8 Best Games Like RimWorld But For Linux
If you're searching for compelling colony management games that combine strategic depth with emergent storytelling, you've come to the right place. Games like Rimworld exist, and there's a lot to find here!
This genre offers players the unique satisfaction of building thriving settlements from scratch, managing complex systems of survival, and watching dynamic narratives unfold through the interactions of colonists, resources, and unexpected events.
These interlocking systems create endless drama, a formula that has been adapted by other management games with a cult-building twist.
The appeal of these simulation and strategy games lies in their ability to blend creativity with challenge. Whether you're interested in base building, intricate production chains, character-driven narratives, or survival against harsh environmental conditions, there's a wealth of alternatives that deliver similarly engaging experiences. These games reward careful planning, adaptation to unforeseen circumstances, and the delicate balance between expansion and sustainability.
From medieval settlement builders to futuristic space station simulators, this carefully curated list showcases titles that capture the essence of deep colony simulation. Each game offers its own unique twist on the formula, whether through enhanced automation systems, more complex social dynamics, or innovative survival mechanics that will keep you engaged for hundreds of hours.
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8 Games Like RimWorld But For Linux
1. Dwarf Fortress
Dwarf Fortress is the legendary grandfather of colony simulation games and remains one of the most similar experiences to RimWorld. This game features incredibly deep simulation systems where every dwarf has detailed personality traits, relationships, preferences, and can experience complex emotional states including stress and mental breaks.
Like RimWorld, the game excels at emergent storytelling where unexpected events create memorable narratives. The colony management mechanics are even more intricate, with detailed production chains, z-level construction, and systems that simulate everything from weather to individual combat injuries. The Steam version now includes updated graphics and a more accessible interface while maintaining the legendary depth.
Defending your colony from raids is a core part of the experience, and players who enjoy that challenge might also like classic real-time strategy games.
Players who love RimWorld's focus on survival against overwhelming odds will appreciate Dwarf Fortress's infamous difficulty curve and the mantra "losing is fun." Both games feature threats from raiders, wildlife, and environmental hazards, with colonists who develop skills through practice.
2. Oxygen Not Included
Oxygen Not Included shares RimWorld's focus on intricate colony management but applies it to a space survival setting where you manage duplicants (colonists) in an asteroid base. The game features similarly deep systems for managing colonist needs, skills, stress levels, and work assignments.
The survival mechanics are incredibly detailed, requiring you to manage oxygen production, temperature control, food cultivation, and waste management through interconnected systems. Like RimWorld, every decision has cascading consequences, and poor planning can lead to colony collapse.
Fans of RimWorld's emergent gameplay and problem-solving will love how Oxygen Not Included constantly presents new challenges. The automation systems are more complex, and the physics simulation creates unique scenarios where your duplicants' personalities and traits directly impact colony success.
3. Space Haven
Space Haven translates RimWorld's colony simulation formula to a spaceship management setting. Your crew members have needs, skills, health conditions, and relationships that must be managed while building and maintaining your vessel.
The game features detailed base building where you construct ship sections room by room, manage life support systems, and assign crew to various tasks. Combat, exploration, and random events create emergent narratives similar to RimWorld's storytelling systems.
Fans of RimWorld's colonist management and emergent gameplay will appreciate how crew members develop personalities, form relationships, and react to stress. The survival challenges shift from planetary threats to space hazards, but the core colony simulation remains familiar.
4. Stardeus
Stardeus combines RimWorld's colony management with space station building. Your colonists (and drones) have individual needs, skills, and AI behaviors that create emergent situations as you rebuild a derelict space station.
The base construction and automation systems are reminiscent of RimWorld's zoning and work assignment mechanics. You'll manage life support, food production, research, and defend against threats while uncovering the station's mysteries.
Fans of RimWorld's emergent narratives and complex systems will appreciate how Stardeus handles colonist AI, equipment degradation, and cascading failures. The game rewards creative problem-solving and long-term planning in ways that feel familiar to seasoned colony managers.
5. Factorio
Factorio shares RimWorld's emphasis on complex systems and automation. While focused on factory building rather than colonist management, the satisfaction of designing efficient production chains and defending your base translates well.
The resource management and base expansion require similar strategic thinking. You'll research technologies, combat environmental challenges, and defend against alien attacks while optimizing increasingly complex systems.
Fans of RimWorld's engineering aspects and long-term planning will appreciate Factorio's depth. The emergent problem-solving and satisfaction of building elaborate automated systems creates comparable gameplay engagement.
6. Crusader Kings III
Crusader Kings 3 focuses on dynastic management and character-driven narratives in medieval times. While different from colony building, the emphasis on individual character traits, relationships, and emergent stories parallels RimWorld's strength.
The strategic depth comes from managing realm politics, marriages, succession, and expansion. Like RimWorld's colonists, every character has personality traits, skills, and relationships that create unique narratives.
What connects these games is emergent storytelling and consequence-driven gameplay. Crusader Kings 3's dynasty management creates memorable stories through character interactions, similar to how RimWorld's colonist dynamics generate narrative moments.
7. Surviving Mars
Surviving Mars brings colony management to Mars colonization. You'll manage colonists with needs and specializations, construct domes and infrastructure, research technologies, and respond to disasters.
The base building mechanics require managing life support, resource production, and colonist happiness. Like RimWorld, you'll balance expansion with sustainability while preparing for random events and environmental challenges.
Fans of RimWorld's colony simulation and survival challenges will appreciate the sci-fi setting and unique Mars-specific mechanics. The strategic depth and colonist management feel familiar while offering different atmospheric challenges.
8. Stardew Valley
p>Stardew Valley is a farming simulation RPG that shares RimWorld's satisfaction of building from nothing, though with a much more relaxed and personal focus. You'll manage crops, animals, crafting, and relationships in a charming pixel art world.
While very different in tone, the resource management, planning, and progression systems offer comparable satisfaction. The game rewards long-term planning, optimization, and adapting to seasonal changes.
Fans of RimWorld who want creative building and management without survival pressure will appreciate Stardew Valley's peaceful gameplay loop. The depth of systems and satisfying progression create a relaxing alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country banned RimWorld?
RimWorld was refused classification in Australia, effectively banning its sale in the country. The Australian Classification Board cited concerns about drug use mechanics, specifically the ability to harvest and administer drugs in the game. However, the developer later made modifications, and a revised version was eventually approved for sale in Australia with an R18+ rating.
Is Clanfolk just RimWorld?
No, Clanfolk is not just RimWorld, though it shares significant similarities. While both games feature colony simulation, individual character management, and survival mechanics, Clanfolk focuses specifically on managing a medieval Scottish clan with emphasis on family relationships, seasonal survival, and a more intimate scale. Clanfolk has its own unique mechanics including detailed clothing and temperature systems, multi-story building, and family lineage dynamics that distinguish it from RimWorld's broader sci-fi colony simulation.
Can I play RimWorld forever?
Yes, RimWorld can be played indefinitely. The game has no time limit or forced ending. You can continue managing your colony for as long as you want. While there is an optional endgame goal of building a spaceship to leave the planet, you're not required to pursue it. Many players run colonies for years of in-game time, constantly adapting to new challenges and expanding their settlements. The game's mod support also ensures endless replayability with new content and scenarios.
What makes a good RimWorld alternative?
A good RimWorld alternative typically features deep colony or settlement management mechanics, individual character systems with personalities and needs, emergent storytelling through gameplay events, complex resource management and production chains, survival challenges that require adaptation, and meaningful player choice with lasting consequences. The best alternatives capture RimWorld's ability to generate unique narratives through the interaction of systems and characters.
Are these games as moddable as RimWorld?
Most games on this list support modding to varying degrees, but few match RimWorld's extensive modding ecosystem. Dwarf Fortress and Factorio have particularly strong modding communities. Games like Oxygen Not Included, Banished, and Kenshi also support mods, though with different levels of accessibility and community size. Steam Workshop integration has made modding more accessible for many of these titles, but RimWorld remains one of the most mod-friendly games in the genre.
About the Author
Miguel (austernotus) is a game developer and pixel artist who believes the best recommendations come from understanding a game's core systems. With a background that spans from high-level MMO PVP (2100+ in WoW) to professional SEO, his analysis goes beyond the surface to find the games you'll actually love.