Single-player games like Distant Worlds 2
Below are 16 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
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.
- 2
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.
- 3
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.
- 4
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.
- 5
Sins of a Solar Empire®: Rebellion
Single-player alternative to Distant Worlds 2 — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Strategy and Simulation with Distant Worlds 2.
Command a space-faring empire in Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion, the new stand-alone expansion that combines 4X depth with real-time strategy gameplay.
- 6
AI War 2
Single-player alternative to Distant Worlds 2 — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Strategy and Simulation with Distant Worlds 2.
The most devious and acclaimed artificial intelligence in strategy gaming is better than ever. A grand strategy/RTS hybrid that reverses many conventions of both genres. Take territory without attracting attention, build your empire with care, and adapt to an ever-evolving galactic battleground.
- 7
Galactic Civilizations III
Single-player alternative to Distant Worlds 2 — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Strategy with Distant Worlds 2.
Build a civilization that will stand the test of time in the largest space-based strategy game ever! Choose from dozens of unique races and make a name for yourself across the galaxy through diplomacy, espionage, technological advances, and more.
- 8
ENDLESS™ Space 2
Single-player alternative to Distant Worlds 2 — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Strategy with Distant Worlds 2.
ENDLESS™ Space 2 is a Strategic Space Opera, featuring the compelling “just one more turn” gameplay, set in the mysterious ENDLESS™ Universe. As the leader of your civilization, will you impose your vision and build the greatest stellar empire?
- 9
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.
- 10
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.
- 11
X4: Foundations
Single-player alternative to Distant Worlds 2 — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Strategy and Simulation with Distant Worlds 2.
Your journey to building a vast space empire begins behind the controls of a single ship. Explore, trade, fight, and build as you rise to command fleets, stations, and entire economies in a living, fully simulated universe that reacts to every decision.
- 12
Tiny Civilization
Single-player alternative to Distant Worlds 2 — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Strategy with Distant Worlds 2.
This is a historical simulation game that promotes the development of civilization based on the match-3 Game. You'll need to gather resources, use skills, discover new technology, and lead humanbeing through a 10,000-year journey to the cosmos.
- 13
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.
- 14
Master of Orion
Single-player alternative to Distant Worlds 2 — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Strategy with Distant Worlds 2.
The ascendant spacefaring 4X strategy game returns! A new chapter in the epic Master of Orion saga is poised to once again capture the imaginations of millions of gamers.
- 15
Master of Orion 3
Single-player alternative to Distant Worlds 2 — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Strategy with Distant Worlds 2.
Experience first-hand the challenges of leading one of 16 different races into unequalled galactic supremacy and face a universe of decisions. Set policies, explore, build, declare war, negotiate - put all these elements into motion to guarantee your place in the annals of space and time.
- 16
Space Empires I
Single-player alternative to Distant Worlds 2 — playable solo, no multiplayer required. Shares Strategy with Distant Worlds 2.
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.