Wayward similar games & best alternatives

Wayward

PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux, Mac • 2016

Should you play it?

You awake to discover yourself no longer in the company of good men or a fine seafaring vessel. Treasure... you remember something about treasure. Wayward is a challenging turn-based, top-down, wilderness survival roguelike. Explore, build, and most importantly survive in these unforgiving lands.

What works
  • Deep and rewarding crafting system
  • Challenging survival mechanics
  • Procedurally generated exploration
  • Active developer support and updates
  • High replay value with skill progression
Things to keep in mind
  • Steep learning curve and unintuitive ui
  • Tedious inventory management
  • Harsh difficulty spikes early on
  • Limited social and multiplayer features
  • Some players find reputation system frustrating

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • UnReal World

  • FortressCraft Evolved!

  • Cogmind

  • Caves of Qud

  • Archmage Rises

  • Card Survival: Fantasy Forest

  • The Doors of Trithius

  • Quasimorph

  • Soulash 2

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Archmage Rises

  • Card Survival: Fantasy Forest

  • Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Competence

    Project Zomboid

  • Experimenting

    cyubeVR

  • Exploration

    cyubeVR

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

Wayward: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fellowship, Violence, Survival, Cooperation. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Cooperation, Exploration, Survival.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players have control over exploration, puzzle solving, combat approach (run or fight), and difficulty mode choice (survival or exploration)."

    Capsule for Crow Country Crow Country

    "Players have high control over actions, crafting, exploration, and survival strategies with multiple playstyles and difficulty settings."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    5

    "The game requires mastering complex survival mechanics, combat tactics, crafting, and resource management, providing a strong sense of skill and effectiveness."

    Capsule for Project Zomboid Project Zomboid

    "The game demands skillful management of resources, crafting, combat, and survival mechanics with clear feedback and progression."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -3

    "Focus is primarily on personal progression and survival; multiplayer is cooperative rather than competitive."

    Capsule for ICARUS ICARUS

    "Focus is mainly on individual survival and progression; multiplayer exists but is not the core competitive element."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    4

    "High replayability with procedural generation, frequent updates, and a strong community encourage long-term engagement."

    Capsule for Deep Rock Galactic Deep Rock Galactic

    "High replay value with procedural generation, skill progression, and ongoing updates encourage long-term engagement."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    1

    "Some multiplayer modes support cooperation, but majority of gameplay is single player or competitive."

    Capsule for Heroes® of Might & Magic® III - HD Edition Heroes® of Might & Magic® III - HD Edition

    "Multiplayer mode supports cooperation but most player experiences and content focus on solo play."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    4

    "Extensive base building and crafting system allowing creative construction and customization"

    Capsule for Subsistence Subsistence

    "Extensive crafting system, base building, and mod support allow for creative problem solving and customization."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -4

    "Interactions emphasize survival and defense rather than dominance or power over others."

    Capsule for Dig or Die Dig or Die

    "Interactions emphasize survival and mutual respect rather than dominance or power over others."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Immersive survival environment and challenging gameplay provide strong escape from real life."

    Capsule for ICARUS ICARUS

    "Immersive survival gameplay and exploration provide strong distraction and escape from real life."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily driven by intrinsic interest and curiosity rather than obligation."

    Capsule for The Binding of Isaac The Binding of Isaac

    "Players engage voluntarily driven by intrinsic interest and discovery rather than obligation."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    5

    "Players explore crafting recipes, building techniques, and game mechanics; experimentation encouraged."

    Capsule for cyubeVR cyubeVR

    "Players encouraged to explore mechanics, try different strategies, and discover crafting recipes."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    5

    "Large procedurally generated worlds with caves, biomes, and secrets encourage discovery and curiosity."

    Capsule for cyubeVR cyubeVR

    "Procedurally generated islands and underground caves promote curiosity-driven discovery."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    3

    "Character customization and base building allow for player expression."

    Capsule for waxweaver waxweaver

    "Character and base customization through crafting and building enable player expression."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    3

    "Fantasy elements like magic and spirits are present alongside realistic survival mechanics."

    Capsule for Card Survival: Fantasy Forest Card Survival: Fantasy Forest

    "Fantasy elements like magic, enchanted items, and mythical creatures blend with survival realism."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -2

    "Community exists but gameplay is mostly solo or competitive; limited social bonding or cooperative group play."

    Capsule for The Elder Scrolls®: Legends™ The Elder Scrolls®: Legends™

    "Community exists but gameplay is mostly solitary with limited social interaction."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    5

    "Character progression through skill use and leveling provides strong learning and development motivation."

    Capsule for Silent Storm Gold Edition Silent Storm Gold Edition

    "Skill leveling, recipe unlocking, and character progression provide strong learning and development."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -3

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    Capsule for The Binding of Isaac The Binding of Isaac

    "Sedentary gameplay with complex inventory and micromanagement; no physical activity involved."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

    "Requires focused attention and strategic planning each turn; not suited for idle or background play."

    Capsule for Egypt: Old Kingdom Egypt: Old Kingdom

    "Requires continuous attention and planning; turn-based but not idle or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -4

    "Minimal social or emotional connections; interactions are mostly functional and survival-oriented."

    Capsule for Gothic 1 Gothic 1

    "Minimal social or emotional connections; interactions are mostly functional and survival-focused."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -3

    "No strong leadership roles; players mostly manage their own characters without group management."

    Capsule for Swords and Sandals Immortals Swords and Sandals Immortals

    "No strong leadership roles; players mostly manage their own survival and base."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    5

    "Strong emphasis on accumulating items, upgrades, and unlocking new crafting and combat abilities."

    Capsule for Force of Nature 2: Ghost Keeper Force of Nature 2: Ghost Keeper

    "Strong emphasis on accumulating items, crafting upgrades, and unlocking new abilities."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    1

    "Some players find the game relaxing once mastered, but overall it is challenging and tense."

    Capsule for Aeon's End Aeon's End

    "Some players find it relaxing once familiar, but overall the game is challenging and tense."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    1

    "Pixel art and music provide moderate sensory stimulation; gameplay is more cognitive than sensory."

    Capsule for No Umbrellas Allowed No Umbrellas Allowed

    "Pixel art and music provide moderate sensory stimulation; gameplay tension dominates."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -3

    "Achievements exist but social recognition is limited; focus is on personal accomplishment."

    Capsule for SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated

    "Achievements and milestones exist but social recognition is limited; focus is personal."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    2

    "Minimal narrative; emphasis on emergent stories from gameplay rather than overarching plot."

    Capsule for WazHack WazHack

    "Minimal narrative; emergent stories arise from gameplay and exploration."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    5

    "High mental challenge requiring planning, resource management, and tactical combat."

    Capsule for Don't Starve Together Don't Starve Together

    "High mental challenge requiring planning, resource management, and tactical combat."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    4

    "Permadeath, high difficulty, and unpredictable events create suspense and excitement."

    Capsule for Caves of Qud Caves of Qud

    "Permadeath, random events, and survival tension create suspense and excitement."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    5

    "Large amount of content and replayability offers excellent value for the price."

    Capsule for Hero's Adventure: Road to Passion Hero's Adventure: Road to Passion

    "Low price with extensive content and replayability offers excellent value for time and money."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    2

    "Combat and killing creatures is part of survival, but also includes constructive crafting and building."

    Capsule for Don't Starve Don't Starve

    "Combat and killing creatures are part of survival but balanced with crafting and building."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    5

    "Core gameplay revolves around avoiding death, managing resources, and overcoming threats."

    Capsule for DayZ DayZ

    "Core gameplay revolves around avoiding death, managing resources, and overcoming threats."

Last update: 01/06/2026