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30 Sandbox games like SimCity that you should try

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We filtered the 41 games similar to SimCity down to the 30 that fit the “Sandbox” category. Planet Coaster, Prison Architect and Planet Zoo top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to SimCity.

iRank65/ 100

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GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

Tags

SoloMultiplayer

Year 2013Dev Maxis

Quick answer

Within the “Sandbox” category, the closest game to SimCity is Planet Coaster — scoring 96/100 on our similarity scale. Prison Architect and Planet Zoo follow close behind.

#1Planet Coaster96 #2Prison Architect96 #3Planet Zoo95 #4House Flipper94 #5Tropico 591

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The best sandbox games like SimCity

30 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to SimCity. Each one has been evaluated across 7 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.

#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

#2Prison 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

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

#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

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

#6Cities: 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

#7Children 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

#8Tropico Reloaded

88

Tropico Reloaded

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloSandbox WorldBase BuildingIsometricManagement

Steam👍 88%· 971RAWG👍 57%· 47IGDB82· 2

Year 2003Dev Frog City Software · Kalypso MediaPlaytime ~1hOn PC

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

≠ Its own twist: resource management, while skipping multiplayer gameplay

88

Tropico 3

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloSandbox WorldBase BuildingManagement

Steam👍 89%· 1.9KRAWG👍 60%· 273MC79

Year 2009Dev Haemimont Games · Kalypso MediaPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Xbox

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

≠ Its own twist: resource management, while skipping multiplayer gameplay

#10Cities in Motion

88

Cities in Motion

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloSandbox WorldBase BuildingIsometricManagement

Steam👍 77%· 1.1KRAWG👍 57%· 47MC70IGDB67· 1

Year 2011Dev Colossal Order · Paradox InteractivePlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

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

≠ Its own twist: resource management, while skipping multiplayer gameplay

#11Tycoon City: New York

88

Tycoon City: New York

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloSandbox WorldBase BuildingIsometricManagement

Steam👍 42%· 285MC67IGDB73· 2

Year 2006Playtime ~2hOn PC

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

≠ Stands apart with resource management, while skipping multiplayer gameplay

#12Two 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

#13Mad 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

#14Rusty'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

#15Jurassic World Evolution

87

Jurassic World Evolution

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloSandbox WorldBase BuildingIsometricMelee

Steam👍 87%· 55KIGDB74· 13OC71· 99

Year 2018Dev Frontier Developments · Universal PicturesOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

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

≠ Where it differs: brings strong narrative focus, dark, oppressive atmosphere and open world exploration, while skipping multiplayer gameplay

Complete list of sandbox games like SimCity

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

WorldBox

WorldBox

Sandbox · Simulation

Mad Games Tycoon 2

Mad Games Tycoon 2

Simulation · Sandbox

shapez

shapez

Sandbox · Simulation

Townscaper

Townscaper

Sandbox · Simulation

Space Colony: Steam Edition

Space Colony: Steam Edition

Simulation · Sandbox

My Time at Portia

My Time at Portia

Simulation · RPG

Dorfromantik

Dorfromantik

Puzzle · Simulation

shapez 2 - Factory

shapez 2 - Factory

Simulation · Puzzle

Dyson Sphere Program

Dyson Sphere Program

Simulation · Sandbox

Stronghold Crusader

Stronghold Crusader

Simulation · Sandbox

Crusader Kings II

Crusader Kings II

Turn-Based Strat · Simulation

Europa Universalis III

Europa Universalis III

RTS · Turn-Based Strat

The Guild II

The Guild II

RTS · Simulation

Gratuitous Space Battles

Gratuitous Space Battles

Simulation · Turn-Based Strat

Fallout Shelter

Fallout Shelter

Simulation · RPG

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