IMHO.

Games like Artist Life Simulator

If Artist Life Simulator is your kind of game, the closest matches are BOOK OF HOURS, Take That Mainstage! and Guild of Rogues — picked from the ranked list below. Reviewers single out its friendships require strategic investment, painting quality determines survival and atmospheric. Each pick is ranked by what players of this game also play, shared genres and tags, and review-mined similarity — not a generic popularity list.

Get personalized picks →

About Artist Life Simulator: Live the life of a starving artist in 19th century alternative history. Survive poverty, alchoholism, madness, depression, and 67 different feelings. Paint masterpieces by combining inspirations, sell them for riches (or scraps) and create a painting that will change the world.

2022IndieSimulationRPGCasual19.99 USDDeck PlayableWindowsby Interactive Fate
Artist Life Simulator — Steam game cover
Players highlight
Friendships require strategic investmentPainting quality determines survivalRandom events can ruin entire runsAtmosphericChallengingContemplative

Players who liked Artist Life Simulator also play

Steam players who put hours into Artist Life Simulator also tend to own these titles — a signal called collaborative filtering. imho.run cross-references millions of library ownership patterns to surface games whose real audiences overlap, regardless of whether their genre tags match.

  1. BOOK OF HOURS

    WHY THIS

    Shares an atmospheric mood with Artist Life Simulator.

    Top pick for Artist Life Simulator fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Indie and Simulation with Artist Life Simulator.

    Restore a crumbling occult library by a winter sea. Build the world’s foremost collection of grimoires and arcana. Master the invisible arts. BOOK OF HOURS is a narrative crafting RPG set in a 1930s world of hidden gods and secret histories. What sort of Librarian will you choose to be?

    2023IndieSimulationRPG13.74 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  2. Take That Mainstage!

    WHY THIS

    Second-strongest match for Artist Life Simulator fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Indie and Simulation with Artist Life Simulator.

    It's 1992 in Emerald City. The world screams for change. You made the leap, now fulfill your destiny and change the world. Build your band, write real music you perform, manage relationships, and reach the top of the charts. In this hybrid life sim, be the one to Take That Mainstage!

    2027StrategyIndieSimulationSteam ↗
  3. Guild of Rogues

    WHY THIS

    Third-strongest match for Artist Life Simulator fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Indie and RPG with Artist Life Simulator.

    Guild of Rogues is a Roguelike Deckbuilder with Autobattler elements. Strategically build your team of minions to create amazing synergies and defeat all enemies!

    2024StrategyIndieRPG9.99 USDSteam ↗
  4. Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers

    WHY THIS

    Shares a challenging mood with Artist Life Simulator.

    Ranked #4 for Artist Life Simulator fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Indie and RPG with Artist Life Simulator.

    Battle your way through a seedy tavern filled with gambling addicted townspeople in this Blackjack Roguelike Adventure. From aces and face cards to tarot cards, business cards and more, create your unique deck to beat the house.

    2024StrategyIndieRPG7.49 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  5. Griftlands

    WHY THIS

    Shares an atmospheric mood with Artist Life Simulator.

    Ranked #5 for Artist Life Simulator fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Indie with Artist Life Simulator.

    Griftlands is a deck-building roguelite where you negotiate, fight, steal or otherwise persuade others to get your way. Every decision is important, be it the jobs you take, the friends you make, or the cards you collect.

    2021Indie6.79 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  6. Ratropolis

    WHY THIS

    Shares a challenging mood with Artist Life Simulator.

    Ranked #6 for Artist Life Simulator fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Indie and Simulation with Artist Life Simulator.

    A fusion of roguelite, tower defense, city-building, and deck-building! We created a new kind of real time strategy game filled with addictive and fast-paced gameplay. Create your deck, defend your city, and build the largest Ratropolis in history!

    2020StrategyIndieSimulation7.19 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  7. WitchHand

    WHY THIS

    Shares an atmospheric mood with Artist Life Simulator.

    Ranked #7 for Artist Life Simulator fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Simulation with Artist Life Simulator.

    You're a witch, leading your coven into new, unfriendly lands. Use the cards you find to build and expand your civilization. Befriend the local covens or use their bones to fuel your spells. Gather your familiars, the witching hour is nigh.

    2024StrategySimulation3.59 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  8. Arcanium: Rise of Akhan

    WHY THIS

    Shares an atmospheric mood with Artist Life Simulator.

    Ranked #8 for Artist Life Simulator fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares RPG with Artist Life Simulator.

    Arcanium is an Open-world, Strategy Card Adventure that merges Roguelite and Deckbuilding genres like never before. Control your party of three heroes, craft your deck, unlock a vast amount of cards and items and save the world of Arzu from corruption!

    2022StrategyAdventureRPG19.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗

Reviewers mention these as similar to Artist Life Simulator

Surfaced from review text: when other players write 'if you liked X, try Y', we catch the name and resolve it back to a Steam game.

  1. Stardew Valley

    WHY THIS

    Reviewers of Artist Life Simulator cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares Indie and Simulation with Artist Life Simulator.

    You've inherited your grandfather's old farm plot in Stardew Valley. Armed with hand-me-down tools and a few coins, you set out to begin your new life. Can you learn to live off the land and turn these overgrown fields into a thriving home?

    2016IndieSimulationRPG14.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  2. Cultist Simulator

    WHY THIS

    Shares an atmospheric mood with Artist Life Simulator.

    Reviewers of Artist Life Simulator cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares Indie and Simulation with Artist Life Simulator.

    Seize forbidden treasures. Summon alien gods. Feed on your disciples. Cultist Simulator is a game of apocalypse and yearning. Play as a seeker after unholy mysteries, in a 1920s-themed setting of hidden gods and secret histories.

    2018IndieSimulationRPG19.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  3. Death and Taxes

    WHY THIS

    Shares a contemplative mood with Artist Life Simulator.

    Reviewers of Artist Life Simulator cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares Indie and Simulation with Artist Life Simulator.

    In this 2D, short narrative-based game, you assume the role of the Grim Reaper... on an office job. Your job is to decide which people are going to live or die. The consequences of your choices are yours to bear, while the mystery of your incarnation awaits revelation!

    2020StrategyIndieAdventure12.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗

Cheaper alternatives

Games in the same vein priced at least 40% below Artist Life Simulator at current Steam store prices.

  1. Terraria

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~50% under Artist Life Simulator on Steam right now. Shares Indie and RPG with Artist Life Simulator.

    Dig, fight, explore, build! Nothing is impossible in this action-packed adventure game. Four Pack also available!

    2011ActionIndieAdventure9.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  2. Garry's Mod

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~75% under Artist Life Simulator on Steam right now. Shares Indie and Simulation with Artist Life Simulator.

    Garry's Mod is a physics sandbox. There aren't any predefined aims or goals. We give you the tools and leave you to play.

    2006IndieSimulationCasual4.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  3. Lethal Company

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~50% under Artist Life Simulator on Steam right now. Shares Indie with Artist Life Simulator.

    A co-op horror about scavenging at abandoned moons to sell scrap to the Company.

    2023ActionIndieAdventure9.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  4. People Playground

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~50% under Artist Life Simulator on Steam right now. Shares Indie and Simulation with Artist Life Simulator.

    Shoot, stab, burn, poison, tear, vaporise, or crush ragdolls in a large open space.

    2019ActionIndieSimulation9.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  5. Fallout: New Vegas

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~50% under Artist Life Simulator on Steam right now. Shares RPG with Artist Life Simulator.

    Welcome to Vegas. New Vegas. Enjoy your stay!

    2010ActionRPG9.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  6. Undertale

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~50% under Artist Life Simulator on Steam right now. Shares Indie and RPG with Artist Life Simulator.

    UNDERTALE! The RPG game where you don't have to destroy anyone.

    2015IndieRPG9.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  7. Vampire Survivors

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~75% under Artist Life Simulator on Steam right now. Shares Indie and RPG with Artist Life Simulator.

    Mow down thousands of night creatures and survive until dawn! Vampire Survivors is a gothic horror casual game with rogue-lite elements, where your choices can allow you to quickly snowball against the hundreds of monsters that get thrown at you. Be the bullet hell!

    2022ActionIndieRPG4.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  8. PEAK

    WHY THIS

    Priced ~60% under Artist Life Simulator on Steam right now. Shares Indie with Artist Life Simulator.

    PEAK is a co-op climbing game where the slightest mistake can spell your doom. Either solo or as a group of lost nature scouts, your only hope of rescue from a mysterious island is to scale the mountain at its center. Do you have what it takes to reach the PEAK?

    2025ActionIndieAdventure7.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗

Free alternatives

Free-to-play games that recommended players of this title also tend to enjoy.

  1. Ultimate Custom Night

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Indie with Artist Life Simulator.

    Welcome to the ultimate FNAF mashup, featuring 50 selectable characters and custom difficulties!

    2018ActionIndieFree To PlayFreeSteam ↗
  2. Bongo Cat

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Indie and Simulation with Artist Life Simulator.

    Bongo cat needs your help. Bongo cat needz more hatz!!! Every time you press a key, Bongo cat will punch your taskbar. Type, click, play, work to collect more points. Which hats will you find?

    2025IndieSimulationMassively MultiplayerFreeDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  3. The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Indie and Simulation with Artist Life Simulator.

    Sonic the Hedgehog...was murdered!? Get to the bottom of the mystery in this brand-new adventure!

    2023IndieSimulationFree To PlayFreeDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  4. missed messages.

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Indie and Simulation with Artist Life Simulator.

    ‘goth gf’s iPhone’ airdrops you - accept or decline? A love/horror story about life, death, & memes.

    2019IndieSimulationFree To PlayFreeDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  5. NGU IDLE

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Indie and Simulation with Artist Life Simulator.

    NGU Idle is a Free To Play Idle game that's full of weird humor, tons of upgrades and hundreds of hours of content! Try out NGU Idle today and experience the joy of Numbers Going Up!

    2019IndieAdventureSimulationFreeDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  6. Grimm's Hollow

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Indie and RPG with Artist Life Simulator.

    A spooky, freeware RPG where you search the afterlife for your brother. Reap ghosts with your scythe, explore haunted caves, and eat ghostly treats on your journey through death.

    2019IndieAdventureRPGFreeDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  7. Virtual Cottage

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Indie and Simulation with Artist Life Simulator.

    Virtual Cottage gives you a comfy place to rest and be productive without any distractions. Open the game, set yourself a goal and enjoy the atmosphere.

    2020IndieSimulationFree To PlayFreeDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  8. Steam Engine Simulator

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Simulation with Artist Life Simulator.

    The Steam Engine Simulator shown on AngeTheGreat's YouTube channel.

    2023SimulationFreeDeck VerifiedSteam ↗

Plays great on Steam Deck

Valve-Verified or Playable picks from the similar pool — ready to go on Deck out of the box.

  1. BOOK OF HOURS

    WHY THIS

    Shares an atmospheric mood with Artist Life Simulator.

    Deck Verified — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares Indie and Simulation with Artist Life Simulator.

    Restore a crumbling occult library by a winter sea. Build the world’s foremost collection of grimoires and arcana. Master the invisible arts. BOOK OF HOURS is a narrative crafting RPG set in a 1930s world of hidden gods and secret histories. What sort of Librarian will you choose to be?

    2023IndieSimulationRPG13.74 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  2. Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers

    WHY THIS

    Shares a challenging mood with Artist Life Simulator.

    Deck Verified — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares Indie and RPG with Artist Life Simulator.

    Battle your way through a seedy tavern filled with gambling addicted townspeople in this Blackjack Roguelike Adventure. From aces and face cards to tarot cards, business cards and more, create your unique deck to beat the house.

    2024StrategyIndieRPG7.49 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  3. Griftlands

    WHY THIS

    Shares an atmospheric mood with Artist Life Simulator.

    Deck Verified — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares Indie with Artist Life Simulator.

    Griftlands is a deck-building roguelite where you negotiate, fight, steal or otherwise persuade others to get your way. Every decision is important, be it the jobs you take, the friends you make, or the cards you collect.

    2021Indie6.79 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  4. Arcanium: Rise of Akhan

    WHY THIS

    Shares an atmospheric mood with Artist Life Simulator.

    Deck Verified — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares RPG with Artist Life Simulator.

    Arcanium is an Open-world, Strategy Card Adventure that merges Roguelite and Deckbuilding genres like never before. Control your party of three heroes, craft your deck, unlock a vast amount of cards and items and save the world of Arzu from corruption!

    2022StrategyAdventureRPG19.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗

Frequently asked about Artist Life Simulator

Does Artist Life Simulator run on Steam Deck?
Artist Life Simulator is rated Playable on Steam Deck — it runs, but expect some manual adjustments (control remapping, text size, or graphics settings) for the best experience.
How much does Artist Life Simulator cost?
Artist Life Simulator is listed on Steam at 19.99 USD (current store price; Steam sales may reduce this temporarily).
What games are most similar to Artist Life Simulator?
Based on Steam play patterns and shared genres/tags, the games most often recommended alongside Artist Life Simulator are BOOK OF HOURS, Take That Mainstage!, Guild of Rogues.
Who developed Artist Life Simulator?
Artist Life Simulator was developed by Interactive Fate and published by Interactive Fate , Placeholder Gameworks.

imho.run ranks Steam game alternatives using a mix of collaborative filtering (ALS / iALS / EASE / LightGCN), content scoring over genres, categories, Steam tags, developers, and publishers, plus AI-extracted vibes mined from review text. The page above is generated in seed mode anchored on Artist Life Simulator.

For library-aware picks tuned to your specific taste, sign in with Steam on the home page.

31 Games Like Artist Life Simulator — Ranked for 2026 · imho.run