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Oxygen Not Included similar games & best alternatives

Oxygen Not Included

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Linux • 2019

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Quick resume

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.

Global score

97/100

Genres

Indie, Simulator, Strategy

Similar games

    Pros

    • Deep and complex gameplay
    • High replayability
    • Engaging colony management
    • Regular updates and developer support
    • Unique blend of science and strategy

    Cons

    • Steep learning curve
    • High micromanagement demands
    • Limited social interaction
    • Performance issues in late game
    • Lack of multiplayer

    Analysis

    Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Leadership, Survival, Violence, Strategy. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Cooperation. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Violence, Fantasy.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

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

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • 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.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

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

    • Competence
      5

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

    • Competition
      -3

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

    • Continuation
      5

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

    • Cooperation
      2

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

    • Creativity
      5

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

    • Domination
      -4

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

    • Escapism
      4

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

    • Expectation
      -4

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

    • Experimenting
      5

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

    • Exploration
      3

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

    • Expression
      3

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

    • Fantasy
      -2

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

    • Fellowship
      -3

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

    • Growth
      5

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

    • Health
      -4

      "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    • Idle
      -4

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

    • Intimacy
      -4

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

    • Leadership
      4

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

    • Progression
      5

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

    • Relaxation
      -2

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

    • Sensation
      2

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

    • Status
      -4

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

    • Story
      1

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

    • Strategy
      5

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

    • Thrill
      3

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

    • Value
      5

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

    • Violence
      -5

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

    • Survival
      5

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

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 29/04/2026