37 Simulation games like Foundation 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 Foundation down to the 37 that fit the “Simulation” category. Kenshi, Maia and Stronghold 2 top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Foundation.

iRank78/ 100

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The best simulation games like Foundation

37 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Foundation. Each one has been evaluated across 16 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 vibe relaxing

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 Foundation: setting.

Genre100Game mode100World100Progression78Visuals71Setting0

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Steam GOG Epic

#2Maia

iRank44

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldBase BuildingManagementEarly Access

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 vibe relaxing

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 Foundation: setting.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against very positive for Foundation.

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

Genre100Game mode100Progression91World56Setting0

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Steam

#3Stronghold 2Closest on setting

iRank83

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldMedievalHistoricalBase 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 Foundation by 20 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Setting100World100Progression100Visuals65Game mode55

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Steam

#4Stronghold 2: Steam Edition

iRank81

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldMedievalHistoricalBase 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, multiplayer gameplay and visual topdown, 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 Foundation by 20 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Setting100World100Progression100Visuals65Game mode55

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Steam

#5Stronghold 3 GoldClosest on visuals

iRank36

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldHistoricalMedievalBase 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 Foundation: game mode.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly negative, against very positive for Foundation.

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

Genre100World100Progression100Visuals100Setting88Game 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 Foundation by 14 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Progression95World86

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Steam GOG Xbox

#7Europa Universalis IV

iRank86

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldHistoricalMedievalManagementIsometric

Steam👍 88%· 136KRAWG👍 83%· 396MC87IGDB85· 2

Year 2013Dev Paradox Development Studio · Paradox InteractivePlaytime ~6hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

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

≠ Where it differs: brings turn-based strategy, combat tactical and fantasy world, while skipping survival mechanics

Europa Universalis IV is a global strategy game developed by Paradox Interactive. It is the fifth game in the series, not counting the add-ons. ###Gameplay The game can take place at any time starting from the late Middle Age to the Napolean Wars era.

Where it drifts furthest from Foundation: game mode.

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

Genre100World100Visuals100Setting88Progression50Game mode34

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Steam GOG Epic

#8Imagine EarthClosest on tone

iRank81

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloRelaxingSandbox 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, turn-based strategy 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 Foundation: setting and visuals.

Genre100Game mode100Tone87Progression76World60Visuals33

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldHistoricalMedievalIsometric

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, multiplayer gameplay and visual third person, while skipping survival mechanics

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

It predates Foundation by 17 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Setting100World86Visuals71Game mode55

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Steam

#10Black & 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 Foundation: progression.

It predates Foundation by 24 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100World100Visuals100Game mode55Progression25

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#11Frostpunk

iRank88

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloNarrativeBase BuildingManagementIsometric

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 dark, oppressive atmosphere, punishing difficulty and post-apocalyptic world, 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 Foundation: setting and tone.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Progression96Tone32Setting0

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 Foundation: setting.

It predates Foundation by 20 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100World86Setting0

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#13Europa Universalis III

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, sandbox freedom and deep simulation

≠ Stands apart with turn-based strategy and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping survival mechanics

It predates Foundation by 18 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Visuals100World82Setting61Game mode54

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Steam

#14Victoria II

iRank87

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldHistoricalManagementMultiplayer

Steam👍 92%· 20KIGDB76· 1

Year 2010Dev Paradox InteractiveOn Linux · PC · Mac

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

≠ Stands apart with turn-based strategy, combat tactical and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping survival mechanics

Where it drifts furthest from Foundation: progression.

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

Genre100World86Setting60Game mode54Progression44

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Steam

#15RollerCoaster 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

Where it drifts furthest from Foundation: tone.

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

Genre100Visuals86World85Game mode82Progression53Tone0

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Steam

Complete list of simulation games like Foundation

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Foundation, 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.