Oxygen Not Included similar games & best alternatives

Oxygen Not Included

PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux, Mac • 2019

Should you play it?

Oxygen Not Included is a space-colony simulation game. Deep inside an alien space rock your industrious crew will need to master science, overcome strange new lifeforms, and harness incredible space tech to survive, and possibly, thrive.

What works
  • Deep and complex gameplay
  • High replayability
  • Engaging colony management
  • Regular updates and developer support
  • Unique blend of science and strategy
Things to keep in mind
  • Steep learning curve
  • High micromanagement demands
  • Limited social interaction
  • Performance issues in late game
  • Lack of multiplayer

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic

  • IXION

  • Cliff Empire

  • 911 Operator

  • Ostalgie: The Berlin Wall

  • EMERGENCY 20

  • ALL WILL FALL

  • Endzone - A World Apart

  • Good Company
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Grim Realms

  • Goblins of Elderstone

  • Fate of the World: Tipping Point
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Competence

    Europa Universalis IV
  • Continuation

    Roboquest VR
  • Creativity

    Stationeers

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).

Oxygen Not Included: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fellowship, Violence, Survival, Cooperation. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Leadership, Cooperation. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Violence.

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 can assign primary and secondary tasks to colonists and manage their schedules, with freedom to build and expand the colony and choose strategies (economic or military)."

    Capsule for Space Colony: Steam Edition Space Colony: Steam Edition

    "Players direct duplicants by assigning tasks and priorities, with freedom to design and optimize colony systems."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    5

    "High skill ceiling with complex mechanics, strategic planning, and learning curve requiring mastery of many systems."

    Capsule for Europa Universalis IV Europa Universalis IV

    "High skill and knowledge required to manage complex systems and solve technical challenges."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -3

    "Focus is primarily on personal colony management and progression rather than direct player-vs-player competition."

    Capsule for First Feudal First Feudal

    "Focus is on personal colony management and progression, with minimal direct player competition."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    5

    "Highly addictive with strong replayability, players report long sessions and habitual play."

    Capsule for Roboquest VR Roboquest VR

    "Highly addictive with long play sessions and extensive replayability reported by players."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    2

    "Players manage multiple characters and troops working together, but no multiplayer cooperation; teamwork is AI-driven."

    Capsule for Wars and Warriors: Joan of Arc Wars and Warriors: Joan of Arc

    "Players manage groups of duplicants working together, but social cooperation is AI-driven."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    5

    "Extensive building, automation, and programming systems enable creative problem solving and base design."

    Capsule for Stationeers Stationeers

    "Strong emphasis on creative base design, system building, and problem-solving."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -4

    "Interactions are balanced within the colony and against AI enemies, without social dominance or trash talk."

    Capsule for Judgment: Apocalypse Survival Simulation Judgment: Apocalypse Survival Simulation

    "Interactions are balanced and cooperative within the colony; no player dominance or PvP."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players use the game as an immersive, challenging distraction from real life."

    Capsule for Raw Metal Raw Metal

    "Players use the game as a complex, immersive distraction and mental challenge."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and intrinsic motivation, enjoying the challenge."

    Capsule for Card Survival: Fantasy Forest Card Survival: Fantasy Forest

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and personal challenge."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    5

    "Players explore mechanics, experiment with strategies, and try different colony setups."

    Capsule for Grim Realms Grim Realms

    "Players experiment with mechanics, layouts, and strategies to optimize colony survival."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Procedurally generated maps with changing biomes encourage discovery and exploration."

    Capsule for 10 Miles To Safety 10 Miles To Safety

    "Procedurally generated maps and asteroid types encourage discovery and adaptation."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    3

    "Some customization of colony layout and upgrades allows personal expression"

    Capsule for Empires of the Undergrowth Empires of the Undergrowth

    "Customization of colony layout and duplicant roles allows personal expression."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    -2

    "The game features cartoonish, simple graphics and physics-based gameplay grounded in plausible mechanics rather than fantasy."

    Capsule for DDNet DDNet

    "Game grounded in realistic physics and science, despite cartoonish style."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -3

    "Gameplay is focused on solo colony management with minimal social interaction."

    Capsule for Judgment: Apocalypse Survival Simulation Judgment: Apocalypse Survival Simulation

    "Minimal social interaction; focus on managing own colony and duplicants."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    5

    "Strong learning curve with continuous skill development, knowledge acquisition, and mastery over time."

    Capsule for The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth

    "Strong learning curve with continuous personal development and mastery."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    Capsule for Chivalry: Medieval Warfare Chivalry: Medieval Warfare

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

    "Requires continuous attention and micromanagement; players actively control colony and respond to events."

    Capsule for RimWorld RimWorld

    "Requires constant attention and micromanagement to maintain colony stability."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -4

    "Limited social connections; interactions are mostly functional and task-oriented rather than emotional."

    Capsule for Exogate Initiative Exogate Initiative

    "Limited emotional connections; interactions are mostly task-focused."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    4

    "Player leads and manages survivors and resource allocation, directing group actions and priorities."

    Capsule for Siege Survival: Gloria Victis Siege Survival: Gloria Victis

    "Players lead and manage duplicants, assigning roles and priorities."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    5

    "Strong progression through research, resource accumulation, and colony expansion."

    Capsule for Whiskerwood Whiskerwood

    "Strong progression through technology research, colony expansion, and resource management."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    -2

    "Gameplay involves sustained tension and challenge, though some find it engaging and rewarding."

    Capsule for Rebel Inc: Escalation Rebel Inc: Escalation

    "Game involves sustained tension and challenge, though some find it rewarding."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    2

    "Art style and sound design provide sensory enjoyment but not intense stimulation."

    Capsule for Nocturnals Nocturnals

    "Appealing art and sound design provide sensory enjoyment, but not intense stimulation."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -4

    "Achievements and progress are personal; little social recognition or status seeking."

    Capsule for Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 Car Mechanic Simulator 2021

    "Achievements and progress are personal; little social recognition or competition."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    1

    "Minimal narrative; some lore and environmental storytelling but focus is on gameplay."

    Capsule for QuiVr QuiVr

    "Minimal narrative; some lore and emergent storytelling through gameplay."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    5

    "Requires strategic planning, problem solving, and resource management."

    Capsule for SimCity™ 4 Deluxe Edition SimCity™ 4 Deluxe Edition

    "Requires complex planning, problem solving, and strategic resource management."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Tense moments managing colony survival under threat provide excitement and suspense"

    Capsule for Empires of the Undergrowth Empires of the Undergrowth

    "Tension from survival challenges and risk of colony failure create suspense."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    5

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

    Capsule for Aground Aground

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

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -5

    "No combat or destructive gameplay; focus on building and maintaining colony."

    Capsule for Whiskerwood Whiskerwood

    "No combat or destruction; focus on constructive colony building and management."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    5

    "Core gameplay revolves around managing threats and keeping colony alive under harsh conditions."

    Capsule for Oxygen: First Breath Oxygen: First Breath

    "Core gameplay centers on overcoming threats and maintaining colony survival."

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Last update: 01/06/2026