Summary
Colonysimulatorsare games that allow players to manage agroup of survivorsor regular residents in the hopes of building them a home that will not only keep them safe but also entertained. While many colony simulators tend to have players focusing on the basics, some colonysimulatorstake the mechanics of the simulation genre a step further by implementing various survival mechanics.
From defending the colony against various alien creatures to making sure there is enough oxygen available so that the player’s colonists can survive underground, these are by far the best survival colony simulators that players should consider trying, ranked.
Starting off strong,Surviving Marsis a great example of a survival colony simulator set in space. Players commonly assume that the majority of colony simulation titles are those that challenge the player to live on alien planets, andSurviving Marsis no different. As the name suggests, players are tasked with looking after their colonists by creating various domes of buildings, wildlife, and various recreational locations on Mars to create an environment that their residents would be happy to live in.
Naturally, there are issues that occur, such aslacking the resourcesto feed their colonists or being unable to produce enough oxygen, but these are all problems for the player to solve while uncovering the alien secrets of Mars.
Continuing on the theme of sci-fi colony simulators, another great survival option for players who may wish to take theircolonists underground insteadof on the surface isOxygen Not Included. Created by the same developers that createdDon’t Starve,Oxygen Not Includedis another intense survival experience that will likely have many players restarting multiple times before they are able to keep a colony alive.
Players will dig out various tunnels to create their colonists' homes, while also making sure to supply them with the various amenities needed to keep their colonists happy. Not to mention the most vital resource of all, oxygen, which the players will need to learn how to produce and purify through various automation to prevent their colony from suffocating.
Although in early access,Norlandhas already shown great potential as not only a colony simulator that steps away from the common sci-fi theme of the genre, but also an incredible survival experience as players fight through not only the epic battles during the Middle Ages, but also various other turmoils like political debates and religious concerns.
As a noble family attempting to make a name for themselves, a player will have no standing if they can’t keep their hold in order. The family members that make up the player’s house inNorlandhave their own strengths and weaknesses, as well as goals that will aid the player in not only tending to their kingdom but also allow them to reach for more authority.
While the player is only looking after a small group of survivors that lived after landing on an alien planet,Stranded: Alien Dawnis still praised for being one of the greatest planet survival titles with features that encourage the player to look after their small colony.
From creating a base that the player – with the help of their survivors – will fortify with various materials in the hopes of keeping thedangerous alien fauna of the planetas far away as possible. It’s important for players to not only focus on the health and needs of their survivors inStranded: Alien Dawnbut also on their happiness so that the colonists will meet every task given to them with enthusiasm.
RimWorldis another phenomenal survival colony simulator that has the potential to allow players to create an assortment of unique stories for their colonists, as well as put them through various horrific events just from the randomly generated world they find themselves in.
Players startRimWorldwith a small group of colonists that they will gradually expand through exploring the world. While growing may sound like a good idea, a player must first look after the colony they currently have by building a home that they will find great enjoyment in.RimWorldis another survival colony simulator where having happy colonists will see the player thrive, as once they start to get angry, fights may break out between the intricate relationships between the residents.
Calling itself the first society survival game,Frostpunkgoes a lot deeper than a player’s regular survival colony simulator. In a world where few colonies still exist, the player must work hard tobuild up their city, not just through its buildings, but also economically and socially, as they race against the clock in the hopes of being prepared before the cold gets worse.
Shaping society inFrostpunkisn’t easy, as every choice the player makes will have members of the colony upset, leaving many players to juggle the impossible even when there is a more dangerous threat approaching.
Some of the greatest colony simulator titles don’t have extraordinary graphics but still contain plenty of the intricate gameplay that makes them so interesting to play.Dwarf Fortressis no different, as players take charge of their colony of Dwarves as they mine for resources and build up their fortress so that they can survive against starvation, dragons, and even their own madness from being underground.
Many modern survival colony simulators were inspired by the classic, which isDwarf Fortress, to create a just as unique experience for its players. Players won’t only be digging inDwarf Fortress,as this survival colony simulator also reveals the dwarves uncovering their culture through taverns, libraries, and much more.
By far, one of the greatest survival colony simulators in recent years has to bethe fantasy titleknown asAgainst the Storm. As the Queen’s viceroy, it is up to the player to save the last civilizations of the world against the threat of apocalyptic rains.
Helping the various humans, beavers, lizards, foxes, and harpies take back the wilderness from the rains in the hope of rebuilding these colonies. There will be dangers approaching as the rain is the least of the player’s worries, as monsters are also lurking within these woods that will destroy the player’s hard work and make them build once more.
