63
iRank88
SurvivalCo-op PvE Survival
SoloThird PersonNarrativeSci-FiIsometric
Steam👍 90%· 17KIGDB87· 5OC86· 115
Year 2025Dev 11 bit studiosOn Xbox · PC · PS5
8 Simulation games like Cairn that you should try
Games like Cairn · Find similar →
More about this game →Ranking compiled by Lluis Enric Mayans, Founder & Head of ContentHow this is calculatedOrdered by an attribute-similarity model, not editorial opinion.
We filtered the 41 games similar to Cairn down to the 8 that fit the “Simulation” category. The Alters, Deliver Us the Moon and FTL: Faster Than Light top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Cairn.
iRank90/ 100
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Quick answer
Within the “Simulation” category, the closest game to Cairn is The Alters — scoring 63/100 on our similarity scale. Deliver Us the Moon and FTL: Faster Than Light follow close behind.
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The best simulation games like Cairn
8 similar games foundUpdated May 2026
Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Cairn. Each one has been evaluated across 6 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.
SurvivalCo-op PvE Survival
SoloThird PersonMeleeNarrativeSci-Fi
Steam👍 88%· 9.2KIGDB78· 5OC74· 67
Year 2019Dev KeokeN Interactive · Wired ProductionsOn Xbox · PS4 · PC
SurvivalCo-op PvE Survival
SoloTacticalHardcoreProceduralSpace
Steam👍 95%· 78KRAWG👍 88%· 964MC84IGDB91· 2
Year 2012Dev Subset GamesPlaytime ~6hOn PC · iOS · Apple Macintosh
✓ Fits the PvE survival games cluster, with survival mechanics, deep simulation and adventure storytelling
≠ Where it differs: brings roguelike runs, punishing difficulty and procedural generation, while skipping sports simulation
FTL: Faster Than Light is a roguelike strategy game set in space civil war in the Galactic Federation. You control a spaceship that has to deliver an essential package of data to the Federation headquarters. This data can help defeat the rebel’s army and finish the war.
Where it drifts furthest from Cairn: visuals.
It predates Cairn by 14 years, with what that implies technically.
Genre100Game mode100Visuals0
SurvivalCo-op PvE Survival
SoloNarrativeOpen WorldSandbox WorldPost-Apocalyptic
Steam👍 89%· 122KRAWG👍 78%· 881MC76IGDB82· 5OC77· 53
Year 2014Dev Hinterland StudioPlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS · Xbox
✓ Same family of PvE survival games: survival mechanics, adventure storytelling and deep simulation
≠ Stands apart with shooter, first-person shooting and sandbox freedom, while skipping sports simulation
The Long Dark is a game about surviving in the unforgiving conditions of frozen North Canadian taiga. The Arctic wilderness may be breathtakingly beautiful, thanks to the game’s artful visual style, but it is also deadly.
Where it drifts furthest from Cairn: visuals.
It predates Cairn by 12 years, with what that implies technically.
Genre100Game mode100Visuals0
SurvivalCo-op PvE Survival
SoloThird PersonMultiplayerCo-opNarrative
Steam👍 92%· 138KIGDB81· 4OC75· 26
Year 2019Dev System Era SoftworksOn PS4 · PC · PS5
✓ Same family of PvE survival games: survival mechanics, adventure storytelling and deep simulation
≠ Its own twist: sandbox freedom, strong narrative focus and open world exploration, while skipping sports simulation
Where it drifts furthest from Cairn: game mode.
Genre100Visuals100Game mode31
SurvivalCo-op PvE Survival
SoloCasualCozyNarrativeOpen World
Steam👍 81%· 491
Year 2015Dev Sean DavyPlaytime ~4hOn PC
✓ Fits the PvE survival games cluster, with survival mechanics, deep simulation and single-player focus
≠ Its own twist: roguelike runs, vibe casual and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping sports simulation
Warning: Content Below may not be suitable for Cats, any similarities to real dogs is purely coincidental. In Domestic Dog, you take control of a randomized dog in a randomized house and survive the harsh domestic life! Explore the city and interact with the world for discover items and secrets.
Where it drifts furthest from Cairn: visuals.
It predates Cairn by 11 years, with what that implies technically.
Genre100Game mode100Visuals0
SurvivalCo-op PvE Survival
SoloSci-FiIsometric
Steam👍 51%· 215
Year 2016Dev Refactored Games OÜPlaytime ~3hOn PC
✓ Both are PvE survival games — sharing survival mechanics, deep simulation and single-player focus
≠ Its own twist: setting scifi and visual isometric, while skipping sports simulation
Manage interstellar pioneers and their descendants in this detailed sci-fi colony sim. Centuries after planetfall, colonists are still struggling to gain foothold on their lush and alien planet. You settle on the frontier by carefully managing resources, production and different personalities.
Where it drifts furthest from Cairn: visuals.
On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against very positive for Cairn.
It predates Cairn by 10 years, with what that implies technically.
Genre100Game mode100Visuals0
SurvivalCo-op PvE Survival
SoloMultiplayerCo-opCozyOpen World
Steam👍 61%· 7.9KRAWG👍 45%· 22
Year 2022Dev Purple Lamp Studios · THQ NordicPlaytime ~3hOn PC
✓ Both are PvE survival games — sharing survival mechanics, deep simulation and single-player focus
≠ Stands apart with deep RPG systems, sandbox freedom and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping sports simulation
We find ourselves in middle Europe of the year 1400. The dark middle ages, once dominated through nobles and clergy, ends and a new era begins: the age of the free cities of trading and of the free mind! In The Guild 3 you create a family dynasty which can last for centuries.
Where it drifts furthest from Cairn: visuals and game mode.
On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against very positive for Cairn.
Genre100Game mode34Visuals0