GamingPickz

Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality

24 games like Cities: Skylines II (2026)

Recomputed 19 October 2026 · Ordered by overlap, not by score · Free to read, nothing here is paid for

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 games like Cities: Skylines II on a map

Compare the whole catalogue

The same 24 games, plotted rather than listed. The two axes below are the ones the ranking is built from, so a game sitting high and right is a game the formula placed near the top. Change either axis to see the field a different way. Where we hold a publisher wordmark, the game is drawn as its mark rather than a dot.

24 games have both

691004780Players →Popularity →RollerCoaster Tycoon 3: …

Axes are fitted to these 24 games rather than the full 0 to 100 scale, because a filtered list shares a narrow band and would otherwise sit in one corner. End values are marked. A point on the left edge is the lowest of thesegames, not a low score.

Players. The share of Steam reviews marked positive, pulled toward the catalogue average in proportion to how few reviews stand behind it. A game with 200 reviews moves a long way toward the average; one with 200,000 barely moves at all. Without this a title sitting at 100 percent on nine reviews outranks Half-Life 2 at 98 percent on 278,000.

Popularity. A blend of two things that are not the same. Audience is how many people wrote a Steam review, which is a floor on how many played it. Reach is how many language editions of Wikipedia document the game, which is cultural footprint rather than sales. A game can score high on one and low on the other: a huge free-to-play title has audience without reach, and a landmark console exclusive has reach without a Steam audience at all. Where both exist they are averaged; where only one does, that one carries it.

  • Multi-platform
  • PC

Every point links to that game's entry. The value map and the reception map are fixed views of the same data.

How positions are decided

No paid placement, no favouritism, live third-party data
  • Placed by the published method, not by us. Every coordinate is computed from the axis definitions and weights printed on this site. Nobody moves a point. See the axes.
  • Nothing here is paid for. No sponsored placements, no promoted slots, no arrangement of any kind affects a position. If that ever changes it will be labelled and sit outside the ranking.
  • No favouritism, including our own. The 16 games we have written full reviews of are scored by exactly the same formula as the other 1,510, from the same third-party inputs, and they land where it puts them. Our own opinion of a game does not enter its coordinates.
  • A position is not an endorsement. It says how a game was received and what it costs, not that we recommend it. Where we do recommend something, it carries a written review with a name on it.
  • Fetched from live third-party data. Player sentiment from Steam, critic aggregates as published on store pages, prices checked hourly, attention from Wikipedia. Each figure carries its source and the date it was read, and we do not adjust any of them.

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.

Why players value Cities: Skylines II

The five things Steam players tag Cities: Skylines II with most. This is the yardstick every game below is measured against: the closer a game matches these, the more it is likely to scratch the same itch.

  1. City Builder
  2. Simulation
  3. Building
  4. Sandbox
  5. Singleplayer
Cities: Skylines II at a glance
ReceptionMixed on Steam (56% of 91,995)
Watch-outsno widespread problems reported by players
Price$49.99

Tags, sentiment and reported problems come from Steam players; the story line is from Wikipedia. We do not add a written opinion of our own.

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. 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
    Released2019StudioUrban Games
    Player sentiment90% positive of 32,509Price$39.99

    Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.8/10 · Steam: Very Positive (90% of 32,509)

    Matches Cities: Skylines II on: 5 of 5 — City Builder, Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Singleplayer

    Why players like it: Simulation, Strategy, Management, Transportation, Trains — the tags Steam players apply most

    Price vs Cities: Skylines II: $39.99 — $10.00 cheaper

    Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players

    Shared with Cities: Skylines II:SimulationStrategyManagementTransportationCity BuilderEconomySandboxBuilding

    Full entryGames like this oneStore page

  2. 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
    Released2019StudioFrontier Developments
    Player sentiment91% positive of 97,527Price$44.99

    Verdict: GamingPickz Score 8.1/10 · Steam: Very Positive (91% of 97,527)

    Matches Cities: Skylines II on: 5 of 5 — City Builder, Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Singleplayer

    Why players like it: Management, Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Nature — the tags Steam players apply most

    Price vs Cities: Skylines II: $44.99 — $5.00 cheaper

    Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players

    Shared with Cities: Skylines II:ManagementSimulationBuildingSandboxCity BuilderEconomyRealisticResource Management

    Full entryGames like this oneStore page

  3. 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
    Released2025StudioPolymorph Games
    Player sentiment87% positive of 24,163Price$23.44

    Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.7/10 · Steam: Very Positive (87% of 24,163)

    Matches Cities: Skylines II on: 5 of 5 — City Builder, Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Singleplayer

    Why players like it: City Builder, Simulation, Medieval, Strategy, Sandbox — the tags Steam players apply most

    Price vs Cities: Skylines II: $23.44 — $26.55 cheaper

    Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players

    Shared with Cities: Skylines II:City BuilderSimulationStrategySandboxResource ManagementManagementRelaxingEconomy

    Full entryGames like this oneStore page

  4. 4

    Planet Coaster

    Why it matched: both open world, 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
    Released2016StudioFrontier Developments
    Player sentiment91% positive of 72,148Price$44.99

    Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.8/10 · Steam: Very Positive (91% of 72,148)

    Matches Cities: Skylines II on: 5 of 5 — City Builder, Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Singleplayer

    Why players like it: Simulation, Building, Management, Sandbox, Family Friendly — the tags Steam players apply most

    Price vs Cities: Skylines II: $44.99 — $5.00 cheaper

    Watch-outs: players report performance and stutter (details)

    Shared with Cities: Skylines II:SimulationBuildingManagementSandboxRelaxingStrategyEconomyRealistic

    Full entryGames like this oneStore page

  5. 5

    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
    Released2016StudioUrban Games
    Player sentiment83% positive of 10,841Price$29.99

    Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.1/10 · Steam: Very Positive (83% of 10,841)

    Matches Cities: Skylines II on: 5 of 5 — City Builder, Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Singleplayer

    Why players like it: Flight, City Builder, Sandbox, Building, Driving — the tags Steam players apply most

    Price vs Cities: Skylines II: $29.99 — $20.00 cheaper

    Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players

    Shared with Cities: Skylines II:City BuilderSandboxBuildingEconomyManagementTransportationStrategyRelaxing

    Full entryGames like this oneStore page

  6. 6

    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
    Released2018StudioFrontier Developments
    Player sentiment87% positive of 55,272Price$44.99

    Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.5/10 · Steam: Very Positive (87% of 55,272)

    Matches Cities: Skylines II on: 5 of 5 — City Builder, Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Singleplayer

    Why players like it: Building, Dinosaurs, Simulation, Management, Strategy — the tags Steam players apply most

    Price vs Cities: Skylines II: $44.99 — $5.00 cheaper

    Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players

    Shared with Cities: Skylines II:BuildingSimulationManagementStrategySandboxCity BuilderEconomyResource Management

    Full entryGames like this oneStore page

  7. 7

    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
    Released2015StudioDovetail Games
    Player sentiment72% positive of 29,408Price$29.99

    Verdict: GamingPickz Score 6.6/10 · Steam: Mostly Positive (72% of 29,408)

    Matches Cities: Skylines II on: 5 of 5 — City Builder, Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Singleplayer

    Why players like it: Simulation, Trains, Singleplayer, Driving, Realistic — the tags Steam players apply most

    Price vs Cities: Skylines II: $29.99 — $20.00 cheaper

    Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players

    Shared with Cities: Skylines II:SimulationRealisticCasualRelaxingBuildingModdableSandboxTransportation

    Full entryGames like this oneStore page

  8. 8

    OpenTTD

    Why it matched: both open world, 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
    Released2021StudioOpenTTD
    Player sentiment95% positive of 16,952PriceNot listed

    Verdict: GamingPickz Score 8.0/10 · Steam: Overwhelmingly Positive (95% of 16,952)

    Matches Cities: Skylines II on: 5 of 5 — City Builder, Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Singleplayer

    Why players like it: Simulation, Building, Free to Play, Economy, Sandbox — the tags Steam players apply most

    Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players

    Shared with Cities: Skylines II:SimulationBuildingEconomySandboxManagementTransportationResource ManagementCity Builder

    Full entryGames like this oneStore page

  9. 9

    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
    Released2021StudioFrontier Developments
    Player sentiment90% positive of 47,023Price$59.99

    Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.8/10 · Steam: Very Positive (90% of 47,023)

    Matches Cities: Skylines II on: 5 of 5 — City Builder, Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Singleplayer

    Why players like it: Dinosaurs, Building, Simulation, Management, Sandbox — the tags Steam players apply most

    Price vs Cities: Skylines II: $59.99 — $10.00 pricier

    Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players

    Shared with Cities: Skylines II:BuildingSimulationManagementSandboxStrategyCity BuilderEconomyResource Management

    Full entryGames like this oneStore page

  10. 10

    SimCity 4

    Why it matched: both open world, 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
    Released2003StudioMaxis
    Player sentiment82% positive of 9,833Price$19.99

    Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.0/10 · Steam: Very Positive (82% of 9,833)

    Matches Cities: Skylines II on: 5 of 5 — City Builder, Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Singleplayer

    Why players like it: City Builder, Immersive Sim, Base-Building, Building, Sandbox — the tags Steam players apply most

    Price vs Cities: Skylines II: $19.99 — $30.00 cheaper

    Watch-outs: players report crashes and freezes, will not launch or install (details)

    Shared with Cities: Skylines II:City BuilderBuildingSandboxEconomyManagementStrategySimulationCasual

    Full entryGames like this oneStore page

  11. 11

    Prison Architect

    Why it matched: both open world, 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
    Released2015StudioIntroversion Software
    Player sentiment89% positive of 73,744Price$5.99

    Verdict: GamingPickz Score 8.0/10 · Steam: Very Positive (89% of 73,744)

    Matches Cities: Skylines II on: 5 of 5 — City Builder, Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Singleplayer

    Why players like it: Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Base-Building, Colony Sim — the tags Steam players apply most

    Price vs Cities: Skylines II: $5.99 — $44.00 cheaper

    Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players

    Shared with Cities: Skylines II:SimulationBuildingSandboxStrategyManagementCity BuilderResource ManagementEconomy

    Full entryGames like this oneStore page

  12. 12

    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
    Released2017StudioLion Shield, LLC
    Player sentiment94% positive of 31,404Price$19.99

    Verdict: GamingPickz Score 8.1/10 · Steam: Very Positive (94% of 31,404)

    Matches Cities: Skylines II on: 5 of 5 — City Builder, Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Singleplayer

    Why players like it: City Builder, Colony Sim, Strategy, Medieval, Building — the tags Steam players apply most

    Price vs Cities: Skylines II: $19.99 — $30.00 cheaper

    Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players

    Shared with Cities: Skylines II:City BuilderStrategyBuildingSimulationSandboxResource ManagementManagementEconomy

    Full entryGames like this oneStore page

  13. 13

    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
    Released2008StudioFrontier
    Player sentiment92% positive of 5,244PriceNot listed

    Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.6/10 · Steam: Very Positive (92% of 5,244)

    Matches Cities: Skylines II on: 5 of 5 — City Builder, Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Singleplayer

    Why players like it: Simulation, Management, Sandbox, Building, Strategy — the tags Steam players apply most

    Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players

    Shared with Cities: Skylines II:SimulationManagementSandboxBuildingStrategyEconomyModdableCity Builder

    Full entryGames like this oneStore page

  14. 14

    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
    Released2014Studioweltenbauer. Software Entwicklung GmbH
    Player sentiment82% positive of 6,852Price$14.99

    Verdict: GamingPickz Score 6.9/10 · Steam: Very Positive (82% of 6,852)

    Matches Cities: Skylines II on: 5 of 5 — City Builder, Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Singleplayer

    Why players like it: Simulation, Building, Multiplayer, Open World, Automobile Sim — the tags Steam players apply most

    Price vs Cities: Skylines II: $14.99 — $35.00 cheaper

    Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players

    Shared with Cities: Skylines II:SimulationBuildingCasualRealisticManagementStrategySandboxCity Builder

    Full entryGames like this oneStore page

  15. 15

    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
    Released2021StudioYouthcat Studio
    Player sentiment97% positive of 91,586Price$19.99

    Verdict: GamingPickz Score 8.5/10 · Steam: Overwhelmingly Positive (97% of 91,586)

    Matches Cities: Skylines II on: 5 of 5 — City Builder, Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Singleplayer

    Why players like it: Automation, Space, Base-Building, Building, Open World — the tags Steam players apply most

    Price vs Cities: Skylines II: $19.99 — $30.00 cheaper

    Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players

    Shared with Cities: Skylines II:BuildingResource ManagementSimulationManagementSandboxCity BuilderStrategyEarly Access

    Full entryGames like this oneStore page

  16. 16

    Airport CEO

    Why it matched: both open world and 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
    Released2021StudioApog Labs
    Player sentiment83% positive of 8,337Price$24.99

    Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.0/10 · Steam: Very Positive (83% of 8,337)

    Matches Cities: Skylines II on: 5 of 5 — City Builder, Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Singleplayer

    Why players like it: Flight, Resource Management, Moddable, Management, Simulation — the tags Steam players apply most

    Price vs Cities: Skylines II: $24.99 — $25.00 cheaper

    Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players

    Shared with Cities: Skylines II:Resource ManagementModdableManagementSimulationBuildingStrategySandboxRealistic

    Full entryGames like this oneStore page

  17. 17

    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
    Released2018StudioGIANTS Software
    Player sentiment94% positive of 76,267Price$17.99

    Verdict: GamingPickz Score 8.0/10 · Steam: Very Positive (94% of 76,267)

    Matches Cities: Skylines II on: 2 of 5 — Simulation, Singleplayer

    Why players like it: Simulation, Farming Sim, Multiplayer, Agriculture, Realistic — the tags Steam players apply most

    Price vs Cities: Skylines II: $17.99 — $32.00 cheaper

    Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players

    Shared with Cities: Skylines II:SimulationRealisticManagementModdableResource ManagementRelaxingEconomyStrategy

    Full entryGames like this oneStore page

  18. 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
    Released2024StudioSlavic Magic
    Player sentiment84% positive of 90,905Price$25.99

    Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.6/10 · Steam: Very Positive (84% of 90,905)

    Matches Cities: Skylines II on: 5 of 5 — City Builder, Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Singleplayer

    Why players like it: Strategy, City Builder, Simulation, Historical, Base-Building — the tags Steam players apply most

    Price vs Cities: Skylines II: $25.99 — $24.00 cheaper

    Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players

    Shared with Cities: Skylines II:StrategyCity BuilderSimulationManagementBuildingResource ManagementSandboxModdable

    Full entryGames like this oneStore page

  19. 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
    Released2014StudioGIANTS Software
    Player sentiment93% positive of 15,855Price$12.99

    Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.5/10 · Steam: Very Positive (93% of 15,855)

    Matches Cities: Skylines II on: 3 of 5 — Simulation, Sandbox, Singleplayer

    Why players like it: Farming Sim, Automobile Sim, Simulation, Multiplayer, Open World — the tags Steam players apply most

    Price vs Cities: Skylines II: $12.99 — $37.00 cheaper

    Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players

    Shared with Cities: Skylines II:SimulationModdableRealisticRelaxingEconomyManagementSandboxMod

    Full entryGames like this oneStore page

  20. 20

    House Flipper

    Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 9 player tags including Simulation, Building and Relaxing.

    House Flipper is a unique chance to become a one-man renovation crew. Buy, repair and remodel devastated houses. Give them a second life and sell them at a profit!

    House Flipper at a glance
    Released2018StudioEmpyrean
    Player sentiment94% positive of 111,507Price$24.99

    Verdict: GamingPickz Score 8.0/10 · Steam: Very Positive (94% of 111,507)

    Matches Cities: Skylines II on: 4 of 5 — Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Singleplayer

    Why players like it: Simulation, Design & Illustration, Building, Singleplayer, Relaxing — the tags Steam players apply most

    Price vs Cities: Skylines II: $24.99 — $25.00 cheaper

    Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players

    Shared with Cities: Skylines II:SimulationBuildingRelaxingSandboxCasualManagementEconomyRealistic

    Full entryGames like this oneStore page

  21. 21

    Tropico 4

    Why it matched: both open world, atmospheric and strategy; shares 9 player tags including City Builder, Simulation and Strategy.

    The world is changing and Tropico is moving with the times - geographical powers rise and fall and the world market is dominated by new players with new demands and offers - and you, as El Presidente, face a whole new set of challenges.

    Tropico 4 at a glance
    Released2011StudioHaemimont Games
    Player sentiment92% positive of 12,737Price$14.99

    Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.7/10 · Steam: Very Positive (92% of 12,737)

    Matches Cities: Skylines II on: 5 of 5 — City Builder, Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Singleplayer

    Why players like it: City Builder, Simulation, Strategy, Management, Comedy — the tags Steam players apply most

    Price vs Cities: Skylines II: $14.99 — $35.00 cheaper

    Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players

    Shared with Cities: Skylines II:City BuilderSimulationStrategyManagementSandboxGreat SoundtrackEconomyBuilding

    Full entryGames like this oneStore page

  22. 22

    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
    Released2018StudioHaemimont Games
    Player sentiment80% positive of 28,730PriceNot listed

    Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.2/10 · Steam: Very Positive (80% of 28,730)

    Matches Cities: Skylines II on: 5 of 5 — City Builder, Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Singleplayer

    Why players like it: Colony Sim, City Builder, Strategy, Survival, Space — the tags Steam players apply most

    Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players

    Shared with Cities: Skylines II:City BuilderStrategySimulationResource ManagementBuildingManagementSandboxGreat Soundtrack

    Full entryGames like this oneStore page

  23. 23

    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
    Released2021StudioDinosaur Polo Club
    Player sentiment96% positive of 24,384Price$9.99

    Verdict: GamingPickz Score 8.3/10 · Steam: Overwhelmingly Positive (96% of 24,384)

    Matches Cities: Skylines II on: 4 of 5 — City Builder, Simulation, Building, Singleplayer

    Why players like it: Strategy, Simulation, Casual, Indie, Management — the tags Steam players apply most

    Price vs Cities: Skylines II: $9.99 — $40.00 cheaper

    Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players

    Shared with Cities: Skylines II:StrategySimulationCasualManagementRelaxingTransportationBuildingCity Builder

    Full entryGames like this oneStore page

  24. 24

    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
    Released2022StudioBay 12 Games
    Player sentiment95% positive of 31,446Price$29.99

    Verdict: GamingPickz Score 8.4/10 · Steam: Overwhelmingly Positive (95% of 31,446)

    Matches Cities: Skylines II on: 4 of 5 — City Builder, Simulation, Building, Sandbox

    Why players like it: Dwarf, Colony Sim, Strategy, Simulation, Base-Building — the tags Steam players apply most

    Price vs Cities: Skylines II: $29.99 — $20.00 cheaper

    Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players

    Shared with Cities: Skylines II:StrategySimulationCity BuilderSandboxManagementBuildingResource ManagementEconomy

    Full entryGames like this oneStore page

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.

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