28 Simulation games like Dungeon Tycoon that you should try

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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 Dungeon Tycoon down to the 28 that fit the “Simulation” category. Craft The World, 7 Days to Die and Rise to Ruins top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Dungeon Tycoon.

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GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

The best simulation games like Dungeon Tycoon

28 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Dungeon Tycoon. Each one has been evaluated across 15 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.

#1Craft The WorldClosest overall match

iRank83

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloSandbox WorldFantasyMedievalBase BuildingExplorationManagementLoot

Steam👍 88%· 17KRAWG👍 75%· 157

Year 2014Dev Dekovir EntertainmentPlaytime ~9hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Fits the tower defense games cluster, with deep simulation, sandbox freedom and deep RPG systems

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, survival mechanics and roguelike runs, while skipping cozy, relaxing feel

Craft The World is a unique sandbox strategy game, the mix of Dungeon Keeper, Terraria and Dwarf Fortress. Explore a random generated world populated by dangerous creatures, build a dwarf fortress, gather resources, and craft all the items, weapons, and armor you need.

Where it drifts furthest from Dungeon Tycoon: tone and visuals.

It predates Dungeon Tycoon by 10 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Setting100Progression81World62Game mode35Tone0

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloSandbox WorldExplorationBase BuildingMultiplayer

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

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

✓ Both are tower defense games — sharing deep simulation, deep RPG systems and sandbox freedom

≠ Stands apart with survival mechanics, adventure storytelling and shooter, while skipping cozy, relaxing feel

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 Dungeon Tycoon: combat and tone.

It predates Dungeon Tycoon by 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100World56Progression48Game mode18Combat0Tone0

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Steam Xbox PS

#3Rise to RuinsClosest on game mode

iRank80

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloSandbox WorldFantasyBase BuildingManagementPixel Art

Steam👍 88%· 7.7KRAWG👍 68%· 40

Year 2019Dev Raymond Doerr · SixtyGig GamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Both are tower defense games — sharing tower defense planning, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Its own twist: survival mechanics, roguelike runs and procedural generation, while skipping deep RPG systems

Follow Development About the Game Rise to Ruins is at heart a godlike village simulator, but it also throws in plenty of familiar game play mechanics from classic 90s era real-time strategy games like Warcraft, along with some tower defense and survival elements in an attempt to create a new kind…

Genre100Game mode100Visuals86World85Progression69Setting53

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Steam GOG

#4Stronghold CrusaderClosest on world

iRank92

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalSandbox WorldMedievalFantasyBase BuildingManagement

Steam👍 98%· 21KIGDB80· 1

Year 2002Dev Firefly Studios · Take-Two InteractiveOn PC

✓ Both are tower defense games — sharing deep simulation, sandbox freedom and tower defense planning

≠ Its own twist: real-time strategy, melee combat and ranged combat, while skipping deep RPG systems

Where it drifts furthest from Dungeon Tycoon: visuals.

It predates Dungeon Tycoon by 22 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100World100Setting77Combat72Progression70Game mode55

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Steam

#5Stronghold HD (2012)Closest on combat

iRank88

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalSandbox WorldMedievalFantasyBase BuildingManagementExploration

Steam👍 96%· 10KRAWG👍 82%· 310MC81

Year 2012Dev FireFly StudiosPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Same family of tower defense games: deep simulation, sandbox freedom and tower defense planning

≠ Stands apart with real-time strategy, strong narrative focus and open world exploration, while skipping deep RPG systems

Stronghold is a real-time strategy game, the first installment in Firefly Studio’s Stronghold series. Gameplay### The game takes place in Medieval Brittan of XI century.

Where it drifts furthest from Dungeon Tycoon: tone and visuals.

It predates Dungeon Tycoon by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Setting83World83Progression83Game mode55

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalSandbox WorldMedievalFantasyBase BuildingManagementExploration

Steam👍 96%· 10K

Year 2001Dev Firefly Studios · Take-Two InteractiveOn PC · Mac

✓ Both are tower defense games — sharing deep simulation, sandbox freedom and tower defense planning

≠ Its own twist: real-time strategy, strong narrative focus and open world exploration, while skipping deep RPG systems

Where it drifts furthest from Dungeon Tycoon: tone and visuals.

It predates Dungeon Tycoon by 23 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Setting83World83Progression83Combat66Game mode55

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloSandbox WorldFantasyBase BuildingManagementPixel Art

Steam👍 78%· 1.1KRAWG👍 18%· 56

Year 2011Dev Power of 2 · Tripwire InteractivePlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Fits the tower defense games cluster, with tower defense planning, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Stands apart with precision platforming, survival mechanics and vibe casual, while skipping deep RPG systems

Dwarfs!? is a two-dimensional RTS developed by Power Of Two. ###Gameplay The players control a mining colony of dwarves, who dig for treasures. The players have to mine the resources and to protect the colony from environmental hazards, such as water and lava and different enemies.

Where it drifts furthest from Dungeon Tycoon: tone and visuals.

It predates Dungeon Tycoon by 13 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Progression72Setting57World53Visuals41

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloFantasyMedievalBase BuildingPixel Art

Steam👍 90%· 38KOC78· 25

Year 2018Dev Noio · Raw FuryOn PS4 · Linux · Android

✓ Fits the tower defense games cluster, with tower defense planning, deep simulation and deep RPG systems

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, survival mechanics and strong narrative focus, while skipping sandbox freedom

Where it drifts furthest from Dungeon Tycoon: tone and game mode.

Genre100Setting100Visuals73Progression42Game mode20Tone0

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloSandbox WorldMedievalBase BuildingExploration

Steam👍 65%· 11KRAWG👍 59%· 27

Year 2012Dev Sauropod StudioPlaytime ~3hOn PC · iOS · Android

✓ Both are tower defense games — sharing deep simulation, sandbox freedom and tower defense planning

≠ Stands apart with real-time strategy, survival mechanics and adventure storytelling, while skipping deep RPG systems

An epic adventure awaits you in Castle Story, a strategy game where you command friendly creatures called Bricktrons. Have them explore, carve, dig and gather resources from vast, spectacular floating islands, reshaping the voxel-based world to your desire!

Where it drifts furthest from Dungeon Tycoon: combat and visuals.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against mostly positive for Dungeon Tycoon.

It predates Dungeon Tycoon by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100World85Progression54Setting53Game mode34Combat0

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Steam

#10Bloons TD 5

iRank95

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalSandbox WorldMultiplayerCo-op

Steam👍 95%· 12K

Year 2011Dev Ninja KiwiOn PS4 · Android · PC

✓ Both are tower defense games — sharing tower defense planning, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Where it differs: brings vibe casual, melee combat and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping deep RPG systems

Where it drifts furthest from Dungeon Tycoon: tone and visuals.

It predates Dungeon Tycoon by 13 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100World100Combat83Game mode29Tone0Visuals0

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Steam PS Nintendo

#11Gratuitous Space Battles

iRank58

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalSandbox WorldMultiplayerMelee

Steam👍 70%· 877RAWG👍 24%· 42MC72IGDB65· 2

Year 2009Dev Positech GamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Same family of tower defense games: deep simulation, sandbox freedom and tower defense planning

≠ Stands apart with turn-based strategy, real-time strategy and punishing difficulty, while skipping deep RPG systems

Gratuitous Space Battles is a mix of real-time strategy and tactics of Tower Defense, altogether featuring a science-fiction setting of space warfare.

Where it drifts furthest from Dungeon Tycoon: tone and setting.

It predates Dungeon Tycoon by 15 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100World100Combat80Game mode54Tone0Setting0

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloFantasyMedievalBase BuildingManagementPixel Art

Steam👍 91%· 23KIGDB70· 2

Year 2015Dev Licorice · Raw FuryOn Linux · PC · Mac

✓ Same family of tower defense games: deep simulation, deep RPG systems and tower defense planning

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, survival mechanics and roguelike runs, while skipping sandbox freedom

Where it drifts furthest from Dungeon Tycoon: combat and tone.

It predates Dungeon Tycoon by 9 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Setting81Visuals71Progression68Combat0

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Steam

#13WorldBox

iRank95

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloCozySandbox WorldFantasyMedievalBase BuildingManagementPixel Art

Steam👍 95%· 54K

Year 2018Dev Maxim KarpenkoOn Linux · Android · PC

✓ If you enjoyed Dungeon Tycoon, expect sandbox freedom, deep simulation and deep RPG systems

≠ Stands apart with vibe relaxing, procedural generation and setting mythology, while skipping tower defense planning

Game mode100Setting81World80Visuals73Tone71Progression67

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Steam itch.io

#14Thronefall

iRank90

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalMedievalFantasyBase Building

Steam👍 96%· 23KRAWG👍 85%· 37OC86· 9

Year 2023Dev GrizzlyGamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Nintendo

✓ Fits the tower defense games cluster, with tower defense planning, deep simulation and combat tactical

≠ Stands apart with fighting mechanics, survival mechanics and melee combat, while skipping deep RPG systems

Get involved! About the GameA strategy game without all the headache? We got you covered. Saddle the horses! See your kingdom come to life, fight gripping battles to defend it and still be done in time for lunch.

Where it drifts furthest from Dungeon Tycoon: visuals and progression.

Genre100Game mode100Setting100Combat78Progression42Visuals0

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Steam

#15Plants vs. Zombies

iRank91

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalCozyDarkCasual

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 cozy, relaxing feel

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, real-time strategy and survival mechanics, while skipping deep RPG systems

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 Dungeon Tycoon: setting and visuals.

It predates Dungeon Tycoon by 14 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Tone43Setting0Visuals0

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Steam Xbox

Complete list of simulation games like Dungeon Tycoon

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Dungeon Tycoon, 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.