Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Thrive: Heavy Lies The Crown (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Thrive: Heavy Lies The Crown 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 strategy and relaxing.
- Thrive: Heavy Lies The Crown is tagged Early Access, RTS, Management, Colony Sim, Grand Strategy, Fantasy, Casual, Tactical 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.
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 strategy and relaxing; shares 9 player tags including City Builder, Medieval and Sandbox; released around the same time (2025).
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 BuilderMedievalSandboxManagementEconomyBase-BuildingColony SimRTS
- 2
Manor Lords
Why it matched: both strategy; shares 10 player tags including City Builder, Base-Building and Medieval; released around the same time (2024).
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 City BuilderBase-BuildingMedievalManagementGrand StrategySandbox4XRTS
- 3
Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic
Why it matched: both strategy; shares 9 player tags including City Builder, Base-Building and Management; released around the same time (2024).
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 City BuilderBase-BuildingManagementSandboxGrand StrategyColony Sim4XEconomy
- 4
Farthest Frontier
Why it matched: both strategy; shares 9 player tags including Early Access, Medieval and 4X; released around the same time (2025).
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 Early AccessMedieval4XImmersive SimCity BuilderRTSManagementBase-Building
- 5
Kingdoms and Castles
Why it matched: both strategy and relaxing; shares 8 player tags including City Builder, Colony Sim and Medieval.
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 BuilderColony SimMedievalSandboxBase-BuildingManagementRTSEconomy
- 6
Dyson Sphere Program
Why it matched: both strategy and relaxing; shares 7 player tags including Base-Building, Management and Sandbox; 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-BuildingManagementSandboxCity BuilderEarly AccessRTSCasual
- 7
Dwarf Fortress
Why it matched: both fantasy and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Colony Sim, Base-Building and City Builder; 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 Colony SimBase-BuildingCity BuilderSandboxManagementFantasyEconomy
- 8
Against the Storm
Why it matched: both fantasy and strategy; shares 7 player tags including City Builder, Base-Building and Colony Sim; released around the same time (2023).
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 City BuilderBase-BuildingColony SimManagementSandboxRTSEconomy
- 9
Going Medieval
Why it matched: both strategy; shares 8 player tags including Early Access, City Builder and Colony Sim; released around the same time (2026).
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 Early AccessCity BuilderColony SimSandboxEconomyManagementRTSBase-Building
- 10
Stronghold Crusader HD (2012)
Why it matched: both strategy; shares 9 player tags including City Builder, Real Time Tactics and Medieval.
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 BuilderReal Time TacticsMedievalColony SimBase-BuildingSandboxManagementRTS
- 11
Kingdom: Classic
Why it matched: both fantasy, strategy and relaxing; shares 6 player tags including Base-Building, Management and Fantasy.
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 Base-BuildingManagementFantasyCasualCity BuilderColony Sim
- 12
Dune: Spice Wars
Why it matched: both strategy; shares 9 player tags including Management, RTS and 4X; released around the same time (2023).
A 4X real-time strategy game from the developers of the critically acclaimed Northgard. Set in Frank Herbert’s groundbreaking Dune universe, you must lead your faction and battle for control and dominance over the harsh desert planet of Arrakis.
Dune: Spice Wars at a glance Released 2023 Studio Shiro Games Player sentiment 79% positive of 13,549 Price $34.99 ManagementRTS4XGrand StrategyReal Time TacticsTacticalEconomyBase-Building
- 13
Northgard: Definitive Edition
Why it matched: both strategy; shares 9 player tags including City Builder, RTS and Base-Building.
Northgard: Definitive Edition is a critically acclaimed real-time strategy game based on Norse mythology. Lead your clan, uncover the secrets of a mysterious newfound continent and defeat your enemies to conquer the Throne!
Northgard: Definitive Edition at a glance Released 2018 Studio Shiro Games Player sentiment 85% positive of 68,673 Price $34.99 City BuilderRTSBase-BuildingColony SimEconomyTactical4XManagement
- 14
Stronghold: Definitive Edition
Why it matched: both strategy; shares 8 player tags including City Builder, Real Time Tactics and Medieval; released around the same time (2023).
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 BuilderReal Time TacticsMedievalSandboxColony SimRTSEconomyBase-Building
- 15
Prison Architect
Why it matched: both strategy and relaxing; shares 7 player tags including Sandbox, Base-Building and Colony Sim.
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 SandboxBase-BuildingColony SimManagementCity BuilderEconomyCasual
- 16
Total War: WARHAMMER III
Why it matched: both fantasy and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Turn-Based Strategy, Grand Strategy and RTS; released around the same time (2022).
The cataclysmic conclusion to the Total War: WARHAMMER trilogy is here. Rally your forces and step into the Realm of Chaos, a dimension of mind-bending horror where the very fate of the world will be decided. Will you conquer your Daemons… or command them?
Total War: WARHAMMER III at a glance Released 2022 Studio CREATIVE ASSEMBLY Player sentiment 71% positive of 147,877 Price $59.99 Turn-Based StrategyGrand StrategyRTSFantasyReal Time TacticsTacticalPvP
- 17
Jurassic World Evolution 2
Why it matched: both strategy and relaxing; shares 6 player tags including Management, Sandbox and City Builder; 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 ManagementSandboxCity BuilderEconomyBase-BuildingCasual
- 18
Total War: ROME REMASTERED
Why it matched: both strategy; shares 8 player tags including Grand Strategy, Turn-Based Strategy and RTS; released around the same time (2021).
Total War: ROME REMASTERED lets you relive the legacy that defined the award-winning strategy game series. Remastered to 4K with multiple improvements to visuals as well as refinements to gameplay, it’s time to revisit a true classic. Not everyone gets a second chance to conquer the Roman Empire.
Total War: ROME REMASTERED at a glance Released 2021 Studio Creative Assembly Player sentiment 77% positive of 13,722 Price $29.99 Grand StrategyTurn-Based StrategyRTS4XReal Time TacticsWargameTacticalMedieval
- 19
SimCity 4
Why it matched: both strategy and relaxing; shares 7 player tags including City Builder, Immersive Sim and Base-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 City BuilderImmersive SimBase-BuildingSandboxEconomyManagementCasual
- 20
Total War: THREE KINGDOMS
Why it matched: both fantasy and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Turn-Based Strategy, Grand Strategy and RTS.
Unite Ancient China under your rule through a thrilling blend of turn-based empire building and real-time battles. Use the Guanxi System and diplomacy to forge alliances, and build powerful armies with hundreds of unique infantry, cavalry and war machine units.
Total War: THREE KINGDOMS at a glance Released 2019 Studio CREATIVE ASSEMBLY Player sentiment 82% positive of 93,602 Price $39.99 Turn-Based StrategyGrand StrategyRTSTacticalReal Time TacticsSandboxFantasy
- 21
Strife
Why it matched: both fantasy, strategy and relaxing; shares 5 player tags including RTS, Fantasy and Casual.
Strife® is a truly free to play, competitive, MOBA that features non-stop action and engaging combat. Take control of powerful and versatile heroes, each capable of dominating in unique ways, and exert your will in an epic battle between two teams.
Strife at a glance Released 2015 Studio S2 Games Player sentiment 77% positive of 4,886 Price Free RTSFantasyCasualPvPEarly Access
- 22
WorldBox - God Simulator
Why it matched: both fantasy and relaxing; shares 6 player tags including Sandbox, Colony Sim and Fantasy; released around the same time (2021).
WorldBox is the ULTIMATE god simulator and sandbox game. A petri dish for your fantasy civilizations. Create your own world or destroy it using many powers. Watch civilizations grow, form kingdoms, colonize new lands, sail to far continents, wars to ignite, empires to fall and towns to burn!
WorldBox - God Simulator at a glance Released 2021 Studio Maxim Karpenko Player sentiment 95% positive of 56,488 Price $19.99 SandboxColony SimFantasyMedievalManagementEarly Access
- 23
Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition
Why it matched: both strategy; shares 8 player tags including Medieval, Turn-Based Strategy and Grand Strategy.
Spanning the most turbulent era in Western history, your quest for territory and power takes you through Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and even onto the shores of the New World.
Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition at a glance Released 2006 Studio CREATIVE ASSEMBLY Player sentiment 96% positive of 36,357 Price $24.99 MedievalTurn-Based StrategyGrand StrategyRTSTacticalReal Time TacticsSandbox4X
- 24
House Flipper
Why it matched: both strategy and relaxing; shares 6 player tags including Sandbox, Casual and Immersive Sim.
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 SandboxCasualImmersive SimManagementEconomyBase-Building
Common questions
What game is most like Thrive: Heavy Lies The Crown?
Foundation, on the evidence we have. It both 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 Thrive: Heavy Lies The Crown" 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 Thrive: Heavy Lies The Crown. 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.