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Sheltered

17 Games like Sheltered that you should try

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Ranking compiled by Lluis Enric Mayans, Founder & Head of ContentHow this is calculatedOrdered by an attribute-similarity model, not editorial opinion.

Sheltered is hard to replace: few games combine survival mechanics, open world exploration and post-apocalyptic world in quite the same way. We compared Sheltered against over 6,700 titles across 12 gameplay attributes and found 17 genuine alternatives — not generic genre suggestions. Forager, This War of Mine and Oxygen Not Included lead the list, with Forager reaching a 80/100 similarity score. Every game here is ranked by how closely it replicates what makes Sheltered special.

iRank73/ 100

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GenreStrategySubgenreColony Sim
Tags
Solo
Year 2016Dev Unicube

Quick answer

The closest game to Sheltered is Forager — scoring 80/100 on our similarity scale. This War of Mine and Oxygen Not Included follow close behind.

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Top games similar to Sheltered

17 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Sheltered. Each one has been evaluated across 12 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.

#1Forager
Forager
StrategyColony Sim
SoloOpen WorldCraftingExplorationBase BuildingManagementPixel Art2D
Steam👍 90%· 43KIGDB71· 4OC76· 28
Year 2019Dev Hop Frog · Humble BundleOn PS4 · Linux · Android

✓ Both are colony sims — sharing survival mechanics, deep simulation and deep RPG systems

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, puzzle design and sandbox freedom, while skipping post-apocalyptic world

Where it drifts furthest from Sheltered: setting.

Released 3 years after Sheltered.

Genre100Progression100Visuals81Game mode70World57Setting0
#2This War of Mine
This War of Mine
StrategyColony Sim
SoloPost-ApocalypticCraftingBase BuildingManagement2D
Steam👍 94%· 97KRAWG👍 83%· 1.2KMC83OC85· 57
Year 2014Dev 11 Bit Studios · 11 bit studiosPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · iOS

✓ Both are colony sims — sharing survival mechanics, deep simulation and post-apocalyptic world

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, strong narrative focus and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping deep RPG systems

A small town surrounded by war. The usual order is irrevocably violated, you have to survive, but you are not a soldier and certainly not a superhero. The player controls a group of two to four civilians selected from twelve characters. The goal is simple - to survive the war.

Genre100Game mode100Progression95Visuals67Setting57
Oxygen Not Included
StrategyColony Sim
SoloOpen WorldBase BuildingManagementCraftingExploration2D
Steam👍 97%· 140KRAWG👍 85%· 379MC86
Year 2017Dev Klei EntertainmentPlaytime ~7hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Both are colony sims — sharing deep simulation, survival mechanics and open world exploration

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

In the space-colony simulation game Oxygen Not Included you’ll find that scarcities of oxygen, warmth and sustenance are constant threats to your colony's survival.

Where it drifts furthest from Sheltered: setting and world.

Genre100Progression100Game mode87Visuals68World45Setting0
Factorio
StrategyColony Sim
SoloOpen WorldBase BuildingManagementCraftingExploration2DPixel Art
Steam👍 98%· 229KRAWG👍 87%· 808MC83IGDB86· 2OC82· 14
Year 2020Dev Wube SoftwarePlaytime ~20hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Same family of colony sims: deep simulation, survival mechanics and open world exploration

≠ Where it differs: brings sandbox freedom, sandbox world and setting scifi, while skipping deep RPG systems

Factorio is an isometric space real-time strategy developed by Wube Software. ###Story An astronaut is stranded on the surface of a distant unknown planet, that is full with low life forms and fossil fuels. His main objective now is to survive and build a rocket to leave the planet.

Where it drifts furthest from Sheltered: setting and game mode.

Released 4 years after Sheltered.

Genre100Progression100Visuals73World41Game mode34Setting0
Surviving Mars
StrategyColony Sim
SoloOpen WorldBase BuildingManagementExploration
Steam👍 80%· 28KIGDB74· 7OC77· 60
Year 2018Dev Haemimont Games · Paradox InteractiveOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Fits the colony sims cluster, with deep simulation, survival mechanics and open world exploration

≠ Stands apart with sandbox freedom, sandbox world and setting space, while skipping deep RPG systems

Where it drifts furthest from Sheltered: setting and visuals.

Genre100Game mode100Progression91World54Setting0Visuals0
Fallout Shelter
StrategyColony Sim
SoloPost-ApocalypticBase BuildingManagementCrafting2D
Steam👍 88%· 81KIGDB68· 9
Year 2015Dev Bethesda Game Studios · Bethesda SoftworksOn PS4 · Android · PC

✓ Both are colony sims — sharing deep simulation, deep RPG systems and survival mechanics

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, sandbox freedom and vibe casual, while skipping open world exploration

Where it drifts furthest from Sheltered: world.

Genre100Progression96Game mode85Setting80Visuals68World0
Jurassic World Evolution 2
StrategyColony Sim
SoloOpen WorldManagementBase BuildingExploration
Steam👍 90%· 46KIGDB72· 5OC79· 81
Year 2021Dev Frontier DevelopmentsOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Both are colony sims — sharing deep simulation, survival mechanics and open world exploration

≠ Stands apart with sandbox freedom, dark, oppressive atmosphere and strong narrative focus, while skipping deep RPG systems

Where it drifts furthest from Sheltered: setting and visuals.

Released 5 years after Sheltered.

Genre100Progression91Game mode86World39Setting0Visuals0
Satisfactory
StrategyColony Sim
SoloOpen WorldBase BuildingExplorationCraftingManagement
Steam👍 97%· 270KRAWG👍 89%· 355IGDB95· 2OC91· 26
Year 2024Dev Coffee Stain StudiosPlaytime ~12hOn PC

✓ Both are colony sims — sharing deep simulation, survival mechanics and open world exploration

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

FICSIT - AN INTRODUCTION Welcome to FICSIT Incorporated! A company specialised in the research, development and application of new technology and science, anything to find short-term solutions to long-term problems!

Where it drifts furthest from Sheltered: setting and visuals.

Released 8 years after Sheltered.

Genre100Progression100World56Game mode34Setting0Visuals0
Pacific Drive
StrategyColony Sim
SoloPost-ApocalypticExplorationCraftingBase BuildingManagement
Steam👍 83%· 26KRAWG👍 69%· 85IGDB84· 5OC80· 77
Year 2024Dev Ironwood Studio · Kepler InteractivePlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS

✓ Both are colony sims — sharing survival mechanics, deep simulation and post-apocalyptic world

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, horror tension and racing gameplay, while skipping deep RPG systems

Pacific Drive is a run-based, first-person driving survival game. Your car is your only companion as you navigate a surreal and anomaly-filled reimagining of the Pacific Northwest.

Where it drifts furthest from Sheltered: world and visuals.

Released 8 years after Sheltered.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Setting59World0Visuals0
Stacklands
StrategyColony Sim
SoloManagementBase Building2DCasual
Steam👍 96%· 29KRAWG👍 70%· 60
Year 2022Dev Sokpop CollectivePlaytime ~4hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Both are colony sims — sharing deep simulation, survival mechanics and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings card game strategy, roguelike runs and turn-based strategy, while skipping deep RPG systems

Stacklands is a village builder where you stack cards to collect food, build structures, and fight creatures. For example, dragging a 'Villager' card on top of a 'Berry Bush' card will spawn 'Berry' cards which the villagers can eat to survive!

Where it drifts furthest from Sheltered: world and setting.

Released 6 years after Sheltered.

Genre100Game mode100Progression88Visuals47Setting0World0
My Time at Portia
StrategyCity Builder
SoloOpen WorldPost-ApocalypticExplorationCraftingBase Building
Steam👍 92%· 44KIGDB70· 10OC75· 70
Year 2019Dev Pathea Games · Team17On PS4 · Android · PC

✓ If you enjoyed Sheltered, expect deep simulation, deep RPG systems and survival mechanics

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, sandbox freedom and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping resource management

Where it drifts furthest from Sheltered: visuals.

Released 3 years after Sheltered.

Game mode100Progression89Setting80World59Genre50Visuals0
#1260 Seconds!
60 Seconds!
StrategyTurn-Based Strategy
SoloOpen WorldPost-ApocalypticExplorationManagement2D
Steam👍 85%· 12KIGDB80· 1OC58· 10
Year 2015Dev Robot Gentleman StudiosOn PS4 · Android · PC

✓ If you enjoyed Sheltered, expect deep simulation, survival mechanics and open world exploration

≠ Its own twist: turn-based strategy, adventure storytelling and puzzle design, while skipping deep RPG systems

Where it drifts furthest from Sheltered: visuals.

Game mode100Setting100World100Progression65Genre50Visuals38
Frostpunk
StrategyRTS
SoloPost-ApocalypticBase BuildingManagementNarrative
Steam👍 93%· 134KRAWG👍 88%· 1.1KMC85IGDB86· 9OC86· 103
Year 2018Dev 11 Bit Studios · 11 bit studiosPlaytime ~6hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ If you enjoyed Sheltered, expect deep simulation, survival mechanics and post-apocalyptic world

≠ Where it differs: brings real-time strategy, strong narrative focus and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping deep RPG systems

In an ultimately frozen world, people develop steam-powered technology to oppose the overwhelming cold. The city ruler has to manage both the inhabitants and the infrastracture the citizens live in.

Where it drifts furthest from Sheltered: visuals.

Game mode100Progression89Setting78Genre50Visuals0
Horizon Forbidden West
StrategyTycoon / Management
SoloOpen WorldPost-ApocalypticExplorationCraftingManagement
IGDB92· 10OC88· 196
Year 2022Dev Guerrilla Games · Sony Interactive EntertainmentOn PS4 · PC · PS5

✓ If you enjoyed Sheltered, expect deep RPG systems, open world exploration and post-apocalyptic world

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, strong narrative focus and ranged combat, while skipping survival mechanics

Where it drifts furthest from Sheltered: visuals.

Released 6 years after Sheltered.

Game mode100World100Setting76Progression64Genre50Visuals0
Unholy Heights
StrategyTower Defense
SoloOpen WorldBase BuildingManagement2D
Steam👍 89%· 1.6KRAWG👍 30%· 20IGDB80· 1OC66· 10
Year 2013Dev Teyon · AGM PLAYISMPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Nintendo

✓ If you enjoyed Sheltered, expect deep simulation, open world exploration and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with real-time strategy, tower defense planning and puzzle design, while skipping survival mechanics

Welcome to Unholy Heights, a mashup of Tower Defense and Apartment Management Simulation! The Devil has converted a tenement building into monsters-only housing, and has big plans for the future. Sucker monsters into moving into your building, charge them rent and keep them happy by buying them furniture.

Game mode100World100Progression88Visuals69Genre50

Complete list of Sheltered alternatives

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

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Sheltered?
The closest game to Sheltered is Forager, scoring 80/100 on our similarity scale. They share 11 gameplay attributes, including survival mechanics, deep simulation and deep RPG systems. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Sheltered?
The three closest games to Sheltered are: 1. Forager (80/100, 11 shared attributes) 2. This War of Mine (70/100, 8 shared attributes) 3. Oxygen Not Included (66/100, 9 shared attributes). All share Sheltered's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 17 candidates across 12 dimensions.
Is This War of Mine similar to Sheltered?
Yes, very much so — This War of Mine scores 70/100 similarity to Sheltered. They share 8 attributes, including survival mechanics and deep simulation. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What Survival games are similar to Sheltered?
The best Survival games similar to Sheltered are Forager, This War of Mine, Oxygen Not Included and Factorio. All share the Survival genre alongside other key Sheltered attributes like survival mechanics, deep simulation and deep RPG systems.
How is similarity to Sheltered calculated?
We compare Sheltered against every game in our catalog using 12 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 Sheltered experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.