If you’ve ever lost yourself in the chaotic, story-rich world of RimWorld—building colonies, managing crises, and wrestling with moral dilemmas—you know how addictive colony sims can be. But once you’ve conquered (or catastrophically failed) your umpteenth playthrough, you might be craving something fresh. Fear not! We’ve rounded up the best games like RimWorld that deliver the same heart-pounding strategy, base-building challenges, and unpredictable storytelling. Whether you’re into deep resource management, sci-fi survival, or medieval city-building, these titles will scratch that itch for colony sim mastery. Let’s dive in!
What Makes Games Like RimWorld So Addictive?
Colony sims like RimWorld hook players with their blend of creativity, strategy, and chaos. Here’s what defines the genre:
- Colony Management Mechanics: Juggling food, shelter, and your settlers’ sanity while fending off disasters.
- Emergent Storytelling: Every playthrough spins a unique tale thanks to procedurally generated events and AI-driven drama.
- Resource Management Survival: Scarcity forces tough choices—do you ration medicine or risk a plague?
- Base-Building Strategy: Designing fortresses, factories, or futuristic hubs that withstand raids and natural disasters.
If that sounds like your jam, these 9 games like Rimworld will keep you glued to your screen.
9 Games like RimWorld for Strategy Junkies
1. Dwarf Fortress
Meet the godfather of colony sims: Dwarf Fortress. This legendary game is the blueprint for RimWorld’s chaos, offering a brutally detailed world where every dwarf has quirks, cravings, and grudges. Build an underground kingdom, dodge magma floods, and pray your miners don’t go berserk after a cat-related meltdown. The ASCII graphics might look ancient, but the Steam version’s pixel art overhaul makes it more accessible. Just brace for a learning curve steeper than a dragon’s lair.
- Release Date: 2006 (Classic), 2022 (Steam)
- Platforms: PC, macOS, Linux
- Why RimWorld Fans Love It: Unmatched depth, absurd storytelling, and the constant threat of fun (i.e., disaster).
2. Oxygen Not Included
Imagine managing a colony where oxygen is as precious as gold. In Oxygen Not Included, you’re tasked with keeping your “duplicants” alive in an alien asteroid base. Balance air quality, temperature, and their fragile mental states while digging deeper into the planet’s mysteries. It’s like RimWorld meets a physics textbook—complex, but oh-so-satisfying when your systems finally click.
- Release Date: 2019
- Platforms: PC, macOS, Linux
- Why It’s a Must-Play: Charming art meets punishing logistics. Perfect for masochists who love spreadsheets.
3. Banished
No raiders, no aliens—just you versus Mother Nature. In Banished, you guide exiled villagers to build a thriving medieval town. Every tree chopped and crop planted matters, as harsh winters and disease test your planning skills. It’s a slower burn than RimWorld, but the focus on sustainability and community makes every victory feel earned.
- Release Date: 2014
- Platforms: PC
- Perfect For: Players who crave peaceful-but-punishing strategy.
4. Factorio
If RimWorld’s factory modules got you hooked, Factorio is your next obsession (and similar games). This game is all about optimizing assembly lines to mine, craft, and defend against alien swarms. The goal? Launch a rocket… without your factory collapsing into a spaghetti mess of conveyor belts. It’s less about people management and more about engineering genius (or madness).
- Release Date: 2020
- Platforms: PC, macOS, Linux, Switch
- Why You’ll Love It: Endless tinkering + tower defense = addictive gameplay.
5. Going Medieval
Going Medieval drops you into a post-plague world where building a fortified settlement is your only hope. Design multi-story castles, manage villagers’ moods, and fend off bandit raids. With 3D building and dynamic seasons, it’s like RimWorld with a chivalrous twist.
- Release Date: 2021 (Early Access)
- Platforms: PC
- Standout Feature: Vertical construction lets you build sky-high strongholds.
6. Prison Architect
Swap colonists for inmates in Prison Architect. Design cell blocks, manage contraband, and walk the tightrope between rehabilitation and riot control. It’s RimWorld’s moral complexity in a jumpsuit—do you treat prisoners humanely or build a profit-driven hellhole?
- Release Date: 2015
- Platforms: PC, consoles, mobile
- Why It’s Unique: Dark humor meets deep management.
7. Frostpunk
In Frostpunk, you’re the leader of humanity’s last city during an ice age. Scavenge coal, pass draconian laws, and ask: How far will you go to survive? The game’s haunting atmosphere and brutal choices make it a narrative powerhouse—think RimWorld with frostbite and existential dread.
- Release Date: 2018
- Platforms: PC, consoles
- Don’t Miss: The gut-wrenching “we crossed the line” moments.
8. Space Haven
Space Haven lets you captain a starship crew through the cosmos. Manage oxygen, trade with alien factions, and battle pirates in this RimWorld-in-space gem. The focus on ship customization and crew relationships adds a fresh layer to colony sim staples.
- Release Date: 2020 (Early Access)
- Platforms: PC, macOS, Linux
- Cool Factor: Build a spaceship room by room, Star Trek-style.
9. Kenshi
Kenshi is Mad Max meets RimWorld. Build a settlement in a brutal, lawless world where bandits, slavers, and hungry beasts roam. Recruit misfits, mine resources, and choose: Will you be a warlord, a trader, or a nomadic scavenger? The sheer freedom here is unmatched.
- Release Date: 2018
- Platforms: PC
- Why It’s Epic: A vast, unforgiving sandbox where every decision shapes your legacy.
Conclusion: Expand Your Colony Sim Horizons
Whether you’re into the pixelated chaos of Dwarf Fortress, the frostbitten drama of Frostpunk, or the interstellar hustle of Space Haven, these games like RimWorld prove the colony sim genre is thriving. Each title offers a unique spin on base-building strategy, resource management survival, and emergent storytelling—guaranteed to keep your brain buzzing and your colonies collapsing (in the best way).
So, ready to lose another 100 hours to a new obsession? Fire up one of these colony management games and remember: Save often. Your settlers’ lives depend on it.
