6 RPG games like Heart of the Machine that you should try

Games like Heart of the Machine · Find similar →

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 42 games similar to Heart of the Machine down to the 6 that fit the “RPG” category. Rebuild 3: Gangs of Deadsville, Dwarf Fortress and Crusader Kings III top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Heart of the Machine.

iRank88/ 100

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GenreStrategySubgenreGrand Strategy

The best rPG games like Heart of the Machine

6 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.

#1Rebuild 3: Gangs of DeadsvilleClosest overall match

iRank72

GenreStrategySubgenreGrand Strategy

SoloSandbox WorldBase BuildingManagementDark

Steam👍 86%· 2.0KRAWG👍 48%· 25MC75

Year 2015Dev Northway GamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · iOS · Android

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

≠ Where it differs: brings horror tension, dark, oppressive atmosphere and strong narrative focus, while skipping combat tactical

It's been a few years since the zombpocalypse turned the world's cities into graveyards and sent the few survivors into hiding. Now you must gather them up and restore civilization to a ruined city, one building at a time.

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

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

Genre100Game mode100World100Progression100Setting0Visuals0

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Steam GOG itch.io

#2Dwarf FortressClosest on visuals

iRank91

GenreStrategySubgenreGrand Strategy

SoloSandbox WorldBase BuildingManagementIsometric

Steam👍 95%· 31KIGDB84OC90· 13

Dev Bay 12 GamesOn Linux · PC · Mac

✓ If you enjoyed Heart of the Machine, expect deep simulation, survival mechanics and sandbox freedom

≠ Where it differs: brings roguelike runs, open world exploration and procedural generation, while skipping combat tactical

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

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Progression83World62Combat0

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Steam itch.io

#3Crusader Kings IIIClosest on combat

iRank89

GenreStrategySubgenreGrand 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

GenreStrategySubgenreGrand Strategy

SoloSandbox WorldHistoricalIsometricMultiplayer

Steam👍 91%· 74KRAWG👍 64%· 755MC82IGDB84· 2

Year 2012Dev Paradox Development Studio · Paradox InteractivePlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

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

≠ Stands apart with fantasy world, setting medieval and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping survival mechanics

Crusader Kings II is a global RTS which takes place in the Middle Ages of Europe. The players will govern a house of nobility of that time, and ensure that its heritage will last for centuries.

It predates Heart of the Machine by 14 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100World100Visuals100Game mode53Setting50

GenreStrategySubgenreGrand Strategy

SoloTacticalHistoricalManagementMagic

Steam👍 72%· 1.9KRAWG👍 36%· 131MC73IGDB70· 3OC74· 32

Year 2015Dev Double Fine ProductionsPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Xbox · Apple Macintosh

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

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, roguelike runs and combat magic, while skipping sandbox freedom

Massive Chalice is a fantasy turn-based tactical game in the vein of XCOM. ###Plot The player assumes the role of an immortal leader in a fantasy kingdom. A dark power called Cadence repeatedly attacks the kingdom, corrupting everything it touches.

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

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

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

Genre100Game mode100Combat71Setting52Progression46

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Steam GOG Xbox

#6Travellin Cats in ChinaClosest on setting

iRank92

GenreStrategySubgenreGrand Strategy

SoloTacticalHistoricalManagementNarrative

Steam👍 92%· 1.0K

Dev KremlingamesPlaytime ~4hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

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

≠ Stands apart with strong narrative focus, open world exploration and visual 2d, while skipping sandbox freedom

Year 1976, the stormy Cultural revolution has died down, hard times of hongweibing and public critics are coming to an end. Old and sick Mao Zedong will soon leave China to his comrades from CPC.

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

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Setting77Progression64World0

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Steam

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