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Vector 36 similar games & best alternatives

Vector 36

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Linux • 2017

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Quick resume

Race across the terraformed surface of Mars in your Skimmer, a completely customizable hover racing vehicle. Piloting skill and engineering make the difference between winning and losing in Vector 36, a Physics-Based Racer. Available with and without VR or HOTAS.

Global score

82/100

Genres

Action, Indie, Racing, Simulator

Similar games

    Pros

    • Deep and rewarding physics-based racing
    • Extensive skimmer customization and tuning
    • Immersive vr cockpit experience
    • Active developer support and updates
    • Challenging gameplay with skill progression

    Cons

    • Steep learning curve may deter casual players
    • Limited multiplayer and social features
    • Garage ui and customization interface can be clunky
    • Some performance issues and bugs reported
    • Monotonous mars environment and track variety

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Status, Story, Expression. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Exploration, Violence, Fellowship.

    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 have extensive freedom to customize and tune their skimmers, adjusting parts, thrust vectors, and balance to suit their playstyle."

    • Competence
      5

      "High skill ceiling with steep learning curve; mastering controls and physics is challenging and rewarding."

    • Competition
      3

      "Racing against AI and ghost replays with leaderboards; multiplayer planned but not fully implemented yet."

    • Continuation
      4

      "Players report long play sessions, habitual tinkering and racing, and strong attachment to progression and mastery."

    • Cooperation
      -4

      "Gameplay is primarily solo racing; multiplayer is limited or absent, with no strong cooperative elements."

    • Creativity
      5

      "Deep customization and building of skimmers with many adjustable parameters; players experiment extensively."

    • Domination
      -3

      "Interactions are competitive but respectful; no reports of trash talk or dominance behavior."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Immersive VR experience and intense racing provide strong escape from real life."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment; no indication of obligation or pressure."

    • Experimenting
      5

      "Players frequently experiment with tuning, part placement, and flight techniques to optimize performance."

    • Exploration
      -2

      "Racing tracks are limited and on Mars surface; some exploration in tuning but limited new area discovery."

    • Expression
      4

      "Customization of skimmers allows personal expression through design and handling style."

    • Fantasy
      3

      "Science fiction setting with futuristic skimmers on Mars; realistic physics grounded in plausible tech."

    • Fellowship
      -3

      "Mostly solo play with limited social interaction; multiplayer not fully realized."

    • Growth
      5

      "Strong learning and skill development emphasized; players improve flying and tuning skills over time."

    • Health
      -4

      "Sedentary VR play; some players report motion sickness but no physical activity involved."

    • Idle
      -4

      "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement; not a casual or background game."

    • Intimacy
      -4

      "Minimal social or emotional connection; interactions are competitive and individual."

    • Leadership
      -4

      "No leadership or group management roles; gameplay is individual racing."

    • Progression
      4

      "Players accumulate money, parts, and new skimmers; career mode with upgrades and unlocks."

    • Relaxation
      2

      "Some players find flow and satisfaction in mastering controls; others find it tense and challenging."

    • Sensation
      4

      "Strong sensory stimulation in VR with speed, sound, and immersive cockpit experience."

    • Status
      2

      "Leaderboards and ghost racing provide some recognition; no strong social status focus."

    • Story
      -3

      "No narrative or plot; racing and tuning are context-free activities."

    • Strategy
      4

      "Requires planning and problem solving in tuning skimmers and managing thrust and bias during races."

    • Thrill
      4

      "High speed racing with risk of crashing and overheating creates suspense and excitement."

    • Value
      4

      "Players feel the game offers good value for price with deep gameplay and VR support."

    • Violence
      -4

      "No combat or destruction focus; gameplay centers on racing and constructive tuning."

    • Survival
      3

      "Players must avoid crashing and manage heat and damage to survive races."

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 29/04/2026