14 Sandbox games like Empires of the Undergrowth 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 Empires of the Undergrowth down to the 14 that fit the “Sandbox” category. Kenshi, Imagine Earth and Maia top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Empires of the Undergrowth.

iRank89/ 100

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The best sandbox games like Empires of the Undergrowth

14 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Empires of the Undergrowth. Each one has been evaluated across 13 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.

#1KenshiClosest overall match

iRank85

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloOpen WorldSandbox WorldExplorationBase BuildingManagementIsometric

Steam👍 96%· 112KRAWG👍 77%· 191MC75IGDB84· 1

Year 2018Dev Lo-Fi GamesPlaytime ~4hOn PC

✓ Same family of real-time strategy games: real-time strategy, sandbox freedom and deep simulation

≠ Stands apart with deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and stealth mechanics, while skipping turn-based strategy

A free-roaming squad based RPG. Focusing on open-ended sandbox gameplay features rather than a linear story. Be a trader, a thief, a rebel, a warlord, an adventurer, a farmer, a slave, or just food for the cannibals. Research new equipment and craft new gear.

Where it drifts furthest from Empires of the Undergrowth: setting.

Genre100Game mode100World100Progression81Visuals71Setting0

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldBase BuildingManagementIsometric

Steam👍 82%· 955OC80· 12

Year 2021Dev Serious BrothersPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Xbox

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, vibe relaxing and procedural generation, while skipping survival mechanics

Planetary Colonization Imagine Earth is a real-time planet simulation and a build up strategy game. Your job as a space colony manager is to explore and populate distant planets. Build up thriving and profitable colonies on a global scale and trade resources and goods into space.

Where it drifts furthest from Empires of the Undergrowth: setting and visuals.

Genre100Game mode100Progression73World54Visuals33Setting0

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Steam GOG Epic

#3Maia

iRank44

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldBase BuildingManagementProcedural

Steam👍 44%· 1.1K

Year 2013Dev Simon Roth · Machine StudiosPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, deep simulation and survival mechanics

≠ Where it differs: brings procedural generation, setting scifi and setting space, while skipping turn-based strategy

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.

Where it drifts furthest from Empires of the Undergrowth: setting.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against very positive for Empires of the Undergrowth.

It predates Empires of the Undergrowth by 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Progression85World50Setting0

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Steam

#4Europa Universalis IIIClosest on setting

iRank79

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldHistoricalIsometricMultiplayer

Steam👍 83%· 2.0KIGDB70· 1

Year 2007Dev Paradox InteractiveOn PC · Mac

✓ Fits the real-time strategy games cluster, with real-time strategy, turn-based strategy and sandbox freedom

≠ Stands apart with multiplayer gameplay, while skipping survival mechanics

It predates Empires of the Undergrowth by 17 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Setting100Visuals100World64Game mode54

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldHistoricalManagementMultiplayer

Steam👍 92%· 20KIGDB76· 1

Year 2010Dev Paradox InteractiveOn Linux · PC · Mac

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, turn-based strategy and deep simulation

≠ Stands apart with combat tactical and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping survival mechanics

Where it drifts furthest from Empires of the Undergrowth: progression.

It predates Empires of the Undergrowth by 14 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Setting100World70Game mode54Progression48

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Steam

#6Stronghold 2Closest on progression

iRank83

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldHistoricalBase BuildingManagementExplorationIsometric

Steam👍 89%· 5.6KIGDB70· 3

Year 2005Dev Firefly Studios · 2K GamesOn PC

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Its own twist: combat tactical, melee combat and ranged combat, while skipping survival mechanics

It predates Empires of the Undergrowth by 19 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100World100Progression100Visuals65Setting57Game mode55

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Steam

#7Stronghold 2: Steam Edition

iRank81

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldHistoricalBase BuildingManagementExplorationIsometric

Steam👍 89%· 5.6KRAWG👍 68%· 40

Year 2005Dev FireFly Studios · 2K GamesOn PC

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Where it differs: brings combat tactical, setting medieval and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping survival mechanics

Stronghold 2 is a real time strategy computer game released in April 2005 in which the player develops a stronghold in the middle ages. It is the sequel to Stronghold, released in 2001, also by Firefly Studios.

It predates Empires of the Undergrowth by 19 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100World100Progression100Visuals65Setting57Game mode55

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldHistoricalBase BuildingManagementExplorationIsometric

Steam👍 33%· 4.8KRAWG👍 28%· 50IGDB52· 3

Year 2012Dev FireFly StudiosPlaytime ~4hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Fits the real-time strategy games cluster, with real-time strategy, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Where it differs: brings combat tactical, ranged combat and fantasy world, while skipping survival mechanics

Stronghold 3: Gold is the long-awaited third installment in the award winning castle-building series. Set 10 years after the original, the Wolf it seems, has cheated death and during his painful recovery he’s become even more bitter and twisted. Now he seeks revenge.

Where it drifts furthest from Empires of the Undergrowth: game mode.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly negative, against very positive for Empires of the Undergrowth.

It predates Empires of the Undergrowth by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100World100Progression100Visuals100Setting56Game mode49

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldBase BuildingManagementIsometric

Steam👍 92%· 13KRAWG👍 67%· 511MC78IGDB74· 4

Year 2011Dev Feral Interactive · Kalypso MediaPlaytime ~4hOn PC · Xbox · Apple Macintosh

✓ Nearly identical: real-time strategy, deep simulation and sandbox freedom.

≠ Missing: 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.

It predates Empires of the Undergrowth by 13 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Progression88World70

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Steam GOG Xbox

#10The Guild II Renaissance

iRank72

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldHistoricalBase BuildingManagementExploration

Steam👍 83%· 4.0KRAWG👍 67%· 84MC56

Year 2010Dev Runeforge Games Studio · THQ NordicPlaytime ~2hOn PC

✓ Same family of real-time strategy games: real-time strategy, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

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

The Guild II Renaissance is a role-playing game with elements of real-time-strategy and life-simulation game. This is a stand-alone add-on for the 2006 title The Guild II. ###Gameplay Guild II Renaissance takes place in Europe at the dawn of the XV century.

It predates Empires of the Undergrowth by 14 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100World100Progression100Game mode54Setting54

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Steam GOG

#11Black & White

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldExplorationIsometric

Year 2001Dev Lionhead Studios · Electronic ArtsOn PC · Mac

✓ Same family of real-time strategy games: real-time strategy, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, combat magic and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping survival mechanics

Where it drifts furthest from Empires of the Undergrowth: progression.

It predates Empires of the Undergrowth by 23 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100World100Visuals100Game mode55Progression31

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#12RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

iRank80

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldManagementIsometricMultiplayer

Steam👍 90%· 5.8KIGDB60· 1

Year 2002Dev Chris Sawyer Productions · InfogramesOn PC

✓ Same family of real-time strategy games: real-time strategy, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Stands apart with vibe casual, multiplayer gameplay and visual pixel, while skipping survival mechanics

It predates Empires of the Undergrowth by 22 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Visuals86Game mode82World69Progression55

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldIsometricFantasy

IGDB73· 3

Year 2005Dev Lionhead Studios · Feral InteractiveOn PC · Mac

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Its own twist: deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and fantasy world, while skipping survival mechanics

Where it drifts furthest from Empires of the Undergrowth: setting.

It predates Empires of the Undergrowth by 19 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100World69Setting0

Details →

#14The Guild II

iRank68

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldHistoricalIsometricMultiplayer

IGDB68· 2

Year 2008Dev Trine Game Studios · JoWooD ProductionsPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Fits the real-time strategy games cluster, with real-time strategy, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Stands apart with deep RPG systems, setting medieval and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping survival mechanics

A life simulation where you control a dynasty through various professions.

It predates Empires of the Undergrowth by 16 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Visuals71World69Setting67Game mode55

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Steam

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