Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Cities: Skylines II (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Cities: Skylines II on things players said about it rather than on our opinion of what feels alike. Each entry shows what it matched on, so you can throw out the ones matching on the part you did not care about.
The short version
- Closest match: Transport Fever 2, which both open world, strategy and relaxing.
- Cities: Skylines II is tagged City Builder, Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Singleplayer, Management, Economy, Strategy by Steam players. Those tags are what the matching runs on.
- 24 games qualify, each with at least fifty player reviews behind its sentiment figure.
How these were matched
Steam tags carry the most weight, because players apply them and they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Souls-like, Atmospheric and Cozy exist as tags and as nothing else, which is exactly the vocabulary this question needs. Formal genres count for less, themes and a shared studio for more.
Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are thrown out before matching. Nearly everything is tagged Singleplayer, so matching on it is matching on nothing. That cutoff is computed from the catalogue rather than fixed, so it moves as the catalogue grows.
All 24, closest first
- 1
Transport Fever 2
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 13 player tags including Simulation, Strategy and Management; released around the same time (2019).
The classic transport simulation genre has a new gold standard with Transport Fever 2. Discover a whole new world by navigating transport routes through land, water and air. May progress and prosperity find their way!
Transport Fever 2 at a glance Released 2019 Studio Urban Games Player sentiment 90% positive of 32,509 Price $39.99 SimulationStrategyManagementTransportationCity BuilderEconomySandboxBuilding
- 2
Planet Zoo
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 12 player tags including Management, Simulation and Building; released around the same time (2019).
Build a world for wildlife in Planet Zoo. From the developers of Planet Coaster and Zoo Tycoon comes the ultimate zoo sim. Construct detailed habitats, manage your zoo, and meet authentic living animals who think, feel and explore the world you create around them.
Planet Zoo at a glance Released 2019 Studio Frontier Developments Player sentiment 91% positive of 97,527 Price $44.99 ManagementSimulationBuildingSandboxCity BuilderEconomyRealisticResource Management
- 3
Foundation
Why it matched: both open world, atmospheric, strategy and relaxing; shares 10 player tags including City Builder, Simulation and Strategy; released around the same time (2025).
Foundation is a grid-less, laidback medieval city-building game with a focus on organic development, monument construction and resource management.
Foundation at a glance Released 2025 Studio Polymorph Games Player sentiment 87% positive of 24,163 Price $23.44 City BuilderSimulationStrategySandboxResource ManagementManagementRelaxingEconomy
- 4
Transport Fever
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 12 player tags including City Builder, Sandbox and Building.
Transport Fever is a railroad-focused tycoon game. Players start in 1850 and build up a thriving transport company. As an emerging transport tycoon, the player constructs stations, airports, harbors and makes money by connecting areas requiring transport services. Build up your own Empire!
Transport Fever at a glance Released 2016 Studio Urban Games Player sentiment 83% positive of 10,841 Price $29.99 City BuilderSandboxBuildingEconomyManagementTransportationStrategyRelaxing
- 5
Jurassic World Evolution
Why it matched: both open world, atmospheric, strategy and relaxing; shares 10 player tags including Building, Simulation and Management.
Place yourself at the heart of the Jurassic franchise and build your own Jurassic World. Bioengineer dinosaurs that think, feel and react intelligently to the world around them and face threats posed by espionage, breakouts and devastating tropical storms in an uncertain world where life always finds a way.
Jurassic World Evolution at a glance Released 2018 Studio Frontier Developments Player sentiment 87% positive of 55,272 Price $44.99 BuildingSimulationManagementStrategySandboxCity BuilderEconomyResource Management
- 6
Train Simulator Classic
Why it matched: both open world, atmospheric, strategy and relaxing; shares 10 player tags including Simulation, Realistic and Casual.
The ultimate railway hobby for more than 15 years! From historic steam locomotives to modern high-speed and heavy freight trains, and routes around the world, Train Simulator Classic is the simulation made by railfans for railfans.
Train Simulator Classic at a glance Released 2015 Studio Dovetail Games Player sentiment 72% positive of 29,408 Price $29.99 SimulationRealisticCasualRelaxingBuildingModdableSandboxTransportation
- 7
Jurassic World Evolution 2
Why it matched: both open world, atmospheric, strategy and relaxing; shares 9 player tags including Building, Simulation and Management; released around the same time (2021).
Jurassic World Evolution 2 is the much-anticipated sequel to Frontier’s highly successful Jurassic World Evolution. This bold new era in the Jurassic World Evolution game franchise builds upon the ground-breaking and immersive 2018 management simulation.
Jurassic World Evolution 2 at a glance Released 2021 Studio Frontier Developments Player sentiment 90% positive of 47,023 Price $59.99 BuildingSimulationManagementSandboxStrategyCity BuilderEconomyResource Management
- 8
Planet Coaster
Why it matched: both atmospheric, strategy and relaxing; shares 11 player tags including Simulation, Building and Management.
Planet Coaster® - the future of coaster park simulation games has arrived! Surprise, delight and thrill incredible crowds as you build your coaster park empire - let your imagination run wild, and share your success with the world.
Planet Coaster at a glance Released 2016 Studio Frontier Developments Player sentiment 91% positive of 72,148 Price $44.99 SimulationBuildingManagementSandboxRelaxingStrategyEconomyRealistic
- 9
OpenTTD
Why it matched: both strategy and relaxing; shares 11 player tags including Simulation, Building and Economy; released around the same time (2021).
OpenTTD is a business simulation game in which players earn money by transporting passengers and cargo via road, rail, water, and air. It is an open-source remake and expansion of the 1995 Chris Sawyer video game Transport Tycoon Deluxe.
OpenTTD at a glance Released 2021 Studio OpenTTD Player sentiment 95% positive of 16,952 Price Not listed SimulationBuildingEconomySandboxManagementTransportationResource ManagementCity Builder
- 10
Kingdoms and Castles
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 10 player tags including City Builder, Strategy and Building.
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.
Kingdoms and Castles at a glance Released 2017 Studio Lion Shield, LLC Player sentiment 94% positive of 31,404 Price $19.99 City BuilderStrategyBuildingSimulationSandboxResource ManagementManagementEconomy
- 11
RollerCoaster Tycoon 3: Platinum
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 10 player tags including Simulation, Management and Sandbox.
Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 Platinum combines the excitement of rollercoasters with the fun of a great strategy simulation. RCT3 Platinum combines the roller coaster theme park fun of the Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 with included expansion packs Soaked! and Wild! Now enjoy more options than ever.
RollerCoaster Tycoon 3: Platinum at a glance Released 2008 Studio Frontier Player sentiment 92% positive of 5,244 Price Not listed SimulationManagementSandboxBuildingStrategyEconomyModdableCity Builder
- 12
SimCity 4
Why it matched: both atmospheric, strategy and relaxing; shares 10 player tags including City Builder, Building and Sandbox.
SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition includes the bestselling SimCity 4 and the all-new SimCity 4 Rush Hour Expansion Pack. Create the most massive region of cities ever, with a farming town, bedroom community, high-tech commercial center, and industrial backbone.
SimCity 4 at a glance Released 2003 Studio Maxis Player sentiment 82% positive of 9,833 Price $19.99 City BuilderBuildingSandboxEconomyManagementStrategySimulationCasual
- 13
Construction Simulator 2015
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 10 player tags including Simulation, Building and Casual.
In Construction Simulator 2015, you take the controls of 16 realistic construction machines made by LIEBHERR, STILL and MAN with high-quality 3D graphics.
Construction Simulator 2015 at a glance Released 2014 Studio weltenbauer. Software Entwicklung GmbH Player sentiment 82% positive of 6,852 Price $14.99 SimulationBuildingCasualRealisticManagementStrategySandboxCity Builder
- 14
Dyson Sphere Program
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 9 player tags including Building, Resource Management and Simulation; released around the same time (2021).
Build the most efficient intergalactic factory in space simulation strategy game Dyson Sphere Program! Harness the power of stars, collect resources, plan and design production lines and develop your interstellar factory from a small space workshop to a galaxy-wide industrial empire.
Dyson Sphere Program at a glance Released 2021 Studio Youthcat Studio Player sentiment 97% positive of 91,586 Price $19.99 BuildingResource ManagementSimulationManagementSandboxCity BuilderStrategyEarly Access
- 15
Farming Simulator 19
Why it matched: both open world, atmospheric, strategy and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Simulation, Realistic and Management.
The best-selling franchise takes a giant leap forward with a complete overhaul of the graphics engine, offering the most striking and immersive visuals and effects, along with the deepest and most complete farming experience ever.
Farming Simulator 19 at a glance Released 2018 Studio GIANTS Software Player sentiment 94% positive of 76,267 Price $17.99 SimulationRealisticManagementModdableResource ManagementRelaxingEconomyStrategy
- 16
Prison Architect
Why it matched: both strategy and relaxing; shares 10 player tags including Simulation, Building and Sandbox; published by the same company.
Only the world’s most ruthless Warden can contain the world’s most ruthless inmates. Design and develop your personalized penitentiary in Prison Architect.
Prison Architect at a glance Released 2015 Studio Introversion Software Player sentiment 89% positive of 73,744 Price $5.99 SimulationBuildingSandboxStrategyManagementCity BuilderResource ManagementEconomy
- 17
Mini Motorways
Why it matched: both strategy and relaxing; shares 10 player tags including Strategy, Simulation and Casual; released around the same time (2021).
Mini Motorways is a strategy simulation game about designing the road map for a growing city. Build a traffic network, one road at a time, to create a bustling metropolis. Redesign your roads and place your motorways to get everyone where they need to go. How long can you keep the city moving?
Mini Motorways at a glance Released 2021 Studio Dinosaur Polo Club Player sentiment 96% positive of 24,384 Price $9.99 StrategySimulationCasualManagementRelaxingTransportationBuildingCity Builder
- 18
Manor Lords
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 10 player tags including Strategy, City Builder and Simulation; released around the same time (2024).
Manor Lords is a medieval strategy game featuring in-depth city building, large-scale tactical battles, and complex economic and social simulations. Rule your lands as a medieval lord – the seasons pass, the weather changes, and cities rise and fall.
Manor Lords at a glance Released 2024 Studio Slavic Magic Player sentiment 84% positive of 90,905 Price $25.99 StrategyCity BuilderSimulationManagementBuildingResource ManagementSandboxModdable
- 19
Farming Simulator 15
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 9 player tags including Simulation, Moddable and Realistic.
Welcome to the new generation of Farming Simulator!With a brand new graphics and physics engine, Farming Simulator 15 offers an immense open world, filled with details and visual effects transporting the Farming Simulator franchise to a new era.
Farming Simulator 15 at a glance Released 2014 Studio GIANTS Software Player sentiment 93% positive of 15,855 Price $12.99 SimulationModdableRealisticRelaxingEconomyManagementSandboxMod
- 20
Airport CEO
Why it matched: both strategy; shares 11 player tags including Resource Management, Moddable and Management; released around the same time (2021).
Build and manage an international airport!
Airport CEO at a glance Released 2021 Studio Apog Labs Player sentiment 83% positive of 8,337 Price $24.99 Resource ManagementModdableManagementSimulationBuildingStrategySandboxRealistic
- 21
Surviving Mars
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 9 player tags including City Builder, Strategy and Simulation; published by the same company.
There will be challenges to overcome. Execute your strategy and improve your colony’s chances of survival while unlocking the mysteries of this alien world. Are you ready? Mars is waiting for you.
Surviving Mars at a glance Released 2018 Studio Haemimont Games Player sentiment 80% positive of 28,730 Price Not listed City BuilderStrategySimulationResource ManagementBuildingManagementSandboxGreat Soundtrack
- 22
Dwarf Fortress
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Strategy, Simulation and City Builder; released around the same time (2022).
Build a fortress and try to help your dwarves survive against a deeply generated world. Keep your dwarves happy, grow their community and beware of digging too deeply. The deepest, most intricate simulation of a world that's ever been created.
Dwarf Fortress at a glance Released 2022 Studio Bay 12 Games Player sentiment 95% positive of 31,446 Price $29.99 StrategySimulationCity BuilderSandboxManagementBuildingResource ManagementEconomy
- 23
Against the Storm
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Strategy, City Builder and Simulation; released around the same time (2023).
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.
Against the Storm at a glance Released 2023 Studio Eremite Games Player sentiment 94% positive of 37,338 Price $8.99 StrategyCity BuilderSimulationManagementBuildingResource ManagementSandboxModdable
- 24
Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Strategy, Simulation and City Builder; released around the same time (2024).
Build a soviet republic from an impoverished country into a rich industrial superpower in a city builder with intricate production chains and a fully simulated global economy. Manage the lives of your citizens from education to work and party loyalty to criminal activity.
Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic at a glance Released 2024 Studio 3Division Player sentiment 91% positive of 27,164 Price $9.99 StrategySimulationCity BuilderManagementBuildingSandboxResource ManagementEconomy
Common questions
What game is most like Cities: Skylines II?
Transport Fever 2, on the evidence we have. It both open world, strategy and relaxing. That is a statement about overlap, not a promise you will like it as much: two games can share every tag and still feel different to play.
How is "similar to Cities: Skylines II" decided?
By overlap on the tags Steam players applied to each game, the formal genres, the themes both sit in, and whether the same studio made them. Tags carry the most weight because players write them, so they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are ignored: matching on "Singleplayer" is matching on nothing. Every entry below shows exactly what it matched on.
Are these ranked by quality?
No. They are ordered by how much they overlap with Cities: Skylines II. Where two games overlap equally, the better received one goes first, but that only moves a game a place or two. Each entry shows its own player sentiment so you can weigh that separately.
Do you get paid for these recommendations?
No. The order is computed from tag and genre overlap and nothing else. No placement here can be bought, and a game appearing high on this page is a statement about resemblance rather than an endorsement.