8 Dark games like Diplomacy is Not an Option that you should try

Games like Diplomacy is Not an Option · Find similar →

Ranking compiled by Lluis Enric Mayans, Founder & Head of ContentUpdated May 19, 2026How this is calculatedOrdered by an attribute-similarity model, not editorial opinion.

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We filtered the 50 games similar to Diplomacy is Not an Option down to the 8 that fit the “Dark” category. Plants vs. Zombies, Atom Zombie Smasher and Farm for your Life top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Diplomacy is Not an Option.

iRank80/ 100

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GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

The best dark games like Diplomacy is Not an Option

8 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Diplomacy is Not an Option. Each one has been evaluated across 19 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.

#1Plants vs. ZombiesClosest overall match

iRank91

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalDarkCasualHorror

Steam👍 98%· 152KRAWG👍 93%· 733MC87IGDB80· 1

Year 2010Dev PopCap Games · Electronic ArtsPlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the tower defense games cluster, with tower defense planning, deep simulation and real-time strategy

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, cozy, relaxing feel and visual 2d, while skipping adventure storytelling

This is a casual tower defense game from the PopCap Games studio. The main characters are homeowners who, with the help of plants, protect their garden from the invasion of zombies. The game was ported to all kinds of consoles, including mobile platforms. In Plants vs.

Where it drifts furthest from Diplomacy is Not an Option: visuals and setting.

It predates Diplomacy is Not an Option by 14 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Tone71Game mode52Setting42Visuals0

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Steam Xbox

#2Atom Zombie Smasher

iRank70

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloCo-opTacticalDarkCasualSandbox WorldHorrorIsometric

Steam👍 90%· 2.1KRAWG👍 36%· 101MC75

Year 2011Dev Blendo GamesPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Both are tower defense games — sharing tower defense planning, sandbox freedom and real-time strategy

≠ Where it differs: brings procedural generation, melee combat and post-apocalyptic world, while skipping deep simulation

The game is a real-time strategy from the independent studio Blendo Games. The main task is to save as many people as possible from the advancing horde of zombies.

Where it drifts furthest from Diplomacy is Not an Option: setting.

It predates Diplomacy is Not an Option by 13 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat78Tone73Game mode59World57Visuals51

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloCasualDarkHorrorManagementIsometric

Steam👍 82%· 638

Year 2014Dev Hammer LabsPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Xbox · Apple Macintosh

✓ Fits the tower defense games cluster, with deep simulation, adventure storytelling and survival mechanics

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, cozy, relaxing feel and crafting mechanics, while skipping real-time strategy

Your community was taken down by a heavy storm which caused an apocalypse and unleashed the living dead. Together with the other survivors, it is your task to rebuild and to allow that sustainable life can still be assured.

Where it drifts furthest from Diplomacy is Not an Option: setting and progression.

It predates Diplomacy is Not an Option by 10 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Tone59Game mode52Visuals51Progression42Setting36

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Steam Xbox

#4Zombie PiratesClosest on visuals

iRank58

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloCasualDarkHorrorIsometric

Steam👍 58%· 60

Year 2010Dev Dust Devil Studios · Strategy FirstPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Both are tower defense games — sharing tower defense planning, vibe casual and dark, oppressive atmosphere

≠ Stands apart with fantasy world, while skipping deep simulation

Help Smilin Jack O'Hurlihan, Esmeralda, and Dr. Theopolis defeat Gruesome George, an army of undead, giant monsters, and the mysterious Red Widow! Featuring nail-biting boss battles, swashbuckling adventure, and a horde of undead buccaneers, Zombie Pirates will send a shiver right down to yer timbers!

Where it drifts furthest from Diplomacy is Not an Option: setting.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against very positive for Diplomacy is Not an Option.

It predates Diplomacy is Not an Option by 14 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Visuals100Tone76Game mode51Setting30

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Steam

#5Plague Inc: EvolvedClosest on world

iRank87

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloCo-opTacticalCasualDarkSandbox WorldHorrorIsometric

Steam👍 94%· 62KRAWG👍 86%· 667MC80IGDB80· 3

Year 2015Dev Ndemic CreationsPlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ If you enjoyed Diplomacy is Not an Option, expect real-time strategy, deep simulation and survival mechanics

≠ Where it differs: brings post-apocalyptic world and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping adventure storytelling

Plague Inc: Evolved is a biological simulation/strategy game developed by Ndemic Creations. In Plague Inc: Evolved the player controls a disease, that infects patient zero in a selected country.

Where it drifts furthest from Diplomacy is Not an Option: setting.

It predates Diplomacy is Not an Option by 9 years, with what that implies technically.

Combat100World100Visuals100Game mode77Tone75Genre50

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Steam Xbox PS

#6Plants vs. Zombies 2: It's About TimeClosest on setting

iRank80

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalDarkHorrorHistorical

IGDB80· 1

Year 2013Dev PopCap Games · Electronic ArtsOn Android · iOS

✓ Fits the tower defense games cluster, with real-time strategy, adventure storytelling and survival mechanics

≠ Its own twist: setting scifi, multiplayer gameplay and visual 2d, while skipping deep simulation

Where it drifts furthest from Diplomacy is Not an Option: visuals and game mode.

It predates Diplomacy is Not an Option by 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Setting61Game mode36Tone36Visuals0

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#77 Days to Die

iRank60

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

Co-opSoloDarkSandbox WorldHorrorBase Building

Steam👍 87%· 399KRAWG👍 53%· 497IGDB36· 8OC39· 34

Year 2013Dev Telltale GamesPlaytime ~9hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are tower defense games — sharing survival mechanics, deep simulation and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with deep RPG systems, shooter and first-person shooting, while skipping real-time strategy

After the nuclear war, people have to survive, and 7 Days to Die gives players the opportunity to experience it. The large parts of the planet are ravaged by destruction, and lone survivors are under the constant threat, even within relatively safe counties, like Navezgane, Nevada.

Where it drifts furthest from Diplomacy is Not an Option: combat and visuals.

It predates Diplomacy is Not an Option by 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100World51Game mode48Tone44Progression40Setting32

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Steam Xbox PS

#8Sol SurvivorClosest on game mode

iRank85

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloCo-opDarkHorrorMultiplayer

Steam👍 90%· 439MC75

Year 2010Dev Cadenza InteractivePlaytime ~5hOn PC

✓ Fits the tower defense games cluster, with tower defense planning, survival mechanics and dark, oppressive atmosphere

≠ Its own twist: roguelike runs, procedural generation and setting scifi, while skipping deep simulation

Jump in to intense turret defense action with Sol Survivor! Build turrets to defend your colony and the innocent colonists within. Smash enemies with volleys of actively-controlled orbital support.

Where it drifts furthest from Diplomacy is Not an Option: world and setting.

It predates Diplomacy is Not an Option by 14 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode78Tone40Setting31World0

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Steam

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