Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Prison Architect (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Prison Architect 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 games like Prison Architect on a map
Compare the whole catalogueThe same 24 games, plotted rather than listed. The two axes below are the ones the ranking is built from, so a game sitting high and right is a game the formula placed near the top. Change either axis to see the field a different way. Where we hold a publisher wordmark, the game is drawn as its mark rather than a dot.
24 games have both
Axes are fitted to these 24 games rather than the full 0 to 100 scale, because a filtered list shares a narrow band and would otherwise sit in one corner. End values are marked. A point on the left edge is the lowest of thesegames, not a low score.
Players. The share of Steam reviews marked positive, pulled toward the catalogue average in proportion to how few reviews stand behind it. A game with 200 reviews moves a long way toward the average; one with 200,000 barely moves at all. Without this a title sitting at 100 percent on nine reviews outranks Half-Life 2 at 98 percent on 278,000.
Popularity. A blend of two things that are not the same. Audience is how many people wrote a Steam review, which is a floor on how many played it. Reach is how many language editions of Wikipedia document the game, which is cultural footprint rather than sales. A game can score high on one and low on the other: a huge free-to-play title has audience without reach, and a landmark console exclusive has reach without a Steam audience at all. Where both exist they are averaged; where only one does, that one carries it.
- Multi-platform
- Nintendo
- PC
Every point links to that game's entry. The value map and the reception map are fixed views of the same data.
How positions are decided
No paid placement, no favouritism, live third-party data
- Placed by the published method, not by us. Every coordinate is computed from the axis definitions and weights printed on this site. Nobody moves a point. See the axes.
- Nothing here is paid for. No sponsored placements, no promoted slots, no arrangement of any kind affects a position. If that ever changes it will be labelled and sit outside the ranking.
- No favouritism, including our own. The 16 games we have written full reviews of are scored by exactly the same formula as the other 1,510, from the same third-party inputs, and they land where it puts them. Our own opinion of a game does not enter its coordinates.
- A position is not an endorsement. It says how a game was received and what it costs, not that we recommend it. Where we do recommend something, it carries a written review with a name on it.
- Fetched from live third-party data. Player sentiment from Steam, critic aggregates as published on store pages, prices checked hourly, attention from Wikipedia. Each figure carries its source and the date it was read, and we do not adjust any of them.
The short version
- Closest match: OpenTTD, which both open world, strategy and relaxing.
- Prison Architect is tagged Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Base-Building, Colony Sim, Strategy, Management, City Builder 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.
- 2 are free to download, so you can test the resemblance yourself at no cost.
Why players value Prison Architect
The five things Steam players tag Prison Architect with most. This is the yardstick every game below is measured against: the closer a game matches these, the more it is likely to scratch the same itch.
- Simulation
- Building
- Sandbox
- Base-Building
- Colony Sim
| Reception | on Steam (89% of 73,744) |
|---|---|
| Watch-outs | no widespread problems reported by players |
| Price | $5.99 |
Tags, sentiment and reported problems come from Steam players; the story line is from Wikipedia. We do not add a written opinion of our own.
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
OpenTTD
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 12 player tags including Simulation, Building and Economy.
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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 8.0/10 · Steam: (95% of 16,952)
Matches Prison Architect on: 3 of 5 — Simulation, Building, Sandbox
Why players like it: Simulation, Building, Free to Play, Economy, Sandbox — the tags Steam players apply most
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Prison Architect:SimulationBuildingEconomySandboxManagementResource ManagementCity BuilderModdable
- 2
Transport Fever 2
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 11 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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.8/10 · Steam: (90% of 32,509)
Matches Prison Architect on: 3 of 5 — Simulation, Building, Sandbox
Why players like it: Simulation, Strategy, Management, Transportation, Trains — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Prison Architect: $39.99 — $34.00 pricier
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Prison Architect:SimulationStrategyManagementCity BuilderEconomySandboxBuildingModdable
- 3
Airport CEO
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 13 player tags including Resource Management, Moddable and Management.
Build and manage an international airport!
Airport CEO at a glance Released 2021 Studio Apog Labs Player sentiment 83% positive of 8,337 Price $24.99 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.0/10 · Steam: (83% of 8,337)
Matches Prison Architect on: 4 of 5 — Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Base-Building
Why players like it: Flight, Resource Management, Moddable, Management, Simulation — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Prison Architect: $24.99 — $19.00 pricier
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Prison Architect:Resource ManagementModdableManagementSimulationBuildingStrategySandboxCapitalism
- 4
Foundation
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 11 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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.7/10 · Steam: (87% of 24,163)
Matches Prison Architect on: 5 of 5 — Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Base-Building, Colony Sim
Why players like it: City Builder, Simulation, Medieval, Strategy, Sandbox — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Prison Architect: $23.44 — $17.45 pricier
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Prison Architect:City BuilderSimulationStrategySandboxResource ManagementManagementEconomyBuilding
- 5
Cities: Skylines II
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 10 player tags including City Builder, Simulation and Building; published by the same company.
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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 5.7/10 · Steam: (56% of 91,995)
Matches Prison Architect on: 3 of 5 — Simulation, Building, Sandbox
Why players like it: City Builder, Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Singleplayer — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Prison Architect: $49.99 — $44.00 pricier
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Prison Architect:City BuilderSimulationBuildingSandboxManagementEconomyStrategyModdable
- 6
Kingdoms and Castles
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 10 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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 8.1/10 · Steam: (94% of 31,404)
Matches Prison Architect on: 5 of 5 — Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Base-Building, Colony Sim
Why players like it: City Builder, Colony Sim, Strategy, Medieval, Building — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Prison Architect: $19.99 — $14.00 pricier
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Prison Architect:City BuilderColony SimStrategyBuildingSimulationSandboxResource ManagementBase-Building
- 7
House Flipper
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 10 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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 8.0/10 · Steam: (94% of 111,507)
Matches Prison Architect on: 4 of 5 — Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Base-Building
Why players like it: Simulation, Design & Illustration, Building, Singleplayer, Relaxing — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Prison Architect: $24.99 — $19.00 pricier
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Prison Architect:SimulationBuildingSandboxCasualManagementEconomyBase-BuildingReplay Value
- 8
Two Point Hospital
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 10 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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 8.0/10 · Steam: (92% of 34,935)
Matches Prison Architect on: 3 of 5 — Simulation, Building, Sandbox
Why players like it: Simulation, Management, Medical Sim, Building, Funny — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Prison Architect: $29.99 — $24.00 pricier
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Prison Architect:SimulationManagementBuildingFunnyStrategySandboxIndieCasual
- 9
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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 8.1/10 · Steam: (91% of 97,527)
Matches Prison Architect on: 3 of 5 — Simulation, Building, Sandbox
Why players like it: Management, Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Nature — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Prison Architect: $44.99 — $39.00 pricier
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Prison Architect:ManagementSimulationBuildingSandboxCity BuilderEconomyResource ManagementStrategy
- 10
Against the Storm
Why it matched: both open world 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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 8.3/10 · Steam: (94% of 37,338)
Matches Prison Architect on: 5 of 5 — Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Base-Building, Colony Sim
Why players like it: Strategy, City Builder, Simulation, Base-Building, Colony Sim — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Prison Architect: $8.99 — $3.00 pricier
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Prison Architect:StrategyCity BuilderSimulationBase-BuildingColony SimManagementBuildingResource Management
- 11
Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic
Why it matched: both open world 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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.9/10 · Steam: (91% of 27,164)
Matches Prison Architect on: 5 of 5 — Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Base-Building, Colony Sim
Why players like it: Strategy, Simulation, City Builder, Base-Building, Management — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Prison Architect: $9.99 — $4.00 pricier
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Prison Architect:StrategySimulationCity BuilderBase-BuildingManagementBuildingSandboxColony Sim
- 12
Going Medieval
Why it matched: both open world 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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.6/10 · Steam: (89% of 21,362)
Matches Prison Architect on: 5 of 5 — Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Base-Building, Colony Sim
Why players like it: RPG, Early Access, City Builder, Colony Sim, Singleplayer — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Prison Architect: $22.49 — $16.50 pricier
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Prison Architect:City BuilderColony SimStrategyModdableSandboxEconomySimulationManagement
- 13
Reus
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 10 player tags including Strategy, Indie and Simulation; released around the same time (2013).
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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 6.8/10 · Steam: (78% of 5,991)
Matches Prison Architect on: 2 of 5 — Simulation, Sandbox
Why players like it: God Game, Strategy, Indie, Simulation, Singleplayer — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Prison Architect: $9.99 — $4.00 pricier
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Prison Architect:StrategyIndieSimulationSandboxCasual2DResource ManagementReplay Value
- 14
Factorio
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 11 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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 8.6/10 · Steam: (98% of 233,978)
Matches Prison Architect on: 4 of 5 — Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Base-Building
Why players like it: Automation, Base-Building, Resource Management, Sandbox, Crafting — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Prison Architect: $35.00 — $29.01 pricier
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Prison Architect:Base-BuildingResource ManagementSandboxStrategyManagementBuilding2DModdable
- 15
Stronghold Crusader HD (2012)
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 11 player tags including City Builder, Colony Sim and Building; 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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 8.1/10 · Steam: (97% of 21,059)
Matches Prison Architect on: 5 of 5 — Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Base-Building, Colony Sim
Why players like it: Military, City Builder, Real Time Tactics, Medieval, Colony Sim — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Prison Architect: $1.99 — $4.00 cheaper
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Prison Architect:City BuilderColony SimBuildingBase-BuildingStrategySandboxManagementResource Management
- 16
Dyson Sphere Program
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 10 player tags including Base-Building, Building and Resource Management.
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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 8.5/10 · Steam: (97% of 91,586)
Matches Prison Architect on: 4 of 5 — Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Base-Building
Why players like it: Automation, Space, Base-Building, Building, Open World — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Prison Architect: $19.99 — $14.00 pricier
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Prison Architect:Base-BuildingBuildingResource ManagementSimulationManagementSandboxCity BuilderStrategy
- 17
RollerCoaster Tycoon 3: Platinum
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 10 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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.6/10 · Steam: (92% of 5,244)
Matches Prison Architect on: 3 of 5 — Simulation, Building, Sandbox
Why players like it: Simulation, Management, Sandbox, Building, Strategy — the tags Steam players apply most
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Prison Architect:SimulationManagementSandboxBuildingStrategyEconomyFunnyModdable
- 18
Surviving Mars
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 10 player tags including Colony Sim, City Builder and Strategy; published by the same company; 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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.2/10 · Steam: (80% of 28,730)
Matches Prison Architect on: 5 of 5 — Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Base-Building, Colony Sim
Why players like it: Colony Sim, City Builder, Strategy, Survival, Space — the tags Steam players apply most
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Prison Architect:Colony SimCity BuilderStrategyBase-BuildingSimulationResource ManagementBuildingManagement
- 19
Jurassic World Evolution 2
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 10 player tags including Building, Simulation and Management.
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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.8/10 · Steam: (90% of 47,023)
Matches Prison Architect on: 4 of 5 — Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Base-Building
Why players like it: Dinosaurs, Building, Simulation, Management, Sandbox — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Prison Architect: $59.99 — $54.00 pricier
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Prison Architect:BuildingSimulationManagementSandboxStrategyCity BuilderEconomyResource Management
- 20
SimCity 4
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 10 player tags including City Builder, Base-Building and Building.
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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.0/10 · Steam: (82% of 9,833)
Matches Prison Architect on: 4 of 5 — Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Base-Building
Why players like it: City Builder, Immersive Sim, Base-Building, Building, Sandbox — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Prison Architect: $19.99 — $14.00 pricier
Watch-outs: players report crashes and freezes, will not launch or install (details)
Shared with Prison Architect:City BuilderBase-BuildingBuildingSandboxEconomyManagementStrategySimulation
- 21
Planet Coaster
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 9 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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.8/10 · Steam: (91% of 72,148)
Matches Prison Architect on: 3 of 5 — Simulation, Building, Sandbox
Why players like it: Simulation, Building, Management, Sandbox, Family Friendly — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Prison Architect: $44.99 — $39.00 pricier
Watch-outs: players report performance and stutter (details)
Shared with Prison Architect:SimulationBuildingManagementSandboxStrategyEconomyFunnyCity Builder
- 22
Kingdom: Classic
Why it matched: both strategy and relaxing; shares 11 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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.7/10 · Steam: (91% of 22,707)
Matches Prison Architect on: 4 of 5 — Simulation, Building, Base-Building, Colony Sim
Why players like it: Free to Play, Strategy, Singleplayer, Simulation, Base-Building — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Prison Architect: Free — free
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Prison Architect:StrategySimulationBase-BuildingBuilding2DManagementResource ManagementCasual
- 23
Fallout Shelter
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; shares 9 player tags including Base-Building, Management and Simulation; 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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.2/10 · Steam: (88% of 82,585)
Matches Prison Architect on: 4 of 5 — Simulation, Building, Sandbox, Base-Building
Why players like it: Free to Play, Base-Building, Survival, Post-apocalyptic, Singleplayer — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Prison Architect: Free — free
Watch-outs: players report crashes and freezes, monetisation inside the game, lost progress or broken saves (details)
Shared with Prison Architect:Base-BuildingManagementSimulationStrategy2DBuildingCasualSandbox
- 24
Jurassic World Evolution
Why it matched: both open world, strategy and relaxing; 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 Verdict: GamingPickz Score 7.5/10 · Steam: (87% of 55,272)
Matches Prison Architect on: 3 of 5 — Simulation, Building, Sandbox
Why players like it: Building, Dinosaurs, Simulation, Management, Strategy — the tags Steam players apply most
Price vs Prison Architect: $44.99 — $39.00 pricier
Watch-outs: no widespread problems reported by players
Shared with Prison Architect:BuildingSimulationManagementStrategySandboxCity BuilderEconomyResource Management
Common questions
What game is most like Prison Architect?
OpenTTD, 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 Prison Architect" 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 Prison Architect. 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.