SimCity

41 Games like SimCity that you should try

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SimCity is hard to replace: few games combine deep simulation, sandbox world and single-player focus in quite the same way. We analyzed over 2,000 titles across 7 gameplay attributes and found 41 genuine alternatives — not generic genre suggestions. Planet Coaster, Planet Zoo and Prison Architect lead the list, with Planet Coaster reaching a 96/100 similarity score. Every game here is ranked by how closely it replicates what makes SimCity special.

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GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

Tags

SoloMultiplayer

Year 2013Dev Maxis

Quick answer

The closest game to SimCity is Planet Coaster — scoring 96/100 on our similarity scale. Planet Zoo and Prison Architect follow close behind.

#1Planet Coaster96 #2Planet Zoo95 #3Prison Architect96 #4House Flipper94 #5Rusty's Retirement87

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Games like SimCity

41 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

#1Planet Coaster

96

Planet Coaster

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloMultiplayerSandbox WorldBase BuildingIsometric

Steam👍 91%· 72KRAWG👍 74%· 294MC83IGDB83· 12OC85· 58

Year 2016Dev Frontier DevelopmentsPlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Same family of city builders: deep simulation, sandbox freedom and sandbox world

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, vibe casual and vibe relaxing

95

Planet Zoo

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloMultiplayerSandbox WorldBase BuildingCasual

Steam👍 91%· 95KRAWG👍 82%· 135MC81OC81· 67

Year 2019Dev Frontier DevelopmentsPlaytime ~5hOn PC

✓ Same family of city builders: deep simulation, sandbox freedom and sandbox world

≠ Where it differs: brings vibe casual, cozy, relaxing feel and vibe relaxing, while skipping visual isometric

#3Prison Architect

96

Prison Architect

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloMultiplayerSandbox WorldBase BuildingIsometric

Steam👍 89%· 73KRAWG👍 72%· 587MC83IGDB81· 12OC80· 62

Year 2015Dev Double Eleven · Introversion SoftwarePlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the city builders cluster, with deep simulation, sandbox freedom and sandbox world

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, vibe casual and resource management

#4House Flipper

94

House Flipper

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloMultiplayerSandbox WorldBase BuildingRelaxing

Steam👍 94%· 109KRAWG👍 76%· 351MC62IGDB62· 4OC62· 27

Year 2018Dev Ultimate Games · PlayWayPlaytime ~7hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are city builders — sharing deep simulation, sandbox freedom and sandbox world

≠ Its own twist: vibe relaxing, vibe casual and strong narrative focus, while skipping visual isometric

#5Rusty's Retirement

87

Rusty's Retirement

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloSandbox WorldBase BuildingIsometricCozy

Steam👍 97%· 15K

Year 2024Dev Mister Morris GamesPlaytime ~18hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Fits the city builders cluster, with deep simulation, sandbox freedom and sandbox world

≠ Stands apart with cozy, relaxing feel, vibe casual and vibe relaxing, while skipping multiplayer gameplay

91

Tropico 5

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloMultiplayerSandbox WorldBase BuildingIsometric

Steam👍 79%· 14KIGDB72· 14OC76· 52

Year 2014Dev Haemimont Games · Kalypso MediaOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Both are city builders — sharing deep simulation, sandbox freedom and sandbox world

≠ Stands apart with deep RPG systems, historical setting and co op

86

WorldBox

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloSandbox WorldBase BuildingIsometricCozy

Steam👍 95%· 54K

Year 2018Dev Maxim KarpenkoOn Linux · Android · PC

✓ Fits the city builders cluster, with sandbox freedom, deep simulation and sandbox world

≠ Stands apart with deep RPG systems, cozy, relaxing feel and vibe relaxing, while skipping multiplayer gameplay

#8Two Point Hospital

88

Two Point Hospital

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloSandbox WorldBase BuildingIsometricCasual

Steam👍 92%· 35KIGDB87· 10OC84· 127

Year 2018Dev Two Point Studios · SegaOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Same family of city builders: deep simulation, sandbox freedom and sandbox world

≠ Where it differs: brings vibe casual and resource management, while skipping multiplayer gameplay

#9Cities: Skylines

88

Cities: Skylines

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloSandbox WorldBase BuildingIsometricCasual

Steam👍 93%· 289KRAWG👍 87%· 1.5KMC85IGDB76· 13OC83· 91

Year 2015Dev Colossal Order · Paradox InteractivePlaytime ~9hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are city builders — sharing deep simulation, sandbox freedom and sandbox world

≠ Stands apart with vibe casual and resource management, while skipping multiplayer gameplay

Steam Epic Xbox

85

shapez

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloSandbox WorldBase BuildingIsometricCasual

Steam👍 96%· 15K

Year 2020Dev Tobias Springer · PrismatikaOn PC · iOS · Android

✓ Same family of city builders: sandbox freedom, deep simulation and sandbox world

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, vibe casual and open world exploration, while skipping multiplayer gameplay

#11Mad Games Tycoon

87

Mad Games Tycoon

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloSandbox WorldBase BuildingIsometricCasual

Steam👍 91%· 4.4KRAWG👍 79%· 70IGDB90· 1

Year 2016Dev Raylight Games · Toplitz ProductionsPlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Same family of city builders: deep simulation, sandbox freedom and sandbox world

≠ Where it differs: brings vibe casual, strong narrative focus and setting cartoon, while skipping multiplayer gameplay

#12Mad Games Tycoon 2

86

Mad Games Tycoon 2

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

MultiplayerSandbox WorldBase BuildingPvPCasual

Steam👍 94%· 7.6KRAWG👍 85%· 33

Year 2021Dev EggcodePlaytime ~14hOn PC

✓ Fits the city builders cluster, with deep simulation, sandbox freedom and sandbox world

≠ Stands apart with vibe casual, setting cartoon and PvP competition, while skipping single-player focus

#13Children of the Nile

88

Children of the Nile

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloSandbox WorldBase BuildingIsometricHistorical

Steam👍 85%· 465MC75IGDB75· 2

Year 2008Dev Tilted Mill EntertainmentPlaytime ~2hOn PC

✓ Fits the city builders cluster, with deep simulation, sandbox freedom and sandbox world

≠ Where it differs: brings historical setting and resource management, while skipping multiplayer gameplay

#14shapez 2 - Factory

84

shapez 2 - Factory

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloSandbox WorldBase BuildingCasualRelaxing

Steam👍 97%· 14K

Dev tobspr Games · Gamera GamesPlaytime ~6hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Both are city builders — sharing deep simulation, sandbox freedom and sandbox world

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, vibe casual and vibe relaxing, while skipping multiplayer gameplay

84

Caesar III

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloBase BuildingIsometricHistoricalManagement

Steam👍 93%· 2.2K

Year 1998Dev Impressions Games · Sierra EntertainmentOn PC

✓ Fits the city builders cluster, with deep simulation, single-player focus and base building

≠ Where it differs: brings historical setting and resource management, while skipping sandbox freedom

Games like SimCity

Tropico 3

Tropico 3

Simulation · Sandbox

Tropico Reloaded

Tropico Reloaded

Simulation · Sandbox

Concrete Jungle

Concrete Jungle

Simulation · Puzzle

Minami Lane

Minami Lane

Simulation · Puzzle

Jurassic World Evolution

Jurassic World Evolution

Simulation · Sandbox

Townscaper

Townscaper

Sandbox · Simulation

Dyson Sphere Program

Dyson Sphere Program

Simulation · Sandbox

Dorfromantik

Dorfromantik

Puzzle · Simulation

Cities in Motion

Cities in Motion

Simulation · Sandbox

Space Colony: Steam Edition

Space Colony: Steam Edition

Simulation · Sandbox

Rankings in the same genre

Best City Builder Games Best Strategy Games

Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to SimCity?: The closest game to SimCity is Planet Coaster, scoring 96/100 on our similarity scale. They share 7 gameplay attributes, including deep simulation, sandbox freedom and single-player focus. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like SimCity?: The three closest games to SimCity are: 1. Planet Coaster (96/100, 7 shared attributes) 2. Planet Zoo (95/100, 6 shared attributes) 3. Prison Architect (96/100, 7 shared attributes). All share SimCity's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 41 candidates across 7 dimensions.
Is Planet Zoo similar to SimCity?: Yes, very much so — Planet Zoo scores 95/100 similarity to SimCity. They share 6 attributes, including deep simulation and sandbox freedom. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What Simulation games are similar to SimCity?: The best Simulation games similar to SimCity are Planet Coaster, Planet Zoo, Prison Architect and House Flipper. All share the Simulation genre alongside other key SimCity attributes like deep simulation, sandbox freedom and single-player focus.
How is similarity to SimCity calculated?: We compare SimCity against every game in our catalog using 7 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 SimCity experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.
Are there free games similar to SimCity?: Yes — Business Tour - Board Game with Online Multiplayer and Crusader Kings II are free and score well on similarity to SimCity. They're a great way to test whether the play style clicks before investing in other paid titles.