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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Grim Realms
A dark fantasy colony sim - will your colony end the Dread Storm and redeem mankind, or will they harness the dark powers for themselves? Guide your villagers as they struggle to stay alive in a world overrun by the undead.
Hearthlands
Hearthlands is a medieval/fantasy city-building real time strategy game in which you take a role of a king in a procedurally generated world. You can not control your subjects directly; instead you focus on city-building, resource management, diplomacy, heroes, magic and other things a typical king deals with on a daily basis.
Anno 1404 - History Edition
Relive the captivating gameplay of a true city-building classic with Anno® 1404 History Edition.
Townsmen - A Kingdom Rebuilt
Townsmen – A Kingdom Rebuilt hands the crown to you: Guide your people from their first steps in a small village to a massive medieval metropolis with thousands of inhabitants.
Colony Survival
Colony Survival is a unique first-person strategy game developed by a two-man team. Build your own colony in a voxel world. Command guards, farmers, miners and other colonists. Defend your colony against the horde of monsters that attacks every night!
Rise to Ruins
A brutal godlike village sim that melds the god game, management, and tower defense genres! Fight off hoards of monsters at night, and expand your village in the day time. Inspired by games like Black and White, Rimworld, and Dwarf Fortress but not quite like any of them.
Sumerians
Sumerians is a city building game set in ancient Mesopotamia. Attract new citizens and grow by expanding your irrigation system, building walls, palaces, temples and ziggurats. Research new technologies, manage your production, hire workers, and trade.
Another Brick in The Mall
Design, build and manage a giant shopping center. Open shops, supermarkets, restaurants, movie theaters, bowling alleys and more. Hire and manage the best staff for the job and milk your customers for all they're worth!
Manor Lords
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.
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!!
Roman Triumph: Survival City Builder
At the northern fringes of the empire, a new Roman city is born! Manage and grow your city, please the gods, and survive against barbarians and mythological threats to achieve Roman Triumph!
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.
Stranded: Alien Dawn
Brave a new world in Stranded: Alien Dawn, a planet survival sim placing the fate of a small marooned group in your hands. Forge your story through compelling and immersive strategic gameplay as you make vital decisions to protect your survivors.
Cataclismo
Design and build fortresses brick by brick to stand against endless hordes of Horrors in this real-time strategy game with resource management, siege defense, and exploration. Lead from the ramparts, push back the darkness, and hold fast against the creatures of the Mist.
First Feudal
Become a real medieval feudal lord: start with a small village and build it up into an enormous impenetrable castle. You will have to repel enemy raids: hide behind thick walls, lure your enemies into strategically placed traps, and even lead your loyal peasants into battle.
Zombie Cure Lab
In a world overrun by the undead, build a lab to fight back with science. Manage survivors, gather vital resources, and turn zombies into allies. Defend your base and research the cure to reclaim humanity.
Automation Empire
Build and manage a massive industrial network of factories, mines, and farms. Employ a fleet of trains, trucks, and robotic drones. In the age of automation, efficiency is survival!
Garbage: Hobo Prophecy
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.
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.
Oxygen Not Included
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.
Let's School
Dive into the exhilarating role of a headmaster entrusted to revive your alma mater! Beyond just bricks and mortar, train teachers, recruit students. Sculpt your school into a unique educational haven! Let's School!
Endzone 2
Endzone 2 is a post-apocalyptic survival colony builder, where you embark to secure humanity's survival after a cataclysmic disaster. Discover and repopulate the last habitable grounds, while the survival of your people hinges on your wits, foresight, and resilience in a harsh and unforgiving world.
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 June 16th 2025.
1. RimWorld
Similarity 80% 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 210,517 reviews of which 206,216 were positive and 4,301 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 19,211 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.7
206,216
4,301
19,211
players
2. Cities: Skylines
Similarity 59% 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. While seeing 8,842 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among games like Dwarf Fortress based on player count.
9.2
256,362
19,408
8,842
players
3. Oxygen Not Included
Similarity 62% 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 128,390 reviews of which 124,220 were positive and 4,170 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. While seeing 7,545 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among games like Dwarf Fortress based on player count.
9.5
124,220
4,170
7,545
players
4. Kenshi
Similarity 47% 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 98,135 reviews of which 93,712 were positive and 4,423 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 5,412 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played games like Dwarf Fortress.
9.4
93,712
4,423
5,412
players
5. Captain of Industry
Similarity 51% Land your crew of survivors on an abandoned island and survive! Mine raw materials, grow food, build factories, manufacture products, research new tech, and trade with others. Become an industrial superpower! But this is no easy task, you will be put to the test to keep your settlement alive. Captain of Industry is a base-building, automation and resource management game developed and published by MaFi Games. Released on May 31st 2022 has received 7,154 reviews of which 6,737 were positive and 417 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 4,404 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played games like Dwarf Fortress.
9.1
6,737
417
4,404
players
6. Timberborn
Similarity 49% 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 31,678 reviews of which 30,266 were positive and 1,412 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 3,884 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played games like Dwarf Fortress.
9.4
30,266
1,412
3,884
players
7. Transport Fever 2
Similarity 55% 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 3,465 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played games like Dwarf Fortress.
8.9
24,960
2,667
3,465
players
8. Anno 1800
Similarity 51% 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 2,784 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played games like Dwarf Fortress.
8.0
20,368
4,723
2,784
players
9. They Are Billions
Similarity 57% They Are Billions is a Steampunk strategy game set on a post-apocalyptic planet. Build and defend colonies to survive against the billions of the infected that seek to annihilate the few remaining living humans. Can humanity survive after the zombie apocalypse? They Are Billions is a base-building, colony sim and strategy game developed and published by Numantian Games. Released on June 18th 2019 has received 48,765 reviews of which 41,508 were positive and 7,257 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. With 2,751 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played games like Dwarf Fortress.
8.4
41,508
7,257
2,751
players
10. Dyson Sphere Program
Similarity 47% 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 is a automation, space and base-building game developed by Youthcat Studio and published by Gamirror Games. Released on January 20th 2021 has received 85,088 reviews of which 83,095 were positive and 1,993 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. With 2,703 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played games like Dwarf Fortress.
9.6
83,095
1,993
2,703
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 June 16th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted games like Dwarf Fortress.
1. Founders' Fortune
Similarity 81% 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 2,114 reviews of which 1,699 were positive and 415 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Featuring a massive 99% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for games like Dwarf Fortress.
7.7
1,699
415
-99%
18.99€
0.26€
2. Railroad Corporation
Similarity 47% 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. Thanks to its incredible 99% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in games like Dwarf Fortress.
7.1
1,028
359
-99%
35.10€
0.44€
3. Honey, I Joined a Cult
Similarity 54% 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 1,732 reviews of which 1,279 were positive and 453 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 99% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in games like Dwarf Fortress.
7.1
1,279
453
-99%
21.99€
0.40€
4. Aven Colony
Similarity 68% Build a new home for humanity in Aven Colony. Discover Aven Prime - an alien planet of deserts, tundras, and wetlands light years from earth. Build your colonies into massive, sprawling cities whilst dealing with the challenges faced when settling on a new world. Aven Colony is a colony sim, city builder and strategy game developed by Mothership Entertainment LLC and published by Team17 Digital Ltd. Released on July 25th 2017 has received 2,638 reviews of which 1,921 were positive and 717 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 99% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for games like Dwarf Fortress.
7.1
1,921
717
-99%
29.99€
0.47€
5. Lords and Villeins
Similarity 68% 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. Currently offered at a significant 99% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for games like Dwarf Fortress.
7.0
633
239
-99%
24.99€
0.38€
6. Naheulbeuk's Dungeon Master
Similarity 51% A dungeon in danger ! Build, manage, and defend your tower in the satirical heroic fantasy universe of Dungeon of Naheulbeuk. From a shaky establishment to an infamous lair! Naheulbeuk's Dungeon Master is a management, simulation and funny game developed by Artefacts Studio and published by Dear Villagers. Released on November 15th 2023 has received 1,408 reviews of which 1,006 were positive and 402 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 99% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for games like Dwarf Fortress.
6.9
1,006
402
-99%
24.99€
0.46€
7. Havendock
Similarity 60% 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. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for games like Dwarf Fortress.
8.1
1,191
208
-98%
19.50€
0.42€
8. Autonauts vs Piratebots
Similarity 52% 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 485 reviews of which 382 were positive and 103 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for games like Dwarf Fortress.
7.4
382
103
-98%
19.99€
0.43€
9. Buzz Aldrin's Space Program Manager
Similarity 45% 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 #9 position in the best deals for games like Dwarf Fortress.
7.3
369
110
-98%
28.99€
0.77€
10. Rise of Industry
Similarity 59% 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 #10 position in the best deals for games like Dwarf Fortress.
7.1
3,001
1,099
-98%
28.99€
0.62€
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 June 16th 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. DFHack - Dwarf Fortress Modding Engine
Similarity 52% 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 742 reviews of which 737 were positive and 5 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 181 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free games like Dwarf Fortress.
9.3
737
5
181
players
2. Kingdom: Classic
Similarity 49% 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, strategy and singleplayer game developed by Noio and Licorice and published by Raw Fury. Released on October 21st 2015 has received 22,088 reviews of which 20,023 were positive and 2,065 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played free games like Dwarf Fortress.
8.9
20,023
2,065
40
players
3. Simutrans
Similarity 52% 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 622 reviews of which 468 were positive and 154 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free games like Dwarf Fortress.
7.2
468
154
31
players
4. Oxygen: First Breath
Similarity 75% 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 1,594 reviews of which 1,432 were positive and 162 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free games like Dwarf Fortress.
8.6
1,432
162
7
players
5. Terra Firma
Similarity 45% Play god and create your own world in this complex simulation. Plate tectonics, wind and water erosion and plant life all develop and interact to produce a world that is viewable from a single tree to kilometres across. Terra Firma is a simulation, strategy and god game game developed and published by Working as Intended. Released on February 20th 2025 has received 359 reviews of which 333 were positive and 26 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free games like Dwarf Fortress.
8.6
333
26
4
players
6. Terraformers: First Steps on Mars
Similarity 55% Terraformers: First Steps on Mars is a free prologue of Terraformers, featuring an exclusive challenge to lead humanity's first attempt at settling the Red Planet. Terraformers: First Steps on Mars is a strategy, simulation and colony sim game developed by Asteroid Lab and published by Goblinz Publishing and IndieArk. Released on October 23rd 2021 has received 683 reviews of which 610 were positive and 73 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free games like Dwarf Fortress.
8.4
610
73
4
players
7. Drill Deal: Borehole (Alpha)
Similarity 51% Drill Deal is a unique simulator in a fun style that will draw you for hours. It's a building simulator like never before. Feel the thrill of a drill hitting underwater oil fields. Sell the precious substance and make your oil rig more efficient. Drill Deal: Borehole (Alpha) is a simulation, management and adventure game developed by A2 Softworks and published by Manager Games S.A. and Red Dev Studio S.A.. Released on August 10th 2020 has received 376 reviews of which 327 were positive and 49 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free games like Dwarf Fortress.
8.1
327
49
1
players
8. Espresso Tycoon Prologue: Underwater
Similarity 48% A completely FREE underwater mission from the Espresso Tycoon - a coffee shop simulator. Build your own cafe from scratch, hire staff, create the most delicious recipes in the whole Pacific Ocean and make customers happy! Decorate, manage, and build a successful coffee business in Sydney! Espresso Tycoon Prologue: Underwater is a life sim, sandbox and strategy game developed by DreamWay Games and published by PlayWay S.A.. Released on November 04th 2022 has received 640 reviews of which 576 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
576
64
9. United Penguin Kingdom: Huddle up
Similarity 57% 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 551 were positive and 65 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free games like Dwarf Fortress.
8.4
551
65
10. Smart Factory Tycoon: Beginnings
Similarity 55% This is a free version of Smart Factory Tycoon, a game inspired by Little Big Workshop introducing the first productions. Smart Factory Tycoon is a tycoon management game where you design your dream factory with robots, plan all steps of production, research new technologies and become a tycoon! Smart Factory Tycoon: Beginnings is a simulation, strategy and resource management game developed by Turquoise Revival Games and published by GrabTheGames. Released on January 05th 2022 has received 496 reviews of which 385 were positive and 111 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free games like Dwarf Fortress.
7.3
385
111