What is the best game similar to Islanders?

The closest game to Islanders is Dorfromantik, scoring 91/100 on our similarity scale. They share 11 gameplay attributes, including puzzle design, deep simulation and turn-based strategy. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.

What are the top games like Islanders?

The three closest games to Islanders are: 1. Dorfromantik (91/100, 11 shared attributes) 2. shapez 2 - Factory (80/100, 10 shared attributes) 3. shapez (72/100, 9 shared attributes). All share Islanders's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 38 candidates across 14 dimensions.

Is shapez 2 - Factory similar to Islanders?

Yes, very much so — shapez 2 - Factory scores 80/100 similarity to Islanders. They share 10 attributes, including deep simulation and puzzle design. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.

What Simulation games are similar to Islanders?

The best Simulation games similar to Islanders are Dorfromantik, shapez 2 - Factory, shapez and Townscaper. All share the Simulation genre alongside other key Islanders attributes like puzzle design, deep simulation and turn-based strategy.

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.

38 Games like Islanders that you should try

Games like Islanders · Find similar →

More about this game →

Ranking compiled by Lluis Enric Mayans, Founder & Head of ContentUpdated May 19, 2026How this is calculatedOrdered by an attribute-similarity model, not editorial opinion.

Looking for games like Islanders? We analyzed its gameplay DNA — deep simulation, vibe relaxing and sandbox world — against over 6,700 titles. These 38 alternatives are ranked by real similarity, not marketing tags. Dorfromantik leads with 91/100, followed by the rest of the list.

iRank87/ 100

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GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

Top games similar to Islanders

38 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Islanders. 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.

#1DorfromantikClosest overall match

iRank88

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

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.

Released 3 years after Islanders.

Genre100Game mode100World100Tone94Progression71Visuals58

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

Dive into a factory-building game where the focus is on just that — building huge factories! Construct sprawling multi-level factories and min-max your layouts without limits. Shapez 2 is tailor-made for enthusiasts who crave the thrill of optimizing production lines and perfecting automation.

Where it drifts furthest from Islanders: progression.

Genre100Game mode100World100Tone93Visuals53Progression49

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Steam

#3shapez

iRank96

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

Do you like automation games? Then you are in the right place! shapez is a relaxed game in which you have to build factories for the automated production of geometric shapes. As the level increases, the shapes become more and more complex, and you have to spread out on the infinite map.

Where it drifts furthest from Islanders: tone.

Genre100Game mode100World84Visuals58Progression50Tone44

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

Genre100Game mode100Tone84World82Progression82Visuals71

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Steam GOG Epic

#5Planet CoasterClosest on tone

iRank84

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

Surprise, delight and thrill crowds as you build the theme park of your dreams. Build and design incredible coaster parks with unparalleled attention to detail and manage your park in a truly living world. Piece-by-Piece Construction: Planet Coaster makes a designer out of everyone.

Genre100Tone100Game mode81World81Visuals76Progression63

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

Rusty's Retirement is an idle-farming simulator designed to sit at the bottom of your screen allowing you to work on other tasks while caring for your farm! Grow crops: Plant crops and watch Rusty get to work as he waters, nurtures, and harvests.

Where it drifts furthest from Islanders: visuals.

Released 5 years after Islanders.

Genre100Game mode100World78Tone74Progression65Visuals39

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

Where it drifts furthest from Islanders: visuals.

Genre100Game mode100World100Progression81Tone61Visuals47

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

BUILD UP YOUR OWN GAMES EMPIRE Form your own game studio in the early 1980s starting in a small garage. Develop your own game concepts, create a team and develop megahit video games. Research new technologies, train your staff, upgrade your offices, moving up to bigger and better locations.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals89World77Tone57Progression51

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

Have you ever been stuck in traffic and wished you could do something to fix it? In Mini Motorways, the city’s traffic problems are in your hands. From the makers of Mini Metro, Mini Motorways is a game about drawing the roads that drive a growing city.

Where it drifts furthest from Islanders: visuals.

Genre100Game mode100Tone93Progression67Visuals43

Details →

Steam

#10Minami Lane

iRank92

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

Games from friendshttps://store.steampowered.com/app/2533960/SUMMERHOUSE/ https://store.steampowered.com/app/2113850/Spirit_City_Lofi_Sessions/ https://store.steampowered.com/app/957960/Inkulinati/ About the GameMinami Lane is a small, wholesome management game set on a Japanese-inspired street.

Released 5 years after Islanders.

Genre100Game mode100Tone74Progression68Visuals56

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloRelaxingCasualNarrativeSandbox WorldBase Building3D

Steam👍 94%· 109KRAWG👍 76%· 351MC62IGDB62· 4OC62· 27

Year 2018Dev Ultimate Games · PlayWayPlaytime ~7hOn PC · PS · Xbox

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

≠ Its own twist: open world exploration, multiplayer gameplay and resource management, while skipping puzzle design

House Flipper is a unique chance to become the one-man renovating crew. Buy, repair and upgrade devastated houses. Give them a second life and sell at a profit! At your disposal is a collection of tools and parts.

Where it drifts furthest from Islanders: visuals.

Genre100Tone100Progression77Game mode70World61Visuals32

Details →

Steam GOG Xbox

#12Dyson Sphere Program

iRank93

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

Dyson Sphere Program is a sci-fi simulation game with space, adventure, exploration and factory automation elements where you can build your own galactic industrial empire from scratch. In the distant future, the power of science and technology has ushered a new age to the human race.

Where it drifts furthest from Islanders: visuals.

Genre100Game mode100Progression64World57Visuals37

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloCasualRelaxingSandbox WorldBase Building

Steam👍 92%· 44KIGDB70· 10OC75· 70

Year 2019Dev Pathea Games · Team17On PS4 · Android · PC

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

≠ Stands apart with deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and survival mechanics, while skipping puzzle design

Where it drifts furthest from Islanders: visuals and progression.

Genre100Game mode100Tone70World53Progression47Visuals0

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#14Two Point Hospital

iRank89

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloCasualSandbox WorldBase BuildingIsometric

Steam👍 92%· 35KIGDB87· 10OC84· 127

Year 2018Dev Two Point Studios · SegaOn PS4 · Linux · PC

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

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

Where it drifts furthest from Islanders: tone.

Genre100Game mode100World73Visuals71Progression59Tone25

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloCasualSandbox WorldBase BuildingIsometric

Steam👍 93%· 289KRAWG👍 87%· 1.5KMC85IGDB76· 13OC83· 91

Year 2015Dev Colossal Order · Paradox InteractivePlaytime ~9hOn PC · PS · Xbox

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

≠ Stands apart with resource management, while skipping puzzle design

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.

Where it drifts furthest from Islanders: tone.

Genre100Game mode100Progression81World79Visuals71Tone23

Details →

Steam Epic Xbox

Complete list of Islanders alternatives

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Islanders, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.

Planet Zoo

Simulation · Sandbox

Children of the Nile

Simulation · Sandbox

Tropico Reloaded

Simulation · Sandbox

Jurassic World Evolution

Simulation · Sandbox

Space Colony: Steam Edition

Simulation · Sandbox

Prison Architect

Simulation · Sandbox

Tropico 3

Simulation · Sandbox

Cities in Motion

Simulation · Sandbox

Concrete Jungle

Simulation · Puzzle

Tycoon City: New York

Simulation · Sandbox

X-COM: Terror From the Deep

Turn-Based Strat · Roguelike

Imagine Earth

RTS · Simulation

Tropico 5

Simulation · RPG

Caesar III

Simulation

SimCity

Simulation · Sandbox

The Promised Land

Adventure · Simulation

Cult of the Lamb

Adventure · RPG

CivCity: Rome

Simulation

City Life 2008

Simulation

Megastore Simulator

Simulation

Mad Games Tycoon 2

Simulation · Sandbox

Business Tour - Board Game with Online Multiplayer

Turn-Based Strat · Deck Builder

Maia

RTS · Simulation

Explore games similar to Islanders by category

Recent releases similar to Islanders

Newest titles in the list, for anyone who has already played the classics.

2025Business Tour - Board Game with Online Multiplayer 2024Rusty's Retirement 2024Minami Lane

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 Dorfromantik, scoring 91/100 on our similarity scale. They share 11 gameplay attributes, including puzzle design, deep simulation and turn-based strategy. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Islanders?: The three closest games to Islanders are: 1. Dorfromantik (91/100, 11 shared attributes) 2. shapez 2 - Factory (80/100, 10 shared attributes) 3. shapez (72/100, 9 shared attributes). All share Islanders's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 38 candidates across 14 dimensions.
Is shapez 2 - Factory similar to Islanders?: Yes, very much so — shapez 2 - Factory scores 80/100 similarity to Islanders. They share 10 attributes, including deep simulation and puzzle design. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What Simulation games are similar to Islanders?: The best Simulation games similar to Islanders are Dorfromantik, shapez 2 - Factory, shapez and Townscaper. All share the Simulation genre alongside other key Islanders attributes like puzzle design, deep simulation and turn-based strategy.
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.