Kenshi

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 analyzed over 2,000 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

Tags

Solo

Year 2018Dev Lo-Fi Games

Stores

Steam ↗GOG ↗Epic ↗

Quick answer

The closest game to Kenshi is Frostpunk — scoring 95/100 on our similarity scale. Lazerbait and Tropico 4 follow close behind.

#1Frostpunk95 #2Lazerbait91 #3Tropico 494 #4Pikmin94 #5Evil Genius93

🗳️

Help us build the best rankings

Community powered

Vote on each result below — good match or not. Every vote directly shapes how we rank similar games for everyone.

Games like Kenshi

49 similar games found

95

iRank88

Frostpunk

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

91

iRank96

Lazerbait

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

94

iRank80

Tropico 4

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.

94

iRank80

Pikmin

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.

93

iRank82

Evil Genius

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

#6The Mims Beginning

93

iRank76

The Mims Beginning

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

#7Imagine Earth

91

iRank81

Imagine Earth

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

92

iRank79

Theme Park

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.

90

iRank85

Pharaoh

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

#1018 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul

92

iRank72

18 Wheels of Steel: American Long Haul

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

92

iRank74

Banished

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

#12RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

90

iRank80

RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

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

89

iRank83

Sunless Sea

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

#14Black & White 2

91

iRank73

Black & White 2

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.

#15Total Annihilation

85

iRank97

Total Annihilation

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

Games like Kenshi

A Game of Dwarves

A Game of Dwarves

RTS · Simulation

Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive

Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive

RTS

Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2

Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2

RTS

New World: Aeternum

New World: Aeternum

RTS

Pikmin 3

Pikmin 3

RTS · Adventure

Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty

Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty

RTS

Patapon

Patapon

RTS · Puzzle

Theme Hospital

Theme Hospital

RTS · Simulation

Majesty Gold HD

Majesty Gold HD

RTS · Simulation

Plague Inc.

Plague Inc.

RTS · Simulation

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.