No Man's Sky VR set a remarkably high standard for virtual reality gaming. By transforming an infinite procedural universe into a fully immersive VR experience, it gave players the thrill of piloting starships, exploring uncharted alien planets, building bases, and surviving hostile environments in full 3D space. Finding games that match that massive sense of freedom, scale, and survival crafting in virtual reality can be challenging.
If you have explored countless solar systems and are searching for your next virtual reality addiction, several incredible titles offer similar mechanics. From deep space flight simulators to tense alien survival adventures, here are the best games like No Man's Sky VR you should play today.
1. Elite Dangerous
For players who loved the starship piloting and trading aspects of No Man's Sky VR, Elite Dangerous is the ultimate space simulator alternative. Set in a 1:1 scale recreation of the Milky Way galaxy, this game places you directly inside the cockpit of customizable spaceships.
While Elite Dangerous leans much heavier into simulation than arcade gameplay, its VR implementation is legendary. Looking around your cockpit, managing ship power, engaging in dogfights, and docking at space stations in virtual reality offer an unmatched level of scale and immersion. It is ideal for players who want a more realistic and gritty space exploration experience.
2. Subnautica
If your favorite part of No Man's Sky VR was discovering alien ecosystems, gathering resources, and building bases, Subnautica offers a nearly identical loop set entirely underwater on an alien world. Crash-landing on an ocean planet, you must craft equipment, construct underwater habitats, and pilot submersibles to dive deeper into dangerous waters.
In virtual reality, Subnautica is breathtaking and genuinely terrifying. Deep ocean trenches feel endlessly dark, and colossal leviathans looming out of the depths feel remarkably massive. It captures the exact same joy of planetary survival and technological progression found in No Man's Sky VR.
3. Hubris
Hubris is a visually stunning sci-fi VR action-adventure game set on a colorful alien planet. Players assume the role of a recruit tasked with finding a missing agent across a harsh wilderness filled with alien wildlife and hostile factions.
Although Hubris is more story-focused and linear than No Man's Sky VR, it features rich mechanics including swimming, climbing, crafting, and gunplay. The vibrant planetary environments and atmospheric sci-fi world-building will feel instantly welcoming to fans of colorful alien landscapes.
4. The Solus Project
For gamers seeking a solitary planetary survival narrative, The Solus Project delivers an immersive alien wilderness experience. After a crash-landing on a desolate alien ocean planet, your goal is simple: survive long enough to send a signal to save humanity.
The game emphasizes atmospheric survival rather than action combat. You must monitor body temperature, hunger, and sleep while surviving massive tornados, extreme climate shifts, and meteor strikes. Exploring alien ruins in VR gives off a mysterious vibe very similar to discovering ancient monoliths in No Man's Sky VR.
5. Into the Radius VR
If you enjoy the resource management, gear maintenance, and hazardous environment survival of No Man's Sky VR, Into the Radius VR provides a darker, single-player survival shooter experience. Set inside a surreal, anomaly-filled zone, players must scavenge for loot, clean their weapons manually, and survive strange shadow creatures.
While the setting is apocalyptic post-Soviet rather than deep space, the tactile interactions with items, inventory management, and high-tension exploration hit the same satisfying gameplay loops that hardcore survival enthusiasts enjoy in virtual reality.
6. Green Hell VR
Green Hell VR shifts the survival crafting formula into a dense, realistic Amazonian rainforest. You play as a researcher trying to survive alone using real-world survival techniques, building shelters, starting fires, crafting weapons, and treating injuries.
Though absent of space flight, Green Hell VR shares No Man's Sky VR's heavy focus on resource collection, crafting trees, environmental hazards, and self-directed survival in an unwelcoming landscape.
7. Red Matter 2
For players who enjoy sci-fi mystery, zero-gravity navigation, and sleek cosmic environments, Red Matter 2 is one of the premier standalone and PC VR experiences available. Set across space stations and research bases throughout the solar system, it puts a heavy focus on atmospheric environmental puzzles.
The game features incredible jetpack mobility, smooth gravity mechanics, and stunning visual presentation. If you enjoyed visiting space stations and investigating derelict freighters in No Man's Sky VR, Red Matter 2 offers a polished sci-fi narrative worth experiencing.
Key Features to Look for in VR Space Survival Games
- Interactive Cockpits: Games with full hand-tracking controls for flying ships heighten immersion.
- Planet-to-Space Transitions: Continuous open worlds add to the realistic sense of cosmic scale.
- Base Building and Crafting: Collecting resources to build persistent safe havens keeps long-term progression engaging.
- Environmental Hazards: Managing suit systems, oxygen levels, or extreme weather creates meaningful tension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there any VR space game as large as No Man's Sky VR?
In terms of procedural scale, Elite Dangerous is the only title that matches or exceeds No Man's Sky VR, featuring a full 1:1 playable replica of the Milky Way galaxy with billions of star systems.
Can you play Subnautica in full VR on standalone headsets?
Native VR support for Subnautica is available primarily on PC VR, though community mods and PC streaming enable standalone headset users to experience it wirelessly.
Are these VR games compatible with motion controllers?
Most games on this list, including Hubris, Green Hell VR, and Into the Radius VR, feature full native motion controller support for natural hand interactions.
Final Thoughts
Whether you want to spend hours piloting starships, surviving harsh weather on unknown planets, or crafting complex bases underwater, the virtual reality landscape offers fantastic alternatives to No Man's Sky VR. Jumping into games like Elite Dangerous or Subnautica will satisfy your thirst for sci-fi exploration and deep survival mechanics for hours on end.
