Rise to Ruins

26 Simulation games like Rise to Ruins that you should try

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We filtered the 50 games similar to Rise to Ruins down to the 26 that fit the “Simulation” category. Craft The World, Dwarfs!? and Kingdom: Classic top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Rise to Ruins.

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GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

Tags

Solo

Year 2019Dev Raymond Doerr

Stores

Steam ↗GOG ↗

Quick answer

Within the “Simulation” category, the closest game to Rise to Ruins is Craft The World — scoring 81/100 on our similarity scale. Dwarfs!? and Kingdom: Classic follow close behind.

#1Craft The World81 #2Dwarfs!?95 #3Kingdom: Classic91 #4Kingdom: New Lands91 #5Bad North88

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The best simulation games like Rise to Ruins

26 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

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

#1Craft The World

81

Craft The World

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloSandbox WorldProceduralFantasyBase BuildingManagement2D

Steam👍 88%· 17KRAWG👍 75%· 157

Year 2014Dev Dekovir EntertainmentPlaytime ~9hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Fits the tower defense games cluster, with deep simulation, sandbox freedom and survival mechanics

≠ Its own twist: deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and vibe casual, while skipping visual pixel

95

Dwarfs!?

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloSandbox WorldProceduralFantasyBase BuildingManagementPixel Art2D

Steam👍 78%· 1.1KRAWG👍 18%· 56

Year 2011Dev Power of 2 · Tripwire InteractivePlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Fits the tower defense games cluster, with tower defense planning, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Stands apart with precision platforming, vibe casual and strong narrative focus, while skipping roguelike runs

#3Kingdom: Classic

91

Kingdom: Classic

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloProceduralFantasyBase BuildingManagement2DPixel Art

Steam👍 91%· 23KIGDB70· 2

Year 2015Dev Licorice · Raw FuryOn Linux · PC · Mac

✓ Same family of tower defense games: deep simulation, survival mechanics and roguelike runs

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, deep RPG systems and vibe casual, while skipping sandbox freedom

#4Kingdom: New Lands

91

Kingdom: New Lands

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloProceduralFantasyBase BuildingPixel Art2D

Steam👍 86%· 12KIGDB75· 2OC73· 12

Year 2016Dev Licorice · Raw FuryOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Same family of tower defense games: tower defense planning, deep simulation and survival mechanics

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, strong narrative focus and punishing difficulty, while skipping sandbox freedom

88

Bad North

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloProceduralTacticalMeleeCozy

Steam👍 93%· 14KIGDB67· 2OC71· 29

Year 2018Dev Plausible Concept · Raw FuryOn PS4 · PC · Mac

✓ Same family of tower defense games: deep simulation, tower defense planning and survival mechanics

≠ Its own twist: turn-based strategy, real-time strategy and puzzle design, while skipping sandbox freedom

77

Castle Story

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloSandbox WorldBase BuildingEarly AccessMultiplayer

Steam👍 65%· 11KRAWG👍 59%· 27

Year 2012Dev Sauropod StudioPlaytime ~3hOn PC · iOS · Android

✓ Both are tower defense games — sharing deep simulation, sandbox freedom and survival mechanics

≠ Stands apart with real-time strategy, adventure storytelling and open world exploration, while skipping roguelike runs

#77 Days to Die

74

7 Days to Die

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloSandbox WorldProceduralBase BuildingMultiplayer

Steam👍 87%· 399KRAWG👍 53%· 497IGDB36· 8OC39· 34

Year 2013Dev Telltale GamesPlaytime ~9hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are tower defense games — sharing survival mechanics, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, deep RPG systems and shooter, while skipping roguelike runs

52

Gnomoria

GenreStrategySubgenreGrand Strategy

SoloSandbox WorldProceduralFantasyBase BuildingManagementPixel Art2D

Steam👍 75%· 3.5KRAWG👍 50%· 39

Year 2016Dev Robotronic GamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Shared with Rise to Ruins: deep simulation, sandbox freedom and survival mechanics

≠ Where it differs: brings turn-based strategy, real-time strategy and crafting mechanics, while skipping tower defense planning

#9Dwarf Fortress

50

Dwarf Fortress

GenreStrategySubgenreGrand Strategy

SoloSandbox WorldProceduralFantasyBase BuildingManagement

Steam👍 95%· 31KIGDB84OC90· 13

Dev Bay 12 GamesOn Linux · PC · Mac

✓ If you enjoyed Rise to Ruins, expect deep simulation, survival mechanics and sandbox freedom

≠ Where it differs: brings deep RPG systems, turn-based strategy and open world exploration, while skipping tower defense planning

93

Thronefall

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloFantasyBase BuildingTacticalMelee

Steam👍 96%· 23KRAWG👍 85%· 37OC86· 9

Year 2023Dev GrizzlyGamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Nintendo

✓ Fits the tower defense games cluster, with tower defense planning, deep simulation and survival mechanics

≠ Stands apart with fighting mechanics, combat tactical and melee combat, while skipping sandbox freedom

#11Plants vs. Zombies

91

Plants vs. Zombies

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

Solo2DTacticalDarkCasual

Steam👍 98%· 152KRAWG👍 93%· 733MC87IGDB80· 1

Year 2010Dev PopCap Games · Electronic ArtsPlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the tower defense games cluster, with tower defense planning, deep simulation and survival mechanics

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, real-time strategy and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping sandbox freedom

#12Farm for your Life

89

Farm for your Life

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloManagementCasualCozyDark

Steam👍 82%· 638

Year 2014Dev Hammer LabsPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Xbox · Apple Macintosh

✓ Fits the tower defense games cluster, with deep simulation, survival mechanics and tower defense planning

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, adventure storytelling and vibe casual, while skipping sandbox freedom

#13Stronghold Crusader

83

Stronghold Crusader

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloSandbox WorldFantasyBase BuildingManagement2D

Steam👍 98%· 21KIGDB80· 1

Year 2002Dev Firefly Studios · Take-Two InteractiveOn PC

✓ Both are tower defense games — sharing deep simulation, sandbox freedom and tower defense planning

≠ Its own twist: real-time strategy, combat tactical and melee combat, while skipping survival mechanics

#14Stronghold HD (2012)

83

Stronghold HD (2012)

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloSandbox WorldFantasyBase BuildingManagement2D

Steam👍 96%· 10KRAWG👍 82%· 310MC81

Year 2012Dev FireFly StudiosPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Same family of tower defense games: deep simulation, sandbox freedom and tower defense planning

≠ Stands apart with real-time strategy, strong narrative focus and open world exploration, while skipping survival mechanics

83

Stronghold

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloSandbox WorldFantasyBase BuildingManagement2D

Steam👍 96%· 10K

Year 2001Dev Firefly Studios · Take-Two InteractiveOn PC · Mac

✓ Both are tower defense games — sharing deep simulation, sandbox freedom and tower defense planning

≠ Its own twist: real-time strategy, strong narrative focus and open world exploration, while skipping survival mechanics

Complete list of simulation games like Rise to Ruins

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Rise to Ruins, 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.

Gratuitous Space Battles

Gratuitous Space Battles

Simulation · Turn-Based Strat

Bloons TD 5

Bloons TD 5

Tower Defense · Simulation

Kingdom Two Crowns

Kingdom Two Crowns

Tower Defense · Adventure

Stacklands

Stacklands

Simulation · Deck Builder

Creeper World: Anniversary Edition

Creeper World: Anniversary Edition

Simulation · Tower Defense

Gratuitous Tank Battles

Gratuitous Tank Battles

Simulation · Tower Defense

Defense Grid: The Awakening

Defense Grid: The Awakening

Tower Defense · Simulation

Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars

Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars

RTS · Simulation

Unholy Heights

Unholy Heights

Simulation · RTS

AI War: Fleet Command

AI War: Fleet Command

RTS · Simulation

Black & White 2

Black & White 2

RTS · Simulation

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Best Tower Defense Games Best Strategy Games