IMHO.

Games like Space Empires I

If Space Empires I is your kind of game, the closest matches are Space Empires II, Space Empires III and Horizon — picked from the ranked list below. Each pick is ranked by what players of this game also play, shared genres and tags, and review-mined similarity — not a generic popularity list.

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About Space Empires I: Space Empires I is the first chapter of the Space Empires series. A classic galactic conquest and turn-based strategy video game where you are the leader of a race of intelligent beings building large spaceships for interplanetary and interstellar travel through warp points between star systems.

2020Strategy1.99 USDWindowsby Malfador Machinations
Space Empires I — Steam game cover

Players who liked Space Empires I also play

Steam players who put hours into Space Empires I also tend to own these titles — a signal called collaborative filtering. imho.run cross-references millions of library ownership patterns to surface games whose real audiences overlap, regardless of whether their genre tags match.

  1. Space Empires II

    WHY THIS

    Top pick for Space Empires I fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Strategy with Space Empires I.

    Explore the galaxy, discover and colonize new planets to acquire enough resources. Design your ships, choosing from different hulls, weapons, shields, and several devices. Once you advance with technologies, new systems will be available, and you will have to update your designs.

    2020Strategy2.99 USDSteam ↗
  2. Space Empires III

    WHY THIS

    Second-strongest match for Space Empires I fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Strategy with Space Empires I.

    The third game within the Space Empires series brings the dawn of a new age of exploration. Your race keeps running through the fabric of space and moves to other solar systems beyond your own.

    2020Strategy3.99 USDSteam ↗
  3. Horizon

    WHY THIS

    Third-strongest match for Space Empires I fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Strategy with Space Empires I.

    Horizon is a turn-based space strategy game of galactic exploration and conquest in which you are in control of humanity’s destiny. You will explore deep space, find new frontiers and discover alien artifacts hidden on long-abandoned planets.

    2014StrategyIndieAdventure29.99 USDSteam ↗
  4. Sid Meier's Civilization®: Beyond Earth™

    WHY THIS

    Ranked #4 for Space Empires I fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Strategy with Space Empires I.

    Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth is a new science-fiction-themed entry into the award winning Civilization series. As part of an expedition sent to find a home beyond Earth, lead your people into a new frontier, explore and colonize an alien planet and create a new civilization in space.

    2014Strategy9.99 USDSteam ↗
  5. Age of Wonders: Planetfall

    WHY THIS

    Ranked #5 for Space Empires I fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Strategy with Space Empires I.

    Age of Wonders: Planetfall is the new strategy game from Triumph Studios, creators of the critically acclaimed Age of Wonders series, bringing all the exciting tactical turn-based combat and in-depth empire building of its predecessors to space in an all-new, sci-fi setting.

    2019Strategy10.19 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  6. Xenonauts

    WHY THIS

    Ranked #6 for Space Empires I fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Strategy with Space Empires I.

    Xenonauts is a strategy game in which you control a multi-national military organisation defending a Cold War-era Earth from alien invasion, using small squads of persistent soldiers to eliminate the extraterrestrials and recover their technology in turn-based ground combat.

    2014StrategyIndieSimulation24.99 USDSteam ↗
  7. Galactic Civilizations® II: Ultimate Edition

    WHY THIS

    Ranked #7 for Space Empires I fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Strategy with Space Empires I.

    Get the complete GalCiv II saga including Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords, the expansion pack Dark Avatar, and the newest expansion pack Twilight of the Arnor!

    2011StrategyIndie9.99 USDSteam ↗
  8. The Last Federation

    WHY THIS

    Ranked #8 for Space Empires I fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Strategy with Space Empires I.

    From the creators of AI War: Fleet Command comes an all-new grand strategy title with turn-based tactical combat, set in a deep simulation of an entire solar system and its billions of inhabitants. You are the last of a murdered race, determined to unify or destroy the 8 others.

    2014StrategyIndieSimulation19.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗

Cheaper alternatives

Games in the same vein priced at least 40% below Space Empires I at current Steam store prices.

  1. shapez

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~50% under Space Empires I on Steam right now. Shares Strategy with Space Empires I.

    shapez is an easy-going, minimalistic factory building game about the automation of shapes through extraction and satisfying production lines. Adapt to increasingly complex shapes and grow your factory across an infinitely expanding map. Your only limitation is your creativity!

    2020StrategyIndieSimulation0.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  2. Bejeweled® 3

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~50% under Space Empires I on Steam right now. Shares Strategy with Space Empires I.

    The biggest, brightest Bejeweled ever! Discover all-new ways to play the world’s #1 puzzle game. Find your perfect match with 8 breathtaking game modes that meet all your moods.

    2010StrategyCasual0.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  3. Dictators:No Peace Countryballs

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~50% under Space Empires I on Steam right now. Shares Strategy with Space Empires I.

    Dictators : No Peace Countryballs is a war simulation and dictator game. This is a fun,simple and some say a funny countryballs game. If you like simulation games, you will love playing Dictators : No Peace. Play as a dictator of your favourite country and colonize the world.

    2020StrategyIndieSimulation0.99 USDSteam ↗
  4. Sid Meier's Civilization® III Complete

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~50% under Space Empires I on Steam right now. Shares Strategy with Space Empires I.

    Sid Meier's Civilization III: Complete, the latest offering in the Sid Meier's Civilization III franchise, provides gaming fans with Sid Meier's Civilization III, the highly-addictive journey of discovery.

    2006Strategy0.99 USDSteam ↗
  5. Russian Life Simulator

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~50% under Space Empires I on Steam right now. Shares Strategy with Space Empires I.

    The most realistic simulator of the life of a Russian person. Collect pension from birth, collect bottles to survive and become part of an exciting life-long story.

    2019ActionSportsStrategy0.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  6. Achievement Clicker

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~50% under Space Empires I on Steam right now. Shares Strategy with Space Empires I.

    Feel like a real Achievement hunter! Earn Achievements, upgrades and get the most Achievements on steam!

    2017ActionStrategyIndie0.99 USDSteam ↗
  7. House of Detention

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~50% under Space Empires I on Steam right now. Shares Strategy with Space Empires I.

    Unique horror with a Deep plot, a lot of characters, great sound effects and a creepy atmosphere of Real Dungeon. Locker Room, Gym, Various Monsters, Atmospheric Music, Meme Scrolls, The Lash of the Spain King and much more! Right Version Included.

    2020ActionSportsStrategy0.99 USDSteam ↗
  8. ‎My Suika – Kyo’s Fruit Merge

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~50% under Space Empires I on Steam right now. Shares Strategy with Space Empires I.

    A fun watermelon merge puzzle game! Combine various matching fruits to help Kyo gather watermelons in four different game modes!

    2023StrategyIndieSimulation0.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗

Free alternatives

Free-to-play games that recommended players of this title also tend to enjoy.

  1. Die in the Dungeon: Origins

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Strategy with Space Empires I.

    Fight your way through a mysterious dungeon in this deck-building, turn-based roguelike game where you don't use cards, but DICE! Deal with enemies by combining dice on your board, boost their effects with magical relics, and discover the story behind Die in the Dungeon!

    2023StrategyIndieRPGFreeDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  2. The Riftbreaker: Prologue

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Strategy with Space Empires I.

    The Riftbreaker: Prologue allows you to experience the events taking place before the story campaign of the main game. Explore an entirely new world. Gather resources. Build up a base. Defend yourself from thousands of alien creatures.

    2020ActionStrategyIndieFreeDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  3. PlanetSide 2

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it.

    PlanetSide 2 is an all-out planetary war, where thousands of players battle as one across enormous continents. Utilize infantry, ground and air vehicles, and teamwork to destroy your enemies in this revolutionary first-person shooter on a massive scale.

    2012ActionMassively MultiplayerFree To PlayFreeDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  4. Limbus Company

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it.

    As the Executive Manager of Limbus Company, lead your group of twelve Sinners, venture into the buried facilities of Lobotomy Corporation, and lay claim on the Golden Boughs.

    2023FreeDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  5. Dota Underlords

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Strategy with Space Empires I.

    Hire a crew and destroy your rivals in this new strategy battler set in the world of Dota. Introducing Season One: Explore White Spire and earn rewards on the Battle Pass. Pick from several different game modes, play on your own or with friends, and take advantage of crossplay on PC and mobile.

    2019StrategyFree To PlayCasualFreeDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  6. Fallout Shelter

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it.

    Fallout Shelter puts you in control of a state-of-the-art underground Vault from Vault-Tec. Build the perfect Vault, keep your Dwellers happy, and protect them from the dangers of the Wasteland.

    2017SimulationRPGFree To PlayFreeDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  7. Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria Simulator

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it.

    Start your own Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria with Freddy Fazbear Pizzeria Simulator!

    2017IndieSimulationFree To PlayFreeDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  8. Cell to Singularity - Evolution Never Ends

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it.

    The epic story of evolution, technology, humanity, and dinosaurs is yours to tap.

    2021SimulationFree To PlayCasualFreeDeck PlayableSteam ↗

More from Malfador Machinations

Other recommendable Steam games by Malfador Machinations, ranked by review count so the studio's hits land first.

  1. Space Empires V

    WHY THIS

    Another title from Malfador Machinations, the studio behind Space Empires I. Shares Strategy with Space Empires I.

    Space Empires V is the latest edition in the Space Empires series. This new chapter completely updates the UI and takes the player into a real-time rendered 3D universe. Watch space battles played out in glorious detail and realistic effects. Expand, Explore, Exploit, and Exterminate in a huge living breathing galaxy.

    2006Strategy3.99 USDSteam ↗
  2. Space Empires IV Deluxe

    WHY THIS

    Another title from Malfador Machinations, the studio behind Space Empires I. Shares Strategy with Space Empires I.

    The award-winning Space Empires IV Deluxe is the latest edition in the Space Empires series. A grand strategy title in the space 4X (explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate) genre, Space Empires has already found a place in the heart of strategy gamers everywhere.

    2006Strategy3.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  3. Space Empires: Starfury

    WHY THIS

    Another title from Malfador Machinations, the studio behind Space Empires I. Shares Strategy with Space Empires I.

    In Space Empires: Starfury you are on a wild intergalactic ride through the Space Empires universe. You are an undercover agent for the TCN (Terran Confederation Navy) trying to determine the cause of a recent escalation of pirate attacks in the Neutral territories.

    2020ActionStrategy9.99 USDSteam ↗
  4. Space Empires II

    WHY THIS

    Another title from Malfador Machinations, the studio behind Space Empires I. Shares Strategy with Space Empires I.

    Explore the galaxy, discover and colonize new planets to acquire enough resources. Design your ships, choosing from different hulls, weapons, shields, and several devices. Once you advance with technologies, new systems will be available, and you will have to update your designs.

    2020Strategy2.99 USDSteam ↗
  5. Space Empires III

    WHY THIS

    Another title from Malfador Machinations, the studio behind Space Empires I. Shares Strategy with Space Empires I.

    The third game within the Space Empires series brings the dawn of a new age of exploration. Your race keeps running through the fabric of space and moves to other solar systems beyond your own.

    2020Strategy3.99 USDSteam ↗

Frequently asked about Space Empires I

How much does Space Empires I cost?
Space Empires I is listed on Steam at 1.99 USD (current store price; Steam sales may reduce this temporarily).
What games are most similar to Space Empires I?
Based on Steam play patterns and shared genres/tags, the games most often recommended alongside Space Empires I are Space Empires II, Space Empires III, Horizon.
Who developed Space Empires I?
Space Empires I was developed by Malfador Machinations and published by Strategy First.

imho.run ranks Steam game alternatives using a mix of collaborative filtering (ALS / iALS / EASE / LightGCN), content scoring over genres, categories, Steam tags, developers, and publishers, plus AI-extracted vibes mined from review text. The page above is generated in seed mode anchored on Space Empires I.

For library-aware picks tuned to your specific taste, sign in with Steam on the home page.

29 Games Like Space Empires I — Ranked for 2026 · imho.run