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Heart of the Machine

8 Games like Heart of the Machine on PlayStation that you should try

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Ranking compiled by Lluis Enric Mayans, Founder & Head of ContentHow this is calculatedOrdered by an attribute-similarity model, not editorial opinion.

We filtered the 42 games similar to Heart of the Machine down to the 8 that fit the “PlayStation” category. Crusader Kings III, Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI and Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Heart of the Machine.

iRank88/ 100

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GenreStrategySubgenreGrand Strategy
Tags
Solo
Year 2026Dev Arcen Games

Quick answer

Within the “PlayStation” category, the closest game to Heart of the Machine is Crusader Kings III — scoring 74/100 on our similarity scale. Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI and Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution follow close behind.

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The best games like Heart of the Machine on PlayStation

8 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Heart of the Machine. Each one has been evaluated across 14 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.

#1Crusader Kings III
Crusader Kings III
StrategyGrand Strategy
SoloTacticalSandbox WorldHistoricalManagementIsometric
Steam👍 90%· 140KRAWG👍 89%· 465MC86IGDB91· 3OC90· 94
Year 2020Dev Paradox Developement Studios · Paradox InteractivePlaytime ~12hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ If you enjoyed Heart of the Machine, expect deep simulation, deep RPG systems and turn-based strategy

≠ Where it differs: brings real-time strategy, cozy, relaxing feel and strong narrative focus, while skipping survival mechanics

A grand strategy game about dynasties rather than borders: characters have traits, stress, secrets and lifespans, and most of the story comes from managing relatives who want what you have. Far more approachable than CK2. Warfare is the shallow part, and once you understand the systems the difficulty largely disappears past the first century.

Genre100Combat100World100Visuals100Game mode55Setting53
#2Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI
Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI
StrategyGrand Strategy
SoloTacticalHistoricalBase BuildingManagementIsometric
Steam👍 86%· 374KRAWG👍 88%· 1.4KMC88IGDB87· 20OC89· 95
Year 2016Dev Aspyr Media · 2K GamesPlaytime ~15hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Like Heart of the Machine, it's known for deep simulation, turn-based strategy and combat tactical

≠ Its own twist: fantasy world and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping sandbox freedom

The sixth installment in Sid Meier’s Civilization series.

It predates Heart of the Machine by 10 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Progression100Visuals100Setting65Game mode55
Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution
StrategyGrand Strategy
SoloTacticalHistoricalIsometricMultiplayer
IGDB81· 8
Year 2008Dev Firaxis Games · 2K GamesOn PlayStation 3

✓ If you enjoyed Heart of the Machine, expect deep simulation, turn-based strategy and combat tactical

≠ Stands apart with fantasy world and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping sandbox freedom

Civilization compressed for consoles: games finish in a couple of hours, the tech tree is trimmed hard, and turns are fast enough to play with a controller comfortably. That compression is the trade — the diplomacy and economic layers are thin, and anyone coming from the PC entries will find the strategic ceiling low.

It predates Heart of the Machine by 18 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Visuals100Setting64Game mode56
#4Turmoil
Turmoil
StrategyGrand Strategy
SoloTacticalHistoricalManagementMultiplayer
Steam👍 93%· 16KOC72· 11
Year 2016Dev Gamious · PlaydigiousOn PS4 · Linux · Android

✓ Like Heart of the Machine, it's known for deep simulation, turn-based strategy and combat tactical

≠ Where it differs: brings vibe relaxing, multiplayer gameplay and co op, while skipping sandbox freedom

Where it drifts furthest from Heart of the Machine: visuals and game mode.

It predates Heart of the Machine by 10 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Setting76Progression67Game mode31Visuals0
#5X-COM: Terror From the Deep
X-COM: Terror From the Deep
StrategyCity Builder
SoloTacticalSci-FiBase BuildingManagementIsometric
Steam👍 91%· 925RAWG👍 62%· 128
Year 1995Dev MicroProse Software · 2K GamesPlaytime ~1hOn PC · PS

✓ Shared with Heart of the Machine: turn-based strategy, deep simulation and combat tactical

≠ Its own twist: roguelike runs, horror tension and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping sandbox freedom

X-COM: Terror From the Deep is a strategy game, the second installment in the X-COM series and a sequel to X-COM: UFO Defense that moves action from the outer space into the Earth’s oceans. The story unexpectedly references to Lovecraft’s novels, as you fight aliens that want to reawaken their unstoppable leader who slept under the sea for hundreds of years.

Where it drifts furthest from Heart of the Machine: setting.

It predates Heart of the Machine by 31 years, with what that implies technically.

Game mode100Progression100Combat88Visuals76Genre50Setting40
Two Point Hospital
StrategyCity Builder
SoloSandbox WorldManagementBase BuildingIsometric
Steam👍 92%· 35KIGDB87· 10OC84· 127
Year 2018Dev Two Point Studios · SegaOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Like Heart of the Machine, it's known for deep simulation, sandbox freedom and sandbox world

≠ Where it differs: brings vibe casual, while skipping turn-based strategy

It predates Heart of the Machine by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Game mode100World100Progression100Visuals100Genre50
Cities: Skylines
StrategyCity Builder
SoloSandbox WorldBase BuildingManagementIsometric
Steam👍 93%· 289KRAWG👍 87%· 1.5KMC85IGDB76· 13OC83· 91
Year 2015Dev Colossal Order · Paradox InteractivePlaytime ~9hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Shared with Heart of the Machine: deep simulation, sandbox freedom and sandbox world

≠ Stands apart with vibe casual, while skipping turn-based strategy

Cities: Skylines is a traditional city-building game, which allows players to experience urban planning in all aspects including zoning, road placement, transportation, taxation, and improvement of welfare.

It predates Heart of the Machine by 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Game mode100World100Progression100Visuals100Genre50
Fieldrunners
StrategyTower Defense
SoloTacticalIsometricCasual
Steam👍 66%· 344RAWG👍 56%· 41
Year 2008Dev SUBATOMIC STUDIOS · Subatomic StudiosPlaytime ~1hOn PC · PS · iOS

✓ Shared with Heart of the Machine: combat tactical, single-player focus and visual isometric

≠ Where it differs: brings tower defense planning and vibe casual, while skipping deep simulation

Fieldrunners is now available on Steam! Download it now to play the hit tower defense game critics and fans have been raving about. Descend into the world of Fieldrunners, the most anticipated and visually stunning game in tower defense history!

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against very positive for Heart of the Machine.

It predates Heart of the Machine by 18 years, with what that implies technically.

Combat100Game mode100Visuals100Genre50

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