Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Kingdoms and Castles (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Kingdoms and Castles 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: Foundation, which both open world, survival, strategy and relaxing.
- Kingdoms and Castles is tagged City Builder, Colony Sim, Strategy, Medieval, Building, Simulation, Sandbox, Resource 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.
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
Foundation
Why it matched: both open world, survival, strategy and relaxing; shares 14 player tags including City Builder, Simulation and Medieval.
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 BuilderSimulationMedievalStrategySandboxResource ManagementManagementRelaxing
- 2
Surviving Mars
Why it matched: both open world, survival and strategy; shares 12 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
- 3
Planetbase
Why it matched: both open world, survival and strategy; shares 12 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
- 4
Jurassic World Evolution 2
Why it matched: both open world, survival, strategy and relaxing; 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 BuildingSimulationManagementSandboxStrategyCity BuilderEconomyResource Management
- 5
Jurassic World Evolution
Why it matched: both open world, survival, strategy and relaxing; shares 10 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 BuildingSimulationManagementStrategySandboxCity BuilderEconomyResource Management
- 6
Dwarf Fortress
Why it matched: both open world, survival and strategy; shares 12 player tags including Colony Sim, Strategy and Simulation.
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 BuilderSandboxManagementBuilding
- 7
Against the Storm
Why it matched: both open world, 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
- 8
Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic
Why it matched: both open world, 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-BuildingManagementBuildingSandboxSurvival
- 9
Manor Lords
Why it matched: both open world, survival and strategy; shares 12 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-BuildingMedievalManagementBuildingResource Management
- 10
Factorio
Why it matched: both open world, survival and strategy; shares 10 player tags including Base-Building, Resource Management and Sandbox; 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 Base-BuildingResource ManagementSandboxCraftingStrategySurvivalManagementBuilding
- 11
Frostpunk
Why it matched: both survival and strategy; shares 12 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 City BuilderSurvivalResource ManagementStrategyColony SimBuildingBase-BuildingSimulation
- 12
Planet Zoo
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 10 player tags including Management, Simulation and Building; released around the same time (2019).
Build a world for wildlife in Planet Zoo. From the developers of Planet Coaster and Zoo Tycoon comes the ultimate zoo sim. Construct detailed habitats, manage your zoo, and meet authentic living animals who think, feel and explore the world you create around them.
Planet Zoo at a glance Released 2019 Studio Frontier Developments Player sentiment 91% positive of 97,527 Price $44.99 ManagementSimulationBuildingSandboxCity BuilderEconomyResource ManagementStrategy
- 13
Dawn of Man
Why it matched: both open world, survival 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 SimSurvivalStrategySimulationSandboxEconomyRTS
- 14
Going Medieval
Why it matched: both survival and strategy; shares 12 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 SimStrategySandboxEconomySimulationManagementSurvival
- 15
Stronghold Crusader 2
Why it matched: both open world, survival and strategy; shares 10 player tags including Strategy, Medieval and City Builder; 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 StrategyMedievalCity BuilderRTSSimulationBuildingResource ManagementSandbox
- 16
Dyson Sphere Program
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 9 player tags including Base-Building, Building and Resource Management; 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 Base-BuildingBuildingResource ManagementSimulationManagementSandboxCity BuilderStrategy
- 17
Stronghold Crusader HD (2012)
Why it matched: both strategy; shares 12 player tags including City Builder, Medieval and Colony Sim; released around the same time (2013).
The highly anticipated sequel to the best-selling Stronghold, Stronghold Crusader HD throws you into historic battles and castle sieges from the Crusades with fiendish AI opponents, new units, 4 historical campaigns and over 100 unique skirmish missions.
Stronghold Crusader HD (2012) at a glance Released 2013 Studio Firefly Studios Player sentiment 97% positive of 21,059 Price $1.99 City BuilderMedievalColony SimBuildingBase-BuildingStrategySandboxManagement
- 18
Kingdom: Classic
Why it matched: both survival, strategy and relaxing; 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
- 19
Craft The World
Why it matched: both open world, survival and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Colony Sim, Crafting and Building; released around the same time (2014).
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 Colony SimCraftingBuildingSandboxSurvivalStrategySimulationCity Builder
- 20
Stronghold: Definitive Edition
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 11 player tags including City Builder, Strategy and Medieval.
Greetings sire! Your stronghold awaits you. Build a castle economy, besiege unforgettable villains and return to the 'castle sim' that started it all. Experience this classic RTS with upgraded visuals, modernised gameplay, Steam multiplayer and a new campaign.
Stronghold: Definitive Edition at a glance Released 2023 Studio Firefly Studios Player sentiment 87% positive of 10,346 Price $4.49 City BuilderStrategyMedievalSandboxBuildingColony SimRTSEconomy
- 21
Farthest Frontier
Why it matched: both survival and strategy; shares 11 player tags including Medieval, City Builder and Resource Management.
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 MedievalCity BuilderResource ManagementRTSStrategyManagementBase-BuildingBuilding
- 22
IXION
Why it matched: both survival and strategy; shares 11 player tags including City Builder, Strategy and Survival.
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
- 23
Oxygen Not Included
Why it matched: both open world, survival and strategy; 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 ManagementBuildingManagementSimulationSandbox
- 24
Cities: Skylines II
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 10 player tags including City Builder, Simulation and Building.
Raise a city from the ground up and transform it into a thriving metropolis with the most realistic city builder ever. Push your creativity and problem-solving to build on a scale you've never experienced. With deep simulation and a living economy, this is world-building without limits.
Cities: Skylines II at a glance Released 2023 Studio Iceflake Studios Player sentiment 56% positive of 91,995 Price $49.99 City BuilderSimulationBuildingSandboxManagementEconomyStrategyRelaxing
Common questions
What game is most like Kingdoms and Castles?
Foundation, on the evidence we have. It both open world, survival, 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 Kingdoms and Castles" 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 Kingdoms and Castles. 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.