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
Desynced
Desynced is a sci-fi strategy game with fully customizable units and behaviors. Gather, build, research, and explore the unknown. Alone or with friends, unveil the mystery of an AI on the edge of self-awareness and uncover the hidden truth in this blend of strategy, automation, and exploration.
Tinkertown
Gather your friends and come to Tinkertown - A refreshing new Multiplayer Sandbox Experience! Explore magical places filled with loot, danger, and creativity.
Wurm Unlimited
Wurm Unlimited is the standalone version of the fantasy sandbox world Wurm Online, the MMORPG where the players are in charge! A pioneer in the ideas of player influence, crafting and adventure, it is now one of the most deep and feature packed true sandbox experiences available.
UnReal World
The cult classic open-ended wilderness survival roguelike RPG taking place in the ancient North. Throughout the years, UnReal World has been praised for its incredible depth, realism, atmosphere and immersion. Lose yourself in the most intricate, detailed and enchanting iron-age game world.
TerraTech
TerraTech is an open-world, sandbox adventure game, where you design and build your own creations through a mix of crafting, combat and discovery. Design vehicles from a huge library of blocks. Scavenge, craft and buy new parts to survive and become the ultimate planetary prospector.
Fargone
Fargone is an RPG-based survival game with a strong focus on creating a living, breathing world through dynamic events, and NPC interactions. Set in a fictional land known only as The Barrens, you must survive by any means, whether that be alone or by allying yourself with a faction.
Pacific Drive
Face the supernatural dangers of the Olympic Exclusion Zone with a car as your only lifeline in this driving survival adventure! Scavenge resources, load up your trusty station wagon, and drive like hell to make it through alive.
Sea of Craft
Hello! Captain! “Sea Of Craft” is a sandbox ocean-building game with realistic physics simulation. In “Sea of Craft”, you can build your exclusive ship with hundreds of materials, and explore intriguing stages on planet Beella as well as adventures of wonders in the great ocean!
Citadel: Forged with Fire
This massive online sandbox RPG features elements of magic, spellcasting, building, exploring and crafting. As a newly minted apprentice of the magic arts, you will set off to the dangerous world of Ignus. Tame mighty beasts, forge alliances, explore uncharted territories or fight for dominance!
IDUN - Frontline Survival
A defense RTS where you can move turrets at will. Extract resources, upgrade technology, and defend against enemy swarms in a gripping space campaign. Hold the line, set up your turrets, and brace for screen-filling hordes!
RAILGRADE
RAILGRADE is the train RTS game! Construct dense vertical railroads, build cities, construct vast factory chains with train automation! Restore an off world colony's economy all in the intense story driven campaign or relaxing sandbox mode!
Automation Empire
Build and manage a massive industrial network of factories, mines, and farms. Employ a fleet of trains, trucks, and robotic drones. In the age of automation, efficiency is survival!
Himno - The Silent Melody
Himno - The Silent Melody is an atmospheric roguelite action RPG. Explore different interconnected environments, gather materials to create your unique arsenal and build and automate your base.
Space Engineers
Space Engineers is a sandbox game about engineering, construction, exploration and survival in space and on planets. Players build space ships, space stations, planetary outposts of various sizes and uses, pilot ships and travel through space to explore planets and gather resources to survive.
Castle Story
Castle Story is a creative voxel-based strategy game in which you can build castles one brick at a time using an army of little creatures called Bricktrons. Design and build your own castles, expand your territory in a vast landscape and defend your Bricktrons against onslaughts of hostile creatures.
Microtopia
Become the hive mind of a robot ant colony in Microtopia! Use pheromone trails to create, automate and optimize supply chains for your ants to follow. Collect resources, produce goods, feed your queen, grow your colony and fly out to expand the species!
Aloft
Soar the skies in Aloft, the co-op sandbox survival game set in a world of floating islands. Build any island into a skyship, your home in the clouds. Find lost knowledge, cure the fungal corruption, and brave the hurricane to restore the ecosystem.
ICARUS
ICARUS is a PvE survival game for up to eight players. Explore a savage wilderness in the aftermath of terraforming gone wrong. Survive the Open World, complete timed Missions or build your Outpost. Explore, build, craft and hunt while seeking your fortune and prospecting for exotic matter.
Black Skylands
Become the captain of an airship and explore the world of the skies, gather resources and build powerful weapons, uncover ancient secrets and fight beneath your ship's sails.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 April 30th 2025.
1. V Rising
Similarity 59% 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 111,419 reviews of which 99,066 were positive and 12,353 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played game like Return from Core, thanks to its 39,400 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.8
99,066
12,353
39,400
players
2. Terraria
Similarity 53% 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 1,399,576 reviews of which 1,364,418 were positive and 35,158 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.7 out of 10. While seeing 25,486 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.
9.7
1,364,418
35,158
25,486
players
3. Valheim
Similarity 64% 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 496,650 reviews of which 468,624 were positive and 28,026 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. While seeing 17,441 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.
9.4
468,624
28,026
17,441
players
4. Project Zomboid
Similarity 59% Project Zomboid is the ultimate in zombie survival. Alone or in MP: you loot, build, craft, fight, farm and fish in a struggle to survive. A hardcore RPG skillset, a vast map, massively customisable sandbox and a cute tutorial raccoon await the unwary. So how will you die? All it takes is a bite.. Project Zomboid is a survival, zombies and open world game developed and published by The Indie Stone. Released on November 08th 2013 has received 369,979 reviews of which 348,457 were positive and 21,522 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 16,414 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played games like Return from Core.
9.3
348,457
21,522
16,414
players
5. ARK: Survival Evolved
Similarity 63% 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 726,404 reviews of which 608,653 were positive and 117,751 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. With 15,372 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played games like Return from Core.
8.3
608,653
117,751
15,372
players
6. Palworld
Similarity 51% 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 377,729 reviews of which 355,481 were positive and 22,248 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 13,742 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played games like Return from Core.
9.3
355,481
22,248
13,742
players
7. Factorio
Similarity 59% 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 213,390 reviews of which 206,974 were positive and 6,416 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. With 13,456 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played games like Return from Core.
9.6
206,974
6,416
13,456
players
8. Satisfactory
Similarity 77% 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 229,040 reviews of which 222,475 were positive and 6,565 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. With 12,693 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played games like Return from Core.
9.6
222,475
6,565
12,693
players
9. RuneScape: Dragonwilds
Similarity 68% On RuneScape’s forgotten continent of Ashenfall, dragons have awoken. Gather, build, skill and craft to survive in this co-operative (1-4) survival crafting game. Only by mastering survival and uncovering ancient secrets can they hope to slay the Dragon Queen—alone or with allies. RuneScape: Dragonwilds is a open world, multiplayer and survival game developed and published by Jagex Ltd. Released on April 15th 2025 has received 15,264 reviews of which 13,016 were positive and 2,248 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. With 8,822 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played games like Return from Core.
8.3
13,016
2,248
8,822
players
10. Conan Exiles
Similarity 53% An online multiplayer survival game, now with sorcery, set in the lands of Conan the Barbarian. Survive in a vast open world sandbox, build your home into a kingdom, and dominate your enemies in single or multiplayer. Conan Exiles is a survival and open world game developed and published by Funcom. Released on May 08th 2018 has received 106,724 reviews of which 83,957 were positive and 22,767 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. With 7,324 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played games like Return from Core.
7.8
83,957
22,767
7,324
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 April 30th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted games like Return from Core.
1. Founders' Fortune
Similarity 51% A fantasy village builder focusing on creative building, colonist psychology and base defense. Handle resources, farming, production, tools, diplomacy, families, trading, defense, and research, as well as the wishes, expectations, thoughts, and equipment of every villager. Founders' Fortune is a colony sim, base-building and city builder game developed and published by Dionic Software. Released on December 18th 2020 has received 2,099 reviews of which 1,690 were positive and 409 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Featuring a massive 95% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for games like Return from Core.
7.8
1,690
409
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
2. Starsand
Similarity 58% Starsand is a mystic survival game set among the dunes of an arcane desert. An open-world full of danger, vast environments and mysterious happenings await you! Explore, hunt, craft, build – and SURVIVE. Starsand is a open world survival craft, survival and open world game developed by Tunnel Vision Studio and published by Toplitz Productions. Released on November 17th 2022 has received 1,139 reviews of which 763 were positive and 376 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.5 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 94% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in games like Return from Core.
6.5
763
376
-94%
16.67€
1.00€
3. Life is Feudal: Forest Village
Similarity 57% LiF:Forest Village is a city builder with survival aspects in a realistic harsh medieval world. Shape, build and expand your settlement, grow various food to prevent your villagers from avitaminosis and starvation. Possess them for additional micromanagement or simply to wander around. Life is Feudal: Forest Village is a city builder, colony sim and strategy game developed by Mindillusion and published by Bitbox Ltd.. Released on May 26th 2017 has received 5,881 reviews of which 3,897 were positive and 1,984 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.5 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 93% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in games like Return from Core.
6.5
3,897
1,984
-93%
24.57€
1.72€
4. Conan Exiles
Similarity 53% An online multiplayer survival game, now with sorcery, set in the lands of Conan the Barbarian. Survive in a vast open world sandbox, build your home into a kingdom, and dominate your enemies in single or multiplayer. Conan Exiles is a survival and open world game developed and published by Funcom. Released on May 08th 2018 has received 106,724 reviews of which 83,957 were positive and 22,767 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 91% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for games like Return from Core.
7.8
83,957
22,767
-91%
41.89€
3.77€
5. The Long Dark
Similarity 55% THE LONG DARK is a thoughtful, exploration-survival experience that challenges solo players to think for themselves as they explore an expansive frozen wilderness in the aftermath of a geomagnetic disaster. There are no zombies -- only you, the cold, and all the threats Mother Nature can muster. The Long Dark is a survival, open world survival craft and open world game developed and published by Hinterland Studio Inc.. Released on August 01st 2017 has received 110,202 reviews of which 99,943 were positive and 10,259 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for games like Return from Core.
9.0
99,943
10,259
-90%
29.99€
2.99€
6. Autonauts
Similarity 53% 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 4,758 reviews of which 4,258 were positive and 500 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for games like Return from Core.
8.6
4,258
500
-90%
20.60€
2.06€
7. Feel The Snow
Similarity 53% Choose one of the characters and start your journey. The game has many interesting things in store: building, crafting, puzzles, bosses, mystery, laughs, quests etc. Feel The Snow is a open world survival craft, multiplayer and survival game developed and published by Owlet. Released on December 12th 2019 has received 2,890 reviews of which 2,536 were positive and 354 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for games like Return from Core.
8.4
2,536
354
-90%
12.79€
1.27€
8. Above Snakes
Similarity 65% Piece by piece, create your own world in this relaxing Wild West-inspired worldbuilder. Craft, farm, hunt, build your base, and explore. Above Snakes is a open world, atmospheric and open world survival craft game developed by Square Glade Games and published by Crytivo. Released on May 25th 2023 has received 1,675 reviews of which 1,276 were positive and 399 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 89% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for games like Return from Core.
7.3
1,276
399
-89%
25.73€
2.83€
9. shapez
Similarity 50% 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! shapez is a automation, base-building and resource management game developed by Tobias Springer and published by tobspr Games and Doyoyo Games. Released on June 07th 2020 has received 13,549 reviews of which 13,038 were positive and 511 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 88% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for games like Return from Core.
9.4
13,038
511
-88%
9.83€
1.18€
10. TerraTech
Similarity 56% TerraTech is an open-world, sandbox adventure game, where you design and build your own creations through a mix of crafting, combat and discovery. Design vehicles from a huge library of blocks. Scavenge, craft and buy new parts to survive and become the ultimate planetary prospector. TerraTech is a building, sandbox and open world game developed and published by Payload Studios. Released on August 10th 2018 has received 23,303 reviews of which 21,271 were positive and 2,032 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 88% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for games like Return from Core.
8.9
21,271
2,032
-88%
24.17€
2.90€
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 April 30th 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. Fallout Shelter
Similarity 60% 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 73,924 reviews of which 65,394 were positive and 8,530 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. With 949 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free games like Return from Core.
8.7
65,394
8,530
949
players
2. The Genesis Project
Similarity 58% The Genesis Project is an attempt to replicate Sburb from the popular webcomic Homestuck, made by Andrew Hussie. The Genesis Project is a early access, adventure and rpg game developed and published by Perfectly Generic Team. Released on April 13th 2022 has received 1,743 reviews of which 1,491 were positive and 252 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played free games like Return from Core.
8.2
1,491
252
29
players
3. Gladiators: Survival in Rome
Similarity 50% Gladiators: Survival in Rome is an Action RPG with casual survival game mechanics and active city building. You'll experience a new type of survival game with quests & dungeons, continuous progression, seasonal events and lots of spear poking. Gladiators: Survival in Rome is a early access, rome and action rpg game developed and published by Colossi Games. Released on April 13th 2023 has received 366 reviews of which 238 were positive and 128 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free games like Return from Core.
6.3
238
128
21
players
4. Plasma
Similarity 55% Plasma is a pure engineering sandbox. Use advanced visual programming and robotics tools to create anything you can imagine. Plasma is a simulation, sandbox and 3d game developed by Dry Cactus and Licorice ehf and published by Dry Licorice. Released on September 13th 2023 has received 855 reviews of which 761 were positive and 94 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free games like Return from Core.
8.4
761
94
12
players
5. Daisho: Survival of a Samurai
Similarity 50% Daisho: Survival of a Samurai is an Action RPG with casual survival game mechanics and big village-building possibilities. You'll experience a new type of survival game with quests, continuous open world progression, monthly events and your dumb ways to die not harming your fun level. Daisho: Survival of a Samurai is a early access, ninja and free to play game developed and published by Colossi Games. Released on August 22nd 2023 has received 425 reviews of which 311 were positive and 114 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free games like Return from Core.
6.9
311
114
11
players
6. Planet Explorers
Similarity 66% 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 6,813 reviews of which 4,228 were positive and 2,585 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free games like Return from Core.
6.1
4,228
2,585
7
players
7. CHKN
Similarity 55% 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 1,643 reviews of which 1,310 were positive and 333 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free games like Return from Core.
7.7
1,310
333
6
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 survival game developed by Loonworks Games and published by HypeTrain Digital. Released on July 12th 2024 has received 496 reviews of which 457 were positive and 39 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
457
39
1
players
9. Outpost
Similarity 53% Outpost brings the perfect mix between survival and roguelite gameplay. Start the game in a randomly generated environment and try to adapt, and make it through as many nights as possible. How long can you survive? Outpost is a free to play, indie and strategy game developed and published by Open Mid Interactive. Released on May 01st 2020 has received 757 reviews of which 664 were positive and 93 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free games like Return from Core.
8.3
664
93
1
players
10. Tinkerlands: A Shipwrecked Adventure
Similarity 56% A Shipwrecked Adventure is a free prologue immersing you into the vast world of Tinkerlands. Uncover the story of the first survivors on these mystical islands. Explore the breathtaking archipelago, craft essential tools, build your settlement, and strive to survive! Tinkerlands: A Shipwrecked Adventure is a open world survival craft, action-adventure and procedural generation game developed by CodeManu and Endless Coffee and published by HypeTrain Digital. Released on April 12th 2024 has received 2,025 reviews of which 1,910 were positive and 115 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free games like Return from Core.
9.0
1,910
115