- #1 Timberborn
97% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 38,007 reviews2026
Dev: Mechanistry
Windows · Mac
Median: 9.8 hrsMean: 40.3 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 19.2%, Colony Sim 17.7% ★, Automation 9.8%, Farming Sim 9.4%, Post-apocalyptic 9.1%
Why You'll Like It: A highly regarded colony-sim that emphasizes water management and survival against environmental shifts.
- #2 Against the Storm
96% matchVery Positive95% of 35,504 reviews2023
Dev: Eremite GamesPub: Hooded Horse
Windows
Median: 5.5 hrsMean: 28.3 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 23.2% ★, City Builder 21.1%, Management 12.2%, Resource Management 11.9%, Base Building 10.3%
Why You'll Like It: A roguelite city-builder that forces players to adapt to harsh, ever-changing environmental conditions.
- #3 Airborne Kingdom
96% matchVery Positive87% of 2,333 reviews2022
Dev: The Wandering Band LLC
Windows
Median: 3.5 hrsMean: 6.9 hrs≥1hr: 81%
The sky city builder awaits. Create your own flying kingdom and lead it on a quest across an expansive world. Explore the varied landscape, build up a floating metropolis, aid struggling people below, uncover lost secrets and, ultimately, bring back the Airborne Kingdom legend.
Why similar: City Builder 35.8%, Base Building 16.6%, Resource Management 16.4%, Sandbox 10.6%, Exploration 8.1%
Why You'll Like It: Features a similar core mechanic of building and managing a city that travels across the world on a massive flying structure.
- #4 Endzone - A World Apart
95% matchMostly Positive77% of 9,807 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 31.2%, Post-apocalyptic 19.1%, Colony Sim 13.1% ★, Survival 9%, Base Building 8.9%
Why You'll Like It: A post-apocalyptic city-builder where you must protect your settlers from radiation and environmental disasters.
- #5 Frostpunk 2
94% matchMostly Positive75% of 25,240 reviews2024
Dev: 11 bit studios
Windows · Mac
Median: 8.1 hrsMean: 19.4 hrs≥1hr: 87%
Develop, expand, and advance your city in a society survival game set 30 years after an apocalyptic blizzard ravaged Earth. In Frostpunk 2, you face not only the perils of never-ending winter, but also the powerful factions that watch your every step inside the Council Hall.
Why similar: City Builder 34.5%, Post-apocalyptic 17%, Resource Management 15.5%, Survival 10.9%, Colony Sim 7.4% ★
Why You'll Like It: Focuses on high-stakes survival and societal management in a freezing, post-apocalyptic landscape.
- #6 Surviving the Aftermath
94% 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: City Builder 26.2%, Colony Sim 21.8% ★, Post-apocalyptic 20.1%, Base Building 8%, Survival 7.9%
Why You'll Like It: Combines colony management with exploration and survival in a dangerous, post-apocalyptic setting.
- #7 Terra Nil
93% matchVery Positive88% of 8,333 reviews2023
Dev: Free LivesPub: Devolver Digital
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.5 hrsMean: 7.7 hrs≥1hr: 78%
Terra Nil is an intricate environmental strategy game about transforming a barren wasteland into a thriving, balanced ecosystem. Bring life back to a lifeless world by purifying soil, cleaning oceans, planting trees, and reintroducing wildlife, then leave without a trace.
Why similar: City Builder 36.5%, Nature 22.9%, Resource Management 13.5%, Relaxing 10.6%, Post-apocalyptic 10.3%
Why You'll Like It: Shares the nature-reclamation theme, focusing on restoring ecosystems rather than just exploitation.
- #8 RimWorld
92% 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 34.7% ★, City Builder 15.3%, Base Building 14.5%, Management 12.1%, Survival 9.1%
Why You'll Like It: The definitive colony-sim that offers deep management, survival, and emergent storytelling in a hostile world.
- #9 Flotsam
91% matchVery Positive80% of 4,240 reviews2025
Dev: Pajama Llama GamesPub: Stray Fawn Publishing
Windows
Median: 4.5 hrsMean: 10.9 hrs≥1hr: 82%
Sail, scavenge, and rescue survivors in a vibrant floating city-builder. Captain your drifters across the endless garbage sea to uncover soaked ruins, rusting factories, and stories from the old world.
Why similar: Colony Sim 16.8% ★, City Builder 14.6%, Farming Sim 10.2%, Post-apocalyptic 9.8%, Automation 9.7%
Why You'll Like It: A post-apocalyptic city-builder set on the ocean where you must scavenge resources to keep your town afloat.
- #10 IXION
91% 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: City Builder 26.7%, Colony Sim 22.5% ★, Resource Management 12.8%, Base Building 8.7%, Survival 8.1%
Why You'll Like It: A space-based survival city-builder that requires managing a moving station while keeping your population alive.
- #11 Farthest Frontier
89% matchVery Positive87% of 23,648 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 24.4%, Colony Sim 22.8% ★, RTS 12.6%, Resource Management 12.3%, Management 11.4%
Why You'll Like It: Offers detailed survival mechanics and complex resource management in a challenging medieval setting.
- #12 Going Medieval
89% matchVery Positive89% of 20,287 reviews2026
Dev: Foxy VoxelPub: Mythwright
Windows
Median: 7.9 hrsMean: 30.8 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 23.5% ★, City Builder 19.9%, Management 11.9%, Base Building 10.1%, Nature 9.3%
Why You'll Like It: A colony-sim that features vertical building and survival against external threats in a post-plague world.
- #13 Settlement Survival
90% 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: City Builder 26.8%, Colony Sim 25.1% ★, Management 12%, Resource Management 7.6%, Survival 7.4%
Why You'll Like It: A survival-focused city-builder that emphasizes trade, population management, and disaster mitigation.
- #14 Endzone 2
87% matchMixed69% of 1,004 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 21.8% ★, City Builder 18.6%, Post-apocalyptic 14.3%, Resource Management 7.9%, Management 7.3%
Why You'll Like It: Expands on the post-apocalyptic survival formula with improved colony management and exploration mechanics.
- #15 Banished
88% matchVery Positive90% of 42,988 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: Colony Sim 35.5% ★, City Builder 33.8%, Survival 7%, Simulation 5.8%, Resource Management 5.1%
Why You'll Like It: The foundational survival city-builder that emphasizes resource management and preparing for harsh winters.
- #16 Ratopia
85% matchVery Positive88% of 4,645 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 24.6% ★, City Builder 18.8%, Management 11.1%, Base Building 10.4%, Resource Management 9.2%
Why You'll Like It: A unique colony-sim that blends city-building with economic management and survival challenges.
- #17 Stranded: Alien Dawn
86% 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 29.6% ★, Base Building 21.5%, Survival 15.2%, Management 13.1%, Resource Management 10.9%
Why You'll Like It: A 3D survival colony-sim that tasks you with managing a small group of survivors on an unforgiving alien planet.
- #18 Kingdoms and Castles
86% matchVery Positive93% of 30,837 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 32.5%, Colony Sim 30.9% ★, Resource Management 7.2%, Base Building 6.1%, Sandbox 5.6%
Why You'll Like It: A charming colony-sim that requires defending your settlement from external threats like dragons and vikings.
- #19 Foundation
84% matchVery Positive86% of 23,481 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 37.2%, Colony Sim 12% ★, Management 9.8%, Resource Management 9.6%, Sandbox 6.6%
Why You'll Like It: Focuses on organic city growth and complex villager needs rather than rigid grid-based building.
- #20 Fabledom
84% matchVery Positive85% of 7,347 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: Colony Sim 24.6% ★, City Builder 24.2%, Resource Management 10.5%, Management 9.9%, Base Building 8.6%
Why You'll Like It: A more relaxing city-builder that still incorporates colony management and resource balancing.
- #21 Cliff Empire
83% 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 23.3%, Colony Sim 21.4% ★, Resource Management 11%, Management 10.8%, Post-apocalyptic 9.9%
Why You'll Like It: Focuses on managing small, resource-constrained settlements on cliff tops, requiring efficient space usage.
- #22 New Cycle
81% 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 21.3% ★, City Builder 20.8%, Post-apocalyptic 13.9%, Resource Management 9.8%, Management 9.1%
Why You'll Like It: A post-apocalyptic survival city-builder that emphasizes industrial development and societal management.
- #23 Before We Leave
82% matchMostly Positive78% of 1,697 reviews2021
Dev: Balancing Monkey GamesPub: Team17
Windows · Mac
Median: 3.5 hrsMean: 6.0 hrs≥1hr: 85%
Before We Leave is a city building game set in a cozy corner of the universe. Nurture your Peeps and their surroundings while rebuilding and rediscovering civilisation. Settle new lands and planets while avoiding hungry Space Whales.
Why similar: City Builder 25.4%, Colony Sim 19% ★, Post-apocalyptic 15.9%, Resource Management 13.3%, Base Building 7.2%
Why You'll Like It: A non-violent, hex-based city-builder that focuses on rebuilding civilization across multiple planets.
- #24 Of Life and Land
79% matchVery Positive86% of 351 reviews2025
Dev: KerzovenPub: Metaroot
Windows · Linux
Median: 1.6 hrsMean: 4.9 hrs≥1hr: 60%
Of Life and Land is a charming settlement-building strategy game paired with a rich simulation experience. Every animal and plant strives to find its place in nature while you lead your villagers to their future. Expand to different regions and trade with local factions to gain needed resources.
Why similar: Colony Sim 19% ★, City Builder 17.8%, Farming Sim 10.4%, Management 9.5%, RTS 9.5%
Why You'll Like It: A nature-focused colony-sim where the ecosystem and animal life play a vital role in your settlement's success.
- #25 Patron
81% matchMostly Positive72% of 3,136 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: Colony Sim 29.9% ★, City Builder 27.6%, Resource Management 9.3%, Management 8.9%, Survival 8.9%
Why You'll Like It: A survival city-builder that incorporates a social research tree and complex resource management.
- #26 Synergy
78% matchMostly Positive76% of 1,011 reviews2025
Dev: Leikir StudioPub: Goblinz Publishing
Windows · Mac
Median: 1.3 hrsMean: 5.4 hrs≥1hr: 53%
An ecosystem City Builder in a unique world. Build your settlement, manage your workers and optimize your resources. Analyzing your environment, spreading new plants, and harvesting them are key to prosperity.
Why similar: Colony Sim 22% ★, City Builder 21.4%, Resource Management 11.3%, Management 10.8%, Base Building 9.1%
Why You'll Like It: A stylized survival city-builder that tasks you with building a sustainable society in a harsh, alien environment.
- #27 Laysara: Summit Kingdom
77% matchVery Positive83% of 1,314 reviews2026
Dev: Quite OK GamesPub: Future Friends Games
Windows
Median: 2.1 hrsMean: 4.5 hrs≥1hr: 67%
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: Colony Sim 20.9% ★, City Builder 20.5%, Resource Management 11.1%, Automation 10.7%, Management 10.1%
- #28 I Am Future: Cozy Apocalypse Survival
77% matchVery Positive85% of 4,518 reviews2024
Dev: MandragoraPub: tinyBuild
Windows
Median: 8.8 hrsMean: 14.6 hrs≥1hr: 86%
I Am Future is a relaxing single-player survival game about building a cozy rooftop camp amid a flooded post-apocalyptic city. Set up a farm, go fishing, tinker with gadgets, craft new tools, manage a team of cute robots to automate and expand your base, explore the mysterious world, and chill out!
Why similar: Farming Sim 20.7%, Post-apocalyptic 16.2%, Life Sim 13.3%, Sandbox 10.7%, Base Building 10.3%
- #29 Floodland
80% matchMixed56% of 1,062 reviews2022
Dev: Vile MonarchPub: Ravenscourt
Windows
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 22.0 hrs≥1hr: 79%
A society survival game set in a world destroyed by climate change. Explore, scavenge and build a city to unite the clans. Conflicting cultures and limited resources mean you need to make tough choices; have you got what it takes to lead your people into a new era of humanity?
Why similar: Colony Sim 26.8% ★, City Builder 21.5%, Post-apocalyptic 19%, Resource Management 12.3%, Survival 8.1%
Why You'll Like It: A society-survival game set in a flooded world where you must manage resources and conflicting ideologies.
- #30 Dawn of Man
79% 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: City Builder 38.8%, Colony Sim 35.3% ★, Survival 8.6%, Sandbox 4.6%, Simulation 4.4%
Why You'll Like It: A survival-focused city-builder that tracks the evolution of a prehistoric settlement through the ages.
- #31 United Penguin Kingdom
78% matchMostly Positive76% of 427 reviews2024
Dev: Turquoise Revival GamesPub: GrabTheGames
Windows
Median: 2.0 hrsMean: 3.7 hrs≥1hr: 67%
A city-building game where you build a penguin settlement and satisfy the various needs of your penguins while dealing with seals and killer whales. Enjoy the growth of your settlement, become the king, and lead the United Penguin Kingdom.
Why similar: City Builder 26.3%, Colony Sim 17.3% ★, Management 14.3%, Resource Management 13.6%, Survival 8.6%
Why You'll Like It: A survival city-builder where you manage a penguin colony while defending against seals and managing resources.
- #32 Dorfromantik
76% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 29,027 reviews2022
Dev: Toukana Interactive
Windows
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 12.3 hrs≥1hr: 81%
Dorfromantik is a peaceful building strategy and puzzle game where you create a beautiful and ever-growing village landscape by placing tiles. Explore a variety of colorful biomes, discover and unlock new tiles and complete quests to fill your world with life!
Why similar: City Builder 41.8%, Resource Management 21.8%, Sandbox 14.9%, Relaxing 10.4%, Simulation 9.6%
- #33 Stacklands
75% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 29,013 reviews2022
Dev: Sokpop Collective
Windows · Mac
Median: 5.3 hrsMean: 11.9 hrs≥1hr: 89%
Stacklands is a village builder where you stack cards to collect food, build structures, and fight creatures. 🃏 For example, dragging a Villager card on top of a Berry Bush card will spawn Berry cards which the villagers can eat to survive. 🃏 Play your cards right and expand your village!
Why similar: City Builder 38.4%, Management 31.2%, Survival 16.5%, Simulation 6.5%, Cute 5.8%
- #34 Reus 2
74% matchVery Positive95% of 2,219 reviews2024
Dev: Abbey GamesPub: Firesquid
Windows
Median: 3.5 hrsMean: 9.8 hrs≥1hr: 75%
Shape worlds with your godly titans. Make symbiotic ecosystems and inspire humanity with your creations. Their achievements unlock new possibilities. Make different planets for different human spirits, and fill the universe with life!
Why similar: Colony Sim 22.3% ★, City Builder 18.4%, Management 10.7%, Resource Management 10.3%, Base Building 9%
- #35 Havendock
74% matchVery Positive80% of 1,861 reviews2025
Dev: YYZ StudioPub: Pretty Soon
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.2 hrsMean: 10.5 hrs≥1hr: 66%
Breathe easy and thrive in this cozy colony sim. Build a haven for castaways, manage resources, live your best life on the ocean. Lead your humble settlement into a high-tech society.
Why similar: Colony Sim 17.4% ★, City Builder 15.2%, Farming Sim 11%, Automation 10.3%, Management 8.7%
- #36 Kingdoms Reborn
75% matchVery Positive91% of 9,531 reviews2020
Dev: Earthshine
Windows
Median: 10.0 hrsMean: 24.2 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 32.7%, Colony Sim 23.6% ★, Management 11.1%, Base Building 10.1%, Resource Management 8.3%
- #37 Planetbase
76% 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 31.6% ★, City Builder 26.9%, Base Building 12.3%, Survival 7.3%, Resource Management 7%
- #38 Cataclismo
71% matchVery Positive89% of 4,077 reviews2025
Dev: Digital SunPub: Hooded Horse
Windows
Median: 4.1 hrsMean: 8.6 hrs≥1hr: 77%
Design and build fortresses brick by brick to stand against endless hordes of Horrors in this real-time strategy game with resource management, siege defense, and exploration. Lead from the ramparts, push back the darkness, and hold fast against the creatures of the Mist.
Why similar: Colony Sim 21.1% ★, City Builder 17.8%, Post-apocalyptic 13.4%, RTS 11.3%, Resource Management 10.1%
- #39 SteamWorld Build
72% matchVery Positive84% of 2,093 reviews2023
Dev: The StationPub: Thunderful Publishing
Windows
Median: 3.0 hrsMean: 10.9 hrs≥1hr: 71%
SteamWorld Build is a casual city-building and dungeon-management cross-over set in the SteamWorld Universe, where you build and manage a town on a dying planet. You'll need to balance resources, construction, and exploration to its depths to ensure your town's survival and eventual escape.
Why similar: City Builder 31.9%, Resource Management 17%, Management 16%, Base Building 11%, Sandbox 8.9%
- #40 Whiskerwood
69% matchVery Positive93% of 2,769 reviews2025
Dev: Minakata DynamicsPub: Hooded Horse
Windows
Median: 9.0 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 23.7% ★, City Builder 21.4%, Management 12.2%, Resource Management 11.3%, Base Building 10.4%
- #41 Stonehearth
73% 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 39.4% ★, City Builder 33.1%, Sandbox 9.8%, Survival 7.9%, Simulation 4.1%
- #42 Space Haven
72% 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 21.4% ★, City Builder 16.4%, Post-apocalyptic 11.2%, Management 10.4%, Resource Management 9.3%
- #43 Aquatico
73% matchMixed67% of 858 reviews2023
Dev: Digital Reef GamesPub: Overseer Games
Windows
Median: 3.5 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: Colony Sim 24.7% ★, City Builder 24.1%, Post-apocalyptic 12.1%, Management 9.9%, Base Building 8.1%
- #44 The Colonists
73% 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 22.2% ★, City Builder 20.1%, Automation 13.3%, Management 10.4%, Base Building 7.6%
- #45 Oxygen
71% 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 21.5% ★, City Builder 20.8%, Resource Management 11.2%, Base Building 10.2%, Post-apocalyptic 8.8%
- #46 The Universim
69% 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 30.5% ★, City Builder 26.9%, Management 11.3%, Sandbox 9.4%, Resource Management 7.5%
- #47 Dream Engines: Nomad Cities
70% matchMostly Positive74% of 608 reviews2024
Dev: Suncrash
Windows
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 9.4 hrs≥1hr: 81%
A survival city-building game with flying cities. Build, automate, and defend a flying city that travels between procedurally generated maps to survive in a wacky, nightmare-infested, post-apocalyptic world full of strange science and dreams.
Why similar: City Builder 24.3%, Automation 15.9%, Post-apocalyptic 12.3%, Management 10.5%, Base Building 8.5%
- #48 Infection Free Zone
69% matchVery Positive80% of 17,172 reviews2024
Dev: Jutsu GamesPub: Games Operators
Windows
Median: 6.8 hrsMean: 17.3 hrs≥1hr: 86%
Choose any real region from the world. Choose your base of operations, then rebuild and readapt the buildings around you to create a self-sustaining settlement. Take charge of a group of survivors from your city. And when the night falls - Defend the zone from the infected!
Why similar: City Builder 20.9%, Post-apocalyptic 17.5%, Colony Sim 15.7% ★, Base Building 12.2%, Management 9.5%
- #49 Frostpunk
70% 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: City Builder 26.3%, Colony Sim 20.9% ★, Post-apocalyptic 15%, Resource Management 13.1%, Survival 8.6%
- #50 Pioneers of Pagonia
67% matchVery Positive82% of 5,204 reviews2025
Dev: Envision Entertainment
Windows
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 7.7 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 24.8% ★, City Builder 21.2%, RTS 13.1%, Resource Management 12.8%, Management 12.6%
- #51 Settlements Rising
68% matchVery Positive82% of 412 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: Colony Sim 25.8% ★, City Builder 24.2%, Resource Management 11.4%, Management 9.7%, Base Building 7.6%
- #52 The Last Haven
71% matchMixed61% of 1,526 reviews2023
Dev: Thunder Devs.
Windows
Median: 4.4 hrsMean: 14.1 hrs≥1hr: 75%
The world after a nuclear war. Manage the settlement, learn technology, make decisions, produce weapons, ammunition, organize defense, raid for supplies on other areas, do not let residents die, survive the nuclear winter.
Why similar: Post-apocalyptic 21.5%, City Builder 16.4%, Base Building 16%, RTS 8.8%, Colony Sim 8.7% ★
- #53 Empires of the Undergrowth
66% matchVery Positive94% of 17,329 reviews2024
Dev: Slug DiscoPub: Hooded Horse
Windows · Mac
Median: 6.0 hrsMean: 18.8 hrs≥1hr: 81%
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 23.2% ★, City Builder 21.2%, Management 12.3%, Resource Management 11.5%, Base Building 10.4%
- #54 Catizens
68% matchVery Positive82% of 366 reviews2024
Dev: badopticsgamesPub: HeroCraft PC
Windows
Median: 54 minMean: 4.9 hrs≥1hr: 44%
Inspired by RimWorld and The Sims, Catizens is a colony management simulation game where you watch over unique cats with quirky personalities, as you help them build and grow their settlement while exploring new lands, facing off against wildlife and overcoming the challenges of each environment.
Why similar: Colony Sim 23% ★, City Builder 19.4%, Farming Sim 11.8%, Management 9%, Sandbox 7.3%
- #55 Clanfolk
66% matchVery Positive92% of 3,737 reviews2022
Dev: MinMax Games Ltd.Pub: Hooded Horse
Windows
Median: 3.8 hrsMean: 17.3 hrs≥1hr: 68%
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 30.4% ★, Farming Sim 22.6%, Life Sim 15%, Sandbox 10.9%, Simulation 7.3%
- #56 Scorchlands
66% matchVery Positive91% of 129 reviews2024
Dev: RinglabPub: Star Drifters
Windows · Linux
Build, optimize, and explore at your own pace in Scorchlands, a cozy yet strategic colony builder. Manage resources, shape the environment, and expand your network across a volcanic moon. No rush, no pressure, just satisfying logistics and endless possibilities.
Why similar: Colony Sim 18.1% ★, City Builder 15.9%, Post-apocalyptic 11.9%, Resource Management 11.7%, Automation 10.7%
- #57 STARIO: Haven Tower
63% matchVery Positive94% of 337 reviews2025
Dev: Stargate Games
Windows
A vertical kingdom in the sky! Plan your ascent from the harsh Sand Zone, rising layer by layer as you and your Towertizens stand together against looming disasters. Build trade ports and vertical supply networks. Perform Rituals to shape miracles, and witness the prosperity of this rising nation.
Why similar: City Builder 19.5%, Colony Sim 19.4% ★, Post-apocalyptic 14.2%, Automation 11.6%, Resource Management 11.2%
- #58 Ark of Charon
65% matchMostly Positive77% of 390 reviews2024
Dev: Angoo Inc.Pub: SUNSOFT
Windows
Build a mobile fortress on the back of a giant and mysterious walking Tree and embark on a journey in this merge of tower defense and colony simulation.
Why similar: Colony Sim 35.8% ★, Farming Sim 21.3%, Sandbox 11.8%, Simulation 8.8%, Survival 7.1%
- #59 Ecopunk
64% matchVery Positive84% of 114 reviews2025
Dev: Zerone Games
Windows
Ecopunk is a survival and colony management simulation game set in a post-apocalyptic world. Balance survival, resource management, and hope as you guide your colony through the ruins of civilization.
Why similar: Colony Sim 29.8% ★, Post-apocalyptic 16%, Management 13.2%, Sandbox 9.1%, Resource Management 8.8%