- #1 Foundation
96% matchVery Positive86% of 23,458 reviews2025
Dev: Polymorph Games
Windows
Median: 11.0 hrsMean: 26.3 hrs≥1hr: 89%
Foundation is a grid-less, laidback medieval city-building game with a focus on organic development, monument construction and resource management.
Why similar: City Builder 33.8%, Medieval 11.9%, Colony Sim 9.9% ★, Building 7.6%, Management 6.8%
- #2 Kingdoms and Castles
96% matchVery Positive93% of 30,808 reviews2017
Dev: Lion Shield, LLC
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 6.1 hrsMean: 16.0 hrs≥1hr: 88%
Kingdoms and Castles is a city-building simulation game about growing a kingdom from a tiny hamlet to a sprawling city and imposing castle. Make trade agreements, alliance, and war with neighboring AI controlled kingdoms. Each villager and resource is individually simulated.
Why similar: City Builder 29.1%, Colony Sim 25.1% ★, Medieval 10.3%, Building 9.2%, Sandbox 4.5%
- #3 Banished
95% matchVery Positive90% of 42,976 reviews2014
Dev: Shining Rock Software LLC
Windows
Median: 7.8 hrsMean: 26.9 hrs≥1hr: 78%
In this city-building strategy game, you control a group of exiled travelers who decide to restart their lives in a new land. They have only the clothes on their backs and a cart filled with supplies from their homeland. The townspeople of Banished are your primary resource.
Why similar: City Builder 32.2%, Colony Sim 30.8% ★, Survival 8%, Medieval 6.3%, Sandbox 4.3%
- #4 Patron
91% matchMostly Positive72% of 3,135 reviews2021
Dev: Overseer Games
Windows
Median: 3.5 hrsMean: 6.7 hrs≥1hr: 81%
Patron is a survival city builder with a unique social dynamics system. Gather and produce resources, build your fledgling village into a prosperous city and navigate the intricate social tensions before they reach boiling point.
Why similar: City Builder 23.7%, Colony Sim 23.3% ★, Survival 9%, Medieval 8.1%, Building 7.2%
- #5 Kingdoms Reborn
90% matchVery Positive91% of 9,521 reviews2020
Dev: Earthshine
Windows
Median: 10.0 hrsMean: 24.1 hrs≥1hr: 87%
A city builder with simulated citizens, set in a procedurally-generated world map. Grow your kingdom through the eras from a tiny medieval hamlet into a prosperous global empire! Cooperate or compete in real-time with your friends in multiplayer mode.
Why similar: City Builder 31.6%, Colony Sim 20.8% ★, Management 8.2%, Medieval 7.6%, Base Building 7.2%
- #6 Life is Feudal: Forest Village
88% matchMixed66% of 5,983 reviews2017
Dev: MindillusionPub: Bitbox Ltd.
Windows
Median: 2.5 hrsMean: 30.8 hrs≥1hr: 63%
LiF:Forest Village is a city builder with survival aspects in a realistic harsh medieval world. Shape, build and expand your settlement, grow various food to prevent your villagers from avitaminosis and starvation. Possess them for additional micromanagement or simply to wander around.
Why similar: City Builder 31.8%, Colony Sim 30.6% ★, Medieval 8.7%, Building 7.3%, Survival 6.3%
- #7 Founders' Fortune
87% matchVery Positive80% of 2,165 reviews2020
Dev: Dionic Software
Windows · Mac
Median: 1.6 hrsMean: 9.8 hrs≥1hr: 57%
A fantasy village builder focusing on creative building, colonist psychology and base defense. Handle resources, farming, production, tools, diplomacy, families, trading, defense, and research, as well as the wishes, expectations, thoughts, and equipment of every villager.
Why similar: Colony Sim 30.7% ★, City Builder 19.8%, Building 9.2%, Base Building 7.6%, Survival 6%
- #8 Ostriv
87% matchVery Positive95% of 7,345 reviews2020
Dev: yevhen8
Windows
Median: 9.0 hrsMean: 36.2 hrs≥1hr: 86%
Ostriv is a city-building game that puts you in a role of a governor of an 18th century Ukrainian town to challenge your creative skills and management abilities.
Why similar: City Builder 20.7%, Colony Sim 16.9% ★, Building 8.4%, Management 7.1%, Agriculture 6.6% ★
- #9 Dawn of Man
86% matchVery Positive87% of 17,626 reviews2019
Dev: Madruga Works
Windows · Mac
Median: 10.9 hrsMean: 29.7 hrs≥1hr: 86%
Command a settlement of ancient humans, guide them through the ages in their struggle for survival. Hunt, gather, craft tools, fight, research new techs and face the challenges the environment will throw at you.
Why similar: City Builder 39.8%, Colony Sim 32.9% ★, Survival 10.4%, Sandbox 4.2%, Strategy 3.3%
- #10 IXION
85% matchMostly Positive79% of 16,993 reviews2022
Dev: Bulwark StudiosPub: Kasedo Games
Windows
Median: 9.8 hrsMean: 31.0 hrs≥1hr: 90%
IXION is an unrelenting, city-building odyssey across the stars. As Administrator of the Tiqqun, DOLOS’ prototype space station, you are tasked with balancing preservation and exploration as you manage infrastructure, resources and crew. Can you keep the flame of humanity alight in the cold dark?
Why similar: City Builder 27.8%, Colony Sim 21.3% ★, Survival 10.1%, Building 9.5%, Resource Management 7.2%
- #11 Planetbase
86% matchMostly Positive80% of 10,259 reviews2015
Dev: Madruga Works
Windows · Mac
Median: 8.2 hrsMean: 26.2 hrs≥1hr: 90%
Guide a group of space settlers trying to establish a base on a remote planet. Grow food, collect energy, mine resources, survive disasters and build a self-sufficient colony in a harsh and unforgiving environment.
Why similar: Colony Sim 30% ★, City Builder 28%, Base Building 9.5%, Survival 9%, Building 6%
- #12 Farthest Frontier
83% matchVery Positive87% of 23,572 reviews2025
Dev: Crate Entertainment
Windows
Median: 9.6 hrsMean: 26.7 hrs≥1hr: 85%
Protect and guide your people as you forge a town from untamed wilderness at the edge of the known world. Harvest raw materials, hunt, fish and farm to survive. Produce crafted items to trade, consume, equip and fight with as you battle for your survival against the elements and outside threats.
Why similar: City Builder 19.2%, Colony Sim 16.3% ★, Building 12.7%, Agriculture 10.3% ★, Medieval 9.1%
- #13 Endzone - A World Apart
84% matchMostly Positive77% of 9,806 reviews2021
Dev: Gentlymad StudiosPub: Assemble Entertainment
Windows
Median: 3.9 hrsMean: 9.1 hrs≥1hr: 84%
Endzone is a post-apocalyptic survival city builder, where you start a new civilization with a group of people after an ecological disaster. Build them a new home and ensure their survival in a shattered world, threatened by constant radiation, toxic rain, sandstorms and droughts.
Why similar: City Builder 36.2%, Colony Sim 13.8% ★, Survival 12.4%, Base Building 7.6%, Building 7.2%
- #14 Ratopia
83% matchVery Positive88% of 4,642 reviews2025
Dev: Cassel Games
Windows · Mac
Median: 7.9 hrsMean: 26.1 hrs≥1hr: 86%
Ratopia is a new game that has combined elements of both strategic survival and city building. With plenty of content available, and more planned, enjoy a vast world to adventure and populate with citizens! Build your own economical system to sustain your ideal city of Ratopia.
Why similar: Colony Sim 22.1% ★, City Builder 18.6%, Building 12.2%, Management 8.4%, Survival 8.3%
- #15 Stonehearth
84% matchMostly Positive75% of 12,966 reviews2018
Dev: Radiant EntertainmentPub: (none)
Windows · Mac
Median: 14.1 hrsMean: 38.6 hrs≥1hr: 91%
Pioneer a living world full of warmth, heroism, and mystery. Help a small group of settlers build a home for themselves in a forgotten land. Establish a food supply, build shelter, defend your people, monitor their moods, and find a way to grow and expand, facing challenges at every step.
Why similar: Colony Sim 32.3% ★, City Builder 29.9%, Building 12.7%, Survival 8.5%, Sandbox 8%
- #16 Blacksmith Master
81% matchVery Positive84% of 2,470 reviews2025
Dev: Untitled StudioPub: Hooded Horse
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 6.0 hrsMean: 12.3 hrs≥1hr: 91%
Manage your own medieval smithy in Blacksmith Master and supervise the entire process from mining ores and gems to designing and selling finished products. Forge everything from weapons and armor to tools and cooking utensils to fund your craft and become the Blacksmith Master.
Why similar: Colony Sim 20.2% ★, City Builder 19.7%, Building 10.4%, Management 8.6%, Survival 7.6%
- #17 Oxygen
82% matchMostly Positive73% of 861 reviews2023
Dev: Turquoise Revival GamesPub: GrabTheGames
Windows
Median: 3.5 hrsMean: 9.9 hrs≥1hr: 78%
Oxygen is a survival city builder. Build your city around the Oxygen Center and ensure your people's survival in a post-apocalyptic future, threatened by crack explosions, deadly winds, droughts and frosts. Lead your people and more importantly keep the Oxygen Center running!
Why similar: City Builder 21.2%, Colony Sim 20% ★, Building 9.3%, Survival 8.4%, Base Building 7.7%
- #18 Prison Architect
82% matchVery Positive89% of 73,086 reviews2015
Dev: Introversion SoftwarePub: Paradox Interactive
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 6.0 hrsMean: 30.1 hrs≥1hr: 87%
Only the world’s most ruthless Warden can contain the world’s most ruthless inmates. Design and develop your personalized penitentiary in Prison Architect.
Why similar: Colony Sim 22.9% ★, City Builder 19.9%, Building 13%, Management 9.8%, Base Building 8.2%
- #19 Lords and Villeins
82% matchMostly Positive71% of 951 reviews2022
Dev: Honestly GamesPub: Fulqrum Publishing
Windows
Median: 1.2 hrsMean: 15.5 hrs≥1hr: 54%
Build a prosperous settlement in a unique simulation of a feudal economy - each family runs their shop, owns their goods, and trades with other villagers in a free market. You will manage the land, build houses, organise events, set taxes, and balance supply and demand while engaging in diplomacy!
Why similar: Colony Sim 23.9% ★, City Builder 21.5%, Medieval 10.9%, Building 9.9%, Management 9.5%
- #20 Space Haven
79% matchVery Positive86% of 9,707 reviews2020
Dev: Bugbyte Ltd.
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 4.3 hrsMean: 20.2 hrs≥1hr: 72%
Embark on a space voyage with your ragtag crew of civilians in search of a new home. Build spaceships tile by tile, create optimal gas conditions, manage the needs and moods of their crew, encounter other space-faring groups, and explore the universe in this spaceship colony simulation.
Why similar: Colony Sim 22.3% ★, City Builder 18.8%, Building 10.6%, Management 9.1%, Survival 8.6%
- #21 Cartel Tycoon
79% matchMostly Positive76% of 3,714 reviews2022
Dev: Moon MoosePub: tinyBuild
Windows
Median: 4.3 hrsMean: 16.5 hrs≥1hr: 86%
Cartel Tycoon is a survival business sim inspired by the ‘80s and '90s narco trade. Expand and conquer, fight off rival thugs and evade the authorities. Earn people's loyalty and strive to overcome the doomed fate of a power-hungry drug lord.
Why similar: City Builder 17%, Colony Sim 16.4% ★, Agriculture 10.2% ★, Building 9.3%, Management 8.5%
- #22 Oxygen Not Included
78% matchOverwhelmingly Positive97% of 138,747 reviews2019
Dev: Klei Entertainment
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 8.9 hrsMean: 67.7 hrs≥1hr: 86%
Oxygen Not Included is a space-colony simulation game. Deep inside an alien space rock your industrious crew will need to master science, overcome strange new lifeforms, and harness incredible space tech to survive, and possibly, thrive.
Why similar: Colony Sim 37.1% ★, Survival 12.7%, Base Building 12.4%, Building 11%, Resource Management 8.1%
- #23 Endzone 2
77% matchMixed69% of 1,001 reviews2025
Dev: Gentlymad StudiosPub: Assemble Entertainment
Windows
Median: 2.3 hrsMean: 8.5 hrs≥1hr: 70%
Endzone 2 is a post-apocalyptic survival colony builder, where you embark to secure humanity's survival after a cataclysmic disaster. Discover and repopulate the last habitable grounds, while the survival of your people hinges on your wits, foresight, and resilience in a harsh and unforgiving world.
Why similar: Colony Sim 23.1% ★, City Builder 21.6%, Building 9.7%, Survival 8.8%, Sandbox 7.1%
- #24 Gnomoria
78% matchMostly Positive75% of 3,532 reviews2016
Dev: Robotronic Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.9 hrsMean: 18.3 hrs≥1hr: 82%
Gnomoria is a sandbox village management game where you help lead a small group of gnomes, who have set out on their own, to thrive into a bustling kingdom! Anything you see can be broken down and rebuilt elsewhere.
Why similar: Colony Sim 30% ★, City Builder 26.8%, Building 10.4%, Sandbox 9.9%, Survival 7.7%
- #25 Cliff Empire
77% matchVery Positive87% of 4,340 reviews2019
Dev: Lion's Shade
Windows · Mac
Median: 4.0 hrsMean: 15.2 hrs≥1hr: 79%
After a nuclear war life on the surface became impossible. A 300m thick radioactive fog covered the Earth. We are looking for bold active people to manage the process of restoring life on Earth. Join!
Why similar: City Builder 24.3%, Colony Sim 20.3% ★, Building 9.7%, Management 8.6%, Economy 8.2%
- #26 The Universim
75% matchVery Positive80% of 10,477 reviews2024
Dev: Crytivo
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 7.3 hrsMean: 33.9 hrs≥1hr: 89%
Jump straight into managing your own planets as you guide a civilization through the ages. Build the ultimate empire in The Universim, a new breed of God Game in development by Crytivo.
Why similar: Colony Sim 26.2% ★, City Builder 25.4%, Building 12%, Survival 8.4%, Management 8.1%
- #27 Cities: Skylines II
76% matchMixed54% of 86,276 reviews2023
Dev: Iceflake StudiosPub: Paradox Interactive
Windows
Median: 23.6 hrsMean: 72.5 hrs≥1hr: 94%
Raise a city from the ground up and transform it into a thriving metropolis with the most realistic city builder ever. Push your creativity and problem-solving to build on a scale you've never experienced. With deep simulation and a living economy, this is world-building without limits.
Why similar: City Builder 40.8%, Building 16.1%, Management 11.1%, Sandbox 9%, Economy 8.6%
- #28 Townsmen - A Kingdom Rebuilt
77% matchMostly Positive71% of 1,338 reviews2019
Dev: HandyGames
Windows
Median: 6.3 hrsMean: 14.7 hrs≥1hr: 87%
Townsmen – A Kingdom Rebuilt hands the crown to you: Guide your people from their first steps in a small village to a massive medieval metropolis with thousands of inhabitants.
Why similar: Colony Sim 33.9% ★, City Builder 25%, Medieval 9.5%, Simulation 7.2%, Building 6.7%
- #29 Pharaoh™: A New Era
75% matchMostly Positive75% of 5,114 reviews2023
Dev: Triskell InteractivePub: Dotemu
Windows
Median: 4.0 hrsMean: 12.6 hrs≥1hr: 85%
The legendary city-builder returns! Lead the creation of one of the greatest civilizations the world has ever seen in this HD remake with modernized UI. Build monuments, manage your population and explore 4,000 years of history through over a hundred hours of gameplay.
Why similar: City Builder 29.4%, Colony Sim 22.3% ★, Building 12.9%, Management 10.6%, Economy 8.1%
- #30 Dwarf Fortress
74% matchVery Positive95% of 30,790 reviews2022
Dev: Bay 12 GamesPub: Kitfox Games
Windows · Linux
Median: 5.5 hrsMean: 38.4 hrs≥1hr: 78%
Build a fortress and try to help your dwarves survive against a deeply generated world. Keep your dwarves happy, grow their community and beware of digging too deeply. The deepest, most intricate simulation of a world that's ever been created.
Why similar: Colony Sim 22.7% ★, City Builder 21.7%, Building 11.7%, Management 9.8%, Survival 8.9%
- #31 Surviving the Aftermath
75% matchMostly Positive71% of 4,511 reviews2021
Dev: Iceflake StudiosPub: Paradox Interactive
Windows
Median: 4.4 hrsMean: 17.9 hrs≥1hr: 74%
Survive and thrive in a post-apocalyptic future — resources are scarce, but opportunity calls! Build the ultimate disaster proof colony, protect your colonists, and restore civilization to a devastated world.
Why similar: City Builder 32%, Colony Sim 24.3% ★, Survival 11.5%, Base Building 7.2%, Building 6.9%
- #32 Aven Colony
76% matchMostly Positive72% of 2,731 reviews2017
Dev: Mothership Entertainment LLCPub: Team17 Digital Ltd
Windows
Median: 4.2 hrsMean: 8.2 hrs≥1hr: 90%
Build a new home for humanity in Aven Colony. Discover Aven Prime - an alien planet of deserts, tundras, and wetlands light years from earth. Build your colonies into massive, sprawling cities whilst dealing with the challenges faced when settling on a new world.
Why similar: Colony Sim 38% ★, City Builder 35.2%, Base Building 7.1%, Simulation 4.4%, Strategy 4.1%
- #33 Aquatico
75% matchMixed67% of 856 reviews2023
Dev: Digital Reef GamesPub: Overseer Games
Windows
Median: 3.4 hrsMean: 8.0 hrs≥1hr: 83%
Aquatico is a classic city builder set within the depths of the sea. Strategically build an underwater colony atop the ocean floor and face the challenges that accompany oceanic life.
Why similar: City Builder 26.3%, Colony Sim 24.5% ★, Building 10.6%, Management 8.2%, Economy 7.3%
- #34 Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic
73% matchVery Positive91% of 25,087 reviews2024
Dev: 3DivisionPub: Hooded Horse
Windows
Median: 6.6 hrsMean: 72.9 hrs≥1hr: 78%
Build a soviet republic from an impoverished country into a rich industrial superpower in a city builder with intricate production chains and a fully simulated global economy. Manage the lives of your citizens from education to work and party loyalty to criminal activity.
Why similar: City Builder 21.9%, Colony Sim 19.6% ★, Building 10.5%, Management 8.7%, Economy 7.4%
- #35 Noble Fates
74% matchVery Positive83% of 1,452 reviews2021
Dev: Xobermon, LLC
Windows
Median: 3.4 hrsMean: 12.5 hrs≥1hr: 72%
Harness your Demigod powers to lead a group from rags to riches in this 3D Fantasy Kingdom Management Sim with RPG elements. Command from the sky or take control in 3rd Person to BUILD, BATTLE, and RULE. Navigate a world of interesting Nobles, earn their respect, and decide their Fates.
Why similar: Colony Sim 22.7% ★, City Builder 21.2%, Medieval 10%, Building 9.7%, Management 8.3%
- #36 Laysara: Summit Kingdom
72% matchVery Positive83% of 1,291 reviews2026
Dev: Quite OK GamesPub: Future Friends Games
Windows
Median: 2.1 hrsMean: 4.5 hrs≥1hr: 66%
Build and expand your very own settlements in high mountains! Carefully plan production chains and satisfy various needs of your three-caste society while dealing with mountain hazards such as weather breakdowns and avalanches. Are you skilled enough to make your town thrive?
Why similar: City Builder 22.6%, Colony Sim 20.9% ★, Building 10.9%, Management 8.5%, Base Building 7%
- #37 Against the Storm
72% matchVery Positive95% of 35,439 reviews2023
Dev: Eremite GamesPub: Hooded Horse
Windows
Median: 5.5 hrsMean: 28.4 hrs≥1hr: 84%
A dark fantasy city builder where you must rebuild civilization in the face of apocalyptic rains. As the Queen’s Viceroy, lead humans, beavers, lizards, foxes, and harpies to reclaim the wilderness and secure a future for civilization's last survivors.
Why similar: Colony Sim 19.8% ★, City Builder 19.8%, Building 10.4%, Management 8.7%, Survival 7.6%
- #38 The Crust
72% matchMostly Positive77% of 3,376 reviews2024
Dev: VEOM StudioPub: Crytivo
Windows
Median: 7.0 hrsMean: 22.2 hrs≥1hr: 83%
Automate a lunar base as you become the savior of humanity exploring the future on the moon. Mine, craft, research, and trade resources with Earth in this gripping narrative basebuilder.
Why similar: Colony Sim 24.1% ★, City Builder 19%, Building 10.1%, Base Building 9.1%, Management 8.1%
- #39 Manor Lords
71% matchVery Positive85% of 85,222 reviews2024
Dev: Slavic MagicPub: Hooded Horse
Windows
Median: 9.3 hrsMean: 21.4 hrs≥1hr: 89%
Manor Lords is a medieval strategy game featuring in-depth city building, large-scale tactical battles, and complex economic and social simulations. Rule your lands as a medieval lord – the seasons pass, the weather changes, and cities rise and fall.
Why similar: Colony Sim 19.8% ★, City Builder 19.5%, Building 10.3%, Management 8.6%, Survival 7.8%
- #40 Timberborn
70% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 37,637 reviews2026
Dev: Mechanistry
Windows · Mac
Median: 9.8 hrsMean: 40.1 hrs≥1hr: 84%
Humans are long gone. In a world struck by droughts and toxic waste, will your lumberpunk beavers do any better? A sandbox city-building game featuring ingenious animals, vertical architecture, water physics, and terraforming. Contains high amounts of wood.
Why similar: City Builder 27.6%, Colony Sim 23.1% ★, Building 11%, Management 9.1%, Survival 7.9%
- #41 Fabledom
71% matchVery Positive85% of 7,336 reviews2024
Dev: Grenaa GamesPub: Dear Villagers
Windows
Median: 4.4 hrsMean: 12.2 hrs≥1hr: 78%
Set in a wholesome fairytale world, Fabledom is a laid-back City builder. Enjoy the growth of your settlement, interact with your neighbors and defend your kingdom from magical creatures. All to find true love and live happily ever after!
Why similar: City Builder 24.2%, Colony Sim 22.3% ★, Agriculture 10.8% ★, Economy 8%, Management 7.5%
- #42 New Cycle
71% matchMostly Positive79% of 2,778 reviews2024
Dev: Core EngagePub: Daedalic Entertainment
Windows
Median: 4.8 hrsMean: 8.0 hrs≥1hr: 86%
New Cycle is a city building game with focus on survival. After an apocalyptic series of solar flares, human society has been thrown into disarray. Establish a settlement and develop it all the way from humble beginnings to industrial metropolis.
Why similar: City Builder 23.7%, Colony Sim 22.1% ★, Building 11.9%, Survival 9.4%, Management 7.9%
- #43 Frostpunk
72% matchVery Positive93% of 132,423 reviews2018
Dev: 11 bit studios
Windows · Mac
Median: 6.2 hrsMean: 22.4 hrs≥1hr: 87%
Frostpunk is the first society survival game. As the ruler of the last city on Earth, it is your duty to manage both its citizens and infrastructure. What decisions will you make to ensure your society's survival? What will you do when pushed to breaking point? Who will you become in the process?
Why similar: City Builder 31.2%, Colony Sim 22.5% ★, Survival 12.1%, Resource Management 8.4%, Building 8.3%
- #44 Land of the Vikings
71% matchMostly Positive74% of 2,202 reviews2023
Dev: Laps GamesPub: Iceberg Interactive
Windows
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 9.6 hrs≥1hr: 76%
Land of the Vikings is a survival colony sim game. Build and lead your village, and expand it into a thriving city. A wise Jarl must manage resources, survive harsh conditions, and guide their fellow Vikings to work together through social conflict. Skál!
Why similar: Colony Sim 23.8% ★, City Builder 22.7%, Building 9.3%, Survival 7.8%, Management 7.3%
- #45 Pioneers of Pagonia
69% matchVery Positive82% of 5,187 reviews2025
Dev: Envision Entertainment
Windows
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 7.6 hrs≥1hr: 76%
Rebuild hope in a world that was lost in the fog. Lead your Pioneers across the isles of Pagonia, unite scattered tribes, raise thriving communities and discover the history of your people as you reclaim your world in the new story campaign.
Why similar: Colony Sim 21% ★, City Builder 19.7%, Medieval 10.9%, Building 10.6%, Management 8.9%
- #46 Cities: Skylines
71% matchVery Positive93% of 286,647 reviews2015
Dev: Colossal OrderPub: Paradox Interactive
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 10.0 hrsMean: 64.3 hrs≥1hr: 87%
Cities: Skylines is a modern take on the classic city simulation. The game introduces new game play elements to realize the thrill and hardships of creating and maintaining a real city whilst expanding on some well-established tropes of the city building experience.
Why similar: City Builder 46.7%, Building 15.5%, Management 10.6%, Sandbox 7.1%, Economy 6.5%
- #47 Settlements Rising
69% matchVery Positive81% of 410 reviews2025
Dev: The Catalyst Crew
Windows
Settlements Rising is a medieval city building and colony management game. It offers a lively colony experience with simulated villagers, dozens of professions and resources, natural disasters, and raids, while providing full control over the colony through trade, production chains and datas.
Why similar: City Builder 22%, Colony Sim 21.3% ★, Medieval 9%, Building 8.5%, Management 6.7%
- #48 RimWorld
70% matchOverwhelmingly Positive98% of 235,937 reviews2018
Dev: Ludeon Studios
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 59.1 hrsMean: 259.1 hrs≥1hr: 92%
A sci-fi colony sim driven by an intelligent AI storyteller. Generates stories by simulating psychology, ecology, gunplay, melee combat, climate, biomes, diplomacy, interpersonal relationships, art, medicine, trade, and more.
Why similar: Colony Sim 31.3% ★, City Builder 15.2%, Survival 10.7%, Base Building 10.6%, Management 9.2%
- #49 Colony Survival
70% matchVery Positive92% of 8,806 reviews2017
Dev: Pipliz
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 9.6 hrsMean: 28.1 hrs≥1hr: 87%
Colony Survival is a unique first-person strategy game developed by a two-man team. Build your own colony in a voxel world. Command guards, farmers, miners and other colonists. Defend your colony against the horde of monsters that attacks every night!
Why similar: Colony Sim 34.3% ★, City Builder 14.4%, Building 13.1%, Survival 12.1%, Base Building 10.2%
- #50 My Time at Sandrock
68% matchVery Positive88% of 28,250 reviews2023
Dev: Pathea Games
Windows
Median: 7.7 hrsMean: 39.3 hrs≥1hr: 91%
Travel to the desert community of Sandrock and take on the role of a fledgling Builder. Use your trusty toolset to gather resources, construct machines, and turn your run-down workshop into a well-oiled production facility to save the town from the jaws of economic ruin!
Why similar: Building 55.9%, Sandbox 32.2%, Simulation 8.7%, Singleplayer 1.8%, Indie 1.3%
- #51 Becastled
67% matchVery Positive82% of 5,492 reviews2025
Dev: Mana Potion Studios
Windows
Median: 3.5 hrsMean: 6.8 hrs≥1hr: 81%
Build a castle by day and defend it by night. Becastled blends cozy city-building with challenging tower defense strategy. Lead the Sun Kingdom’s last stand against the Moon Beasts and end the ancient conflict between light and darkness!
Why similar: City Builder 27.4%, Colony Sim 20.6% ★, Base Building 13.4%, Medieval 12.9%, Building 12.2%
- #52 Going Medieval
66% matchVery Positive90% of 20,101 reviews2026
Dev: Foxy VoxelPub: Mythwright
Windows
Median: 7.9 hrsMean: 30.5 hrs≥1hr: 82%
Build and manage your own castle settlement in a land reclaimed by wilderness. With detailed management, survival strategy, and a moddable sandbox world, Going Medieval challenges you to build the mightiest colony this side of the apocalypse.
Why similar: Colony Sim 24% ★, City Builder 22.3%, Management 10.1%, Survival 9.3%, Economy 8.6%
- #53 HistoriCity: Florence
69% matchNo user reviews
Dev: Stratagem Interactive
Windows · Mac
A mission-based survival citybuilder/colony sim where you rebuild Renaissance Florence in the aftermath of the Black Plague. Overcome recurring droughts, build the Florence Cathedral, hire Michelangelo, and survive the Bonfire of the Vanities with an authentic Renaissance lute soundtrack.
Why similar: Colony Sim 18.3% ★, City Builder 18.2%, Agriculture 9.9% ★, Building 8.1%, Medieval 7.8%
- #54 Judgment: Apocalypse Survival Simulation
69% matchVery Positive81% of 2,242 reviews2018
Dev: Suncrash
Windows
Median: 4.7 hrsMean: 25.2 hrs≥1hr: 87%
Build, scavenge, craft, and perform occult rituals to survive in a demon-infested, post-apocalyptic colony simulation. Will you survive Judgment day?
Why similar: Colony Sim 31.2% ★, City Builder 12.1%, Survival 12.1%, Base Building 10.1%, Building 7%
- #55 Sapiens
68% matchVery Positive84% of 2,103 reviews2022
Dev: Majic Jungle
Windows · Mac
Median: 6.4 hrsMean: 18.0 hrs≥1hr: 86%
Create your own prehistoric civilization and lead your tribe in a world you shape. Start with nothing, build towns and industry, and advance through thousands of years of technological breakthroughs in this intimate yet expansive colony sim.
Why similar: Colony Sim 25.4% ★, City Builder 24.1%, Building 10.9%, Management 8.4%, Survival 8.2%
- #56 Stranded: Alien Dawn
67% matchVery Positive85% of 10,878 reviews2023
Dev: Haemimont GamesPub: Paradox Interactive
Windows
Median: 7.0 hrsMean: 24.2 hrs≥1hr: 87%
Brave a new world in Stranded: Alien Dawn, a planet survival sim placing the fate of a small marooned group in your hands. Forge your story through compelling and immersive strategic gameplay as you make vital decisions to protect your survivors.
Why similar: Colony Sim 28.5% ★, Survival 19.1%, Base Building 16.8%, Management 10.6%, Simulation 6.4%
- #57 Sengoku Dynasty
65% matchMostly Positive75% of 7,339 reviews2024
Dev: SuperkamiPub: Toplitz Productions
Windows
Median: 7.1 hrsMean: 15.5 hrs≥1hr: 85%
Sengoku Dynasty is the ultimate feudal Japan experience: build villages, grow your community, and shape the open world through combat or economy. The choice is yours alone - or that of up to 4 players in multiplayer co-op!
Why similar: City Builder 25.1%, Colony Sim 17.8% ★, Medieval 12.1%, Building 10.8%, Survival 9.6%
- #58 Let's School
65% matchVery Positive93% of 7,074 reviews2023
Dev: Pathea Games
Windows
Median: 4.4 hrsMean: 14.9 hrs≥1hr: 83%
Dive into the exhilarating role of a headmaster entrusted to revive your alma mater! Beyond just bricks and mortar, train teachers, recruit students. Sculpt your school into a unique educational haven! Let's School!
Why similar: City Builder 33.7%, Management 16%, Building 15.7%, Sandbox 11.1%, Economy 9.3%
- #59 Whiskerwood
63% matchVery Positive93% of 2,728 reviews2025
Dev: Minakata DynamicsPub: Hooded Horse
Windows
Median: 9.2 hrsMean: 15.3 hrs≥1hr: 87%
Establish a home for your industrious mice under the oppressive paw of your cat overlords in this city builder featuring complex simulations, intricate production chains, and the age-old rivalry between cat and mouse.
Why similar: Colony Sim 20.2% ★, City Builder 20%, Building 10.2%, Management 8.7%, Survival 7.3%