- #1 Dwarf Fortress
97% matchVery Positive95% of 31,421 reviews2022
Dev: Bay 12 GamesPub: Kitfox Games
Windows · Linux
Median: 5.5 hrsMean: 39.4 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: Dwarves 78.5% ★, Colony Sim 12.1%, Strategy 3.3%, Base Building 3.2%, Simulation 3%
Why You'll Like It: The definitive colony-simulation game that serves as the primary inspiration for the genre's depth and complexity.
- #2 Odd Realm
96% matchVery Positive84% of 1,017 reviews2024
Dev: Unknown Origin Games Inc
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 1.6 hrsMean: 7.0 hrs≥1hr: 56%
Build a settlement in a realm recovering from the Fracture, a calamity that nearly destroyed the realm. Choose from several unique races, establish a new kingdom, and survive in a land filled with magic and strange creatures. Farm the land, fish the seas, or raid rival kingdoms for their treasures.
Why similar: Colony Sim 55.4%, Base Building 14%, Strategy 13.5%, Simulation 13.3%, Indie 3.8%
Why You'll Like It: A voxel-based colony-sim that emphasizes survival and resource management in a procedurally generated fantasy world.
- #3 RimWorld
95% matchOverwhelmingly Positive98% of 245,287 reviews2018
Dev: Ludeon Studios
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 59.6 hrsMean: 266.1 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 60.4%, Base Building 15.2%, Strategy 11.2%, Simulation 10%, Indie 3.2%
Why You'll Like It: Offers unparalleled emergent storytelling and colony management depth that defines the modern colony-sim experience.
- #4 Gnomoria
96% matchMostly Positive75% of 3,539 reviews2016
Dev: Robotronic Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.9 hrsMean: 18.2 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 63.7%, Strategy 15.3%, Simulation 13.4%, Indie 4.8%, Base Building 2.8%
Why You'll Like It: A classic sandbox colony-sim that focuses on managing a civilization of gnomes with deep crafting and building systems.
- #5 Stonehearth
94% matchMostly Positive75% of 13,072 reviews2018
Dev: Radiant EntertainmentPub: (none)
Windows · Mac
Median: 14.1 hrsMean: 38.8 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 75.5%, Strategy 13.5%, Simulation 8.8%, Indie 2.3%
Why You'll Like It: Features a charming voxel-based aesthetic and vertical building mechanics that closely mirror the visual and gameplay style of DwarfCorp.
- #6 Going Medieval
93% matchVery Positive89% of 21,328 reviews2026
Dev: Foxy VoxelPub: Mythwright
Windows
Median: 8.0 hrsMean: 32.3 hrs≥1hr: 83%
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 56.9%, Strategy 15.2%, Base Building 14.7%, Simulation 13.1%
Why You'll Like It: Provides robust 3D construction tools and terrain management that allow for complex, multi-level base designs.
- #7 Hammerting
94% matchMixed57% of 2,601 reviews2021
Dev: Warpzone StudiosPub: Team17 Digital
Windows
Median: 3.7 hrsMean: 7.6 hrs≥1hr: 87%
Manage a Dwarven mining colony in the unexplored mountains of Mara. As conflict rages in the Overworld, you will need to craft, explore and fight as you provide the allies of your choice with the finest weapons and gear to assist them in the battle for glory.
Why similar: Colony Sim 57.7%, Base Building 14.9%, Simulation 13.9%, Strategy 13.5%
Why You'll Like It: Focuses specifically on underground dwarf colony management with a heavy emphasis on mining and automation.
- #8 Mountaincore
92% matchMixed65% of 264 reviews2025
Dev: Rocket Jump Technology
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 48 minMean: 5.0 hrs≥1hr: 45%
Settle an untamed wilderness with the might of Dwarven engineering and thoughtful planning! Design and build your colony towards fame and fortune in a deeply-simulated fantasy world. Chill out in peaceful mode with a bustling settlement, or fight for survival against monsters and invasions!
Why similar: Dwarves 78.2% ★, Colony Sim 12.3%, Strategy 3.5%, Simulation 3.2%, Base Building 2.8%
Why You'll Like It: A recent colony-sim that focuses on the challenges of building and maintaining a mountain fortress.
- #9 Craft The World
91% matchVery Positive88% of 17,055 reviews2014
Dev: Dekovir EntertainmentPub: Dekovir Ltd
Windows · Mac
Median: 7.2 hrsMean: 38.4 hrs≥1hr: 89%
Craft The World is a unique sandbox strategy game, the mix of Dungeon Keeper, Terraria and Dwarf Fortress. Explore a random generated world populated by dangerous creatures, build a dwarf fortress, gather resources, and craft all the items, weapons, and armor you need.
Why similar: Dwarves 83.9% ★, Colony Sim 12.3%, Strategy 2%, Simulation 1.2%, Indie 0.6%
Why You'll Like It: A side-scrolling sandbox game that tasks you with managing a tribe of dwarves through mining, crafting, and defense.
- #10 KeeperRL
91% matchVery Positive84% of 1,807 reviews2024
Dev: Electric Succubi
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 5.2 hrsMean: 19.5 hrs≥1hr: 78%
KeeperRL is a retro dungeon simulator with roguelike and RPG elements. Take the role of an evil keeper and build a formidable dungeon. Recruit sinister minions, equip and train them to explore the world and fight the forces of good.
Why similar: Dwarves 88.3% ★, Simulation 4%, Base Building 3.9%, Strategy 3.8%
Why You'll Like It: Allows you to build your own dungeon and manage minions, offering a villain-protagonist perspective on colony building.
- #11 Clanfolk
90% matchVery Positive92% of 4,027 reviews2022
Dev: MinMax Games Ltd.Pub: Hooded Horse
Windows
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 18.4 hrs≥1hr: 67%
Clanfolk is a colony sim set in the Scottish Highlands. Harness your environment to survive - fish, gather, hunt, and farm as you prepare for the winter. Build an inn, trade with other clans, have children and marry them off - live life and prosper across the generations.
Why similar: Colony Sim 73.5%, Simulation 19%, Indie 7.5%
Why You'll Like It: A deep simulation game focused on survival and clan management in the harsh Scottish Highlands.
- #12 A Game of Dwarves
89% matchMixed63% of 555 reviews2012
Dev: Zeal Game StudioPub: Paradox Interactive
Windows
Median: 1.5 hrsMean: 12.5 hrs≥1hr: 56%
A Dwarven Prince on a quest to reclaim his people’s stolen land will take you on a great journey. Explore a continent filled with buried treasures and unearth mysteries that have laid hidden since the Great War.
Why similar: Dwarves 95.4% ★, Strategy 3.4%, Simulation 1.2%
Why You'll Like It: A management-focused strategy game where you guide dwarves through subterranean levels to build a thriving kingdom.
- #13 Lord of Dwarves
89% matchMostly Positive79% of 75 reviews2020
Dev: Stellar Sage Games
Windows · Linux
Gather resources, craft weapons, and build a castle. Then defend your castle against monsters who will try to siege, sap, and smash their way in. All in a procedurally generated 3D block world that allows for extensive crafting and total construction and destruction of the terrain.
Why similar: Dwarves 94.1% ★, Colony Sim 2.1%, Strategy 1.3%, Simulation 1.3%, Base Building 0.6%
Why You'll Like It: A sandbox colony-sim that emphasizes building and defending a dwarf settlement against various threats.
- #14 Noble Fates
86% matchVery Positive83% of 1,483 reviews2021
Dev: Xobermon, LLC
Windows
Median: 3.5 hrsMean: 12.4 hrs≥1hr: 73%
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 60.1%, Strategy 14.7%, Base Building 14.7%, Simulation 10.6%
Why You'll Like It: Combines colony management with RPG elements, allowing you to rule your fantasy kingdom and make difficult moral choices.
- #15 Dwarfs!?
87% matchMostly Positive78% of 1,082 reviews2011
Dev: Power of 2Pub: Tripwire Interactive
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 36 minMean: 3.6 hrs≥1hr: 43%
Dig! Dig! Dig! Manage the small underground Dwarf base and make it as rich as possible before they meet their inevitable doom. Purchase before May 11th and save!
Why similar: Dwarves 81.5% ★, Colony Sim 10.9%, Strategy 2.3%, Base Building 2.3%, Simulation 1.9%
Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced, top-down strategy game that captures the frantic nature of managing a dwarf workforce.
- #16 Dwelvers
86% matchMixed69% of 320 reviews2023
Dev: Rasmus LjunggrenPub: Dancing Devils
Windows
Median: 48 minMean: 8.3 hrs≥1hr: 42%
Dwelvers is a unique real-time strategy Dungeon Keeper-like with resource management, logistics, battles, magic spells, trading, crimes against humanity, labyrinths, and so much more. Are you able to eradicate the pesky humans once and for all? Of course you are. The Dark Mother wills it.
Why similar: Base Building 41.4%, Strategy 33.4%, Simulation 25.2%
Why You'll Like It: A real-time strategy game focused on building underground dungeons and managing complex production chains.
- #17 Grim Realms
85% matchMostly Positive80% of 429 reviews2024
Dev: Edym Pixels
Windows
A dark fantasy colony sim - will your colony end the Dread Storm and redeem mankind, or will they harness the dark powers for themselves? Guide your villagers as they struggle to stay alive in a world overrun by the undead.
Why similar: Colony Sim 56.5%, Base Building 13.7%, Strategy 13.5%, Simulation 11.3%, Indie 5%
Why You'll Like It: A colony-sim that focuses on crafting and base-building with a gritty, indie-developed aesthetic.
- #18 Drill Core
82% matchVery Positive85% of 2,444 reviews2025
Dev: Hungry Couch GamesPub: tinyBuild
Windows
Median: 5.7 hrsMean: 14.5 hrs≥1hr: 87%
Corporate greed meets strategic planet-mining in Drill Core! Drill to the heart of planets while managing workers, researching cutting-edge tech, and fortifying against alien attacks. Will you prioritize efficiency and risk your workers' safety, or focus on defense for survival?
Why similar: Colony Sim 65.9%, Strategy 20%, Base Building 14.1%
Why You'll Like It: A roguelite colony-sim that emphasizes tower defense and resource extraction in a hostile environment.
- #19 My Colony
84% matchVery Positive90% of 279 reviews2018
Dev: Ape Apps
Windows · Mac · Linux
Build, expand, and rule a growing space colony. Explore tech, trade, and multiplayer.
Why similar: Colony Sim 66.2%, Simulation 14.2%, Strategy 14%, Indie 5.6%
Why You'll Like It: A comprehensive city-builder and colony-sim that offers extensive tech trees and management options.
- #20 Undholm
84% matchMixed65% of 87 reviews2019
Dev: Pixelmeal Games, LLC
Windows
A dwarfish colony sim set in a fantasy world. Inspired by Rimworld and Banished. Dig deep to uncover riches and challenges, recruit dwarves to produce goods, and trade with other settlements (or raid them) to help your colony succeed.
Why similar: Dwarves 94.9% ★, Simulation 3.6%, Indie 1.5%
Why You'll Like It: An indie simulation game that offers a straightforward approach to managing a dwarf colony.
- #21 Dwarves: Glory, Death and Loot
81% matchVery Positive82% of 2,688 reviews2026
Dev: Hamma StudiosPub: Sidekick Publishing
Windows
Median: 4.1 hrsMean: 12.8 hrs≥1hr: 83%
Build and command your own party of Dwarves in a chaotic mix of Auto Battler, Strategy, and RPG. Prepare formations, assign equipment, and decide the fate of up to 10 Beardlings, as you lead the raid party through reckless runs filled with Glory, Death, and Loot!
Why similar: Dwarves 98.4% ★, Strategy 1.6%
Why You'll Like It: An auto-battler that focuses on the combat and character customization aspects of a dwarf-themed game.
- #22 Stonedeep
83% matchMixed46% of 105 reviews2021
Dev: Direfang
Windows
Stonedeep is an 2.5D underground city builder. Dwarfs gather resources, build and fend off monsters. Colonies can specialize in culture, production, military and trading. At start, dwarfs need drinks and rest. With a higher civilization level, they will increase their needs.
Why similar: Colony Sim 58.7%, Base Building 16.6%, Simulation 12.6%, Strategy 12.1%
Why You'll Like It: A base-building simulation that focuses on resource management and survival in a subterranean environment.
- #23 Life is Hard
82% matchMixed62% of 558 reviews2021
Dev: Pirozhok Studio
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.7 hrsMean: 4.5 hrs≥1hr: 94%
Life is Hard is a godsim town simulator game developed by a two-man-team. Your main aim here is to manage your town. Expand your domain, prevent famine, make war, trade with others, attract new people. Make history!
Why similar: Dwarves 79% ★, Strategy 10.1%, Simulation 7.6%, Indie 3.2%
Why You'll Like It: A strategy-simulation hybrid that focuses on survival and village management in a challenging world.
- #24 Gnomes
78% matchOverwhelmingly Positive95% of 1,808 reviews2025
Dev: DYSTOPIAN
Windows
Median: 1.8 hrsMean: 5.5 hrs≥1hr: 67%
Gnomes is a turn-based tower defense with deep roguelike progression, set in ever-expanding, procedurally generated biomes. Build, farm and defend your village as you push deeper into goblin-infested territory. Unlock powerful upgrades and craft your environment to survive the endless goblin horde
Why similar: Dwarves 82.5% ★, Colony Sim 11.1%, Strategy 3.3%, Base Building 3.1%
Why You'll Like It: A tower-defense and farming-sim hybrid that features procedural generation and roguelike elements.
- #25 Dungeon Village
80% matchVery Positive89% of 875 reviews2022
Dev: Kairosoft Co.,Ltd
Windows
Median: 3.9 hrsMean: 11.0 hrs≥1hr: 69%
Build a heroic hamlet that warriors and merchants can call home!
Why similar: Colony Sim 87.4%, Simulation 12.6%
Why You'll Like It: A management simulation that tasks you with building a town to attract and support adventurers.
- #26 Dwarf Shop
81% matchMostly Positive74% of 112 reviews2020
Dev: Potion Junkies
Windows
Dwarf Shop is a Shop Simulator with, you guessed it, Dwarves! Help the Dragon Clan lure their very own dragon by amassing piles and piles of glorious gold. Send one dwarf deep into the caves to find ingredients while the others craft various equipment and sell them to unsuspecting customers!
Why similar: Dwarves 93.8% ★, Simulation 3.6%, Strategy 2.7%
Why You'll Like It: Focuses on the economic side of dwarf life, tasking you with managing a shop and crafting inventory.
- #27 Dwarf Eats Mountain
77% matchVery Positive81% of 1,070 reviews2026
Dev: Green Wizard
Windows · Linux
Median: 15.4 hrsMean: 28.6 hrs≥1hr: 94%
Dwarves hunger for gold, and no mountain shall stand in their way! Mine riches, unearth artifacts, and upgrade your dwarves to devour ever-bigger peaks in this whimsical incremental game.
Why similar: Dwarves 90.4% ★, Strategy 3.8%, Simulation 2.7%, Base Building 2.4%, Indie 0.7%
- #28 Regions of Ruin: Runegate
77% matchVery Positive87% of 407 reviews2026
Dev: Gameclaw StudioPub: Raw Fury
Windows · Mac
Embark on an explorative RPG hack-and-slash adventure where you attempt to re-establish a haven for the lost dwarven civilization. Journey across varied lands, help those in need, gather resources and fight off goblins and monsters as you slowly rebuild a home for your people.
Why similar: Dwarves 86.5% ★, Colony Sim 10.3%, Base Building 3.3%
- #29 Reignfall
79% matchVery Positive89% of 424 reviews2018
Dev: Checkmaty
Windows
Median: 24 minMean: 5.9 hrs≥1hr: 39%
Reignfall is a real-time strategy game with elements of city-building and third-person action. Build a city and defend your keep against waves of increasingly difficult enemies. Can you survive against the fallen horde?
Why similar: Colony Sim 63.6%, Gore 12.2%, Violent 10.8%, Strategy 10.6%, Indie 2.8%
Why You'll Like It: Blends colony-sim mechanics with action-oriented strategy and city-building.
- #30 Cavern Adventurers
78% matchMixed63% of 156 reviews2025
Dev: Kairosoft Co.,Ltd
Windows
Build an underground network of caves in this fantasy-themed management sim.
Why similar: Colony Sim 74.4%, Simulation 21.9%, Strategy 2.7%, Indie 1%
Why You'll Like It: A casual simulation game that combines 2D platforming with colony-building elements.
- #31 Dwarf Tower
79% matchMostly Positive71% of 281 reviews2014
Dev: iosoftware
Windows · Mac
Median: 2.4 hrsMean: 4.9 hrs≥1hr: 85%
Dwarf Tower is a turn-based tactics game of tower building and spellcasting. Each turn you develop your tower by placing blocks, constructing rooms, and play various spells. Your tower can have Libraries (store spells), Crystals (generate mana), Dwarf Dwellings (give you dwarves to repair the tower) and some other rooms.
Why similar: Dwarves 97.5% ★, Strategy 1.8%, Indie 0.7%
Why You'll Like It: A strategy-building game that tasks you with constructing a tower while managing your dwarf population.
- #32 Orebound
76% matchMostly Positive78% of 976 reviews2024
Dev: Emberforge
Windows
Median: 3.8 hrsMean: 10.6 hrs≥1hr: 78%
Orebound is a dwarven themed factory automation game. Play alone or with friends as you build, mine, craft and explore a voxel generated world! Build your fortress, expand your factory, fight off creatures who dwell beneath the mountains and embark on a journey of greatness.
Why similar: Dwarves 89.3% ★, Colony Sim 5.9%, Simulation 1.9%, Base Building 1.7%, Indie 1.2%
- #33 Dungeon Tycoon
75% matchMostly Positive76% of 1,918 reviews2024
Dev: Lunheim StudiosPub: Goblinz Publishing
Windows · Mac
Median: 3.4 hrsMean: 8.7 hrs≥1hr: 69%
Build your own dungeon and attract heroes from all over the realm! Grow your business by exploiting every facet of your visitors' dungeon exploration experience. Will you be able to keep your evil dungeon business going?
Why similar: Strategy 38.7%, Simulation 35.1%, Base Building 26.2%
- #34 Pax Autocratica
73% matchVery Positive92% of 2,850 reviews2026
Dev: Multiverse
Windows
Median: 5.0 hrsMean: 10.2 hrs≥1hr: 84%
Build a grand totalitarian colony and personally storm roguelite battlefields with your soldiers. Shape citizens fears, loyalties, bonds, and feuds. Capture enemies, convert them into true believers. Sacrifice the weak. Feed the strong. Wield absolute power and make every life bend to your will.
Why similar: Colony Sim 71.7%, Base Building 18.7%, Strategy 9.6%
- #35 Demon Castle Story
74% matchVery Positive80% of 291 reviews2026
Dev: Kairosoft Co.,Ltd
Windows
Median: 3.1 hrsMean: 7.0 hrs≥1hr: 66%
Demon Castle Building Dungeon Management Simulation
Why similar: Colony Sim 52.9%, Strategy 22.5%, Simulation 21.9%, Indie 2.6%
- #36 Fantasy Village Simulator
76% matchMixed65% of 54 reviews2024
Dev: CYCLOPS
Windows · Mac
Experience building your own village with different races in a fantasy world! Produce more villagers for various production tasks and train more guards to resist waves of demonic attacks. Plan the production of supplies to create more powerful equipment for the guards to wear.
Why similar: Colony Sim 39.9%, Strategy 21.2%, Simulation 20.3%, Base Building 18.6%
- #37 Regions Of Ruin
75% matchVery Positive86% of 4,640 reviews2018
Dev: Gameclaw StudioPub: Raw Fury
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.2 hrsMean: 6.1 hrs≥1hr: 65%
Regions of Ruin is a 2D pixel side-scrolling RPG with town-building, where you explore, fight and build into an open world that progressively challenges you and your settlement, and threatens the extinction of the dwarven race.
Why similar: Dwarves 95.1% ★, Base Building 3.5%, Indie 1.4%
- #38 Deep Corp
72% matchVery Positive91% of 354 reviews2026
Dev: KishMish Games
Windows · Mac
Dig mines, extract resources, and produce goods to restore order to the state. Become a successful businessman and an effective state governor in the late Wild West era!
Why similar: Strategy 87.3%, Indie 12.7%
- #39 Goblin Nest
71% matchVery Positive94% of 1,140 reviews2026
Dev: BadColorPub: Shady Corner Games
Windows
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 8.4 hrs≥1hr: 72%
Manage population's mood, gold and rations. Figure out ways to optimize cell placements for efficiency. Grow and decorate your nest into a multi layer, self sustaining factory.
Why similar: Strategy 100%
- #40 Rise to Ruins
73% matchVery Positive88% of 7,757 reviews2019
Dev: Raymond DoerrPub: SixtyGig Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 4.7 hrsMean: 18.2 hrs≥1hr: 83%
A brutal godlike village sim that melds the god game, management, and tower defense genres! Fight off hoards of monsters at night, and expand your village in the day time. Inspired by games like Black and White, Rimworld, and Dwarf Fortress but not quite like any of them.
Why similar: Colony Sim 63%, Strategy 13.7%, Base Building 10.7%, Simulation 9.3%, Indie 3.3%
- #41 Lords and Villeins
74% matchMostly Positive71% of 977 reviews2022
Dev: Honestly GamesPub: Fulqrum Publishing
Windows
Median: 1.2 hrsMean: 15.2 hrs≥1hr: 53%
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 64.6%, Strategy 16.4%, Simulation 14.2%, Indie 4.8%
- #42 Galactic Mining Corp
73% matchVery Positive84% of 939 reviews2021
Dev: Windybeard
Windows
Median: 6.9 hrsMean: 16.6 hrs≥1hr: 93%
Galactic Mining Corp is a unique rogue-lite, action game with crafting and base building mechanics. Head into uncharted space and discover a universe of locations to exploit for riches! Use your profits to expand your HQ, hire a crazy work force, obtain new drill components and upgrade everything.
Why similar: Simulation 50.2%, Base Building 49.8%
- #43 Steel Artery: Train City Builder
72% matchMostly Positive72% of 317 reviews2026
Dev: SoulAge23Pub: Crytivo
Windows
Hardcore city-building sim in a fantasy steampunk world. Manage multi-racial colonies with hundreds of autonomous citizens, balance their needs, grow the economy, build logistics, and travel a vast world carrying out the Emperor’s orders.
Why similar: Colony Sim 60.7%, Base Building 13.9%, Strategy 13.4%, Simulation 11.9%
- #44 Coal LLC
70% matchVery Positive93% of 1,326 reviews2025
Dev: Bye Bye Ocean
Windows · Mac
Median: 9.6 hrsMean: 18.9 hrs≥1hr: 89%
Fill your quota or die. Mine increasingly absurd amounts of coal using some dubious, but effective, mining techniques. Or relax and mine at your own pace in peaceful mode.
Why similar: Strategy 46.9%, Simulation 40.9%, Indie 12.2%
- #45 Empires of the Undergrowth
69% matchVery Positive94% of 18,736 reviews2024
Dev: Slug DiscoPub: Hooded Horse
Windows · Mac
Median: 5.9 hrsMean: 18.2 hrs≥1hr: 82%
Command swarms of warriors at an unprecedented scale of warfare in this blend of RTS and base-building. Lead ant colonies against the many fearsome threats of the insect world, while building intricate nests, developing pheromone-based tactics, and evolving to meet growing dangers.
Why similar: Colony Sim 54.8%, Strategy 15.9%, Base Building 14.9%, Simulation 14.4%
- #46 Underworld Overseer
71% matchVery Positive91% of 54 reviews2024
Dev: Myron Games
Windows
Build your dungeon, command demons, set traps, and slay invading adventurers with powerful spells.
Why similar: Colony Sim 59.6%, Strategy 19.2%, Base Building 11.9%, Simulation 9.3%
- #47 Buggos 2
69% matchVery Positive84% of 680 reviews2025
Dev: Intrepid Marmot
Windows
Conquer and destroy the dirty Humans by sending swarms of bugs to crush their home worlds. Evolve your Buggos into stronger, faster, more murderous creatures that can rip the Human defenses to shreds! No one can stop your evolutionary powers. You are the evil Buggo Hivemind!!!
Why similar: Colony Sim 36.6%, Strategy 19.4%, Simulation 14.9%, Base Building 11.8%, Gore 9%
- #48 Hell Architect
71% matchMixed69% of 451 reviews2021
Dev: Woodland GamesPub: Leonardo Interactive
Windows · Mac
Median: 1.7 hrsMean: 6.0 hrs≥1hr: 64%
Hell Architect is a game about building and managing your own hell. You take on a role of a hell manager and are tasked with developing the underworld in a way that would make Lucifer himself fall off his chair.
Why similar: Colony Sim 59.5%, Base Building 15.3%, Strategy 13.8%, Simulation 8.1%, Indie 3.2%
- #49 Industries of Titan
70% matchMixed62% of 1,618 reviews2023
Dev: Brace Yourself Games
Windows
Median: 5.4 hrsMean: 14.4 hrs≥1hr: 84%
Create a sprawling industrial city. Compete with other rival corporations on Titan for resources, territory, and power. Seek victory via technology, influence, warfare, or the wealth extracted from your citizens. Stake your claim to the Industries of Titan in this innovative sim/strategy game!
Why similar: Colony Sim 55.8%, Strategy 16%, Simulation 14.8%, Base Building 13.5%
- #50 Forgotten Mines
68% matchVery Positive80% of 330 reviews2024
Dev: Cannibal GoosePub: Ishtar Games
Windows
Wreak vengeance and retake lost mines from goblins, orcs, skeletons, and demons in this small-scale tactical roguelite RPG. Build the perfect expedition team and turn the underworld red with each challenging, fast-paced run.
Why similar: Dwarves 96.4% ★, Strategy 3.6%
- #51 Worshippers of Cthulhu
66% matchVery Positive81% of 1,542 reviews2025
Dev: Crazy Goat GamesPub: Crytivo
Windows
Median: 3.3 hrsMean: 6.4 hrs≥1hr: 80%
LEAD the CULT OF CTHULHU. Decide the fate of your followers, perform eldritch rituals, and master the art of city-building in a world where the line between sanity and madness blurs. Can you endure the horrors you unleash?
Why similar: Colony Sim 61.6%, Strategy 13.6%, Base Building 12.7%, Simulation 12%
- #52 Ascent of Ashes
67% matchMixed70% of 303 reviews2025
Dev: Vivid Storm Interactive
Windows
A colony sim set in a post-apocalyptic dystopia. Build and defend your base. Manage your survivors. Engage raiders, aliens, Remnant soldiers and other factions in real-time-with-pause combat. Or use stealth to outwit them. Explore the massive world. Survive at all costs
Why similar: Colony Sim 56.7%, Strategy 15.4%, Base Building 14.6%, Simulation 13.2%
- #53 Territory: Farming and Warfare
66% matchVery Positive85% of 755 reviews2026
Dev: Wit Studio
Windows
Median: 3.1 hrsMean: 21.1 hrs≥1hr: 68%
From a small village of a dozen people to a small kingdom of thousands of people. Arrange for residents to work, gathering, fishing and hunting, farming and mining, processing and manufacturing. Trade, accumulate supplies, increase your strength, and fight evil forces and monsters.
Why similar: Colony Sim 45%, Simulation 17.5%, Base Building 16.8%, Strategy 16.5%, Indie 4.1%
- #54 Battle Royale Tycoon
70% matchMixed69% of 516 reviews2019
Dev: Endless Loop Studios
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.2 hrsMean: 4.0 hrs≥1hr: 87%
Design and build arenas for your guests to fight in, keep them happy, your workers paid and make a profit!
Why similar: Simulation 44.9%, Strategy 42.4%, Indie 12.7%
- #55 Outland Kingdoms
67% matchMostly Positive74% of 72 reviews2024
Dev: GBL
Windows
Colony building RPG with detailed characters, driven by procedurally generated Stories. Build a hut, a village, a town, a city, a kingdom. 5 different races. Ally with unique factions. Rule an Undead empire. Craft Legendary items. Tame creatures. Enslave enemies. It's all here.
Why similar: Colony Sim 56.6%, Strategy 16.1%, Simulation 16%, Base Building 11.3%
- #56 Oh My Gore!
68% matchVery Positive87% of 545 reviews2016
Dev: bumblebee.Pub: Daedalic Entertainment
Windows
Median: 3.5 hrsMean: 5.5 hrs≥1hr: 92%
Control the Powers of Evil to crush the Good Guys! Take control of the revived God of War Raelius, recruit evil minions, build bastions of doom and command your groveling servants.
Why similar: Gore 44.9%, Strategy 24.5%, Violent 20.3%, Indie 10.2%
- #57 Sintopia
64% matchVery Positive81% of 1,065 reviews2026
Dev: Piraknights GamesPub: Team17
Windows
Median: 5.0 hrsMean: 11.5 hrs≥1hr: 77%
Manage Hell. Manipulate the Overworld. Build the resurrection business of your dreams! In Sintopia, you’re tasked with managing the bureaucratic administration of Hell: “re-educate” the sinful, generate profit, play god and expand your hellish empire. All part of a day’s work at Hell Incorporated.
Why similar: Colony Sim 51.7%, Base Building 16.3%, Simulation 16.1%, Strategy 15.9%
- #58 Songs of Syx
64% matchVery Positive94% of 9,164 reviews2020
Dev: Gamatron AB
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 14.7 hrsMean: 42.3 hrs≥1hr: 83%
Songs of Syx is a fantasy city-builder with vast battles simulating thousands of citizens and soldiers. Start off as a small village and build, scheme, and fight your way towards a mighty empire. The mechanics are deep and true to life, where tiny events can spiral into the collapse of kingdoms.
Why similar: Colony Sim 58.7%, Strategy 15.2%, Base Building 13.6%, Simulation 12.5%