Enthralling Space Odyssey: Top-5 Games Similar To IXION

Given the popularity of IXION, it's no surprise that many gamers want to expand their horizons in the same genre. If you are one who enjoys space exploration, building space stations, and survival elements with a deep narrative like IXION, then you're in for a treat. There are numerous game titles out there, providing thrilling new adventures that are alike IXION yet unique in their aspects. Here, we will look into the five best alternatives to IXION.

1. Kerbal Space Program

Kerbal Space Program is all about launching your spaceship and managing your space program. The game takes you into the fascinating world of space exploration in a fun yet scientific approach.

Gameplay

Kerbal Space Program allows players to create, modify and fly their rocket into space. There is a variety of modules and parts available which can be combined to build a complete space-faring vessel. This realistic physics engine simulates all actions in the game, including the vehicle's interaction with the atmospheric pressure, its mass shifting as fuel burns, vehicle stability, and so on.

Story and Setting

Set in a fictional planet system, the ultimate goal is to have the small green humanoid species, aka Kerbals, conquer space. The game doesn't follow a strict storyline but has scenarios and specific goals for player's missions.

2. Astroneer

Astroneer is a sandbox adventure game which is a vibrant, captivating journey to explore and terraform new planets.

Gameplay

In Astroneer, players can fully interact with the terrain, molting and reshaping it to collect resources or to make their survival easier. The game encourages players to design and build their settlements and structures, and research new technologies using resources gathered.

Story and Setting

The game is set during the 25th-century gold rush, where players explore the frontiers of outer space, risking their lives in harsh environments to unearth rare discoveries and unlock the mysteries of the universe.

3. No Man's Sky

No Man's Sky is a game centered on exploration and survival in an endlessly procedurally created cosmos.

Gameplay

In No Man's Sky, players venture across galaxies, encountering uncharted territories, unique species, ancient artifacts, and more. The game involves mining for resources, powering spaceship and gear, fighting hostile creatures, and trading with alien factions.

Story and Setting

There isn't a story per se, but there are overarching themes of exploration, survival, combat, and trading embedded in a vastly procedurally generated open world universe.

4. Subnautica

While mainly set underwater, Subnautica’s survival, exploration and base-building features make it an excellent alternative for Ixion fans looking for a new environment to conquer.

Gameplay

Subnautica focuses on underwater exploration - collecting resources, traversing undersea caves, scuba diving, and exploration. You can also craft equipment, pilot submarines, build underwater bases, and manage your vitals while dealing with the aquatic wildlife.

Story and Setting

Set on an alien aquatic planet, Subnautica begins with a spaceship crash landing. Guided by a whisper in your radio about life under the sea, you explore deeper into the underwater world to discover various beautiful yet dangerous sea creatures.

5. Out There: Ω The Alliance

Out There: Ω The Alliance is a space exploration survival game with roguelike elements, presenting a dark and melancholic vision of space.

Gameplay

In Out There, player's goal is to survive through the harsh conditions of space, collecting materials for the spaceship's repair and survival, managing resources, and encountering alien civilizations, making decisions that could substantially affect the storyline.

Story and Setting

The game follows an astronaut waking from cryonics, not in the solar system, but out there in a far and unknown place of the galaxy. In this exotically alien yet horribly lonely world, every encounter is a unique challenge to overcome.

These games, all unique in their tale and gameplay mechanics, serve as intriguing alternatives to IXION. Whether it's launching rockets, terraforming planets, or surviving in alien worlds, these games certainly deliver the experience of space odyssey and survival alike and beyond IXION.