The Universim

32 Games like The Universim that you should try

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The Universim is hard to replace: few games combine deep simulation, vibe casual and sandbox world in quite the same way. We analyzed over 2,000 titles across 14 gameplay attributes and found 32 genuine alternatives — not generic genre suggestions. Surviving Mars, Stacklands and Oxygen Not Included lead the list, with Surviving Mars reaching a 95/100 similarity score. Every game here is ranked by how closely it replicates what makes The Universim special.

iRank71/ 100

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GenreStrategySubgenreColony Sim

Tags

CasualSolo

Year 2024Dev Crytivo

Stores

Steam ↗GOG ↗

Quick answer

The closest game to The Universim is Surviving Mars — scoring 95/100 on our similarity scale. Stacklands and Oxygen Not Included follow close behind.

#1Surviving Mars95 #2Stacklands87 #3Oxygen Not Included85 #4Fallout Shelter87 #5This War of Mine82

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Games like The Universim

32 similar games found

#1Surviving Mars

95

iRank78

Surviving Mars

GenreStrategySubgenreColony Sim

SoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldSpaceSci-FiBase BuildingManagementExplorationIsometric

Steam👍 80%· 28KIGDB74· 7OC77· 60

Year 2018Dev Haemimont Games · Paradox InteractiveOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Nearly identical: deep simulation, survival mechanics and sandbox freedom.

≠ Missing: vibe casual.

87

iRank86

Stacklands

GenreStrategySubgenreColony Sim

SoloCasualProceduralManagementBase BuildingIsometric

Steam👍 96%· 29KRAWG👍 70%· 60

Year 2022Dev Sokpop CollectivePlaytime ~4hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Both are colony sims — sharing deep simulation, survival mechanics and vibe casual

≠ Where it differs: brings card game strategy, roguelike runs and turn-based strategy, while skipping sandbox freedom

#3Oxygen Not Included

85

iRank91

Oxygen Not Included

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 vibe casual

#4Fallout Shelter

87

iRank81

Fallout Shelter

GenreStrategySubgenreColony Sim

SoloCasualSandbox 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 post-apocalyptic world, while skipping open world exploration

#5This War of Mine

82

iRank88

This War of Mine

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

#6Jurassic World Evolution 2

84

iRank83

Jurassic World Evolution 2

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 vibe casual

Steam Epic Xbox

#7Pacific Drive

84

iRank79

Pacific Drive

GenreStrategySubgenreColony Sim

SoloSandbox WorldProceduralSci-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 vibe casual

80

iRank94

Satisfactory

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 vibe casual

81

iRank89

Factorio

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 vibe casual

Steam GOG Nintendo

82

iRank82

Forager

GenreStrategySubgenreColony Sim

SoloCasualOpen 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 procedural generation

52

iRank96

shapez

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloCasualSandbox WorldOpen WorldProceduralBase BuildingManagementExplorationIsometric

Steam👍 96%· 15K

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

✓ Like The Universim, it's known for sandbox freedom, deep simulation and vibe casual

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, crafting mechanics and visual 2d, while skipping survival mechanics

#12shapez 2 - Factory

50

iRank97

shapez 2 - Factory

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloCasualSandbox WorldProceduralSpaceManagementBase Building

Steam👍 97%· 14K

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

✓ Shared with The Universim: deep simulation, sandbox freedom and vibe casual

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, vibe relaxing and crafting mechanics, while skipping survival mechanics

#13Dyson Sphere Program

50

iRank93

Dyson Sphere Program

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloOpen WorldSandbox WorldSpaceSci-FiBase BuildingExplorationManagement

Steam👍 98%· 91KRAWG👍 85%· 84

Year 2021Dev Youthcat Studio · Gamera GamePlaytime ~8hOn PC

✓ Like The Universim, it's known for deep simulation, sandbox freedom and open world exploration

≠ Stands apart with visual 3d, visual third person and early access, while skipping survival mechanics

#14Songs of Syx

49

iRank95

Songs of Syx

GenreStrategySubgenreGrand Strategy

SoloCasualSandbox WorldOpen WorldBase BuildingExplorationManagementIsometric

Steam👍 95%· 8.2K

Year 2020Dev Jake the Dev · Jakob de LavalPlaytime ~6hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Like The Universim, it's known for deep simulation, sandbox freedom and survival mechanics

≠ Stands apart with turn-based strategy, combat tactical and fantasy world, while skipping procedural generation

Steam GOG itch.io

#15Two Point Hospital

50

iRank89

Two Point Hospital

GenreStrategySubgenreCity Builder

SoloCasualSandbox WorldManagementBase BuildingIsometric

Steam👍 92%· 35KIGDB87· 10OC84· 127

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

✓ Nearly identical: deep simulation, sandbox freedom and vibe casual.

≠ Missing: survival mechanics.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to The Universim?: The closest game to The Universim is Surviving Mars, scoring 95/100 on our similarity scale. They share 12 gameplay attributes, including deep simulation, survival mechanics and sandbox freedom. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like The Universim?: The three closest games to The Universim are: 1. Surviving Mars (95/100, 12 shared attributes) 2. Stacklands (87/100, 8 shared attributes) 3. Oxygen Not Included (85/100, 11 shared attributes). All share The Universim's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 32 candidates across 14 dimensions.
Is Stacklands similar to The Universim?: Yes, very much so — Stacklands scores 87/100 similarity to The Universim. They share 8 attributes, including deep simulation and survival mechanics. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What Simulation games are similar to The Universim?: The best Simulation games similar to The Universim are Surviving Mars, Stacklands, Oxygen Not Included and Fallout Shelter. All share the Simulation genre alongside other key The Universim attributes like deep simulation, survival mechanics and sandbox freedom.
How is similarity to The Universim calculated?: We compare The Universim against every game in our catalog using 14 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 The Universim experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.