Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like PixARK (2026)
Every game below overlaps with PixARK 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: ARK: Survival Ascended, which both open world, survival and fantasy.
- PixARK is tagged Survival, Open World, Adventure, Multiplayer, Massively Multiplayer, Dinosaurs, Sandbox, RPG 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.
- 7 are free to download, so you can test the resemblance yourself at no cost.
- 1 are from the same studio: Dark and Light.
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
ARK: Survival Ascended
Why it matched: both open world, survival and fantasy; shares 9 player tags including Survival, Dinosaurs and Building; published by the same company; released around the same time (2023).
ARK is reimagined from the ground-up into the next-generation of video game technology with Unreal Engine 5! Form a tribe, tame & breed hundreds of unique dinosaurs and primeval creatures, explore, craft, build, and fight your way to the top of the food-chain. Your new world awaits!
ARK: Survival Ascended at a glance Released 2023 Studio Studio Wildcard Player sentiment 60% positive of 116,330 Price $11.24 SurvivalDinosaursBuildingBase-BuildingCraftingSandboxPvPMassively Multiplayer
- 2
Dark and Light
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Snail Games USA; both open world, survival and fantasy; shares 8 player tags including Survival, Massively Multiplayer and RPG; released around the same time (2017).
Dark and Light is a vast sandbox survival RPG set in a world dominated by powerful elemental forces. Find your way in a meticulously crafted world, featuring breathtaking landscapes, a wide variety of mythical creatures, and limitless possibility to craft, build, and unlock dozens of powerful weapons, spells, and skills.
Dark and Light at a glance Released 2017 Studio Snail Games USA Player sentiment 52% positive of 11,829 Price $17.99 SurvivalMassively MultiplayerRPGSandboxMagicCraftingBase-BuildingPvP
- 3
ARK: Survival Of The Fittest
Why it matched: both open world, survival and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Survival, Dinosaurs and Massively Multiplayer; released around the same time (2017).
ARK: The Survival of the Fittest is a prototype spin-off of ARK: Survival Evolved, pitting up to 60 combatants against each other in a fast-paced, action-packed struggle for survival, where players are ultimately pushed into an epic final showdown leading their Dinosaur Armies into battle.
ARK: Survival Of The Fittest at a glance Released 2017 Studio Studio Wildcard Player sentiment 66% positive of 11,804 Price Not listed SurvivalDinosaursMassively MultiplayerPvPCraftingRPGStrategyFPS
- 4
Conan Exiles Enhanced
Why it matched: both open world, survival, fantasy and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Survival, Building and Crafting; released around the same time (2018).
Conan Exiles Enhanced is an open world survival game set in the mythical lands of Hyboria, now fully upgraded to Unreal Engine 5 with stunning visuals and improved performance. SURVIVE, BUILD, and DOMINATE alone or with friends in a world brimming with adventure!
Conan Exiles Enhanced at a glance Released 2018 Studio Funcom Player sentiment 79% positive of 117,272 Price $39.99 SurvivalBuildingCraftingSandboxRPGMassively MultiplayerPvP
- 5
Knight Online
Why it matched: both open world, survival, fantasy, strategy and relaxing; shares 6 player tags including Massively Multiplayer, PvP and RPG; released around the same time (2016).
The Great Battle between Karus and El Morad has arrived to Steam! Pledge allegiance to one of the Nations and put your skills to the test in one of the best PvP system in the MMORPG universe!
Knight Online at a glance Released 2016 Studio Noah System Player sentiment 51% positive of 11,259 Price Free Massively MultiplayerPvPRPGStrategySurvivalCasual
- 6
Villagers and Heroes
Why it matched: both open world, survival, fantasy and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Massively Multiplayer, RPG and Crafting.
Step into a cozy fantasy MMORPG where adventure feels like home. Craft gear, farm, and build your village—then band together with a warm community to take on challenging boss raids, explore dangerous realms, and forge your legend.
Villagers and Heroes at a glance Released 2014 Studio Mad Otter Games Player sentiment 61% positive of 3,457 Price Free Massively MultiplayerRPGCraftingSandboxSurvivalMagicCasualFPS
- 7
Albion Online
Why it matched: both open world, survival, fantasy and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Massively Multiplayer, Sandbox and RPG; 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 Massively MultiplayerSandboxRPGCraftingSurvivalPvPStrategy
- 8
Kingdom: Classic
Why it matched: both survival, fantasy, strategy and relaxing; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Base-Building and 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 StrategyBase-BuildingBuildingRPGPixel GraphicsSurvivalCasual
- 9
Jurassic World Evolution 2
Why it matched: both open world, survival, strategy and relaxing; shares 7 player tags including Dinosaurs, Building 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 DinosaursBuildingSandboxStrategyBase-BuildingSurvivalCasual
- 10
XERA: Survival
Why it matched: both open world, survival and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Base-Building, Survival and Crafting; released around the same time (2021).
Action-focused, open world survival shooter, PvPvE against fellow mercenaries and lethal XOIDS. Raid for resources alone or with team-mates, build and defend your base, stash your gear and survive against the odds. You are the hunters. You are the hunted. And the robots never sleep…
XERA: Survival at a glance Released 2021 Studio Spotted Kiwi Interactive Player sentiment 66% positive of 7,941 Price Free Base-BuildingSurvivalCraftingBuildingSandboxMassively MultiplayerFPSPvP
- 11
ARK: Survival Evolved
Why it matched: both open world and survival; shares 8 player tags including Survival, Dinosaurs and Crafting; published by the same company; released around the same time (2017).
Stranded on the shores of a mysterious island, you must learn to survive. Use your cunning to kill or tame the primeval creatures roaming the land, and encounter other players to survive, dominate... and escape!
ARK: Survival Evolved at a glance Released 2017 Studio Studio Wildcard Player sentiment 83% positive of 776,582 Price $9.89 SurvivalDinosaursCraftingBuildingBase-BuildingSandboxMassively MultiplayerRPG
- 12
Darwin Project
Why it matched: both open world, survival, strategy and relaxing; shares 7 player tags including Survival, PvP and Massively Multiplayer; released around the same time (2020).
In Darwin Project, ten inmates must survive the elements, track each other, fight, craft tools, and use their social skills to be the last one standing. It's a unique take on battle royale with a Show Director to influence the match and Spectator Interactions to create a one-of-a-kind game show.
Darwin Project at a glance Released 2020 Studio Scavengers Studio Player sentiment 82% positive of 18,460 Price Free SurvivalPvPMassively MultiplayerCraftingStrategyFPSCasual
- 13
Empyrion - Galactic Survival
Why it matched: both open world, survival and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Survival, Building and Sandbox; released around the same time (2020).
Build and explore in a true space sandbox survival adventure. Construct mighty capital vessels, sprawling planetary settlements, and vast space stations in your galactic journey to discover the mysteries of Empyrion!
Empyrion - Galactic Survival at a glance Released 2020 Studio Eleon Game Studios Player sentiment 78% positive of 34,399 Price $19.99 SurvivalBuildingSandboxVoxelPvPCraftingStrategyFPS
- 14
Dwarf Fortress
Why it matched: both open world, survival, fantasy and strategy; shares 6 player tags including Strategy, Base-Building and Sandbox; 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 StrategyBase-BuildingSandboxBuildingSurvivalCrafting
- 15
Kingdoms and Castles
Why it matched: both open world, survival, strategy and relaxing; shares 6 player tags including Strategy, Building and Sandbox; 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 StrategyBuildingSandboxBase-BuildingSurvivalCrafting
- 16
Witch It
Why it matched: both open world, survival, fantasy, strategy and relaxing; shares 5 player tags including Casual, Survival and PvP; released around the same time (2020).
Witch It is a multiplayer hide & seek game set in a vibrant, magical world. Brave hunters seek hidden witches that curse their villages!
Witch It at a glance Released 2020 Studio Barrel Roll Games Player sentiment 89% positive of 19,870 Price $19.99 CasualSurvivalPvPStrategyMagic
- 17
Forager
Why it matched: both open world, survival and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Survival, Pixel Graphics and Crafting; 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 SurvivalPixel GraphicsCraftingSandboxBase-BuildingBuildingRPGCasual
- 18
Fallout Shelter
Why it matched: both survival, strategy and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Base-Building, Survival and Strategy; 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-BuildingSurvivalStrategyBuildingCasualCraftingSandboxRPG
- 19
Jurassic World Evolution
Why it matched: both open world, survival, strategy and relaxing; shares 6 player tags including Building, Dinosaurs 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 BuildingDinosaursStrategySandboxSurvivalCasual
- 20
Faeria
Why it matched: both survival, fantasy, strategy and relaxing; shares 5 player tags including Strategy, Massively Multiplayer and RPG; released around the same time (2017).
With its unique living board, Faeria is also the only card game where you can gain all 300 cards in less than 50 hours.
Faeria at a glance Released 2017 Studio Abrakam Entertainment SA Player sentiment 84% positive of 7,213 Price $19.99 StrategyMassively MultiplayerRPGCasualSurvival
- 21
Craft The World
Why it matched: both open world, survival, fantasy and strategy; shares 6 player tags including Crafting, Building and Sandbox.
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 CraftingBuildingSandboxSurvivalStrategyRPG
- 22
Orcs Must Die! Unchained
Why it matched: both open world, survival, fantasy and strategy; shares 6 player tags including Strategy, Survival and PvP; released around the same time (2017).
Orcs Must Die! Unchained takes the award-winning Orcs Must Die! action tower defense game to a whole new level with team-based gameplay! Bust skulls with your best pals in PvE co-op Survival, or put your teamwork to the real test in Sabotage Mode!
Orcs Must Die! Unchained at a glance Released 2017 Studio Robot Entertainment Player sentiment 69% positive of 6,107 Price Not listed StrategySurvivalPvPRPGMassively MultiplayerFPS
- 23
Mortal Online 2
Why it matched: both open world, survival and fantasy; shares 7 player tags including Sandbox, PvP and RPG; released around the same time (2022).
Step into Nave, a vast fantasy sandbox world with a player-driven economy, persistent housing, and deep crafting systems. Engage in first-person, full-loot PvP combat with other players and perilous foes. Build, explore, and conquer in an unforgiving world. The land is yours—who will you become?
Mortal Online 2 at a glance Released 2022 Studio Star Vault AB Player sentiment 60% positive of 13,915 Price $39.99 SandboxPvPRPGMagicCraftingSurvivalMassively Multiplayer
- 24
Factorio
Why it matched: both open world, survival and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Base-Building, Sandbox and Crafting; 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-BuildingSandboxCraftingStrategySurvivalBuildingPixel Graphics
Common questions
What game is most like PixARK?
ARK: Survival Ascended, on the evidence we have. It both open world, survival and fantasy. 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 PixARK" 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 PixARK. 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.
What else did the makers of PixARK do?
Dark and Light is also from Snail Games USA, and appears in the list below for that reason as well as on tag overlap.
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.