Games Like Prison Architect – Find Your Next Favourite Simulation!
Prison Architect is a game where you can finally show your sadistic or empathetic side as a Warden in a messed-up prison system. Thousands of people enjoyed the freedom of Prison Architect and the possibilities the game brings to the table.
It is not just your simple city-building game where you build roads; in Prison Architect, you can fulfill every sick fantasy, and the game is like, “I don’t mind.” The best thing that separated this game from other management games is that you could be the bad, the good, and the ugly if you felt like it.
As a Warden, you can go all out for the economic side of your hustle and make the prisoners suffer the consequences, or be this angel who takes over and cares about resocialization.
“There are no similar games in the entire world!” – someone who didn’t read this article would say. Well, there are, and there are plenty. We've got you covered if you’re looking for some survival business sim-inspired classic!
Games Like Prison Architect – Find Your Next Favourite Simulation!
Games Like Prison Architect
As we’ve stated in the introduction, there are plenty of games with addictive gameplay, sandbox mode, and everything that made the Prison Architect the cult classic that it is nowadays.
Well, maybe without the maximum security prisoners’ shenanigans. But besides that, it’s an incredible game that not only inspired but created a pretty good boilerplate for fun to come.
And if you haven’t played this fantastic game before - you can get it for an affordable price at RoyalCDKeys!
So, with that in mind, let’s see what kind of games could step up to this deep simulation!
RimWorld
- Release date: November 4, 2013
- Developer(s): Ludeon Studios, Tynan Sylvester, Double Eleven
- Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Xbox One, macOS, Linux, Microsoft Windows, Mac operating systems
- Meta Score: 87
When it comes to management gameplay, this one has no competition. It’s played to this day, with millions of fans worldwide. RimWorld is a gaming culture phenomenon.
In short, it’s a sci-fi life simulator and a city-building game that allows you to create a colony on a randomly generated planet. Taking from such classics as Dwarf Fortress, you really cannot go wrong with this title.
The key is to, well, survive in this harsh environment. The best thing about it is the storytelling and that every game is different. RimWorld creates stories based on your decisions and how your colony members react. It’s enormous; it’s vast; it’s on a remote planet, and – you have complete control of the narrative of your space settlers. What else would you need in a sim game?
You can find RimWorld Global Steam CD Key at RoyalCDKeys.
Cities: Skylines
- Release date: March 10, 2015
- Developer(s): Colossal Order
- Platform(s): PC, Playstation 4, Stadia, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
- Meta Score: 85
Cities: Skylines, a spiritual successor to the amazing SimCity, allows you to build your city on Rock and Roll finally. Or at least - be an outstanding city manager.
You get to control every branch of the local government, from roads to power plants. Everything is at your disposal. You can develop buildings, create attractions, and better the daily lives of thousands of people.
Cities: Skylines has diverse possibilities and will make you feel like a mayor. You can find Cities: Skylines Complete Edition Global Steam CD Key at RoyalCDKeys.
Good Company
- Release date: June 21, 2022
- Developer(s): Chasing Carrots
- Platform(s): PC
- Meta Score: N/A
It’s always great to be in good company. Or just in Good Company, the game. If you feel jealous of those big tech companies and how they organize themselves in this vast and incredible world – you can now try it for yourself!
Good Company allows you to get some inside into how the Silicon Valley giants operate and function. And, as the title suggests, you can create a “good company” by doing so.
Manage employees, sell some apps and become the new Apple by fighting with the competition and creating incredible possibilities for users all around the globe.
In the end, Good Company is still a sim, so you will need to gather resources, get some people hired, and decide what to do next.
If you feel like it’s something you’d want to try, you can find Good Company Steam CD Key at RoyalCDKeys.
Railway Empire
- Release date: January 26, 2018
- Developer(s): Gaming Minds Studios
- Platform(s): PC, Playstation 4, Switch, Xbox One
- Meta Score: 74
Every child was, at some point, totally obsessed with trains. No one knows why, but they had something in them. Well, now you can go ahead and relive the dream by yourself! Become the industry giant and go from the most basic locomotives to some high and advanced technologies of today with more than 300 technological upgrades available and 40 different train models.
It’s detailed, it’s vast, and it’s full of fun! Railway Empire encompasses everything interesting in the train industry. Also, it’s just amazing to look at. The locomotives and rails are highly detailed, you can see every little movement of the machine, and it’s incredible.
You can find Railway Empire Steam CD Key at RoyalCDKeys.
Cartel Tycoon
- Release date: July 26, 2022
- Developer(s): Moon Moose
- Platform(s): PC
- Meta Score: 71
When it comes to games like Prison Architect, this one is probably at the top of the list. You are a cartel boss in the 1980s Latin America. Cocaine is taking over the US, and you want to keep your criminal fingers in this hot pile of money.
Violence, drugs, money – everything you would imagine in a good crime story. But, at the same time, lots and lots of managing. You may think it is so easy to run a cartel, but it is not that simple.
You not only need to fight with the DEA, CIA, or other government agencies that are trying everything they can to put you down, but you also need to take control of your playground. Decide who will advance to the higher ranks and stay there for good. Who controls what kind of territory, and how will you go about the product's distribution?
There are many decisions to make if you are a drug lord and criminal mastermind.
Different scenarios may need different approaches, and sometimes you need to put a “no more games” attitude to achieve your goals.
You can find Cartel Tycoon Steam CD Key at RoyalCDKeys if interested.
Airline Tycoon 2
- Release date: October 11, 2011
- Developer(s): Kalypso
- Platform(s): PC
- Meta Score: 57
We have been to prison and run the cartel; now it’s time for the aviation industry to put their few cents into the pile!
Introducing Airline Tycoon 2, a successor to the extremely popular Airline Tycoon, a long-awaited sequel that was supposed to be “the next big thing,” and, in some ways, it succeeded.
Airline Tycoon allows the players to take control of an airline with all the various challenges that go with that. You will need to set the wages, control what kind of destinations you would like to introduce, and fight tight competition to get the clients on board.
It’s a fantastic game for all aircraft enthusiasts, as the plane models are extraordinary. If you fancy this theme, you can find Airline Tycoon 2 Steam CD Key at RoyalCDKeys.
Kapi Hospital
- Release date: January 21, 2011
- Developer(s): Upjers GmbH
- Platform(s): Browser game
- Meta Score: N/A
We know the maximum security prison life; let’s try the hospital next! If you are all about curing the patients and balancing the budget simultaneously, welcome to the jungle!
Although it’s a browser-based game, it has much to offer.
It’s not your typical free-to-play game with no depth to it. It has a lot of detail about your everyday struggle as a hospital manager, and although it does not have escape mode, it still gives you a glimpse into this magical world of medicine.
Evil Genius
- Release date: 2004
- Developer(s): Rebellion Developments, Elixir Studios
- Platform(s): Microsoft Windows
- Meta Score: 75
This ultimate “evil” simulation that changed the sim game genre is still up and running. And what a run this is!
Evil Genius lets you become a navigator of your evil ploy as you always wanted. When it comes to games similar to Prison Architect, this one encapsulates the most how it is to be the bad guy.
Since its release in 2004, millions of people have found this game exciting; to this day, it is considered one of the best games for “Evil” sims.
The best thing about it is that it is much more than that. You do not only have to be an evil manager or gather resources. You can put your plans into action! It combines real-time strategy with some sim and management in a creative way. And, although the graphics may be a tad old, they have this comic vibe that still makes it look presentable. Worth a shot!
Oxygen Not Included
- Release date: February 15, 2017
- Developer(s): Klei Entertainment
- Platform(s): macOS, Linux, Microsoft Windows, Mac operating systems, Classic Mac OS
- Meta Score: 86
It’s not about world domination. It’s about just getting by! Oxygen Not Included is a fantastic sim about a space colony and all the challenges they face in their everyday space life. You need to mine resources, but it’s not to develop like in other sims; it’s to survive.
Oxygen Not Included took the world by storm, and it still holds on tightly to this day. It’s a space adventure that will make you sweat, as you are constantly under threat, and there are no easy ways out.
Dungeon Keeper
- Release date: 1997
- Developer(s): Bullfrog Productions, Peter Molyneux, Electronic Arts, Mythic Entertainment, NetDragon Websoft
- Platform(s): Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, DOS
- Meta Score: N/A
The one, the only, The Dungeon Keeper. Could you even imagine that this game was released in 1997? And it’s still playable?!
Original Dungeon Keeper is not about some power-hungry drug lord that tries to take over the city. It’s not this kind of evil. This is about the OG evil - the demons. Take control of your underground kingdom and develop your hell in the best way possible.
This mix of dark humor and excellent mechanics made this next generation of “evil” sims that we all know and love today, so if you have some time to spare - give it to the Dungeon Keeper.
Planet Coaster
- Release date: November 17, 2016
- Developer(s): Frontier Developments plc, Aspyr
- Platform(s): PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Mac operating systems
- Meta Score: 84
Have you ever heard about Roller Coaster Tycoon? Well, it’s probably the most known installment of the sim genre. But what if we told you that other simulation games are centered around the concept of a rollercoaster?
Let’s welcome Planet Coaster, a spiritual successor to the extremely popular Rollercoaster Tycoon.
You control this fantastic roller coaster theme park, from thinking about what kind of hot dogs you sell to creating the rides themselves. It’s an entertaining game with a BAFTA nomination, so you know you’re getting something that the game world appreciates.
So, hop on the rides and get jiggy with it in this latest edition of roller coasting! You can find Planet Coaster Global Steam CD Key at RoyalCDKeys.
Planet Zoo
- Release date: November 5, 2019
- Developer(s): Frontier Developments plc
- Platform(s): Microsoft Windows
- Meta Score: N/A
Have you ever wanted to create your Zoo? Well, it’s possible with a fantastic Zoo Tycoon from Frontier Development. What is Planet Zoo, then? Well, it’s another giant zoo tycoon that people fell in love with!
You get to manage a giant garden with dozens of animals. Decide what kind of cages to use, what the animals eat, and what the ticket prices will be. There are thousands of decisions to make to be the best Zoo in the universe, and they’re all yours to make.
If you want more - there is more. Have fun with lion cubs or other animals with many add-ons, such as South America Pack, Aquatic Pack, or Arctic Pack. So many unique animals - it may feel overwhelming!
If you want to try being the Zoo manager, you can find Planet Zoo Global Steam CD Key at RoyalCDKeys.
Jurassic World Evolution 2
- Release date: 2021
- Developer(s): Frontier Developments plc
- Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Cloud Gaming
- Meta Score: N/A
Another Frontier’s classic is Jurassic World Evolution 2. It was one of the most hyped-up simulation games in history, with lots of immersive gaming elements and a fantastic storyline.
The first game was supposed to be just your everyday movie-related game. And, as we know, those are mostly terrible. But, the developers managed to do something unique. They created a game that was a fantastic product and a great addition to the Jurassic World film.
In the case of the sequel, it’s the same. Jurassic World Evolution 2 is still an enjoyable dinosaur park management simulation with many unusual Zoo-type tycoon solutions and attractions, and the whole concept is still standing.
Life finds a way, as the saying goes, and so does this game. If you want to try yourself as a Jurrasic Park manager, you can discover Jurassic World Evolution 2 Global Steam CD Key at RoyalCDKeys.
Tropico 6
- Release date: March 6, 2019
- Developer(s): Limbic Entertainment, Realmforge Studios
- Platform(s): PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One,
- Meta Score: 78
Tropico 6 is what would happen if you went all out with the budget for the Prison Architect. Although you may think the circumstances are different, these two are not that far apart.
Full of comedy and shady business, being a dictator of a small island in Tropico and a prison warden can feel pretty similar.
In Tropico 6, you can go out of your way to become the next favorite dictator of the world. Manage your team's ambitions, create infrastructure, fight with different fractions and watch out for the CIA boats coming to your shore.
This game has a lot to offer, and it’s no surprise that it is a fan favorite with every release. If you want to join the community and become the happy dictator, you can find Tropico 6 Steam CD Key at RoyalCDKeys.
The Movies
- Release date: 2005
- Developer(s): Lionhead Studios, Robosoft Technologies
- Platform(s): Microsoft Windows, macOS, Classic Mac OS
- Meta Score: 84
Have you ever wanted to be a famous movie director with the world at your feet? Well, in that case, you should try The Movies to manage those, at least.
The movie introduces an exciting concept that allows you to control the creative process that those pesky Hollywood elites must go through every time they make a motion picture.
Read the scripts, choose what kind of actors you want to hire, and manage the stars. The Movies allow you to fully immerse yourself in the glamorous lifestyle of the chosen few. And it’s a pretty good game while doing so.
Spacebase Startopia
- Release date: March 26, 2021
- Developer(s): Realmforge Studios
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One,
- Meta Score: March 26, 2021
Spacebase Startopia is a captivating and well-produced space sim for all your space sim needs. It can manage giant fleets and space stations and has brilliant real-time strategy elements that enhance your everyday sim experience.
Also, Spacebase Startopia comes with unique competitive and cooperative modes for even four players to join simultaneously. You can play with or against your friends to control the crucial space bases.
Additionally, the game has a lot of humor, so you will not feel alone in this vast, scary universe full of monsters. If you find this one exciting, you can purchase Spacebase Startopia Steam CD Key at RoyalCDKeys.
Game Dev Tycoon
- Release date: December 10, 2012
- Developer(s): Greenheart Games, Rarebyte OG
- Platform(s): Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac operating systems, Classic Mac OS
- Meta Score: 68
This is the inception of the games. It’s a game that allows you to play as a game developer to create top-rated new games. Mindblowing.
Game Dev Tycoon, on a serious note, is a pretty good simulator that allows you to get into the crazy world of game development and all that comes with it. You must decide what kind of games you want to create, who to hire, and how you will go about marketing. It is enjoyable and does not require millions of hours to get started, so if you want something light and fun – it’s worth checking out. You can find Game Dev Tycoon Steam CD Key at RoyalCDKeys.
Youtubers Life
- Release date: May 18, 2016
- Developer(s): UPLAY Online
- Platform(s): PC
- Meta Score: 63
And, the flip side of that is Youtuber simulator. You thought it would be impossible to create something like this – well, it’s not. Youtubers Life gets you the front-row place to watch and decide how to govern the young Youtuber career.
You can create videos, pick the background and style, your area of expertise, and how you want your career to go down. Being a Youtuber is not easy, so you must balance this work-life environment with your friends and family.
Creating content for Youtube has never been more fun! You can find Youtubers Life Steam CD Key at RoyalCDKeys if you want to try it.
WorldBox - God Simulator
- Release date: 2012
- Developer(s): Maxim Karpenko
- Platform(s): Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, and Mac operating systems
- Meta Score: N/A
We had a lot of simulators on our list; some are more similar, some less. But one thing remains the same. Everything comes down to the God… simulator.
The ultimate sim that encompasses everything there is. Literally! Become the God of the land and create or destroy the world with your thought.
Create the ultimate utopia, or think of a dystopian world you would not want to be a part of. Everything is possible in WorldBox. You will encounter four races with different needs and traits that you need to be aware of. All of them will worship you and fight with each other in your name, so pick the winners and losers of each fight to get one of them to the top!
You can't just sit and watch when it’s all up to you! Find WorldBox - God Simulator Steam CD Key at RoyalCDKeys.
Theme Hospital
- Release date: 1997
- Developer(s): Two Point Studios, Bullfrog Productions, Krisalis Software
- Platform(s): Android, Playstation, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3, DOS, MS-DOS, Sony PSP, PlayStation Vita
- Meta Score: N/A
Theme Hospital is one of the most popular tycoons ever created and a masterpiece of its own accord.
It’s full of fantastic humor, outstanding tycoon elements for that time, and an excellent gaming piece that still excites people to this day.
Developed in 1997, it allows you to run your own hospital and decide who lives and dies there. It’s hilarious and kind of educational in some ways as it gives you some exciting insides into this whole “American Health Care System” everyone talks about.
It’s a business simulation game, so remember to make money and do it quickly before someone else takes over you.
Academia: School Simulator
- Release date: September 8, 2017
- Developer(s): Squeaky Wheel Studio
- Platform(s): Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems
- Meta Score: N/A
We’ve been in space, hospitals, Zoos, and prisons; what is left then? Well, we have never been to school after all.
Introducing Academia: School Simulator, your daily dose of school-related issues unrelated to bullying.
Run the high school like a business and build all the necessary facilities you know your students will love. Scam the government for some money and keep it in your pocket. Or, give the kids your heart and become the principal of the year. There are so many ways you can be great or terrible; it’s like a high-school experience, after all!
Games Like Prison Architect - Conclusion
There are so many simulations we don’t know what to put our hands in! Some may even say that life is a simulation, so we could be playing without even knowing!
Nevertheless, we hope the selection of games we’ve prepared for you will suffice all your needs while waiting for another installment of the twisted Prison Architect series.
We have chosen fun, light, serious, and just overall insane games for you to try; some of them you can find on our site, and some need some additional research, but all of them are special, that’s for sure.