Cover of X4: Foundations

Similar games

Games like X4: Foundations

2018PC, Steam Deck verified79 % positive−80 % ~~49.99 €~~ 9.99 €

A deeply complex space sandbox where you pilot ships yourself, run trade routes, build stations and grow an entire economic empire inside a living, simulated universe.

Sandbox with your own goals
Dense, handcrafted world
Deep systems to master
Open world

＋ Combine with my games

Where to buy

Steam Best price PC · 3 days left 9.99 € ~~49.99 €~~ −80 % Go to shop
Gamesplanet* Steam key 44.99 € ~~49.99 €~~ −10 % Go to shop

* Affiliate link. Prices are synced regularly and may have changed in the shop since.

More in these topics: Open-world games Sci-fi games

In short: Games like X4: Foundations

Each of these 10 games shares something of what makes X4: Foundations special. The reasons are listed right on each game.

Similar in what way?

0 of 3

Up to three areas count more, the rest steps back.

Not for me Exclude horror, turn-based combat, pixel art …

Games where this is clearly part of it are left out, no matter how well the rest fits.

Horror Turn-based combat High difficulty Roguelike runs Shooter Pixel art Grind Survival PvP Open world Card game

Best match

X3: Terran Conflict

100 %Match

2008PC, Steam Deck playable84 % positive−80 % ~~15.99 €~~ 3.19 €

A vast space sandbox where you fly ships, build trading empires and factory complexes, and get drawn into conflicts between rival races. Freedom is huge, but the learning curve is steep.

Where to buy

Steam Best price PC · 3 days left 3.19 € ~~15.99 €~~ −80 % Go to shop
Gamesplanet* Steam key 14.39 € ~~15.99 €~~ −10 % Go to shop

* Affiliate link. Prices are synced regularly and may have changed in the shop since.

Similar games →

X3: Albion Prelude

Driving or flying

A vast, freely explorable space sandbox where you fly ships, trade, fight and build your own economic and fleet empire. The focus is on freedom and simulation rather than a tightly told story.

X: Beyond the Frontier

Economy and management

A classic space sandbox where you play a stranded pilot who trades, fights and grows a personal empire of ships and stations. Freedom and a living economy matter far more than the story.

X3: Reunion

Dense, handcrafted world

A vast space sandbox where you fly ships, trade, build factories and stations, and carve your own path within a living simulated economy.

X2: The Threat

Sandbox with your own goals

A space sandbox where you fly ships as Julian Gardna, trade, and build stations and factory networks within a living economy. Combat, trading and expansion blend into a complex, open-ended universe.

Starsector

Sandbox with your own goals

A space sandbox where you pilot a ship and build a fleet, trading, exploring and fighting in tactical real-time battles. You choose freely whether to become a trader, mercenary, pirate or warlord.

X Rebirth

Economy and management

A space sandbox in the X universe where you fly, fight, trade and gradually build your own economic empire with a small ship and a female companion. Known for ambitious ideas and a rocky launch that drew heavy criticism.

Eve Online

Sandbox with your own goals

A vast, persistent space sandbox MMO where players shape trade, mining, warfare and politics in a fully player-driven economy. The steep learning curve and costly losses give every decision weight.

Parkan: The Imperial Chronicles

Sandbox with your own goals

A cult Russian genre blend of space sim, first-person shooter, strategy and RPG: you fly through space, explore planets and robot bases, and decide whether to be a trader, mercenary or pirate.

Dyson Sphere Program

Economy and management

A space factory-automation game where you build production chains across multiple planets and ultimately wrap a star in a Dyson sphere. The appeal lies in optimizing sprawling logistics networks on a galactic scale.

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