Space Engineers
Action
Indie
Simulation
Strategy
Single-player
Multi-player
PvP
Online PvP
Co-op
Steam Achievements
Steam Workshop
Partial Controller Support
Steam Cloud
Includes level editor
Family Sharing

Space Engineers is a sandbox game about engineering, construction, exploration and survival in space and on planets. Players build space ships, space stations, planetary outposts of various sizes and uses, pilot ships and travel through space to explore planets and gather resources to survive.

Developers: Keen Software House
Publishers: Keen Software House
Release Date: Feb 28, 2019
Price (USD): $19.99
Current Players: 4.9k

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Very Positive(89%)
creative freedom
satisfying engineering
exploration
strong community
modding support
complexity
multiplayer experience
Minecraft comparison
steep learning curve
performance issues
resource grind
multiplayer bugs
DLC dependency
Overall, the general sentiment of the reviews is positive regarding the creativity and engineering freedom the game offers. However, there are significant criticisms about its steep learning curve, performance issues, and grindy gameplay. Some players find the complexity both rewarding and overwhelming. The game's strong community and modding support are often highlighted as a significant positive aspect that offset some of its flaws.

Positive Points

  • Players appreciated the incredible freedom and creativity allowed in the game, particularly in building and designing ships, bases, and various structures.
  • The engineering and physics systems are deeply rewarding; many players enjoyed the satisfaction of seeing complex designs come to life.
  • The game offers a vast environment for exploration, including different planets and asteroids, each with unique resources and settings.
  • The strong modding community and workshop support enhance the game significantly, offering endless possibilities for player-created content.
  • Negative Points

  • Many players found the learning curve to be extremely steep, particularly for newcomers, with tutorials that do not adequately cover the game's complexity.
  • Performance issues and bugs were frequently mentioned, especially when dealing with large builds or in multiplayer scenarios.
  • Some users criticized the game for feeling grindy, particularly in the resource collection phase, which can be time-consuming and tedious.
  • There were complaints regarding the numerous DLCs and their impact on gameplay, with some feeling they were necessary for a complete experience.
  • Mixed Points

  • While the game's complexity is seen as a rewarding challenge by some, others find it overwhelming and off-putting.
  • Multiplayer experiences varied widely; some praised the cooperative aspects and community, while others experienced issues with connectivity and lag.
  • The game is often compared to Minecraft in space, which appeals to some players while others feel it lacks broader gameplay elements beyond building.
  • Common Themes

  • Creativity and building freedom are central to the game's appeal, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in constructing unique creations.
  • The engineering aspect provides a satisfying challenge but also requires patience and persistence to master.
  • The game has strong community aspects through mods and multiplayer, though experiences with this vary.
  • Many reviews note the steep learning curve and the requirement for external resources, such as YouTube tutorials, to fully understand gameplay mechanics.
  • Updated 9/9/2025, 12:01:16 AM UTC