15 Best Games Like Banished

Dive into the world of city-building and survival with this curated list of the 15 best games like Banished. Whether you’re a fan of managing resources, ensuring the survival of your villagers, or creating a thriving settlement from scratch, these games offer the perfect mix of strategy and challenge!

A collage of four different video games, each with distinct settings: a cityscape, a colorful farm, a green pasture with sheep reminiscent of games like Banished, and a dark, fire-lit structure.

When I think of cozy games, my mind often drifts to titles that offer a sense of peace and accomplishment, even amid challenges. For me, games like Banished fit perfectly into this cozy niche. There’s something inherently satisfying about building a village from the ground up, managing resources, and ensuring the well-being of my virtual community. It’s a soothing escape where the rhythm of gathering, crafting, and expanding creates a meditative flow. Despite the strategic depth and occasional survival stress, the overall experience can be a comforting retreat into a world where decisions shape a thriving, harmonious settlement. In this spirit, I’ve compiled a list of the 15 best games like Banished that capture this unique blend of strategy and coziness. Happy gaming!

15 Games Like Banished

1. Settlement Survival

A colorful, low-poly farm scene reminiscent of games like Banished, featuring cows, sheep, farm buildings, crops, and various structures, with houses and trees in the background.

Manage resources, build a thriving settlement, and ensure the survival of your villagers in this city-building simulation inspired by Banished. Focus on production chains, trade, and environmental challenges.

Available on: Steam, Android, iOS

2. Stardew Valley

A pixelated image of a cozy village in a sandbox game.

Manage a farm, raise animals, grow crops, and build relationships with villagers. Its charming pixel art and relaxing gameplay offer a similar sense of community and creativity without stress or violence.

Available on: PlayStation, Xbox, iOS, Android, Steam, Nintendo Switch

3. Foundation

A strategy game screenshot showing a village with various buildings surrounded by forests, reminiscent of games like Banished. Different areas are highlighted in green, blue, and orange. A control panel is visible at the bottom.

A medieval city-building game with a focus on organic development, modular construction, and player-driven economy. Its unique approach to city-building and vibrant visuals make it a cozy yet engaging experience.

Available on: Steam

4. My Time at Portia

A cozy screenshot of a Nintendo Switch game with a character in front of a cave.

Rebuild your father’s workshop, grow crops, raise animals, and interact with the residents of Portia. The game’s vibrant world and diverse activities provide a relaxing and engaging experience.

Available on: Steam, Android, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Xbox, PlayStation

5. Garden Paws

A bunny in a hammock in a grassy area, reminiscent of scenes from games like Stardew Valley.

Manage a farm, run a shop, and explore a vibrant world. The game’s cute art style and relaxing activities make it a cozy survival experience.

Available on: Nintendo Switch, Steam

6. Cities: Skylines

A cityscape at night with illuminated buildings, busy streets, and a distant bridge connecting two landmasses, all set against a backdrop of silhouetted hills evokes the complex yet enchanting world-building found in games like Banished.

Create and manage a modern city, dealing with issues like traffic, pollution, and citizen happiness. The game’s detailed simulation and extensive mod support offer endless possibilities.

Available on: Steam, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation

7. The Colonists

A digital rendering of a colony with small houses, chimneys emitting smoke, and various machinery. Sheep are grazing in a nearby field, reminiscent of games like Banished. The interface shows game statistics at the top and bottom of the screen.

Build and manage a colony of robots, gathering resources, and constructing buildings. The game’s cute graphics and relaxed pace make it a perfect cozy city-building game.

Available on: Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox

8. Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles

A man is standing in a grassy area with a cute tree in the background.

Explore a lush, open world, farm, fish, and complete quests. The absence of combat and the focus on exploration and crafting create a relaxing and cozy survival experience.

Available on: Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation

9. Planet Zoo

Build and manage a zoo, focusing on animal care, conservation, and park design. The game’s detailed simulation and beautiful visuals offer a relaxing and educational experience.

Available on: Steam, Xbox, PlayStation

10. Aven Colony

Aerial view of a futuristic city with tall buildings, extensive road networks, and green spaces, set in a mountainous landscape under a blue dome, reminiscent of the intricate designs found in games like Banished.

Build and manage a colony on an alien planet, balancing resources and ensuring the happiness of your settlers. The game’s sci-fi setting and strategic depth provide a cozy and engaging experience.

Available on: Steam, Xbox, PlayStation

11. Littlewood

The adorable cover of Littlewood, a charming Nintendo game.

Rebuild a town after defeating a dark wizard by farming, crafting, and building relationships with the townsfolk. Its relaxing pace and charming visuals offer a cozy gaming experience.

Available on: Steam, Nintendo Switch, PC

12. Tropico 6

Screenshot of the city-building video game "Tropico 6," showing a detailed, tropical island cityscape with buildings, roads, and green hills near a coastal area. Various in-game menus appear on screen, reminiscent of management elements seen in games like Banished.

As the ruler of a Caribbean island, build and manage your nation, dealing with politics, economics, and the needs of your people. The game’s humor and depth offer a unique city-building experience.

Available on: Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, iOS

13. Castaway Paradise

A person wearing a hat tends to various vegetables in a fenced garden with flowers, trees, and a barn in the background, reminiscent of scenes from games like Banished.

Live on a tropical island, grow crops, catch fish, and interact with quirky villagers. The game’s vibrant graphics and relaxing activities make it a cozy and fun experience.

Available on: Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation

14. RimWorld

Top-down view of a game scene reminiscent of games like Banished, showcasing buildings on fire, injured characters, and solar panels with various items scattered around.

Manage a group of colonists stranded on a distant planet, dealing with resources, relationships, and random events. The game’s emergent storytelling and modding community add depth and replayability.

Available on: Steam, Xbox, PlayStation

15. Forager

A pixelated character stands in a green-lit area surrounded by rocks, trees, and grassy terrain. Text on the screen reads "Open Menu" and "Esc" at the center top, with a progress bar labeled "Level 1" above. The scene evokes a charm reminiscent of games like My Time at Portia.

A 2D open-world game where players gather resources, craft items, and build structures. Its addictive gameplay loop and charming visuals offer a relaxing survival experience.

Available on: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, Android, iOS

15 Best Games Like Banished