Crying Suns similar games & best alternatives

Crying Suns

Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS • 2019

Should you play it?

Crying Suns is a tactical rogue-lite that puts you in the role of a space fleet commander as you explore a mysteriously fallen empire. In this story rich experience inspired by Dune and Foundation, each successful run will uncover the truth about the Empire... and yourself as well.

What works
  • Engaging sci-fi story and lore
  • Unique tactical combat system
  • Atmospheric pixel art and music
  • Varied ships and officers
  • Immersive narrative experience
Things to keep in mind
  • Limited replayability due to event repetition
  • Combat can feel repetitive or easy
  • Linear chapter progression limits autonomy
  • Some ui and pacing issues
  • Lack of multiplayer or social features

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Ash of Gods: Redemption

  • The Last Flame

  • NO-SKIN

  • The Banner Saga

  • Okhlos: Omega

  • Vivid Knight

  • The Enchanted Cave 2

  • 暖雪 Warm Snow

  • Shortest Trip to Earth

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Halcyon 6: Starbase Commander (LIGHTSPEED EDITION)

  • RAM: Random Access Mayhem

  • Sandwalkers

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Story

    Amanda the Adventurer 3

  • Escapism

    Observation

  • Fantasy

    Angels Fall First

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).

Crying Suns: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Expression, Fellowship, Cooperation, Status. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Leadership, Violence, Story.

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 choose playstyle and upgrade ship parts, but progression is somewhat linear and mission-driven."

    Capsule for Darkstar One Darkstar One

    "Players can make strategic decisions on ship upgrades, squadron deployment, and event choices, but progression is chapter-based and somewhat linear."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Combat requires tactical thinking and skillful use of positioning, skills, and party roles. Some players find it challenging and rewarding."

    Capsule for Expeditions: Viking Expeditions: Viking

    "Combat requires tactical thinking and adaptation, with some skill in managing resources and squadron positioning, though some players find it easy or repetitive."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -3

    "Focus is on single-player experience with no direct player-vs-player competition; challenges and leaderboards exist but are secondary."

    Capsule for Resident Evil 4 Resident Evil 4

    "Focus is on single-player experience with no direct player-vs-player competition or leaderboards."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    2

    "Players are motivated to replay the game multiple times to unlock different endings and explore more story, though some find repetition and slow pacing a drawback."

    Capsule for Subway Midnight Subway Midnight

    "Players are motivated to continue to see story progression and unlock new ships/officers, though replayability is limited by event repetition."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -4

    "Gameplay is primarily single-player with no multiplayer or cooperative elements."

    Capsule for Marble Age Marble Age

    "Gameplay is primarily single-player with no multiplayer or cooperative elements."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    1

    "Some ship customization and upgrades available, but limited visual customization and no modding support yet."

    Capsule for TransOcean: The Shipping Company TransOcean: The Shipping Company

    "Some customization through ship upgrades and officer choices, but within predefined structures and limited modification."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over other players; interactions are single-player focused."

    Capsule for Deep Sky Derelicts Deep Sky Derelicts

    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over other players; interactions are single-player focused."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Strong immersion in sci-fi atmosphere and story provides escape from real life."

    Capsule for Observation Observation

    "Strong immersion in a dark sci-fi universe with rich story and atmosphere provides escape from real life."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily driven by interest in story and gameplay rather than obligation or external pressure."

    Capsule for Yes, Your Grace Yes, Your Grace

    "Players engage voluntarily driven by interest in story and gameplay rather than obligation or pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    2

    "Players try different ships, weapons, and control schemes, exploring mechanics and strategies."

    Capsule for Super Bit Blaster XL Super Bit Blaster XL

    "Players try different ships, officers, and combat strategies, though event variety is limited."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Exploration of star maps and planetary systems is a core part of gameplay, with discovery of new planets and events."

    Capsule for Imperium Galactica II Imperium Galactica II

    "Exploration of star systems and planets with discovery of lore and events is a key element."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -2

    "Limited character or environment customization; mostly standardized pixel art and preset assets."

    Capsule for Smooth Operators Smooth Operators

    "Limited character or environment customization; mostly predefined pixel art and UI."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "Set in a sci-fi universe with capital ships, space battles, and futuristic weapons, offering imaginative fiction."

    Capsule for Angels Fall First Angels Fall First

    "Set in a dark sci-fi universe with cloned admiral, space battles, and speculative fiction elements."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -4

    "Minimal social interaction; primarily a solo experience."

    Capsule for Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

    "Minimal social interaction; primarily a solo experience."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop skills through combat and story progression; some learning curve in strategy and resource management."

    Capsule for LUNAR Remastered Collection LUNAR Remastered Collection

    "Players learn tactical combat, resource management, and story progression through repeated runs."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    Capsule for World of Tanks Blitz World of Tanks Blitz

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention during tactical battles and campaign decisions; not a background or idle game."

    Capsule for SOVL: Fantasy Warfare SOVL: Fantasy Warfare

    "Requires focused attention during tactical combat and decision making; not a background or idle game."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -4

    "No evidence of close social relationships; interactions are limited to game narrative."

    Capsule for Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach Five Nights at Freddy's: Security Breach

    "No evidence of forming close social relationships; interactions are limited to game narrative."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    3

    "Players lead their fleet and make strategic decisions, though no multiplayer leadership roles exist."

    Capsule for HighFleet HighFleet

    "Players lead their fleet and make strategic decisions, though no multiplayer leadership roles."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

    "Players accumulate ships, upgrades, and unlock new content through campaigns and battles."

    Capsule for Battle Fleet 2 Battle Fleet 2

    "Unlocking new ships, officers, and upgrades drives progression through the game."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    1

    "Some players find the game relaxing and immersive; others find combat frustrating and challenging."

    Capsule for Geneforge 1 Geneforge 1

    "Some players find the game relaxing and immersive, others find combat repetitive or challenging."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Engaging visual pixel art, music, and atmospheric sound design provide sensory enjoyment."

    Capsule for Paper Lily - Chapter 1 Paper Lily - Chapter 1

    "Atmospheric music, pixel art visuals, and sound design provide sensory enjoyment."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "No social recognition or status systems present."

    Capsule for Resident Evil 7 Biohazard Resident Evil 7 Biohazard

    "No social recognition or status systems present."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    5

    "Strong narrative focus with lore, character development, and multiple endings."

    Capsule for Amanda the Adventurer 3 Amanda the Adventurer 3

    "Strong narrative focus with rich lore, character development, and multiple endings."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    4

    "Tactical combat and time/resource management require planning and problem solving."

    Capsule for Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs

    "Tactical combat and resource management require planning and problem solving."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    2

    "Some suspense in battles and story moments, but overall controlled and predictable gameplay."

    Capsule for Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars

    "Some suspense in battles and story events, though combat can be predictable."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    3

    "Players perceive good value in story, gameplay, and replayability for the price."

    Capsule for Mind Scanners Mind Scanners

    "Players perceive good value in story, gameplay, and replayability especially on sale."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    4

    "Combat involves ship battles, boarding, and destruction of enemy vessels and crews."

    Capsule for Abandon Ship Abandon Ship

    "Combat involves ship battles, destruction of enemy squadrons and hull damage."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    3

    "Players manage resources and avoid defeat in hostile environments."

    Capsule for Command & Conquer™ Tiberian Sun™ and Firestorm™ Command & Conquer™ Tiberian Sun™ and Firestorm™

    "Players manage resources and avoid defeat to progress through hostile sectors."

Last update: 01/06/2026