
Descend into the depths of an alien underwater world filled with wonder and peril. Craft equipment, pilot submarines and out-smart wildlife to explore lush coral reefs, volcanoes, cave systems, and more - all while trying to survive.
Project Zomboid
Project Zomboid is the ultimate in zombie survival. Alone or in MP: you loot, build, craft, fight, farm and fish in a struggle to survive. A hardcore RPG skillset, a vast map, massively customisable sandbox and a cute tutorial raccoon await the unwary. So how will you die? All it takes is a bite..
Realms of Magic
Embark on a journey through the Old Kingdom in Realms of Magic - a sandbox RPG where you customize your character, choose your path, and immerse yourself in the fantasy world as a knight, wizard, miner, lumberjack, farmer, and more. After all, this is YOUR adventure.
Eden Rising
Brace yourself for a brand new action-packed Open World. Explore a huge world to gather materials for gear and defenses. Use everything at your disposal to defend your bases and defeat hordes of hostile monsters. Play solo or up to 8-player online!
Longvinter
Fish, farm, craft, gather, cook, loot or steal from other players and build a campsite or a village with your friends in an open-world multiplayer sandbox game without rules!
Enshrouded
You are Flameborn, last ember of hope of a dying race. Awaken, survive the terror of a corrupting fog, and reclaim the lost beauty of your kingdom. Venture into a vast world, vanquish punishing bosses, build grand halls and forge your path in this co-op survival action RPG for up to 16 players.
Don't Starve
Don’t Starve is an uncompromising wilderness survival game full of science and magic. Enter a strange and unexplored world full of strange creatures, dangers, and surprises. Gather resources to craft items and structures that match your survival style.
AutoForge
A 2D automation sandbox adventure. Build an automated factory with Mana-powered machines, progress through an expansive tech tree, explore a vast and wonderful world, upgrade yourself with ancient technologies, and defend it all from invasions.
Star Shelter
Star shelter is a space survival game built from the ground up for VR. You are stranded in space, you must climb around in Zero-G, explore, scavenge, craft, hack and fight to survive. You have to build, arm and upgrade your own space station in order to escape the cosmic graveyard.
I Am Future: Cozy Apocalypse Survival
I Am Future is a relaxing single-player survival game about building a cozy rooftop camp amid a flooded post-apocalyptic city. Set up a farm, go fishing, tinker with gadgets, craft new tools, manage a team of cute robots to automate and expand your base, explore the mysterious world, and chill out!
Terminus: Zombie Survivors
Terminus: Zombie Survivors is a 2D turn-based survival roguelike set during a zombie apocalypse. Each journey is unique, and every decision can mean the difference between life and death. Can you brave hunger, cold, and the undead in order to reach the Terminus and find salvation?
Walking Zombie 2
Zombie singleplayer shooter in modern polygon graphics with rich RPG elements.
Occupy Mars: The Game
Survive and colonize Mars in a highly technical, open-world sandbox game. Build and upgrade your base, discover new regions, conduct mining operations, retrieve water, generate oxygen, grow crops, and fix broken parts.
Survivalist
It's one year after the collapse of civilization and self-centered hedge fund manager Joe Wheeler emerges from his specially constructed bunker in search of food. This is a huge open-world RPG where you have the freedom to play how you want - but your choices have consequences.
Nightingale
Nightingale is an open world survival crafting game, where you’ll adventure across the mysterious and dangerous Fae Realms. As a daring Realmwalker, you’ll defeat monstrous enemies, survive hostile environments, and build elaborate estates in a visually stunning Gaslamp Fantasy world.
Among Trees
Escape to an enchanting, living sandbox surrounded by wildlife and nature. Scavenge materials and craft tools to turn your small cabin into a warm, well-supplied home. Survive by fishing, cooking and growing your own food. Be careful though, the forest is as dangerous as it is wonderful.
Citadel: Forged with Fire
This massive online sandbox RPG features elements of magic, spellcasting, building, exploring and crafting. As a newly minted apprentice of the magic arts, you will set off to the dangerous world of Ignus. Tame mighty beasts, forge alliances, explore uncharted territories or fight for dominance!Most played games like Starbound on Steam
Take a look at the top games like Starbound that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 19th 2025.
1. Rust
Similarity 70% The only aim in Rust is to survive. Everything wants you to die - the island’s wildlife, other inhabitants, the environment, and other survivors. Do whatever it takes to last another night. Rust is a survival, crafting and multiplayer game developed and published by Facepunch Studios. Released on February 08th 2018 has received 1,210,131 reviews of which 1,055,970 were positive and 154,161 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played game like Starbound, thanks to its 114,699 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.7
1,055,970
154,161
114,699
players
2. RuneScape: Dragonwilds
Similarity 73% On RuneScape’s forgotten continent of Ashenfall, dragons have awoken. Gather, build, skill and craft to survive in this co-operative (1-4) survival crafting game. Only by mastering survival and uncovering ancient secrets can they hope to slay the Dragon Queen—alone or with allies. RuneScape: Dragonwilds is a early access, survival and multiplayer game developed and published by Jagex Ltd. Released on April 15th 2025 has received 5,183 reviews of which 4,334 were positive and 849 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. While seeing 47,839 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among games like Starbound based on player count.
8.1
4,334
849
47,839
players
3. Valheim
Similarity 75% A brutal exploration and survival game for 1-10 players, set in a procedurally-generated purgatory inspired by viking culture. Battle, build, and conquer your way to a saga worthy of Odin’s patronage! Valheim is a open world survival craft, survival and online co-op game developed by Iron Gate AB and published by Coffee Stain Publishing. Released on February 02nd 2021 has received 494,961 reviews of which 467,117 were positive and 27,844 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. While seeing 25,592 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among games like Starbound based on player count.
9.4
467,117
27,844
25,592
players
4. Terraria
Similarity 88% Dig, fight, explore, build! Nothing is impossible in this action-packed adventure game. Four Pack also available! Terraria is a open world survival craft, sandbox and survival game developed and published by Re-Logic. Released on May 16th 2011 has received 1,394,254 reviews of which 1,359,264 were positive and 34,990 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.7 out of 10. With 24,884 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played games like Starbound.
9.7
1,359,264
34,990
24,884
players
5. 7 Days to Die
Similarity 54% 7 Days to Die is an open-world game that is a unique combination of first-person shooter, survival horror, tower defense, and role-playing games. Play the definitive zombie survival sandbox RPG that came first. Navezgane awaits! 7 Days to Die is a survival, zombies and multiplayer game developed by The Fun Pimps and published by The Fun Pimps Entertainment LLC. Released on July 25th 2024 has received 366,213 reviews of which 324,486 were positive and 41,727 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. With 24,015 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played games like Starbound.
8.8
324,486
41,727
24,015
players
6. Project Zomboid
Similarity 66% Project Zomboid is the ultimate in zombie survival. Alone or in MP: you loot, build, craft, fight, farm and fish in a struggle to survive. A hardcore RPG skillset, a vast map, massively customisable sandbox and a cute tutorial raccoon await the unwary. So how will you die? All it takes is a bite.. Project Zomboid is a survival, zombies and open world game developed and published by The Indie Stone. Released on November 08th 2013 has received 367,520 reviews of which 346,127 were positive and 21,393 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 22,451 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played games like Starbound.
9.3
346,127
21,393
22,451
players
7. ARK: Survival Evolved
Similarity 66% 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 #7 spot among the most played games like Starbound.
8.3
607,154
117,657
22,313
players
8. Satisfactory
Similarity 67% 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 #8 spot among the most played games like Starbound.
9.6
221,780
6,552
19,872
players
9. Palworld
Similarity 63% Fight, farm, build and work alongside mysterious creatures called "Pals" in this completely new multiplayer, open world survival and crafting game! Palworld is a open world, survival and multiplayer game developed and published by Pocketpair. Released on January 18th 2024 has received 376,422 reviews of which 354,339 were positive and 22,083 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 19,664 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played games like Starbound.
9.3
354,339
22,083
19,664
players
10. Factorio
Similarity 54% Factorio is a game about building and creating automated factories to produce items of increasing complexity, within an infinite 2D world. Use your imagination to design your factory, combine simple elements into ingenious structures, and finally protect it from the creatures who don't really like you. Factorio is a automation, base-building and resource management game developed and published by Wube Software LTD.. Released on August 14th 2020 has received 212,622 reviews of which 206,226 were positive and 6,396 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. With 18,327 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played games like Starbound.
9.6
206,226
6,396
18,327
players
Best deals on games like Starbound on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of games like Starbound 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 Starbound.
1. Black Skylands
Similarity 54% Become the captain of an airship and explore the world of the skies, gather resources and build powerful weapons, uncover ancient secrets and fight beneath your ship's sails. Black Skylands is a pixel graphics, open world and sandbox game developed by Hungry Couch Games and published by tinyBuild. Released on August 15th 2023 has received 3,806 reviews of which 3,155 were positive and 651 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Featuring a massive 95% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for games like Starbound.
8.0
3,155
651
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
2. Loddlenaut
Similarity 55% Play as an interstellar custodian sent to clean up a polluted ocean planet. Pick up trash, explore the vibrant waters, and take care of axolotl-like alien creatures! Loddlenaut is a underwater, relaxing and open world game developed by Moon Lagoon and published by Secret Mode. Released on November 16th 2023 has received 4,075 reviews of which 3,998 were positive and 77 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 94% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in games like Starbound.
9.4
3,998
77
-94%
18.83€
1.13€
3. Spirit of the Island
Similarity 58% A beautiful Life Sim Sandbox RPG with Cross-Platform Online COOP set on a tropical Archipelago. Build your farm, grow crops and animals, craft various items, cook dishes, gather resources, build shops and museum to attract visitors, and turn a desolate Island into a prosperous tourist destination! Spirit of the Island is a family friendly, relaxing and indie game developed by 1M Bits Horde and published by META Publishing. Released on August 17th 2022 has received 1,722 reviews of which 1,154 were positive and 568 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.5 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 93% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in games like Starbound.
6.5
1,154
568
-93%
14.29€
1.00€
4. Conan Exiles
Similarity 73% 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 Starbound.
7.8
83,576
22,707
-91%
41.89€
3.77€
5. TerraTech
Similarity 73% TerraTech is an open-world, sandbox adventure game, where you design and build your own creations through a mix of crafting, combat and discovery. Design vehicles from a huge library of blocks. Scavenge, craft and buy new parts to survive and become the ultimate planetary prospector. TerraTech is a building, sandbox and open world game developed and published by Payload Studios. Released on August 10th 2018 has received 23,221 reviews of which 21,196 were positive and 2,025 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for games like Starbound.
8.9
21,196
2,025
-90%
24.20€
2.42€
6. Portal Knights
Similarity 52% The world of Elysia needs YOU! Join this cooperative, 3D sandbox action RPG to level up your character, craft epic weapons, conquer enemies in real-time, and build almost anything! Craft your adventure. Forge your hero. Become the ultimate Portal Knight! Portal Knights is a adventure, multiplayer and sandbox game developed by Keen Games GmbH and published by 505 Games. Released on May 18th 2017 has received 21,604 reviews of which 18,022 were positive and 3,582 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for games like Starbound.
8.2
18,022
3,582
-90%
20.10€
2.01€
7. Dead Island: Riptide Definitive Edition
Similarity 57% Welcome to the zombie apocalypse experience of a lifetime – more beautiful than ever. Caught in an epic zombie outbreak on the tropical island of Banoi, your only thought is: Survive! Dead Island: Riptide Definitive Edition is a zombies, co-op and multiplayer game developed by Techland and published by Deep Silver. Released on May 31st 2016 has received 11,465 reviews of which 8,190 were positive and 3,275 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for games like Starbound.
7.0
8,190
3,275
-90%
20.60€
2.06€
8. Andarilho
Similarity 57% You are a guy with a backpack, just try to stay alive! Andarilho is a survival, crafting and open world game developed and published by SC Jogos. Released on November 12th 2020 has received 1,229 reviews of which 817 were positive and 412 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for games like Starbound.
6.5
817
412
-90%
4.90€
0.49€
9. Above Snakes
Similarity 61% Piece by piece, create your own world in this relaxing Wild West-inspired worldbuilder. Craft, farm, hunt, build your base, and explore. Above Snakes is a open world, atmospheric and open world survival craft game developed by Square Glade Games and published by Crytivo. Released on May 25th 2023 has received 1,669 reviews of which 1,270 were positive and 399 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 89% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for games like Starbound.
7.3
1,270
399
-89%
25.73€
2.83€
10. Breathedge
Similarity 68% 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 Starbound.
8.1
12,488
2,664
-88%
24.42€
2.93€
Free games like Starbound on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play games like Starbound 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 Starbound.
1. Unturned
Similarity 53% You're a survivor in the zombie infested ruins of society, and must work with your friends and forge alliances to remain among the living. Unturned is a free to play, survival and zombies game developed and published by Smartly Dressed Games. Released on July 07th 2017 has received 553,929 reviews of which 505,358 were positive and 48,571 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 15,006 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free games like Starbound.
9.1
505,358
48,571
15,006
players
2. Will To Live Online
Similarity 50% Will To Live is a MMORPG-shooter whose action takes place in a severe post-apocalyptic world. Explore the world, engage in fights with mutants and other survivors, join the clans in the struggle for existence and prove your right to Live. Will To Live Online is a survival, free to play and multiplayer game developed and published by AlphaSoft LLC. Released on April 05th 2018 has received 17,454 reviews of which 12,204 were positive and 5,250 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 392, this game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free games like Starbound.
6.9
12,204
5,250
392
players
3. Wurm Online
Similarity 67% A sandbox MMORPG that has pushed the boundaries on what it means to be open world and stood the test of time. Dig, mine, shape the world around you and make your lasting mark! Wurm Online is a free to play, sandbox and rpg game developed and published by Code Club AB. Released on July 24th 2020 has received 2,303 reviews of which 1,427 were positive and 876 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.1 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 206, this game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free games like Starbound.
6.1
1,427
876
206
players
4. Ylands
Similarity 51% Adventure awaits you and your friends in the world of Ylands! Gather resources, craft tools, construct anything and everything, and explore the lands! Build a ship and set sail, encountering mythical animals, a wide variety of sea-life, enemies of all kinds and much more! Ylands is a adventure, multiplayer and free to play game developed and published by Bohemia Interactive. Released on December 05th 2019 has received 7,971 reviews of which 5,021 were positive and 2,950 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free games like Starbound.
6.2
5,021
2,950
96
players
5. RPG MO
Similarity 60% RPG MO is a nostalgic MMORPG that reminds of Ultima and Runescape Classic. RPG MO is a free to play, rpg and mmorpg game developed and published by Marxnet. Released on August 18th 2015 has received 2,895 reviews of which 2,286 were positive and 609 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free games like Starbound.
7.6
2,286
609
69
players
6. Walking Zombie 2
Similarity 64% Zombie singleplayer shooter in modern polygon graphics with rich RPG elements. Walking Zombie 2 is a fps, zombies and open world survival craft game developed and published by Alda Games. Released on October 11th 2019 has received 12,374 reviews of which 10,861 were positive and 1,513 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free games like Starbound.
8.6
10,861
1,513
68
players
7. XERA: Survival
Similarity 50% Action-focused, open world survival shooter, PvPvE against fellow mercenaries and lethal XOIDS. Raid for resources alone or with team-mates, build and defend your base, stash your gear and survive against the odds. You are the hunters. You are the hunted. And the robots never sleep… XERA: Survival is a base-building, multiplayer and open world survival craft game developed and published by Spotted Kiwi Interactive. Released on September 26th 2021 has received 7,764 reviews of which 5,186 were positive and 2,578 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free games like Starbound.
6.6
5,186
2,578
47
players
8. Villagers and Heroes
Similarity 54% Enter a magical, 3D fantasy world filled with hundreds of unique locales, immersive lore, and exciting quests -- and it's all free to play. Join thousands of players from around the world, and be part of a one of a kind community. Villagers and Heroes is a free to play, massively multiplayer and rpg game developed and published by Mad Otter Games. Released on April 17th 2014 has received 3,344 reviews of which 2,039 were positive and 1,305 were negative resulting in a rating of 6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free games like Starbound.
6
2,039
1,305
44
players
9. CHKN
Similarity 66% Behold, the miracle of life… packed into cubes! Create fantastic creatures in an open-world sandbox game like no other. Explore, craft, and survive—all with the help of your very own creations. CHKN is a sandbox, adventure and open world game developed and published by Katapult. Released on April 01st 2016 has received 1,634 reviews of which 1,302 were positive and 332 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free games like Starbound.
7.7
1,302
332
12
players
10. Cubic Castles
Similarity 69% Your blocks, your castle, your world! Build anything you can dream up and explore with other players! Cubic Castles is a mini-MMO that combines the best of block-building and 3D platform action! Create fantastic parkour challenges, explore worlds made by other players, or even make friend! Cubic Castles is a free to play, open world survival craft and building game developed and published by Cosmic Cow LLC. Released on August 13th 2014 has received 4,278 reviews of which 3,173 were positive and 1,105 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free games like Starbound.
7.2
3,173
1,105
11
players