Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Hydroneer (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Hydroneer 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: Dyson Sphere Program, which both open world, strategy and relaxing.
- Hydroneer is tagged Base-Building, Mining, Automation, Sandbox, Co-op, Open World, Multiplayer, 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.
- 1 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
Dyson Sphere Program
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 9 player tags including Automation, Base-Building and Building; 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 AutomationBase-BuildingBuildingResource ManagementSimulationSandboxStrategyIndie
- 2
Satisfactory
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 10 player tags including Base-Building, Automation and Crafting; 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 Base-BuildingAutomationCraftingBuildingResource ManagementSandboxFirst-PersonSimulation
- 3
Planet Zoo
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Simulation, Building and Sandbox; 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 SimulationBuildingSandboxFamily FriendlyResource ManagementStrategyCasualFunny
- 4
Youtubers Life
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Casual, Simulation and Family Friendly; released around the same time (2017).
Become the most successful youtuber on the planet! Create videos, get subscribers, attend events, interact with your fans… and grow your channel. Live a youtuber’s life!
Youtubers Life at a glance Released 2017 Studio UPLAY Online Player sentiment 77% positive of 15,413 Price $9.99 CasualSimulationFamily FriendlyFunnyIndieResource ManagementStrategySandbox
- 5
Factorio
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Automation, Base-Building and Resource Management; released around the same time (2016).
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 AutomationBase-BuildingResource ManagementSandboxCraftingStrategyBuildingSimulation
- 6
Gold Mining Simulator
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Simulation, Mining and Indie; released around the same time (2017).
Become a gold miner. Work hard, dig deep, explore the world, and you’ll become the wealthiest person in Alaska. Use a variety of specialist machines to find as much gold as you can.
Gold Mining Simulator at a glance Released 2017 Studio Code Horizon Player sentiment 73% positive of 16,382 Price $19.99 SimulationMiningIndieSandboxBuildingFirst-PersonStrategyFunny
- 7
Kingdoms and Castles
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Building and Simulation; 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 StrategyBuildingSimulationSandboxResource ManagementBase-BuildingCrafting
- 8
Transport Fever 2
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 7 player tags including Simulation, Strategy and Sandbox; 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 SimulationStrategySandboxBuildingResource ManagementCasualIndie
- 9
Jurassic World Evolution 2
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 7 player tags including Building, Simulation and Sandbox; 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 BuildingSimulationSandboxStrategyResource ManagementBase-BuildingCasual
- 10
Coral Island
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 7 player tags including Simulation, Crafting and Sandbox; released around the same time (2023).
Coral Island is a vibrant, laid-back farm sim reimagined with multiplayer! Experience enchanting island life at your own pace: farm with friends, nurture animals, build relationships, hang out with a diverse cast of characters, and dive into the magical Merfolk Kingdom.
Coral Island at a glance Released 2023 Studio Stairway Games Player sentiment 89% positive of 27,542 Price $29.99 SimulationCraftingSandboxBuildingCasualIndieMining
- 11
Prison Architect
Why it matched: both strategy and relaxing; shares 9 player tags including Simulation, Building and Sandbox.
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 SimulationBuildingSandboxBase-BuildingStrategyResource ManagementFunnyIndie
- 12
House Flipper
Why it matched: both strategy and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Simulation, Building and Sandbox; released around the same time (2018).
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 Released 2018 Studio Empyrean Player sentiment 94% positive of 111,507 Price $24.99 SimulationBuildingSandboxCasualFirst-PersonFamily FriendlyBase-BuildingIndie
- 13
Mr.Mine
Why it matched: both strategy and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Simulation, Strategy and Mining; released around the same time (2020).
Explore the depths of the earth and uncover hidden treasures in this addictive idle mining game. Unlock the power of your drill with hundreds of upgrades, discover mysterious relics, and unearth priceless gems. Can you master the mines and reveal their deepest secrets? Dive in and dig deep!
Mr.Mine at a glance Released 2020 Studio Playsaurus Player sentiment 92% positive of 18,635 Price Free SimulationStrategyMiningCasualIndieResource ManagementBuildingCrafting
- 14
RollerCoaster Tycoon 3: Platinum
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 7 player tags including Simulation, Sandbox and Building.
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 SimulationSandboxBuildingStrategyFamily FriendlyFunnyCasual
- 15
Foundation
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 7 player tags including Simulation, Strategy and Sandbox.
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 SimulationStrategySandboxResource ManagementBuildingIndieBase-Building
- 16
Raft
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Crafting, Building and Base-Building; released around the same time (2018).
Raft™ throws you and your friends into an epic oceanic adventure! Alone or together, players battle to survive a perilous voyage across a vast sea! Gather debris, scavenge reefs and build your own floating home, but be wary of the man-eating sharks!
Raft at a glance Released 2018 Studio Redbeet Interactive Player sentiment 93% positive of 377,670 Price $19.99 CraftingBuildingBase-BuildingSandboxFirst-PersonSimulationIndieStrategy
- 17
Two Point Hospital
Why it matched: both strategy and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Simulation, Building and Funny; released around the same time (2018).
Design stunning hospitals, cure peculiar illnesses and manage troublesome staff as you spread your budding healthcare organisation across Two Point County.
Two Point Hospital at a glance Released 2018 Studio Two Point Studios Player sentiment 92% positive of 34,935 Price $29.99 SimulationBuildingFunnyStrategySandboxIndieCasualFamily Friendly
- 18
Forager
Why it matched: both open world and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Crafting, Indie and Sandbox; released around the same time (2019).
The highly popular and quirky "idle game that you want to actively keep playing". Explore, craft, gather & manage resources, find secrets and build your base out of nothing! Buy land to explore and expand!
Forager at a glance Released 2019 Studio HopFrog Player sentiment 89% positive of 43,976 Price $19.99 CraftingIndieSandboxBase-BuildingResource ManagementBuildingCasualSimulation
- 19
Jurassic World Evolution
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 6 player tags including Building, Simulation and Strategy; 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 BuildingSimulationStrategySandboxResource ManagementCasual
- 20
Drug Dealer Simulator
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Simulation, Indie and Resource Management; released around the same time (2020).
Have you ever considered creating your own crime empire, without the legal and moral consequences? SIMULATE IT! Crawl into the dark alleys of the street business in this OG drug-dealing game, and make a fortune! A co-op sequel – DDS2 – is out NOW
Drug Dealer Simulator at a glance Released 2020 Studio Byterunners Player sentiment 86% positive of 21,029 Price $19.99 SimulationIndieResource ManagementCraftingFirst-PersonSandboxStrategyFunny
- 21
Construction Simulator 2015
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 7 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 SimulationBuildingCasualStrategyCraftingSandboxFamily Friendly
- 22
Planetbase
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Base-Building, Strategy and Simulation.
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 Base-BuildingStrategySimulationResource ManagementBuildingIndieSandboxCrafting
- 23
Reus
Why it matched: both strategy and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, Indie and Simulation.
In Reus, you control powerful giants to shape the planet to your will. You can create mountains, oceans, forests and more. Enrich your planet with plants, minerals and animal life. There is only one thing on the planet that you do not control: mankind, with all their virtues and and all their vices.
Reus at a glance Released 2013 Studio Abbey Games Player sentiment 78% positive of 5,991 Price $9.99 StrategyIndieSimulationSandboxCasualResource ManagementFamily FriendlyFunny
- 24
Cookie Clicker
Why it matched: both strategy and relaxing; shares 7 player tags including Casual, Indie and Funny; released around the same time (2021).
An idle game about making cookies! Originally released in 2013 on the web, and actively developed since then. This is the official version for Steam.
Cookie Clicker at a glance Released 2021 Studio Orteil Player sentiment 96% positive of 92,880 Price $4.99 CasualIndieFunnyResource ManagementStrategyBuildingSimulation
Common questions
What game is most like Hydroneer?
Dyson Sphere Program, 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 Hydroneer" 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 Hydroneer. 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.