Black Skylands similar games & best alternatives

Black Skylands

PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S • 2023

Should you play it?

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.

What works
  • Engaging combat and exploration
  • Strong weapon and ship customization
  • Unique steampunk fantasy setting
  • Satisfying gameplay loop
  • Good value for price
Things to keep in mind
  • Story can be simplistic or less impactful
  • Some repetitive island clearing
  • Removed or simplified features from early access
  • Some bugs and occasional glitches
  • Limited character and environment customization

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Lucid Blocks

  • The Falconeer: Revolution Remaster

  • Crashlands

  • EVERSPACE™ 2

  • Tunguska: The Visitation - Final Cut

  • Moonlighter

  • Shadows of Doubt

  • Radiation Island

  • Zombotron
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Morsels

  • Beyond Sunset

  • The Axis Unseen
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

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).

Black Skylands: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fellowship, Violence, Survival, Cooperation. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Relaxation. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Leadership, Survival.

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

    3

    "Players have freedom to explore islands, choose weapons, and customize crab upgrades, though some quests and progression are linear."

    Capsule for DuneCrawl DuneCrawl

    "Players can customize weapons and ships, choose upgrade paths, and explore islands in any order, indicating a good degree of control and personal freedom."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Combat requires strategic use of skills and items, with some challenging encounters that reward skillful play, though overall gameplay is straightforward."

    Capsule for Felvidek Felvidek

    "Combat requires skillful use of weapons, grappling hook, and positioning; some players note the game can be easy but also has challenging moments and boss fights."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -4

    "No evidence of competitive multiplayer or leaderboards; focus is on personal survival and strategy without comparison to others."

    Capsule for Flesh Eaters Flesh Eaters

    "No evidence of competitive multiplayer or leaderboards; gameplay focuses on personal progression and exploration."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    2

    "Players report spending 6-15 hours completing the game and some replaying for secrets, indicating moderate attachment and continued play."

    Capsule for Adventures of Pip Adventures of Pip

    "Players report spending 15-35 hours, with some desire for more content; some mention grinding but generally engaged for long sessions."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative multiplayer or teamwork elements."

    Capsule for Wolfenstein: The New Order Wolfenstein: The New Order

    "Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative multiplayer or teamwork elements."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    3

    "Weapon customization and loadout choices allow creative tactical builds; mod support and workshop maps add variety."

    Capsule for Insurgency Insurgency

    "Weapon and ship customization with many mods and upgrades allow creative builds; base building and island customization are limited but present."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over other players; interactions are solo and balanced."

    Capsule for Kingdom Rush - Tower Defense Kingdom Rush - Tower Defense

    "No indication of exerting control or superiority over other players; interactions are solo and balanced."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players describe immersion in the game world, stress relief, and distraction from real life"

    Capsule for Sonic Frontiers Sonic Frontiers

    "Players describe immersion in a unique steampunk world, enjoying exploration and combat as a form of stress relief and distraction."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment; no reports of obligation or pressure to play."

    Capsule for ACE COMBAT™ 7: SKIES UNKNOWN ACE COMBAT™ 7: SKIES UNKNOWN

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment; no reports of obligation or pressure to play."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Variety of weapons, skills, and upgrades encourage experimentation with builds and playstyles."

    Capsule for Dead Effect 2 Dead Effect 2

    "Players experiment with weapon mods, ship upgrades, and different combat styles; some complaints about RNG but still encourages trying new builds."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    4

    "Exploration of floating islands and discovery of resources and enemy positions is a core gameplay element."

    Capsule for Driftland: The Magic Revival Driftland: The Magic Revival

    "Exploration of floating islands, secrets, puzzles, and resource gathering are core gameplay elements."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    2

    "Some character and weapon customization options, but limited cosmetic personalization mentioned."

    Capsule for Fortune's Run Fortune's Run

    "Some customization of weapons and ships, but limited character or environment personalization; no cosmetic choices reported."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "Steampunk airship setting with imaginative fiction elements, fantasy weapons, and a fictional world distinct from realistic scenarios."

    Capsule for Airship: Kingdoms Adrift Airship: Kingdoms Adrift

    "Steampunk setting with airships, alien swarms, and fantastical elements creates an imaginative fictional world."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "No social or community features; entirely solo play."

    Capsule for Katana ZERO Katana ZERO

    "No social or community features; entirely solo play."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players learn mechanics, puzzles, and combat strategies; some skill development and knowledge accumulation evident."

    Capsule for SCP: Fragmented Minds SCP: Fragmented Minds

    "Players learn combat mechanics, upgrade systems, and explore new areas; some mention of skill improvement and knowledge accumulation."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Typical sedentary gaming experience with no physical activity or rehab elements."

    Capsule for Tom Clancy’s The Division® 2 Tom Clancy’s The Division® 2

    "Typical sedentary gaming experience; no physical activity or rehab elements."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires active engagement; some grinding but not suited for idle or background play."

    Capsule for Tinkerlands: A Shipwrecked Adventure Tinkerlands: A Shipwrecked Adventure

    "Requires active engagement and focus; some grinding but not background or idle play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No close social relationships or emotional sharing; single-player experience."

    Capsule for Tormented Souls Tormented Souls

    "No close social relationships or emotional sharing; single-player experience."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management roles; solo gameplay."

    Capsule for Megaton Rainfall Megaton Rainfall

    "No leadership or group management roles; solo gameplay."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Strong emphasis on collecting resources, upgrading bases, vehicles, and weapons."

    Capsule for Mist Survival Mist Survival

    "Strong focus on upgrading weapons, ships, and base buildings; collecting resources and items is central."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    3

    "Players experience flow and tension release through balanced challenge and exploration; some combat tension noted."

    Capsule for BloodLust Shadowhunter BloodLust Shadowhunter

    "Players describe satisfying combat and exploration that balances challenge and flow, providing enjoyable tension release."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Visual pixel art, sound design, and combat feedback provide engaging sensory stimulation."

    Capsule for Death Trash Death Trash

    "Visual pixel art and sound design praised; combat feedback and ship effects provide sensory stimulation."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "No social recognition or ranking systems; achievements are personal."

    Capsule for Bright Memory: Infinite Bright Memory: Infinite

    "No social recognition or ranking systems; achievements are personal."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    2

    "Narrative is present and engaging for many players, though considered somewhat typical and secondary to gameplay."

    Capsule for Dying Light Dying Light

    "Story is present and engaging for many players, though some find it simplistic or less impactful; narrative drives gameplay but is not deeply complex."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    2

    "Combat requires tactical movement and weapon choice; some planning needed for enemy encounters."

    Capsule for CARNAL CARNAL

    "Combat involves tactical positioning, weapon choice, and timing; ship combat simpler but requires some planning."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    2

    "Combat and exploration provide moments of tension and excitement, but can become repetitive."

    Capsule for Weird West: Definitive Edition Weird West: Definitive Edition

    "Combat and exploration provide moments of excitement and tension, though some players find it easy or repetitive later on."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Players generally feel they receive good value for price with many hours of gameplay and updates."

    Capsule for Tower Escape Tower Escape

    "Players generally feel they get good value for the price, with 15-35 hours of gameplay and frequent updates."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    4

    "Combat involves shooting, explosions, and destruction of enemies; violence is a core gameplay element."

    Capsule for R.I.P. - Reincarnation Insurance Program R.I.P. - Reincarnation Insurance Program

    "Combat involves shooting, melee, and destruction of enemies and ships; violence is a core gameplay element."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    1

    "Some resource management and avoiding damage in combat, but overall low risk and forgiving difficulty."

    Capsule for Frontier Hunter: Erza’s Wheel of Fortune Frontier Hunter: Erza’s Wheel of Fortune

    "Some resource management and avoiding damage in combat, but overall low risk and forgiving mechanics."

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Last update: 01/06/2026