5 Survival 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 5 that fit the “Survival” category. Kenshi, Maia and Banished top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Empires of the Undergrowth.

iRank89/ 100

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GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

The best survival games like Empires of the Undergrowth

5 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

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Steam GOG Epic

#2Maia

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

#3BanishedClosest on visuals

iRank74

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloHistoricalIsometricStealthDark

OC74· 19

Year 2021Dev Twilight LAB GamesOn Web

✓ Fits the real-time strategy games cluster, with real-time strategy, deep simulation and survival mechanics

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

A city builder where you manage survival by harvesting resources and maintaining a community.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Setting72

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itch.io

#4FrostpunkClosest on progression

iRank88

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloBase BuildingManagementIsometricNarrative

Steam👍 93%· 134KRAWG👍 88%· 1.1KMC85IGDB86· 9OC86· 103

Year 2018Dev 11 Bit Studios · 11 bit studiosPlaytime ~6hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the real-time strategy games cluster, with real-time strategy, deep simulation and survival mechanics

≠ Where it differs: brings strong narrative focus, dark, oppressive atmosphere and punishing difficulty, while skipping sandbox freedom

In an ultimately frozen world, people develop steam-powered technology to oppose the overwhelming cold. The city ruler has to manage both the inhabitants and the infrastracture the citizens live in.

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

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Progression89Setting0

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloOpen WorldHistoricalExplorationIsometric

Steam👍 83%· 9.5KIGDB85· 4OC81· 28

Year 2015Dev Failbetter GamesOn Linux · PC · iOS

✓ Same family of real-time strategy games: real-time strategy, survival mechanics and open world exploration

≠ Stands apart with deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and roguelike runs, while skipping deep simulation

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

It predates Empires of the Undergrowth by 9 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals69Setting51World38Progression36

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Steam GOG Epic

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