20 Games Like Frostpunk for Strategy Enthusiasts

games like frostpunk

We’re diving into the icy world of Frostpunk and exploring some other fantastic games that share its bone-chilling DNA. Developed by 11-bit studios, Frostpunk is a unique blend of city-building, survival, and strategy, set in a grim, post-apocalyptic world.

The game has gained a massive following and for good reason. With its captivating visuals, immersive storytelling, and challenging gameplay, it’s no wonder that gamers like us are craving more.

I’ve braved the frozen wastelands, scoured the darkest corners of the gaming world, and emerged with a list of 20 games like Frostpunk that’ll give you the same thrilling experience. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in and explore these icy alternatives.

They Are Billions

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First up on our list is They Are Billions, a steampunk-infused real-time strategy game developed by Numantian Games. Set in a post-apocalyptic world infested by swarms of ravenous zombies, you’re tasked with building and defending a colony against the relentless undead hordes. Talk about high stakes!

Similar to Frostpunk, They Are Billions has you juggling survival, base-building, and strategy. Resource management is crucial, as you’ll need to gather materials to fortify your defenses and expand your colony. And just like Frostpunk, one wrong move could mean disaster for your people. The tension is palpable, and the steampunk aesthetic adds a unique twist that sets it apart. If you’re a fan of the survival and strategy elements in Frostpunk, They Are Billions is sure to scratch that itch.

Surviving Mars

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Next up, we’re trading the frozen tundra for the cold vacuum of space with Surviving Mars. Developed by Haemimont Games and published by Paradox Interactive, this sci-fi city-building game puts you in charge of creating a thriving Mars colony. Sounds easy, right? Well, think again! With limited resources and countless challenges, you’ll need to put your strategic thinking cap on to ensure your colony’s survival.

Surviving Mars shares Frostpunk’s focus on city-building and resource management, with the added challenge of dealing with the harsh environment of Mars. You’ll need to carefully plan your infrastructure, research new technologies, and manage your colonists’ needs to keep everything running smoothly. Throw in some random events and mysteries to uncover, and you’ve got a recipe for a thrilling gaming experience that’s out of this world.

Banished

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Taking a step back from the post-apocalyptic theme, we have Banished, a city-building strategy game developed by Shining Rock Software. In Banished, you’re tasked with guiding a group of exiled travelers as they attempt to create a new life for themselves in an untamed wilderness. You’ll need to manage resources, construct buildings, and ensure the well-being of your citizens in order to succeed.

While Banished doesn’t have the same grim atmosphere as Frostpunk, it does share a strong focus on survival, city-building, and population management. The game’s open-ended nature allows for a variety of playstyles, and the dynamic weather and changing seasons will keep you on your toes. If you love the challenge of guiding a struggling community through adversity, Banished is definitely worth checking out.

Anno 1800

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Get ready to dive into the industrial revolution with Anno 1800, a city-building and strategy game developed by Blue Byte and published by Ubisoft. Set during the 19th century, Anno 1800 has you overseeing the growth of your city, managing resources, and exploring new lands to establish trade routes and expand your empire.

While Anno 1800 doesn’t share Frostpunk’s post-apocalyptic setting, it does offer a compelling city-building experience with a focus on resource management and industrialization. The game’s rich historical backdrop and attention to detail make for an immersive experience that’s both challenging and rewarding. If you’re looking for a strategy game with a strong emphasis on city-building and a touch of history, Anno 1800 is a fantastic choice.

RimWorld

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Next up, we have RimWorld, a sci-fi colony management game developed by Ludeon Studios. In RimWorld, you’ll be responsible for the well-being of a group of survivors who crash-land on a distant, procedurally generated planet. With limited resources and a hostile environment to contend with, you’ll need to build a thriving colony while navigating a myriad of challenges.

RimWorld shares many similarities with Frostpunk, including survival, colony management, and environmental challenges. The game’s complex AI-driven storytelling system adds a unique twist, ensuring that no two playthroughs are the same. You’ll need to manage your colonists’ moods, relationships, and needs while also dealing with external threats like raiders and deadly creatures. If you’re a fan of Frostpunk’s survival aspects and crave a deep, engaging experience, RimWorld is an absolute must-play.

Oxygen Not Included

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Take a deep breath and prepare to plunge into the world of Oxygen Not Included, a space-colony simulation game developed by Klei Entertainment. In this quirky, 2D sci-fi game, you’re in charge of managing a group of “duplicants” as they strive to build a sustainable colony deep within an alien asteroid.

Oxygen Not Included shares Frostpunk’s focus on resource management and base-building, with the added challenge of managing a complex and interconnected set of systems to ensure your colony’s survival. You’ll need to manage oxygen levels, temperature, food production, and more, all while keeping your duplicants happy and productive.

With its charming art style and engaging gameplay, Oxygen Not Included offers a breath of fresh air for fans of Frostpunk and other survival strategy games.

Cities: Skylines

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Next on our list is Cities: Skylines, a modern take on the classic city-building genre developed by Colossal Order and published by Paradox Interactive. In Cities: Skylines, you’ll be tasked with creating and managing a bustling metropolis, handling everything from zoning to infrastructure planning and public services.

While Cities: Skylines may not share Frostpunk’s survival elements or post-apocalyptic setting, it does offer an incredibly satisfying city-building experience with a focus on resource management and infrastructure planning. The game’s extensive modding community also adds a wealth of customization options, ensuring endless hours of urban planning fun. If you enjoy the city-building aspects of Frostpunk and are looking for a more contemporary setting, Cities: Skylines is an excellent choice.

Planetbase

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Buckle up and get ready for another interstellar adventure with Planetbase, a space settlement builder developed by Madruga Works. In Planetbase, you’ll guide a group of space settlers as they attempt to establish a colony on various types of planets, each with its own unique challenges and environmental hazards.

Planetbase shares many similarities with Frostpunk, including survival, base-building, and environmental challenges. You’ll need to carefully manage resources, plan your infrastructure, and protect your colonists from harsh weather, solar flares, and even meteor showers. With a variety of planets to explore and conquer, Planetbase offers a fresh and engaging experience for fans of Frostpunk and other survival strategy games.

Northgard

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Last but not least, we have Northgard, a strategy game inspired by Norse mythology and developed by Shiro Games. In Northgard, you’ll lead a group of Vikings as they explore and settle the mysterious new continent of Northgard, battling rival clans, harsh winters, and mythical creatures along the way.

Northgard shares Frostpunk’s emphasis on strategy, resource management, and harsh environments. You’ll need to carefully manage your clan’s resources, expand your territory, and establish trade routes to ensure your people’s survival.

The game’s unique blend of city-building, real-time strategy, and exploration makes for an engaging and challenging experience that’s perfect for fans of Frostpunk. With its captivating art style and intriguing mythology, Northgard is sure to keep you entertained for hours on end.

Endzone: A World Apart

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Post-apocalyptic fans, rejoice! Endzone: A World Apart, developed by Gentlymad Studios and published by Assemble Entertainment, is a city-builder and survival game set in a world ravaged by nuclear disaster. As the leader of a group of survivors, your mission is to rebuild civilization amidst the harsh and unforgiving environment.

Endzone shares many similarities with Frostpunk, including survival, city-building, and a post-apocalyptic setting. You’ll need to manage resources, construct buildings, and carefully navigate the dangers of radiation, droughts, and sandstorms.

The game’s dynamic weather system and challenging scenarios will put your strategic skills to the test. If you’re looking for a game that captures the essence of Frostpunk’s survival and city-building elements in a different setting, Endzone: A World Apart is definitely worth a look.

Surviving the Aftermath

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The apocalypse never looked so good in Surviving the Aftermath, a post-apocalyptic city-builder and survival game developed by Iceflake Studios and published by Paradox Interactive. Your task? Lead a group of survivors as they attempt to rebuild society in a world devastated by a catastrophic event.

Similar to Frostpunk, Surviving the Aftermath places a strong emphasis on survival, city-building, and resource management. You’ll need to carefully balance the needs of your colony while navigating a treacherous world filled with hostile factions, unpredictable weather, and scarce resources.

With its immersive gameplay and unique post-apocalyptic setting, Surviving the Aftermath is an excellent choice for gamers looking for a fresh take on the Frostpunk formula.

Life is Feudal: Forest Village

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Step back in time with Life is Feudal: Forest Village, a medieval city-builder and survival game developed by Mindillusion and published by Bitbox Ltd. In this game, you’ll guide a group of settlers as they strive to create a thriving community amidst the dangers and challenges of the medieval world.

While Life is Feudal: Forest Village doesn’t share Frostpunk’s dystopian setting, it does offer a strong focus on city-building, survival, and population management. You’ll need to gather resources, construct buildings, and manage the needs of your citizens while dealing with threats like harsh weather, diseases, and wildlife.

The game’s realistic medieval setting and deep gameplay mechanics make it an engaging and challenging experience for fans of Frostpunk and other survival strategy games.

Aven Colony

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Embark on an interstellar adventure with Aven Colony, a sci-fi city-builder developed by Mothership Entertainment and published by Team17. In Aven Colony, you’re tasked with establishing and managing a human settlement on the distant planet of Aven Prime, a world teeming with alien life and environmental challenges.

Aven Colony shares many similarities with Frostpunk in terms of city-building, resource management, and environmental challenges. You’ll need to carefully plan your colony’s infrastructure, balance the needs of your citizens, and adapt to the various biomes of Aven Prime, each with its own unique hazards.

With its beautiful alien landscapes and engaging gameplay, Aven Colony offers a fresh and exciting experience for fans of Frostpunk who are looking to explore new worlds.

Rise to Ruins

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If you’re in the mood for a game that combines classic real-time strategy with modern survival and city-building elements, Rise to Ruins, developed by Raymond Doerr and published by SixtyGig Games, might be right up your alley. In this unique pixel-art game, you’ll manage a village and protect your people from the relentless onslaught of monsters that emerge each night.

Rise to Ruins shares Frostpunk’s focus on survival, city-building, and strategy, with the added challenge of defending your village from hordes of creatures. You’ll need to manage resources, build defenses, and keep your villagers happy to ensure your village’s survival. The game’s retro pixel-art style and blend of gameplay mechanics create a charming and addictive experience that’s perfect for fans of Frostpunk and other strategy games.

Cliff Empire

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Take city-building to new heights with Cliff Empire, a post-apocalyptic city-builder developed by Lion’s Shade. In Cliff Empire, you’ll construct and manage a series of interconnected cities atop towering cliffs, striving to rebuild civilization in a world devastated by nuclear war.

Cliff Empire shares similarities with Frostpunk in terms of city-building, resource management, and environmental challenges. You’ll need to carefully manage your resources, plan your infrastructure, and balance the needs of your citizens while navigating the limited space available on the cliffs. The game’s stunning visuals and unique setting make for an engaging and challenging experience that’s sure to appeal to fans of Frostpunk and other city-building games.

Atomic Society

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Embrace the post-apocalyptic world in Atomic Society, a city-builder and survival game developed by Far Road Games. In Atomic Society, you’re responsible for rebuilding society amidst the ruins of a nuclear wasteland, dealing with the moral dilemmas and challenges that arise in this harsh new world.

Atomic Society shares many similarities with Frostpunk, including survival, city-building, and a post-apocalyptic setting. You’ll need to manage resources, construct buildings, and make difficult moral decisions that will shape the future of your society.

The game’s emphasis on social issues and moral choices adds a unique layer of depth that sets it apart from other city-building games. If you’re a fan of Frostpunk and looking for a fresh take on the genre, Atomic Society is definitely worth checking out.

Tropico 6

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Get ready to rule your own tropical paradise in Tropico 6, a city-building and management sim developed by Limbic Entertainment and published by Kalypso Media. As El Presidente, you’ll have complete control over the fate of your island nation, balancing the needs of your citizens with the demands of rival political factions and foreign powers.

While Tropico 6 doesn’t share Frostpunk’s survival elements or post-apocalyptic setting, it does offer a compelling city-building experience with a strong focus on political strategy and resource management. You’ll need to carefully plan your island’s infrastructure, manage your economy, and make tough decisions to ensure your people’s well-being.

With its vibrant Caribbean setting and engaging gameplay, Tropico 6 is a great choice for gamers looking for a lighter, more colorful alternative to Frostpunk.

Foundation

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Step back in time once more with Foundation, a medieval city-building game developed by Polymorph Games. In Foundation, you’ll construct a sprawling city complete with monuments, markets, and farms, all while managing the needs of your growing population.

Foundation shares many similarities with Frostpunk in terms of city-building, resource management, and population management. However, it sets itself apart with its unique organic building system, which allows for the creation of sprawling, realistic cities that adapt to the game’s procedurally generated terrain.

The game’s lush, colorful visuals and immersive medieval setting make for a refreshing change of pace from Frostpunk’s grim atmosphere. If you’re a fan of city-building games and looking for something with a historical twist, Foundation is well worth a look.

Project Aura

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Dive into a futuristic world with Project Aura, a colony management and city-building game developed by Pixel Quality Games. In Project Aura, you’re in charge of a colony of climate refugees, known as “Aurons,” who are tasked with rebuilding civilization in the wake of a global climate catastrophe.

Project Aura shares many similarities with Frostpunk, including survival, city-building, and a focus on environmental challenges. You’ll need to manage resources, develop new technologies, and carefully plan your colony’s infrastructure to ensure its success.

The game’s futuristic setting and unique energy management mechanics make for an engaging and challenging experience that’s perfect for fans of Frostpunk looking for a different spin on the genre.

Going Medieval

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Last but not least, we have Going Medieval, a medieval colony management game developed by Foxy Voxel and published by The Irregular Corporation. Set in an alternate history where 95% of the population has been wiped out by the plague, you’ll guide a group of survivors as they attempt to rebuild society in a harsh and unforgiving world.

Going Medieval shares Frostpunk’s emphasis on survival, city-building, and population management. You’ll need to gather resources, construct buildings, and defend your settlement from raids and other threats. The game’s blend of medieval history, realistic building mechanics, and engaging gameplay make it an excellent choice for fans of Frostpunk and other survival strategy games.


There you have it, 20 amazing games like Frostpunk that are sure to keep you entertained and engaged for hours on end. Each game offers its own unique spin on the survival, city-building, and strategy genres, providing a wealth of options for fans of Frostpunk to explore. Whether you’re looking to conquer new worlds, rebuild society in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, or rule over a tropical paradise, there’s a game on this list for you.

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