What is the best game similar to Kenshi?

The closest game to Kenshi is Frostpunk, scoring 95/100 on our similarity scale. They share 9 gameplay attributes, including real-time strategy, deep simulation and survival mechanics. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.

What are the top games like Kenshi?

The three closest games to Kenshi are: 1. Frostpunk (95/100, 9 shared attributes) 2. Lazerbait (91/100, 2 shared attributes) 3. Tropico 4 (94/100, 8 shared attributes). All share Kenshi's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 49 candidates across 20 dimensions.

Is Lazerbait similar to Kenshi?

Yes, very much so — Lazerbait scores 91/100 similarity to Kenshi. They share 2 attributes, including real-time strategy and single-player focus. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.

What RTS games are similar to Kenshi?

The best RTS games similar to Kenshi are Frostpunk, Lazerbait, Tropico 4 and Pikmin. All share the RTS genre alongside other key Kenshi attributes like real-time strategy, deep simulation and survival mechanics.

How is similarity to Kenshi calculated?

We compare Kenshi against every game in our catalog using 20 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 Kenshi experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.

49 Games like Kenshi that you should try

Games like Kenshi · Find similar →

More about this game →

Kenshi is hard to replace: few games combine real-time strategy, open world exploration and stealth mechanics in quite the same way. We compared Kenshi against over 6,700 titles across 20 gameplay attributes and found 49 genuine alternatives — not generic genre suggestions. Frostpunk, Lazerbait and Tropico 4 lead the list, with Frostpunk reaching a 95/100 similarity score. Every game here is ranked by how closely it replicates what makes Kenshi special.

iRank85/ 100

Did you find what you were looking for?

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

Top games similar to Kenshi

49 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Kenshi. Each one has been evaluated across 20 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.

#1Frostpunk

iRank88

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloPost-ApocalypticSci-FiBase BuildingManagementIsometric

Steam👍 93%· 134KRAWG👍 88%· 1.1KMC85IGDB86· 9OC86· 103

Year 2018Dev 11 Bit Studios · 11 bit studiosPlaytime ~6hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the real-time strategy games cluster, with real-time strategy, deep simulation and survival mechanics

≠ Where it differs: brings strong narrative focus, dark, oppressive atmosphere and punishing difficulty, while skipping sandbox freedom

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloFirst PersonFree to Play

Steam👍 96%· 512

Year 2016Dev Taylor StapletonPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Same family of real-time strategy games: real-time strategy and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with visual first person and free to play, while skipping sandbox freedom

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldBase BuildingManagementIsometric

Steam👍 92%· 13KRAWG👍 67%· 511MC78IGDB74· 4

Year 2011Dev Feral Interactive · Kalypso MediaPlaytime ~4hOn PC · Xbox · Apple Macintosh

✓ Nearly identical: real-time strategy, deep simulation and sandbox freedom.

≠ Missing: deep RPG systems.

Details →

Steam GOG Xbox

#4Pikmin

iRank80

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSci-FiIsometric

IGDB80· 1

Year 2001Dev Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development · Gradiente

✓ Nearly identical: real-time strategy, adventure storytelling and setting scifi.

≠ Missing: sandbox freedom.

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloBase BuildingManagementIsometric

Steam👍 93%· 3.6KRAWG👍 71%· 137MC75IGDB83· 4

Year 2004Dev Elixir Studios · RebellionPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Fits the real-time strategy games cluster, with real-time strategy, deep simulation and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, while skipping sandbox freedom

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSci-FiFantasyBase BuildingManagement

Steam👍 76%· 290

Year 2016Dev Squatting Penguins · Ultimate GamesPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, deep simulation and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings vibe casual, setting space and visual 3d, while skipping sandbox freedom

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldSci-FiPost-ApocalypticBase BuildingCraftingManagementIsometric

Steam👍 82%· 955OC80· 12

Year 2021Dev Serious BrothersPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Xbox

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, turn-based strategy and vibe relaxing, while skipping deep RPG systems

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloIsometric

IGDB79· 2

Year 1994Dev Bullfrog Productions · OceanOn PlayStation 3 · PC · Mac

✓ Nearly identical: real-time strategy, deep simulation and single-player focus.

≠ Missing: sandbox freedom.

Details →

GOG

#9Pharaoh

iRank85

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloBase BuildingIsometricHistorical

Steam👍 92%· 2.5KIGDB70· 1

Year 1999Dev Impressions Games · Sierra EntertainmentOn PC

✓ Fits the real-time strategy games cluster, with real-time strategy, deep simulation and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: historical setting, while skipping sandbox freedom

Details →

Steam GOG

#1018 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul

iRank72

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloOpen WorldExplorationThird PersonFirst Person

Steam👍 73%· 516IGDB70· 1

Year 2007Dev SCS Software · RetroismPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Same family of real-time strategy games: real-time strategy, deep simulation and open world exploration

≠ Stands apart with racing gameplay and visual first person, while skipping sandbox freedom

Details →

Steam GOG

#11Banished

iRank74

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloStealthIsometricDarkHorror

OC74· 19

Year 2021Dev Twilight LAB GamesOn Web

✓ Fits the real-time strategy games cluster, with real-time strategy, deep simulation and survival mechanics

≠ Its own twist: dark, oppressive atmosphere, horror setting and historical setting, while skipping sandbox freedom

Details →

itch.io

#12RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

iRank80

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldManagementIsometricMultiplayer

Steam👍 90%· 5.8KIGDB60· 1

Year 2002Dev Chris Sawyer Productions · InfogramesOn PC

✓ Same family of real-time strategy games: real-time strategy, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Stands apart with vibe casual, multiplayer gameplay and visual pixel, while skipping deep RPG systems

Details →

Steam

#13Sunless Sea

iRank83

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloOpen WorldFantasySci-FiExplorationIsometric

Steam👍 83%· 9.5KIGDB85· 4OC81· 28

Year 2015Dev Failbetter GamesOn Linux · PC · iOS

✓ Same family of real-time strategy games: real-time strategy, survival mechanics and deep RPG systems

≠ Stands apart with roguelike runs, horror tension and strong narrative focus, while skipping sandbox freedom

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldFantasyIsometric

IGDB73· 3

Year 2005Dev Lionhead Studios · Feral InteractiveOn PC · Mac

✓ Nearly identical: real-time strategy, deep simulation and deep RPG systems.

≠ Missing: survival mechanics.

Details →

#15Total Annihilation

iRank97

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSci-FiIsometricMultiplayerNarrative

Steam👍 97%· 3.7K

Year 1997Dev Cavedog Entertainment · GT Interactive SoftwareOn PC · Mac

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, setting scifi and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: strong narrative focus and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping sandbox freedom

Details →

Steam

Complete list of Kenshi alternatives

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Kenshi, 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.

A Game of Dwarves

RTS · Simulation

Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive

RTS

Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2

RTS

New World: Aeternum

RTS

Pikmin 3

RTS · Adventure

Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty

RTS

Patapon

RTS · Puzzle

Theme Hospital

RTS · Simulation

Majesty Gold HD

RTS · Simulation

Plague Inc.

RTS · Simulation

Tropico 6

RTS · Simulation

Pikmin 2

RTS · Adventure

Dawn of Discovery

RTS · Simulation

Grand Ages: Rome

RTS · Simulation

Maia

RTS · Simulation

The Guild II Renaissance

RTS · Simulation

Age of Mythology: Extended Edition

RTS · Simulation

Supreme Commander

RTS · Simulation

Startopia

RTS · Simulation

World in Conflict

RTS

Europa Universalis III

RTS · Turn-Based Strat

Dune 2000

RTS

Knights and Merchants

RTS · Simulation

Halo Wars 2

RTS

Stonehearth

RTS · Simulation

The Guild II

RTS · Simulation

Anno 2070

RTS · Simulation

Offworld Trading Company

RTS · Simulation

Anno 1602: Creation of a New World

RTS · Simulation

Desperados 2: Cooper's Revenge

RTS · Adventure

Mitos.is: The Game

RTS · Simulation

Black & White

RTS · Puzzle

Commander: Conquest of the Americas

RTS · Simulation

Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun

RTS

Explore games similar to Kenshi by category

Rankings in the same genre

Best RTS Games Best Strategy Games

Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Kenshi?: The closest game to Kenshi is Frostpunk, scoring 95/100 on our similarity scale. They share 9 gameplay attributes, including real-time strategy, deep simulation and survival mechanics. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Kenshi?: The three closest games to Kenshi are: 1. Frostpunk (95/100, 9 shared attributes) 2. Lazerbait (91/100, 2 shared attributes) 3. Tropico 4 (94/100, 8 shared attributes). All share Kenshi's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 49 candidates across 20 dimensions.
Is Lazerbait similar to Kenshi?: Yes, very much so — Lazerbait scores 91/100 similarity to Kenshi. They share 2 attributes, including real-time strategy and single-player focus. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What RTS games are similar to Kenshi?: The best RTS games similar to Kenshi are Frostpunk, Lazerbait, Tropico 4 and Pikmin. All share the RTS genre alongside other key Kenshi attributes like real-time strategy, deep simulation and survival mechanics.
How is similarity to Kenshi calculated?: We compare Kenshi against every game in our catalog using 20 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 Kenshi experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.