Islanders

38 Games like Islanders that you should try

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Islanders is hard to replace: few games combine deep simulation, vibe relaxing and sandbox world in quite the same way. We analyzed over 2,000 titles across 14 gameplay attributes and found 38 genuine alternatives — not generic genre suggestions. shapez 2 - Factory, Dorfromantik and Mini Motorways lead the list, with shapez 2 - Factory reaching a 95/100 similarity score. Every game here is ranked by how closely it replicates what makes Islanders special.

iRank87/ 100

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GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

Tags

RelaxingCasualSolo

Year 2019Dev GrizzlyGames

Stores

Steam ↗GOG ↗

Quick answer

The closest game to Islanders is shapez 2 - Factory — scoring 95/100 on our similarity scale. Dorfromantik and Mini Motorways follow close behind.

#1shapez 2 - Factory95 #2Dorfromantik96 #3Mini Motorways96 #4Minami Lane94 #5WorldBox93

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Games like Islanders

38 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

#1shapez 2 - Factory

95

iRank97

shapez 2 - Factory

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloCasualRelaxingSandbox WorldProceduralBase Building3D

Steam👍 97%· 14K

Dev tobspr Games · Gamera GamesPlaytime ~6hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Both are city builders — sharing deep simulation, puzzle design and sandbox freedom

≠ Stands apart with setting space, resource management and crafting mechanics, while skipping turn-based strategy

96

iRank88

Dorfromantik

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloCasualRelaxingSandbox WorldProceduralBase Building3D

Steam👍 96%· 29KRAWG👍 80%· 220OC83· 30

Year 2022Dev Toukana InteractivePlaytime ~3hOn PC · Nintendo

✓ Both are city builders — sharing puzzle design, deep simulation and turn-based strategy

≠ Its own twist: card game strategy, combat tactical and resource management, while skipping strong narrative focus

Steam GOG Nintendo

#3Mini Motorways

96

iRank90

Mini Motorways

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloCasualRelaxingBase BuildingTop-Down

Steam👍 96%· 24KRAWG👍 92%· 132MC83OC81· 30

Year 2021Dev Dinosaur Polo ClubPlaytime ~5hOn PC · iOS · Apple Macintosh

✓ Fits the city builders cluster, with deep simulation, puzzle design and vibe casual

≠ Stands apart with resource management, while skipping turn-based strategy

94

iRank92

Minami Lane

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloCasualRelaxingBase BuildingIsometric

Steam👍 98%· 6.4KOC80· 10

Year 2024Dev DootPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Linux

✓ Fits the city builders cluster, with deep simulation, puzzle design and vibe casual

≠ Stands apart with cozy, relaxing feel, resource management and visual 2d, while skipping turn-based strategy

93

iRank95

WorldBox

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloRelaxingSandbox WorldProceduralBase BuildingIsometric

Steam👍 95%· 54K

Year 2018Dev Maxim KarpenkoOn Linux · Android · PC

✓ Fits the city builders cluster, with sandbox freedom, deep simulation and vibe relaxing

≠ Stands apart with deep RPG systems, cozy, relaxing feel and fantasy world, while skipping puzzle design

#6Rusty's Retirement

93

iRank97

Rusty's Retirement

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloCasualRelaxingSandbox WorldBase BuildingIsometric

Steam👍 97%· 15K

Year 2024Dev Mister Morris GamesPlaytime ~18hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Fits the city builders cluster, with deep simulation, sandbox freedom and vibe casual

≠ Stands apart with cozy, relaxing feel, fantasy world and setting scifi, while skipping puzzle design

93

iRank93

Caesar III

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloBase BuildingIsometricHistoricalManagement

Steam👍 93%· 2.2K

Year 1998Dev Impressions Games · Sierra EntertainmentOn PC

✓ Fits the city builders cluster, with deep simulation, single-player focus and base building

≠ Where it differs: brings historical setting and resource management, while skipping puzzle design

#8Dyson Sphere Program

93

iRank93

Dyson Sphere Program

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloSandbox WorldBase Building3DOpen World

Steam👍 98%· 91KRAWG👍 85%· 84

Year 2021Dev Youthcat Studio · Gamera GamePlaytime ~8hOn PC

✓ Same family of city builders: deep simulation, sandbox freedom and sandbox world

≠ Stands apart with open world exploration, setting space and setting scifi, while skipping puzzle design

94

iRank86

Townscaper

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloCasualRelaxingNarrativeSandbox WorldProceduralBase BuildingIsometric

Steam👍 95%· 21KIGDB80· 1OC73· 16

Year 2020Dev Oskar Stålberg · Raw FuryOn Xbox · Android · PC

✓ Both are city builders — sharing sandbox freedom, deep simulation and vibe casual

≠ Its own twist: cozy, relaxing feel, open world exploration and exploration and discovery, while skipping puzzle design

91

iRank96

shapez

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloCasualSandbox WorldProceduralBase BuildingIsometric

Steam👍 96%· 15K

Year 2020Dev Tobias Springer · PrismatikaOn PC · iOS · Android

✓ Same family of city builders: sandbox freedom, deep simulation and puzzle design

≠ Where it differs: brings open world exploration, resource management and crafting mechanics, while skipping turn-based strategy

#11Children of the Nile

95

iRank80

Children of the Nile

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloSandbox WorldBase BuildingIsometricHistorical

Steam👍 85%· 465MC75IGDB75· 2

Year 2008Dev Tilted Mill EntertainmentPlaytime ~2hOn PC

✓ Fits the city builders cluster, with deep simulation, sandbox freedom and sandbox world

≠ Where it differs: brings historical setting and resource management, while skipping puzzle design

95

iRank78

Tropico 3

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloSandbox WorldBase BuildingManagement

Steam👍 89%· 1.9KRAWG👍 60%· 273MC79

Year 2009Dev Haemimont Games · Kalypso MediaPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Xbox

✓ Same family of city builders: deep simulation, sandbox freedom and sandbox world

≠ Its own twist: resource management, while skipping puzzle design

#13Tropico Reloaded

95

iRank77

Tropico Reloaded

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloSandbox WorldBase BuildingIsometricManagement

Steam👍 88%· 971RAWG👍 57%· 47IGDB82· 2

Year 2003Dev Frog City Software · Kalypso MediaPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Same family of city builders: deep simulation, sandbox freedom and sandbox world

≠ Its own twist: resource management, while skipping puzzle design

#14Mad Games Tycoon

91

iRank87

Mad Games Tycoon

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloCasualNarrativeSandbox WorldBase BuildingIsometricTop-Down

Steam👍 91%· 4.4KRAWG👍 79%· 70IGDB90· 1

Year 2016Dev Raylight Games · Toplitz ProductionsPlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Same family of city builders: deep simulation, sandbox freedom and vibe casual

≠ Where it differs: brings setting cartoon, resource management and crafting mechanics, while skipping puzzle design

#15Planet Coaster

92

iRank84

Planet Coaster

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloCasualRelaxingNarrativeSandbox WorldBase BuildingIsometric3D

Steam👍 91%· 72KRAWG👍 74%· 294MC83IGDB83· 12OC85· 58

Year 2016Dev Frontier DevelopmentsPlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Same family of city builders: deep simulation, sandbox freedom and vibe casual

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, multiplayer gameplay and resource management, while skipping puzzle design

Games like Islanders

City Life 2008

City Life 2008

Simulation

Cities in Motion

Cities in Motion

Simulation · Sandbox

Two Point Hospital

Two Point Hospital

Simulation · Sandbox

Cities: Skylines

Cities: Skylines

Simulation · Sandbox

My Time at Portia

My Time at Portia

Simulation · RPG

The Promised Land

The Promised Land

Adventure · Simulation

CivCity: Rome

CivCity: Rome

Simulation

Tycoon City: New York

Tycoon City: New York

Simulation · Sandbox

Planet Zoo

Planet Zoo

Simulation · Sandbox

Cult of the Lamb

Cult of the Lamb

Adventure · RPG

Rankings in the same genre

Best City Builder Games Best Strategy Games

Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Islanders?: The closest game to Islanders is shapez 2 - Factory, scoring 95/100 on our similarity scale. They share 10 gameplay attributes, including deep simulation, puzzle design and sandbox freedom. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Islanders?: The three closest games to Islanders are: 1. shapez 2 - Factory (95/100, 10 shared attributes) 2. Dorfromantik (96/100, 11 shared attributes) 3. Mini Motorways (96/100, 7 shared attributes). All share Islanders's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 38 candidates across 14 dimensions.
Is Dorfromantik similar to Islanders?: Yes, very much so — Dorfromantik scores 96/100 similarity to Islanders. They share 11 attributes, including puzzle design and deep simulation. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What Simulation games are similar to Islanders?: The best Simulation games similar to Islanders are shapez 2 - Factory, Dorfromantik, Mini Motorways and Minami Lane. All share the Simulation genre alongside other key Islanders attributes like deep simulation, puzzle design and sandbox freedom.
How is similarity to Islanders calculated?: We compare Islanders against every game in our catalog using 14 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Islanders experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.
Are there free games similar to Islanders?: Yes — Business Tour - Board Game with Online Multiplayer is free and scores well on similarity to Islanders. It's a great way to test whether the play style clicks before investing in other paid titles.