What is the best game similar to Z. Year One?

The closest game to Z. Year One is G.I.R.L.S. will be Girls, scoring 72/100 on our similarity scale. They share 6 gameplay attributes, including card game strategy, turn-based strategy and single-player focus. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.

What are the top games like Z. Year One?

The three closest games to Z. Year One are: 1. G.I.R.L.S. will be Girls (72/100, 6 shared attributes) 2. Lara Croft Go (61/100, 4 shared attributes) 3. Balatro (59/100, 3 shared attributes). All share Z. Year One's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 6 dimensions.

Is Lara Croft Go similar to Z. Year One?

Yes — Lara Croft Go scores 61/100 similarity to Z. Year One. They share 4 attributes, including turn-based strategy and card game strategy. There are some notable differences in pacing or mechanics.

What Card Game games are similar to Z. Year One?

The best Card Game games similar to Z. Year One are G.I.R.L.S. will be Girls, Lara Croft Go, Balatro and Telltale Texas Hold ‘Em. All share the Card Game genre alongside other key Z. Year One attributes like card game strategy, turn-based strategy and single-player focus.

How is similarity to Z. Year One calculated?

We compare Z. Year One against every game in our catalog using 6 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 Z. Year One experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.

50 Games like Z. Year One that you should try

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Ranking compiled by Lluis Enric Mayans, Founder & Head of ContentUpdated May 19, 2026How this is calculatedOrdered by an attribute-similarity model, not editorial opinion.

Looking for games like Z. Year One? We analyzed its gameplay DNA — card game strategy, dark, oppressive atmosphere and horror setting — against over 6,700 titles. These 50 alternatives are ranked by real similarity, not marketing tags. G.I.R.L.S. will be Girls leads with 72/100, followed by the rest of the list.

iRank69/ 100

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GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

Top games similar to Z. Year One

50 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Z. Year One. Each one has been evaluated across 6 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.

#1G.I.R.L.S. will be GirlsClosest overall match

iRank63

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloDarkHorrorPost-ApocalypticMelee

Steam👍 63%· 263

Year 2015Dev ZooPlaytime ~5hOn PC

✓ Fits the turn-based strategy games cluster, with card game strategy, turn-based strategy and dark, oppressive atmosphere

≠ Its own twist: horror tension, puzzle design and vibe casual

"Are You Ready?" "School Girls Edition" for "Mahjong Pretty Girls Battle" has now appeared! An extraordinary collection of Pretty School Girls is waiting for you! The heated struggle to determine the world's top School Mahjong girl is about to begin!

Where it drifts furthest from Z. Year One: tone.

Genre100Game mode100Setting71Tone35

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloHorrorCasualNarrativeAnime

Steam👍 93%· 4.0KIGDB86· 5OC83· 19

Year 2015Dev Square Enix Montréal · Square EnixOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Both are turn-based strategy games — sharing turn-based strategy, card game strategy and horror setting

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, adventure storytelling and precision platforming, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Where it drifts furthest from Z. Year One: tone.

Genre100Game mode100Setting53Tone0

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Steam PS

#3Balatro

iRank93

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloCasualHardcoreNarrativeRelaxing

Steam👍 98%· 191KRAWG👍 86%· 263IGDB91· 5OC92· 64

Year 2024Dev LocalThunk · PlayStackPlaytime ~14hOn PC · PS · iOS

✓ Both are turn-based strategy games — sharing card game strategy, turn-based strategy and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: roguelike runs, vibe casual and punishing difficulty, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Balatro is a poker-inspired roguelike deck builder all about creating powerful synergies and winning big. Combine valid poker hands with unique Joker cards in order to create varied synergies and builds.

Where it drifts furthest from Z. Year One: tone.

Released 7 years after Z. Year One.

Genre100Game mode100Tone0

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Steam

#4Telltale Texas Hold ‘EmClosest on setting

iRank50

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloHorrorPost-ApocalypticTacticalCasual

Steam👍 68%· 370RAWG👍 24%· 21

Year 2008Dev Telltale GamesPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Both are turn-based strategy games — sharing card game strategy, turn-based strategy and horror setting

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, adventure storytelling and deep simulation, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Join poker's most outspoken players for a hand of Telltale Texas Hold'em, the card game stacked high with personality. Quips will fly, chips will fall, and you may just end up rolling in the aisles.

Where it drifts furthest from Z. Year One: tone.

It predates Z. Year One by 9 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Setting100Tone0

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Steam

#5Poker Night at the Inventory

iRank77

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloTacticalCasualFirst Person

Steam👍 90%· 9.7KRAWG👍 59%· 249MC71OC80· 12

Year 2010Dev Telltale GamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Same family of turn-based strategy games: card game strategy, turn-based strategy and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings sports simulation, vibe casual and combat tactical, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Four famous characters - Max (Sam & Max game series), RED Heavy (Team Fortress 2 game), Tycho (Penny Arcade webcomic), and Strong Bad (Homestar Runner web series) - just sit around a table in the underground casino called Inventory and play poker.

Where it drifts furthest from Z. Year One: tone.

Genre100Game mode100Tone0

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloCasualNarrativeFirst Person

Steam👍 88%· 7.4KRAWG👍 68%· 220MC75IGDB65· 3

Year 2013Dev Telltale GamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the turn-based strategy games cluster, with card game strategy, turn-based strategy and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: sports simulation, puzzle design and adventure storytelling, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Playing poker is good in itself and as an occasion for live communication, a disclosure of communicative talents, a great way to spend time with friends. Especially if these friends know how to play and have fun playing. This poker simulator allows you to spend time in a beautiful company.

Where it drifts furthest from Z. Year One: tone.

Genre100Game mode100Tone0

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Steam Xbox

#7Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard from Vampire Survivors

iRank67

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloMeleeFantasyFirst PersonPixel Art

IGDB50· 1OC84· 44

Year 2021Dev DmAndyOn PC

✓ Both are turn-based strategy games — sharing turn-based strategy, card game strategy and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, melee combat and fantasy world, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Become the baron of a new vampire metropolis! Fend off eco-terrorist werewolves and rival vampires, build your wealth, and rise to the top in your empire. In early access until November 30th! Made for the official 2021 Vampire: the Masquerade game jam under Dark Pack.

Where it drifts furthest from Z. Year One: setting.

Released 4 years after Z. Year One.

Genre100Game mode100Setting0

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloMultiplayerMagicFantasyLoot

IGDB88· 9

Year 2014Dev Blizzard EntertainmentOn Android · PC · iOS

✓ Same family of turn-based strategy games: turn-based strategy, card game strategy and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: combat magic, fantasy world and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Where it drifts furthest from Z. Year One: setting.

Genre100Game mode54Setting0

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#9X-COM: UFO Defense

iRank83

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloDarkHorrorTacticalHardcore

Steam👍 95%· 4.0KRAWG👍 64%· 275IGDB85· 2

Year 1993Dev MicroProse Software · MicroProsePlaytime ~1hOn PC · PS · Commodore / Amiga

✓ Same family of turn-based strategy games: turn-based strategy, dark, oppressive atmosphere and horror setting

≠ Its own twist: roguelike runs, punishing difficulty and procedural generation, while skipping card game strategy

1999. Governments of the Earth have increasingly begun to receive reports of frequent UFO attacks on people and their abductions. To combat this scourge, they decide to create a service X-COM (Extraterrestrial Combat Unit ), which is designed to protect humanity from aliens. You play as the head of this service. The game is played in two modes: strategic and tactical.

It predates Z. Year One by 24 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone75Setting52

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Steam GOG

#10Legends of Runeterra

iRank86

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloMultiplayerFantasyIsometricFree to Play

IGDB83· 3OC88· 12

Year 2020Dev Riot GamesOn Android · PC · iOS

✓ Both are turn-based strategy games — sharing turn-based strategy, card game strategy and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings fantasy world, multiplayer gameplay and visual isometric, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Where it drifts furthest from Z. Year One: setting.

Released 3 years after Z. Year One.

Genre100Game mode54Setting0

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Epic

#11Infinity Wars: Animated Trading Card Game

iRank55

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloDarkPost-ApocalypticHorrorPvP

Steam👍 77%· 3.5KRAWG👍 21%· 34

Year 2014Dev Lightmare StudiosPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Fits the turn-based strategy games cluster, with turn-based strategy, card game strategy and dark, oppressive atmosphere

≠ Stands apart with competitive edge, combat tactical and setting scifi

Welcome to a unique trading card game that blends rich lore and artwork with innovative gameplay mechanics that are both simple to learn, and hard to master. Play with fully animated cards in 3D battlefields, and assemble decks from over 800 cards and 8 stylized factions.

Where it drifts furthest from Z. Year One: game mode and tone.

Genre100Setting72Tone49Game mode18

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloMultiplayerFantasyHistoricalMedieval

Steam👍 80%· 107

Year 1988Dev Interplay · Fujitsu InteractiveOn PC

✓ Both are turn-based strategy games — sharing turn-based strategy, card game strategy and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with fantasy world, historical setting and setting medieval, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Where it drifts furthest from Z. Year One: setting.

It predates Z. Year One by 29 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode54Setting0

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloDarkMultiplayerCo-opPvP

Steam👍 88%· 374

Year 2009Dev Apus Software · Three DonkeysPlaytime ~2hOn PC · iOS

✓ Both are turn-based strategy games — sharing turn-based strategy, card game strategy and dark, oppressive atmosphere

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, punishing difficulty and combat magic, while skipping horror setting

Open your mind and discover your power as you explore the world of Spectromancer!

Where it drifts furthest from Z. Year One: setting and game mode.

It predates Z. Year One by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Tone61Game mode17Setting0

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Steam

#14Governor of Poker 2

iRank73

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloCasualHistoricalIsometricFree to Play

Steam👍 73%· 185

Year 2010Dev I Sioux Game ProductionsPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Android

✓ Same family of turn-based strategy games: card game strategy, turn-based strategy and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, deep simulation and puzzle design, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Show them all, the Governor is not to be trifled with! Where have you been all those years? Lots of things have changed. Cities have grown, new people arrived... It’s all good, but some things cannot be accepted just like that! Howdy! Finally it’s there, Governor of Poker 2!

Where it drifts furthest from Z. Year One: tone and setting.

Genre100Game mode100Tone0Setting0

Details →

Steam

#15Duelyst

iRank76

GenreStrategySubgenreTurn-Based Strategy

SoloMultiplayerTacticalIsometricPixel Art

Steam👍 82%· 4.7KRAWG👍 55%· 102MC82IGDB82· 7OC80· 16

Year 2016Dev Counterplay Games · BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment USPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Same family of turn-based strategy games: card game strategy, turn-based strategy and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with combat tactical, multiplayer gameplay and visual isometric, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Duelyst is a digital collectible card game and turn-based strategy hybrid. The game has four expansions: Denizens of Shim'zar, Rise of the Bloodborn, Ancient Bonds, and Unearthed Prophecy. ###Gameplay In each round, two players must fight across a tactical battlefield.

Details →

Steam

Complete list of Z. Year One alternatives

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Z. Year One, 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.

Dead Man's Draw

Deck Builder · Turn-Based Strat

Abalone

Turn-Based Strat · Deck Builder

Card City Nights

Deck Builder · Adventure

The Elder Scrolls: Legends

Deck Builder · Turn-Based Strat

Guardians of Graxia

Turn-Based Strat · Deck Builder

Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013

Deck Builder · Turn-Based Strat

The Jackbox Party Pack 3

Turn-Based Strat · Deck Builder

Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012

Deck Builder · Puzzle

Magic 2014 — Duels of the Planeswalkers

Deck Builder · Turn-Based Strat

Cards and Castles

Deck Builder · Turn-Based Strat

Egyptian Senet

Turn-Based Strat · Deck Builder

Yu-Gi-Oh! Forbidden Memories

Turn-Based Strat · Deck Builder

Sentinels of the Multiverse

Deck Builder · Turn-Based Strat

60 Seconds!

Simulation · Survival

Magic 2015 - Duels of the Planeswalkers

Deck Builder · Turn-Based Strat

Teamfight Tactics

Turn-Based Strat · Deck Builder

UNO

Deck Builder · Turn-Based Strat

Hitman Go

Puzzle · Turn-Based Strat

XCOM: Chimera Squad

Turn-Based Strat

Mario Party DS

Puzzle · Turn-Based Strat

Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising

Turn-Based Strat

7 Grand Steps: What Ancients Begat

Turn-Based Strat · Deck Builder

Master of Orion 2

Turn-Based Strat

Master of Orion

Turn-Based Strat

Pokémon Trading Card Game Online

Turn-Based Strat · Deck Builder

Disciples II: Dark Prophecy

Turn-Based Strat

Triple Town

Puzzle · Turn-Based Strat

Sid Meier's Civilization II

Turn-Based Strat

Worms Armageddon

Platformer · Turn-Based Strat

Worms

Turn-Based Strat

Endless Space 2

Turn-Based Strat

Worms 3D

Turn-Based Strat

Endless Space

Turn-Based Strat

Sid Meier's Civilization

Turn-Based Strat

A Valley Without Wind 2

Adventure · Platformer

Explore games similar to Z. Year One by category

Rankings in the same genre

Best Turn-Based Strategy Games Best Strategy Games

Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Z. Year One?: The closest game to Z. Year One is G.I.R.L.S. will be Girls, scoring 72/100 on our similarity scale. They share 6 gameplay attributes, including card game strategy, turn-based strategy and single-player focus. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Z. Year One?: The three closest games to Z. Year One are: 1. G.I.R.L.S. will be Girls (72/100, 6 shared attributes) 2. Lara Croft Go (61/100, 4 shared attributes) 3. Balatro (59/100, 3 shared attributes). All share Z. Year One's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 6 dimensions.
Is Lara Croft Go similar to Z. Year One?: Yes — Lara Croft Go scores 61/100 similarity to Z. Year One. They share 4 attributes, including turn-based strategy and card game strategy. There are some notable differences in pacing or mechanics.
What Card Game games are similar to Z. Year One?: The best Card Game games similar to Z. Year One are G.I.R.L.S. will be Girls, Lara Croft Go, Balatro and Telltale Texas Hold ‘Em. All share the Card Game genre alongside other key Z. Year One attributes like card game strategy, turn-based strategy and single-player focus.
How is similarity to Z. Year One calculated?: We compare Z. Year One against every game in our catalog using 6 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 Z. Year One experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.