15 Sandbox games like Gnomes 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 Gnomes down to the 15 that fit the “Sandbox” category. Rise to Ruins, Craft The World and Gnomoria top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Gnomes.

iRank95/ 100

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GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

The best sandbox games like Gnomes

15 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Gnomes. Each one has been evaluated across 20 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.

#1Rise to RuinsClosest overall match

iRank80

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

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…

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Gnomes.

Genre100Game mode100Setting100World100Progression100Visuals66

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloCasualHardcoreSandbox WorldProceduralFantasyBase BuildingManagement

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 survival mechanics

≠ Its own twist: deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and open world exploration, while skipping turn-based strategy

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 Gnomes: visuals and game mode.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Gnomes.

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

Genre100World86Setting65Progression60Tone54Game mode35

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Steam GOG

#3GnomoriaClosest on visuals

iRank65

GenreStrategySubgenreGrand Strategy

SoloSandbox WorldProceduralFantasyBase BuildingManagementIsometricPixel Art

Steam👍 75%· 3.5KRAWG👍 50%· 39

Year 2016Dev Robotronic GamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Shared with Gnomes: deep simulation, sandbox freedom and survival mechanics

≠ Where it differs: brings real-time strategy, crafting mechanics and visual 2d, while skipping tower defense planning

Gnomoria is a sandbox village management game where you help lead a small group of gnomes, who have set out on their own, to thrive into a bustling kingdom! Anything you see can be broken down and rebuilt elsewhere.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Gnomes.

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

Game mode100Setting100World100Visuals96Progression81Genre50

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

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.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Gnomes.

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

Genre100Game mode100Setting100Progression100World84Visuals62

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Steam

#5Gratuitous Space Battles

iRank58

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalHardcoreSandbox WorldIsometric

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

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

✓ Same family of tower defense games: deep simulation, turn-based strategy and sandbox freedom

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

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 Gnomes: setting and tone.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Gnomes.

It predates Gnomes by 16 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat80Game mode54World54Visuals33Tone29

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloSandbox WorldBase BuildingIsometricMultiplayer

Steam👍 65%· 11KRAWG👍 59%· 27

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

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

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

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 Gnomes: combat and setting.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against overwhelmingly positive for Gnomes.

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

Genre100Progression59Visuals57World51Game mode34Combat0

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloDarkSandbox WorldProceduralBase Building

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

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

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

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

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 Gnomes: combat and setting.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Gnomes.

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

Genre100World83Progression43Tone29Game mode18Combat0

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Steam Xbox PS

#8Stronghold HD (2012)Closest on combat

iRank88

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalNarrativeSandbox WorldFantasyBase BuildingManagementIsometric

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, open world exploration and setting medieval, while skipping turn-based strategy

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 Gnomes: tone and setting.

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

Genre100Combat100Progression93Game mode55World51Visuals50

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Steam GOG

#9Stronghold Crusader

iRank92

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalSandbox WorldFantasyBase BuildingManagementIsometric

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 turn-based strategy

Where it drifts furthest from Gnomes: setting.

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

Genre100Progression100Combat72World58Game mode55Visuals51

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Steam

#10Bloons TD 6Closest on tone

iRank91

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalCasualHardcoreCozySandbox WorldManagementIsometric

Steam👍 97%· 386KRAWG👍 81%· 208

Year 2018Dev Ninja KiwiPlaytime ~8hOn PC · iOS · Android

✓ Fits the tower defense games cluster, with tower defense planning, sandbox freedom and survival mechanics

≠ Stands apart with combat magic, ranged combat and melee combat, while skipping turn-based strategy

The Bloons are back and better than ever! Get ready for a massive 3D tower defense game designed to give you hours and hours of the best strategy gaming available.

Where it drifts furthest from Gnomes: game mode and visuals.

Genre100Tone78Combat59Progression49World46Visuals43

1/1 agree it's a good matchDetails →

Steam Epic itch.io

#11Stronghold

iRank96

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalNarrativeSandbox WorldFantasyBase BuildingManagementIsometric

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, open world exploration and melee combat, while skipping turn-based strategy

Where it drifts furthest from Gnomes: tone and setting.

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

Genre100Progression93Combat66Game mode55World51Visuals50

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Steam

#12Bloons TD 5

iRank95

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalCasualSandbox WorldIsometric

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 melee combat, multiplayer gameplay and co op, while skipping turn-based strategy

Where it drifts furthest from Gnomes: game mode and tone.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Gnomes.

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

Genre100Combat83Visuals53World40Tone31Game mode29

GenreStrategySubgenreGrand Strategy

SoloTacticalCozyNarrativeCasualSandbox WorldProceduralFantasyIsometricPixel Art

Steam👍 80%· 992RAWG👍 14%· 21

Year 2016Dev TriverskePlaytime ~4hOn PC · Linux

✓ Like Gnomes, it's known for turn-based strategy, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Where it differs: brings horror tension, horror setting and historical setting, while skipping tower defense planning

Many will enter, one will win. It has taken a few millennia for the art of the arena to be perfected, but we've finally done it. Ultimate Arena puts you in charge of the greatest battle royale, the one that you pick who fights and the conditions they fight under. Take charge by setting up landmines, deploying care packages, and initiating arena events.

Where it drifts furthest from Gnomes: setting.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Gnomes.

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

Combat100Game mode100World100Visuals80Tone78Genre50

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloTacticalCasualSandbox WorldProceduralBase BuildingManagement

Steam👍 96%· 29KRAWG👍 80%· 220OC83· 30

Year 2022Dev Toukana InteractivePlaytime ~3hOn PC · Nintendo

✓ Shared with Gnomes: deep simulation, turn-based strategy and sandbox freedom

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, card game strategy and vibe relaxing, while skipping tower defense planning

Dorfromantik is a relaxing building strategy and puzzle game in which you place tiles to create ever-growing, idyllic village landscapes. With Dorfromantik, you can immerse yourself in a quiet, peaceful world at any time and take a break from everyday life.

Where it drifts furthest from Gnomes: visuals and tone.

Combat100Game mode100World100Progression100Genre50Tone30

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Steam GOG Nintendo

#15Atom Zombie Smasher

iRank70

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalDarkCasualProceduralSandbox WorldIsometric

Steam👍 90%· 2.1KRAWG👍 36%· 101MC75

Year 2011Dev Blendo GamesPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Both are tower defense games — sharing tower defense planning, sandbox freedom and dark, oppressive atmosphere

≠ Where it differs: brings real-time strategy, melee combat and horror setting, while skipping turn-based strategy

The game is a real-time strategy from the independent studio Blendo Games. The main task is to save as many people as possible from the advancing horde of zombies.

Where it drifts furthest from Gnomes: setting and game mode.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Gnomes.

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

Genre100World100Combat75Tone52Visuals37Game mode24

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Steam

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