Kenshi, in a nutshell, is an open-world, sandbox RPG that throws you into a post-apocalyptic world with no direction or objective, leaving you to survive and make your own story. It’s brutal, it’s complex, and it’s ridiculously fun. You’ve probably been searching high and low for games that can scratch the same itch Kenshi does.
So, what’s the deal with Kenshi? Why is it so addicting? Well, it’s the unique blend of strategy, survival, and RPG elements, combined with the freedom to do whatever you want. You can be a trader, a thief, a farmer, or just a wanderer exploring the beautifully desolate landscape. It’s all about carving your own path and living with the consequences. Not many games offer this level of freedom and complexity.
But fear not, there are other games out there that come pretty darn close. In this article, I’m going to share some of my favorite games that give off those Kenshi vibes. We’ll delve into what makes each game unique and how they compare to our beloved Kenshi.
Full list of games like Kenshi
Mount & Blade: Warband
Now, this gem is a bit older, but boy does it hold up. Mount & Blade: Warband offers an open-world RPG experience that’s a whole lot like Kenshi. You start with nothing, just like Kenshi, and build your way up. You can be a mercenary, a trader, or even a lord of your own fiefdom. The combat is more hands-on, and there’s a heavy emphasis on managing your band of followers. So, if you loved the squad-building and role-playing aspects of Kenshi, you should definitely give Warband a shot!
RimWorld
If you’re more into the base-building and survival aspects of Kenshi, then RimWorld is your game. It’s a colony sim where you manage a group of survivors on a distant world. The depth of this game is astounding – everything from the weather to your colonists’ moods affects gameplay. And just like Kenshi, every playthrough tells a different story. It’s a top-down game, so the perspective is different, but the spirit? It’s very much the same.
Factorio
Next up, we have Factorio. It’s less about survival and more about complex resource management and automation, but it definitely shares some similarities with Kenshi. You start with nothing, stranded on an alien planet, and you need to build and manage automated factories to prepare for your escape. It has a steep learning curve, and the level of complexity can be mind-boggling. But if you enjoy the satisfaction of watching your meticulously planned setup come to life in Kenshi, you might just love Factorio.
Project Zomboid
Project Zomboid is a hardcore, open-world survival game where you’re facing off against the ever-present threat of zombies. Sound different? Well, it is, but it also isn’t. Like Kenshi, it’s a game that doesn’t hold your hand. Survival is tough, and the game mechanics are deep and complex. You’ll need to manage everything from your mental health to your nutrition. And with the game’s recent updates adding more base-building and NPC interactions, it feels more and more like a zombie apocalypse version of Kenshi.
The Forest
So, imagine you’ve survived a plane crash, and now you’re stuck in a mysterious forest filled with cannibalistic mutants. That’s The Forest for you. This game is heavily focused on survival and base building. And like Kenshi, the world of The Forest is unforgiving and doesn’t pull any punches. You’ll have to manage resources, build shelters, and fend off those pesky cannibals. If you enjoyed the harsh survival aspects and base building in Kenshi, you’ll feel right at home in The Forest.
Don’t Starve
Don’t let the cartoony graphics of Don’t Starve fool you; this game is as brutal as they come. It’s all about survival – you need to manage your hunger, sanity, and health while exploring a strange and hostile world. There’s also a touch of base building and resource management thrown in. It doesn’t have the squad management or RPG elements of Kenshi, but if you’re into the survival aspect and love a challenge, Don’t Starve is definitely worth checking out.
Terraria
Terraria might look like a 2D Minecraft clone at first glance, but it’s so much more than that. It’s a sandbox game where you can build, explore, and survive in a vast procedurally generated world. There’s a surprising amount of depth here, with complex crafting systems, boss fights, and even NPC management. Terraria may not offer the same brutal survival experience as Kenshi, but its open-world exploration and base-building mechanics make it a worthy contender for this list.
Starbound
Starbound is pretty much Terraria in space, but it has its own unique flavor. You can explore different planets, each with its own biomes and creatures. Like Kenshi, you’re dropped into the world with minimal guidance, leaving you to forge your own path. You can choose to follow the story, or just explore the universe, building and crafting as you go. If you enjoyed the freedom and exploration aspects of Kenshi, Starbound might just be your cup of tea.
Conan Exiles
Conan Exiles is a survival game set in the brutal lands of Conan the Barbarian. In this game, you start with nothing and must navigate your way through a harsh, unforgiving world. You can build your own city, wage wars against your enemies, and even enslave the broken remnants of civilizations to do your bidding. Sound familiar? If you loved the base-building, combat, and survival elements in Kenshi, Conan Exiles might just be your next big adventure.
7 Days to Die
This game is an open-world zombie horde survival-crafting game. That’s a mouthful, huh? In 7 Days to Die, the goal is to survive as long as possible in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by the undead. The crafting and building system is deep and engaging, and the constant threat of zombie attacks keeps the tension high. The survival elements and base-building aspects of 7 Days to Die are sure to appeal to Kenshi fans.
Ark: Survival Evolved
Ark: Survival Evolved drops you on an island filled with dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures, and your only goal is to survive. You can build bases, tame dinosaurs, and team up with other players to survive. The game has a heavy focus on resource management, crafting, and base-building, much like Kenshi. If you enjoyed the open-world survival aspects of Kenshi, you might find Ark: Survival Evolved to be a thrilling (and prehistoric) alternative.
DayZ
DayZ is a hardcore open-world survival game set in the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse. It’s another brutal, unforgiving game where the only goal is to survive as long as possible. You’ll need to find food, water, weapons, and other supplies, all while avoiding or fighting off zombies and other players. It’s a different setting, but if you enjoyed the survival and exploration aspects of Kenshi, DayZ might be right up your alley.
Space Engineers
If you’re into crafting and building with a dash of survival, Space Engineers might be your new obsession. This game lets you design, build, and maintain your own spaceships and space stations. Think of it as Kenshi in space, but with a heavier focus on engineering and physics. The survival mode adds threats like meteor showers and hostile AI, which will keep you on your toes. If you loved the base building and complex mechanics of Kenshi, Space Engineers is worth a shot.
Starsector
Starsector is an open-world, single-player, top-down space RPG. You’re put in the role of a space captain with a small fleet, and it’s up to you to make a name for yourself in the vast, post-apocalyptic world. While it lacks the base building aspect of Kenshi, it offers a similar level of freedom, depth, and complexity, especially when it comes to managing your fleet and crew. If you loved the squad management and open-world exploration in Kenshi, Starsector might be your next adventure.
No Man’s Sky
No Man’s Sky offers a massive procedurally generated universe for you to explore. You can mine resources, craft items, build bases, and trade with alien civilizations. While it doesn’t have the same brutal survival elements as Kenshi, it offers a similar sense of freedom and exploration. If you enjoyed the crafting, base building, and open-world aspects of Kenshi, No Man’s Sky could be a fun and relaxing change of pace.
Subnautica
Subnautica is an underwater survival game that drops you into an alien ocean world with nothing but a life pod. You’ll need to manage your oxygen, explore underwater caves, build bases, and survive the creatures of the deep. The game offers a unique take on the survival genre, and its crafting and base building mechanics are reminiscent of Kenshi. If you loved the exploration and survival elements of Kenshi, Subnautica is definitely worth diving into.
State of Decay 2
State of Decay 2 is a zombie survival game with a heavy focus on community management. You control a group of survivors, each with their own skills and personalities, and it’s up to you to build a sustainable community in a world overrun by zombies. You’ll need to gather resources, build your base, and fend off zombie attacks, all while managing the morale and well-being of your community. If you loved the squad management, base building, and survival elements of Kenshi, State of Decay 2 might be just the game for you.
Miscreated
Last but certainly not least, we have Miscreated, another survival game set in a post-apocalyptic open world. You’ll need to manage your hunger, thirst, and temperature while scavenging for resources, building bases, and dealing with hostile players and creatures. The game offers a high level of freedom and a complex crafting system, which should appeal to fans of Kenshi’s survival and crafting mechanics. If you enjoyed the challenge and unpredictability of Kenshi, Miscreated might be your next big challenge.
And there you have it – a pretty solid list of games that, while not exactly like Kenshi, offer similar mechanics or themes. Whether you’re into survival, base building, squad management, or just the freedom to carve your own path in a complex game world, there’s something here for every Kenshi fan.
