11 Survival games like Surviving Mars that you should try

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We filtered the 29 games similar to Surviving Mars down to the 11 that fit the “Survival” category. Oxygen Not Included, Jurassic World Evolution 2 and Pacific Drive top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Surviving Mars.

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GenreStrategySubgenreColony Sim

The best survival games like Surviving Mars

11 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

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

#1Oxygen Not Included

iRank91

GenreStrategySubgenreColony Sim

SoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldSci-FiSpaceBase BuildingManagementExploration

Steam👍 97%· 140KRAWG👍 85%· 379MC86

Year 2017Dev Klei EntertainmentPlaytime ~7hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Both are colony sims — sharing deep simulation, survival mechanics and sandbox freedom

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, punishing difficulty and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping visual isometric

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Steam Epic

#2Jurassic World Evolution 2

iRank83

GenreStrategySubgenreColony Sim

SoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldSci-FiManagementBase BuildingExplorationIsometric

Steam👍 90%· 46KIGDB72· 5OC79· 81

Year 2021Dev Frontier DevelopmentsOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Both are colony sims — sharing deep simulation, sandbox freedom and survival mechanics

≠ Stands apart with dark, oppressive atmosphere, strong narrative focus and melee combat, while skipping setting space

GenreStrategySubgenreColony Sim

SoloSandbox WorldSci-FiExplorationBase 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 sandbox freedom

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, horror tension and racing gameplay, while skipping open world exploration

GenreStrategySubgenreColony Sim

SoloSandbox WorldSci-FiBase BuildingManagement

Steam👍 88%· 81KIGDB68· 9

Year 2015Dev Bethesda Game Studios · Bethesda SoftworksOn PS4 · Android · PC

✓ Both are colony sims — sharing deep simulation, survival mechanics and sandbox freedom

≠ Where it differs: brings deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and vibe casual, while skipping open world exploration

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Steam Xbox PS

#5Forager

iRank82

GenreStrategySubgenreColony Sim

SoloOpen WorldSandbox WorldExplorationBase BuildingManagementIsometric

Steam👍 90%· 43KIGDB71· 4OC76· 28

Year 2019Dev Hop Frog · Humble BundleOn PS4 · Linux · Android

✓ Both are colony sims — sharing survival mechanics, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, deep RPG systems and puzzle design, while skipping setting space

GenreStrategySubgenreColony Sim

SoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldSci-FiBase BuildingManagementExplorationIsometric

Steam👍 98%· 229KRAWG👍 87%· 808MC83IGDB86· 2OC82· 14

Year 2020Dev Wube SoftwarePlaytime ~20hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Same family of colony sims: deep simulation, sandbox freedom and survival mechanics

≠ Where it differs: brings multiplayer gameplay, co op and crafting mechanics, while skipping setting space

GenreStrategySubgenreColony Sim

SoloOpen WorldSandbox WorldSci-FiBase BuildingExplorationManagement

Steam👍 97%· 270KRAWG👍 89%· 355IGDB95· 2OC91· 26

Year 2024Dev Coffee Stain StudiosPlaytime ~12hOn PC

✓ Both are colony sims — sharing deep simulation, sandbox freedom and survival mechanics

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, multiplayer gameplay and co op, while skipping setting space

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Steam Epic

#8Maia

iRank44

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldSci-FiSpaceBase BuildingManagement

Steam👍 44%· 1.1K

Year 2013Dev Simon Roth · Machine StudiosPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Shared with Surviving Mars: deep simulation, survival mechanics and sandbox freedom

≠ Where it differs: brings real-time strategy, procedural generation and crafting mechanics, while skipping open world exploration

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Steam

#9Kenshi

iRank85

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloOpen WorldSandbox WorldSci-FiExplorationBase BuildingManagementIsometric

Steam👍 96%· 112KRAWG👍 77%· 191MC75IGDB84· 1

Year 2018Dev Lo-Fi GamesPlaytime ~4hOn PC

✓ Like Surviving Mars, it's known for sandbox freedom, deep simulation and survival mechanics

≠ Stands apart with real-time strategy, deep RPG systems and adventure storytelling, while skipping setting space

GenreStrategySubgenreColony Sim

SoloBase BuildingManagementStealthTactical

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 single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, strong narrative focus and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping sandbox freedom

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Steam GOG Epic

#11Stacklands

iRank86

GenreStrategySubgenreColony Sim

SoloManagementBase BuildingIsometricCasual

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 sandbox freedom

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