Per Aspera similar games & best alternatives

Per Aspera

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2020

Should you play it?

Make Mars your own! Take control of the world’s most sophisticated AI (AMI) and terraform the surface of the Red Planet for a city-building experience on a planetary scale. Transform this barren world into a lush paradise and explore the surface for any ancient secrets that may be waiting.

What works
  • Compelling sci-fi story with multiple endings
  • Immersive mars terraforming and colony building
  • Atmospheric visuals and sound design
  • Accessible yet strategic gameplay
  • Continuous developer support and dlc
Things to keep in mind
  • Slow pacing and repetitive late game
  • Logistics ai and resource transport issues
  • Limited tutorial and ui quality of life features
  • Minimal combat and multiplayer depth
  • Some narrative interruptions and pacing flaws

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Ostriv

  • Caravan

  • Townsmen - A Kingdom Rebuilt

  • Coffee Shop Tycoon

  • Odd Realm

  • Wildlife Park 2

  • The Final Earth 2

  • Spellcaster University

  • Vanguard Galaxy
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Coffee Shop Tycoon

  • The Final Earth 2

  • Vanguard Galaxy
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Story

    BLACK SOULS
  • Autonomy

    The Planet Crafter: Prologue
  • Escapism

    ADACA

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).

Per Aspera: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Violence, Fantasy, Story, Thrill. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Story, Leadership, Cooperation.

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 explore, build bases, and choose progression paths with terraforming and crafting."

    Capsule for The Planet Crafter: Prologue The Planet Crafter: Prologue

    "Players control an AI character making strategic decisions on terraforming and colony expansion with freedom to choose building placement and research paths."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Players engage in managing complex logistics, balancing finances, and optimizing routes, requiring skill and strategic thinking."

    Capsule for City Bus Manager City Bus Manager

    "Players engage in managing complex logistics, resource allocation, and terraforming challenges requiring planning and problem solving."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -4

    "Focus is on personal progression and story; no evidence of competitive multiplayer or leaderboards."

    Capsule for Laika: Aged Through Blood Laika: Aged Through Blood

    "Focus is on personal progression and story; no evidence of competitive multiplayer or leaderboards."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    2

    "Players often spend about an hour or more engaged, with some desire for more content and replay."

    Capsule for 20 Small Mazes 20 Small Mazes

    "Players invest many hours in a single playthrough; some find late game slow and less engaging, limiting replayability."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    1

    "Primarily single-player with some co-op support; cooperation is limited but present in multiplayer mode."

    Capsule for Cult of the Lamb Cult of the Lamb

    "Game primarily single-player; some mention of multiplayer co-op but limited data on cooperative gameplay."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    3

    "Players build and customize bases, vehicles, and trade routes; some limitations in building but overall creative freedom."

    Capsule for Project 5: Sightseer Project 5: Sightseer

    "Players design and expand bases across Mars with freedom to place buildings anywhere, shaping infrastructure organically."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "Interactions emphasize story and exploration; no evidence of exerting control or superiority over other players."

    Capsule for Avernum 3: Ruined World Avernum 3: Ruined World

    "Interactions emphasize story and management; no evidence of exerting control or superiority over other players."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Immersive sci-fi world and atmospheric gameplay provide strong escape from real life."

    Capsule for ADACA ADACA

    "Immersive sci-fi narrative and atmospheric gameplay provide strong escape from real life."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily driven by interest in story, combat, and world; no indication of obligation or pressure."

    Capsule for FINAL FANTASY XVI FINAL FANTASY XVI

    "Players engage voluntarily driven by interest in story and terraforming mechanics; no indication of obligation or pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    2

    "Players explore different areas and mechanics, though gameplay loop is simple and somewhat repetitive."

    Capsule for Lost Nova Lost Nova

    "Players explore different terraforming methods and strategies, though gameplay loop is somewhat repetitive."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Exploration of Mars surface, anomalies, and resource locations is a key gameplay element."

    Capsule for Surviving Mars Surviving Mars

    "Players discover new areas, ruins, and mysteries on Mars, enhancing immersion and curiosity."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    2

    "Customization mainly through city design and building placement; limited avatar or cosmetic personalization."

    Capsule for Zeus + Poseidon Zeus + Poseidon

    "Customization mainly through building placement and colony design; limited cosmetic personalization."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    3

    "Imaginative sci-fi setting of terraforming Mars with fictional leaders and events."

    Capsule for Terraformers: First Steps on Mars Terraformers: First Steps on Mars

    "Sci-fi setting with AI protagonist and terraforming Mars offers imaginative fictional experience."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -3

    "Primarily single-player experience with minimal social or community interaction."

    Capsule for Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story

    "Primarily single-player experience with minimal social or community interaction."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players learn complex crafting chains, automation, and terraforming mechanics, showing skill development."

    Capsule for Eden Crafters Eden Crafters

    "Players learn terraforming mechanics and improve strategic planning over time."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity elements."

    Capsule for Sultan's Game Sultan's Game

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity elements."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    3

    "Game allows for relaxed play with some waiting periods and pacing that supports casual engagement."

    Capsule for Fabledom Fabledom

    "Gameplay includes long periods of waiting and slow progression, allowing for casual engagement."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -4

    "Social interactions limited to scripted character dialogues; no close player relationships."

    Capsule for Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew

    "Social interactions limited to narrative dialogue; no close player relationships."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    3

    "Players lead and manage the colony, making decisions that affect its survival and growth."

    Capsule for Aven Colony Aven Colony

    "Players lead the colony and make key decisions shaping Mars' development."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Strong focus on accumulating resources, upgrading colonies, researching technologies, and expanding."

    Capsule for Planet S Planet S

    "Strong focus on accumulating resources, research, and upgrades to advance terraforming and colony."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    3

    "Calm, atmospheric gameplay with a slow pace and soothing music promotes relaxation."

    Capsule for The Uncertain: Last Quiet Day The Uncertain: Last Quiet Day

    "Slow-paced, chill gameplay with atmospheric music and visuals promotes relaxation."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    2

    "Visual and auditory elements are pleasant but not highly stimulating or intense."

    Capsule for Citadelum Citadelum

    "Visual and auditory elements are pleasant but not highly stimulating or intense."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -4

    "No social recognition or ranking systems; focus on individual achievement."

    Capsule for Motel Manager Simulator Motel Manager Simulator

    "No social recognition or ranking systems; focus on individual achievement."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    5

    "Narrative immersion is a core strength with multiple endings, lore, and character development."

    Capsule for BLACK SOULS BLACK SOULS

    "Narrative immersion is a major strength with deep story, character development, and multiple endings."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Requires mental challenge in planning logistics, spatial arrangement, and resource management."

    Capsule for Star Birds Star Birds

    "Requires mental challenge in logistics, resource management, and long-term planning."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    -3

    "Gameplay is slow-paced and controlled with minimal suspense or risk elements."

    Capsule for Idling to Rule the Gods Idling to Rule the Gods

    "Gameplay is slow and methodical with minimal suspense or risk."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    3

    "Players report good value for time spent, especially on sale, with many hours of gameplay."

    Capsule for Space Food Truck Space Food Truck

    "Players report good value for time spent, especially on sale; story and gameplay justify purchase."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -4

    "Combat is minimal and light; focus is on constructive activities like farming and building."

    Capsule for Snacko Snacko

    "Combat is minimal, rudimentary, and not a focus; emphasis on constructive building and terraforming."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    2

    "Players manage threats and resource scarcity but in a relatively stable environment."

    Capsule for CivCity: Rome CivCity: Rome

    "Players manage threats and resource challenges but overall environment is stable and controlled."

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Last update: 01/06/2026