Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Dwarf Fortress (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Dwarf Fortress 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 Dwarf Fortress on a map
Compare the whole catalogueThe 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
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.
- Nintendo
- 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: Against the Storm, which both open world, survival, fantasy, strategy and difficult.
- Dwarf Fortress is tagged Dwarf, Colony Sim, Strategy, Simulation, Base-Building, City Builder, Sandbox, Management 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.
- 1 are free to download, so you can test the resemblance yourself at no cost.
Why players value Dwarf Fortress
The five things Steam players tag Dwarf Fortress 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.
- Dwarf
- Colony Sim
- Strategy
- Simulation
- Base-Building
| Reception | on Steam (95% of 31,446) |
|---|---|
| Watch-outs | no widespread problems reported by players |
| Price | $29.99 |
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
Against the Storm
Why it matched: both open world, survival, fantasy, strategy and difficult; shares 13 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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 8.3/10 · Steam: (94% of 37,338)
Matches Dwarf Fortress on: 4 of 5 — Colony Sim, Strategy, Simulation, Base-Building
Why players like it: Strategy, City Builder, Simulation, Base-Building, Colony Sim — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Dwarf Fortress: $8.99 — $21.00 cheaper
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Dwarf Fortress:StrategyCity BuilderSimulationBase-BuildingColony SimManagementBuildingResource Management
- 2
Oxygen Not Included
Why it matched: both open world, survival, strategy and difficult; shares 11 player tags including Colony Sim, Base-Building and Survival; released around the same time (2019).
Oxygen Not Included is a space-colony simulation game. Deep inside an alien space rock your industrious crew will need to master science, overcome strange new lifeforms, and harness incredible space tech to survive, and possibly, thrive.
Oxygen Not Included at a glance Released 2019 Studio Klei Entertainment Player sentiment 97% positive of 143,589 Price $24.99 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 8.6/10 · Steam: (97% of 143,589)
Matches Dwarf Fortress on: 4 of 5 — Colony Sim, Strategy, Simulation, Base-Building
Why players like it: Colony Sim, Base-Building, Survival, Resource Management, Building — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Dwarf Fortress: $24.99 — $5.00 cheaper
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Dwarf Fortress:Colony SimBase-BuildingSurvivalResource ManagementBuildingManagementSimulationSandbox
- 3
Going Medieval
Why it matched: both open world, survival and strategy; shares 13 player tags including City Builder, Colony Sim and Strategy; released around the same time (2026).
Build and manage your own castle settlement in a land reclaimed by wilderness. With detailed management, survival strategy, and a moddable sandbox world, Going Medieval challenges you to build the mightiest colony this side of the apocalypse.
Going Medieval at a glance Released 2026 Studio Foxy Voxel Player sentiment 89% positive of 21,362 Price $22.49 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.6/10 · Steam: (89% of 21,362)
Matches Dwarf Fortress on: 4 of 5 — Colony Sim, Strategy, Simulation, Base-Building
Why players like it: RPG, Early Access, City Builder, Colony Sim, Singleplayer — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Dwarf Fortress: $22.49 — $7.50 cheaper
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Dwarf Fortress:City BuilderColony SimStrategyModdableSandboxEconomySimulationManagement
- 4
Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic
Why it matched: both open world, survival and strategy; shares 12 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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.9/10 · Steam: (91% of 27,164)
Matches Dwarf Fortress on: 4 of 5 — Colony Sim, Strategy, Simulation, Base-Building
Why players like it: Strategy, Simulation, City Builder, Base-Building, Management — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Dwarf Fortress: $9.99 — $20.00 cheaper
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Dwarf Fortress:StrategySimulationCity BuilderBase-BuildingManagementBuildingSandboxSurvival
- 5
Craft The World
Why it matched: both open world, survival, fantasy and strategy; shares 11 player tags including Dwarf, Colony Sim and Crafting.
Craft The World is a unique sandbox strategy game, the mix of Dungeon Keeper, Terraria and Dwarf Fortress. Explore a random generated world populated by dangerous creatures, build a dwarf fortress, gather resources, and craft all the items, weapons, and armor you need.
Craft The World at a glance Released 2014 Studio Dekovir Entertainment Player sentiment 88% positive of 17,058 Price $18.99 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.5/10 · Steam: (88% of 17,058)
Matches Dwarf Fortress on: 4 of 5 — Dwarf, Colony Sim, Strategy, Simulation
Why players like it: Dwarf, Colony Sim, Crafting, Building, Sandbox — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Dwarf Fortress: $18.99 — $11.00 cheaper
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Dwarf Fortress:DwarfColony SimCraftingBuildingSandboxSurvivalStrategySimulation
- 6
Kingdoms and Castles
Why it matched: both open world, survival and strategy; shares 12 player tags including City Builder, Colony Sim and Strategy.
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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 8.1/10 · Steam: (94% of 31,404)
Matches Dwarf Fortress on: 4 of 5 — Colony Sim, Strategy, Simulation, Base-Building
Why players like it: City Builder, Colony Sim, Strategy, Medieval, Building — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Dwarf Fortress: $19.99 — $10.00 cheaper
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Dwarf Fortress:City BuilderColony SimStrategyBuildingSimulationSandboxResource ManagementBase-Building
- 7
Kingdom: New Lands
Why it matched: both open world, survival, fantasy, strategy and difficult; shares 9 player tags including Survival, Base-Building and Exploration.
Kingdom: New Lands builds upon the award-winning gameplay and mystery of Kingdom by introducing an abundance of new content to the IGF-nominated title while maintaining the simplicity and depth that legions of monarchs have come to experience and enjoy.
Kingdom: New Lands at a glance Released 2016 Studio Noio Player sentiment 85% positive of 12,353 Price $1.49 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.2/10 · Steam: (85% of 12,353)
Matches Dwarf Fortress on: 4 of 5 — Colony Sim, Strategy, Simulation, Base-Building
Why players like it: Tower Defense, Survival, Base-Building, Minimalist, Exploration — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Dwarf Fortress: $1.49 — $28.50 cheaper
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Dwarf Fortress:SurvivalBase-BuildingExplorationRogue-likeBuildingStrategyColony SimFantasy
- 8
Foundation
Why it matched: both open world, survival and strategy; shares 11 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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.7/10 · Steam: (87% of 24,163)
Matches Dwarf Fortress on: 4 of 5 — Colony Sim, Strategy, Simulation, Base-Building
Why players like it: City Builder, Simulation, Medieval, Strategy, Sandbox — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Dwarf Fortress: $23.44 — $6.55 cheaper
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Dwarf Fortress:City BuilderSimulationStrategySandboxResource ManagementManagementEconomyBuilding
- 9
Manor Lords
Why it matched: both open world, survival and strategy; shares 11 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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.6/10 · Steam: (84% of 90,905)
Matches Dwarf Fortress on: 3 of 5 — Strategy, Simulation, Base-Building
Why players like it: Strategy, City Builder, Simulation, Historical, Base-Building — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Dwarf Fortress: $25.99 — $4.00 cheaper
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Dwarf Fortress:StrategyCity BuilderSimulationBase-BuildingManagementBuildingResource ManagementSandbox
- 10
Surviving Mars
Why it matched: both open world, survival and strategy; shares 11 player tags including Colony Sim, City Builder and Strategy; released around the same time (2018).
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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.2/10 · Steam: (80% of 28,730)
Matches Dwarf Fortress on: 4 of 5 — Colony Sim, Strategy, Simulation, Base-Building
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 Dwarf Fortress:Colony SimCity BuilderStrategySurvivalBase-BuildingSimulationResource ManagementBuilding
- 11
IXION
Why it matched: both survival, strategy and difficult; shares 12 player tags including City Builder, Strategy and Survival; released around the same time (2022).
IXION is an unrelenting, city-building odyssey across the stars. As Administrator of the Tiqqun, DOLOS’ prototype space station, you are tasked with balancing preservation and exploration as you manage infrastructure, resources and crew. Can you keep the flame of humanity alight in the cold dark?
IXION at a glance Released 2022 Studio Bulwark Studios Player sentiment 79% positive of 17,614 Price $10.49 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 6.9/10 · Steam: (79% of 17,614)
Matches Dwarf Fortress on: 4 of 5 — Colony Sim, Strategy, Simulation, Base-Building
Why players like it: Space, City Builder, Strategy, Survival, Resource Management — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Dwarf Fortress: $10.49 — $19.50 cheaper
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Dwarf Fortress:City BuilderStrategySurvivalResource ManagementColony SimBase-BuildingBuildingSimulation
- 12
Factorio
Why it matched: both open world, survival and strategy; shares 11 player tags including Base-Building, Resource Management and Sandbox.
Factorio is a game about building and creating automated factories to produce items of increasing complexity, within an infinite 2D world. Use your imagination to design your factory, combine simple elements into ingenious structures, and finally protect it from the creatures who don't really like you.
Factorio at a glance Released 2016 Studio Wube software Player sentiment 98% positive of 233,978 Price $35.00 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 8.6/10 · Steam: (98% of 233,978)
Matches Dwarf Fortress on: 3 of 5 — Strategy, Simulation, Base-Building
Why players like it: Automation, Base-Building, Resource Management, Sandbox, Crafting — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Dwarf Fortress: $35.00 — $5.01 pricier
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Dwarf Fortress:Base-BuildingResource ManagementSandboxCraftingStrategySurvivalManagementBuilding
- 13
Amazing Cultivation Simulator
Why it matched: both open world, survival, fantasy and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Simulation, Sandbox and Strategy; released around the same time (2020).
Rise up in a search for immortality in this strategy sim and management game based on Chinese mythology. Rebuild your sect and train new disciples through the path of cultivation. Research magic and gather mystical artifacts, face ancient dangers and other sects in your path to spiritual ascension.
Amazing Cultivation Simulator at a glance Released 2020 Studio GSQ Games Player sentiment 86% positive of 23,608 Price $24.99 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.4/10 · Steam: (86% of 23,608)
Matches Dwarf Fortress on: 4 of 5 — Colony Sim, Strategy, Simulation, Base-Building
Why players like it: Simulation, Martial Arts, RPG, Sandbox, Strategy — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Dwarf Fortress: $24.99 — $5.00 cheaper
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Dwarf Fortress:SimulationSandboxStrategyColony SimSurvivalBase-BuildingManagementFantasy
- 14
Planetbase
Why it matched: both open world, survival and strategy; shares 11 player tags including Colony Sim, City Builder and Base-Building.
Guide a group of space settlers trying to establish a base on a remote planet. Grow food, collect energy, mine resources, survive disasters and build a self-sufficient colony in a harsh and unforgiving environment.
Planetbase at a glance Released 2015 Studio Madruga Works Player sentiment 80% positive of 10,438 Price $7.49 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 6.9/10 · Steam: (80% of 10,438)
Matches Dwarf Fortress on: 4 of 5 — Colony Sim, Strategy, Simulation, Base-Building
Why players like it: Colony Sim, City Builder, Base-Building, Space, Strategy — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Dwarf Fortress: $7.49 — $22.50 cheaper
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Dwarf Fortress:Colony SimCity BuilderBase-BuildingStrategySurvivalSimulationResource ManagementBuilding
- 15
Frostpunk
Why it matched: both survival, strategy and difficult; shares 11 player tags including City Builder, Survival and Resource Management; released around the same time (2018).
Frostpunk is the first society survival game. As the ruler of the last city on Earth, it is your duty to manage both its citizens and infrastructure. What decisions will you make to ensure your society's survival? What will you do when pushed to breaking point? Who will you become in the process?
Frostpunk at a glance Released 2018 Studio 11 Bit Studios Player sentiment 93% positive of 137,121 Price $29.99 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 8.0/10 · Steam: (93% of 137,121)
Matches Dwarf Fortress on: 4 of 5 — Colony Sim, Strategy, Simulation, Base-Building
Why players like it: City Builder, Survival, Resource Management, Strategy, Post-apocalyptic — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Dwarf Fortress: $29.99 — about the same price
Watch-outs: players report crashes and freezes (details)
Shared with Dwarf Fortress:City BuilderSurvivalResource ManagementStrategyColony SimBuildingBase-BuildingSimulation
- 16
Jurassic World Evolution 2
Why it matched: both open world, survival and strategy; shares 10 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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.8/10 · Steam: (90% of 47,023)
Matches Dwarf Fortress on: 3 of 5 — Strategy, Simulation, Base-Building
Why players like it: Dinosaurs, Building, Simulation, Management, Sandbox — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Dwarf Fortress: $59.99 — $30.00 pricier
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Dwarf Fortress:BuildingSimulationManagementSandboxStrategyCity BuilderEconomyResource Management
- 17
ASKA
Why it matched: both open world, survival, fantasy and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Crafting, Simulation and Building; released around the same time (2024).
A new Viking age dawns with you at its helm. Forge a thriving colony from nothing in this mythic open-world survival sim. Earn the gods' favor and survive in a land ruled by ancient terrors and unforgiving seasons. Rally unique villagers, expand your settlement and defend your tribe - solo or co-op!
ASKA at a glance Released 2024 Studio Sand Sailor Studio Player sentiment 80% positive of 12,111 Price $24.99 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 6.9/10 · Steam: (80% of 12,111)
Matches Dwarf Fortress on: 3 of 5 — Colony Sim, Simulation, Base-Building
Why players like it: Early Access, Online Co-Op, Multiplayer, Crafting, Co-op — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Dwarf Fortress: $24.99 — $5.00 cheaper
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Dwarf Fortress:CraftingSimulationBuildingSurvivalBase-BuildingColony SimSandboxExploration
- 18
Albion Online
Why it matched: both open world, survival, fantasy, strategy and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Sandbox, Crafting and Survival; released around the same time (2018).
Albion Online is a fantasy sandbox MMORPG featuring a player-driven economy, classless combat system, and intense PvP battles. Explore a vast open world full of danger and opportunity. Grow your wealth, forge alliances, and leave your mark on the world of Albion.
Albion Online at a glance Released 2018 Studio Sandbox Interactive GmbH Player sentiment 78% positive of 93,490 Price Free Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.2/10 · Steam: (78% of 93,490)
Matches Dwarf Fortress on: 1 of 5 — Strategy
Why players like it: Free to Play, MMORPG, Open World, Massively Multiplayer, Sandbox — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Dwarf Fortress: Free — free
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Dwarf Fortress:SandboxCraftingSurvivalEconomyFantasyStrategyDifficult
- 19
Satisfactory
Why it matched: both open world, survival and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Base-Building, Crafting and Building; released around the same time (2024).
Satisfactory is a first-person open-world factory building game with a dash of exploration and combat. Play alone or with friends, explore an alien planet, create multi-story factories, and enter conveyor belt heaven!
Satisfactory at a glance Released 2024 Studio Coffee Stain Studios Player sentiment 97% positive of 278,668 Price $39.99 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 8.8/10 · Steam: (97% of 278,668)
Matches Dwarf Fortress on: 3 of 5 — Strategy, Simulation, Base-Building
Why players like it: Base-Building, Automation, Open World, Multiplayer, Crafting — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Dwarf Fortress: $39.99 — $10.00 pricier
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Dwarf Fortress:Base-BuildingCraftingBuildingResource ManagementSandboxExplorationSurvivalSimulation
- 20
Jurassic World Evolution
Why it matched: both open world, survival and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Building, Simulation and Management; released around the same time (2018).
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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.5/10 · Steam: (87% of 55,272)
Matches Dwarf Fortress on: 2 of 5 — Strategy, Simulation
Why players like it: Building, Dinosaurs, Simulation, Management, Strategy — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Dwarf Fortress: $44.99 — $15.00 pricier
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Dwarf Fortress:BuildingSimulationManagementStrategySandboxCity BuilderEconomyResource Management
- 21
Dawn of Man
Why it matched: both open world, survival and strategy; shares 9 player tags including City Builder, Colony Sim and Survival; released around the same time (2019).
Command a settlement of ancient humans, guide them through the ages in their struggle for survival. Hunt, gather, craft tools, fight, research new techs and face the challenges the environment will throw at you.
Dawn of Man at a glance Released 2019 Studio Madruga Works Player sentiment 87% positive of 17,830 Price $12.49 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.5/10 · Steam: (87% of 17,830)
Matches Dwarf Fortress on: 3 of 5 — Colony Sim, Strategy, Simulation
Why players like it: City Builder, Colony Sim, Survival, Strategy, Simulation — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Dwarf Fortress: $12.49 — $17.50 cheaper
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Dwarf Fortress:City BuilderColony SimSurvivalStrategySimulationSandboxEconomyResource Management
- 22
Stoneshard
Why it matched: both open world, survival, fantasy, strategy and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Rogue-like, Strategy and Survival; released around the same time (2020).
Stoneshard is a hardcore turn-based RPG about the harsh life of a medieval mercenary: travel with your own caravan, descend into procedurally generated dungeons, learn new skills, survive hunger and injuries - and remember, every mistake can mean death and loss of progress.
Stoneshard at a glance Released 2020 Studio Ink Stains Games Player sentiment 75% positive of 35,515 Price $24.99 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 6.8/10 · Steam: (75% of 35,515)
Matches Dwarf Fortress on: 1 of 5 — Strategy
Why players like it: RPG, Rogue-like, Strategy, Pixel Graphics, Survival — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Dwarf Fortress: $24.99 — $5.00 cheaper
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Dwarf Fortress:Rogue-likeStrategySurvivalProcedural GenerationDifficultSandbox
- 23
Timberborn
Why it matched: both open world, survival and strategy; shares 9 player tags including City Builder, Colony Sim and Sandbox; released around the same time (2026).
Humans are long gone. In a world struck by droughts and toxic waste, will your lumberpunk beavers do any better? A sandbox city-building game featuring ingenious animals, vertical architecture, water physics, and terraforming. Contains high amounts of wood.
Timberborn at a glance Released 2026 Studio Mechanistry Player sentiment 96% positive of 41,238 Price $34.99 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 8.3/10 · Steam: (96% of 41,238)
Matches Dwarf Fortress on: 4 of 5 — Colony Sim, Strategy, Simulation, Base-Building
Why players like it: City Builder, Voxel, Colony Sim, Nature, Sandbox — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Dwarf Fortress: $34.99 — $5.00 pricier
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Dwarf Fortress:City BuilderColony SimSandboxBuildingManagementSurvivalBase-BuildingStrategy
- 24
The Riftbreaker
Why it matched: both open world, survival and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Base-Building, Survival and Strategy; released around the same time (2021).
The Riftbreaker is a solo or Co-op base-building, survival game with Action-RPG elements for up to 4 players. Hack & slash countless hordes of enemies. Build up your base, craft powerful weapons and research new inventions to survive.
The Riftbreaker at a glance Released 2021 Studio EXOR Studios Player sentiment 90% positive of 24,729 Price $8.99 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.9/10 · Steam: (90% of 24,729)
Matches Dwarf Fortress on: 3 of 5 — Strategy, Simulation, Base-Building
Why players like it: Base-Building, Tower Defense, Survival, Strategy, Hack and Slash — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Dwarf Fortress: $8.99 — $21.00 cheaper
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Dwarf Fortress:Base-BuildingSurvivalStrategyCraftingResource ManagementBuildingExplorationSandbox
Common questions
What game is most like Dwarf Fortress?
Against the Storm, on the evidence we have. It both open world, survival, fantasy, strategy and difficult. 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 Dwarf Fortress" 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 Dwarf Fortress. 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.