Best Colony Sim Games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated colony sim games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free colony sim games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Railroads Online
Build your dream railroad across a huge open world! You can build tracks and stations, drive detailed locomotives, and transport goods to earn money and experience. Play exciting Online Multiplayer sessions with your friends or create your very own sandbox!
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.
Sengoku Dynasty
Sengoku Dynasty is the ultimate feudal Japan experience: build villages, grow your community, and shape the open world through combat or economy. The choice is yours alone - or that of up to 4 players in multiplayer co-op!
Empire of the Ants
Conquer enemy nests and lead your colony through the perils of the forest in this groundbreaking RTS. Empire of the Ants is a photorealistic, third-person real-time strategy game where you command your insect legions in epic battles.
Ark of Charon
Build a mobile fortress on the back of a giant and mysterious walking Tree and embark on a journey in this merge of tower defense and colony simulation.
Surviving the Abyss
Earth, 1976. You have been tasked with managing a deep-sea science facility working to perfect cloning. Explore the darkness and keep your crew alive in this hardcore survival colony builder. And beware. The darkness hides untold horrors.
Orebound
Orebound is a voxel, factory, automation game set in a first person open-world. The King has tasked you to locate the elusive Emberstone. Go forth and use your Dwarven prowess and knowledge to mine, craft and automate through anything standing in your way - Build up or dig down! How far will you go?
Eden Crafters
Embark on a journey of survival, crafting, and automation in Eden Crafters, a solo and co-op open-world game that challenges you to turn a hostile planet into a habitable haven for humanity. Temper the climate, create a breathable atmosphere, and turn toxic lakes into water: shape a new world!
Diplomacy is Not an Option
Diplomacy is Not an Option is a strategy game set in a medieval fantasy world. Build your town and defenses, raise huge armies and fight against massive hordes of enemies. How long can you survive?
Guardians of the Sanctree
You and allies, avian inhabitants of Sanctree City, build structures and production lines on the tree, crafting weapons to fend off subterranean insects. Defense is just the start—dig deeper, destroy nests, fortify new defenses against escalating threats for an impregnable stronghold.
Frostpunk 2
Develop, expand, and advance your city in a society survival game set 30 years after an apocalyptic blizzard ravaged Earth. In Frostpunk 2, you face not only the perils of never-ending winter, but also the powerful factions that watch your every step inside the Council Hall.
Fera: The Sundered Tribes
Fera: The Sundered Tribes is an enthralling mixture of monster hunting survival action RPG with village building and tribe management with groundbreaking aerial traversal and combat mechanics.
Drill Core
Corporate greed meets strategic planet-mining in Drill Core! Drill to the heart of planets while managing workers, researching cutting-edge tech, and fortifying against alien attacks. Will you prioritize efficiency and risk your workers' safety, or focus on defense for survival?
Fantasy Map Simulator
Fantasy Map Simulator: Create and watch imaginary worlds evolve over centuries. Design maps, simulate nations, and control destinies. See empires rise and fall on your desktop wallpaper. A unique simulation for history buffs and creative minds.
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.
Odd Realm
Dive into Odd Realm, a mystical colony sim set in a land of fantasy! Lead your settlers to construct a thriving haven, navigating unpredictable seasons, elusive bandits, unseen horrors, and fabled gods. Every choice etches your colony's destiny, igniting a saga of adventure, peril, and triumph.
Norland
Lead your noble family in this medieval colony sim, facing off against class conflict, religious struggle, and political treachery. Tend to your people’s needs, uncover the lost knowledge of a fallen empire, and engage in nefarious plots against your enemies.
Horticular: Build a Garden, Attract Wildlife
Horticular is a relaxing garden builder where you grow plants, design habitats and attract a wide range of wildlife. Help the gnome Keepers restore a barren wasteland with magical powers and populate it with adorable critters. Reclaim nature from a looming corruption and create your perfect garden.
ASKA
Lay claim to unspoiled lands and pave the way for a fierce Viking tribe. Craft the ultimate settlement solo or together with up to x3 friends. Trust in the Gods and the power of the Eye of Odin and summon intelligent NPC villagers to provide camaraderie and relief from the toils of survival.
Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic
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.
First Dwarf
Pilot a dwarven mech and fly a dragon as you build and defend outposts across a shattered magical realm. Craft, explore, and survive the dangers of floating islands corrupted by the Taint in this action-packed survival RPG with base-building and co-op.
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.
Most played colony sim games on Steam
Take a look at the top colony sim games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of June 15th 2025.
1. RimWorld
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 colony sim game, thanks to its 27,800 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.7
206,216
4,301
27,800
players
2. 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. 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 9,589 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among colony sim games based on player count.
9.5
124,220
4,170
9,589
players
3. 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. 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. While seeing 4,618 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among colony sim games based on player count.
9.4
30,266
1,412
4,618
players
4. WorldBox - God Simulator
WorldBox is the ULTIMATE god simulator and sandbox game. A petri dish for your fantasy civilizations. Create your own world or destroy it using many powers. Watch civilizations grow, form kingdoms, colonize new lands, sail to far continents, wars to ignite, empires to fall and towns to burn! WorldBox - God Simulator is a sandbox, god game and simulation game developed and published by Maxim Karpenko. Released on December 02nd 2021 has received 44,062 reviews of which 41,874 were positive and 2,188 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 4,138 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played colony sim games.
9.3
41,874
2,188
4,138
players
5. They Are Billions
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 1,665 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played colony sim games.
8.4
41,508
7,257
1,665
players
6. Against the Storm
A dark fantasy city builder where you must rebuild civilization in the face of apocalyptic rains. As the Queen’s Viceroy, lead humans, beavers, lizards, foxes, and harpies to reclaim the wilderness and secure a future for civilization's last survivors. Against the Storm is a strategy, city builder and simulation game developed by Eremite Games and published by Hooded Horse. Released on December 08th 2023 has received 31,412 reviews of which 29,837 were positive and 1,575 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 1,005 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played colony sim games.
9.3
29,837
1,575
1,005
players
7. Dwarf Fortress
The deepest, most intricate simulation of a world that's ever been created. The legendary Dwarf Fortress is now on Steam. Build a fortress and try to help your dwarves survive against a deeply generated world. Dwarf Fortress is a dwarf, colony sim and strategy game developed by Bay 12 Games and published by Kitfox Games. Released on December 06th 2022 has received 28,579 reviews of which 27,134 were positive and 1,445 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 990 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played colony sim games.
9.3
27,134
1,445
990
players
8. Prison Architect
Only the world’s most ruthless Warden can contain the world’s most ruthless inmates. Design and develop your personalized penitentiary in Prison Architect. Prison Architect is a simulation, building and sandbox game developed by Double Eleven and Introversion Software and published by Paradox Interactive. Released on October 06th 2015 has received 72,330 reviews of which 64,439 were positive and 7,891 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. With 946 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played colony sim games.
8.8
64,439
7,891
946
players
9. Stronghold Crusader HD (2012)
The highly anticipated sequel to the best-selling Stronghold, Stronghold Crusader HD throws you into historic battles and castle sieges from the Crusades with fiendish AI opponents, new units, 4 historical campaigns and over 100 unique skirmish missions. Stronghold Crusader HD (2012) is a military, city builder and real time tactics game developed and published by FireFly Studios. Released on October 21st 2013 has received 19,811 reviews of which 19,346 were positive and 465 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. With 780 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played colony sim games.
9.5
19,346
465
780
players
10. 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. Going Medieval is a rpg, early access and city builder game developed by Foxy Voxel and published by Mythwright. Released on June 01st 2021 has received 18,506 reviews of which 16,633 were positive and 1,873 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. With 757 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played colony sim games.
8.8
16,633
1,873
757
players
Best deals on colony sim games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of colony sim games available on Steam right now, updated on June 15th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted colony sim games.
1. Aven Colony
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. Featuring a massive 99% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for colony sim category.
7.1
1,921
717
-99%
29.99€
0.47€
2. Lords and Villeins
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 colony sim games.
7.0
633
239
-99%
24.99€
0.38€
3. Havendock
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 colony sim games.
8.1
1,191
208
-98%
19.50€
0.42€
4. Founders' Fortune
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. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for colony sim games.
7.7
1,699
415
-98%
18.99€
0.38€
5. CryoFall
CryoFall is a sci-fi colony simulation survival game set on a forgotten planet in a distant future. Master technology, agriculture, trading, industry, cybernetics, exploration, and more! CryoFall is a colony sim, crafting and pve game developed by AtomicTorch Studio and published by Daedalic Entertainment. Released on April 29th 2021 has received 6,167 reviews of which 4,856 were positive and 1,311 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for colony sim games.
7.7
4,856
1,311
-98%
19.99€
0.49€
6. Dwarfs!?
Dig! Dig! Dig! Manage the small underground Dwarf base and make it as rich as possible before they meet their inevitable doom. Purchase before May 11th and save! Dwarfs!? is a dwarf, colony sim and pixel graphics game developed by Power of 2 and published by Tripwire Interactive. Released on May 04th 2011 has received 1,040 reviews of which 803 were positive and 237 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for colony sim games.
7.4
803
237
-98%
8.19€
0.23€
7. As Far As The Eye
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 #7 position in the best deals for colony sim games.
7.0
1,505
575
-98%
20.99€
0.47€
8. 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. Catizens is a colony sim, city builder and building game developed by badopticsgames and published by HeroCraft PC. Released on November 14th 2024 has received 337 reviews of which 283 were positive and 54 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 97% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for colony sim games.
7.8
283
54
-97%
17.77€
0.64€
9. Life is Feudal: Forest Village
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 5,890 reviews of which 3,904 were positive and 1,986 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 97% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for colony sim games.
6.5
3,904
1,986
-97%
22.99€
0.83€
10. Prison Architect
Only the world’s most ruthless Warden can contain the world’s most ruthless inmates. Design and develop your personalized penitentiary in Prison Architect. Prison Architect is a simulation, building and sandbox game developed by Double Eleven and Introversion Software and published by Paradox Interactive. Released on October 06th 2015 has received 72,330 reviews of which 64,439 were positive and 7,891 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 96% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for colony sim games.
8.8
64,439
7,891
-96%
24.99€
1.10€
Free colony sim games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play colony sim games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on June 15th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play colony sim games.
1. My Singing Monsters
Breed them, feed them, listen to them sing! Create an island full of Singing Monsters, then watch your song evolve as you breed and upgrade them. Design and build unique decorations to make your world look just the way you want. You'll love exploring the wonderful fantasy land of the Monster World! My Singing Monsters is a creature collector, simulation and casual game developed and published by Big Blue Bubble. Released on March 24th 2021 has received 41,701 reviews of which 39,143 were positive and 2,558 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 663 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free colony sim games on Steam.
9.2
39,143
2,558
663
players
2. Terraformers: First Steps on Mars
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 #2 spot among the most played free colony sim games on Steam.
8.4
610
73
4
players
3. Don't get lost
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 455 reviews of which 363 were positive and 92 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free colony sim games on Steam.
7.5
363
92
4. Colony Simulator
Can your Colony survive 10 days or more in the desert? Find food, build your colony, recruit new workers, feed your population, craft tools and equipment, cook food and research technologies! Colony Simulator is a simulation, city builder and colony sim game developed and published by Indie Marc. Released on February 08th 2022 has received 422 reviews of which 279 were positive and 143 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free colony sim games on Steam.
6.4
279
143