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Aven Colony

21 Simulation games like Aven Colony that you should try

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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.

We filtered the 26 games similar to Aven Colony down to the 21 that fit the “Simulation” category. Surviving Mars, Jurassic World Evolution 2 and Pacific Drive top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Aven Colony.

iRank70/ 100

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GenreStrategySubgenreColony Sim
Tags
NarrativeSolo
Year 2017Dev Mothership Entertainment

Quick answer

Within the “Simulation” category, the closest game to Aven Colony is Surviving Mars — scoring 89/100 on our similarity scale. Jurassic World Evolution 2 and Pacific Drive follow close behind.

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The best simulation games like Aven Colony

21 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Aven Colony. Each one has been evaluated across 11 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.

#1Surviving Mars
Surviving Mars
StrategyColony Sim
SoloSandbox WorldSpaceSci-FiBase BuildingManagementIsometric
Steam👍 80%· 28KIGDB74· 7OC77· 60
Year 2018Dev Haemimont Games · Paradox InteractiveOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Fits the colony sims cluster, with deep simulation, survival mechanics and sandbox freedom

≠ Stands apart with open world exploration and exploration and discovery, while skipping strong narrative focus

Genre100Game mode100Setting100Visuals100Progression97World88
Jurassic World Evolution 2
StrategyColony Sim
SoloNarrativeSandbox WorldSci-FiManagementBase BuildingIsometric
Steam👍 90%· 46KIGDB72· 5OC79· 81
Year 2021Dev Frontier DevelopmentsOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Both are colony sims — sharing deep simulation, sandbox freedom and survival mechanics

≠ Stands apart with dark, oppressive atmosphere, open world exploration and melee combat, while skipping setting space

Released 4 years after Aven Colony.

Genre100Visuals100Progression92Game mode86World81Tone66
#3Pacific Drive
Pacific Drive
StrategyColony Sim
SoloNarrativeSandbox WorldSci-FiBase BuildingManagement
Steam👍 83%· 26KRAWG👍 69%· 85IGDB84· 5OC80· 77
Year 2024Dev Ironwood Studio · Kepler InteractivePlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS

✓ Both are colony sims — sharing survival mechanics, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, horror tension and racing gameplay, while skipping setting space

Pacific Drive is a run-based, first-person driving survival game. Your car is your only companion as you navigate a surreal and anomaly-filled reimagining of the Pacific Northwest.

Where it drifts furthest from Aven Colony: visuals and setting.

Released 7 years after Aven Colony.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100World68Progression62Setting35
Oxygen Not Included
StrategyColony Sim
SoloSandbox WorldSci-FiSpaceBase BuildingManagement
Steam👍 97%· 140KRAWG👍 85%· 379MC86
Year 2017Dev Klei EntertainmentPlaytime ~7hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Both are colony sims — sharing deep simulation, survival mechanics and sandbox freedom

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, punishing difficulty and open world exploration, while skipping strong narrative focus

In the space-colony simulation game Oxygen Not Included you’ll find that scarcities of oxygen, warmth and sustenance are constant threats to your colony's survival.

Where it drifts furthest from Aven Colony: tone and visuals.

Genre100Setting100Game mode87World87Progression86Tone0
Factorio
StrategyColony Sim
SoloSandbox WorldSci-FiBase BuildingManagementIsometric
Steam👍 98%· 229KRAWG👍 87%· 808MC83IGDB86· 2OC82· 14
Year 2020Dev Wube SoftwarePlaytime ~20hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Same family of colony sims: deep simulation, sandbox freedom and survival mechanics

≠ Where it differs: brings open world exploration, multiplayer gameplay and co op, while skipping strong narrative focus

Factorio is an isometric space real-time strategy developed by Wube Software. ###Story An astronaut is stranded on the surface of a distant unknown planet, that is full with low life forms and fossil fuels. His main objective now is to survive and build a rocket to leave the planet.

Where it drifts furthest from Aven Colony: game mode.

Released 3 years after Aven Colony.

Genre100World81Progression77Visuals70Setting63Game mode34
#6Fallout Shelter
Fallout Shelter
StrategyColony Sim
SoloSandbox WorldSci-FiBase BuildingManagement
Steam👍 88%· 81KIGDB68· 9
Year 2015Dev Bethesda Game Studios · Bethesda SoftworksOn PS4 · Android · PC

✓ Both are colony sims — sharing deep simulation, survival mechanics and sandbox freedom

≠ Where it differs: brings deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and vibe casual, while skipping strong narrative focus

Where it drifts furthest from Aven Colony: tone and visuals.

Genre100World100Progression92Game mode85Setting43Tone0
Satisfactory
StrategyColony Sim
SoloSandbox WorldSci-FiBase BuildingManagement
Steam👍 97%· 270KRAWG👍 89%· 355IGDB95· 2OC91· 26
Year 2024Dev Coffee Stain StudiosPlaytime ~12hOn PC

✓ Both are colony sims — sharing deep simulation, sandbox freedom and survival mechanics

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, open world exploration and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping strong narrative focus

FICSIT - AN INTRODUCTION Welcome to FICSIT Incorporated! A company specialised in the research, development and application of new technology and science, anything to find short-term solutions to long-term problems!

Where it drifts furthest from Aven Colony: visuals and game mode.

Released 7 years after Aven Colony.

Genre100Progression68Setting65World65Game mode34Visuals0
Forager
StrategyColony Sim
SoloSandbox WorldBase BuildingManagementIsometric
Steam👍 90%· 43KIGDB71· 4OC76· 28
Year 2019Dev Hop Frog · Humble BundleOn PS4 · Linux · Android

✓ Both are colony sims — sharing survival mechanics, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, deep RPG systems and puzzle design, while skipping strong narrative focus

Where it drifts furthest from Aven Colony: tone and setting.

Genre100Game mode70World68Progression62Visuals47Tone0
Maia
StrategyRTS
SoloSandbox WorldSci-FiSpaceBase BuildingManagement
Steam👍 44%· 1.1K
Year 2013Dev Simon Roth · Machine StudiosPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Shared with Aven Colony: deep simulation, survival mechanics and sandbox freedom

≠ Where it differs: brings real-time strategy, procedural generation and crafting mechanics, while skipping strong narrative focus

About This Game Maia is a strange and hostile alien world, toxic to humans, yet lush with new life. Your mission is to colonise this poison eden, survive it's dangers and establish humanity's first foothold in the stars.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against mostly positive for Aven Colony.

Game mode100Setting100Progression95World62Genre50
This War of Mine
StrategyColony Sim
SoloNarrativeBase BuildingManagementStealth
Steam👍 94%· 97KRAWG👍 83%· 1.2KMC83OC85· 57
Year 2014Dev 11 Bit Studios · 11 bit studiosPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · iOS

✓ Both are colony sims — sharing survival mechanics, deep simulation and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, dark, oppressive atmosphere and stealth mechanics, while skipping sandbox freedom

A small town surrounded by war. The usual order is irrevocably violated, you have to survive, but you are not a soldier and certainly not a superhero. The player controls a group of two to four civilians selected from twelve characters. The goal is simple - to survive the war.

Where it drifts furthest from Aven Colony: setting and visuals.

Genre100Game mode100Progression80Tone56Setting0Visuals0
#11Stacklands
Stacklands
StrategyColony Sim
SoloManagementBase BuildingIsometricCasual
Steam👍 96%· 29KRAWG👍 70%· 60
Year 2022Dev Sokpop CollectivePlaytime ~4hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Both are colony sims — sharing deep simulation, survival mechanics and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings card game strategy, roguelike runs and turn-based strategy, while skipping sandbox freedom

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 Aven Colony: tone and world.

Released 5 years after Aven Colony.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Visuals73Tone0Setting0
Space Colony: Steam Edition
StrategyCity Builder
SoloNarrativeSandbox WorldSpaceSci-FiBase BuildingManagementIsometric
Steam👍 80%· 658MC74IGDB77· 3
Year 2015Dev FireFly StudiosPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Like Aven Colony, it's known for deep simulation, sandbox freedom and strong narrative focus

≠ Where it differs: brings cozy, relaxing feel, open world exploration and exploration and discovery, while skipping survival mechanics

Half way across the galaxy with limited resources, a mega corporation looking over your shoulder and a ragtag crew expecting a pay cheque, it's up to you to survive and turn a profit. You have a base to build and hostile alien threats to neutralise, but ignore your crew and the colony is doomed.

Where it drifts furthest from Aven Colony: tone.

Game mode100Setting100Progression89Visuals67World66Genre50
Jurassic World Evolution
StrategyCity Builder
SoloNarrativeSandbox WorldSci-FiManagementBase BuildingIsometric
Steam👍 87%· 55KIGDB74· 13OC71· 99
Year 2018Dev Frontier Developments · Universal PicturesOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ If you enjoyed Aven Colony, expect deep simulation, sandbox freedom and strong narrative focus

≠ Where it differs: brings dark, oppressive atmosphere, open world exploration and melee combat, while skipping survival mechanics

Game mode100Visuals100Progression95World86Tone72Setting65
Dyson Sphere Program
StrategyCity Builder
SoloSandbox WorldSpaceSci-FiBase BuildingManagement
Steam👍 98%· 91KRAWG👍 85%· 84
Year 2021Dev Youthcat Studio · Gamera GamePlaytime ~8hOn PC

✓ Like Aven Colony, it's known for deep simulation, sandbox freedom and sandbox world

≠ Stands apart with open world exploration, exploration and discovery and visual 3d, while skipping survival mechanics

Dyson Sphere Program is a sci-fi simulation game with space, adventure, exploration and factory automation elements where you can build your own galactic industrial empire from scratch. In the distant future, the power of science and technology has ushered a new age to the human race.

Where it drifts furthest from Aven Colony: visuals.

Released 4 years after Aven Colony.

Game mode100Setting100Progression88World67Genre50Visuals0
Tropico 4
StrategyRTS
SoloSandbox WorldBase BuildingManagementIsometric
Steam👍 92%· 13KRAWG👍 67%· 511MC78IGDB74· 4
Year 2011Dev Feral Interactive · Kalypso MediaPlaytime ~4hOn PC · Xbox · Apple Macintosh

✓ If you enjoyed Aven Colony, expect deep simulation, sandbox freedom and sandbox world

≠ Where it differs: brings real-time strategy, while skipping survival mechanics

Tropico 4 is a simulator/strategy game, where the player takes control of a small island nation as its president. The game is the fourth installment in the series, which have seen lots of changes throughout its existence.

Game mode100World100Progression100Visuals100Genre50

Complete list of simulation games like Aven Colony

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Aven Colony, 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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