Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Frostpunk (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Frostpunk 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: IXION, which both post-apocalyptic, survival, story-rich, atmospheric, strategy and difficult.
- Frostpunk is tagged City Builder, Survival, Resource Management, Strategy, Post-apocalyptic, Steampunk, Colony Sim, Building 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.
- 3 are free to download, so you can test the resemblance yourself at no cost.
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
IXION
Why it matched: both post-apocalyptic, survival, story-rich, atmospheric, strategy and difficult; shares 15 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 City BuilderStrategySurvivalResource ManagementColony SimBase-BuildingBuildingSimulation
- 2
Frostpunk 2
Why it matched: both post-apocalyptic, survival, story-rich, atmospheric and strategy; shares 12 player tags including Strategy, City Builder and Survival.
Develop, expand, and advance your city in a society survival game set 30 years after an apocalyptic blizzard ravaged Earth. In Frostpunk 2, you face not only the perils of never-ending winter, but also the powerful factions that watch your every step inside the Council Hall.
Frostpunk 2 at a glance Released 2024 Studio 11 bit studios Player sentiment 75% positive of 26,953 Price $44.99 StrategyCity BuilderSurvivalResource ManagementPost-apocalypticSimulationSteampunkManagement
- 3
They Are Billions
Why it matched: both post-apocalyptic, survival, strategy and difficult; shares 13 player tags including Base-Building, Colony Sim and Strategy; released around the same time (2019).
They Are Billions is a Steampunk strategy game set on a post-apocalyptic planet. Build and defend colonies to survive against the billions of the infected that seek to annihilate the few remaining living humans. Can humanity survive after the zombie apocalypse?
They Are Billions at a glance Released 2019 Studio Numantian Games Player sentiment 85% positive of 51,383 Price $26.99 Base-BuildingColony SimStrategySurvivalRTSCity BuilderSteampunkBuilding
- 4
Foundation
Why it matched: both survival, story-rich, atmospheric and strategy; shares 12 player tags including City Builder, Simulation and Strategy.
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 BuilderSimulationStrategyResource ManagementManagementEconomyBuildingBase-Building
- 5
Dwarf Fortress
Why it matched: both survival, strategy and difficult; shares 11 player tags including Colony Sim, Strategy and Simulation; 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 Colony SimStrategySimulationBase-BuildingCity BuilderManagementBuildingSurvival
- 6
Kingdoms and Castles
Why it matched: both survival and strategy; shares 12 player tags including City Builder, Colony Sim and Strategy; released around the same time (2017).
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 BuilderColony SimStrategyBuildingSimulationResource ManagementBase-BuildingSurvival
- 7
Fallout Shelter
Why it matched: both post-apocalyptic, survival, atmospheric and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Base-Building, Survival and Post-apocalyptic; released around the same time (2015).
Fallout Shelter puts you in control of a state-of-the-art underground Vault from Vault-Tec. Build the perfect Vault, keep your Dwellers happy, and protect them from the dangers of the Wasteland.
Fallout Shelter at a glance Released 2015 Studio Bethesda Game Studios Player sentiment 88% positive of 82,585 Price Free Base-BuildingSurvivalPost-apocalypticManagementSimulationStrategyBuildingGreat Soundtrack
- 8
Dawn of Man
Why it matched: both survival, story-rich and strategy; shares 10 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 City BuilderColony SimSurvivalStrategySimulationEconomyChoices MatterRTS
- 9
Against the Storm
Why it matched: both survival and strategy; shares 12 player tags including Strategy, City Builder and Simulation.
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 BuilderSimulationBase-BuildingColony SimManagementBuildingResource Management
- 10
Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic
Why it matched: both survival and strategy; shares 12 player tags including Strategy, Simulation and City Builder.
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 BuilderBase-BuildingManagementBuildingSurvivalColony Sim
- 11
Planetbase
Why it matched: both survival, atmospheric and strategy; shares 10 player tags including Colony Sim, City Builder and Base-Building; released around the same time (2015).
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 Colony SimCity BuilderBase-BuildingStrategySurvivalSimulationResource ManagementBuilding
- 12
Surviving Mars
Why it matched: both 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 Colony SimCity BuilderStrategySurvivalBase-BuildingSimulationResource ManagementBuilding
- 13
Oxygen Not Included
Why it matched: both survival, strategy and difficult; shares 9 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 Colony SimBase-BuildingSurvivalResource ManagementBuildingManagementSimulationStrategy
- 14
Kingdom: Classic
Why it matched: both survival, atmospheric and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Strategy, Simulation and Base-Building; released around the same time (2015).
Kingdom is a 2D sidescrolling strategy/resource management hybrid with a minimalist feel wrapped in a beautiful, modern pixel art aesthetic.
Kingdom: Classic at a glance Released 2015 Studio Noio Player sentiment 91% positive of 22,707 Price Free StrategySimulationBase-BuildingBuildingManagementResource ManagementSurvivalCity Builder
- 15
Jurassic World Evolution 2
Why it matched: both survival, atmospheric and strategy; 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 BuildingSimulationManagementStrategyCity BuilderEconomyResource ManagementBase-Building
- 16
Jurassic World Evolution
Why it matched: both survival, atmospheric 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 BuildingSimulationManagementStrategyCity BuilderEconomyResource ManagementGreat Soundtrack
- 17
60 Seconds!
Why it matched: both post-apocalyptic, survival, story-rich, strategy and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Difficult, Strategy and Post-apocalyptic; released around the same time (2015).
60 Seconds! is a dark comedy atomic adventure of scavenge and survival. Collect supplies and rescue your family before the nuke hits. Stay alive in your fallout shelter. Make difficult decisions, ration food and hunt mutant cockroaches. And maybe survive. Or not.
60 Seconds! at a glance Released 2015 Studio Robot Gentleman Player sentiment 85% positive of 11,687 Price $8.99 DifficultStrategyPost-apocalypticChoices MatterManagementSurvival
- 18
Manor Lords
Why it matched: both survival and strategy; shares 11 player tags including Strategy, City Builder and Simulation.
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 BuilderSimulationBase-BuildingManagementBuildingResource ManagementSurvival
- 19
Timberborn
Why it matched: both post-apocalyptic, survival and strategy; shares 9 player tags including City Builder, Colony Sim and Building.
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 City BuilderColony SimBuildingManagementSurvivalBase-BuildingStrategyPost-apocalyptic
- 20
Tropico 4
Why it matched: both atmospheric and strategy; shares 10 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 Released 2011 Studio Haemimont Games Player sentiment 92% positive of 12,737 Price $14.99 City BuilderSimulationStrategyManagementGreat SoundtrackEconomyReal-Time with PauseBuilding
- 21
Going Medieval
Why it matched: both survival and strategy; shares 10 player tags including City Builder, Colony Sim and Strategy.
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 City BuilderColony SimStrategyEconomySimulationManagementSurvivalRTS
- 22
Farthest Frontier
Why it matched: both survival and strategy; shares 10 player tags including City Builder, Resource Management and RTS.
Protect and guide your people as you forge a town from untamed wilderness at the edge of the known world. Harvest raw materials, hunt, fish and farm to survive. Produce crafted items to trade, consume, equip and fight with as you battle for your survival against the elements and outside threats.
Farthest Frontier at a glance Released 2025 Studio Crate Entertainment Player sentiment 86% positive of 25,411 Price $34.99 City BuilderResource ManagementRTSStrategyManagementBase-BuildingBuildingSimulation
- 23
Stronghold Crusader 2
Why it matched: both survival, atmospheric and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, City Builder and RTS; released around the same time (2014).
Stronghold Crusader 2 is the long awaited sequel to the original castle sim. After 12 years Stronghold returns to the desert with a new 3D engine and powerful Havok Physics. Crusader 2 recaptures the original game’s addictive, fast-paced gameplay and authentic castle simulation.
Stronghold Crusader 2 at a glance Released 2014 Studio Firefly Studios Player sentiment 72% positive of 18,080 Price $3.99 StrategyCity BuilderRTSSimulationBuildingResource ManagementSurvivalBase-Building
- 24
Ultimate Custom Night
Why it matched: both survival, story-rich, atmospheric, strategy and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Difficult, Strategy and Survival; released around the same time (2018).
Welcome to the ultimate FNAF mashup, featuring 50 selectable characters and custom difficulties!
Ultimate Custom Night at a glance Released 2018 Studio Scott Cawthon Player sentiment 95% positive of 62,777 Price Free DifficultStrategySurvivalDarkSimulation
Common questions
What game is most like Frostpunk?
IXION, on the evidence we have. It both post-apocalyptic, survival, story-rich, atmospheric, 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 Frostpunk" 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 Frostpunk. 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.