If you love RimWorld, with all its chaos and character-driven stories, you’re in good company. The blend of strategy, storytelling, and survival makes it incredibly addictive. But after many hours and trying every mod, you might want something fresh.
The good news is that there are plenty of games that capture RimWorld’s spirit and add their own spin. Whether you prefer the rugged world of Going Medieval, the tough choices in Prison Architect, or the cozy drama of Clanfolk, these games let you build from scratch and sometimes watch things go wrong because of your decisions.
Here are five games like RimWorld that are definitely worth adding to your collection.
Going Medieval
If you’ve ever wished RimWorld had knights, hay roofs, and a medieval setting, Going Medieval is for you. In this alternate timeline, most people are gone, and you guide survivors as they rebuild society from scratch. Think of it as RimWorld with plagues and pitchforks.
You’ll build multi-level fortresses, manage food, and face threats from bandits to starvation, all while keeping your settlers sane. The voxel-based building system lets you focus on architecture, and the game’s events create lots of unexpected moments, just like when Bob the drunk butcher in RimWorld accidentally sets the barn on fire.
Prison Architect
Prison Architect might not seem like a colony sim at first, but it actually has a lot in common with RimWorld. You’re in charge of building and running a high-security prison, designing every wall, managing resources, hiring staff, and handling unpredictable prisoners who sometimes riot for no reason.
The AI personalities are complex, the logistics are tough, and every choice you make affects everything. It has the same tension as RimWorld, where one mistake can cause chaos. And, like RimWorld, the stories almost write themselves.
Clanfolk
RimWorld is famous for its harshness and dark humor, but Clanfolk is a gentler, more personal colony sim. Set in the Scottish Highlands, you guide one family through generations. You still manage food, shelter, and weather, but the focus is on caring for your people rather than just surviving threats.
The game stands out in its small moments, like watching children grow, elders share wisdom, and systems develop on their own. It’s more about community than combat, so it’s a great pick if you want RimWorld’s depth without the stress.
Norfolk
Norfolk is a hidden gem for colony sim fans. It doesn’t have as many dramatic twists as RimWorld, but it gives you the same feeling of building something meaningful from the ground up. You’ll manage resources, plan settlements, and guide your town through seasons and challenges, finding your own path forward.
Norfolk doesn’t have wild story generators or dangerous animals, but it offers satisfying long-term planning and creative sandbox play. It’s a more relaxed game, but still very rewarding.
Oxygen Not Included
Oxygen Not Included is a bit different, but it’s a great choice. This challenging colony sim is set in space and requires careful planning, problem-solving, and patience as your crew faces tough situations. While RimWorld is dramatic, ONI is about managing complex systems like heat, gas, plumbing, and food chains, which can run smoothly or fall apart.
There’s no combat, but danger is always around. It’s perfect for RimWorld fans who like micromanagement and want to test their problem-solving skills. The art style is charming, but your base can quickly become a disaster if you miss something.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re interested in medieval survival, prison management, family stories, or space micromanagement, each of these games brings RimWorld’s magic in its own way. They’ll challenge you to think, adapt, and probably fail a few times before you succeed.
