Uncovering the Best Space Haven Alternatives for Your Next Sci-Fi Colony Sim

Space Haven is a captivating spaceship colony sim that puts you in charge of a patched-together crew, tasking you with building a habitable spaceship tile by tile, managing intricate gas conditions, and tending to the needs of your crew as you explore the cosmos. While it offers a unique blend of base building and survival, many gamers seek out a Space Haven alternative that might offer different features, challenges, or simply a fresh take on the genre. If you're looking to expand your horizons beyond the stars of Space Haven, you're in the right place.

Top Space Haven Alternatives

Whether you're craving more intricate colony management, a deeper focus on combat, or simply a different aesthetic, these alternatives to Space Haven offer compelling experiences that will scratch your sci-fi colony sim itch.

Dwarf Fortress

Dwarf Fortress

Dwarf Fortress is a legendary single-player fantasy simulator offering both fortress and adventure modes. It's a great Space Haven alternative for players who enjoy deep simulation and emergent storytelling, featuring battle simulation, infinite hierarchical depth, and terraforming. Available for Free on Mac, Windows, and Linux.

RimWorld

RimWorld

RimWorld follows three survivors building a colony on a frontier world, inspired by the space western genre. As a Space Haven alternative, it excels in its storytelling, character development, and complex base building. It's a Commercial title available on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Steam, boasting features like moddability, endless gameplay, and open-world exploration.

Prison Architect

Prison Architect

Prison Architect challenges you to build and manage a maximum-security prison. While not set in space, its deep management and base-building mechanics make it a compelling Space Haven alternative for those who enjoy constructing intricate facilities and managing the needs of a population. It's a Commercial game available on Mac, Windows, Linux, Android Tablet, iPad, and Steam, and is known for its engaging simulation gameplay.

Evil Genius

Evil Genius

Evil Genius lets you build a secret base, complete daring missions, and repel forces of justice. This Commercial Windows game offers RTS and Tower Defense elements, making it a unique Space Haven alternative if you're looking for base building with a strong strategic combat component and a dash of humor.

Planetbase

Planetbase

Planetbase guides a group of space settlers establishing an outpost on a remote planet, focusing on resource management, energy, and bot manufacturing. This Commercial Windows and Steam game is a direct Space Haven alternative for its sci-fi base-building and survival elements, offering a similar sense of establishing a foothold in a hostile environment.

Spacebase DF-9

Spacebase DF-9

In Spacebase DF-9, you build a home among the stars for humans and aliens. This Commercial Mac, Windows, Linux, and Steam title offers a similar premise to Space Haven with its space station construction and crew management, providing a single-player, squad-based, and turn-based gaming experience.

Oxygen Not Included

Oxygen Not Included

Oxygen Not Included is a space-colony simulation game where you manage colonists in a subterranean asteroid base, focusing on intricate resource and gas management. This Commercial Mac, Windows, Linux, and Steam game is an excellent Space Haven alternative if you enjoy deep simulation, base building, and complex survival mechanics.

Startopia

Startopia

Startopia involves micromanaging a network of space stations to rebuild them into thriving communities. This Commercial Windows game offers a unique twist on the space station management genre, making it a fun Space Haven alternative for those who enjoy economic and social simulation.

Imagine Earth

Imagine Earth

Imagine Earth is a real-time planet simulation and build-up strategy game where you manage space colonies on distant planets. Available commercially on Windows and Steam, it provides a different scale of colony management compared to Space Haven, focusing on RTS elements and planetary development.

Aven Colony

Aven Colony

Aven Colony focuses on colonizing an alien world as humanity's first settlement outside the solar system. This Commercial Windows, Steam, Playstation, and Xbox game is a strong Space Haven alternative for its sci-fi colony building and real-time strategy gameplay, offering a compelling single-player experience.

With a diverse range of games available, from fantasy colony sims to deep space station management, you're sure to find the perfect Space Haven alternative to suit your gaming preferences. Dive in and discover your next interstellar adventure!

Christopher Hill

Christopher Hill

Writes about developer tools, performance optimization, and software engineering trends.