Games like 1980 on Steam
For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free games like 1980 are available at the bottom of the page.
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Jurassic World Evolution
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.
Dorfromantik
Dorfromantik is a peaceful building strategy and puzzle game where you create a beautiful and ever-growing village landscape by placing tiles. Explore a variety of colorful biomes, discover and unlock new tiles and complete quests to fill your world with life!
Sweet Transit
Sweet Transit is a unique city builder where the railway is king. Build and automate the dream supply chain for your citizens, giving them all they need to expand quaint villages into bustling cities. Progress from steam power to diesel and beyond in this advanced train-driven experience.
One More Gate : A Wakfu Legend
One More Gate is a rogue-lite deck-builder that combines exploration and turn-based strategic combat. Head out to discover fantastic places, master the power of Wakfu to create destructive card combos, and defeat all those who would stand in your way!
Dream Town Island
A town sim where you raise generations of residents. Unlock new stores and facilities, help your residents find love, or cash in on the stock market!
Sid Meier's Railroads!
Sid Meier's Railroads! marks the return of the watershed title in simulation/strategy gaming that launched the popular "tycoon" genre, and inspired a new generation of games. Sid Meier's Railroads!
Kingdoms Reborn
A city builder with simulated citizens, set in a procedurally-generated world map. Grow your kingdom through the eras from a tiny medieval hamlet into a prosperous global empire! Cooperate or compete in real-time with your friends in multiplayer mode.
BoomTown! Deluxe
An explosive combination of mining sim and city builder. Your dream of building your own thriving town starts with few explosive charges and a yellow truck. As you mine the landscape and the money starts to roll in you'll be able to expand your empire, buying buildings, shops and facilities.
Vietnam ‘65
It is 1965 and the US ground war in Vietnam is in full swing. As a US Army commander, wage a counter-insurgency (COIN) war to secure the Ia Drang valley, on the border with Cambodia.
Arcanists
Players take turns in a race against the clock, utilising an array of spells to defeat their opponents in battle! Victory is accomplished by becoming the 'last man standing' (or last team) after all other players have been reduced to zero hitpoints.
Battle Academy
A turn-based strategy game like no other has landed on Steam. Approachable, absorbing and visually impressive yet detailed, Battle Academy aims to revolutionise the strategy games market with a blend of intuitive design and compelling gameplay.
Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI
Expand your empire, advance your culture and go head-to-head against history’s greatest leaders. Will your civilization stand the test of time?
Lethis - Path of Progress
Lethis - Path of Progress is a city-builder in a victorian steampunk setting.
Magic: The Gathering Arena
Magic: The Gathering Arena empowers you to discover your strategy, meet the planeswalkers, explore the multiverse, and battle friends around the world. Start playing for free, challenge your friends, unlock cards, and feel the magic of the original fantasy CCG!
Little Big Workshop
Manage your workers, stations, machines and create awesome stuff as your little big workshop grows into your dream factory!
SimCasino
Modern Casino Tycoon Simulation in full 3D glory. Build the casino. Set the odds. Expand into a luxury hotel/casino or go cheap & extract max profits. Keep the vault secure at all times, and beware of criminals & cheaters!!
Ascension
In this cultivation 4X strategy game, your sect has been in peril, and so they open a portal—sending you, a young disciple and their last hope, inside. Stand tall as the new sect leader and guide disciples to rebuild what was lost. Sharpen your focus, master alchemy, and ascend to immortality.
Tavern Master
Tavern Master is all about managing your medieval tavern. You start with a very small room, couple of benches and tables and build your way up to a huge successful tavern with a kitchen, rooms for guests, group of loyal staff and much more!
Trimps
A text-based incremental idle game with a ridiculous amount of unique content. Automate old stuff as you unlock new stuff to keep things interesting for hours and hours, no spam clicking necessary! Trimps is everything you love about your favorite games, distilled to their purest form.
Stronghold: Definitive Edition
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.
Warlock - Master of the Arcane
In a time of chaotic upheaval, the player takes the role of a great mage, a warlord vying for ultimate power.
Tapple - Idle Clicker
Welcome to Tapple, the idle clicker game where every tap brings you closer to an ever-growing collection of Tapples. Build your empire one tap at a time, discover unique Tapple drops, and experience the rewarding gameplay that keeps you coming back for more.
The Guild Gold Edition
It’s the year 1400- the late Middle Ages. Europe sees the dawn of the golden age of the new departures and the free spirit. Under the rule of the bourgeoisie and businessmen, more and more towns are emerging from the clutches of the aristocracy and are achieving independence, power and wealth.
Most played games like 1980 on Steam
Take a look at the top games like 1980 that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of June 16th 2025.
1. Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI
Similarity 42% Expand your empire, advance your culture and go head-to-head against history’s greatest leaders. Will your civilization stand the test of time? Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI is a strategy, turn-based strategy and multiplayer game developed by Firaxis Games, Aspyr (Mac) and Aspyr (Linux) and published by Aspyr (Mac), Aspyr (Linux) and 2K. Released on October 20th 2016 has received 349,920 reviews of which 304,053 were positive and 45,867 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played game like 1980, thanks to its 23,194 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.6
304,053
45,867
23,194
players
2. Magic: The Gathering Arena
Similarity 42% Magic: The Gathering Arena empowers you to discover your strategy, meet the planeswalkers, explore the multiverse, and battle friends around the world. Start playing for free, challenge your friends, unlock cards, and feel the magic of the original fantasy CCG! Magic: The Gathering Arena is a strategy, card game and free to play game developed and published by Wizards of the Coast LLC. Released on May 23rd 2023 has received 19,465 reviews of which 12,323 were positive and 7,142 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.3 out of 10. While seeing 11,949 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among games like 1980 based on player count.
6.3
12,323
7,142
11,949
players
3. Summoners War
Similarity 45% A global hit RPG that captured the Summoners all around the world! Jump into the Sky Arena, a world under battle over the vital resource: Mana Crystals. Design your own deck and strategy using 1,000 Monsters to claim victory. Go on an epic adventure with your Monsters! Summoners War is a free to play, rpg and strategy game developed and published by Com2uS. Released on January 07th 2024 has received 8,700 reviews of which 6,171 were positive and 2,529 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. While seeing 8,450 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among games like 1980 based on player count.
7.0
6,171
2,529
8,450
players
4. Cities: Skylines
Similarity 51% Cities: Skylines is a modern take on the classic city simulation. The game introduces new game play elements to realize the thrill and hardships of creating and maintaining a real city whilst expanding on some well-established tropes of the city building experience. Cities: Skylines is a city builder, simulation and building game developed by Colossal Order Ltd. and published by Paradox Interactive. Released on March 10th 2015 has received 275,770 reviews of which 256,362 were positive and 19,408 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 6,314 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played games like 1980.
9.2
256,362
19,408
6,314
players
5. Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms
Similarity 40% Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms is a Dungeons & Dragons strategy management game uniting Champions from throughout the D&D multiverse into a grand adventure. Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms is a dungeons & dragons, free to play and idler game developed and published by Codename Entertainment Inc.. Released on March 25th 2020 has received 14,480 reviews of which 11,212 were positive and 3,268 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. With 3,187 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played games like 1980.
7.6
11,212
3,268
3,187
players
6. Anno 1800
Similarity 43% Anno 1800™ – Lead the Industrial Revolution! Welcome to the dawn of the Industrial Age. The path you choose will define your world. Are you an innovator or an exploiter? A conqueror or a liberator? How the world remembers your name is up to you. Anno 1800 is a city builder, strategy and simulation game developed by Ubisoft Mainz and published by Ubisoft. Released on April 16th 2019 has received 25,091 reviews of which 20,368 were positive and 4,723 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. With 3,157 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played games like 1980.
8.0
20,368
4,723
3,157
players
7. Transport Fever 2
Similarity 50% 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 is a simulation, strategy and management game developed by Urban Games and published by Good Shepherd Entertainment. Released on December 11th 2019 has received 27,627 reviews of which 24,960 were positive and 2,667 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. With 2,477 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played games like 1980.
8.9
24,960
2,667
2,477
players
8. Jurassic World Evolution 2
Similarity 41% 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 is a dinosaurs, building and simulation game developed and published by Frontier Developments. Released on November 09th 2021 has received 36,638 reviews of which 32,817 were positive and 3,821 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. With 2,251 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played games like 1980.
8.8
32,817
3,821
2,251
players
9. Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic
Similarity 50% 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 is a strategy, simulation and city builder game developed by 3Division and published by Hooded Horse. Released on June 20th 2024 has received 22,175 reviews of which 20,192 were positive and 1,983 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. With 2,210 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played games like 1980.
8.9
20,192
1,983
2,210
players
10. Manor Lords
Similarity 48% 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 is a strategy, city builder and simulation game developed by Slavic Magic and published by Hooded Horse. Released on April 26th 2024 has received 72,120 reviews of which 62,224 were positive and 9,896 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. With 2,155 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played games like 1980.
8.5
62,224
9,896
2,155
players
Best deals on games like 1980 on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of games like 1980 available on Steam right now, updated on June 16th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted games like 1980.
1. Railroad Corporation
Similarity 40% Relive the pioneering spirit of the Golden Age of Steam by establishing your own railroad empire across 19th century North America. Bring settlements together, produce and trade goods and develop new technologies to stay ahead of the competition. Want more? RAILROAD CORPORATION 2 Out Now! Railroad Corporation is a strategy, trains and management game developed by Corbie Games and published by Iceberg Interactive. Released on November 18th 2019 has received 1,387 reviews of which 1,028 were positive and 359 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Featuring a massive 99% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for games like 1980.
7.1
1,028
359
-99%
35.10€
0.44€
2. Lords and Villeins
Similarity 56% Build a prosperous settlement in a unique simulation of a feudal economy - each family runs their shop, owns their goods, and trades with other villagers in a free market. You will manage the land, build houses, organise events, set taxes, and balance supply and demand while engaging in diplomacy! Lords and Villeins is a colony sim, strategy and city builder game developed by Honestly Games and published by Fulqrum Publishing. Released on November 10th 2022 has received 872 reviews of which 633 were positive and 239 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 99% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in games like 1980.
7.0
633
239
-99%
24.99€
0.38€
3. Havendock
Similarity 44% Breathe easy and thrive in this cozy colony sim. Build a haven for castaways, manage resources, live your best life on the ocean. Lead your humble settlement into a high-tech society. Havendock is a singleplayer, strategy and city builder game developed by YYZ Studio and published by IndieArk and Pretty Soon. Released on April 22nd 2025 has received 1,399 reviews of which 1,191 were positive and 208 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 98% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in games like 1980.
8.1
1,191
208
-98%
19.50€
0.42€
4. Nebuchadnezzar
Similarity 45% Create and customize cities in Nebuchadnezzar, a classic isometric city-builder where careful planning and define your rise as a ruler in ancient Mesopotamia. Nebuchadnezzar is a city builder, sandbox and building game developed by Nepos Games and published by Astra Logical. Released on February 17th 2021 has received 1,706 reviews of which 1,354 were positive and 352 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for games like 1980.
7.6
1,354
352
-98%
19.99€
0.43€
5. Railroad Tycoon 3
Similarity 46% Railroad Tycoon 3 features 25 scenarios challenging players to recreate magnificent feats of railroading history from around the world. Players can lay track (including tunnels and overpasses), pick from over 40 locomotives from early steams to modern bullets, choose to haul over 35 types of cargo in a dynamic economy, and participate in... Railroad Tycoon 3 is a management, strategy and trains game developed by PopTop and published by 2K. Released on May 04th 2007 has received 1,169 reviews of which 900 were positive and 269 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for games like 1980.
7.4
900
269
-98%
9.99€
0.25€
6. Buzz Aldrin's Space Program Manager
Similarity 40% Space Program Manager (SPM) is the ultimate game of space exploration. It is the mid 1950s and the race for dominance between the US and the Soviet Union is about to move into a new dimension: space. Buzz Aldrin's Space Program Manager is a simulation, strategy and space game developed by Polar Motion and published by Slitherine Ltd.. Released on October 31st 2014 has received 479 reviews of which 369 were positive and 110 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for games like 1980.
7.3
369
110
-98%
28.99€
0.74€
7. Rise of Industry
Similarity 52% Put your entrepreneurial skills to the test in the first title in the ROI series as you create & optimise intricate production lines. As an early 20th-Century industrialist, grow your empire & adapt to an ever-changing business landscape with unexpected events that could lead to boom…or bust. Rise of Industry is a management, strategy and economy game developed by Dapper Penguin Studios and published by Kasedo Games. Released on May 02nd 2019 has received 4,100 reviews of which 3,001 were positive and 1,099 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for games like 1980.
7.1
3,001
1,099
-98%
28.99€
0.62€
8. As Far As The Eye
Similarity 47% Build a mobile village and travel with your tribe toward the center of the world, called The Eye. This roguelike turn-based resource-management game is made of procedural situations, natural events, skill-trees and hard choices. Ready to move? As Far As The Eye is a strategy, building and colony sim game developed by Unexpected and published by Unexpected, Goblinz Publishing and Maple Whispering Limited. Released on September 10th 2020 has received 2,080 reviews of which 1,505 were positive and 575 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for games like 1980.
7.0
1,505
575
-98%
20.99€
0.47€
9. CivCity: Rome
Similarity 47% CivCity: Rome, an innovative city builder inspired by the world of Sid Meiers Civilization, and created by a collaboration between Firefly Studios and Firaxis Games, invites players to shift focus from building a multi-city empire and zoom-in on the great cities of the Roman Empire, culminating in Rome itself! CivCity: Rome is a strategy, city builder and rome game developed by FireFly Studios and Firaxis Games and published by 2K. Released on April 06th 2007 has received 858 reviews of which 624 were positive and 234 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for games like 1980.
7.0
624
234
-98%
9.99€
0.27€
10. Basement
Similarity 41% Basement is a strategy game, where you start doing illegal business to fund the development of your dream video game. It won't be easy, so get ready to deal with other gangs, cops, crazy junkies, mysterious investor and even ghosts from the past. Basement is a management, strategy and crime game developed and published by Halfbus. Released on November 10th 2019 has received 2,204 reviews of which 1,554 were positive and 650 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for games like 1980.
6.9
1,554
650
-98%
16.79€
0.46€
Free games like 1980 on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play games like 1980 you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on June 16th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play games like 1980.
1. Magic: The Gathering Arena
Similarity 42% Magic: The Gathering Arena empowers you to discover your strategy, meet the planeswalkers, explore the multiverse, and battle friends around the world. Start playing for free, challenge your friends, unlock cards, and feel the magic of the original fantasy CCG! Magic: The Gathering Arena is a strategy, card game and free to play game developed and published by Wizards of the Coast LLC. Released on May 23rd 2023 has received 19,465 reviews of which 12,323 were positive and 7,142 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.3 out of 10. With 11,949 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free games like 1980.
6.3
12,323
7,142
11,949
players
2. Summoners War
Similarity 45% A global hit RPG that captured the Summoners all around the world! Jump into the Sky Arena, a world under battle over the vital resource: Mana Crystals. Design your own deck and strategy using 1,000 Monsters to claim victory. Go on an epic adventure with your Monsters! Summoners War is a free to play, rpg and strategy game developed and published by Com2uS. Released on January 07th 2024 has received 8,700 reviews of which 6,171 were positive and 2,529 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 8,450, this game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free games like 1980.
7.0
6,171
2,529
8,450
players
3. Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms
Similarity 40% Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms is a Dungeons & Dragons strategy management game uniting Champions from throughout the D&D multiverse into a grand adventure. Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms is a dungeons & dragons, free to play and idler game developed and published by Codename Entertainment Inc.. Released on March 25th 2020 has received 14,480 reviews of which 11,212 were positive and 3,268 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 3,187, this game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free games like 1980.
7.6
11,212
3,268
3,187
players
4. Clicker Heroes
Similarity 41% Ever wondered what one quadrillion damage per second feels like? Wonder no more! Embark on your quest to attain it today! Clicker Heroes is a clicker, idler and casual game developed and published by Playsaurus. Released on May 13th 2015 has received 61,304 reviews of which 54,989 were positive and 6,315 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 1,991 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free games like 1980.
8.8
54,989
6,315
1,991
players
5. Fallout Shelter
Similarity 40% 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 is a free to play, base-building and survival game developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. Released on March 29th 2017 has received 74,448 reviews of which 65,847 were positive and 8,601 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 994 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free games like 1980.
8.7
65,847
8,601
994
players
6. Trimps
Similarity 41% A text-based incremental idle game with a ridiculous amount of unique content. Automate old stuff as you unlock new stuff to keep things interesting for hours and hours, no spam clicking necessary! Trimps is everything you love about your favorite games, distilled to their purest form. Trimps is a idler, strategy and free to play game developed and published by Greensatellite. Released on May 02nd 2022 has received 1,287 reviews of which 1,176 were positive and 111 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 769 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #6 position in the best free games like 1980.
8.7
1,176
111
769
players
7. Realm Grinder
Similarity 49% Grow your realm, build alliances, and explore one of the deepest idle RPGs ever! Realm Grinder is a free to play, clicker and pixel graphics game developed by Divine Games and published by Kongregate. Released on June 15th 2017 has received 7,102 reviews of which 6,185 were positive and 917 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 573 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #7 position in the best free games like 1980.
8.5
6,185
917
573
players
8. GIRLS' FRONTLINE 2: EXILIUM
Similarity 41% GIRLS' FRONTLINE 2: EXILIUM is a Post-Apocalyptic Tactical RPG. Players take on the role of a commander who acts as a bounty hunter, leading a squad of tactical dolls through the contaminated zones. While accepting and completing various missions, players will face continuous waves of enemies. GIRLS' FRONTLINE 2: EXILIUM is a strategy, rpg and anime game developed by SUNBORN Information Co. and Ltd. and published by HaoPlay Limited. Released on February 10th 2025 has received 1,580 reviews of which 1,111 were positive and 469 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.8 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 472 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #8 position in the best free games like 1980.
6.8
1,111
469
472
players
9. Bloons Monkey City
Similarity 52% Create, upgrade, and customize your very own Bloons Monkey City in this groundbreaking blend of city building and tower defense awesomeness! Bloons Monkey City is a free to play, strategy and action game developed and published by Ninja Kiwi. Released on April 10th 2020 has received 6,222 reviews of which 5,676 were positive and 546 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 272 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #9 position in the best free games like 1980.
8.8
5,676
546
272
players
10. Stronghold Kingdoms
Similarity 44% A massively multiplayer grand strategy game, Stronghold Kingdoms is about forging alliances, political mind games, city-building and castle sieges with thousands of other players! Stronghold Kingdoms is a strategy, free to play and massively multiplayer game developed and published by FireFly Studios. Released on February 27th 2012 has received 9,341 reviews of which 5,975 were positive and 3,366 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.3 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 265 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #10 position in the best free games like 1980.
6.3
5,975
3,366
265
players