6 Simulation games like Project Zomboid that you should try

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We filtered the 26 games similar to Project Zomboid down to the 6 that fit the “Simulation” category. Sons Of The Forest, Green Hell and Barotrauma top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Project Zomboid.

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GenreSurvivalSubgenreHorror Survival

The best simulation games like Project Zomboid

6 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Project Zomboid. Each one has been evaluated across 25 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.

#1Sons Of The Forest

iRank79

GenreSurvivalSubgenreHorror Survival

MultiplayerSoloCo-opDarkNarrativeOpen WorldSandbox WorldHorrorExplorationCraftingEarly Access

Steam👍 88%· 304KRAWG👍 67%· 129OC78· 12

Year 2024Dev Endnight Games · NewnightPlaytime ~11hOn PC

✓ Same family of horror survival games: survival mechanics, horror tension and deep simulation

≠ Its own twist: melee combat, base building and visual first person, while skipping deep RPG systems

GenreSurvivalSubgenreHorror Survival

MultiplayerSoloCo-opNarrativeOpen WorldSandbox WorldHorrorExplorationCrafting

Steam👍 85%· 97KIGDB83· 3OC79· 49

Year 2019Dev Creepy JarOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Fits the horror survival games cluster, with survival mechanics, horror tension and deep simulation

≠ Its own twist: melee combat, online features and base building, while skipping deep RPG systems

GenreSurvivalSubgenreHorror Survival

MultiplayerCo-opSoloDarkHardcoreNarrativeProceduralHorrorManagement2DEarly Access

Steam👍 94%· 86KRAWG👍 71%· 193MC81

Year 2023Dev FakeFishPlaytime ~4hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Both are horror survival games — sharing survival mechanics, horror tension and deep simulation

≠ Its own twist: melee combat, setting scifi and setting space, while skipping deep RPG systems

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Steam GOG

#4Five Nights at Freddy's: Sister Location

iRank85

GenreSurvivalSubgenreHorror Survival

SoloDarkHardcoreNarrativeHorror

Steam👍 90%· 12KIGDB75· 2

Year 2016Dev ScottgamesOn PC

✓ Fits the horror survival games cluster, with survival mechanics, horror tension and deep simulation

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design and visual first person, while skipping deep RPG systems

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Steam Xbox PS

#5Five Nights at Freddy's 4

iRank80

GenreSurvivalSubgenreHorror Survival

SoloDarkHardcoreNarrativeHorror

Steam👍 93%· 17KIGDB55· 2

Year 2015Dev ScottgamesOn PC

✓ Same family of horror survival games: survival mechanics, horror tension and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, melee combat and visual first person, while skipping deep RPG systems

Details →

Steam

#6Don't Starve Together

iRank85

GenreSurvivalSubgenreCo-op PvE Survival

MultiplayerCo-opSoloDarkHardcoreNarrativeSandbox WorldOpen WorldHorrorExplorationCraftingIsometric2D

Steam👍 95%· 531KRAWG👍 72%· 1.4KMC83

Year 2016Dev Klei EntertainmentPlaytime ~7hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Like Project Zomboid, it's known for survival mechanics, deep simulation and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings online features, while skipping horror tension

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Steam

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