The Best Colony Games for PC Windows

Update : Paragon Pioneers 2 added at rank #47.
1

Dwarf Fortress (2022)

View Similar Games
90
Review score
Logo of Dwarf Fortress Screenshot of Dwarf Fortress Screenshot of Dwarf Fortress Screenshot of Dwarf Fortress

PC Windows IOS iPhone

Dwarf Fortress is an incredibly detailed, complex game where you help a colony of dwarves build a settlement by carving out bedrooms, dining halls and other necessary structures from the side of a mountain. You don't control individual dwarves but instead provide instructions for them to follow, with each dwarf having their own needs and wants that you become familiar with as you play.

Buy

What we like:
  • Robust mouse support
  • New tutorial to help new players understand menus
  • Complex web of characters and relationships
  • Simulated world is full of surprises both big and small
  • Ability to create artifacts and engravings that tell stories
What could be improved:
  • Inscrutability can be off-putting for those expecting a more streamlined experience
  • Convoluted user interface can make it difficult to figure out what is even possible in the game or how to access the different menus

  • simulation
  • colony
  • management
  • city-building
  • procedural
  • moddable
  • base-building
  • pixel
  • survival
  • economy
  • fantasy
  • construction
  • sandbox
  • text
  • resource-management

2

RimWorld (2018)

View Similar Games
96
Review score
Logo of RimWorld Screenshot of RimWorld Screenshot of RimWorld Screenshot of RimWorld

PC Windows Xbox One Mac OS Linux

RimWorld is a life simulator and management game set in a remote planet in the distant future. It features a unique character generation system to create complex personalities with flaws, drives and needs, as well as a story generator that creates unexpected scenarios for players to face.


What we like:
  • Unique character generation system
  • Story generator creates unpredictable scenarios
  • Tons of mods for everything
  • Includes interaction bubbles to show interactions as they happen
What could be improved:
  • Unintuitive UI
  • Busy work tasks can be tedious

  • colony
  • simulation
  • base-building
  • survival
  • management
  • farming
  • pirates
  • sci-fi
  • sandbox
  • building

3

Tropical Resort Story (2022)

View Similar Games
98
Review score
Logo of Tropical Resort Story Screenshot of Tropical Resort Story Screenshot of Tropical Resort Story Screenshot of Tropical Resort Story

PC Windows IOS iPhone Android Nintendo Switch Playstation 4

In Tropical Resort Story, you get to develop your own lush island full of nature and create the most luxurious resort possible. From building accommodations to discovering great travel packages, you can make your guests' dreams come true. Improve the ocean water quality by adding marine plants and rocks in the ocean, and releasing fish you've caught while fishing. With more tourists visiting your island, you get to open stores and restaurants, and even create new products. This game will keep you hooked on creating your tropical paradise!

Buy

What we like:
  • Ability to create immersive natural environment
  • Opportunity to collaborate with business partners
  • Discovering winning combinations of features
  • Colorful and appealing graphics and sound effects
  • Easy to learn and play
What could be improved:
  • Janky handling on desktop
  • Narrow grid range makes building efficiency difficult
  • Limited challenge, low pressure gameplay

  • colony
  • simulation
  • city-building
  • 2d
  • casual
  • nature
  • building
  • pixel
  • cute
  • colourful
  • relaxing
  • fishing

4

Paragon Pioneers (2022)

View Similar Games
90
Review score
Logo of Paragon Pioneers Screenshot of Paragon Pioneers Screenshot of Paragon Pioneers Screenshot of Paragon Pioneers

Linux Mac OS PC Windows Android IOS iPhone

Paragon Pioneers is a casual island management game where you build and manage a series of island nations. It offers over 100+ buildings to advance through and has an abstract look and mechanics that make it easy to manage on small screens. It's a stress-free game for casual players.

Buy

What we like:
  • Detailed explanations and tutorials
  • No ads or premium currencies
  • Easy to pick up and put down
  • Reminiscent of the Anno series with idle gameplay
  • No inherent time limit
  • Over 100+ buildings to advance through
What could be improved:
  • Long waiting times
  • Lack of a thrilling narrative
  • Game mechanics become increasingly complex
  • Colonization aspect may be troublesome for some players
  • Combat has a limited army size and isn't very interesting

  • idler
  • city-building
  • colony
  • tutorial
  • management
  • base-building
  • building
  • simulation
  • medieval
  • crafting
  • economy
  • top-down
  • relaxing
  • 2d
  • resource-management

5

Space Haven (2020)

View Similar Games
87
Review score
Logo of Space Haven Screenshot of Space Haven Screenshot of Space Haven Screenshot of Space Haven

PC Windows Mac OS Linux

Space Haven is an early access game where you can design your own ship and manage your crew as you embark on a journey to save humanity. Build your spaceship tile by tile, explore the vast universe, engage in tactical ship-to-ship combat and witness the drama and emotions of your crew. The game allows for complete freedom to customize and design your ship symmetrically or asymmetrically.


What we like:
  • Great sprites and sublime music
  • Game is approachable with a balanced feel
  • Unlimited freedom to build your own ship
  • Core game loop is engaging and not monotonous
  • Developers fully commited
What could be improved:
  • Lacks crew leveling up
  • Lacks variety in gameplay beyond building bigger ship and fending off pirates.

  • colony
  • simulation
  • base-building
  • space
  • management
  • tile
  • resource-management
  • sandbox
  • pirates
  • building
  • sci-fi
  • city-building
  • resource
  • survival-strategy

6

Kingdom Eighties (2023)

View Similar Games
78
Review score
Logo of Kingdom Eighties Screenshot of Kingdom Eighties Screenshot of Kingdom Eighties Screenshot of Kingdom Eighties

Android Nintendo Switch Linux Mac OS PC Windows Xbox One IOS iPhone

Kingdom Eighties is a standalone expansion to the award-winning Kingdom series. A singleplayer epic adventure of micro-strategy and base building. Defend your town against the mysterious Greed, and discover the secrets of your family lineage!

Buy

  • pixel
  • micro-strategy
  • colony
  • base-building
  • city-building
  • tower-defense
  • strategy
  • simulation
  • survival
  • economy
  • resource-management
  • building
  • skateboard
  • medieval
  • procedural

7

Cafe Master Story (2023)

View Similar Games
91
Review score
Logo of Cafe Master Story Screenshot of Cafe Master Story Screenshot of Cafe Master Story Screenshot of Cafe Master Story

Nintendo Switch PC Windows IOS iPhone Android

Serve up food, drinks, and smiles in this retro cafe management sim!

Buy

  • simulation
  • colony
  • life
  • cooking
  • city-building
  • 2d
  • sandbox
  • pixel
  • casual
  • table
  • top-down
  • building

8

Zoo Park Story (2023)

View Similar Games
85
Review score
Logo of Zoo Park Story Screenshot of Zoo Park Story Screenshot of Zoo Park Story Screenshot of Zoo Park Story

Nintendo Switch PC Windows IOS iPhone Android

Well, what are you waiting for? Build a top-ranking zoo, set social media ablaze, and show the world your wild side!

Buy

  • simulation
  • colony
  • zoo
  • zoo-goers
  • top-ranking
  • nature
  • life
  • city-building
  • pixel
  • casual
  • top-down
  • building
  • snow
  • romance
  • 2d

9

Jumbo Airport Story (2022)

View Similar Games
91
Review score
Logo of Jumbo Airport Story Screenshot of Jumbo Airport Story Screenshot of Jumbo Airport Story Screenshot of Jumbo Airport Story

Xbox One Playstation 4 PC Windows IOS iPhone Android Nintendo Switch Xbox Series X j

Jumbo Airport Story is a fun and wholesome simulation game where you get to run your very own airport! With a vibrant pixelated style, the game offers a lot of buildings and items to purchase, and finding the perfect combinations is rewarding. The game also offers a constant flow of activity, making it addictive and enjoyable to play.

Buy

What we like:
  • Lots of buildings and items to purchase
  • Constant flow of activity
  • Addictive gameplay
  • Rewards in medals
  • Carries over progress to new games
What could be improved:
  • Annoying menu for building placement
  • Text appears as blocks sometimes
  • A few translation issues
  • Touchscreen functionality not fully optimized
  • No multiplayer mode available

  • flight
  • colony
  • simulation
  • city-building
  • 2d
  • strategy
  • real-time
  • entertainment
  • pixel
  • top-down
  • casual
  • building
  • cute

10

Timberborn (2021)

View Similar Games
87
Review score
Logo of Timberborn Screenshot of Timberborn Screenshot of Timberborn Screenshot of Timberborn

early access PC Windows Mac OS

Timberborn is a unique city builder game where you manage a society of beavers in a post-apocalyptic world. With a focus on water and food resources, players must create dams and other structures to control rivers and survive droughts. The game offers a relaxed building experience with a novel water mechanic that refreshes the genre. It is a worthy purchase for fans of colony/survival simulators seeking a unique and refreshing challenge.


What we like:
  • Unique beaver cast of characters
  • High degree of control over society shape
  • Novel water mechanic
  • Verticality offers multi-layered societies
  • Challenging gameplay
What could be improved:
  • Perfomance issue on big town
  • Lack of late-game content
  • Early game only provides traditional needs
  • No storyline or scripted challenges

  • city-building
  • colony
  • survival
  • base-building
  • building
  • simulation
  • automation
  • management
  • post-apocalyptic
  • agriculture
  • resource-management
  • science
  • editor

Not seeing your game?