List: Games Similar To Rimworld – Strategic Colony Survival

(this list may grow over time, I only include games that I’ve personally played and finished)

September 2024: Added Frostpunk 2.

Rimworld on Steam – Sci-Fi Colony Simulator

Rimworld is probably the most known game among the colony simulators.

Steam’s category “more like this” is pretty bad at showing you other games that are concept related and that actually play closely the same way.

My list will show you games that take some of Rimworld’s features and turn them into something new.

Some important aspects that define Rimworld’s genre and gameplay are the following: strategic, colony simulator, base building, tactical management, survival and sandbox.

All these elements are present in every game in my list.

Games that are superior or equal to 7/10 on the similarity scale that I give under each game, will provide you with the best Rimworld-like experience.

1. Dwarf Fortress on Steam – Dwarf Colony Simulator

Dwarf Fortress is one of the games that Rimworld was inspired from, making it the closest game that you can find providing the Rimworld-experience.

Similarity scale: 10/10

2. Frostpunk on Steam – Society Survival Simulator

Frostpunk shares all of Rimworld’s genre defining features and adds political management on top of it. It is your duty to keep your citizens happy or face the consequences.

Similarity scale: 9.5/10

3. Oxygen not Included on Steam – Space Colony Simulator

Oxygen not Included is what I call a “vertical Rimworld”. It implements all of Rimworld’s important features with one major difference being the map. Instead of a top-down map it’s a vertical 2D map.

Similarity scale: 9/10

4. Frostpunk 2 on Steam – Society Survival Simulator

Frostpunk 2 is the sequel to the first Frostpunk. Unlike it’s predecessor it does focus much more on passing laws and fulfilling faction needs for reputation (which is still close to the mood system in Rimworld).

Similarity scale: 8.5/10

5. Ark of Charon on Steam – Tower Defense Colony Simulator

Ark of Charon is also what I call a “vertical Rimworld”. It does add something unique to the table: you take your whole town with you when you move to a new zone. During that time monsters will attack you, this is the tower defense part.

Similarity scale: 8/10

6. Timberborn on Steam – City Builder Survival

In Timberborn you raise a colony of beavers and you have to survive environmental disasters like droughts. It is more of a city builder than a colony survival simulator.

Similarity scale: 7.5/10

7. Anno 1800 on Steam – City Builder Conqueror

Anno 1800 and all previous Anno games are more about conquering than surviving, but most of Rimworld’s key features are present to a certain extend.

Similarity scale: 7/10

8. Wall World on Steam – Roguelike Tower Defense

Wall World doesn’t have a colony to control but shares all other aspects. You have direct control over your character and you are alone gathering materials to defend your mobile base.

Similarity scale: 6/10

9. Dome Keeper on Steam – Roguelike Miner Survival

Dome Keeper is similar to Wall World but is an immobile version of it where you have to fight waves of monsters between your mining adventures.

Similarity scale: 6/10