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9 Kings

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Ranking compiled by Lluis Enric Mayans, Founder & Head of ContentHow this is calculatedOrdered by an attribute-similarity model, not editorial opinion.

9 Kings is hard to replace: few games combine deep RPG systems, punishing difficulty and procedural generation in quite the same way. We compared 9 Kings against over 6,700 titles across 16 gameplay attributes and found 40 genuine alternatives — not generic genre suggestions. X-COM: Terror From the Deep, Cult of the Lamb and Dorfromantik lead the list, with X-COM: Terror From the Deep reaching a 66/100 similarity score. Every game here is ranked by how closely it replicates what makes 9 Kings special.

iRank84/ 100

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GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder
Tags
HardcoreCasualSolo
Year 2025Dev Sad Socket

Quick answer

The closest game to 9 Kings is X-COM: Terror From the Deep — scoring 66/100 on our similarity scale. Cult of the Lamb and Dorfromantik follow close behind.

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Top games similar to 9 Kings

40 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to 9 Kings. Each one has been evaluated across 16 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1X-COM: Terror From the Deep
X-COM: Terror From the Deep
StrategyCity Builder
SoloDarkHardcoreBase BuildingIsometricPixel Art
Steam👍 91%· 925RAWG👍 62%· 128
Year 1995Dev MicroProse Software · 2K GamesPlaytime ~1hOn PC · PS

✓ Both are city builders — sharing turn-based strategy, roguelike runs and deep simulation

≠ Its own twist: horror tension, combat tactical and melee combat, while skipping deep RPG systems

X-COM: Terror From the Deep is a strategy game, the second installment in the X-COM series and a sequel to X-COM: UFO Defense that moves action from the outer space into the Earth’s oceans. The story unexpectedly references to Lovecraft’s novels, as you fight aliens that want to reawaken their unstoppable leader who slept under the sea for hundreds of years.

Where it drifts furthest from 9 Kings: setting.

It predates 9 Kings by 30 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals80Progression79Tone77Setting0
#2Cult of the Lamb
Cult of the Lamb
StrategyCity Builder
SoloProceduralFantasyBase Building2D
Steam👍 96%· 124KRAWG👍 86%· 447OC84· 141
Year 2022Dev Massive Monster · Devolver DigitalPlaytime ~10hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the city builders cluster, with deep RPG systems, roguelike runs and deep simulation

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, cozy, relaxing feel and melee combat, while skipping card game strategy

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

Where it drifts furthest from 9 Kings: tone and visuals.

Genre100Game mode100Setting100World100Progression44Visuals38
Dorfromantik
StrategyCity Builder
SoloCasualProceduralBase BuildingTactical
Steam👍 96%· 29KRAWG👍 80%· 220OC83· 30
Year 2022Dev Toukana InteractivePlaytime ~3hOn PC · Nintendo

✓ Both are city builders — sharing deep simulation, turn-based strategy and card game strategy

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, sandbox freedom and vibe relaxing, while skipping deep RPG systems

Dorfromantik is a relaxing building strategy and puzzle game in which you place tiles to create ever-growing, idyllic village landscapes. With Dorfromantik, you can immerse yourself in a quiet, peaceful world at any time and take a break from everyday life.

Where it drifts furthest from 9 Kings: visuals and tone.

Genre100Game mode100World71Progression63Tone36Visuals0
WorldBox
StrategyCity Builder
SoloProceduralFantasyBase BuildingPixel ArtIsometricEarly Access
Steam👍 95%· 54K
Year 2018Dev Maxim KarpenkoOn Linux · Android · PC

✓ Fits the city builders cluster, with deep simulation, deep RPG systems and procedural generation

≠ Stands apart with sandbox freedom, cozy, relaxing feel and vibe relaxing, while skipping card game strategy

Where it drifts furthest from 9 Kings: tone and setting.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals82Progression73World61Setting46
shapez
StrategyCity Builder
SoloCasualProceduralBase BuildingIsometric2D
Steam👍 96%· 15K
Year 2020Dev Tobias Springer · PrismatikaOn PC · iOS · Android

✓ Same family of city builders: deep simulation, vibe casual and procedural generation

≠ Where it differs: brings sandbox freedom, puzzle design and sandbox world, while skipping deep RPG systems

Do you like automation games? Then you are in the right place! shapez is a relaxed game in which you have to build factories for the automated production of geometric shapes. As the level increases, the shapes become more and more complex, and you have to spread out on the infinite map.

Where it drifts furthest from 9 Kings: progression.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals73World53Tone51Progression42
Minami Lane
StrategyCity Builder
SoloCasualBase BuildingIsometric2D
Steam👍 98%· 6.4KOC80· 10
Year 2024Dev DootPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Linux

✓ Fits the city builders cluster, with deep simulation, vibe casual and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, cozy, relaxing feel and vibe relaxing, while skipping deep RPG systems

Games from friendshttps://store.steampowered.com/app/2533960/SUMMERHOUSE/ https://store.steampowered.com/app/2113850/Spirit_City_Lofi_Sessions/ https://store.steampowered.com/app/957960/Inkulinati/ About the GameMinami Lane is a small, wholesome management game set on a Japanese-inspired street.

Where it drifts furthest from 9 Kings: tone.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals75Progression59Tone30
#7Concrete Jungle
Concrete Jungle
StrategyCity Builder
SoloBase BuildingIsometricMultiplayerCo-op
Steam👍 87%· 662RAWG👍 59%· 32MC76IGDB80· 3
Year 2015Dev ColePowered GamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · iOS · Android

✓ Fits the city builders cluster, with deep simulation, card game strategy and turn-based strategy

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, multiplayer gameplay and co op, while skipping deep RPG systems

A city planning deck-building game! Concrete Jungle is a new take on the city building genre that swaps micro-management for a more strategic and puzzle-orientated style of city planning. You have a deck of selected cards which you can use to place buildings.

Where it drifts furthest from 9 Kings: game mode and visuals.

It predates 9 Kings by 10 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Progression100Visuals47Game mode35
shapez 2 - Factory
StrategyCity Builder
SoloCasualProceduralBase BuildingEarly Access
Steam👍 97%· 14K
Dev tobspr Games · Gamera GamesPlaytime ~6hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Both are city builders — sharing deep simulation, vibe casual and procedural generation

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, sandbox freedom and vibe relaxing, while skipping deep RPG systems

Dive into a factory-building game where the focus is on just that — building huge factories! Construct sprawling multi-level factories and min-max your layouts without limits. Shapez 2 is tailor-made for enthusiasts who crave the thrill of optimizing production lines and perfecting automation.

Where it drifts furthest from 9 Kings: setting and visuals.

Genre100Game mode100World71Tone41Progression39Setting0
Townscaper
StrategyCity Builder
SoloCasualProceduralBase BuildingIsometric
Steam👍 95%· 21KIGDB80· 1OC73· 16
Year 2020Dev Oskar Stålberg · Raw FuryOn Xbox · Android · PC

✓ Both are city builders — sharing deep simulation, vibe casual and procedural generation

≠ Its own twist: sandbox freedom, vibe relaxing and strong narrative focus, while skipping deep RPG systems

Where it drifts furthest from 9 Kings: tone and visuals.

Genre100Game mode100Progression76World56Visuals45Tone28
Caesar III
StrategyCity Builder
SoloBase BuildingIsometricHistoricalManagement
Steam👍 93%· 2.2K
Year 1998Dev Impressions Games · Sierra EntertainmentOn PC

✓ Fits the city builders cluster, with deep simulation, single-player focus and base building

≠ Where it differs: brings historical setting and resource management, while skipping deep RPG systems

Where it drifts furthest from 9 Kings: setting and visuals.

It predates 9 Kings by 27 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Progression86Visuals47Setting0
Mini Motorways
StrategyCity Builder
SoloCasualBase BuildingRelaxingManagement
Steam👍 96%· 24KRAWG👍 92%· 132MC83OC81· 30
Year 2021Dev Dinosaur Polo ClubPlaytime ~5hOn PC · iOS · Apple Macintosh

✓ Fits the city builders cluster, with deep simulation, vibe casual and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, vibe relaxing and resource management, while skipping deep RPG systems

Have you ever been stuck in traffic and wished you could do something to fix it? In Mini Motorways, the city’s traffic problems are in your hands. From the makers of Mini Metro, Mini Motorways is a game about drawing the roads that drive a growing city.

Where it drifts furthest from 9 Kings: visuals and tone.

Genre100Game mode100Progression52Tone42Visuals0
Stacklands
StrategyColony Sim
SoloCasualProceduralFantasyBase BuildingIsometric2D
Steam👍 96%· 29KRAWG👍 70%· 60
Year 2022Dev Sokpop CollectivePlaytime ~4hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Shared with 9 Kings: deep simulation, card game strategy and roguelike runs

≠ Where it differs: brings survival mechanics, cozy, relaxing feel and resource management, while skipping deep RPG systems

Stacklands is a village builder where you stack cards to collect food, build structures, and fight creatures. For example, dragging a 'Villager' card on top of a 'Berry Bush' card will spawn 'Berry' cards which the villagers can eat to survive!

Where it drifts furthest from 9 Kings: tone.

Game mode100Setting100World100Visuals74Progression57Genre50
#13Rusty's Retirement
Rusty's Retirement
StrategyCity Builder
SoloCasualFantasyBase BuildingPixel ArtIsometric2D
Steam👍 97%· 15K
Year 2024Dev Mister Morris GamesPlaytime ~18hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Fits the city builders cluster, with deep simulation, vibe casual and fantasy world

≠ Stands apart with sandbox freedom, cozy, relaxing feel and vibe relaxing, while skipping deep RPG systems

Rusty's Retirement is an idle-farming simulator designed to sit at the bottom of your screen allowing you to work on other tasks while caring for your farm! Grow crops: Plant crops and watch Rusty get to work as he waters, nurtures, and harvests.

Where it drifts furthest from 9 Kings: world and tone.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Progression52Setting49Tone30
The Promised Land
StrategyCity Builder
SoloCasualBase BuildingCozyNarrative
Steam👍 87%· 775IGDB40· 1
Year 2014Dev Alawar Entertainment · Buka EntertainmentPlaytime ~4hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Both are city builders — sharing deep simulation, vibe casual and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, cozy, relaxing feel and strong narrative focus, while skipping deep RPG systems

Darkestville Castle Coming Soon About the Game Become a leader of a little group of settlers to create a thriving colony which will envy even the developed nation! Who says it would be easy?!

Where it drifts furthest from 9 Kings: tone.

It predates 9 Kings by 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Progression88Tone45
Balatro
StrategyTurn-Based Strategy
SoloCasualHardcoreProceduralPixel ArtIsometric2D
Steam👍 98%· 191KRAWG👍 86%· 263IGDB91· 5OC92· 64
Year 2024Dev LocalThunk · PlayStackPlaytime ~14hOn PC · PS · iOS

✓ Shared with 9 Kings: card game strategy, roguelike runs and turn-based strategy

≠ Its own twist: strong narrative focus and vibe relaxing, while skipping deep RPG systems

Balatro is a poker-inspired roguelike deck builder all about creating powerful synergies and winning big. Combine valid poker hands with unique Joker cards in order to create varied synergies and builds.

Game mode100World100Visuals100Tone67Genre50

Complete list of 9 Kings alternatives

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with 9 Kings, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to 9 Kings?
The closest game to 9 Kings is X-COM: Terror From the Deep, scoring 66/100 on our similarity scale. They share 9 gameplay attributes, including turn-based strategy, roguelike runs and deep simulation. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like 9 Kings?
The three closest games to 9 Kings are: 1. X-COM: Terror From the Deep (66/100, 9 shared attributes) 2. Cult of the Lamb (63/100, 8 shared attributes) 3. Dorfromantik (61/100, 7 shared attributes). All share 9 Kings's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 40 candidates across 16 dimensions.
Is Cult of the Lamb similar to 9 Kings?
Yes — Cult of the Lamb scores 63/100 similarity to 9 Kings. They share 8 attributes, including deep RPG systems and roguelike runs. There are some notable differences in pacing or mechanics.
What RPG games are similar to 9 Kings?
The best RPG games similar to 9 Kings are Cult of the Lamb, WorldBox, My Time at Portia and Desktop Dungeons. All share the RPG genre alongside other key 9 Kings attributes like turn-based strategy, roguelike runs and deep simulation.
How is similarity to 9 Kings calculated?
We compare 9 Kings against every game in our catalog using 16 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the 9 Kings experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.
Are there free games similar to 9 Kings?
Yes — Business Tour - Board Game with Online Multiplayer is free and scores well on similarity to 9 Kings. It's a great way to test whether the play style clicks before investing in other paid titles.