Games like Surviving Mars on Steam
For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free games like Surviving Mars are available at the bottom of the page.
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Going Medieval
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.
Tin Can
You've barely managed to escape your exploding spaceship. Now in an old escape pod, you hurtle through space at the mercy of the cosmos. With no knowledge of the pod’s complex systems, your life depends on a technical manual and your own wits. How long can you survive?
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.
Republic of Pirates
Establish and grow a pirate utopia during the Golden Age of Piracy. Create a resource-based economy, engage in real-time naval combat, and conduct diplomacy with rival powers. Explore the far reaches of the Caribbean in search of the ultimate fortune and glory.
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.
KAISERPUNK
Build a city to rule the world in Kaiserpunk, a grand city builder blending production-focused city building with world conquest in an alternate 20th century world. Manage your city, grow industries, build a military, and defeat rivals to become the greatest empire.
Craft The World
Craft The World is a unique sandbox strategy game, the mix of Dungeon Keeper, Terraria and Dwarf Fortress. Explore a random generated world populated by dangerous creatures, build a dwarf fortress, gather resources, and craft all the items, weapons, and armor you need.
Stronghold HD (2012)
The original castle sim, Stronghold HD allows you to design, build and destroy historical castles. Engage in medieval warfare against the AI in one of two single player campaigns or online with up to 8 players.
Siege Survival: Gloria Victis
A medieval city under siege and a handful of civilians are all that keep the walls from falling. Mixing survival strategy and resource management, build your camp, craft supplies, and scavenge the occupied city to supply the last troops holding back the invaders.
Astro Colony
Explore endless Universe and create the most efficient constellation of colonies. Build conveyor systems to automate production. Take care of Astronauts and their needs! Establish new colonies as part of intergalactic simulation.
Mind Over Magic
Mind Over Magic is a colony sim set at the site of a cursed magic school. Build and optimize your own magical academy, train powerful Mages, and master mighty relics in order to battle through the Underschool, a mysterious underground dungeon that holds the key to liberation from a deadly curse.
Rise of Industry
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.
Timberborn
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.
Exogate Initiative
Build and manage mankind’s first mission across the universe! Create a sprawling facility underground, recruit a diverse group of specialists from around the globe and explore mysterious new worlds through the Exogate.
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!
Thriving City: Song
In 960 A.D., the Zhao Song Dynasty was established. As the mayor, you'll need to help the townspeople settle down, cultivate the land and expand. However, when the emperor issues a national mandate, conflicts between factions threaten city development—what strategy will you adopt?
Mini Settlers
Mini Settlers is a minimalistic city builder! Settle islands, construct cities, and design efficient logistic networks to fulfill your buildings' needs and fuel population growth to adventure into new worlds.
Cities: Skylines
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.
Urbek City Builder
Urbek is a city building game where you can build your own neighbourhoods: from nightlife district to industrial district. Don't exhaust your natural resources before you have an educated population to build more efficient structures.
The Settlers® 7 : History Edition
Let yourself be enchanted by the new world of Settlers with this modernized History Edition – in the midst of green forests and lush meadows, it will bustle again. You alone hold the fate of your kingdom in your hands. Which strategy will you choose?
Tropico 5
Return to the remote island nation of Tropico and expand your Dynasty’s reign from the early colonial period to beyond the 21st Century, facing new challenges including advanced trading mechanics, technology and scientific research, as well as cooperative and competitive MULTIPLAYER.
X3: Reunion
X3: Reunion continues the epic space saga, blending deep space trading and intense real-time combat. Explore a vast universe, establish your empire, and shape the new frontier. With enhanced graphics and intricate economies, it's a journey of strategy, simulation, and interstellar intrigue.
Pioneers of Pagonia
This city builder challenges you to build a thriving community while facing the dangers of an untamed land. Lead your people to success in a procedurally generated and dynamic world. Construct detailed settlements, defend against emerging threats, and optimize resource management.
Most played games like Surviving Mars on Steam
Take a look at the top games like Surviving Mars that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of June 16th 2025.
1. RimWorld
Similarity 76% 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 Surviving Mars, thanks to its 26,435 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.7
206,216
4,301
26,435
players
2. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
Similarity 47% 42 Civilizations, 229 Campaign Missions, Singleplayer, Co-Op, Multiplayer, In-Game Editor, Mods, Cross-play...It is good to be the king. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is a strategy, rts and city builder game developed by Forgotten Empires, Tantalus Media, Wicked Witch, World's Edge and CaptureAge and published by Xbox Game Studios. Released on November 14th 2019 has received 162,462 reviews of which 154,061 were positive and 8,401 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. While seeing 15,584 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among games like Surviving Mars based on player count.
9.4
154,061
8,401
15,584
players
3. Stellaris
Similarity 41% Explore a galaxy full of wonders in this sci-fi grand strategy game from Paradox Development Studios. Interact with diverse alien races, discover strange new worlds with unexpected events and expand the reach of your empire. Each new adventure holds almost limitless possibilities. Stellaris is a space, grand strategy and strategy game developed by Paradox Development Studio and published by Paradox Interactive. Released on May 09th 2016 has received 185,433 reviews of which 159,527 were positive and 25,906 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. While seeing 13,555 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among games like Surviving Mars based on player count.
8.5
159,527
25,906
13,555
players
4. Oxygen Not Included
Similarity 71% 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. With 9,142 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played games like Surviving Mars.
9.5
124,220
4,170
9,142
players
5. Cities: Skylines
Similarity 48% 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 #5 spot among the most played games like Surviving Mars.
9.2
256,362
19,408
6,314
players
6. Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition
Similarity 42% Celebrating its first year of delighting millions of global players, the award-winning and best-selling strategy franchise continues with Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition, putting you at the center of even more epic historical battles that shaped the world. Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition is a strategy, rts and base-building game developed by Relic Entertainment, Forgotten Empires, Climax Studios and World's Edge and published by Xbox Game Studios. Released on October 28th 2021 has received 80,870 reviews of which 69,559 were positive and 11,311 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. With 6,242 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played games like Surviving Mars.
8.5
69,559
11,311
6,242
players
7. Kenshi
Similarity 45% 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 5,665 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played games like Surviving Mars.
9.4
93,712
4,423
5,665
players
8. 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 4,145 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played games like Surviving Mars.
9.4
30,266
1,412
4,145
players
9. 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 3,916 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played games like Surviving Mars.
9.1
6,737
417
3,916
players
10. Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition
Similarity 42% Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition offers players a trial of this historical single & multiplayer RTS experience. *Note: To unlock all features of the game please see the “Base Game” product. Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition is a strategy, base-building and rts game developed by World's Edge, Tantalus Media and Forgotten Empires and published by Xbox Game Studios. Released on October 15th 2020 has received 48,342 reviews of which 40,941 were positive and 7,401 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. With 3,597 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played games like Surviving Mars.
8.3
40,941
7,401
3,597
players
Best deals on games like Surviving Mars on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of games like Surviving Mars 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 Surviving Mars.
1. EarthX
Similarity 41% EarthX is a rocket company management game. Go from launching small rockets on Earth to eventually building a colony on Mars. Create your own Internet constellation, develop new technologies, supply the International Space Station and terraform Mars! EarthX is a simulation, indie and strategy game developed by Denis and Ry and published by Mesote Games. Released on July 12th 2023 has received 875 reviews of which 769 were positive and 106 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Featuring a massive 99% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for games like Surviving Mars.
8.3
769
106
-99%
19.99€
0.29€
2. Founders' Fortune
Similarity 78% 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. Thanks to its incredible 99% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in games like Surviving Mars.
7.7
1,699
415
-99%
18.99€
0.29€
3. InfraSpace
Similarity 42% Create an extrasolar efficiency utopia from scratch! In this sci-fi city builder you need to start mining operations, plan production, and lay down transportation routes to ensure a smooth supply chain. InfraSpace is a city builder, automation and transportation game developed and published by Dionic Software. Released on September 22nd 2023 has received 1,667 reviews of which 1,333 were positive and 334 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 99% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in games like Surviving Mars.
7.7
1,333
334
-99%
19.99€
0.39€
4. Aven Colony
Similarity 83% 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 Surviving Mars.
7.1
1,921
717
-99%
29.99€
0.47€
5. Lords and Villeins
Similarity 59% 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 Surviving Mars.
7.0
633
239
-99%
24.99€
0.38€
6. Distant Worlds 2
Similarity 43% Distant Worlds 2 is a vast, pausable real-time 4X space strategy game. Distant Worlds 2 is a strategy, simulation and 4x game developed by CodeForce and published by Slitherine Ltd.. Released on March 10th 2022 has received 3,237 reviews of which 2,304 were positive and 933 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 Surviving Mars.
6.9
2,304
933
-99%
48.99€
0.36€
7. The Pale Beyond
Similarity 43% You didn’t ask to lead this expedition, but here you are. Stuck in the ice, Captain missing, miles from civilisation. Someone has to take charge. Manage your meagre resources, balance safety and morale, make the hard calls, and head in the only direction you can - through The Pale Beyond. The Pale Beyond is a resource management, survival and choices matter game developed by Bellular Studios and published by Fellow Traveller. Released on February 24th 2023 has received 1,862 reviews of which 1,658 were positive and 204 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for games like Surviving Mars.
8.5
1,658
204
-98%
19.50€
0.45€
8. Havendock
Similarity 63% 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 #8 position in the best deals for games like Surviving Mars.
8.1
1,191
208
-98%
19.50€
0.42€
9. Battlestar Galactica Deadlock
Similarity 42% In Battlestar Galactica Deadlock™ you’ll take command of the Colonial Fleet in defense of the Twelve Colonies during the First Cylon War. Lead many different types of ships in this 3D tactical game. Every decision counts, your strategy will be vital – can you ensure mankind’s survival? Battlestar Galactica Deadlock is a strategy, space and sci-fi game developed by Black Lab Games and published by Slitherine Ltd.. Released on August 31st 2017 has received 3,460 reviews of which 2,906 were positive and 554 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for games like Surviving Mars.
8.1
2,906
554
-98%
38.99€
1.00€
10. Tin Can
Similarity 51% You've barely managed to escape your exploding spaceship. Now in an old escape pod, you hurtle through space at the mercy of the cosmos. With no knowledge of the pod’s complex systems, your life depends on a technical manual and your own wits. How long can you survive? Tin Can is a simulation, space and survival game developed by Tin Can Studio and published by Tin Can Studio and IndieArk. Released on May 12th 2022 has received 1,198 reviews of which 1,015 were positive and 183 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for games like Surviving Mars.
8.1
1,015
183
-98%
17.99€
0.46€
Free games like Surviving Mars on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play games like Surviving Mars 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 Surviving Mars.
1. Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition
Similarity 42% Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition offers players a trial of this historical single & multiplayer RTS experience. *Note: To unlock all features of the game please see the “Base Game” product. Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition is a strategy, base-building and rts game developed by World's Edge, Tantalus Media and Forgotten Empires and published by Xbox Game Studios. Released on October 15th 2020 has received 48,342 reviews of which 40,941 were positive and 7,401 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. With 3,597 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free games like Surviving Mars.
8.3
40,941
7,401
3,597
players
2. Fallout Shelter
Similarity 45% 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. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 994, this game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free games like Surviving Mars.
8.7
65,847
8,601
994
players
3. Global City
Similarity 48% Become the mayor and build the city of your dreams! In this game, anything is possible. Whatever you can imagine in a city-building and development simulator, you can do. Start from the very beginning and unlock new possibilities for developing your city in Global City! Global City is a city builder, strategy and building game developed by Red Brix Wall and published by MY.GAMES. Released on November 30th 2021 has received 1,200 reviews of which 841 were positive and 359 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.8 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 168, this game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free games like Surviving Mars.
6.8
841
359
168
players
4. Pixel Starships
Similarity 44% Pixel Starships is an FTL-style online sci-fi strategy builder and management game with a competitive PVP tournament. Set in the retro galaxy, your role is to explore space, meet aliens, and develop your ship, crew and AI. The game contains deep strategic and 4x elements. PSS is community-driven. Pixel Starships is a sci-fi, space and strategy game developed and published by SavySoda. Released on May 23rd 2023 has received 2,732 reviews of which 2,008 were positive and 724 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 117 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free games like Surviving Mars.
7.1
2,008
724
117
players
5. Kingdom: Classic
Similarity 44% 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 #5 spot among the most played free games like Surviving Mars.
8.9
20,023
2,065
48
players
6. Planet S
Similarity 53% Planet S is a real-time strategy game where your goal is to colonize multiple planets in a solar system to advance your civilization, build a city and supply it to grow your faction. Planet S is a strategy, city builder and multiplayer game developed and published by Glimmerlight Games. Released on October 28th 2023 has received 2,603 reviews of which 2,387 were positive and 216 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free games like Surviving Mars.
8.8
2,387
216
17
players
7. Oxygen: First Breath
Similarity 81% 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 #7 spot among the most played free games like Surviving Mars.
8.6
1,432
162
4
players
8. Kepler-2100
Similarity 43% Kepler-2100 is a space fantasy strategy war game Kepler-2100 is a strategy, space and 3d platformer game developed and published by NCARD. Released on September 24th 2024 has received 427 reviews of which 342 were positive and 85 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free games like Surviving Mars.
7.5
342
85
2
players
9. Vedelem: The Golden Horde
Similarity 44% Védelem: The Golden Horde is a medieval Real Time Strategy and Survival game set in the 13th century. Build, expand and defend your lands against the deadliest Mongolian invasion ever witnessed. They will seek to destroy your walls and salt your earth. Will you survive the Golden Horde? Vedelem: The Golden Horde is a strategy, base-building and action game developed by Castle Roaches and published by Breda University of Applied Sciences. Released on June 22nd 2021 has received 775 reviews of which 694 were positive and 81 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 Surviving Mars.
8.4
694
81
1
players
10. Smart Factory Tycoon: Beginnings
Similarity 46% 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 Surviving Mars.
7.3
385
111
1
players