12 Engaging Games Like RimWorld (Survival & Building)

• From resource management to trading, or navigating the challenges of
• weather
• and
• climate
• , there’s a game on this list for every type of player. Let’s dive into the best alternatives that provide
• more depth

and unique experiences.

Our Top Picks for Games Like RimWorld

If you’re craving a game that brings the same depth and immersive colony management as RimWorld, here are our top picks that stand out for their unique settings, mechanics, and storytelling.

Kenshi

SANDBOX RPG

A sandbox post-apocalyptic open-world game where you compose your own narrative. Choose your own life as a fighter, merc, or trader in a huge world with factions and biomes. Like in RimWorld, plan and administer your own base camp, construct a fortification, and lead a group of colonists through emergent chaos.

Going Medieval

COLONY SIM

A medieval colony-construction game with resource collection, settling into colonies, and defending fortresses. Balance farming, commerce, and diplomacy in restoring civilization from the brink of collapse.

Clanfolk

COLONY SIM

A medieval survival game where you play out managing a family through hard winters and shifting generations. Balance resource production and agriculture similarly to RimWorld as you guide your colony through the ups and downs of life.

These similar games all involve worldbuilding, colonization management, and seeing how your colony will react to the challenges of its environment. All of these games are excellent recommendations if the amount of simulation and survival in RimWorld is something you’re interested in. Keep reading to find out more about these top 5 picks and more titles.

12 Games Like RimWorld to Explore, Build, and Survive

• If you’re a fan of
• RimWorld
• , these 12 games will offer similar experiences in
• colony-building
• ,
• resource management
• , and
• survival
• . From
• post-apocalyptic survival
• to
• medieval construction
• and
• space exploration
• , each game provides a
• strategic

challenge for players seeking a new adventure.

Kenshi

Best RimWorld-Like Game for Post-Apocalyptic Freedom and Emergent Chaos

• Our Score
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• PC
• Lo-Fi Games
• Lo-Fi Games
• Average Playtime
• 100+ hours
• Metacritic Score
• 75 / 8.4

Kenshi

• is a sandbox open-world RPG where you do whatever you please in your gameplay. With a
• post-apocalyptic landscape

, the game starts with nothing but a group of outcasts and aims at building a prosperous new settlement or range through the wasteland. Check out this list for more sandbox games.

The game is more about squad tactics, surviving, and bases.

The individual attributes of the characters, such as strength and abilities, will determine how they will respond to the environment and the other factions.

The gameplay is very deep as it includes emergent storytelling, through which all the decisions, from purchasing from merchants to defending the base from hostile groups, influence how the play proceeds. Like in RimWorld,

Kenshi

has great sandbox gameplay with resource gathering, personalized character development, and building colonies.

Pro tip

Don’t try to win every fight. In the early game, running away and picking easy battles is the best way to grow stronger. Play smart, and survival becomes much easier.

The open world is vast and filled with dangers, where players build the actual fortress by themselves, make critical decisions regarding the colony, and face hazards coming from out of nowhere. For

• single-player games
• ,

Kenshi

lets you forge your own path, as you’re surviving the wasteland or building a new settlement.

When talking about visuals, the game captures a dark, post-apocalyptic setting with a mix of grizzled low-poly art, which creates a unique mood in which survival feels hard-earned. Fans of RimWorld’s emergent chaos and sandbox gameplay will find that

Kenshi

offers a good challenge in which freedom and survival are hand in hand.

Going Medieval

Best RimWorld-Like Game for Building Castles and Surviving The Dark Ages

• Our Score
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• PC
• Foxy Voxel
• Mythwright
• Average Playtime
• 50+ hours
• Metacritic Score
• TBD / TBD

Going Medieval

• is a 3D
• medieval
• colony sim
• in which you’re tasked with building and sustaining a settlement in a
• violent, post-collapse world
• . Set in the
• Dark Ages

, you’ll focus on the building of multi-story castles, completing tasks, managing your resources, and working for the survival of your villagers through harsh seasons and regular raids.

Just like RimWorld, the game focuses on resource management and the survival of a colony. The emphasis is on managing the needs, skills, and moods of each individual villager. For more medieval-themed titles, take a look at our best medieval games guide.

The game offers vertical construction where players can design and construct complex fortresses and castles. The colony will have to be expanded and defended, with great attention to farming, crafting, and morale.

Pro tip

Build food storage underground to keep supplies safe and fresh. A steady food supply is the key to surviving harsh winters and enemy raids.

As seasons change, you’ll constantly have to readjust the colony in anticipation of the coming winter months and raids from hostile groups.

Individual needs such as sleep, food, and recreation contribute to the depth and complexity of the gameplay, which makes it a wonderful option for players who enjoyed the micromanagement in RimWorld.

Visually, the game features stylized 3D graphics, with a charming yet gritty look that fits its medieval setting. The combination of base-building, resource management, and the survival aspects of the game will keep you engaged for hours.

Clanfolk

Best RimWorld-Like Game for Managing Generational Life and Harsh Winters

Our Score ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ PC MinMax Games Ltd.

MinMax Games Limited, Hooded Horse Average Playtime 50+ hours Metacritic Score TBD / TBD

Clanfolk

is a Scottish Highland family survival simulation that throws you headfirst into managing a family’s dynasty through the brutal challenges of harsh winters and changing seasons.

In this game, you’ll guide a family from generation to generation, balancing resource management, survival, and the dynamics of individual relationships within the family. Much like RimWorld,

Clanfolk

focuses on generational colony management, where individual needs, skills, and family ties must be carefully nurtured in order to survive.

The game’s core mechanics revolve around resource production, crafting, and surviving the tough climate of the highlands. You’ll manage tasks like hunting, farming, and trading, all while building a legacy for your family.

Pro tip

Stockpile clothes and food before winter hits. A well-prepared clan can survive the cold months while others freeze and starve.

Managing the construction of your fortress and keeping it secure from external threats is essential. The changing seasons require you to prepare for winter, stockpile resources, and keep everyone safe.

The visual style of

Clanfolk

features a charming, stylized 2D aesthetic that brings the rugged beauty of the Scottish highlands to life, with a focus on simplicity and functionality. To fully enjoy the immersive experience of

Clanfolk

, investing in the best gaming monitor will enhance your visuals and gameplay.

Fans of RimWorld will appreciate the deep micromanagement, emergent stories, and survival challenges in

Clanfolk

, which makes it an ideal next step for anyone who enjoys managing a colony through tough times.

Judgment: Apocalypse Survival Simulation

Best RimWorld-Like Game for Battling Demons and Building Hope

• Our Score
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• PC
• Suncrash
• Suncrash
• Average Playtime
• 40+ hours
• Metacritic Score
• 72 / 7.6

Judgment: Apocalypse Survival Simulation

• is an
• apocalyptic
• survival game where players guide a small group of survivors through the aftermath of a demonic invasion. Basically, you’ll
• decide
• how to build your
• colony

and protect it from demonic threats. In this survival experience, you’ll lead survivors in a post-apocalyptic world while defending against supernatural threats.

This game features base-building, resource management, and the survival of your colony, similar to RimWorld. However, this game adds an exciting twist with occult elements, where you not only defend your base from supernatural forces but also craft weapons and magic to fight back.

In the game, you’ll gather resources, craft tools, and build defenses while managing the traits and needs of each survivor. The survival aspect is driven by the psychological states of your characters, as they deal with the horrors of the apocalypse.

Pro tip

Train a balanced team with both fighters and crafters. Strong defenses and powerful weapons are the only way to survive the demon waves.

The game also challenges you with dynamic combat, where tactical decisions in defense and combat are crucial for survival. If you’re considering playing Judgement on the go, make sure to check out the best gaming laptop for seamless gameplay.

Visually, Judgment has a top-down, isometric perspective with cartoonish graphics, which gives the game a lighter, but still eerie, atmosphere compared to other apocalyptic sims. It blends the challenges of base-building with the thrill of supernatural battles.

Timberborn

Best RimWorld-Like Game for Furry Engineers and Post-Human Progress

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• PC
• Mechanistry
• Mechanistry
• Average Playtime
• 40+ hours
• Metacritic Score
• TBD / 8.0

Timberborn

• is a
• colony-building
• game where you control a
• beaver
• civilization tasked with rebuilding the world after humanity’s fall. In this unique survival simulation, you’ll manage
• beavers
• , harnessing
• water

for power and survival.

Nature is key in

Timberborn

, which focuses heavily on water physics and resource management. You build intricate water systems, construct multi-level settlements, and optimize production chains, aiming for your colony to thrive. If you’re into RTS -style resource management and building intricate systems,

Timberborn

absolutely delivers. For more RTS-style titles, explore our best RTS games guide.

The gameplay revolves around balancing food production, resource gathering, and protecting your beaver community from environmental challenges, including droughts and flooding.

Pro tip

Build water storage early to prepare for droughts. A full reservoir can be the difference between survival and watching your colony dry up.

Visually,

Timberborn

has a charming aesthetic, with a colorful and cartoonish style that brings the beaver world to life. The game’s eco-friendly vibe is a refreshing change from the usual survival games, yet it still provides deep, strategic challenges that require careful planning and management.

Fans of RimWorld will enjoy the similar focus on colony building and resource management, but with a unique twist: control over water systems and the quirky beaver engineers adds a fun layer to the strategy. If you love building intricate systems in a post-apocalyptic world, this game is a perfect fit.

Valheim

Best RimWorld-Like Game for Norse Base-Building and Brutal Teamwork

Our Score ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ PC, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One Iron Gate Studio Coffee Stain Publishing Average Playtime 50+ hours Metacritic Score TBD / TBD

Valheim

is a Viking survival game set in a beautifully procedurally generated world, where you and your team must build, survive, and explore. Like RimWorld, it features base-building and resource management, but with a focus on exploration and combat in a Norse-inspired setting. If you’re into action RPGs,

Valheim

offers a great mix of combat, exploration, and survival.

Players gather resources, craft weapons and tools, and build shelters to protect themselves from the dangerous creatures of each biome. The game also features teamwork as you face off against increasingly difficult bosses and tackle environmental challenges.

Pro tip

Don’t rush into boss fights. Gear up and stockpile food first. A well-fed, prepared team can take down even the toughest enemies.

The visual aesthetic of

Valheim

is stylized, with a low-poly look that captures the rugged beauty of the Viking world. No matter if you’re exploring dense forests, barren plains, or frozen mountains, the game encourages you to adapt to each biome and strategize with your team to survive.

While the game is played from a first/third-person perspective, fans of RimWorld will still appreciate the survival mechanics and base-building elements, with the added bonus of intense combat and exploration. If you enjoy co-op games where teamwork and survival skills are key,

Valheim

is a thrilling next step.

First Feudal

Best RimWorld-Like Game for Hands-on Medieval Micromanagement

Our Score ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ PC Harpoon Games Harpoon Games, Gamirror Games Average Playtime 30+ hours Metacritic Score TBD / TBD

First Feudal

is a medieval base-building and management simulation that puts you in direct control of a feudal village. You manage every aspect of your settlement, from assigning jobs to peasants to overseeing resource production and defending against raids.

Much like RimWorld, the game emphasizes micromanagement and survival in a harsh world, where each villager has a unique set of skills and tasks that contribute to the growth of your village.

The gameplay revolves around managing the needs of your colony, balancing food production, building defenses, and making sure that your villagers are well-equipped to survive both environmental challenges and enemy raids. Managing your fortress and defending it from enemy raids is a key part of your survival.

Pro tip

Assign peasants to jobs that match their skills. Skilled workers finish tasks faster, making your village stronger and more efficient.

The visual aesthetic features a top-down perspective with stylized 2D graphics, which gives the game a charming yet immersive look. You’ll need to think strategically and use your resources wisely to keep your people alive and your village growing.

Fans of RimWorld will appreciate the progression loop and focus on micromanagement, where every decision matters in shaping your village’s fate. The direct control over your villagers’ tasks and the satisfaction of seeing them carry out their jobs will feel right at home for anyone who loves the detailed colony management of RimWorld.

Space Haven

Best RimWorld-Like Game for Deep Space Survival and Crew Drama

Our Score ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ PC, macOS Bugbyte Ltd.

Bugbyte Ltd.

Average Playtime 50+ hours Metacritic Score TBD / TBD

Space Haven

is a space colony sim that combines the thrill of deep space survival with the intricacies of crew management and modular ship-building. You oversee a crew of individuals with unique personalities, skills, and needs, while also constructing and managing a fully customizable spaceship.

For those into space games,

Space Haven

combines the thrills of deep space exploration and colony management. As a bonus, here’s a list of the best space games out there.

The game challenges you to keep your crew alive while navigating the dangers of space: resource scarcity, malfunctioning equipment, and emergent events that require tactical decision-making. The scale of your spaceship and crew management will increase as you expand your operations in deep space.

Pro tip

Keep crew quarters and workstations close together. A compact ship saves time, lets your crew respond faster to emergencies, and reduces stress during crises.

The gameplay focuses on resource management, ship maintenance, and the management of crew members, all while trying to survive in the hostile, harsh environment of space. Each decision you make affects the well-being of your crew, be it allocating resources or assigning tasks. The game also introduces a modular ship-building system, where you can customize your spaceship to suit your needs as you explore and discover new sectors of space.

Visually,

Space Haven

uses pixel art with a clean, functional design that emphasizes the ship’s layout and the daily operations of your crew. Fans of RimWorld will appreciate the same micromanagement, crew drama, and survival challenges in a completely new setting:

space.

Surviving Mars

Best RimWorld-Like Game for Managing a Martian Utopia

• Our Score
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• PC
• Haemimont Games
• Paradox Interactive
• Average Playtime
• 50+ hours
• Metacritic Score
• 76 / 7.0

Surviving Mars

• is a
• sci-fi colony builder
• set on the Red Planet, where you manage a group of
• colonists
• tasked with creating a sustainable, thriving colony on Mars. Much like
• RimWorld
• , it focuses on
• colony management

, resource gathering, and a constant struggle for the survival of your settlers in a hostile environment.

Action comes in the form of survival challenges and maintaining your colony in a harsh Martian environment. You’ll manage essential needs, such as food, water, and oxygen, while also expanding your base and navigating the intricacies of terraforming and technology trees. Explore this list of the best survival games for titles with the same vibe as

Surviving Mars

.

Pro tip

Build backup oxygen and water systems early. Having reserves can save your colonists when disasters strike unexpectedly.

The gameplay centers around building infrastructures, managing resources, and keeping your colonists alive while facing challenges like dust storms, freezing temperatures, and technical failures. The tech trees allow you to unlock advanced systems and improve the sustainability of your Martian settlement over time. As your colony grows, you’ll have to balance the needs of individual colonists with the long-term survival of the entire settlement.

Visually,

Surviving Mars

features a clean, stylized art style, combining a futuristic Martian landscape with intricate base designs. Fans of RimWorld will enjoy the challenge of managing a colony in an unforgiving environment, using their strategic thinking to overcome obstacles and grow their Martian utopia.

FAQs

What is the best game like RimWorld?

Kenshi

is the best game like RimWorld. It offers deep colony management, survival, and resource gathering, with an open-world, sandbox experience.

What style of game is RimWorld?

RimWorld is a colony management simulation style of game with survival, resource management, and emergent storytelling elements, often compared to sandbox survival games with strategic decision-making.