Best Colony Sim Games on Steam

Steam currently has 1,086 Colony Sim games available to download and play. Explore our list of the best picks ranked by Player Score. Our Player Score rankings are calculated directly from reviews left on the Steam store and will be updated in real-time as more players leave their feedback. Colony Sim game rankings were last updated on 8/18/2025.

Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:

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 banner

RimWorld holds the #1 spot for "best Colony Sim game on Steam" with a Player Score of 97. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 218,963 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 214,396 positive reviews and 4,567 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $34.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.

Steam Price $34.99
Release Date 10/17/2018
Developer Ludeon Studios
Publisher Ludeon Studios
Steam App Id 294100

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 banner

Oxygen Not Included has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Colony Sim games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 131,500 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 127,242 positive reviews and 4,258 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $24.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.

Steam Price $24.99
Release Date 7/30/2019
Franchise Klei
Developer Klei Entertainment
Publisher Klei Entertainment
Steam App Id 457140

3. 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) banner

Stronghold Crusader HD (2012) has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Colony Sim games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 20,155 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 19,673 positive reviews and 482 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Stronghold Crusader HD (2012) on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $9.99
Release Date 10/21/2013
Franchise Firefly Studios
Developer FireFly Studios
Publisher FireFly Studios
Steam App Id 40970

4. Cult of the Lamb

Start your own cult in a land of false prophets, venturing out into diverse and mysterious regions to build a loyal community of woodland Followers and spread your Word to become the one true cult.

Cult of the Lamb banner

Cult of the Lamb has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Colony Sim games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 105,912 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 101,316 positive reviews and 4,596 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $24.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.

Steam Price $24.99
Release Date 8/11/2022
Franchise Devolver Digital
Developer Massive Monster
Publisher Devolver Digital
Steam App Id 1313140

5. 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 banner

Timberborn has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Colony Sim games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 32,665 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 31,301 positive reviews and 1,364 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $34.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Timberborn on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $34.99
Release Date 9/15/2021
Developer Mechanistry
Publisher Mechanistry
Steam App Id 1062090

6. Townscaper

Instant town building toy. Place housing blocks and watch them transform, piece by piece, into idyllic ocean-side towns, pastoral gardens, or sweeping cities on the sea.

Townscaper banner

Townscaper has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Colony Sim games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 21,166 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 20,207 positive reviews and 959 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $2.39 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.

Steam Price $2.39
Release Date 8/26/2021
Developer Oskar Stålberg
Publisher Raw Fury
Steam App Id 1291340

7. 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 banner

WorldBox - God Simulator has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Colony Sim games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 46,557 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 44,215 positive reviews and 2,342 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.

Steam Price $19.99
Release Date 12/2/2021
Developer Maxim Karpenko
Publisher Maxim Karpenko
Steam App Id 1206560

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 banner

Against the Storm has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Colony Sim games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 32,448 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 30,776 positive reviews and 1,672 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $29.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.

Steam Price $29.99
Release Date 12/8/2023
Franchise Hooded Horse
Developer Eremite Games
Publisher Hooded Horse
Steam App Id 1336490

9. 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 banner

Dwarf Fortress has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Colony Sim games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 28,983 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 27,507 positive reviews and 1,476 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $29.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Dwarf Fortress on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $29.99
Release Date 12/6/2022
Franchise Kitfox Games
Developer Bay 12 Games
Publisher Kitfox Games
Steam App Id 975370

10. DFHack - Dwarf Fortress Modding Engine

Extensions for Dwarf Fortress, including bugfixes, interface improvements, automation agents, design blueprints, modding building blocks, and other tools.

DFHack - Dwarf Fortress Modding Engine banner

DFHack - Dwarf Fortress Modding Engine has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Colony Sim games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 804 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 799 positive reviews and 5 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play DFHack - Dwarf Fortress Modding Engine on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Release Date 4/14/2023
Developer The DFHack Team
Publisher The DFHack Team
Steam App Id 2346660

More Colony Sim Games

Explore even more rankings for the 100 best Colony Sim games available on Steam.

ImageName
Actions
RimWorld steam charts
44,006
10/17/2018
97
$34.99
Steam Charts
Oxygen Not Included steam charts
6,724
7/30/2019
95
$24.99
Steam Charts
Stronghold Crusader HD (2012) steam charts
1,106
10/21/2013
95
$9.99
Steam Charts
Cult of the Lamb steam charts
1,795
8/11/2022
94
$24.99
Steam Charts
Timberborn steam charts
3,234
9/15/2021
94
$34.99
Steam Charts
Townscaper steam charts
76
8/26/2021
93
$2.39
Steam Charts
WorldBox - God Simulator steam charts
2,071
12/2/2021
93
$19.99
Steam Charts
Against the Storm steam charts
2,644
12/8/2023
93
$29.99
Steam Charts
Dwarf Fortress steam charts
982
12/6/2022
93
$29.99
Steam Charts
DFHack - Dwarf Fortress Modding Engine steam charts
98
4/14/2023
93
Free
Steam Charts
Songs of Syx steam charts
278
9/21/2020
93
$24.99
Steam Charts
Stronghold HD (2012) steam charts
226
10/21/2013
93
$5.99
Steam Charts
Cattails: Wildwood Story steam charts
44
10/20/2023
92
$19.99
Steam Charts
ISLANDERS steam charts
48
4/4/2019
92
$4.99
Steam Charts
Empires of the Undergrowth steam charts
344
6/7/2024
92
$29.99
Steam Charts
Cosmoteer: Starship Architect & Commander steam charts
1,496
10/24/2022
92
$19.99
Steam Charts
My Singing Monsters steam charts
0
3/24/2021
92
Free
Steam Charts
Farm Together steam charts
237
10/11/2018
92
$19.99
Steam Charts
Ostriv steam charts
161
3/19/2020
92
$24.99
Steam Charts
Cattails | Become a Cat! steam charts
9
12/1/2017
92
$14.99
Steam Charts
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Soures & References

Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Reviews and rankings are enriched, analyzed, and updated in real-time to ensure we surface the most up-to-date insights. Learn more about the Steambase approach to data collection and our review methodology.

  • Valve Corporation. (2025, August 18). Steam Store. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, August 18). RimWorld on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, August 19). Oxygen Not Included on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, August 14). Stronghold Crusader HD (2012) on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, August 19). Cult of the Lamb on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, August 19). Timberborn on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, August 16). Townscaper on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, August 6). WorldBox - God Simulator on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, August 19). Against the Storm on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, August 15). Dwarf Fortress on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, August 18). DFHack - Dwarf Fortress Modding Engine on Steam. Steam Store.

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