Gnomes

55 Games like Gnomes that you should try

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Gnomes is hard to replace: few games combine tower defense planning, vibe casual and procedural generation in quite the same way. We analyzed over 2,000 titles across 20 gameplay attributes and found 55 genuine alternatives — not generic genre suggestions. Rise to Ruins, Creeper World: Anniversary Edition and Thronefall lead the list, with Rise to Ruins reaching a 97/100 similarity score. Every game here is ranked by how closely it replicates what makes Gnomes special.

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GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

Tags

CasualCozySolo

Year 2025Dev Dystopian

Stores

Quick answer

The closest game to Gnomes is Rise to Ruins — scoring 97/100 on our similarity scale. Creeper World: Anniversary Edition and Thronefall follow close behind.

#1Rise to Ruins97 #2Creeper World: Anniversary Edition91 #3Thronefall91 #4Plants vs. Zombies90 #5Go Home Dinosaurs!91

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Games like Gnomes

55 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

#1Rise to Ruins

97

Rise to Ruins

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloSandbox WorldProceduralFantasyBase 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 survival mechanics

≠ Its own twist: visual 2d and early access, while skipping turn-based strategy

#2Creeper World: Anniversary Edition

91

Creeper World: Anniversary Edition

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

Solo

Steam👍 97%· 966

Year 2016Dev Knuckle CrackerPlaytime ~4hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Nearly identical: deep simulation, tower defense planning and single-player focus.

≠ Missing: turn-based strategy.

91

Thronefall

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalFantasyBase BuildingIsometric

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 survival mechanics

≠ Stands apart with fighting mechanics, melee combat and setting medieval, while skipping turn-based strategy

#4Plants vs. Zombies

90

Plants vs. Zombies

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalDarkCasualCozy

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 survival mechanics

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, real-time strategy and horror setting, while skipping turn-based strategy

#5Go Home Dinosaurs!

91

Go Home Dinosaurs!

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloCasualCozyFantasyIsometric

Steam👍 87%· 623MC79

Year 2013Dev Fire Hose GamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · iOS

✓ Fits the tower defense games cluster, with tower defense planning, vibe casual and cozy, relaxing feel

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design and historical setting, while skipping turn-based strategy

#6Defense Grid: The Awakening

91

Defense Grid: The Awakening

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalIsometricSci-Fi

Steam👍 96%· 5.3KRAWG👍 59%· 106MC81IGDB86· 2

Year 2008Dev Hidden Path EntertainmentPlaytime ~4hOn PC · Xbox · Apple Macintosh

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

≠ Stands apart with real-time strategy and setting scifi, while skipping turn-based strategy

#7Harvest: Massive Encounter

90

Harvest: Massive Encounter

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloBase BuildingSci-Fi

Steam👍 79%· 162

Year 2008Dev Oxeye Game StudioPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Same family of tower defense games: tower defense planning, single-player focus and base building

≠ Its own twist: real-time strategy and setting scifi, while skipping turn-based strategy

#8iBomber Defense

91

iBomber Defense

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloCasual

Steam👍 74%· 245IGDB70· 1

Year 2010Dev Cobra MobilePlaytime ~2hOn PC · iOS · Apple Macintosh

✓ Both are tower defense games — sharing tower defense planning, vibe casual and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with real-time strategy, while skipping turn-based strategy

#9Farm for your Life

89

Farm for your Life

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloCasualCozyDarkManagementIsometric

Steam👍 82%· 638

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

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

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, adventure storytelling and horror setting, while skipping turn-based strategy

#10Prime World: Defenders

93

Prime World: Defenders

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalCasualFantasy

Steam👍 76%· 1.1KRAWG👍 54%· 50MC58

Year 2013Dev Nival Interactive · NivalPlaytime ~5hOn PC · iOS · Android

✓ Same family of tower defense games: tower defense planning, vibe casual and combat tactical

≠ Where it differs: brings deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and card game strategy, while skipping turn-based strategy

#11Infested Planet

89

Infested Planet

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalIsometricMeleeSci-Fi

Steam👍 94%· 3.0KRAWG👍 59%· 44MC75OC77· 10

Year 2013Dev Rocket Bear GamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Fits the tower defense games cluster, with tower defense planning, combat tactical and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with real-time strategy, melee combat and setting scifi, while skipping turn-based strategy

#12Kingdom: New Lands

88

Kingdom: New Lands

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloNarrativeHardcoreProceduralFantasyBase BuildingPixel Art

Steam👍 86%· 12KIGDB75· 2OC73· 12

Year 2016Dev Licorice · Raw FuryOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Same family of tower defense games: tower defense planning, deep simulation and survival mechanics

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, open world exploration and setting medieval, while skipping turn-based strategy

#13Fieldrunners

92

Fieldrunners

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalCasualIsometric

Steam👍 66%· 344RAWG👍 56%· 41

Year 2008Dev SUBATOMIC STUDIOS · Subatomic StudiosPlaytime ~1hOn PC · PS · iOS

✓ Nearly identical: tower defense planning, vibe casual and combat tactical.

≠ Missing: turn-based strategy.

92

Dwarfs!?

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloCasualNarrativeSandbox WorldProceduralFantasyBase BuildingManagementPixel ArtIsometric

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, open world exploration and visual topdown, while skipping turn-based strategy

#15Zombie Pirates

91

Zombie Pirates

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloCasualDarkFantasyIsometric

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 horror setting, while skipping turn-based strategy

Games like Gnomes

Gratuitous Tank Battles

Gratuitous Tank Battles

Simulation · Tower Defense

GemCraft - Chasing Shadows

GemCraft - Chasing Shadows

Tower Defense

Bad North

Bad North

Turn-Based Strat · Simulation

Kingdom Rush Frontiers - Tower Defense

Kingdom Rush Frontiers - Tower Defense

Tower Defense · RTS

Stronghold Crusader

Stronghold Crusader

Simulation · Sandbox

iBomber Defense Pacific

iBomber Defense Pacific

Tower Defense · RTS

Stronghold HD (2012)

Stronghold HD (2012)

Simulation · RTS

Anomaly: Warzone Earth

Anomaly: Warzone Earth

RTS · Tower Defense

Kingdom: Classic

Kingdom: Classic

Simulation · Adventure

Craft The World

Craft The World

Simulation · Sandbox

Rankings in the same genre

Best Tower Defense Games Best Strategy Games

Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Gnomes?: The closest game to Gnomes is Rise to Ruins, scoring 97/100 on our similarity scale. They share 12 gameplay attributes, including tower defense planning, deep simulation and survival mechanics. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Gnomes?: The three closest games to Gnomes are: 1. Rise to Ruins (97/100, 12 shared attributes) 2. Creeper World: Anniversary Edition (91/100, 3 shared attributes) 3. Thronefall (91/100, 8 shared attributes). All share Gnomes's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 55 candidates across 20 dimensions.
Is Creeper World: Anniversary Edition similar to Gnomes?: Yes, very much so — Creeper World: Anniversary Edition scores 91/100 similarity to Gnomes. They share 3 attributes, including deep simulation and tower defense planning. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What Tower Defense games are similar to Gnomes?: The best Tower Defense games similar to Gnomes are Rise to Ruins, Creeper World: Anniversary Edition, Thronefall and Plants vs. Zombies. All share the Tower Defense genre alongside other key Gnomes attributes like tower defense planning, deep simulation and survival mechanics.
How is similarity to Gnomes calculated?: We compare Gnomes against every game in our catalog using 20 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Gnomes experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.