Similar games

Games like Dwarf Fortress

PCSteam Deck playable94 % positive30.49 €

An immensely deep simulation where you build and manage a dwarven fortress or roam a procedurally generated, persistent world as an adventurer. Its interlocking systems produce chaotic, memorable stories, though the learning curve is notoriously steep.

Sandbox with your own goals
Deep systems to master
Building and crafting
Economy and management

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More in these topics: Open-world games Roguelikes and roguelites Dark fantasy games Tactics games

The closest matches for Dwarf Fortress are Dwarf Fortress, Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead and Odd Realm. Each of these 10 games shares something of what makes Dwarf Fortress special – the reasons are listed right on each game.

In short: games like Dwarf Fortress

Best alternative overall: Dwarf Fortress 97% match – Sandbox with your own goals
With more action: Caves of Qud 88% match – with combat

Best match

Dwarf Fortress

97 %Match

2022PCSteam Deck playable94 % positive30.49 €

You build and manage a dwarven fortress in a deeply simulated world where every dwarf has its own personality and every system interacts. Watch your civilization decline and use the lessons for your next attempt.

Similar games →

Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead

Sandbox with your own goals

An enormously deep open-source survival roguelike in a post-apocalyptic New England where you juggle hunger, illness and zombies, build vehicles and shelters, and carve out your own goals with no fixed objective.

Odd Realm

Economy and management

A pixel-art colony simulation in a procedurally generated fantasy world where you guide settlers to build, explore and survive threats. Reminiscent of Dwarf Fortress but more approachable, with a quirky sense of humor.

Elin

Sandbox with your own goals

Elin is the successor to the cult roguelike Elona: a huge sandbox world of adventuring, survival, crafting and home-building where you can do almost anything. It offers deep character growth, companions and a quirky tone.

RimWorld

Sandbox with your own goals

A colony sim where an AI storyteller turns raids, famines and your settlers' personal dramas into unique, often darkly funny emergent stories. Its deep simulation and per-colonist management make every run unpredictable.

KeeperRL

Economy and management

You play an evil wizard who builds a dungeon, trains minions, sets traps and fends off invading heroes. Its mix of Dwarf Fortress-style real-time base building and roguelike adventure sets it apart.

Gnomoria

Sandbox with your own goals

A Dwarf Fortress-style colony management sandbox where you lead a small band of gnomes, dig deep, craft goods and defend your settlement as it grows into a kingdom.

Amazing Cultivation Simulator

Economy and management

A Xianxia-themed sandbox management sim where you guide cultivators and a sect, gather resources, learn techniques, and strive to ascend in a procedurally generated world full of dangers.

Caves of Qud

Open world

An extremely deep science-fantasy roguelike where you explore a vast, part handcrafted, part procedural world turn by turn. Dozens of mutations and interlocking simulation systems enable unusual builds and emergent stories where you can do almost anything.

Oxygen Not Included

Economy and management

A deep colony sim inside an asteroid where you keep your Duplicants alive by managing oxygen, heat, food and waste through interlocking physics-like systems. Spectacular failures are part of the fun, often with dark humor.