IMHO.

Single-player games like Distant Worlds 2

Below are 15 single-player Steam games similar to Distant Worlds 2, ranked by player overlap. Every pick carries Steam's Single-player category, so multiplayer-only titles or always-online games don't sneak in. imho.run pulls the category data from Steam directly — Single-player here matches what the store labels.

Want the full alternatives list (paid + free + Steam Deck + cheaper picks)? See the parent games like Distant Worlds 2 page.

Ranked picks

  1. 1
    Distant Worlds: Universe — Steam game cover

    Distant Worlds: Universe

    Single-player alternative to Distant Worlds 2 — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Strategy and Simulation with Distant Worlds 2.

    Distant Worlds is a vast, pausable real-time 4X space strategy game. Experience the full depth and detail of turn-based strategy, but with the simplicity and ease of real-time, and on the scale of a massively-multiplayer online game.  

    2014StrategySimulation29.99 USDSingle-playerSimilar games →
  2. 2
    Solar Wave — Steam game cover

    Solar Wave

    Single-player alternative to Distant Worlds 2 — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Strategy and Simulation with Distant Worlds 2.

    A large-scale 4X strategy game with indirect control and a focus on simulating a space empire. Capture systems, develop your economy and logistics, call up hundreds of powerful fleets and watch them incinerate enemies of the Solar Empire.

    2026StrategySimulationSingle-playerSimilar games →
  3. 3
    Terra Invicta — Steam game cover

    Terra Invicta

    Single-player alternative to Distant Worlds 2 — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Strategy and Simulation with Distant Worlds 2.

    An alien invasion has fractured humanity into seven ideological factions each with a unique vision for the future. Lead your chosen faction to take control of Earth’s nations, expand across the Solar System, and battle enemy fleets in tactical combat.

    2026StrategySimulation39.99 USDDeck VerifiedSingle-playerSimilar games →
  4. 4
    The King's Campaign — Steam game cover

    The King's Campaign

    Single-player alternative to Distant Worlds 2 — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Strategy and Simulation with Distant Worlds 2.

    Conquer Medieval Europe and North Africa in a combination of Grand Strategy and Real-Time Strategy gameplay where you rule one of 28 kingdoms as you build and manage your cities, engage in diplomacy and command massive armies on the world map and on the battlefield

    2023StrategySimulation19.99 USDSingle-playerSimilar games →
  5. 5
    Polaris Sector — Steam game cover

    Polaris Sector

    Single-player alternative to Distant Worlds 2 — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Strategy and Simulation with Distant Worlds 2.

    Can anyone build an empire in a place like this? Other factions are naturally suspicious of newcomers and may wage war at the first sign of unidentified craft. Here, a natural death is an uncommon luxury.

    2016StrategySimulation39.99 USDSingle-playerSimilar games →
  6. 6
    Near Sol — Steam game cover

    Near Sol

    Single-player alternative to Distant Worlds 2 — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Strategy and Simulation with Distant Worlds 2.

    Space 4X game with the ability to build factories, extract resources, with characters, internal and external markets ... Take part in the discussion of the game, share your vision)

    2022StrategyIndieSimulation7.99 USDSingle-playerSimilar games →
  7. 7
    Galactic Ruler — Steam game cover

    Galactic Ruler

    Single-player alternative to Distant Worlds 2 — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Strategy and Simulation with Distant Worlds 2.

    Galactic Ruler offers real time strategy game play at both planetary level and in space! Lead your faction in diplomacy or conquest across a procedurally generated galactic map where any system might hold hostile enemies or resource riches. Develop advanced technologies to rule the galaxy!

    2022StrategyIndieSimulation19.99 USDDeck PlayableSingle-playerSimilar games →
  8. 8
    The Last Federation — Steam game cover

    The Last Federation

    Single-player alternative to Distant Worlds 2 — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Strategy and Simulation with Distant Worlds 2.

    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 VerifiedSingle-playerSimilar games →
  9. 9
    Sins of a Solar Empire II — Steam game cover

    Sins of a Solar Empire II

    Single-player alternative to Distant Worlds 2 — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Strategy and Simulation with Distant Worlds 2.

    Battle for galactic dominance in this real-time 4X strategy game with unrivaled scale! You’ll explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate through military force, diplomacy, trade, culture, influence, and other underhanded tactics.

    2024StrategySimulation49.99 USDDeck PlayableSingle-playerSimilar games →
  10. 10
    Stellaris — Steam game cover

    Stellaris

    Single-player alternative to Distant Worlds 2 — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Strategy and Simulation with Distant Worlds 2.

    Explore a galaxy full of wonders in this sci-fi grand strategy game from Paradox Development Studios. Interact with diverse alien races, discover strange new worlds with unexpected events and expand the reach of your empire. Each new adventure holds almost limitless possibilities.

    2016StrategySimulation9.99 USDDeck PlayableSingle-playerSimilar games →
  11. 11
    Stars — Steam game cover

    Stars

    Single-player alternative to Distant Worlds 2 — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Simulation with Distant Worlds 2.

    《Stars》is a VR game about stars. you can completely relax, look up at the sky and listen to the story of each constellation.

    2016IndieSimulationCasual14.99 USDSingle-playerSimilar games →
  12. 12
    Aurora — Steam game cover

    Aurora

    Single-player alternative to Distant Worlds 2 — playable solo, no multiplayer required.

    This is a light puzzle game of pretty girls, so help the girls solve their problems! Then you can interact with the pretty girls.

    2020IndieCasual0.99 USDSingle-playerSimilar games →
  13. 13
    Ascendant — Steam game cover

    Ascendant

    Single-player alternative to Distant Worlds 2 — playable solo, no multiplayer required.

    Ascendant is the unforgiving beat 'em up in which you are a demigod invading a world controlled by your rivals. Choose your fate by discovering Blessings, equipping mighty weapons and spells, and learning to survive in this brutal realm. Only the most impressive warriors have a chance of victory.

    2014ActionIndieAdventureFreeSingle-playerSimilar games →
  14. 14
    StarDrive 2 — Steam game cover

    StarDrive 2

    Single-player alternative to Distant Worlds 2 — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Strategy with Distant Worlds 2.

    StarDrive 2 is an exciting and evolutionary step forward for the StarDrive franchise. In this eagerly anticipated sequel, the core mechanics have evolved to incorporate a turn-based strategic layer, featuring spectacular realtime battles.

    2015StrategyIndie29.99 USDSingle-playerSimilar games →
  15. 15
    Galactic Civilizations IV — Steam game cover

    Galactic Civilizations IV

    Single-player alternative to Distant Worlds 2 — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Strategy and Simulation with Distant Worlds 2.

    Take command of a civilization that has just achieved faster-than-light travel in Galactic Civilizations IV, the newest entry in the award-winning space 4X strategy game series. Explore the galaxy, colonize worlds, shape cultures, make alliances, fight wars and pioneer new technologies.

    2023StrategySimulation39.99 USDSingle-playerSimilar games →
15 Single-Player Games Like Distant Worlds 2 (2026) · imho.run