Since Star Citizen is still in Early Access, many fans wonder if other completed video games offer a similar experience. We may have some recommendations!
Star Citizen is (for now) an MMO sci-fi sandbox game where players take on the role of a starship pilot traversing faraway corners of the galaxy.
There are missions to complete, locations to explore, wars to wage, and careers to develop. Last but not least, there is an extensive multiplayer mode. The game is visually breathtaking but still in development, so we would like to present you a list of the best alternatives to sweeten the wait for its finished version.
| Game | Release | Genre | Developer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Empyrion Galactic Survival | 2015-08-05 | Adventure | Eleon Game Studios |
 | The Outer Worlds Spacers Choice Edition | 2023-03-07 | RPG | Obsidian Entertainment |
 | Star Control Origins | 2018-09-20 | Adventure | Stardock |
 | Grav | 2015-01-08 | Adventure | BitMonster, Inc. |
 | No Mans Sky | 2016-08-12 | Adventure | Hello Games |
 | Elite Dangerous | 2015-04-02 | Adventure | Frontier Developments |
 | Rebel Galaxy Outlaw | 2020-09-22 | Adventure | Double Damage Games |
| | Elite Dangerous | 2015-04-02 | Adventure | Frontier Developments |
 | X4 Foundations | 2018-11-30 | Simulation | Egosoft |
 | Everspace Ultimate Edition | 2017-05-25 | Adventure | ROCKFISH Games |
 | Everspace 2 | 2021-01-18 | Adventure | ROCKFISH Games |
Starfield
| Release date: | 2023-09-06 |
| Genre: | RPG |
| Developer: | Bethesda Game Studios |
While last year’s grand Bethesda release doesn’t share many gameplay mechanics with Star Citizen, both titles aim for an impressive level of realism that other space games can’t match.
Imagine The Elder Scrolls, but set in space – that’s Starfield! You’ll start the game by designing a hero in the extensive character creator and then dig into an epic adventure, exploring over a hundred planetary systems. There are quests, ancient secrets, factions, combat, and starships. You can also craft and level up your character. This title is everything role-playing game enthusiasts love!
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Elite: Dangerous
| Release date: | 2015-04-02 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Frontier Developments |
If Star Citizen feels half-finished, Elite: Dangerous, with its massive world, complete story, and smoother visuals, will be the best solution for this problem.
Elite: Dangerous (like Star Citizen) is a space simulator MMO where you start with modest equipment and climb the ladder of the top Elite player’s career. Everything you do in the game affects the surrounding reality! Explore four hundred billion Milky Way’s star systems, see black holes, witness how this world evolves, and try to survive the ever-changing political situation. It is a perfect recommendation for players who can manage this gigantic world to decide what they want to achieve.
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EVE Online
| Release date: | 2003-05-06 |
| Genre: | MMO |
| Developer: | CCP |
Unlike the still-in-development Star Citizen, EVE Online is regularly updated, has a stable player base, and can impress with the number of available activities.
Create a hero and board your modest spaceship to embark on an epic journey across the virtual universe of New Eden. It’s a beginner-friendly game, so you may want to try it if you haven’t played a space MMO before. There’s both PvE and intense PvP, many extra quests, and unbelievable things to see! Plus, the more you play, the better your gear gets. It’s an incredibly fulfilling experience!
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No Man's Sky
| Release date: | 2016-08-12 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Hello Games |
It is an absolute classic and a must-play for any space game enthusiast!
No Man’s Sky offers a much more chill experience than other recommendations. Explore a procedurally generated universe to discover solar systems, name them, and travel to the precise center of the galaxy. Unlike Starfield and similar titles, each planet in NMS is alive and holds many secrets awaiting discovery. Moreover, you can encounter other players, making this world more believable. It’s the best choice for players seeking the most immersive experience.
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Star Conflict
| Release date: | 2013-02-27 |
| Genre: | MMO |
| Developer: | Star Gem Inc. |
While it doesn’t offer trading mechanics like Star Citizen, Star Conflict shares many similar features but with more action!
Star Conflict is a free-to-play MMO space simulation that delivers the most action-fueled experience on our list. Design a hero, choose your path, and develop your skills to forge alliances or fight other players. The game features intense PvE and PvP, solo missions, the option to create your fleet, and a perfectly explorable space. Play it if you want to lose yourself in exciting activities.
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X3: Reunion
| Release date: | 2005-11-03 |
| Genre: | Simulation |
| Developer: | Egosoft |
If you’re craving a single-player game similar to Star Citizen, look no further!
X3 Reunion is a sci-fi simulation following the story of Captain Jules Brennan – but the plot doesn’t play a crucial role in this title. Due to the game’s sandbox nature, players can do whatever they desire – from investing in massive structures to freely exploring. What’s more, various random events can ruin all your work, so the world feels like it’s really alive.
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Conclusion
While none of these alternatives is an accurate Star Citizen copy, they all boast similar features like stunningly beautiful worlds, epic space battles, and advancement opportunities. These titles also prove ideal if you dislike the storyless nature of Star Citizen. We recommend choosing any of these recommendations while waiting for the final game version, as they may all surprise you with their incredible beauty and similar gameplay mechanics.