17 Survival 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 17 that fit the “Survival” category. Rise to Ruins, Craft The World and Bad North top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Gnomes.

iRank95/ 100

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GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

The best survival games like Gnomes

17 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

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalCozyProceduralIsometric

Steam👍 93%· 14KIGDB67· 2OC71· 29

Year 2018Dev Plausible Concept · Raw FuryOn PS4 · PC · Mac

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

≠ Its own twist: real-time strategy, puzzle design and adventure storytelling, while skipping sandbox freedom

Where it drifts furthest from Gnomes: setting and tone.

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

Genre100Game mode100Combat79World76Visuals57Tone38

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Steam GOG Epic

#4GnomoriaClosest 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

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

Where it drifts furthest from Gnomes: tone.

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

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

Genre100Game mode100World67Visuals62Progression59Setting52

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloCasualNarrativeProceduralFantasyBase BuildingManagementPixel Art

Steam👍 91%· 23KIGDB70· 2

Year 2015Dev Licorice · Raw FuryOn Linux · PC · Mac

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

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, deep RPG systems and ranged combat, while skipping turn-based strategy

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 10 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100World74Visuals57Tone48

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

#10Stacklands

iRank86

GenreStrategySubgenreColony Sim

SoloCasualCozyProceduralFantasyManagementBase BuildingIsometric

Steam👍 96%· 29KRAWG👍 70%· 60

Year 2022Dev Sokpop CollectivePlaytime ~4hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Shared with Gnomes: deep simulation, survival mechanics and roguelike runs

≠ Where it differs: brings card game strategy and visual 2d, while skipping tower defense planning

Stacklands is a village builder where you stack cards to collect food, build structures, and fight creatures. For example, dragging a 'Villager' card on top of a 'Berry Bush' card will spawn 'Berry' cards which the villagers can eat to survive!

Where it drifts furthest from Gnomes: visuals.

Game mode100Setting100Progression100World78Tone65Genre50

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Steam itch.io

#11Farm for your LifeClosest on tone

iRank82

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

Your community was taken down by a heavy storm which caused an apocalypse and unleashed the living dead. Together with the other survivors, it is your task to rebuild and to allow that sustainable life can still be assured.

Where it drifts furthest from Gnomes: setting and visuals.

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

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

Genre100Game mode100Tone79Progression40Visuals37Setting0

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Steam Xbox

#12Plants vs. ZombiesClosest on combat

iRank91

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

This is a casual tower defense game from the PopCap Games studio. The main characters are homeowners who, with the help of plants, protect their garden from the invasion of zombies. The game was ported to all kinds of consoles, including mobile platforms. In Plants vs.

Where it drifts furthest from Gnomes: setting and visuals.

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

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Tone76Setting0Visuals0

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Steam Xbox

#13Thronefall

iRank90

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

Get involved! About the GameA strategy game without all the headache? We got you covered. Saddle the horses! See your kingdom come to life, fight gripping battles to defend it and still be done in time for lunch.

Where it drifts furthest from Gnomes: visuals and setting.

Genre100Game mode100Combat78Progression69Setting48Visuals47

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Steam

#14Bloons TD 6

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

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Steam Epic itch.io

#15Kingdom Two Crowns

iRank86

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloNarrativeFantasyBase BuildingPixel Art

Steam👍 90%· 38KOC78· 25

Year 2018Dev Noio · Raw FuryOn PS4 · Linux · Android

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

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, deep RPG systems and setting medieval, 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.

Genre100Progression69Visuals58Setting52Tone24Game mode20

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Steam GOG Xbox

Complete list of survival games like Gnomes

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

Sol Survivor

Tower Defense · Survival

Plants vs. Zombies 2: It's About Time

RTS · Adventure

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Rankings in the same genre

Best Tower Defense Games Best Strategy Games