Games like Dwarf Fortress on Steam
For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free games like Dwarf Fortress are available at the bottom of the page.
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The Colonists
Build a new home for your team of robots as they begin a new life for themselves on a distant planet where they can fulfil their ultimate dream: to be human.
Per Aspera
Make Mars your own! Take control of the world’s most sophisticated AI (AMI) and terraform the surface of the Red Planet for a city-building experience on a planetary scale. Transform this barren world into a lush paradise and explore the surface for any ancient secrets that may be waiting.
Songs of Syx
Songs of Syx is a fantasy city-builder where you start off as an insignificant colony and build, scheme, and fight your way towards a metropolis and empire. The mechanics are complex and true to life, where small events can spiral into the collapse of kingdoms. Try the unlimited demo first!
Ruinarch
Ruinarch is an evil god simulator and sandbox game where you mess with people’s lives for hilarious results! Make them vampires, werewolves or bard haters and cackle as the drama unfolds. Once you’re done, unleash a malicious buffet of spells and custom plagues to wipe them out and start anew!
Stronghold: Warlords
Besiege Great Khans, Imperial warlords and Shōgun commanders in Stronghold: Warlords, the latest 'castle sim' from Firefly Studios. Command AI warlords across the battlefield as you build a castle economy and new gunpowder-fuelled siege engines!
The Universim
Jump straight into managing your own planets as you guide a civilization through the ages. Build the ultimate empire in The Universim, a new breed of God Game in development by Crytivo.
Space Colony: Steam Edition
Space Colony: Steam Edition is a remaster of the real-time base builder and strategy game from Firefly Studios, creators of the Stronghold series. In Space Colony you colonize to survive, designing intergalactic bases that keep your crew productive, happy and defended against hostile alien threats.
Stronghold 2: Steam Edition
Tax, torture or treat your peasants! Rehabilitate criminals or sentence them to death? Decide as you enjoy jousting over a lavish banquet, all while under siege from the warmongering Lord Barclay.
Oxygen: First Breath
This is a free version of Oxygen, featuring the first 50 game-days. Build your city around the Oxygen Center and ensure your people's survival in a post-apocalyptic future, threatened by crack explosions, deadly winds, droughts and frosts. Lead your people and keep the Oxygen Center running!
Factory Town
Build, automate, and optimize a giant factory on 3D terrain using conveyor belts, trains, chutes, pipes, and airships. Sell your goods to nearby villages to expand their borders, increase happiness, and unlock even better technology!
Tower Factory
Tower Factory is a tower defense and automation game with roguelite elements. Optimize resource production using conveyor systems while defending against monster waves. Can you find and destroy the enemy tower before it's too late?
KeeperRL
KeeperRL is a retro dungeon simulator with roguelike and RPG elements. Take the role of an evil keeper and build a formidable dungeon. Recruit sinister minions, equip and train them to explore the world and fight the forces of good.
Diluvian Winds
Diluvian Winds is a relaxing management game set in a small hamlet at the foot of a lighthouse. Welcome weary travelers and work together to expand your hamlet on land, under the sea, or among the clouds.
Catizens
Inspired by RimWorld and The Sims, Catizens is a colony management simulation game where you watch over unique cats with quirky personalities, as you help them build and grow their settlement while exploring new lands, facing off against wildlife and overcoming the challenges of each environment.
Hell Architect
Hell Architect is a game about building and managing your own hell. You take on a role of a hell manager and are tasked with developing the underworld in a way that would make Lucifer himself fall off his chair.
Mad Tower Tycoon
Design your own skyscraper with more than 100 Floors. Rent offices, apartments or shops and build a financially lucrative skyscraper. Build cinemas, bars or a theater to satisfy your visitors and create an effective transport system with elevators and stairs.
Surviving the Aftermath
Survive and thrive in a post-apocalyptic future — resources are scarce, but opportunity calls! Build the ultimate disaster proof colony, protect your colonists, and restore civilization to a devastated world.
Factorio
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.Most played games like Dwarf Fortress on Steam
Take a look at the top games like Dwarf Fortress that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 30th 2025.
1. RimWorld
Similarity 74% A sci-fi colony sim driven by an intelligent AI storyteller. Generates stories by simulating psychology, ecology, gunplay, melee combat, climate, biomes, diplomacy, interpersonal relationships, art, medicine, trade, and more. RimWorld is a colony sim, base-building and survival game developed and published by Ludeon Studios. Released on October 17th 2018 has received 208,163 reviews of which 203,940 were positive and 4,223 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.7 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played game like Dwarf Fortress, thanks to its 18,188 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.7
203,940
4,223
18,188
players
2. 7 Days to Die
Similarity 50% 7 Days to Die is an open-world game that is a unique combination of first-person shooter, survival horror, tower defense, and role-playing games. Play the definitive zombie survival sandbox RPG that came first. Navezgane awaits! 7 Days to Die is a survival, zombies and multiplayer game developed by The Fun Pimps and published by The Fun Pimps Entertainment LLC. Released on July 25th 2024 has received 367,522 reviews of which 325,645 were positive and 41,877 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. While seeing 18,083 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among games like Dwarf Fortress based on player count.
8.8
325,645
41,877
18,083
players
3. Factorio
Similarity 67% 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 is a automation, base-building and resource management game developed and published by Wube Software LTD.. Released on August 14th 2020 has received 213,390 reviews of which 206,974 were positive and 6,416 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. While seeing 13,456 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among games like Dwarf Fortress based on player count.
9.6
206,974
6,416
13,456
players
4. Satisfactory
Similarity 52% Satisfactory is a first-person open-world factory building game with a dash of exploration and combat. Play alone or with friends, explore an alien planet, create multi-story factories, and enter conveyor belt heaven! Satisfactory is a base-building, automation and open world game developed by Coffee Stain Studios and published by Coffee Stain Publishing. Released on September 10th 2024 has received 229,040 reviews of which 222,475 were positive and 6,565 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. With 12,693 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played games like Dwarf Fortress.
9.6
222,475
6,565
12,693
players
5. Oxygen Not Included
Similarity 66% Oxygen Not Included is a space-colony simulation game. Deep inside an alien space rock your industrious crew will need to master science, overcome strange new lifeforms, and harness incredible space tech to survive, and possibly, thrive. Oxygen Not Included is a colony sim, base-building and survival game developed and published by Klei Entertainment. Released on July 30th 2019 has received 127,555 reviews of which 123,406 were positive and 4,149 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. With 4,349 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played games like Dwarf Fortress.
9.5
123,406
4,149
4,349
players
6. Kenshi
Similarity 62% A free-roaming squad based RPG. Focusing on open-ended sandbox gameplay features rather than a linear story. Be a trader, a thief, a rebel, a warlord, an adventurer, a farmer, a slave, or just food for the cannibals. Train your men up from puny victims to master warriors. Kenshi is a open world, sandbox and rpg game developed and published by Lo-Fi Games. Released on December 06th 2018 has received 95,926 reviews of which 91,605 were positive and 4,321 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 3,098 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played games like Dwarf Fortress.
9.4
91,605
4,321
3,098
players
7. X4: Foundations
Similarity 53% Thrilling space battles meet deep strategy. X4 invites you to explore, fight, trade, and build an empire in a dynamic, fully simulated space sandbox, where every decision shapes your journey. Now featuring the 2025 flight model overhaul. X4: Foundations is a space sim, simulation and sandbox game developed and published by Egosoft. Released on November 30th 2018 has received 23,455 reviews of which 18,628 were positive and 4,827 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. With 2,503 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played games like Dwarf Fortress.
7.8
18,628
4,827
2,503
players
8. Planet Zoo
Similarity 52% 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 is a management, simulation and building game developed and published by Frontier Developments. Released on November 05th 2019 has received 87,057 reviews of which 79,305 were positive and 7,752 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 2,455 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played games like Dwarf Fortress.
9.0
79,305
7,752
2,455
players
9. Timberborn
Similarity 64% Humans are long gone. In a world struck by droughts and toxic waste, will your lumberpunk beavers do any better? A city-building game featuring ingenious animals, vertical architecture, water physics, and terraforming. Contains high amounts of wood. Timberborn is a city builder, voxel and colony sim game developed and published by Mechanistry. Released on September 15th 2021 has received 30,607 reviews of which 29,222 were positive and 1,385 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 2,444 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played games like Dwarf Fortress.
9.3
29,222
1,385
2,444
players
10. Manor Lords
Similarity 70% 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 70,793 reviews of which 61,238 were positive and 9,555 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. With 2,051 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played games like Dwarf Fortress.
8.5
61,238
9,555
2,051
players
Best deals on games like Dwarf Fortress on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of games like Dwarf Fortress available on Steam right now, updated on April 30th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted games like Dwarf Fortress.
1. Lords and Villeins
Similarity 63% 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 867 reviews of which 628 were positive and 239 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. Featuring a massive 96% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for games like Dwarf Fortress.
7.0
628
239
-96%
27.50€
1.10€
2. Founders' Fortune
Similarity 76% A fantasy village builder focusing on creative building, colonist psychology and base defense. Handle resources, farming, production, tools, diplomacy, families, trading, defense, and research, as well as the wishes, expectations, thoughts, and equipment of every villager. Founders' Fortune is a colony sim, base-building and city builder game developed and published by Dionic Software. Released on December 18th 2020 has received 2,099 reviews of which 1,690 were positive and 409 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 95% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in games like Dwarf Fortress.
7.8
1,690
409
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
3. Autonauts vs Piratebots
Similarity 65% Create, automate and defend an impenetrable base. Assemble and command a Bot army to combat an entire Piratebot invasion. Build, program and battle your way through five different zones. Autonauts vs Piratebots is a simulation, strategy and automation game developed by Denki and published by Curve Games. Released on July 28th 2022 has received 480 reviews of which 380 were positive and 100 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 95% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in games like Dwarf Fortress.
7.5
380
100
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
4. Honey, I Joined a Cult
Similarity 55% It's time to start working towards that ultimate goal of enlightenment, faith and money…lots and lots of money! Become the ultimate tycoon - create, customise, and manage your own cult whilst listening to funky music. Welcome to Honey, I Joined a Cult! Honey, I Joined a Cult is a simulation, base-building and resource management game developed by Sole Survivor Games and published by Team17. Released on November 03rd 2022 has received 1,720 reviews of which 1,272 were positive and 448 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for games like Dwarf Fortress.
7.1
1,272
448
-95%
24.00€
1.20€
5. Rise of Industry
Similarity 55% 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 4,091 reviews of which 2,996 were positive and 1,095 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for games like Dwarf Fortress.
7.1
2,996
1,095
-95%
31.60€
1.58€
6. Railway Empire
Similarity 50% In Railway Empire, you will create an elaborate and wide-ranging rail network, purchase over 40 different trains modelled in extraordinary detail, and buy or build railway stations, maintenance buildings, factories and tourist attractions to keep your travel network ahead of the competition. Railway Empire is a strategy, simulation and management game developed by Gaming Minds Studios and published by Kalypso Media. Released on January 26th 2018 has received 9,386 reviews of which 7,770 were positive and 1,616 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for games like Dwarf Fortress.
8.1
7,770
1,616
-93%
31.14€
2.18€
7. Stronghold Crusader 2
Similarity 57% Stronghold Crusader 2 is the long awaited sequel to the original castle sim. After 12 years Stronghold returns to the desert with a new 3D engine and powerful Havok Physics. Crusader 2 recaptures the original game’s addictive, fast-paced gameplay and authentic castle simulation. Stronghold Crusader 2 is a strategy, medieval and city builder game developed and published by FireFly Studios. Released on September 22nd 2014 has received 16,945 reviews of which 12,225 were positive and 4,720 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for games like Dwarf Fortress.
7.1
12,225
4,720
-93%
34.57€
2.42€
8. Pure Farming 2018
Similarity 50% Use the latest technology and state-of-the-art licensed machines to manage all aspects of modern farming. Travel between Europe, Asia, and both Americas to plant region-specific crops such as hemp, coffee beans, and olives. Farm your way thanks to three unique game modes tailored to both simulation veterans and newcomers to farming games. Pure Farming 2018 is a farming sim, simulation and open world game developed by Ice Flames and published by Techland Publishing. Released on March 13th 2018 has received 1,636 reviews of which 1,197 were positive and 439 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for games like Dwarf Fortress.
7.1
1,197
439
-93%
20.57€
1.44€
9. Life is Feudal: Forest Village
Similarity 74% LiF:Forest Village is a city builder with survival aspects in a realistic harsh medieval world. Shape, build and expand your settlement, grow various food to prevent your villagers from avitaminosis and starvation. Possess them for additional micromanagement or simply to wander around. Life is Feudal: Forest Village is a city builder, colony sim and strategy game developed by Mindillusion and published by Bitbox Ltd.. Released on May 26th 2017 has received 5,881 reviews of which 3,897 were positive and 1,984 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for games like Dwarf Fortress.
6.5
3,897
1,984
-93%
24.57€
1.72€
10. Cartel Tycoon
Similarity 70% Cartel Tycoon is a survival business sim inspired by the ‘80s and '90s narco trade. Expand and conquer, fight off rival thugs and evade the authorities. Earn people's loyalty and strive to overcome the doomed fate of a power-hungry drug lord. Cartel Tycoon is a top-down, rts and resource management game developed by Moon Moose and published by tinyBuild. Released on July 26th 2022 has received 3,518 reviews of which 2,687 were positive and 831 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 92% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for games like Dwarf Fortress.
7.4
2,687
831
-92%
28.25€
2.26€
Free games like Dwarf Fortress on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play games like Dwarf Fortress you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 30th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play games like Dwarf Fortress.
1. Fallout Shelter
Similarity 50% 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 73,924 reviews of which 65,394 were positive and 8,530 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. With 949 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free games like Dwarf Fortress.
8.7
65,394
8,530
949
players
2. Stronghold Kingdoms
Similarity 53% 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 medieval game developed and published by FireFly Studios. Released on February 27th 2012 has received 9,313 reviews of which 5,957 were positive and 3,356 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.3 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 296, this game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free games like Dwarf Fortress.
6.3
5,957
3,356
296
players
3. DFHack - Dwarf Fortress Modding Engine
Similarity 61% Extensions for Dwarf Fortress, including bugfixes, interface improvements, automation agents, design blueprints, modding building blocks, and other tools. DFHack - Dwarf Fortress Modding Engine is a dwarf, simulation and software game developed and published by The DFHack Team. Released on April 13th 2023 has received 700 reviews of which 695 were positive and 5 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 224, this game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free games like Dwarf Fortress.
9.2
695
5
224
players
4. Industry Idle
Similarity 59% Industry Idle is an idle game that combines factory building, resource management and market trading. Design & build your base, expand & scale up your productions, improve & optimize your economy. Plus all the incremental game goodies: offline earnings, prestige to unlock more powerful upgrades. Industry Idle is a automation, idler and resource management game developed by FishPond and published by Fish Pond Studio. Released on September 13th 2024 has received 1,354 reviews of which 1,054 were positive and 300 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free games like Dwarf Fortress.
7.5
1,054
300
51
players
5. Kingdom: Classic
Similarity 64% Kingdom is a 2D sidescrolling strategy/resource management hybrid with a minimalist feel wrapped in a beautiful, modern pixel art aesthetic. Kingdom: Classic is a free to play, singleplayer and strategy game developed by Noio and Licorice and published by Raw Fury. Released on October 21st 2015 has received 22,020 reviews of which 19,963 were positive and 2,057 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free games like Dwarf Fortress.
8.9
19,963
2,057
48
players
6. Simutrans
Similarity 50% Simutrans is a freeware and open-source transportation simulator. Your goal is to establish a successful transport company. Transport passengers, mail and goods by rail, road, ship, and even air. Interconnect districts, cities, public buildings, industries and tourist attractions. Simutrans is a simulation, free to play and trains game developed and published by The Simutrans Team. Released on May 24th 2016 has received 616 reviews of which 465 were positive and 151 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free games like Dwarf Fortress.
7.2
465
151
15
players
7. Oxygen: First Breath
Similarity 68% This is a free version of Oxygen, featuring the first 50 game-days. Build your city around the Oxygen Center and ensure your people's survival in a post-apocalyptic future, threatened by crack explosions, deadly winds, droughts and frosts. Lead your people and keep the Oxygen Center running! Oxygen: First Breath is a strategy, base building and city builder game developed by Turquoise Revival Games and published by GrabTheGames and UpgradePoint. Released on October 07th 2022 has received 1,586 reviews of which 1,425 were positive and 161 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free games like Dwarf Fortress.
8.6
1,425
161
4
players
8. United Penguin Kingdom: Huddle up
Similarity 55% This free version of the United Penguin Kingdom covers the content from one year of in-game time. A city-building game where you build a penguin settlement and satisfy the various needs of your penguins while dealing with seals and killer whales. United Penguin Kingdom: Huddle up is a strategy, city builder and survival game developed by Turquoise Revival Games and published by GrabTheGames and UpgradePoint. Released on December 19th 2023 has received 616 reviews of which 552 were positive and 64 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free games like Dwarf Fortress.
8.4
552
64
2
players
9. Garbage: Hobo Prophecy
Similarity 54% Experience the struggle which a homeless man goes through in a humorous manner. Primitive elements of contemporary life that we take for granted, such as staying warm, well-nourished, and hygienic, will become an issue. Garbage: Hobo Prophecy is a simulation, strategy and auto battler game developed by Homebased and published by GrabTheGames and UpgradePoint. Released on January 28th 2021 has received 1,391 reviews of which 1,023 were positive and 368 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free games like Dwarf Fortress.
7.1
1,023
368
1
players
10. Don't get lost
Similarity 50% A procedurally-generated, open-world, first-person colony sim. Build colonies in an infinite world, alone or with friends via Steam or self-hosted multiplayer. Don't get lost is a colony sim, multiplayer and procedural generation game developed by Michael Hutcheon and published by miicck. Released on February 01st 2023 has received 453 reviews of which 361 were positive and 92 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free games like Dwarf Fortress.
7.5
361
92