5 Survival 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 5 that fit the “Survival” category. Rebuild 3: Gangs of Deadsville, Dwarf Fortress and Songs of Syx top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Heart of the Machine.

iRank88/ 100

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GenreStrategySubgenreGrand Strategy

The best survival games like Heart of the Machine

5 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 on genre

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

#3Songs of SyxClosest overall match

iRank95

GenreStrategySubgenreGrand Strategy

SoloTacticalSandbox WorldBase BuildingManagementIsometricEarly Access

Steam👍 95%· 8.2K

Year 2020Dev Jake the Dev · Jakob de LavalPlaytime ~6hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

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

≠ Stands apart with vibe casual, open world exploration and fantasy world, while skipping deep RPG systems

Inspired by Nordic mythology and fused with nostalgia from the ’80s-’90s, Songs of Syx aims to deliver a unique city-builder experience on an epic scale. You start off as a colony-sim, and tend to your minions, micromanage your assets and try to stay off your neighbor’s radar.

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

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression91World80Visuals34

GenreStrategySubgenreGrand Strategy

SoloSandbox WorldBase BuildingManagementIsometric

Steam👍 75%· 3.5KRAWG👍 50%· 39

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

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

≠ Where it differs: brings roguelike runs, real-time strategy and procedural generation, while skipping deep RPG systems

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.

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

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

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

Genre100Game mode100Progression82Visuals80World77Setting0

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Steam GOG

#5Shelter

iRank74

GenreStrategySubgenreGrand Strategy

SoloStealthNarrativeCozyCasual

Steam👍 85%· 3.7KRAWG👍 62%· 128MC69IGDB75· 2

Year 2013Dev Might and Delight · 4EversGamesPlaytime ~2hOn PC · iOS · Apple Macintosh

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

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, roguelike runs and strong narrative focus, while skipping sandbox freedom

Shelter is a game where the main character is a badger who takes his cubs from one place to another. ###Gameplay On the way the cubs need to be fed - five cubs regularly want to eat. Food for them can be obtained by hunting or finding - if it's fruits and vegetables.

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

It predates Heart of the Machine by 13 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Combat0Setting0World0Progression0

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Steam GOG

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