- #1 Space Haven
97% matchVery Positive86% of 9,719 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 31.6% ★, Base Building 10%, Survival 9.7%, Management 9.5%, Sci-fi 7.7%
Why You'll Like It: Offers a retro-futuristic aesthetic and ship-based colony management that mirrors the isolated, technical feel of Maia.
- #2 Planetbase
96% matchMostly Positive80% of 10,262 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 41.5% ★, Base Building 12%, Survival 9.9%, Space 9.5%, Strategy 6.2%
Why You'll Like It: A direct space-colony management game that emphasizes the struggle to maintain life support and infrastructure on alien planets.
- #3 Oxygen Not Included
96% matchOverwhelmingly Positive97% of 138,890 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 44.6% ★, Base Building 13.7%, Survival 12.1%, Management 6.3%, Space 3.8%
Why You'll Like It: Features a similarly deep focus on simulating gases, liquids, and thermodynamics within a challenging sci-fi environment.
- #4 RimWorld
95% matchOverwhelmingly Positive98% of 236,346 reviews2018
Dev: Ludeon Studios
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 59.1 hrsMean: 259.4 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 40.4% ★, Base Building 12.5%, Survival 10.9%, Management 8.7%, Sci-fi 7.5%
Why You'll Like It: The definitive colony-sim that captures the same emergent storytelling and survival-focused management found in Maia.
- #5 Stranded: Alien Dawn
94% matchVery Positive85% of 10,890 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 30.5% ★, Base Building 16.5%, Survival 16.2%, Management 8.4%, Strategy 7.7%
Why You'll Like It: A 3D survival colony-sim that forces players to navigate the dangers of an alien world while building a sustainable habitat.
- #6 IXION
93% matchMostly Positive79% of 17,015 reviews2022
Dev: Bulwark StudiosPub: Kasedo Games
Windows
Median: 10.0 hrsMean: 31.1 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: Colony Sim 35.2% ★, Space 13.7%, Survival 13.2%, Base Building 10.1%, Strategy 8.2%
Why You'll Like It: Combines atmospheric narrative with complex space station management and survival mechanics.
- #7 Stardeus
92% matchVery Positive87% of 1,529 reviews2022
Dev: Kodo LinijaPub: Paradox Arc
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 8.7 hrsMean: 22.6 hrs≥1hr: 77%
Stardeus is a deep colony sim set on a broken starship manned by drones and hibernating human survivors. As the AI, have your drones repair your ship, save your crew and travel the stars in this beautiful simulation.
Why similar: Colony Sim 33.4% ★, Base Building 10.5%, Survival 10.1%, Sci-fi 8.7%, Space 8.6%
Why You'll Like It: Provides a deep, simulation-heavy experience focused on managing a space-faring colony and its complex internal systems.
- #8 The Crust
91% matchMostly Positive77% of 3,397 reviews2024
Dev: VEOM StudioPub: Crytivo
Windows
Median: 7.0 hrsMean: 22.5 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 33.3% ★, Base Building 11.6%, Space 9.2%, Management 8.3%, Survival 6.9%
Why You'll Like It: Focuses on the technical aspects of lunar base-building, automation, and survival in a vacuum.
- #9 Aven Colony
91% 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 51.3% ★, Sci-fi 9.9%, Base Building 8.8%, Strategy 8.3%, Simulation 6.5%
Why You'll Like It: A sci-fi city-builder that focuses on the challenges of managing a colony on an exotic, sometimes hostile, alien world.
- #10 Dwarf Fortress
89% matchVery Positive95% of 30,806 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 37.9% ★, Base Building 12.2%, Management 12.1%, Survival 11.8%, Strategy 7.2%
Why You'll Like It: The foundational simulation game that inspired the depth and complexity of modern colony-sims like Maia.
- #11 Starmancer
89% matchMixed64% of 1,024 reviews2021
Dev: Ominux GamesPub: Chucklefish
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 1.6 hrsMean: 6.7 hrs≥1hr: 65%
From a small 2-man team comes a unique space station management sim. Take on the role of an A.I commanding a lost space ark. Try not to let your crew run amok and wreck the place.
Why similar: Colony Sim 32.2% ★, Management 10.9%, Sci-fi 9%, Survival 8.4%, Space 8.2%
Why You'll Like It: Offers an atmospheric, management-heavy experience focused on maintaining a space station and its inhabitants.
- #12 Spacebase DF-9
90% matchOverwhelmingly Negative18% of 4,324 reviews2014
Dev: Double Fine Productions
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.2 hrsMean: 4.9 hrs≥1hr: 90%
In Spacebase DF-9, you'll build a home among the stars for a motley population of humans and aliens as they go about their daily lives. Mine asteroids, discover derelicts, and deal with the tribulations of galactic resettlement in Earth's distant future.
Why similar: Base Building 17.5%, Space 16.6%, Sci-fi 15.1%, Simulation 12.5%, Strategy 9.6%
Why You'll Like It: A classic space-colony simulation that shares the same focus on managing individual colonist needs in a sci-fi setting.
- #13 Frostpunk
86% matchVery Positive93% of 132,545 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: Colony Sim 43.3% ★, Survival 18.4%, Strategy 10%, Base Building 7.6%, Management 6.5%
Why You'll Like It: While set on Earth, it perfectly captures the high-stakes survival management and environmental struggle central to Maia's gameplay.
- #14 Surviving the Aftermath
87% matchMostly Positive71% of 4,513 reviews2021
Dev: Iceflake StudiosPub: Paradox Interactive
Windows
Median: 4.4 hrsMean: 17.8 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: Colony Sim 40.7% ★, Survival 15.2%, Strategy 12.2%, Base Building 11.1%, Simulation 10.7%
Why You'll Like It: A survival-focused colony builder that emphasizes managing resources and colonist safety in a harsh, post-apocalyptic environment.
- #15 Starship Theory
88% matchMixed50% of 1,100 reviews2017
Dev: Reconnect Software
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 7.4 hrsMean: 15.5 hrs≥1hr: 78%
Starship Theory is a ship building survival game. Mine and trade to gather resources. Plan and construct new upgrades. Train and manage crew. Fight to survive.
Why similar: Base Building 20.5%, Space 14.3%, Survival 14.3%, Management 12.3%, Simulation 10.8%
Why You'll Like It: A ship-based survival game that emphasizes building and maintaining a vessel while navigating a dangerous galaxy.
- #16 Stonehearth
86% matchMostly Positive75% of 12,970 reviews2018
Dev: Radiant EntertainmentPub: (none)
Windows · Mac
Median: 14.1 hrsMean: 38.7 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 57% ★, Survival 11.8%, Strategy 7.2%, Sandbox 6.6%, Building 5.5%
Why You'll Like It: Features character-driven colony management and building mechanics that share the same charm and focus as Maia.
- #17 The Universim
84% matchVery Positive80% of 10,483 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 42.6% ★, Survival 10.8%, Management 9.8%, Space 7.5%, Sandbox 6.1%
Why You'll Like It: A god-game colony-sim that allows players to guide a civilization from its early stages through to space exploration.
- #18 Exogate Initiative
83% matchMostly Positive76% of 699 reviews2025
Dev: Xeno Bits
Windows
Build and manage mankind’s first mission across the universe! Create a sprawling facility underground, recruit a diverse group of specialists from around the globe and explore mysterious new worlds through the Exogate.
Why similar: Colony Sim 30% ★, Base Building 11.2%, Management 11.1%, Sci-fi 8.7%, Space 7.3%
Why You'll Like It: Focuses on the management of a sci-fi base and the logistical challenges of space exploration.
- #19 Solargene
82% matchMostly Positive76% of 819 reviews2026
Dev: Alexander Semenov
Windows
Median: 3.7 hrsMean: 34.8 hrs≥1hr: 71%
Take Command of a Space Corporation in the Sci-Fi Simulator Solargene! Manage personnel, design and develop colonies and orbital stations across the solar system! Mine resources, establish logistics, research cutting-edge technologies, trade, and complete missions
Why similar: Colony Sim 40.8% ★, Base Building 12.8%, Management 10.9%, Space 7.8%, Sci-fi 6.1%
Why You'll Like It: A space-colony simulation that focuses on the technical aspects of building and maintaining a base in the solar system.
- #20 Embark
84% matchMixed61% of 386 reviews2019
Dev: Overly Complicated Games
Windows
Inspired by the deep simulation of Dwarf Fortress, the open world survival of Minecraft, and the social interactions of The Sims. Embark is a colony management game with a focus on complex simulation in a huge living 3D world.
Why similar: Colony Sim 49.7% ★, Base Building 11.4%, Survival 7.7%, Strategy 6.2%, Simulation 5.7%
Why You'll Like It: A deep, simulation-focused colony builder that emphasizes complex construction and management tasks.
- #21 Unclaimed World
85% matchMixed50% of 216 reviews2016
Dev: Refactored Games OÜ
Windows
Median: 4.2 hrsMean: 5.4 hrs≥1hr: 94%
Manage interstellar pioneers and their descendants in this detailed sci-fi colony sim. Centuries after planetfall, colonists are still struggling to gain foothold on their lush and alien planet. You settle on the frontier by carefully managing resources, production and different personalities.
Why similar: Simulation 30.7%, Strategy 29.1%, Survival 17.2%, Sci-fi 14.5%, Indie 8.6%
Why You'll Like It: A simulation-heavy colony game that focuses on the realistic challenges of settling a new, untamed planet.
- #22 Mercury Fallen
81% matchMostly Positive79% of 307 reviews2023
Dev: Nitrous ButterflyPub: indie.io
Windows · Mac
Median: 3.2 hrsMean: 5.3 hrs≥1hr: 87%
A sci-fi colony management sim with a focus on exploration, expansion, and survival. Rebuild your underground facility, manage colonists and robots, and uncover the mysteries of an alien world light-years from Earth. Dig deep, expand across the surface, and shape your new home.
Why similar: Colony Sim 32.8% ★, Management 10.7%, Survival 10.4%, Base Building 10.4%, Sci-fi 9.7%
Why You'll Like It: An isometric sci-fi colony sim that emphasizes underground base building and resource management.
- #23 Astro Colony
81% matchVery Positive82% of 2,509 reviews2022
Dev: Terad Games
Windows
Median: 4.7 hrsMean: 16.3 hrs≥1hr: 78%
Explore endless Universe and create the most efficient constellation of colonies. Build conveyor systems to automate production. Take care of Astronauts and their needs! Establish new colonies as part of intergalactic simulation.
Why similar: Colony Sim 40.1% ★, Base Building 16.9%, Space 11.9%, Simulation 7.2%, Strategy 6.9%
Why You'll Like It: Combines base-building with automation and resource management in a space-faring setting.
- #24 New Cycle
80% matchMostly Positive79% of 2,783 reviews2024
Dev: Core EngagePub: Daedalic Entertainment
Windows
Median: 4.8 hrsMean: 7.9 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: Colony Sim 35.8% ★, Survival 12.1%, Base Building 11%, Management 9.5%, Sci-fi 8.8%
Why You'll Like It: A survival-focused city builder that emphasizes the struggle to rebuild and sustain a colony in a harsh world.
- #25 Farlanders
79% matchVery Positive92% of 569 reviews2023
Dev: Andriy BychkovskyiPub: Crytivo
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.2 hrsMean: 7.9 hrs≥1hr: 62%
Terraform, strategize, and construct a Martian colony in this retro-inspired turn-based city builder. Create a comfortable living for your citizens, research alien artifacts, and uncover the secrets of the Red Planet.
Why similar: Colony Sim 34.5% ★, Base Building 11.1%, Management 9.9%, Space 9.2%, Survival 8.6%
Why You'll Like It: A turn-based colony-sim that focuses on the strategic challenges of building a base on a barren alien planet.
- #26 Stable Orbit - Build your own space station
82% matchMixed51% of 380 reviews2017
Dev: Jim Offerman
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 48 minMean: 5.0 hrs≥1hr: 46%
Design, build and control your own space station. Mission command and control is in your hands and only careful planning and vigilant supervision will keep your crew and space station safe.
Why similar: Colony Sim 23.5% ★, Management 12%, Space 10.5%, Sci-fi 9.5%, Simulation 7.7%
Why You'll Like It: A technical simulation focused specifically on the construction and maintenance of a space station in orbit.
- #27 After the Collapse
78% matchMostly Positive78% of 209 reviews2022
Dev: Anarkis Gaming
Windows
ATC is a base building game set in a post-apocalyptic world featuring urban environments. Build a base across several layers with dozens of survivors. Fight other factions for the control of the remaining production centers and explore the world to find long forgotten resources and technologies.
Why similar: Colony Sim 38.4% ★, Base Building 11.9%, Survival 11.3%, Management 10.9%, Strategy 6.6%
Why You'll Like It: A colony-sim that focuses on survival and base-building in a hostile, post-apocalyptic world.
- #28 Surviving Ceres
77% matchVery Positive87% of 137 reviews2025
Dev: Ryan SaundersPub: One Man Media
Windows
Explore a handcrafted survival game with an emphasis on crafting and base building. Export manufactured goods to earn funding, manage colonists, defend against hostile aliens, and work towards terraforming Ceres from a frozen ball of ice to a tropical paradise.
Why similar: Colony Sim 37.1% ★, Survival 12.9%, Base Building 11%, Management 10.3%, Simulation 8%
- #29 Sol 0: Mars Colonization
79% matchMixed69% of 409 reviews2016
Dev: Chondrite Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.0 hrsMean: 6.9 hrs≥1hr: 74%
Sol 0 is a real time strategy game where you establish the first Martian colony. From the first human footprints on Martian soil to a thriving and self-sustaining colony, Sol 0 imagines a near future using technology that could be available within the next few decades.
Why similar: Base Building 25.5%, Strategy 24.8%, Space 22.2%, Simulation 20.5%, Indie 7%
Why You'll Like It: A hard sci-fi simulation focused on the logistics and survival challenges of establishing a Martian colony.
- #30 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 49.2% ★, Survival 10.1%, Strategy 8.3%, Sandbox 7.6%, Simulation 7.5%
Why You'll Like It: A classic sandbox colony-sim that shares the same focus on building and managing a growing population.
- #31 Occupy Mars: The Game
74% matchMostly Positive70% of 3,012 reviews2026
Dev: ▲ Pyramid Games
Windows
Median: 4.2 hrsMean: 31.4 hrs≥1hr: 77%
Survive and colonize Mars in a highly technical, open-world sandbox game. Build and upgrade your base, discover new regions, conduct mining operations, retrieve water, generate oxygen, grow crops, and fix broken parts.
Why similar: Colony Sim 32.8% ★, Base Building 12%, Survival 11.1%, Space 9.6%, Sci-fi 7.3%
- #32 Ragnorium
77% matchMixed59% of 624 reviews2022
Dev: Vitali KirpuPub: Devolver Digital
Windows
Lead a team of cloned settlers and build a home on a new planet. Start from the Stone Age, construct sturdy shelters, hunt for food, and fight off dangers. Make your team stronger and better equipped to survive.
Why similar: Colony Sim 37.9% ★, Survival 17.3%, Base Building 11.8%, Sci-fi 9%, Strategy 6.6%
- #33 Judgment: Apocalypse Survival Simulation
76% 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 42.7% ★, Survival 13.1%, Base Building 12.6%, Management 6%, Strategy 5.3%
- #34 Sapiens
75% 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 42% ★, Base Building 12.2%, Survival 10.7%, Management 10.2%, Strategy 5.2%
- #35 Colony Survival
74% matchVery Positive92% of 8,816 reviews2017
Dev: Pipliz
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 9.6 hrsMean: 28.2 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 48.7% ★, Survival 13.6%, Base Building 13.3%, Management 5.6%, Strategy 5.6%
- #36 Space Architect
73% matchMostly Positive76% of 283 reviews2024
Dev: Albert WiatrPub: PlayWay S.A.
Windows
Design your dream space station in Space Architect! Master the power of automation or 'hire' an army of crewmates to handle your ever-growing production. Mine asteroids, fabricate goods, and engage in interstellar trade to pay off the menacing Big Evil Corp. Will you thrive in the vastness of space?
Why similar: Colony Sim 32.6% ★, Base Building 10.4%, Management 10%, Survival 9.4%, Sci-fi 8%
- #37 The Spatials
76% matchMixed69% of 329 reviews2015
Dev: Weird and Wry
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.2 hrsMean: 5.1 hrs≥1hr: 89%
It's the year 5781 -- and you have been chosen to build and lead a space station in a wild corner of the galaxy! Attract visitors and explore hundreds of planets to fund your station.
Why similar: Colony Sim 15.1% ★, Management 13.8%, Base Building 12.3%, Space 11.1%, Sci-fi 10.1%
- #38 Project AURA
75% matchMixed64% of 698 reviews2018
Dev: Nexcentric Games
Windows
Median: 4.6 hrsMean: 8.1 hrs≥1hr: 82%
Project Aura is a micro management game where you lead a Colony of Climate Disaster Survivors. You have been assigned the mission to build an habitat capable of survival in this new unknown world.
Why similar: Management 19%, Strategy 16.3%, Sci-fi 16.2%, Simulation 15%, Base Building 9.7%
- #39 Dawn of Man
73% matchVery Positive87% of 17,635 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: Colony Sim 60.7% ★, Survival 15.2%, Strategy 9%, Simulation 6.2%, Sandbox 3.6%
- #40 Settlement Survival
71% matchVery Positive86% of 7,842 reviews2022
Dev: Gleamer StudioPub: Team17
Windows · Mac
Median: 4.0 hrsMean: 10.8 hrs≥1hr: 80%
In this city-building game, you will lead a group of survivors in their search for a new home. Manipulate the landscape, manage limited supplies, plant crops, hunt wildlife, gather resources, and develop trade routes to build a bustling and unique town.
Why similar: Colony Sim 41.5% ★, Survival 12.6%, Management 12.2%, Base Building 7.8%, Simulation 6.2%
- #41 Stationeers
72% matchVery Positive88% of 8,897 reviews2017
Dev: RocketWerkz
Windows
Median: 9.8 hrsMean: 81.9 hrs≥1hr: 85%
Stationeers puts you in control of the construction and management of a space station to run by yourself or online with your friends. Complex atmospheric, electrical, manufacturing, agriculture, and gravitational systems require your thought and management at all times!
Why similar: Colony Sim 34.3% ★, Base Building 11.5%, Survival 11%, Management 10.4%, Sci-fi 9.2%
- #42 Life is Feudal: Forest Village
73% matchMixed66% of 5,984 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: Colony Sim 62.5% ★, Survival 10.1%, Strategy 8.1%, Simulation 6%, Building 3.7%
- #43 Cliff Empire
72% 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: Colony Sim 36.9% ★, Sci-fi 11.6%, Management 11.6%, Base Building 9.6%, Strategy 8.4%
- #44 Adaptory
70% matchVery Positive84% of 91 reviews2026
Dev: Stormcloak GamesPub: indie.io
Windows · Mac
Deep in uncharted space, your expedition took a challenging turn when your ship crash-landed. Master complex simulations to keep your outspoken explorers alive, face unpredictable challenges, and figure out a way back home.
Why similar: Colony Sim 41.7% ★, Base Building 13.1%, Survival 11.4%, Management 8.4%, Sci-fi 8.4%
- #45 Reshaping Mars
71% matchVery Positive85% of 831 reviews2023
Dev: TholusPub: Yooreka Studio
Windows
Median: 2.2 hrsMean: 18.4 hrs≥1hr: 62%
「Reshaping Mars」is a colony simulation game on Mars, you will start by gathering resources, storing food, accepting immigrants, and building a better colony together. Develop powerful technologies for Mars Reshaping, make Mars great agai..sorry, just great. Don't forget to make the residents happy.
Why similar: Colony Sim 34% ★, Base Building 13.3%, Management 9.1%, Space 8.7%, Simulation 8.1%
- #46 The Final Earth 2
70% matchVery Positive97% of 386 reviews2022
Dev: Florian van Strien
Windows
The Final Earth 2 is a vertical sci-fi city builder. Earth is unlivable, so you decide to create a space colony. Gather resources, then build and research your way to a better future! Grow your city from an exploration ship to a huge metropolis, full of advanced technology. What will you build?
Why similar: Colony Sim 37.6% ★, Management 10.9%, Base Building 9.9%, Space 9.2%, Sci-fi 7.9%
- #47 Oxygen
69% matchMostly Positive73% of 865 reviews2023
Dev: Turquoise Revival GamesPub: GrabTheGames
Windows
Median: 3.5 hrsMean: 9.8 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: Colony Sim 35.6% ★, Base Building 12.6%, Survival 11.8%, Management 7.8%, Strategy 7.6%
- #48 Alien Horizon (Preview Alpha)
68% matchVery Positive87% of 188 reviews2024
Dev: Purple Nebula
Windows
A sci-fi survival city builder set on an inhospitable alien planet. Faced with imminent destruction of Earth, humanity pooled together their resources and sent sleeper ships to nearby potentially habitable planets. But this one turned out to be much less habitable than expected....
Why similar: Colony Sim 45.6% ★, Survival 11.9%, Base Building 11.3%, Strategy 9.5%, Simulation 8.2%
- #49 Surviving the Abyss
68% matchMixed65% of 1,047 reviews2024
Dev: Rocket Flair StudiosPub: Paradox Arc
Windows
Median: 2.7 hrsMean: 7.7 hrs≥1hr: 70%
Earth, 1976. You have been tasked with managing a deep-sea science facility working to perfect cloning. Explore the darkness and keep your crew alive in this hardcore survival colony builder. And beware. The darkness hides untold horrors.
Why similar: Colony Sim 41.7% ★, Management 12.2%, Base Building 12%, Survival 11.7%, Strategy 6.4%
- #50 The Last Starship
66% matchMostly Positive75% of 1,419 reviews2026
Dev: Introversion Software
Windows · Mac
Median: 5.6 hrsMean: 10.4 hrs≥1hr: 81%
The Last Starship is a 2D space construction game where you design and upgrade your starship. Choose your path: pirate hunter, miner, engineer, spacebus driver, and more, whilst exploring vibrant star systems. Enjoy a growing sandbox world, with regular free updates. Your cosmic adventure awaits!
Why similar: Colony Sim 31.4% ★, Base Building 11.9%, Sci-fi 10.3%, Space 10.1%, Management 8.2%
- #51 Stellar Settlers: Space Base Builder
67% matchMostly Positive71% of 818 reviews2025
Dev: Tinymice EntertainmentPub: Rogue Duck Interactive
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.4 hrsMean: 3.5 hrs≥1hr: 76%
Stellar Settlers is a chill space base/city builder and colony sim game. With unique vertical and horizontal base-building gameplay, settle on 10 hostile alien planets and build your own thriving colony. Get enough materials to build a physics-based Spaceship and try to escape from disasters.
Why similar: Colony Sim 39.4% ★, Base Building 12.7%, Survival 9.8%, Space 7.8%, Strategy 7%
- #52 The Colonists
69% matchVery Positive86% of 1,205 reviews2018
Dev: CodebyfirePub: Mode 7
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 4.0 hrsMean: 13.0 hrs≥1hr: 85%
Build a new home for your team of robots as they begin a new life for themselves on a distant planet where they can fulfil their ultimate dream: to be human.
Why similar: Colony Sim 42.4% ★, Management 12.4%, Survival 11%, Base Building 10.8%, Strategy 5.9%
- #53 My Colony
69% matchVery Positive90% of 263 reviews2018
Dev: Ape Apps
Windows · Mac · Linux
Build, expand, and rule a growing space colony. Explore tech, trade, and multiplayer.
Why similar: Colony Sim 73.5% ★, Simulation 11.5%, Strategy 11%, Indie 4%
- #54 Life in Bunker
71% matchMixed60% of 333 reviews2016
Dev: Flox StudiosPub: Flox Studios
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 1.4 hrsMean: 7.3 hrs≥1hr: 56%
You've been elected as the new Bunker Warden! Now you must take control over a group of fellow bunker residents and try to make them last until the surface becomes habitable.
Why similar: Survival 22.9%, Base Building 19.6%, Strategy 15.3%, Simulation 14.3%, Management 12.4%
- #55 Per Aspera
68% matchMostly Positive76% of 5,662 reviews2020
Dev: Tlön IndustriesPub: Raw Fury
Windows
Median: 5.0 hrsMean: 11.9 hrs≥1hr: 93%
Make Mars your own! Take control of the world’s most sophisticated AI (AMI) and terraform the surface of the Red Planet for a city-building experience on a planetary scale. Transform this barren world into a lush paradise and explore the surface for any ancient secrets that may be waiting.
Why similar: Colony Sim 31.8% ★, Management 10.6%, Base Building 10.6%, Survival 8.7%, Sci-fi 7.8%
- #56 Buoyancy
70% matchMixed56% of 820 reviews2019
Dev: Devs on a Boat
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 1.4 hrsMean: 4.8 hrs≥1hr: 58%
Buoyancy is a city-building strategy game where you build, manage, and move a floating city on an oceanic world. Explore and scavenge resources scattered around the endless waters. Keep your villagers nourished and happy while combating fires, sickness, and pirate attacks.
Why similar: Colony Sim 60.4% ★, Base Building 10.6%, Strategy 9.3%, Survival 9.1%, Simulation 3.4%
- #57 Land of the Vikings
67% matchMostly Positive74% of 2,203 reviews2023
Dev: Laps GamesPub: Iceberg Interactive
Windows
Median: 3.5 hrsMean: 9.6 hrs≥1hr: 75%
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 43.9% ★, Survival 11.4%, Management 9.9%, Base Building 9.5%, Strategy 7.7%
- #58 Ascent of Ashes
66% matchMostly Positive71% of 294 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 38.3% ★, Base Building 12.2%, Survival 11.8%, Management 11.4%, Strategy 7.4%
- #59 Odd Realm
65% matchVery Positive85% of 992 reviews2024
Dev: Unknown Origin Games Inc
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 1.6 hrsMean: 6.9 hrs≥1hr: 56%
Forge a new kingdom in a land recovering from the Fracture. Which of the surviving races will you lead to rebuild, explore, and conquer the unknown? The dwindling yet immortal Ancients? The bold and resourceful Humans? The life stealing Ardyn? Or the secretive Gwdir who shape living groves?
Why similar: Colony Sim 40.8% ★, Base Building 12.4%, Management 11.4%, Survival 11%, Strategy 7.2%