18 Games Like RimWorld
This assortment of games like RimWorld provides other uniquely challenging construction and management titles for strategy fans to conquer. This list of games feature similar in depth mechanics that require players to master each one in sequence to ensure management success with emphasis on games that use science fiction themes.
Undermaster
Leveraging their experience in browser based games Upjers has created Undermaster, a game focused on the establishing and maintenance of a dark dungeon with inspiration from the likes of the Dungeon Keeper franchise. The game is also available on Windows, Linux through the Upjers Home (previously Upjers Playground). Your task in Undermaster is to develop your own dream dungeon as you lead the subterranean minions that you attract into battle against heroes and even other dungeons of minions to g...[Read More]
Oxygen Not Included
Oxygen Not Included challenges you with space colony simulation across varied procedurally generated worlds that each offer their own distinct fight for survival. From food, warmth and even oxygen as your resources under constant threat you’ll need to guide your colonists to survive and in time thrive to a civilisation that is self sufficient and safe from external threats. Released in 2019 for Windows, Mac and Linux this space adventure has some similar survival mechanics to Klei Entertai...[Read More]
Evil Genius
Evil Genius mixes simulation, management and real time strategy putting players in charge of their own evil villain lair as they attempt to complete their plans for world domination one country at a time. Originally launched in 2004 Evil Genius still has a strong cult like following of fans with comparison to the popular Dungeon Keeper series of games which launched several years earlier. With age does come some limitations however with graphics and general polish quickly falling behind other mo...[Read More]
Factorio
Design the perfect production automations in Factorio where players turn the 2D alien game world into their own efficient resource machine. Originally released in 2014 through the Steam Early Access Program the game has continued to evolve by introducing new challenges and options for players to master over potentially hundreds of gameplay hours. With a simple core that steadily introduces new mechanics to consider Factorio’s steady progression is equally filled with discovery and reward. ...[Read More]
Dungeon Keeper
Challenging players to manage their own dungeon while defeating various heroes is Dungeon Keeper a game that incorporates dark humour as you take control of evil and help it spread across the land. Released in 1997 the success of this strategy management title resulted in an equally satisfying and evil sequel (Dungeon Keeper 2) two years later. This first addition to the Dungeon Keeper franchise sends players on a journey to claim every single land in the game world that is currently in the hand...[Read More]
Prison Architect
Maximum security prisons aren’t a common theme for a video game but one that Prison Architect explores in detail with its takes on the management simulation genre as players control a private construction business. With a campaign of several levels that also serve as your tutorial players the majority of gameplay takes place in sandbox setting of prison management. Prison Architect takes place in a top-down 2D environment and clearly draws from a number of classics in the tycoon genre with...[Read More]
Dungeon Keeper 2
Dungeon Keeper 2 might have only been released two years after the original hit game but makes significant leaps in graphics and mechanics to expand on the Dungeon Keeper franchise. Once again you’ll be thrown into the underground to build your dungeon, attract creatures, craft traps and ultimately fight on the side of evil, it’s good to be bad. Despite the vast evolution in mechanics and graphic style this has not come at the cost of the familiar dark style of the Bullfrog franchise...[Read More]
Dwarf Fortress
Dwarf Fortress is a unique city building experience that has players control their own group of dwarves in a challenge of survival and strategy that incorporates rogue-like elements. Utilising a unique ASCII art style you’ll be tasked with guiding your dwarven settlement throughout a randomly generated world where the unknown awaits you. Available for free across Windows, Mac and Linux Dwarf Fortress combines simulation, strategy, management and adventure into a single title that has grown...[Read More]
Banished
Banished joins the ranks of the city build genre with a 2014 release that takes it into a unique medieval setting where you’ll build from humble beginnings into a thriving economic powerhouse. Banished opts not to throw abundance of resources at players either and instead looks to force players into resource scarcity so that every decision is one of balance as you try to survive and with some luck, thrive. Banished starts you off with your own community of outcasts who have come together a...[Read More]
War For The Overworld
Many video games over the decades have tried to revived the exceedingly popular Dungeon Keeper franchise but none have come as close as War for the Overworld, a fan driven game that was born from the realm of Kickstarter. With Richard Ridings providing his familiar dungeon overseeing voice acting for the game it is already half way there to replicated the formula. Offering campaign, sandbox and multiplayer War For The Overworld is set in a similar dark setting to that of its spiritual predecesso...[Read More]
Startopia
Startopia is the brain child of several former Bullfrog employees which has players taking control of several space stations as you attempt to create a thriving space hub for the galaxy to visit. Released in 2001 the game features similar humour filled gameplay of games previously developed by Bullfrog such as Dungeon Keeper and Theme Hospital. Startopia takes place in a universe that has recently been devastated by war on an intergalactic scale which has left the galaxy mostly barren and in des...[Read More]
Planetbase
Planetbase challenges you to settle the stars with your own team of space settlers as they try to establish a colonist outpost on a remote planet. Originally released in 2015 for Windows the game later expanded to the console market which offers the same science fiction setting struggle for survival as you work with minimal resources far from your home base. Your ultimate goal in Planetbase to master the four game planets that provide different challenges and increasing difficulty and serve as t...[Read More]
Sol 0
Your objective in Sol 0 is to colonise the surface of Mars by delivering regular rockets of resources and then pairing those with the materials found on Mars itself to create a thriving colony of astronauts. Available on Windows, Mac and Linux Sol 0 is primarily a strategic management title as you pioneer space travel for those that are to come after you. While the game is set in the future Sol 0 focuses on keeping the experience a realistic one, with technology available at the present day or w...[Read More]
Rise to Ruins
Rise to Ruins (previously Retro-Pixel Castles) challenges you to survive in a game that blends colony management, tower defence, god like powers and survival into a single game. With noted inspiration from the likes of Banished and Dwarf Fortress but offering something different at the same time Rise to Ruins has gained wide audience appeal during its development cycle. The core experience in Rise to Ruins though is the management of your village which is presented in a pixel like design as you ...[Read More]
Craft The World
Craft The World is a sandbox game with strategy elements for PC, Mac and iOS whereby players will be creating their own dwarven colony from humble beginnings. Mixing elements from a range of titles in similar genres Craft The World’s overall experience is a gaming treat and offers replayability at the same time. Craft The World puts you in charge of your own dwarf society that grows from a single dwarf to a thriving community of adventurers (often 12-14 depending on your level completion t...[Read More]
Dwarfs!?
Dwarfs!? is a game that comes in paid and a free to play variant where you command your own special team of Dwarfs in a game that seeks to cross Lemmings and Dwarf Fortress gameplay together. In the free to play version players will be able to freely access the Arcade mode (including tutorials and challenges) that serves as the foundation of your dwarven themed adventure. Subsequent to this players can either unlock the 5 additional game content pieces individually or opt purchase the full game ...[Read More]
A Game of Dwarves
A Game of Dwarves puts you at the head of a dwarf settlement and gives you complete control of building a new and thriving civilisation. This civilisation of dwarves is highly customisable with the experience focusing on the dungeon simulation and creation elements rather than a robust and deep layer of strategic gameplay. While this means A Game of Dwarves can’t live up to the likes of Dwarf Fortress in terms of challenge it does provide the necessary tools and freedom to create a thriving dwar...[Read More]
Space Colony
Space Colony throws a crew of explorers across to the other side of the known galaxy with a limited number of resources to create a profitable venture for the powerful corporation that sent them. With this base deep in alien territory you’ll have to keep these explorers safe from the hostile alien threat that circles your base constantly while maximising your resource acquisition Part simulation game Space Colony requires players to not only expand their base but also keep their colonists ...[Read More]