Games like Return from Core on Steam
For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free games like Return from Core are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Eden Crafters
Embark on a journey of survival, crafting, and automation in Eden Crafters, a solo and co-op open-world game that challenges you to turn a hostile planet into a habitable haven for humanity. Temper the climate, create a breathable atmosphere, and turn toxic lakes into water: shape a new world!
Start Over
Embark on an unpredictable survival journey in Start Over. Solo, co-op, online, explore diverse landscapes, craft through 4 tech tiers, encounter wildlife, and trade or raid for resources. Choose your path, defend against waves, and shape your destiny in a dynamic world. Are you ready to Start Over?
FortressCraft Evolved!
FortressCraft Evolved is a unique blend of Voxel Landscapes, Tower Defense, Crafting, Logistics, Exploration, Combat and Assembly lines. Players begin by crash-landing on a strange alien world, left with only a small handful of starting machines.
Nova Lands
Nova Lands is a factory building, exploration, and island management game. Explore, engage in combat, and automate your industry. The planet you’re on is full of mysteries, creatures, people, and things to do. Welcome to your new home amongst the stars!
Atrio: The Dark Wild
Keep your disposable android-body alive by automating everything. Automate farming, foraging, crafting and capturing - and even assimilate creatures into your production lines during your impossible mission to relight the world.
Hold Your Own
A single player open world sandbox, crafting and survival FPS game set in a multi-island land where you'll fight to survive. Build your base, hunt and craft to defend yourself from aggressive wildlife, enemies or friends. Do you have what it takes to Hold Your Own?
FOUNDRY
Build a sophisticated robot factory optimized to perfection in an infinite voxel world. Mine and harvest resources, automate your production lines and manage complex systems while researching your way to become the galaxy’s leading robotics megacorp.
Factorio
Factorio is a game about building and creating automated factories to produce items of increasing complexity, within an infinite 2D world. Use your imagination to design your factory, combine simple elements into ingenious structures, and finally protect it from the creatures who don't really like you.
Craft Hero
Gather resources by day, build and recruit by noon, defend your village by night! A new minimalism sandbox survival with countless new ideas – Craft Hero
Prospector: The First Contract
As the Prospector in this Prologue chapter, you will be taking on your first contract. Explore new planets, gather resources, build your fully automated base, and ship materials to distant colonies.
Road to Eden
Road to Eden is a third-person multiplayer survival coop game, set within the post-apocalyptic ruins of a world destroyed by an alien invasion. You wake up at the side of the road with no memory and must team up with other survivors to make the long and dangerous journey to Eden.
shapez
shapez is an easy-going, minimalistic factory building game about the automation of shapes through extraction and satisfying production lines. Adapt to increasingly complex shapes and grow your factory across an infinitely expanding map. Your only limitation is your creativity!
Space Trash Scavenger
Grab your jetpack and explore procedural asteroid fields, derelict spaceships and abandoned outposts. Build and automate your Space Rig to process scavenged trash. Craft, trade and fight your way home in this interstellar, open-world survival sandbox.
Force of Nature 2: Ghost Keeper
Force of Nature 2: Ghost Keeper offers incredible adventures full of mystery, danger, exploration and magic. This game combines the genres of Survival, Sandbox, Action, Adventure, RPG, Strategy and Resource Management
AutoForge
A 2D automation sandbox adventure. Build an automated factory with Mana-powered machines, progress through an expansive tech tree, explore a vast and wonderful world, upgrade yourself with ancient technologies, and defend it all from invasions.
TerraTech Worlds
TerraTech Worlds is an open world, build-craft adventure game, set on an uncharted alien world. Play solo or with friends, explore your surroundings, craft unique vehicles, construct automated bases, and battle your way through hazards and enemies to harness the power of your environment
Heat Death: Survival Train
Heat Death is a sci-fi survival game where you can build, upgrade, and customize your battle train to explore and survive a frozen world! This train is not only your shelter and vehicle, but also your weapon and ally to face hostile drones, deadly storms, and hidden mysteries of an unknown world!
The Survivalists
A living world full of surprises, secrets and danger awaits in The Survivalists, an adventure-filled survival sandbox set in The Escapists universe. Explore, build, craft and even train monkeys with up to three friends in a desperate bid to survive. Have you got what it takes to be a Survivalist?
Subsistence
Subsistence is a sandbox, first person, solo or co-op, PvE open-world survival game. Struggle through changing seasons to build a base, develop technology and gear-up in the hostile environment. Defend yourself from wildlife, the elements and AI hunters (who also build bases in the world).
Orebound
Orebound is a voxel, factory, automation game set in a first person open-world. The King has tasked you to locate the elusive Emberstone. Go forth and use your Dwarven prowess and knowledge to mine, craft and automate through anything standing in your way - Build up or dig down! How far will you go?
Satisfactory
Satisfactory is a first-person open-world factory building game with a dash of exploration and combat. Play alone or with friends, explore an alien planet, create multi-story factories, and enter conveyor belt heaven!
The Planet Crafter
A space survival open world terraforming crafting game, designed for 1 to 10 players. Alter the ecosystem of an inhospitable planet to render it habitable for humanity. Survive, gather resources, and build your base. Then, generate oxygen, warmth, and pressure to create a brand new biosphere.
Most played games like Return from Core on Steam
Take a look at the top games like Return from Core that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of June 15th 2025.
1. Rust
Similarity 48% The only aim in Rust is to survive. Everything wants you to die - the island’s wildlife, other inhabitants, the environment, and other survivors. Do whatever it takes to last another night. Rust is a survival, crafting and multiplayer game developed and published by Facepunch Studios. Released on February 08th 2018 has received 1,227,784 reviews of which 1,071,135 were positive and 156,649 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played game like Return from Core, thanks to its 110,456 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.7
1,071,135
156,649
110,456
players
2. ARK: Survival Evolved
Similarity 46% Stranded on the shores of a mysterious island, you must learn to survive. Use your cunning to kill or tame the primeval creatures roaming the land, and encounter other players to survive, dominate... and escape! ARK: Survival Evolved is a open world survival craft, survival and multiplayer game developed by Studio Wildcard, Instinct Games, Efecto Studios and Virtual Basement LLC and published by Studio Wildcard and Snail Games USA. Released on August 27th 2017 has received 730,170 reviews of which 612,177 were positive and 117,993 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. While seeing 31,018 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among games like Return from Core based on player count.
8.3
612,177
117,993
31,018
players
3. Satisfactory
Similarity 59% Satisfactory is a first-person open-world factory building game with a dash of exploration and combat. Play alone or with friends, explore an alien planet, create multi-story factories, and enter conveyor belt heaven! Satisfactory is a base-building, automation and open world game developed by Coffee Stain Studios and published by Coffee Stain Publishing. Released on September 10th 2024 has received 232,064 reviews of which 225,479 were positive and 6,585 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. While seeing 28,710 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among games like Return from Core based on player count.
9.6
225,479
6,585
28,710
players
4. RimWorld
Similarity 48% A sci-fi colony sim driven by an intelligent AI storyteller. Generates stories by simulating psychology, ecology, gunplay, melee combat, climate, biomes, diplomacy, interpersonal relationships, art, medicine, trade, and more. RimWorld is a colony sim, base-building and survival game developed and published by Ludeon Studios. Released on October 17th 2018 has received 210,517 reviews of which 206,216 were positive and 4,301 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.7 out of 10. With 27,800 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played games like Return from Core.
9.7
206,216
4,301
27,800
players
5. Terraria
Similarity 47% Dig, fight, explore, build! Nothing is impossible in this action-packed adventure game. Four Pack also available! Terraria is a open world survival craft, sandbox and survival game developed and published by Re-Logic. Released on May 16th 2011 has received 1,409,473 reviews of which 1,373,979 were positive and 35,494 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.7 out of 10. With 22,766 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played games like Return from Core.
9.7
1,373,979
35,494
22,766
players
6. Factorio
Similarity 67% Factorio is a game about building and creating automated factories to produce items of increasing complexity, within an infinite 2D world. Use your imagination to design your factory, combine simple elements into ingenious structures, and finally protect it from the creatures who don't really like you. Factorio is a automation, base-building and resource management game developed and published by Wube Software LTD.. Released on August 14th 2020 has received 215,209 reviews of which 208,770 were positive and 6,439 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. With 21,076 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played games like Return from Core.
9.6
208,770
6,439
21,076
players
7. Valheim
Similarity 44% A brutal exploration and survival game for 1-10 players, set in a procedurally-generated purgatory inspired by viking culture. Battle, build, and conquer your way to a saga worthy of Odin’s patronage! Valheim is a open world survival craft, survival and online co-op game developed by Iron Gate AB and published by Coffee Stain Publishing. Released on February 02nd 2021 has received 499,828 reviews of which 471,451 were positive and 28,377 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 18,183 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played games like Return from Core.
9.4
471,451
28,377
18,183
players
8. Palworld
Similarity 43% Fight, farm, build and work alongside mysterious creatures called "Pals" in this completely new multiplayer, open world survival and crafting game! Palworld is a open world, survival and creature collector game developed and published by Pocketpair. Released on January 18th 2024 has received 380,709 reviews of which 358,266 were positive and 22,443 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 16,110 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played games like Return from Core.
9.3
358,266
22,443
16,110
players
9. Enshrouded
Similarity 56% You are Flameborn, last ember of hope of a dying race. Awaken, survive the terror of a corrupting fog, and reclaim the lost beauty of your kingdom. Venture into a vast world, vanquish punishing bosses, build grand halls and forge your path in this co-op survival action RPG for up to 16 players. Enshrouded is a open world, survival and base-building game developed and published by Keen Games GmbH. Released on January 24th 2024 has received 78,080 reviews of which 67,486 were positive and 10,594 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. With 11,807 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played games like Return from Core.
8.5
67,486
10,594
11,807
players
10. V Rising
Similarity 50% Awaken as a Vampire. Hunt for blood in nearby settlements to regain your strength and evade the scorching sun to survive. Raise your castle and thrive in an ever-changing, open world full of mystery. Gain allies online and conquer the land of the living. V Rising is a survival, open world and base-building game developed and published by Stunlock Studios. Released on May 08th 2024 has received 119,440 reviews of which 106,197 were positive and 13,243 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. With 10,748 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played games like Return from Core.
8.8
106,197
13,243
10,748
players
Best deals on games like Return from Core on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of games like Return from Core available on Steam right now, updated on June 15th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted games like Return from Core.
1. Nova Lands
Similarity 69% Nova Lands is a factory building, exploration, and island management game. Explore, engage in combat, and automate your industry. The planet you’re on is full of mysteries, creatures, people, and things to do. Welcome to your new home amongst the stars! Nova Lands is a automation, base-building and sandbox game developed by BEHEMUTT and published by HypeTrain Digital. Released on June 22nd 2023 has received 2,823 reviews of which 2,546 were positive and 277 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Featuring a massive 99% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for games like Return from Core.
8.7
2,546
277
-99%
19.99€
0.37€
2. Autonauts
Similarity 42% In Autonauts you must build, create, and automate. Start by establishing a colony, crafting bots and teaching them via Scratch-style programming to build an ever evolving autonomous paradise of agriculture, industry and enlightenment. Autonauts is a simulation, programming and automation game developed by Denki and published by Curve Games. Released on October 17th 2019 has received 4,785 reviews of which 4,283 were positive and 502 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 98% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in games like Return from Core.
8.6
4,283
502
-98%
19.99€
0.43€
3. Havendock
Similarity 44% Breathe easy and thrive in this cozy colony sim. Build a haven for castaways, manage resources, live your best life on the ocean. Lead your humble settlement into a high-tech society. Havendock is a singleplayer, strategy and city builder game developed by YYZ Studio and published by IndieArk and Pretty Soon. Released on April 22nd 2025 has received 1,399 reviews of which 1,191 were positive and 208 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 98% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in games like Return from Core.
8.1
1,191
208
-98%
19.50€
0.42€
4. CryoFall
Similarity 53% CryoFall is a sci-fi colony simulation survival game set on a forgotten planet in a distant future. Master technology, agriculture, trading, industry, cybernetics, exploration, and more! CryoFall is a colony sim, crafting and pve game developed by AtomicTorch Studio and published by Daedalic Entertainment. Released on April 29th 2021 has received 6,167 reviews of which 4,856 were positive and 1,311 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for games like Return from Core.
7.7
4,856
1,311
-98%
19.99€
0.49€
5. My Little Universe
Similarity 52% Stranded on a barren moon with nothing but your tools, fuelless ship, and celestial powers of creation, you are destined to recreate what was once lost and be the hero of your own Little Universe! Don't forget to call in up to three of your friends to join your journey in the Splitscreen Co-op Mode! My Little Universe is a mining, exploration and dungeon crawler game developed by Estoty and published by SayGames. Released on October 05th 2023 has received 1,610 reviews of which 1,387 were positive and 223 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 97% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for games like Return from Core.
8.2
1,387
223
-97%
14.79€
0.58€
6. Portal Knights
Similarity 50% The world of Elysia needs YOU! Join this cooperative, 3D sandbox action RPG to level up your character, craft epic weapons, conquer enemies in real-time, and build almost anything! Craft your adventure. Forge your hero. Become the ultimate Portal Knight! Portal Knights is a adventure, multiplayer and sandbox game developed by Keen Games GmbH and published by 505 Games. Released on May 18th 2017 has received 21,686 reviews of which 18,093 were positive and 3,593 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 97% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for games like Return from Core.
8.2
18,093
3,593
-97%
19.99€
0.66€
7. Breathedge
Similarity 51% Survive in outer space! Together with your immortal chicken, discover the truth behind your sudden spaceship crash. Craft tools, pilot vehicles, and even control space stations to survive and explore the wreckage. Breathedge is a open world survival craft, space and singleplayer game developed by RedRuins Softworks and published by RedRuins Softworks and HypeTrain Digital. Released on February 25th 2021 has received 15,320 reviews of which 12,620 were positive and 2,700 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 97% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for games like Return from Core.
8.1
12,620
2,700
-97%
24.99€
0.82€
8. Mr. Prepper
Similarity 56% Mr. Prepper is about being prepared. You know something is wrong. The risk of a nuclear war is in the air and you need to get ready for what's coming. Mr. Prepper is a survival, simulation and base-building game developed by Rejected Games and published by Rejected Games and PlayWay S.A.. Released on March 18th 2021 has received 4,891 reviews of which 3,953 were positive and 938 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 97% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for games like Return from Core.
7.8
3,953
938
-97%
19.50€
0.67€
9. The Survivalists
Similarity 60% A living world full of surprises, secrets and danger awaits in The Survivalists, an adventure-filled survival sandbox set in The Escapists universe. Explore, build, craft and even train monkeys with up to three friends in a desperate bid to survive. Have you got what it takes to be a Survivalist? The Survivalists is a crafting, survival and online co-op game developed and published by Team17. Released on October 09th 2020 has received 9,217 reviews of which 7,069 were positive and 2,148 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 97% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for games like Return from Core.
7.5
7,069
2,148
-97%
24.99€
0.80€
10. Final Upgrade
Similarity 47% Help humanity to spread throughout the cosmos by exploring new worlds, building space factories and setting up trade routes. Research advanced technologies to increase efficiency and unlock new paths of development. Fight off other artificial intelligences in your goal to reach the Final Upgrade! Final Upgrade is a automation, space and base-building game developed and published by TaosX. Released on December 06th 2022 has received 431 reviews of which 339 were positive and 92 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 97% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for games like Return from Core.
7.4
339
92
-97%
16.79€
0.51€
Free games like Return from Core on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play games like Return from Core you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on June 15th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play games like Return from Core.
1. Muck
Similarity 45% Muck is a survival-roguelike. Collect resources, find items & build a base to survive for as long as you can. Muck is a survival, multiplayer and crafting game developed and published by Dani. Released on June 05th 2021 has received 175,857 reviews of which 164,593 were positive and 11,264 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 1,208 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free games like Return from Core.
9.2
164,593
11,264
1,208
players
2. Fallout Shelter
Similarity 48% Fallout Shelter puts you in control of a state-of-the-art underground Vault from Vault-Tec. Build the perfect Vault, keep your Dwellers happy, and protect them from the dangers of the Wasteland. Fallout Shelter is a free to play, base-building and survival game developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. Released on March 29th 2017 has received 74,448 reviews of which 65,847 were positive and 8,601 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 983, this game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free games like Return from Core.
8.7
65,847
8,601
983
players
3. XERA: Survival
Similarity 45% Action-focused, open world survival shooter, PvPvE against fellow mercenaries and lethal XOIDS. Raid for resources alone or with team-mates, build and defend your base, stash your gear and survive against the odds. You are the hunters. You are the hunted. And the robots never sleep… XERA: Survival is a base-building, open world survival craft and multiplayer game developed and published by Spotted Kiwi Interactive. Released on September 26th 2021 has received 7,774 reviews of which 5,185 were positive and 2,589 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free games like Return from Core.
6.6
5,185
2,589
43
players
4. CHKN
Similarity 47% Behold, the miracle of life… packed into cubes! Create fantastic creatures in an open-world sandbox game like no other. Explore, craft, and survive—all with the help of your very own creations. CHKN is a sandbox, adventure and open world game developed and published by Katapult. Released on April 01st 2016 has received 1,655 reviews of which 1,320 were positive and 335 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free games like Return from Core.
7.7
1,320
335
9
players
5. Planet Explorers
Similarity 47% Planet Explorers is an open world sandbox adventure RPG game set on a distant planet. The game uses a new OpenCL calculated voxel system to allow players to change the terrain in any way, create new objects such as weapons, vehicles, objects, and do it anywhere. Planet Explorers is a open world survival craft, sandbox and open world game developed and published by Pathea Games. Released on November 08th 2016 has received 6,812 reviews of which 4,226 were positive and 2,586 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free games like Return from Core.
6.1
4,226
2,586
5
players
6. Arid
Similarity 44% Discover the mysteries of the Atacama, explore the abandoned mining networks, evade the scorching sun and survive the environment in one of the most arid place in the world. Arid is a FREE survival game made by students from Breda University. Arid is a open world survival craft, survival and multiplayer game developed by Sad Viscacha Studio and published by Breda University of Applied Sciences. Released on June 29th 2021 has received 1,868 reviews of which 1,620 were positive and 248 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free games like Return from Core.
8.3
1,620
248
3
players
7. Phoning Home
Similarity 40% A tale of survival about two shipwrecked robots - ION and ANI - on their life-defining journey in this unique genre-mix of exploration, puzzle and survival. Phoning Home is a adventure, action and indie game developed and published by ION LANDS. Released on February 07th 2017 has received 1,046 reviews of which 719 were positive and 327 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free games like Return from Core.
6.6
719
327
1
players
8. Prospector: The First Contract
Similarity 65% As the Prospector in this Prologue chapter, you will be taking on your first contract. Explore new planets, gather resources, build your fully automated base, and ship materials to distant colonies. Prospector: The First Contract is a open world survival craft, sandbox and pixel graphics game developed by Loonworks Games and published by HypeTrain Digital. Released on July 12th 2024 has received 498 reviews of which 458 were positive and 40 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free games like Return from Core.
8.6
458
40