Starbound cover art

games like

Starbound

Starbound leans Optimization (Pure Optimization). Below: catalogued games with the closest cheat-test profile, and exactly where each one differs.

Matched first against: Platform, Role-playing (RPG) - then ranked by cheat-test profile.

EXECUTION3 /10READS0 /10VARIANCE4 /10OPTIMIZATION7 /10

12 games like Starbound

A cross-genre tag below means that pick didn't share a genre - it filled a slot on cheat-test profile alone.

Death Stranding cover art
Death StrandingPure Optimization · traversal sim

Both lean on execution about the same (3 vs 3). Biggest difference: reads (0 vs 1) - BTs and MULEs scripted, predictable.

full comparison →
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind cover art
The Elder Scrolls III: MorrowindPure Optimization · open-world RPG

Both lean on reads about the same (0 vs 0). Biggest difference: execution (3 vs 2) - Dice-roll combat ignores aim skill

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EarthBound cover art
EarthBoundPure Optimization · turn-based RPG

Both lean on reads about the same (0 vs 0). Biggest difference: execution (3 vs 2) - Rolling HP meter has very mild timing implication

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Gothic cover art
GothicPure Optimization · open-world RPG

Both lean on reads about the same (0 vs 0). Biggest difference: execution (3 vs 4) - Clunky but learnable directional melee timing

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Torchlight II cover art
Torchlight IIPure Optimization · action RPG

Both lean on execution about the same (3 vs 3). Biggest difference: variance (4 vs 5) - Loot rolls and random maps drive the chase

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SteamWorld Dig cover art
SteamWorld DigPracticed Mastery · mining platformer

Both lean on reads about the same (0 vs 0). Biggest difference: execution (3 vs 4) - Digging and platforming need modest precision

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Cult of the Lamb cover art
Cult of the LambPure Optimization · roguelite management

Both lean on reads about the same (0 vs 0). Biggest difference: execution (3 vs 4) - Roguelite combat needs decent dodges.

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DREDGE cover art
DREDGESystems & Chaos · fishing horror adventure

Both lean on reads about the same (0 vs 0). Biggest difference: execution (3 vs 2) - Fishing minigames and night dodging, light demands

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7 Days to Die cover art
7 Days to DiePure Optimization · zombie survival crafter

Both lean on variance about the same (4 vs 4). Biggest difference: execution (3 vs 4) - Aim and movement during horde nights matter.

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Xenoblade Chronicles 2 cover art
Xenoblade Chronicles 2Pure Optimization · action RPG

Both lean on execution about the same (3 vs 3). Biggest difference: reads (0 vs 1) - Scripted enemies

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Project Zomboid cover art
Project ZomboidPure Optimization · zombie survival sim

Both lean on execution about the same (3 vs 3). Biggest difference: variance (4 vs 5) - Loot spawns and zombie distributions randomized.

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Shadowrun Returns cover art
Shadowrun ReturnsPure Optimization · tactical RPG

Both lean on variance about the same (4 vs 4). Biggest difference: execution (3 vs 2) - Turn-based tactical combat; cover positioning deliberate not reactive

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Game details

Released
2016
Developer
Chucklefish Games
Platforms
Series X|S, Linux, PC, Mac, XONE
Modes
Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
IGDB critics
87/100
IGDB users
71/100
PlatformRole-playing (RPG)AdventureIndieActionScience fictionSurvivalSandbox