The best colony sim games

For more top-notch recommendations, check out our list of the best colony sims games like RimWorld.

Why are colony sim games so good?

Truth be told, most of us will never experience the thrill of ruling over a city or even a country (maybe for our good?). That is why it is so intriguing to command a settlement in a video game. A good title from the genre involves all sorts of duties and factors that normally would be bound with responsibility if something goes wrong. Thankfully, the world of video games is more forgiving of mistakes. 😉

On the other hand, numerous games will show you the consequences of your actions, regardless of your good intentions. For instance, Frostpunk leaves you with no “good” or “bad” decisions to make. There are only actions you need to implement for your city to work. Whether they are morally acceptable or not is another thing. 

The best colony building involves many other aspects that require choosing one factor over the rest. Is advancing technologically at a faster pace better than stable, slow growth? Should the resources be stored for later, or should they be utilized as soon as possible? Sim games may not often strike as a serious leadership skill exercise. Still, they convey the real scale of goods management, allowing the player to understand how many sectors have to be taken into consideration. It makes them feel real and, ultimately, enjoyable.

Browse the best colony sim games

Even though it may seem a bit odd, many gamers want realistic, accurate gameplay that punishes you for your mistakes. Nonetheless, the setting does not have to be so down-to-earth. In this case, managing a space colony in RimWorld is the way to go! An unknown world and a couple of survivors you begin with – it’s up to you if space colonization will be a success. 

If you are not a big fan of science-fiction, what about a bit of fantasy? Timberborn is a city builder who puts you in charge of a beaver colony. Humans are long gone, but life goes on. As beavers are experienced workers IRL as well, they can take care of not only building shelters but also controlling the flow of water. Unfortunately, droughts are quite a common thing here, so water is priceless, and managing it is essential for survival. For a game featuring animals, it is equally as humorous as meticulous in its mechanics.

Most genre examples show that base building is the key to success. They can be a bit simplified when compared to reality, and there are times when you get overwhelmed by the number of possibilities. Either way, colony sim games offer long hours of gameplay and even more time for debating whether you should focus on one thing or another, which makes the genre even better.