Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Planet Zoo (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Planet Zoo 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: Planet Coaster, which made by the same studio, Frontier Developments.
- Planet Zoo is tagged Management, Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Nature, City Builder, Economy, Realistic 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 from the same studio: Planet Coaster, Jurassic World Evolution, Jurassic World Evolution 2.
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
Planet Coaster
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Frontier Developments; both strategy and relaxing; shares 13 player tags including Simulation, Building and Management; released around the same time (2016).
Planet Coaster® - the future of coaster park simulation games has arrived! Surprise, delight and thrill incredible crowds as you build your coaster park empire - let your imagination run wild, and share your success with the world.
Planet Coaster at a glance Released 2016 Studio Frontier Developments Player sentiment 91% positive of 72,148 Price $44.99 SimulationBuildingManagementSandboxFamily FriendlyRelaxingStrategyEconomy
- 2
Jurassic World Evolution
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Frontier Developments; both open world, 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
- 3
Cities: Skylines II
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 12 player tags including City Builder, Simulation and Building; released around the same time (2023).
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 BuilderSimulationBuildingSandboxManagementEconomyStrategyRealistic
- 4
Jurassic World Evolution 2
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Frontier Developments; both open world, strategy and relaxing; 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 BuildingSimulationManagementSandboxStrategyCity BuilderEconomyResource Management
- 5
RollerCoaster Tycoon 3: Platinum
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 11 player tags including Simulation, Management and Sandbox.
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 SimulationManagementSandboxBuildingStrategyEconomyFamily FriendlyFunny
- 6
Kingdoms and Castles
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 10 player tags including City Builder, Strategy and Building; 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 BuilderStrategyBuildingSimulationSandboxResource ManagementManagementEconomy
- 7
Transport Fever 2
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 10 player tags including Simulation, Strategy and Management; 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 SimulationStrategyManagementCity BuilderEconomySandboxBuildingRealistic
- 8
Transport Fever
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 10 player tags including City Builder, Sandbox and Building; released around the same time (2016).
Transport Fever is a railroad-focused tycoon game. Players start in 1850 and build up a thriving transport company. As an emerging transport tycoon, the player constructs stations, airports, harbors and makes money by connecting areas requiring transport services. Build up your own Empire!
Transport Fever at a glance Released 2016 Studio Urban Games Player sentiment 83% positive of 10,841 Price $29.99 City BuilderSandboxBuildingEconomyManagementStrategyRelaxingSimulation
- 9
Youtubers Life
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 9 player tags including Management, Casual and Simulation; 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 ManagementCasualSimulationFamily FriendlyFunnyResource ManagementStrategyRealistic
- 10
Reus
Why it matched: both strategy and relaxing; shares 11 player tags including Strategy, Simulation and Sandbox.
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 StrategySimulationSandboxCasualResource ManagementRelaxingNatureFamily Friendly
- 11
Mini Motorways
Why it matched: both strategy and relaxing; shares 10 player tags including Strategy, Simulation and Casual; released around the same time (2021).
Mini Motorways is a strategy simulation game about designing the road map for a growing city. Build a traffic network, one road at a time, to create a bustling metropolis. Redesign your roads and place your motorways to get everyone where they need to go. How long can you keep the city moving?
Mini Motorways at a glance Released 2021 Studio Dinosaur Polo Club Player sentiment 96% positive of 24,384 Price $9.99 StrategySimulationCasualManagementRelaxingBuildingCity BuilderResource Management
- 12
Prison Architect
Why it matched: both strategy and relaxing; shares 10 player tags including Simulation, Building and Sandbox; released around the same time (2015).
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 SimulationBuildingSandboxStrategyManagementCity BuilderResource ManagementEconomy
- 13
Foundation
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 9 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 BuilderSimulationStrategySandboxResource ManagementManagementRelaxingEconomy
- 14
Gold Mining Simulator
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 9 player tags including Simulation, Realistic and Sandbox; 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 SimulationRealisticSandboxEconomyBuildingStrategyManagementRelaxing
- 15
Dyson Sphere Program
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Building, Resource Management and Simulation; 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 BuildingResource ManagementSimulationManagementSandboxCity BuilderStrategyCasual
- 16
Hydroneer
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Sandbox, Building and Funny; released around the same time (2020).
Hydroneer is a mining and base building sandbox. Dig for gold and other resources to turn a profit and enhance your mining operation. Build a base of operations, forge weapons, go fishing, and dig deep!
Hydroneer at a glance Released 2020 Studio Foulball Hangover Player sentiment 86% positive of 28,407 Price $14.99 SandboxBuildingFunnyResource ManagementCasualSimulationStrategyFamily Friendly
- 17
Construction Simulator 2015
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 9 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 SimulationBuildingCasualRealisticManagementStrategySandboxCity Builder
- 18
House Flipper
Why it matched: both strategy and relaxing; shares 9 player tags including Simulation, Building and Relaxing; 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 SimulationBuildingRelaxingSandboxCasualManagementEconomyFamily Friendly
- 19
Farming Simulator 19
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Simulation, Realistic and Management; released around the same time (2018).
The best-selling franchise takes a giant leap forward with a complete overhaul of the graphics engine, offering the most striking and immersive visuals and effects, along with the deepest and most complete farming experience ever.
Farming Simulator 19 at a glance Released 2018 Studio GIANTS Software Player sentiment 94% positive of 76,267 Price $17.99 SimulationRealisticManagementResource ManagementRelaxingEconomyFamily FriendlyStrategy
- 20
SimCity 4
Why it matched: both strategy and relaxing; shares 10 player tags including City Builder, Building and Sandbox.
SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition includes the bestselling SimCity 4 and the all-new SimCity 4 Rush Hour Expansion Pack. Create the most massive region of cities ever, with a farming town, bedroom community, high-tech commercial center, and industrial backbone.
SimCity 4 at a glance Released 2003 Studio Maxis Player sentiment 82% positive of 9,833 Price $19.99 City BuilderBuildingSandboxEconomyManagementStrategySimulationCasual
- 21
Train Simulator Classic
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including Simulation, Realistic and Casual; released around the same time (2015).
The ultimate railway hobby for more than 15 years! From historic steam locomotives to modern high-speed and heavy freight trains, and routes around the world, Train Simulator Classic is the simulation made by railfans for railfans.
Train Simulator Classic at a glance Released 2015 Studio Dovetail Games Player sentiment 72% positive of 29,408 Price $29.99 SimulationRealisticCasualRelaxingBuildingSandboxCity BuilderStrategy
- 22
OpenTTD
Why it matched: both strategy and relaxing; shares 9 player tags including Simulation, Building and Economy; released around the same time (2021).
OpenTTD is a business simulation game in which players earn money by transporting passengers and cargo via road, rail, water, and air. It is an open-source remake and expansion of the 1995 Chris Sawyer video game Transport Tycoon Deluxe.
OpenTTD at a glance Released 2021 Studio OpenTTD Player sentiment 95% positive of 16,952 Price Not listed SimulationBuildingEconomySandboxManagementResource ManagementCity BuilderStrategy
- 23
Townscaper
Why it matched: both open world and relaxing; shares 9 player tags including Building, Relaxing and Sandbox; released around the same time (2021).
Instant town building toy. Place housing blocks and watch them transform, piece by piece, into idyllic ocean-side towns, pastoral gardens, or sweeping cities on the sea.
Townscaper at a glance Released 2021 Studio Oskar Stålberg Player sentiment 95% positive of 21,622 Price $2.39 BuildingRelaxingSandboxCasualCity BuilderSimulationFamily FriendlyCute
- 24
Two Point Hospital
Why it matched: both strategy and relaxing; shares 9 player tags including Simulation, Management and Building; 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 SimulationManagementBuildingFunnyStrategySandboxCasualCity Builder
Common questions
What game is most like Planet Zoo?
Planet Coaster, on the evidence we have. It made by the same studio, Frontier Developments. 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 Planet Zoo" 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 Planet Zoo. 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 Planet Zoo do?
Planet Coaster, Jurassic World Evolution, Jurassic World Evolution 2 are also from Frontier Developments, and appear 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.