Games like Light Up the Dark

76%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, stability

81% User Score Based on 1,184 reviews

Critic Score 50%Based on 1 reviews

The Apocalypse is here. Demons all around. Now, it’s time to fight back! Build, manage and defend your base in a post apocalyptic colony simulation. Will you survive Judgment day? If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Judgment: Apocalypse Survival Simulation.

84%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:stability, grinding

84% User Score Based on 2,022 reviews

— — — — music by Dunkel If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Flotsam.

64%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, story

Most mentioned negative aspects:stability, replayability

64% User Score Based on 862 reviews

Discover and mine resources for construction, light your way in the dark, explore and expand into your surroundings to advance your research. Capture the diverse, highly-adapted flora and fauna of the deep, but beware: the darkness hides unexpected horrors, with only the light keeping them at bay. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Surviving the Abyss.

92%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, humor

Most mentioned negative aspects:gameplay, story

92% User Score Based on 64 reviews

In Oceaneers, a survival-crafting colony simulation game, you manage a group of stranded survivors in a flooded world where sci-fi meets palm trees. With sinking islands, and scarce resources, you’ll need to grow an island colony, recruit new survivors and protect them from dangers on both land and sea! SURVIVE ON FLOATING ISLANDSThe ocean is scattered with floating islands powered by Float-… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Oceaneers.

65%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:stability, replayability

65% User Score Based on 193 reviews

DarkSwitch is a vertical survival city builder. Build a city on a great tree and defend it against the Fog. Face the challenges of limited real estate, scarce resources, and tough moral choices as you seek to uncover the mystery of the Shroud. The Tree Provides! The Tree Protects! The Tree Prevails! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to DarkSwitch.

Welcome Island About the GameYou've awakened. You find yourself in a mysterious world of floating islands, where the sky shimmers with an ethereal glow. The islands drift like fragmented dreams, surrounded by unfamiliar flora and an unknown ecosystem. You gradually adapt to this world's rules. You'll need to build a home and develop technology, starting from scratch—from primitive tools to… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to CLOUD DWELLERS.

61%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, grinding

72% User Score Based on 36 reviews

Discord Join our community on Discord to chat with the developers and other players! About the Game In a world of bunny societies, existence was shattered when an evil pharmaceutical company, known for its sinister experiments, bioengineered a virus that unleashed a catastrophic zombie outbreak. In the aftermath of the outbreak, you find yourself leading a group of survivors in a world where fl… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to The Colony 2044.

60%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:gameplay, stability

60% User Score Based on 65 reviews

Disclaimer: This game does NOT have deep simulation like Dwarf Fortress or Rimworld. It's similar, but the simulated elements are very simple in comparison. It's a survival settlement-builder with the goal of "beating" an individual world in 8-12 hours of gameplay. Manage your ever-growing settlement! Use the resources at your disposal to build structures necessary for survival. Rese… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Settler's Domain.

88%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music, atmosphere

Most mentioned negative aspects:gameplay, grinding

88% User Score Based on 84 reviews

In Goblin Camp, you’re in charge of a little band of goblins who want to make a new home for themselves in the middle world. Featuring 60 unique structures, over 100 items and over 80 crafting recipes, as well as 31 unlockable technologies, Goblin Camp has a lot for you to discover! Grow your camp from a collection of shacks and lean-tos into a bustling city of stone, develop new technologie… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Goblin Camp.

69%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, story

Most mentioned negative aspects:graphics, stability

69% User Score Based on 64 reviews

Mistward is a survival city-builder set on a mysterious island enshrouded in a poisonous mist! Create light sources to keep the mist at bay, build houses and command humans to gather resources. Explore the island and find a way out! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Mistward.

89%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:stability, grinding

93% User Score Based on 44,941 reviews

Critic Score 84%Based on 36 reviews

THE CITY MUST SURVIVE If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Frostpunk.

79%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:music, optimization

79% User Score Based on 370 reviews

A procedurally-generated, open-world, first-person colony sim. Build colonies in an infinite world, alone or with friends via Steam or self-hosted multiplayer. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Don't get lost.

66%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, grinding

65% User Score Based on 164 reviews

Critic Score 67%Based on 3 reviews

The Spatials are back with Galactology! Design, build and protect your colony station from the many enemies you will make while exploring the galaxy and exploding their homeworlds. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to The Spatials: Galactology.

80%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, story

Most mentioned negative aspects:graphics, stability

80% User Score Based on 161 reviews

After The Collapse is a 2D base building game set in a post-apocalyptic world featuring urban environments. Your task is to manage a band of survivors and protect them against raiders, mutants and other environmental threats while keeping them fed. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to After the Collapse.

60%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, stability

58% User Score Based on 496 reviews

Critic Score 64%Based on 4 reviews

Items included: - Gord - Base game - Gord - Digital Artbook Strategy - Gord - Chronicle - Gord - Hold Your Ground - Gord - Original Soundtrack - Gord - The Alliance If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Gord.

78%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, replayability

78% User Score Based on 293 reviews

Darfall is a strategy survival city-builder with RPG elements. You lead your hero with a band of warriors to defend your settlement, explore the corrupted land and craft new items. Expand your settlement and defeat the darkness coming from everywhere. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Darfall.

96%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, optimization

96% User Score Based on 97 reviews

See your civilization grow in a relaxing city builder that you’ll play at your own pace. Terraform and colonize a new planet by the means of magic. Reshape entire regions, conduct research, and create wondrous constructions! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Scorchlands.

66%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, atmosphere

Most mentioned negative aspects:replayability, optimization

66% User Score Based on 213 reviews

The Tribe Must Survive is a tribe-builder with a generous splash of survival and rogue-like. Whatever it takes... The Tribe Must Survive! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to The Tribe Must Survive.

93%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:replayability, music

93% User Score Based on 84 reviews

As soon as humanity had the means we sent out an interstellar colony ship. Its design was basic but elegant. And it made it all 40.7 light-years to Trappist-1.— Ship data files On arrival at Trappist-1 you control the Ark. A large spaceship/movable colony and trading hub for your exploration of Trappist-1. Trappist is a story-driven colony builder with resource management in the Trappist-1 solar… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Trappist.

93%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, stability

96% User Score Based on 51,372 reviews

Critic Score 80%Based on 1 reviews

Oxygen Not Included is a space-colony simulation game. Deep inside an alien space rock your industrious crew will need to master science, overcome strange new lifeforms, and harness incredible space tech to survive, and possibly, thrive. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Oxygen Not Included.

78%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, optimization

76% User Score Based on 3,372 reviews

Critic Score 81%Based on 11 reviews

Per Aspera is a narrative-driven strategy game with the goal of overcoming the challenge of terraforming Mars. Explore the planet, gather resources, and make strategic decisions as you live the fantasy of scientifically-based interplanetary expansion. Hardship awaits. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Per Aspera.

85%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:replayability, optimization

87% User Score Based on 1,314 reviews

Critic Score 78%Based on 3 reviews

Take a fantastical journey - fly the desert and build your domain. Airborne Kingdom uniquely blends city management and exploration, with a world and lore all its own. Build housing, gather food, satisfy needs, and grow your tribe. Maintain lift, discover resources, and explore the desert for lost technologies. The kingdom, your journey, their lives - all of it is up to you to decide. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Airborne Kingdom.

67%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:replayability, grinding

67% User Score Based on 296 reviews

TFM: The First Men is a strategy simulation enriched with character-driven base building, party-based exploration, and tactical real-time with pause combat. Inspired by the creation stories, Knights and Merchants, and Rimworld. Build your settlement with the help of various paths and crafts. Use countless traits, items, and skills to make the first men in your image. Raise and train children and … If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to TFM: The First Men.

86%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, optimization

94% User Score Based on 478 reviews

Critic Score 50%Based on 1 reviews

Terraform, strategize, and construct a Martian colony in this retro-inspired turn-based city builder. Create a comfortable living for your citizens, research alien artifacts, and uncover the secrets of the Red Planet. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Farlanders.

92%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, grinding

92% User Score Based on 950 reviews

A simulation game where you build a town in the middle of the sea. Reach self-sufficiency, invite travelers to join you, then manage their needs and research new facilities to keep them happy. Build a submarine and discover islands to produce increasingly complex resources. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Havendock.

72%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, story

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, stability

76% User Score Based on 3,996 reviews

Critic Score 63%Based on 3 reviews

Endzone is a post apocalyptic survival city builder, where you start a new civilization with a group of people after a global nuclear disaster. Build them a new home and ensure their survival in a shattered world, threatened by constant radiation, toxic rain, sandstorms and droughts. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Endzone: A World Apart.

Retro Sci-Fi in the DeepSet in a grounded, retro-futuristic, Jules Verne-inspired world where Earth’s surface is uninhabitable. You must survive in the unexplored ocean, which hides increasingly strange truths the deeper you descend. A Colony in MotionBuild and maintain a fully nomadic underwater settlement that must continuously relocate to survive shifting environments and resource depletion.… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Fathomless.

Build and grow your own colony in Wildwood, a thrilling town building game. Gather resources, craft tools, and expand your settlement with a robust logistics network. Start small and watch your colony thrive as you take control and guide it to greatness. Join the adventure now! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Wildwood: A Town Building Game.

94%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, optimization

94% User Score Based on 70 reviews

Roadmap About the GameAncient worldIt all starts in 10,000 B.C. You will have to go through a difficult path of human development - from the Paleolithic to the Iron Age. The game features a massive technology tree, the progression of which will change your play style from time to time, forcing you to adapt to new conditions. Meanwhile, your settlement will grow, becoming larger and more techno… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Humanica.

88%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, grinding

88% User Score Based on 78 reviews

If you enjoyed the Prologue, wishlist & follow the full game to get notified at launch About the GameThe free prologue of "Pax Autocratica" invites you to establish the foundations of the greatest regime in history in this darkly satirical totalitarian colony sim + FPS roguelite hybrid. You are tasked with managing and leading your citizens to spread your doctrine through the fir… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Pax Autocratica: Prologue.

93%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, story

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, stability

93% User Score Based on 4,294 reviews

The Wandering Village is a city-building simulation game with survival and rogue-like elements. Build a village on the back of a giant, wandering creature, farm crops and forage resources to keep your villagers alive and form a symbiotic relationship with your giant host to survive together in a hostile, yet beautiful post-apocalyptic world. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to The Wandering Village.

78%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:optimization, stability

78% User Score Based on 620 reviews

Critic Score 80%Based on 1 reviews

Build massive ocean cities and lead your people to prosperity in this post-apocalyptic survival colony sim. Featuring a physics-based 3D construction system, complex resource management, exploration, difficult political decisions, supply chains, and a robust sandbox mode. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to ALL WILL FALL.

78%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, story

Most mentioned negative aspects:stability, optimization

92% User Score Based on 36 reviews

What is Arhaekon? A challenging roguelike, turn-based RPG dungeon crawler set in a grimdark world on the brink of collapse. You lead small bands of units through procedurally generated dungeons, battling corruption and eldritch abominations to save humanity. Is it finished? Yes, Arhaekon left Early Access and is officially released since July 4th 2025. Why play this instead of other similar… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Arhaekon.

84%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, stability

84% User Score Based on 806 reviews

Odd Realm is a simulation game set in a procedurally generated, fantasy world where you foster a group of Settlers to help them build, explore, and survive... probably... If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Odd Realm.

88%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, story

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, stability

88% User Score Based on 588 reviews

Experience the unexpected thrill of a household chore in the latest next-generation AAAAA simulation experience: Dishwashing Simulator. New ground has been broken in the simulation genre, with a never-before-seen level of detail in the act of washing dishes. Explore a simulated world where every dish matters and survival hinges on your ability to keep things clean. Navigate through a twisted cycle… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Dishwashing Simulator.

84%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:replayability

Most mentioned negative aspects:gameplay, grinding

84% User Score Based on 50 reviews

Discover a unique blend of Colony Sim and Tactical RPG. Recruit and train your heroes, build your outpost, explore dungeons and engage in turn-based strategic battles to protect and expand your domain. Shape your stories by managing moods, relationships, ambitions and more! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Edge Islands.

78%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, music

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, gameplay

78% User Score Based on 100 reviews

Deep in uncharted space, your expedition took a challenging turn when your ship crash-landed. Master complex simulations to keep your outspoken explorers alive, face unpredictable challenges, and figure out a way back home. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Adaptory.

77%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, stability

93% User Score Based on 2,799 reviews

The Cataclismo left us broken. Construct fortresses and defend against waves of Horrors in this mix of tower defense and real-time strategy. Lead an expedition beyond the gates of the last city, and reclaim mist-shrouded ruins as you rebuild humanity—stone by stone. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Cataclismo.

79%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:optimization, grinding

79% User Score Based on 472 reviews

An ecosystem City Builder in a unique world. Build your settlement, manage your workers and optimize your resources. Analyzing your environment, spreading new plants, and harvesting them are key to prosperity. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Synergy.

88%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, stability

88% User Score Based on 508 reviews

Become the hive mind of a robot ant colony in Microtopia! Use pheromone trails to create, automate and optimize supply chains for your ants to follow. Collect resources, produce goods, feed your queen, grow your colony and fly out to expand the species! If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Microtopia.

61%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, grinding

75% User Score Based on 32 reviews

Seven Deadly Sins. Have you heard about the 8th? Delve into madness in Sin Slayers, a challenging RPG Roguelite where you decide how much sin to bear as you transform the world. Assemble a party of wicked adventurers, kill, and pillage to drive off a gluttonous nightmare in turn-based battle If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Sin Slayers: Reign of The 8th.

59%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:music

Most mentioned negative aspects:gameplay, grinding

69% User Score Based on 36 reviews

SpaceSlog is a challenging sci-fi spaceship simulator that focuses on shipbuilding, crew interaction, and exploration. Inspired by games such as Rimworld, Starship Theory, Dwarf Fortress and X-COM, as well as iconic media such as Firefly, Battlestar Galactica, Stargate Universe and The Expanse. Your colony ship has been destroyed. Fortunately, a few survivors managed to escape on a small ship. No… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to SpaceSlog.

90%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, music

Most mentioned negative aspects:stability, grinding

90% User Score Based on 144 reviews

⬆️ Clone your first Dinky, give them orders to help you, Research Automation Machines, Defend your Colony from the Zumbys, Build a Rocket, colonize other Planets and set up supply chains between them! Play Solo or Co-op Clone the first Dinky and start gathering Food. But Dinkys are not useless, give them some tasks like Gathering Resources or Crafting Objects. Grow your Colony with the help of D… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Dinky Guardians.

75%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:stability, optimization

75% User Score Based on 1,855 reviews

Welcome to the Crust - a game that gives you a role of the CEO of the gigantic Moon colonizing company. It is a large-scale economical simulator that also brings elements of survival along with rich setting and dramatic script. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to The Crust.

91%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:story, gameplay

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, stability

98% User Score Based on 132,230 reviews

Critic Score 80%Based on 5 reviews

A sci-fi colony sim driven by an intelligent AI storyteller. Generates stories by simulating psychology, ecology, gunplay, melee combat, climate, biomes, diplomacy, interpersonal relationships, art, medicine, trade, and more. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to RimWorld.

69%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, atmosphere

Most mentioned negative aspects:story, music

69% User Score Based on 136 reviews

A city-building game where you build a penguin settlement and satisfy the various needs of your penguins while dealing with seals and killer whales. Enjoy the growth of your settlement, become the king, and lead the United Penguin Kingdom. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to United Penguin Kingdom.

92%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, story

92% User Score Based on 6,355 reviews

Colony Survival is a voxel RTS developed by a two-man team. Build your own colony in a voxel world. Command guards, farmers, miners and other colonists. Defend your colony against the monsters that attack every night. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Colony Survival.

84%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, story

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, optimization

84% User Score Based on 410 reviews

STORYA natural disaster hit us and brought humanity to the verge of extinction. Only a few survived because of "Large Igneous Provinces", these are volcanoes that don't explode but huge cracks open in the Earth's crust and lava just starts bubbling out, oozing across the landscape, releasing tons of toxic gases. The most dangerous thing about an igneous province is that it can keep up th… If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Oxygen: First Breath.

70%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, story

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, optimization

70% User Score Based on 2,564 reviews

Critic Score 70%Based on 4 reviews

Includes:◾Radio Active Radio Station◾Unique Quest Line◾Unique Colony Flags◾Unique Specialist◾2 Unique Buildings If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Surviving the Aftermath.

79%Game Brain Score

Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, graphics

Most mentioned negative aspects:grinding, stability

79% User Score Based on 15,549 reviews

Deck out your dome with 25 new buildings to give a fresh look to your living, working, and playing quarters. Whether it’s a Stirling Generator or a Spacebar, make sure you spruce up your space to be out of this world. If you enjoyed this game, see our list of games similar to Surviving Mars.