Aground similar games & best alternatives

Aground

Mac, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, Linux, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Web browser • 2020

Should you play it?

As one of the last human survivors, you find yourself stranded on an uninhabited island. With a few other victims of the crash, can you craft, mine, and build your way to survival?

What works
  • Deep and engaging progression
  • Strong exploration and story
  • Mod support and customization
  • Long playtime and replayability
  • Responsive and dedicated developers
Things to keep in mind
  • Low resolution pixel graphics
  • Some ui and inventory management issues
  • Combat can feel clunky
  • Lack of tutorial and in-game guidance
  • Travel and item management can be tedious

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Songbringer

  • Forgotten Seas

  • Cryptmaster

  • Sea of Stars

  • Crea

  • Planet Centauri

  • Rum & Gun

  • POPGOES Arcade

  • Westerado: Double Barreled

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Songbringer

  • Forgotten Seas

  • Rum & Gun

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Continuation

    FINAL FANTASY VI

  • Exploration

    Windrose

  • Progression

    The Binding of Isaac

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

Aground: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Exploration. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Intimacy, Leadership.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players have freedom to choose classes, skills, playstyles, and exploration paths with many emergent options."

    Capsule for The Doors of Trithius The Doors of Trithius

    "Players have freedom to choose exploration paths, playstyle (science or magic), and progression order."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Progression involves skillful clicking, strategic crafting, and managing resources; some grind but with meaningful feedback"

    Capsule for Zombidle : REMONSTERED Zombidle : REMONSTERED

    "Progression involves skillful resource management, crafting, and combat challenges with feedback and growth."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -4

    "Focus is on personal pace and individual goals; no evidence of ranked or leaderboard competition."

    Capsule for Fields of Mistria Fields of Mistria

    "Focus is on personal pace and self-set goals; no evidence of ranked or leaderboard competition."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    5

    "Players report long play sessions, high attachment, and repeated playthroughs over many years."

    Capsule for FINAL FANTASY VI FINAL FANTASY VI

    "Players report long sessions, repeated playthroughs, and high attachment to the game."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    2

    "Supports cooperative multiplayer campaign, allowing teamwork, though primary experience is solo play."

    Capsule for Prodeus Prodeus

    "Supports multiplayer and cooperative play, but many players enjoy solo experience."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    3

    "Players customize characters, build loadouts, and craft items; some modding support enhances creativity"

    Capsule for WASTED WASTED

    "Crafting, building, and mod support enable player creativity and customization."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -3

    "Interactions emphasize shared progression and mutual respect rather than exerting superiority over others."

    Capsule for Girls' Frontline Girls' Frontline

    "Interactions emphasize shared progression and mutual respect rather than dominance."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players use the game for immersive story, exploration, and distraction from real life."

    Capsule for Shadows: Awakening Shadows: Awakening

    "Players use the game for immersive exploration and distraction from real life."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment."

    Capsule for Abiotic Factor Abiotic Factor

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    4

    "Players explore different layouts, magic schools, and strategies, experimenting with game systems and mechanics."

    Capsule for Mind Over Magic Mind Over Magic

    "Players explore different mechanics, paths, and strategies, including magic and science."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    5

    "Strong emphasis on discovering new islands, secrets, and world features."

    Capsule for Windrose Windrose

    "Strong emphasis on discovering new islands, secrets, and story elements."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    3

    "Customization mainly through base building and some character progression; cosmetic personalization is present but limited."

    Capsule for Dune: Awakening Dune: Awakening

    "Customization through crafting, building placement, and character progression."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "Game features imaginative fantasy and sci-fi elements with heroes, spells, and lore distinct from realistic settings."

    Capsule for Shardbound: Forge Your Path, Master Your Strategy Shardbound: Forge Your Path, Master Your Strategy

    "Game features dragons, magic, sci-fi elements, and imaginative storylines."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    2

    "Community and multiplayer exist but are small; some social interaction but mostly individual focus."

    Capsule for Scoot Scoot

    "Community and multiplayer exist but many players focus on individual play."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players develop skills, knowledge, and mastery over complex systems through learning and practice."

    Capsule for Outward Definitive Edition Outward Definitive Edition

    "Players develop skills, knowledge, and mastery over complex systems."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity elements."

    Capsule for Baldur's Gate 3 Baldur's Gate 3

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity elements."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention and active engagement rather than idle or background play."

    Capsule for BONELAB BONELAB

    "Requires focused attention and active engagement rather than background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -4

    "Limited social interaction mostly surface-level multiplayer or cooperative play; no deep relationship formation."

    Capsule for Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2 Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2

    "Limited social interaction beyond cooperative play; no deep relationship mechanics."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -3

    "Players participate in supportive social roles rather than leading or managing others."

    Capsule for Secret Little Haven Secret Little Haven

    "Players mostly participate equally or supportively rather than leading others."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    5

    "Core gameplay revolves around collecting items, upgrades, and unlocking new content."

    Capsule for The Binding of Isaac The Binding of Isaac

    "Strong accumulation of items, upgrades, and unlocking new content drives gameplay."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    3

    "Balanced challenge with moments of tension and flow; overall enjoyable and satisfying experience."

    Capsule for Deep Rock Galactic Deep Rock Galactic

    "Generally a balanced challenge with moments of flow and enjoyment."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    2

    "Pixel art and music provide moderate sensory stimulation; not highly intense but pleasant and fitting the retro style."

    Capsule for Knights of Pen and Paper 2 Knights of Pen and Paper 2

    "Retro pixel art and music provide moderate sensory stimulation and charm."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -4

    "Minimal social recognition or status seeking; focus is on personal achievement."

    Capsule for NGU IDLE NGU IDLE

    "Minimal focus on social recognition or competitive status."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    4

    "Narrative immersion through character stories and evolving quests enriches the experience."

    Capsule for ENSCROLL ENSCROLL

    "Narrative immersion with quests, characters, and evolving plot."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Requires planning, resource management, and tactical decision-making to survive and progress."

    Capsule for Endoparasitic Endoparasitic

    "Requires planning, resource management, and tactical decisions."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    2

    "Some suspense from challenging enemies and exploration, but mostly controlled gameplay."

    Capsule for Strife: Veteran Edition Strife: Veteran Edition

    "Some suspense in combat and exploration but mostly controlled gameplay."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    5

    "Players report excellent value for time and money with extensive content and updates."

    Capsule for Oxygen Not Included Oxygen Not Included

    "Players report excellent value for time and money with extensive content."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    2

    "Combat is present but not gratuitous; balanced with crafting and building."

    Capsule for Signs of Life Signs of Life

    "Combat exists but is balanced with constructive building and crafting."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    3

    "Players manage threats and resources to survive and progress in the game."

    Capsule for The Genesis Project The Genesis Project

    "Players manage resources and threats to survive and progress."

Last update: 01/06/2026