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Heart of the Machine

27 Turn-Based Strat games like Heart of the Machine 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 27 that fit the “Turn-Based Strat” 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
Tags
Solo
Year 2026Dev Arcen Games

Quick answer

Within the “Turn-Based Strat” category, the closest game to Heart of the Machine is Rebuild 3: Gangs of Deadsville — scoring 79/100 on our similarity scale. Dwarf Fortress and Songs of Syx follow close behind.

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The best turn-Based Strat games like Heart of the Machine

27 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.

Rebuild 3: Gangs of Deadsville
StrategyGrand 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
#2Dwarf Fortress
Dwarf Fortress
StrategyGrand 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
#3Songs of Syx
Songs of Syx
StrategyGrand 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
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
Gnomoria
StrategyGrand 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
Crusader Kings II
StrategyGrand 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
Ultimate Arena
StrategyGrand Strategy
SoloTacticalSandbox WorldHistoricalIsometric
Steam👍 80%· 992RAWG👍 14%· 21
Year 2016Dev TriverskePlaytime ~4hOn PC · Linux

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

≠ Where it differs: brings horror tension, cozy, relaxing feel and strong narrative focus, while skipping deep RPG systems

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 Heart of the Machine: visuals and setting.

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

Genre100Combat100Game mode100World68Setting48Visuals47
MASSIVE CHALICE
StrategyGrand 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
Your Only Move Is HUSTLE
StrategyGrand Strategy
TacticalSandbox WorldMeleeNarrativeCozy
Steam👍 96%· 42K
Year 2023Dev Ivy SlyPlaytime ~4hOn PC

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

≠ Stands apart with strong narrative focus, cozy, relaxing feel and melee combat, while skipping deep RPG systems

Equal parts deep, rewarding online PVP experience and creative sandbox for creating intense, shareable fight scenes, Your Only Move Is HUSTLE takes the classic fighting formula and turns it on its head. Take control of an over-powered fighter and use the power of precognition to plan out your every move, down to each moment.

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

Genre100World100Combat76Setting0Visuals0
Travellin Cats in China
StrategyGrand 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
Dorfromantik
StrategyCity Builder
SoloTacticalSandbox WorldBase BuildingManagement
Steam👍 96%· 29KRAWG👍 80%· 220OC83· 30
Year 2022Dev Toukana InteractivePlaytime ~3hOn PC · Nintendo

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

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, card game strategy and vibe casual, while skipping deep RPG systems

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 Heart of the Machine: visuals.

Combat100Game mode100Progression100World66Genre50Visuals0
Shelter
StrategyGrand 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
Sid Meier's Colonization (Classic)
StrategyGrand Strategy
SoloHistoricalBase BuildingManagementIsometric
Steam👍 96%· 1.1K
Year 2014Dev MicroProse Software · Nightdive StudiosPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

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

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, fantasy world and visual pixel, while skipping sandbox freedom

Special OfferOfficially Licensed Sid Meier's Colonization T-Shirts are available on Amazon! About the GameThe Tradition of Civilization Continues The New World lies before you with all its peril, promise and infinite possibility. Your colonists anxiously follow you to shore.

It predates Heart of the Machine by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Visuals86Setting65
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® V
StrategyGrand Strategy
SoloTacticalHistoricalSci-FiBase BuildingIsometric
Steam👍 96%· 209KRAWG👍 91%· 2.0KMC90IGDB87· 5
Year 2010Dev Aspyr Media · 2K GamesPlaytime ~27hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

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

≠ Its own twist: ranged combat, fantasy world and setting medieval, while skipping sandbox freedom

Real-time strategy genre has always been about domination over your opponent, and Civilization in general expanded on the concept. Civilization 5 allows players to pick one of the 43 civilizations available in, including DLCs and the expansions.

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

It predates Heart of the Machine by 16 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Visuals100Combat78Setting74Game mode49Progression43

Complete list of turn-Based Strat games like Heart of the Machine

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