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- Best overall: Undertow Games Barotrauma PC (Steam)
- Best budget: Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included PC (Steam)
- Best premium: Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! PC (Steam DLC)
- Ghost Ship Games Deep Rock Galactic PC (Steam): Klei Entertainment Don't Starve Together PC (Steam)
- Barotrauma is the stronger pick for crews who want tense submarine co-op for up to 16 players.
- Oxygen Not Included is a solo colony-management game; Spaced Out! adds multi-world challenges and rocket progression.
- The best choice depends on whether you want real-time crew emergencies or a slower, systems-focused simulation.
- Deep Rock Galactic and Don't Starve Together are strong alternatives for players who want cooperative survival.
Barotrauma and Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! suit different kinds of PC strategy players in Black Friday 2026. Barotrauma puts up to 16 crew members aboard a submarine, where communication and quick decisions keep a mission afloat. Oxygen Not Included focuses on building a self-sufficient colony, while the Spaced Out! expansion spreads survival across multiple planetoids.
I researched and compared specs, reviews and owner feedback to map out the best picks for players weighing these games and similar options. Here's the bottom line: choose Barotrauma for chaotic multiplayer teamwork, Oxygen Not Included for thoughtful solo management, and Spaced Out! when you want the colony sim to reach beyond one asteroid. The guide also covers alternatives and what to check before choosing a game.
How We Picked
- The strongest picks have clear gameplay identities, from Barotrauma's 16-player submarine crew to Oxygen Not Included's solo colony management.
- We compared player counts, platform details, expansion requirements and core gameplay loops using published product information.
- Owner feedback and review themes helped identify strengths and friction points, including learning curves and multiplayer coordination.
- Each pick serves a distinct type of player, so the list includes co-op survival, solo simulation and exploration options.
- Black Friday 2026 guidance focuses on choosing the right edition and checking account, platform and DLC compatibility.
Comparison Table
| Product | Best for | Player count | Core gameplay | Multiplayer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undertow Games Barotrauma PC (Steam) | Large crew co-op | 1–16 players | Submarine survival | Online co-op |
| Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included PC (Steam) | Solo colony management | 1 player | Colony simulation | Single-player |
| Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! PC (Steam DLC) | Expanded colony play | 1 player | Multi-world expansion | Requires base game |
| Ghost Ship Games Deep Rock Galactic PC (Steam) | Action co-op | 1–4 players | Mining and combat | Online co-op |
| Ludeon Studios RimWorld PC (Steam) | Emergent colony stories | 1 player | Colony simulation | Single-player |
| Klei Entertainment Don't Starve Together PC (Steam) | Co-op survival crafting | 1–6 players | Wilderness survival | Online co-op |
| Unknown Worlds Subnautica PC (Steam) | Solo underwater exploration | 1 player | Exploration and survival | Single-player |
| System Era Softworks ASTRONEER PC (Steam) | Creative space co-op | 1–4 players | Planet exploration | Online co-op |
Best Picks Reviewed
#1 · Top pick
Undertow Games Barotrauma PC (Steam)
The Undertow Games Barotrauma PC (Steam) is the best pick for coordinated crews who want submarine survival, with multiplayer support for up to 16 players. The Undertow Games Barotrauma PC (Steam)'s unpredictable emergencies turn every mission into a team problem.
Best for: Large co-op crews and submarine-simulation fans
- Platform
- PC
- Player count
- 1–16 players
- Perspective
- 2D side-view
- Core focus
- Submarine crew survival
- Supports large multiplayer crews
- Strong teamwork and role-based play
- Emergencies create memorable sessions
- New crews face a steep learning curve
- Coordination matters more than casual drop-in play
Is Undertow Games Barotrauma PC (Steam) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Undertow Games Barotrauma PC (Steam) is a strong Black Friday 2026 choice for players with a dependable gaming crew. The Undertow Games Barotrauma PC (Steam)'s 16-player support, submarine operations and unpredictable disasters deliver a distinctive co-op experience.
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#2
Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included PC (Steam)
The Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included PC (Steam) is the best pick for solo players who enjoy colony engineering, with 1-player gameplay built around managing a growing group of duplicants. Resource chains and environmental hazards reward careful planning.
Best for: Solo colony builders and systems thinkers
- Platform
- PC
- Player count
- 1 player
- Game style
- Colony simulation
- View
- 2D side-view
- Deep interconnected simulation systems
- Flexible base layouts and priorities
- Excellent fit for long solo sessions
- Many systems take time to understand
- Not designed around multiplayer
Is Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included PC (Steam) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included PC (Steam) is worth considering for solo players who want a detailed colony simulator. The 1-player design centers on resource planning, habitat management and solving problems as the colony grows.
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#3
Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! PC (Steam DLC)
The Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! PC (Steam DLC) is the best expansion for established colony managers who want multi-world progression. The DLC adds rocket travel and multiple planetoids to the 1-player simulation.
Best for: Oxygen Not Included owners seeking more scope
- Platform
- PC
- Players
- 1 player
- Product type
- Expansion DLC
- Key addition
- Rocket travel and multiple planetoids
- Extends the base game's progression
- Adds new ways to manage resources
- Supports multi-world colony planning
- Requires Oxygen Not Included
- Adds complexity to an already detailed game
Is Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! PC (Steam DLC) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! PC (Steam DLC) is a worthwhile expansion for players who own the base game and want rocket travel, multiple planetoids and a wider colony-management challenge.
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#4
Ghost Ship Games Deep Rock Galactic PC (Steam)
The Ghost Ship Games Deep Rock Galactic PC (Steam) is the best pick for action-focused co-op groups, with missions built for 1–4 dwarven miners. Distinct classes and destructible caves make teamwork central to every expedition.
Best for: Small groups wanting co-op action
- Platform
- PC
- Player count
- 1–4 players
- Playable classes
- 4
- Core focus
- Co-op mining and combat
- Four distinct class roles
- Co-op missions encourage teamwork
- Procedural caves support replay
- Combat is more prominent than simulation
- Solo play has a different feel from co-op
Is Ghost Ship Games Deep Rock Galactic PC (Steam) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Ghost Ship Games Deep Rock Galactic PC (Steam) is a smart choice for groups seeking 1–4-player co-op action. Four classes give teammates clear roles, while changing cave layouts keep expeditions varied.
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#5
Ludeon Studios RimWorld PC (Steam)
The Ludeon Studios RimWorld PC (Steam) is the best pick for solo players who want emergent colony stories, with a 1-player simulation shaped by colonist needs and unpredictable events. The Ludeon Studios RimWorld PC (Steam)'s open-ended systems invite long-term planning.
Best for: Solo players who enjoy story-rich management
- Platform
- PC
- Player count
- 1 player
- Game style
- Colony simulation
- Core focus
- Survival and storytelling
- Colonists generate varied stories
- Wide range of colony strategies
- Strong support for replayable runs
- Interface and systems have a learning curve
- No built-in multiplayer focus
Is Ludeon Studios RimWorld PC (Steam) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Ludeon Studios RimWorld PC (Steam) suits solo players who enjoy managing a colony and responding to unpredictable events. The Ludeon Studios RimWorld PC (Steam)'s 1-player format and open-ended systems create a different story with each settlement.
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#6
Klei Entertainment Don't Starve Together PC (Steam)
The Klei Entertainment Don't Starve Together PC (Steam) is the best pick for friends who want cooperative wilderness survival, with online sessions supporting up to 6 players. Crafting, exploration and seasonal threats keep the group working together.
Best for: Friends who want survival-focused co-op
- Platform
- PC
- Player count
- 1–6 players
- Game style
- Survival crafting
- Core focus
- Cooperative wilderness survival
- Supports groups of up to 6
- Crafting and exploration work well together
- Distinctive hand-drawn visual style
- Survival pressure can feel unforgiving
- New players need time to learn recipes
Is Klei Entertainment Don't Starve Together PC (Steam) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Klei Entertainment Don't Starve Together PC (Steam) is a strong fit for friend groups who want survival crafting. Sessions support up to 6 players, with exploration and resource gathering giving everyone a reason to cooperate.
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#7
Unknown Worlds Subnautica PC (Steam)
The Unknown Worlds Subnautica PC (Steam) is the best pick for solo players who want underwater exploration, with a 1-player survival campaign set across an ocean world. Crafting and discovery drive a tense sense of progression.
Best for: Solo explorers who enjoy survival and discovery
- Platform
- PC
- Player count
- 1 player
- Setting
- Alien ocean
- Core focus
- Exploration and survival
- Memorable underwater exploration
- Discovery is central to progression
- Crafting gives exploration a purpose
- Single-player only
- Survival pressure is not for every player
Is Unknown Worlds Subnautica PC (Steam) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Unknown Worlds Subnautica PC (Steam) is a compelling pick for solo players who enjoy exploration and survival. The 1-player campaign builds its progression around discovering an ocean world, gathering resources and crafting equipment.
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#8
System Era Softworks ASTRONEER PC (Steam)
The System Era Softworks ASTRONEER PC (Steam) is the best pick for relaxed space exploration with friends, supporting up to 4 players in online co-op. Planet shaping and base building offer a lighter alternative to Barotrauma's emergencies.
Best for: Small groups who want creative space exploration
- Platform
- PC
- Player count
- 1–4 players
- Game style
- Space exploration
- Core focus
- Building and planet exploration
- Supports up to 4 players
- Creative terrain shaping
- Exploration and building complement each other
- Less focused on intense survival pressure
- Progression suits players who enjoy open-ended goals
Is System Era Softworks ASTRONEER PC (Steam) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. System Era Softworks ASTRONEER PC (Steam) is a good choice for up to 4 friends who want relaxed space exploration. Planet shaping and base building make the game a creative alternative to high-pressure co-op survival.
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Is Barotrauma or Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! better?
Barotrauma suits multiplayer crews of up to 16. Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! suits solo players who enjoy managing a colony across multiple worlds.
Barotrauma puts crews in charge of a submarine, repairs and real-time threats. Oxygen Not Included focuses on resource planning and colony systems, with Spaced Out! adding rocket travel and separate planetoids.
Choose Barotrauma for teamwork and social chaos. Choose Oxygen Not Included with Spaced Out! for a deeper solo simulation. The expansion requires the base game.
What does Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! add?
Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! adds rocket travel and multiple planetoids to the single-player colony simulation. Players manage separate worlds and coordinate resources between them.
Get the DLC if you enjoy the base game's colony systems and want added complexity. New players should learn Oxygen Not Included first, then decide whether they want the expansion.
Which game is better for co-op friends?
Barotrauma supports up to 16 players, Deep Rock Galactic supports 1–4, and Don't Starve Together supports up to 6. Barotrauma fits large crews; the others suit smaller groups.
Barotrauma centers on submarine roles and shared emergencies. Deep Rock Galactic offers combat missions and distinct classes. Don't Starve Together focuses on gathering, exploration and group survival.
Choose by group size and preferred pace: coordination in Barotrauma, action in Deep Rock Galactic, or shared survival in Don't Starve Together.
Which game is best for solo players?
Oxygen Not Included and RimWorld are solo colony simulators. Oxygen Not Included emphasizes environmental systems; RimWorld focuses on colonists and emergent stories.
Choose Oxygen Not Included for resource and habitat management, or add Spaced Out! for multi-world progression. Choose RimWorld for story-driven settlement management. Subnautica is a solo option focused on ocean exploration and survival.
What should I check before buying on Black Friday 2026?
Check platform, base-game requirements and player count before choosing a PC game. Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! requires Oxygen Not Included. Barotrauma fits large crews; Deep Rock Galactic and Don't Starve Together suit smaller groups; RimWorld and Subnautica are solo games.
Confirm the storefront, account and system requirements, and review which content the listing includes. Match the game to your play style before comparing features.
Buying Guide
Choose a game by player count
Barotrauma supports up to 16 players, Deep Rock Galactic supports 1–4, and Don't Starve Together supports up to 6. For solo play, consider Oxygen Not Included, RimWorld or Subnautica.
Separate the base game from DLC
Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! requires Oxygen Not Included. The expansion adds rocket travel and multi-world colony management.
Match the gameplay pace
Choose Barotrauma for submarine teamwork, Oxygen Not Included or RimWorld for colony management, Deep Rock Galactic for action, or ASTRONEER for creative space exploration.
Verify platform and account details
These are PC (Steam) editions. Check system requirements, storefront and account details. Review multiplayer compatibility if friends use another platform.
Prioritize the game you will play
Choose co-op for group sessions or a solo game for independent play. Confirm base-game ownership before buying an expansion.
FAQ
Barotrauma vs Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out—what is the main difference?
Barotrauma is a submarine survival game built around a crew of up to 16 players. Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! expands a 1-player colony simulator with rocket travel and multiple planetoids. Pick Barotrauma for co-op teamwork and Spaced Out! for solo systems management.
Is Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! a standalone game?
No. Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! PC (Steam DLC) is an expansion and requires the base game, Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included PC (Steam). The DLC adds multi-world progression and rocket travel to the original solo colony-management experience.
How many players can play Barotrauma together?
Undertow Games Barotrauma PC (Steam) supports multiplayer crews of up to 16 players. The game centers on shared submarine operations, making it a strong option for groups that want role-based co-op and coordinated responses to emergencies.
Is Barotrauma or Don't Starve Together better for a group?
Barotrauma suits larger groups, supporting up to 16 players, while Klei Entertainment Don't Starve Together PC (Steam) supports up to 6. Choose Barotrauma for submarine teamwork and Don't Starve Together for cooperative wilderness survival and crafting.
Which game is best for a solo colony-simulation fan?
Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included PC (Steam) is a strong solo choice for players who enjoy managing resources and environmental systems. Ludeon Studios RimWorld PC (Steam) is another 1-player colony simulator, with more emphasis on colonists and emergent stories.
What should I buy first: Oxygen Not Included or Spaced Out?
Buy Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included PC (Steam) first if you do not already own the base game. Add Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! PC (Steam DLC) afterward if you want rocket travel and multi-world colony challenges.