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
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.
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.
Infection Free Zone
Choose any real region from the world. Choose your base of operations, then rebuild and readapt the buildings around you to create a self-sustaining settlement. Take charge of a group of survivors from your city. And when the night falls - Defend the zone from the infected!
Laysara: Summit Kingdom
Build and expand your very own settlements in high mountains! Carefully plan production chains and satisfy various needs of your three-caste society while dealing with mountain hazards such as weather breakdowns and avalanches. Are you skilled enough to make your town thrive?
The Lost Village
Once there was a prosperous village of Martials, now none of it remains. As the son of the former Master, you will lead your followers to rebuild this village. Recruit followers and enter the mysterious illusional domain, acquire lost wonders. Will you see the rebirth of ancestors’ glory again?
From Glory To Goo
From Glory To Goo is a Sci-Fi survival RTS set on an alien world. Serve as humanity's bulwark by establishing a colony and supporting your colonists still in orbit. But beware, for The Goo, a relentless and shape-shifting force approaches from all sides, even above and below.
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.
United Penguin Kingdom
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. Enjoy the growth of your settlement, become the king, and lead the United Penguin Kingdom.
Primitive Society Simulator
In this game, you'll be the leader of an ancient tribe, guiding your people to explore the natural world, to hunt, and to farm. As culture and civilization prosper, you shall establish a tribal alliance, a community with a shared future of tribes.
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.
New Cycle
New Cycle is a city building game with focus on survival. After an apocalyptic series of solar flares, human society has been thrown into disarray. Establish a settlement and develop it all the way from humble beginnings to industrial metropolis.
Factory Town Idle
An entire town builder experience packed into a living spreadsheet. Build housing, assign workers, then craft and sell a huge variety of items to level up your town and expand your civilization across the world!
Empires and Tribes
Empires and Tribes is a unique hybrid of a medieval city builder and a role-playing game. You will undertake the duties of a mayor in the 13th century and manage the expansion of your city, ensure the production of resources and raise a powerful army to protect yourself from rival principalities.
Love Tavern
After your death due to a car accident, you have been summoned by the goddess to take care of a tavern in an Isekai world. Your job is to hire different girls from various tribes and races to help out the business there, as well as build up room by room of the tavern to expand the business.
United Penguin Kingdom: Huddle up
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.
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.
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.
Anvil Saga
Anvil Saga is a management sim with RPG elements where you take control of a blacksmith shop amidst the Hundred Years' War. Each decision you make impacts the story and gameplay.
Dream Town Island
A town sim where you raise generations of residents. Unlock new stores and facilities, help your residents find love, or cash in on the stock market!
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.
Ratopia
Ratopia is a new game that has combined elements of both strategic survival and city building. With plenty of content available, and more planned, enjoy a vast world to adventure and populate with citizens! Build your own economical system to sustain your ideal city of Ratopia.
Cattails: Wildwood Story
Become a cat! In this cozy life sim RPG, you'll lead your colony into the mysterious Wildwood. Hunt prey, harvest herbs, collect magical treasures, & defend your new home from intruders. Build a thriving town to recruit new cats. Get to know the residents, fall in love, & raise a litter of kittens!
Tribe: Primitive Builder
Chill out as you explore the beautiful, realistic island of exiles. Gather resources, craft tools, construct buildings and settlements. Manage tribe and automate your gameplay. Discover 4 lands, a storyline and save the inhabitants of the island.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 April 30th 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 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 colony sim game, thanks to its 18,188 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.7
203,940
4,223
18,188
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 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. While seeing 4,349 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
123,406
4,149
4,349
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 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. While seeing 2,444 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among colony sim games based on player count.
9.3
29,222
1,385
2,444
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 42,757 reviews of which 40,617 were positive and 2,140 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 1,856 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played colony sim games.
9.3
40,617
2,140
1,856
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 48,491 reviews of which 41,284 were positive and 7,207 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. With 1,222 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played colony sim games.
8.4
41,284
7,207
1,222
players
6. 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 28,387 reviews of which 26,952 were positive and 1,435 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 978 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played colony sim games.
9.3
26,952
1,435
978
players
7. 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, simulation and city builder game developed by Eremite Games and published by Hooded Horse. Released on December 08th 2023 has received 30,987 reviews of which 29,434 were positive and 1,553 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 951 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played colony sim games.
9.3
29,434
1,553
951
players
8. 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 41,174 reviews of which 38,672 were positive and 2,502 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 783 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played colony sim games.
9.2
38,672
2,502
783
players
9. 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 72,107 reviews of which 64,262 were positive and 7,845 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. With 697 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played colony sim games.
8.8
64,262
7,845
697
players
10. 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 19,648 reviews of which 19,185 were positive and 463 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. With 604 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played colony sim games.
9.5
19,185
463
604
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 April 30th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted colony sim games.
1. 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 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 colony sim category.
7.0
628
239
-96%
27.50€
1.10€
2. 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 2,099 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 colony sim games.
7.8
1,690
409
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
3. 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 5,881 reviews of which 3,897 were positive and 1,984 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.5 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 93% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in colony sim games.
6.5
3,897
1,984
-93%
24.57€
1.72€
4. 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 72,107 reviews of which 64,262 were positive and 7,845 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for colony sim games.
8.8
64,262
7,845
-90%
24.80€
2.48€
5. 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! Stronghold: Warlords is a city builder, real time tactics and colony sim game developed and published by FireFly Studios. Released on March 09th 2021 has received 4,968 reviews of which 3,230 were positive and 1,738 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for colony sim games.
6.4
3,230
1,738
-90%
34.99€
3.49€
6. 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 2,078 reviews of which 1,507 were positive and 571 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 89% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for colony sim games.
7.0
1,507
571
-89%
20.73€
2.28€
7. 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. Townsmen - A Kingdom Rebuilt is a strategy, simulation and casual game developed and published by HandyGames. Released on February 26th 2019 has received 1,225 reviews of which 853 were positive and 372 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 88% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for colony sim games.
6.7
853
372
-88%
19.83€
2.38€
8. 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, simulation and city builder game developed by Eremite Games and published by Hooded Horse. Released on December 08th 2023 has received 30,987 reviews of which 29,434 were positive and 1,553 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 87% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for colony sim games.
9.3
29,434
1,553
-87%
30.77€
4.00€
9. Spellcaster University
Develop a prestigious university of mages. Build rooms, train your students, fight orcs, slay the bureaucrats, manage your budget... a director's life is not a quiet one. Spellcaster University is a simulation, magic and colony sim game developed by Sneaky Yak Studio and published by Sneaky Yak Studio and WhisperGames. Released on June 15th 2021 has received 4,023 reviews of which 3,339 were positive and 684 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 86% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for colony sim games.
8.0
3,339
684
-86%
21.43€
3.00€
10. 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. Craft The World is a dwarf, colony sim and crafting game developed by Dekovir Entertainment and published by Black Maple Games. Released on November 24th 2014 has received 15,885 reviews of which 14,060 were positive and 1,825 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 80% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for colony sim games.
8.6
14,060
1,825
-80%
18.65€
3.73€
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 April 30th 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 41,174 reviews of which 38,672 were positive and 2,502 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 783 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
38,672
2,502
783
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
1
players
3. 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 #3 spot among the most played free colony sim games on Steam.
6.4
279
143
1
players
4. 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 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 #4 spot among the most played free colony sim games on Steam.
7.5
361
92