Games like Universe Sandbox on Steam
For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free games like Universe Sandbox are available at the bottom of the page.
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Bee Island
Take control of the hive and protect it from enemies. Build factories and defence, research technologies and, if necessary, use nuclear weapons, but do not let the enemies harm the queen!
Evochron Mercenary
The life of an independent mercenary is rarely without excitement. Your spacecraft awaits and your adventure begins in the Sapphire star system.
RealFlight Evolution
RealFlight® is the industry-leading flight simulator for radio-controlled airplanes, helicopters, and drones. Fly more than 300 hyper-realistic vehicles in an immense, open world right from your desktop. This RC classic is a must-have tool for flight enthusiasts of all skill levels!
Breachway
Explore the galaxy in this deckbuilding, sci-fi roguelike where ship upgrades and crew management are key to your survival. Optimize resource generation, engage in intense turn-based battles, and take on ever-growing threats as you seek out The Signal.
Tin Can
You've barely managed to escape your exploding spaceship. Now in an old escape pod, you hurtle through space at the mercy of the cosmos. With no knowledge of the pod’s complex systems, your life depends on a technical manual and your own wits. How long can you survive?
Empyrion - Galactic Survival
Build and explore in a true space sandbox survival adventure. Construct mighty capital vessels, sprawling planetary settlements, and vast space stations in your galactic journey to discover the mysteries of Empyrion!
Brick Rigs
Build your own vehicles or download one of the more than 200,000 creations already uploaded to the Workshop and experience the dynamic driving and destruction physics of Brick Rigs!
Automation - The Car Company Tycoon Game
Make your dream cars a reality with Automation’s unparalleled car and engine design tools. Gain a competitive edge through smart engineering and business decisions to help you build an automotive empire. Will you become an industry leader, or just a footnote in automotive history?
X4: Foundations
Thrilling space battles meet deep strategy. X4 invites you to explore, fight, trade, and build an empire in a dynamic, fully simulated space sandbox, where every decision shapes your journey. Now featuring the 2025 flight model overhaul.
Sunshine Heavy Industries
Welcome to Sunshine Heavy Industries! As the new spaceship engineer, solve increasingly tricky design puzzles with your own personal style. Manage customer demands, juggle budget and ship performance, and survive the questionable decision making skills of your business partner.
Space Engineers 2
The ultimate space sandbox, reimagined. Unleash your creativity with powerful building tools, explore the mysterious Almagest system, and uncover its captivating story. Join the Early Access and shape the future of space engineering!
Planet Coaster 2
Build and customise thrilling roller coasters and incredible water slides, manage the ultimate theme park experience, and share your epic creations. Are you ready to ride the wave?
NEBULOUS: Fleet Command
Take command of your hand-tailored fleet of space warships and use realistic radar, electronic warfare, advanced movement controls in 3D space, and precision targeting to outmaneuver and outwit your opponents in a simulation-heavy tactical space game like no other.
Instruments of Destruction
Break thru walls, tear down buildings, and send structures crashing into each other in Instruments of Destruction, a vehicle-action game featuring advanced physics-based destruction. Pilot a variety of vehicles across dozens of missions and high score challenges in this highly-interactive world.
Junkyard Simulator
Did you ever wish to work in a junkyard? Now you can, with Junkyard Simulator. They are many roads leading to success - whichever you take depends on your decisions.
X-Plane 11
The future of flight simulation is now! X-Plane 11 is the detailed, realistic, and modern simulator you’ve been waiting for. Intuitive user interface, 3-D cockpits, new effects, 3-D sound, living airports and world-wide scenery.
The Enjenir: The Engineering Physics Building Simulator
Put your engineering and problem solving skills to the test in this sandbox physics building game! Enjoy the freedom of completely gridless 3D sandbox building combined with hilarious ragdoll third person controls, offering a truly unique and hilarious "Enjeniring" experience!
ΔV: Rings of Saturn
A physics-based mining sim, set in the thickest debris field in Sol. Every action has a reaction, lasers are invisible without a medium, and your thrust is a potent weapon. Find trade, adapt your equipment to your playstyle, hire a crew to help. Unravel the mysteries of the rings, or just get rich.
Animal Revolt Battle Simulator
The ultimate physics-based, sandbox battle simulator where you can create funny battles between all sorts of ragdoll creatures! You can also make your own monsters with the unit creator or even join the battles yourself in the first-person mode!
Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection
The wildly popular Zoo Tycoon series gets set to crank up the excitement, challenge, and fun of building the ultimate zoo. Let your imagination run wild with Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection. Build, manage, and maintain your dream zoo alone or with up to four players.
Galactic Civilizations IV
Take command of a civilization that has just achieved faster-than-light travel in Galactic Civilizations IV, the newest entry in the award-winning space 4X strategy game series. Explore the galaxy, colonize worlds, shape cultures, make alliances, fight wars and pioneer new technologies.
Between the Stars
Become the Captain of an interstellar cruiser and journey across the galaxy to save the Republic. During your journey you will have to make important decisions, improve the weaponry of your ship and fight against numerous enemies.
Cooking Simulator VR
Become the ultimate chef in VR! Take control of a highly polished, realistic kitchen equipped with all kinds of utensils and stands. Unlock and master over 80 recipes or use dozens of lifelike ingredients to cook everything you like. A simulator spiced up with a dash of real-life physics!
Most played games like Universe Sandbox on Steam
Take a look at the top games like Universe Sandbox that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of June 16th 2025.
1. Garry's Mod
Similarity 42% Garry's Mod is a physics sandbox. There aren't any predefined aims or goals. We give you the tools and leave you to play. Garry's Mod is a sandbox, moddable and multiplayer game developed by Facepunch Studios and published by Valve. Released on November 29th 2006 has received 1,159,707 reviews of which 1,122,546 were positive and 37,161 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played game like Universe Sandbox, thanks to its 19,968 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.6
1,122,546
37,161
19,968
players
2. BeamNG.drive
Similarity 60% A dynamic soft-body physics vehicle simulator capable of doing just about anything. BeamNG.drive is a simulation, driving and physics game developed and published by BeamNG. Released on May 29th 2015 has received 322,278 reviews of which 313,873 were positive and 8,405 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. While seeing 16,131 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among games like Universe Sandbox based on player count.
9.6
313,873
8,405
16,131
players
3. Space Engineers
Similarity 55% 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. Space Engineers is a space, sandbox and building game developed and published by Keen Software House. Released on February 28th 2019 has received 132,347 reviews of which 117,204 were positive and 15,143 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. While seeing 4,745 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among games like Universe Sandbox based on player count.
8.8
117,204
15,143
4,745
players
4. People Playground
Similarity 48% Shoot, stab, burn, poison, tear, vaporise, or crush ragdolls in a large open space. People Playground is a sandbox, gore and physics game developed by mestiez and published by Studio Minus. Released on July 23rd 2019 has received 281,763 reviews of which 277,746 were positive and 4,017 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.8 out of 10. With 4,455 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played games like Universe Sandbox.
9.8
277,746
4,017
4,455
players
5. WorldBox - God Simulator
Similarity 48% WorldBox is the ULTIMATE god simulator and sandbox game. A petri dish for your fantasy civilizations. Create your own world or destroy it using many powers. Watch civilizations grow, form kingdoms, colonize new lands, sail to far continents, wars to ignite, empires to fall and towns to burn! WorldBox - God Simulator is a sandbox, god game and simulation game developed and published by Maxim Karpenko. Released on December 02nd 2021 has received 44,062 reviews of which 41,874 were positive and 2,188 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 3,839 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played games like Universe Sandbox.
9.3
41,874
2,188
3,839
players
6. Planet Zoo
Similarity 41% Build a world for wildlife in Planet Zoo. From the developers of Planet Coaster and Zoo Tycoon comes the ultimate zoo sim. Construct detailed habitats, manage your zoo, and meet authentic living animals who think, feel and explore the world you create around them. Planet Zoo is a management, simulation and building game developed and published by Frontier Developments. Released on November 05th 2019 has received 87,849 reviews of which 80,029 were positive and 7,820 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 2,449 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played games like Universe Sandbox.
9.0
80,029
7,820
2,449
players
7. Cell to Singularity - Evolution Never Ends
Similarity 42% The epic story of evolution, technology, humanity, and dinosaurs is yours to tap. Cell to Singularity - Evolution Never Ends is a clicker, free to play and simulation game developed and published by Computer Lunch. Released on November 03rd 2021 has received 23,690 reviews of which 21,284 were positive and 2,406 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. With 2,346 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played games like Universe Sandbox.
8.8
21,284
2,406
2,346
players
8. X4: Foundations
Similarity 45% Thrilling space battles meet deep strategy. X4 invites you to explore, fight, trade, and build an empire in a dynamic, fully simulated space sandbox, where every decision shapes your journey. Now featuring the 2025 flight model overhaul. X4: Foundations is a space sim, simulation and sandbox game developed and published by Egosoft. Released on November 30th 2018 has received 23,847 reviews of which 18,951 were positive and 4,896 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. With 2,190 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played games like Universe Sandbox.
7.8
18,951
4,896
2,190
players
9. Kerbal Space Program
Similarity 80% In Kerbal Space Program, take charge of the space program for the alien race known as the Kerbals. You have access to an array of parts to assemble fully-functional spacecraft that flies (or doesn’t) based on realistic aerodynamic and orbital physics. Kerbal Space Program is a space, simulation and sandbox game developed by Squad and published by Private Division. Released on April 27th 2015 has received 127,162 reviews of which 121,084 were positive and 6,078 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 2,138 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played games like Universe Sandbox.
9.4
121,084
6,078
2,138
players
10. Teardown
Similarity 58% Prepare the perfect heist in this simulated and fully destructible voxel world. Tear down walls with vehicles or explosives to create shortcuts. Stack objects to reach higher. Use the environment to your advantage in the most creative way you can think of. Teardown is a destruction, physics and sandbox game developed and published by Tuxedo Labs. Released on April 21st 2022 has received 109,462 reviews of which 104,653 were positive and 4,809 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 2,040 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played games like Universe Sandbox.
9.4
104,653
4,809
2,040
players
Best deals on games like Universe Sandbox on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of games like Universe Sandbox available on Steam right now, updated on June 16th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted games like Universe Sandbox.
1. EarthX
Similarity 40% EarthX is a rocket company management game. Go from launching small rockets on Earth to eventually building a colony on Mars. Create your own Internet constellation, develop new technologies, supply the International Space Station and terraform Mars! EarthX is a simulation, indie and strategy game developed by Denis and Ry and published by Mesote Games. Released on July 12th 2023 has received 875 reviews of which 769 were positive and 106 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Featuring a massive 99% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for games like Universe Sandbox.
8.3
769
106
-99%
19.99€
0.29€
2. Size Matters
Similarity 46% You play as a scientist who is shrinking every second in a race against time! Find all the ingredients and formulas scattered around the laboratory, which are necessary for producing the life-saving antidote. But beware, your time is very precious. Size Matters is a simulation, casual and science game developed by Mazen Games and published by GrabTheGames. Released on March 12th 2021 has received 473 reviews of which 412 were positive and 61 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 99% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in games like Universe Sandbox.
8.1
412
61
-99%
9.75€
0.19€
3. Tin Can
Similarity 45% You've barely managed to escape your exploding spaceship. Now in an old escape pod, you hurtle through space at the mercy of the cosmos. With no knowledge of the pod’s complex systems, your life depends on a technical manual and your own wits. How long can you survive? Tin Can is a simulation, space and survival game developed by Tin Can Studio and published by Tin Can Studio and IndieArk. Released on May 12th 2022 has received 1,198 reviews of which 1,015 were positive and 183 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 Universe Sandbox.
8.1
1,015
183
-98%
17.99€
0.46€
4. Rover Mechanic Simulator
Similarity 60% As an Engineer - crew member of one of the first Mars colonies - you are responsible for repairing and maintaining Mars Rovers. In this advanced simulator you will learn the internal details of various Mars Rovers and their components. Rover Mechanic Simulator is a simulation, indie and building game developed by ▲ Pyramid Games and published by Pyramid Games S.A. and PlayWay S.A.. Released on November 12th 2020 has received 637 reviews of which 489 were positive and 148 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for games like Universe Sandbox.
7.3
489
148
-98%
11.79€
0.35€
5. Ascent - The Space Game
Similarity 41% Ascent is a PVE sandbox space MMO with 270 BILLION star systems and an emphasis on strong Sci Fi. It encourages Exploration, Colonization, Research, Asteroid mining, Farming, Trading, and Combat. Outside the tutorial sector, everything in-game has been built by players. Ascent - The Space Game is a space, massively multiplayer and simulation game developed and published by Fluffy Kitten Studios. Released on April 11th 2016 has received 340 reviews of which 231 were positive and 109 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for games like Universe Sandbox.
6.5
231
109
-98%
19.99€
0.52€
6. Hardspace: Shipbreaker
Similarity 70% Equipped with cutting-edge salvaging tech, carve & slice spaceships to recover valuable materials. Upgrade your gear to take on more lucrative contracts and pay your billion credits debt to LYNX Corp! Hardspace: Shipbreaker is a space, sci-fi and simulation game developed by Blackbird Interactive and published by Focus Entertainment. Released on May 24th 2022 has received 20,422 reviews of which 18,276 were positive and 2,146 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 97% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for games like Universe Sandbox.
8.8
18,276
2,146
-97%
34.99€
1.08€
7. Fun with Ragdolls: The Game
Similarity 53% Become a ragdoll and create your own environments in Sandbox Mode, explore worlds created by others, or just flop around your destructible sets! Fun with Ragdolls: The Game lets you enjoy everything you love about ragdolls! Fun with Ragdolls: The Game is a sandbox, physics and funny game developed by Jadon Barnes and published by Fun & Simple. Released on September 17th 2019 has received 4,955 reviews of which 4,341 were positive and 614 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 97% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for games like Universe Sandbox.
8.5
4,341
614
-97%
12.49€
0.39€
8. When Ski Lifts Go Wrong
Similarity 41% Ride into a hilarious construction puzzler; packed with over 100 creative physics-based challenges, sports and bloody disasters! Build contraptions to help every passenger reach their destination. Enjoy the sports by controlling your riders away from (or towards if you feel like it) peril! When Ski Lifts Go Wrong is a simulation, indie and building game developed by Hugecalf Studios and published by Curve Games. Released on January 23rd 2019 has received 847 reviews of which 736 were positive and 111 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 97% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for games like Universe Sandbox.
8.2
736
111
-97%
14.99€
0.56€
9. Demolish & Build 2017
Similarity 50% Become a boss of Demolition & Build company. Destroy small wooden huts and huge concrete buildings. Manage your workers. Invest earned cash in your own land properties and rent them for profit in open sandbox world. Use various hand tools, buy new machines and customize their parts. Demolish & Build 2017 is a simulation, building and destruction game developed by Noble Muffins and published by Demolish Games S.A.. Released on October 18th 2016 has received 615 reviews of which 488 were positive and 127 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 Universe Sandbox.
7.5
488
127
-97%
19.99€
0.69€
10. Between the Stars
Similarity 44% Become the Captain of an interstellar cruiser and journey across the galaxy to save the Republic. During your journey you will have to make important decisions, improve the weaponry of your ship and fight against numerous enemies. Between the Stars is a space, rpg and action game developed and published by Isolated Games. Released on March 07th 2024 has received 2,301 reviews of which 1,724 were positive and 577 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 97% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for games like Universe Sandbox.
7.3
1,724
577
-97%
28.99€
0.89€
Free games like Universe Sandbox on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play games like Universe Sandbox you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on June 16th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play games like Universe Sandbox.
1. Cell to Singularity - Evolution Never Ends
Similarity 42% The epic story of evolution, technology, humanity, and dinosaurs is yours to tap. Cell to Singularity - Evolution Never Ends is a clicker, free to play and simulation game developed and published by Computer Lunch. Released on November 03rd 2021 has received 23,690 reviews of which 21,284 were positive and 2,406 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. With 2,346 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free games like Universe Sandbox.
8.8
21,284
2,406
2,346
players
2. Learn to Fly 3
Similarity 42% Build your spaceship from scratch, earn funds and invest them into building a bigger, better spaceship as you try and fly your way up to space! Learn to Fly 3 is a free to play, casual and physics game developed and published by Light Bringer Games inc.. Released on May 12th 2017 has received 10,406 reviews of which 9,843 were positive and 563 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 105, this game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free games like Universe Sandbox.
9.2
9,843
563
105
players
3. The Powder Toy
Similarity 58% The Powder Toy is a classic physics sandbox game, which simulates air pressure and velocity, heat, gravity and a countless number of interactions between different substances The Powder Toy is a simulation, sandbox and 2d game developed and published by The Powder Toy Team. Released on June 14th 2024 has received 1,852 reviews of which 1,824 were positive and 28 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free games like Universe Sandbox.
9.4
1,824
28
96
players
4. Steam Engine Simulator
Similarity 48% The Steam Engine Simulator shown on AngeTheGreat's YouTube channel. Steam Engine Simulator is a simulation, physics and education game developed and published by Ektorom Software Inc.. Released on June 07th 2023 has received 8,278 reviews of which 8,183 were positive and 95 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free games like Universe Sandbox.
9.6
8,183
95
23
players
5. SuchArt: Creative Space
Similarity 54% Paint on any surfaces with numerous tools in Creative Space — a free sandbox version of SuchArt: Genius Artist Simulator. Create masterpieces, complete commissions, and decorate your studio in the most advanced artist sim! SuchArt: Creative Space is a simulation, free to play and sandbox game developed by Goose Minded and published by HypeTrain Digital. Released on January 21st 2021 has received 7,016 reviews of which 6,872 were positive and 144 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free games like Universe Sandbox.
9.5
6,872
144
15
players
6. Kill It With Fire: HEATWAVE
Similarity 47% Kill It With Fire: Heatwave is a free chapter of a first-person action game about hunting spiders and causing collateral damage. The full game is OUT NOW! Kill It With Fire: HEATWAVE is a sandbox, simulation and funny game developed by Casey Donnellan Games LLC and published by tinyBuild. Released on July 17th 2020 has received 2,170 reviews of which 1,990 were positive and 180 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free games like Universe Sandbox.
8.8
1,990
180
5
players
7. Terra Firma
Similarity 43% Play god and create your own world in this complex simulation. Plate tectonics, wind and water erosion and plant life all develop and interact to produce a world that is viewable from a single tree to kilometres across. Terra Firma is a simulation, strategy and god game game developed and published by Working as Intended. Released on February 20th 2025 has received 359 reviews of which 333 were positive and 26 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free games like Universe Sandbox.
8.6
333
26
3
players
8. The Orville - Interactive Fan Experience
Similarity 42% Step aboard the USS Orville (ECV-197), the Planetary Union's finest mid-level exploratory class cruiser. With every room on every deck recreated with painstaking accuracy, you are free to explore the ship at your leisure and engage in all manner of shenanigans! The Orville - Interactive Fan Experience is a sandbox, space and sci-fi game developed and published by Messy Desk Interactive. Released on July 23rd 2019 has received 998 reviews of which 901 were positive and 97 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free games like Universe Sandbox.
8.5
901
97
3
players
9. Kill It With Fire: Ignition
Similarity 41% Kill It With Fire: IGNITION is a free sampler of a first-person action game about hunting spiders and causing collateral damage. The full game is OUT NOW! Kill It With Fire: Ignition is a sandbox, funny and comedy game developed by Casey Donnellan Games LLC and published by tinyBuild. Released on April 28th 2020 has received 1,649 reviews of which 1,509 were positive and 140 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free games like Universe Sandbox.
8.7
1,509
140
2
players
10. Electrician Simulator - First Shock
Similarity 48% Learn the ropes from your Dad to become an electrician. Repair and assemble sockets, panels, strips, plugs, chandeliers and even change light bulbs. Oh... and don't mix up the wires! Results might be shocking. Electrician Simulator - First Shock is a simulation, education and singleplayer game developed by Take IT Studio! and published by Gaming Factory and Ultimate Games S.A.. Released on January 06th 2022 has received 1,860 reviews of which 1,502 were positive and 358 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free games like Universe Sandbox.
7.8
1,502
358
2
players