Games Like Hobo: Tough Life

Nobody – The Turnaround is a life simulator set in a parallel world that echoes modern society. Manage your time and resources carefully, strive to find a way through difficult times, and overcome the predicament you find yourself in.

Why similar: Survival 29.3%, Open World 20.5%, Sandbox 16.6%, Realistic 15.5%, Simulation 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: It shares a very similar focus on the struggle of urban survival, social navigation, and rising from poverty in a realistic city setting.

In This War Of Mine you do not play as an elite soldier, rather a group of civilians trying to survive in a besieged city; struggling with lack of food, medicine and constant danger from snipers and hostile scavengers. The game provides an experience of war seen from an entirely new angle.

Why similar: Survival 45.6%, Base Building 18.4%, Crafting 13.6%, Realistic 6.7%, Atmospheric 5.4%

Why You'll Like It: This game captures the same somber, high-stakes survival atmosphere where every decision regarding food, shelter, and morality matters.

Project Zomboid is the ultimate in zombie survival. Alone or in MP: you loot, build, craft, fight, farm and fish in a struggle to survive. A hardcore RPG skillset, a vast map, massively customisable sandbox and a cute tutorial raccoon await the unwary. So how will you die? All it takes is a bite..

Why similar: Survival 29.9%, Open World 18.9%, Multiplayer 11%, Sandbox 10.7%, Crafting 9.2%

Why You'll Like It: It offers the most complex and rewarding survival simulation mechanics, requiring constant attention to health, hunger, and environmental threats.

A free-roaming squad based RPG. Focusing on open-ended sandbox gameplay features rather than a linear story. Be a trader, a thief, a rebel, a warlord, an adventurer, a farmer, a slave, or just food for the cannibals. Train your men up from puny victims to master warriors.

Why similar: Open World 25.8%, Survival 21.2%, Sandbox 16.5%, Base Building 14.5%, Crafting 9.5%

Why You'll Like It: Like the seed game, it drops you into a harsh, open world where you start with nothing and must struggle to survive and build your own path.

Hunt, survive, build and lead in the harsh Middle Ages: Create your own Medieval Dynasty and ensure its long-lasting prosperity or die trying! Play alone or team up with friends to enjoy the ultimate medieval experience.

Why similar: Crafting 15.7%, Survival 13.2%, Base Building 13.1%, Open World 11.6%, Co-op 9.4%

Why You'll Like It: It combines survival and resource management with life-simulation elements, focusing on building a life from scratch in a challenging world.

Plunge into the open-world survival simulation set in the extreme conditions of the uncharted Amazon jungle. Use real-life survival techniques to craft, hunt, fight, and gather resources, set a makeshift shelter, or raise a fortress. Survive alone or team up with your friends and challenge the jungle together.

Why similar: Survival 20.7%, Multiplayer 11.9%, Open World 11.6%, Base Building 11.1%, Online Co-Op 10.6%

Why You'll Like It: A hardcore survival game that demands constant management of physical and mental health, much like the survival systems in the seed game.

Obenseuer is an urban survival RPG game, where you become a property manager of a rundown unfinished tenement building, in an isolated quarantine district of Obenseuer. Maintain and upgrade your tenement for rent, uncover the secrets of this infamous district and grow your wealth with your craft.

Why similar: Survival 46.5%, Open World 25.9%, RPG 17.9%, Adventure 5.2%, 3D 4.5%

Why You'll Like It: Set in a gritty, decaying urban environment, it mirrors the life-simulation and survival aspects of navigating a difficult city life.

Become the best thief. Gather intel, steal things and sell them to buy hi-tech equipment. Do everything that a real thief does.

Why similar: Heist 26% ★, Open World 16.6%, Co-op 13.1%, Simulation 10.7%, First-Person 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: It shares the stealth and crime-based gameplay mechanics used to acquire resources in an urban environment.

In Home Behind, you take on the role of a refugee cast out from your homeland by a band of rebels. Your home and the peace you enjoyed has been destroyed, and your family has disappeared. Can you survive the struggle, famine, and sickness to make it to the safety of Europe?

Why similar: Survival 52.9%, RPG 23.2%, Simulation 11.4%, Adventure 10.6%, Atmospheric 1.9%

Why You'll Like It: This survival RPG focuses on the journey of a displaced person, capturing the same themes of travel, scavenging, and desperate survival.

Have you ever considered creating your own crime empire, without the legal and moral consequences? SIMULATE IT! Crawl into the dark alleys of the street business in this OG drug-dealing game, and make a fortune! A co-op sequel – DDS2 – is out NOW

Why similar: Open World 20.5%, Simulation 19.9%, Crafting 17.2%, Sandbox 8.4%, Co-op 8.3%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the gritty, underground urban atmosphere and the illicit activities often associated with surviving on the streets.

THE LONG DARK is a thoughtful, exploration-survival experience that challenges solo players to think for themselves as they explore an expansive frozen wilderness in the aftermath of a geomagnetic disaster. There are no zombies -- only you, the cold, and all the threats Mother Nature can muster.

Why similar: Survival 37.3%, Open World 22.6%, Crafting 11.2%, Sandbox 7.7%, First-Person 7%

Why You'll Like It: It is the definitive experience for cold-weather survival, emphasizing the same desperate need for warmth and resources found in the seed game.

Traverse punishing environments, looting, crafting and evading the constant threats to your life. The unprecedented levels of character customization and progression are your ultimate tools for survival.

Why similar: Survival 21.8%, Open World 20.1%, Crafting 15.2%, Online Co-Op 12.2%, Sandbox 11.7%

Why You'll Like It: Offers an incredibly deep and realistic survival simulation that tracks metabolism and physical needs in great detail.

Make a living for yourself in a city full of opportunity while you meet a variety of locals, explore unique locations, and work your way to the top in this open-world life simulator.

Why similar: Survival 19.9%, Open World 19.8%, Sandbox 15.1%, RPG 9.6%, Realistic 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: This life-simulation game offers a similar open-world urban experience where you manage your daily needs and social interactions.

This is a multiplayer cooperative open world construction survival sandbox game, where you and your friends must find supplies and build shelters in this world. You have to keep an eye on your character's needs state at all times, a bad state is likely to lead to death.

Why similar: Survival 25.2%, Open World 19.7%, Crafting 13.3%, Multiplayer 10.9%, Co-op 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: It offers deep crafting and base-building mechanics that are central to surviving in a post-apocalyptic world.

Subsistence is a sandbox, first person, solo or co-op, PvE open-world survival game. Struggle through changing seasons to build a base, develop technology and gear-up in the hostile environment. Defend yourself from wildlife, the elements and AI hunters (who also build bases in the world).

Why similar: Survival 23.8%, Crafting 15.9%, Open World 15.4%, Base Building 13.7%, Multiplayer 11.3%

Why You'll Like It: A sandbox survival game that focuses on building and resource gathering in a challenging, open-world environment.

The dead have risen and civilization has fallen. Now it's up to you to gather survivors, scavenge for resources and build a community in a post-apocalyptic world – a world where you define what it means to survive in this ultimate zombie survival simulation.

Why similar: Survival 22.9%, Base Building 21.1%, Open World 19%, Multiplayer 9.7%, Co-op 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses on community management and survival in a dangerous world, requiring scavenging and base maintenance.

7 Days to Die is an open-world game that is a unique combination of first-person shooter, survival horror, tower defense, and role-playing games. Play the definitive zombie survival sandbox RPG that came first. Navezgane awaits!

Why similar: Survival 26.1%, Base Building 18.7%, Open World 16.7%, Online Co-Op 11.2%, Multiplayer 11%

Why You'll Like It: It features robust base-building and scavenging mechanics within a hostile, survival-focused open world.

Fight, Farm, Build and Explore Together in the standalone multiplayer expansion to the uncompromising wilderness survival game, Don't Starve.

Why similar: Survival 58.5%, Multiplayer 9.1%, Co-op 8.3%, Open World 7.9%, Crafting 6%

Why You'll Like It: It provides a challenging co-op survival experience with a unique aesthetic and deep crafting systems.

Take the role of a plane crash survivor stranded somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. Come face to face with some of the most life threatening scenarios that will result in a different experience each time you play. Scavenge. Discover. Survive.

Why similar: Survival 26.6%, Open World 16.7%, Crafting 14.7%, Multiplayer 13.8%, Co-op 6.2%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses on the core loop of scavenging, crafting, and managing vital signs to survive in a hostile environment.

Raft™ throws you and your friends into an epic oceanic adventure! Alone or together, players battle to survive a perilous voyage across a vast sea! Gather debris, scavenge reefs and build your own floating home, but be wary of the man-eating sharks!

Why similar: Survival 24.2%, Multiplayer 12.7%, Co-op 12.3%, Base Building 11.7%, Crafting 11.5%

Why You'll Like It: A co-op survival game that emphasizes scavenging resources and expanding your base to survive in a dangerous world.

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: Base Building 31.7%, Survival 24.8%, Open World 13.6%, Sandbox 13.6%, Story Rich 7%

Why You'll Like It: While a colony sim, it excels at creating emergent stories of survival against overwhelming odds and environmental hazards.

The only aim in Rust is to survive. Everything wants you to die - the island’s wildlife, other inhabitants, the environment, and other survivors. Do whatever it takes to last another night.

Why similar: Survival 30.2%, Open World 16.9%, Crafting 16.7%, Multiplayer 11.5%, Sandbox 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: A multiplayer-focused survival game where scavenging and building defenses are essential to surviving against other players.

It's ten years since the infection started. Long-established settlements are collapsing, one by one, for unknown reasons. Survivors are running to the hills to escape, hoping for safety in remote places. As another refugee, you're here to carve out a new life for yourself - by any means necessary.

Why similar: Dialogue Heavy 25.6%, Base Building 17.6%, Open World 13.3%, Survival 11.7%, Crafting 9.7%

Why You'll Like It: Blends survival and colony management with RPG elements, focusing on building a community in a harsh world.

CHANGE is an award nominated homeless survival experience set in a randomly created city with rogue-like elements. Explore, survive, earn perks, find items & kindness to develop your character & escape to a new life. Over 7 years of development & over 200 updates so far!

Why similar: Open World 35.4%, Survival 31.2%, RPG 18.6%, Story Rich 14.8%

Why You'll Like It: A thematic match that focuses specifically on the challenges of surviving on the streets through a roguelite lens.

The Wild Eight is an intense survival action-adventure set in the frozen wilderness of Alaska. Team up with friends in online co-op or go solo, explore the mysterious land, craft weapons and fight to live another day.

Why similar: Survival 27.4%, Open World 14.8%, Multiplayer 11.4%, Crafting 11.1%, Co-op 10.9%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the desperation of surviving in a freezing, hostile wilderness with a strong emphasis on co-op play.

VEIN is a post-apocalyptic survival multiplayer sandbox game. Gather supplies to survive, explore abandoned buildings, defend your home, and rebuild society, whether alone or with friends.

Why similar: Survival 18.8%, Base Building 17.1%, Open World 16.5%, Crafting 9.8%, Co-op 9.5%

You’re out of jail, but the debt isn’t gone. Sneak, steal, and break into houses solo or in 4-player co-op. Use lockpicks, sleeping gas, and brute force to complete jobs, outsmart security, and make enough money before time runs out. Will you pay back what you owe, or lose everything?

Why similar: Heist 35.1% ★, Multiplayer 17.6%, Online Co-Op 17.2%, First-Person 8.5%, Simulation 8.2%

Descend into the depths of an alien underwater world filled with wonder and peril. Craft equipment, pilot submarines and out-smart wildlife to explore lush coral reefs, volcanoes, cave systems, and more - all while trying to survive.

Why similar: Survival 23.8%, Base Building 18.4%, Open World 18.3%, Crafting 14.3%, Multiplayer 7.1%

Why You'll Like It: While set in a different environment, it is a masterclass in exploration-based survival and resource management.

Hard Times is an extreme urban survival game where you have to put yourself into the shoes of a homeless man, taking on all the challenges that daily survival places in the great metropolis of indifference.

Why similar: Simulation 27.7%, Survival 23.6%, Crafting 16.7%, Sandbox 15.4%, Action 11.7%

Why You'll Like It: A 2D survival game that directly tackles the themes of urban poverty and the struggle for daily survival.

Bum Simulator is a sandbox game bursting with inappropriate humor and memorable characters. You live on the streets of Bumsville. Do you have what it takes to adapt, survive and become an urban legend?

Why similar: Survival 17.5%, Open World 16.1%, Base Building 13%, Simulation 9.9%, Sandbox 9.7%

HumanitZ is an isometric, open-world sandbox survival game set in a world ended by a zombie outbreak. Survive alone or with friends by scavenging, crafting, building, and fighting to last as long as ‘humanly’ possible. You can’t change the past, but you can fight for the future of humanity.

Why similar: Survival 18.3%, Base Building 17.6%, Open World 15.2%, Crafting 12.7%, Sandbox 9.7%

You have experienced the sudden loss of your wealth, which has compelled you to abandon your previous life and begin anew. By venturing into the game world, you can construct settlements and forge alliances with other players, ensuring that you will always have exciting challenges to undertake.

Why similar: Survival 14.7%, Base Building 14.5%, Open World 12.6%, Crafting 12.3%, Sandbox 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: An indie RPG that incorporates survival and simulation elements, mirroring the progression of a character trying to make it in a difficult world.

First-person homeless crime sandbox. Steal, drink, hallucinate and crush rival bums in chaotic online co-op.

Why similar: Survival 18.4%, Open World 16.5%, Co-op 15.4%, Multiplayer 13%, First-Person 8.6%

Hardcore open-world survival where preparation is everything. Scavenge, craft, fortify during the day. When night falls, the infected hunt in numbers. Play solo or with friends in a brutal post-apocalyptic sandbox where survival is earned through smart decisions. How many Nights will you survive?

Why similar: Survival 20.2%, Sandbox 14.1%, Online Co-Op 12.7%, Multiplayer 12.1%, Co-op 12%

Welcome to Keplerth! Try to survive on a hostile alien planet in this 2D sandbox RPG, where you can choose to live alone or fight side by side with your friends in the online multiplayer mode. Survive, build, farm, fight, and explore your way to victory in this open-world adventure!

Why similar: Survival 22.3%, Open World 20%, Sandbox 16.2%, Base Building 10.7%, Multiplayer 8.8%

Get a taste of prison life! Become a prison guard and deal with dangerous convicts. Prison management, lots of daily activities. Will you become the best guard in history? Or maybe you'll turn into the worst scumbag this Prison has ever seen?

Why similar: Open World 17.2%, Dialogue Heavy 16.3%, Sandbox 13.5%, RPG 11.5%, Realistic 11.1%

Shrunk again, but the world is much larger. In this open-world, single-player or co-op survival adventure, craft weapons and armor, build your base, and traverse the playground on your buggy. But something else is out there—and it hasn’t forgotten you.

Why similar: Survival 18.8%, Base Building 16.2%, Open World 12.5%, Crafting 10%, Co-op 9.6%

Homeless Simulator is a homeless person simulator. Homeless persons are those who find themselves living on the streets because of family conflicts, somebody’s fraud, loss of the job or health problems. They are those who need help.

Why similar: Survival 26.2%, Open World 20.4%, Sandbox 15.5%, Simulation 15.4%, First-Person 11.5%

What turns a drug dealer into a drug lord? Find out in DDS2, a first-person co-op sim set in a dynamic open world. Make contacts, cook drugs, and manage your cartel on Isla Sombra, where power is the only law.

Why similar: Open World 16.9%, Crafting 13%, Multiplayer 11.1%, Sandbox 10.9%, Co-op 9.5%

MISERY is a 1–10 player co-op survival game set in a nuclear disaster zone. Here, every day is a struggle: search radioactive ruins for resources, build your bunker, craft weapons, and explore a weird, procedurally-generated world with your friends. Beware of anomalies, monsters, and armed bandits.

Why similar: Survival 18.6%, Base Building 16.2%, Open World 14.2%, Online Co-Op 12.8%, Crafting 12.5%

The door to your robber’s career is waiting! Just crowbar the lock off and force your way through the threshold. Learn skills, collect tools and become a master of the thieving trade!

Why similar: Heist 31.3% ★, Open World 19.9%, First-Person 10.3%, Simulation 10.1%, Co-op 7.8%

Old Market Simulator is a 1-4 player co-op game where you manage your market by ordering goods, growing produce, raising animals, fishing, and crafting items in your workshop, while hiring employees and expanding your business.

Why similar: Online Co-Op 28.5%, Co-op 17.7%, Multiplayer 16.6%, Simulation 13.8%, First-Person 11.7%

Scavenge abandoned ruins, craft gear from scrap and salvaged materials, and fight the environment itself as hunger, exposure, and exhaustion push you to your limits. There are no second chances—only adaptation or death.

Why similar: Base Building 19.1%, Survival 18.2%, Open World 15.8%, Crafting 15.4%, Multiplayer 6.3%

MIST SURVIVAL is a Single-player, survival stealth sandbox game Players will experience the Apocalypse stimulation in the form of virus pandemic, the players have to deal with it to survive through the difficulties such as finding shelter and food, threats from the environment and climate: wild animals, bandits, infected, and dense mist t

Why similar: Survival 32.8%, Open World 21.6%, Base Building 18.3%, Crafting 11.5%, Sandbox 7.8%

Homeless Simulator 2 is a homeless person simulator. Homeless persons are those who find themselves living on the streets because of family conflicts, somebody’s fraud, loss of the job or health problems. They are those who need help.

Why similar: Survival 26.4%, Open World 20.8%, Sandbox 14.5%, Simulation 13.2%, First-Person 9.1%

Camping Simulator lets you experience what camp means by preparing your backpack wisely for challenging conditions of nature. You can play all the experiences with up to 8 friends in multiplayer mode or single player mode.

Why similar: Survival 19.7%, Crafting 15.6%, Co-op 13.4%, Sandbox 12.9%, Base Building 8.6%

Next Day is a multi-player SURVIVAL game with elements of RPG, in an imaginary country in Eastern Europe. Carry out an array of tasks, learn skills, and develop your character. Have shootouts with opponents and earn a reputation.

Why similar: Survival 30.8%, Open World 22.9%, Multiplayer 12.8%, Crafting 11.1%, Co-op 7.6%

Experience the struggle which a homeless man goes through in a humorous manner. Primitive elements of contemporary life that we take for granted, such as staying warm, well-nourished, and hygienic, will become an issue.

Why similar: Base Building 36.5%, Survival 32.3%, Simulation 11.2%, Realistic 10.1%, Atmospheric 5.4%

KeepUp Survival is an open base-building and exploration game set in a natural, abandoned world. Build, gather, survive, and unfold your own story on a mysterious island.

Why similar: Base Building 15.1%, Survival 14.9%, Open World 13.4%, Crafting 11.6%, Co-op 9.9%

Get ready for a Waterworld-themed survival game with modular base building, sunken city scavenging, crafting, base defense, and invasions of NPC clans for resources and territory. Ready for the water apocalypse?

Why similar: Survival 19.5%, Base Building 17.3%, Co-op 13.7%, Crafting 11.7%, Open World 11.4%

Pohinki Simulator is a survival game set in a polish neighbourhood, where you need to explore the open world in search for trash in order to survive and gain power. Build structures, experiment with found items, and become the most powerful bum alive!

Why similar: Base Building 23.9%, Survival 21.6%, Sandbox 15.7%, Open World 13.7%, First-Person 7.7%

Experience the struggle which a homeless man goes through in a humorous manner. Primitive elements of contemporary life that we take for granted, such as staying warm, well-nourished, and hygienic, will become an issue.

Why similar: Base Building 43%, Survival 36.5%, Simulation 13%, 3D 7.4%

Become a crew member of an Interdimensional Express Train! Discover a new world full of mysterious creatures, enemies and places. Upgrade and customize your train, gather new materials and build better weapons. Play solo or online сo-op with up to 4 people.

Why similar: Base Building 14.4%, Survival 14.4%, Open World 11.4%, Crafting 10.6%, Co-op 10.6%

A thrilling story-driven action RPG, with a rich open world, set in 15th century Medieval Europe. Experience the ultimate medieval adventure - through the eyes of young Henry - as you embark on a journey of epic proportions.

Why similar: Open World 32.6%, Realistic 15.8%, RPG 15.3%, First-Person 12.1%, Story Rich 10.8%

'Night of the Dead' is an open-world game that combines elements of exploration, tower defense, survival, and crafting. Traverse a world dominated by zombies while collecting various resources and powerful equipment. Build a fortress to survive the hordes of zombies that swarm every night!

Why similar: Base Building 14.9%, Survival 13.1%, Open World 12.5%, Crafting 11.5%, Online Co-Op 10.1%

Winter Survival is a story-driven survival game where trauma turns reality into a reflection of your breaking mind. Battle cold, hunger, hallucinations, and adapt to the wilderness as it adapts to you.

Why similar: Survival 21.4%, Base Building 21.3%, Open World 18.8%, Crafting 11.5%, Sandbox 9%

Embark on an unpredictable survival journey in Start Over. Solo, co-op, online, explore diverse landscapes, craft through 4 tech tiers, encounter wildlife, and trade or raid for resources. Choose your path, defend against waves, and shape your destiny in a dynamic world. Are you ready to Start Over?

Why similar: Base Building 17.4%, Survival 15.7%, Crafting 13.1%, Sandbox 10%, Open World 9.6%

Crushed — is an Singleplayer and Multiplayer First-Person Survival Sandbox in an Open World! Challenge the wild and be ready to survive in harsh conditions. Explore the world, get resources, cook food, build a house, farm, hunt, and enjoy nature.

Why similar: Survival 17.6%, Open World 15.6%, Base Building 14.3%, Crafting 12%, Sandbox 9.9%

Experience the frontier as a chief of a Native American tribe and resist the onset of the settlers. Explore the vast world full of hostile humans and animals while defining your narrative through the decisions you make.

Why similar: Survival 25.6%, Open World 20.8%, Crafting 13.7%, Multiplayer 10.4%, RPG 7.4%