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Games like State of Decay

If State of Decay is your kind of game, the closest matches are State of Decay: YOSE, State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition and iZolated — picked from the ranked list below. 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.

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State of Decay is a 2013 third-person action game blending survival simulation with RPG mechanics in a post-apocalyptic open world. Players guide a community of survivors, managing resources, constructing and upgrading a base, and fighting off zombie hordes. The game emphasizes strategic decision-making where the death of a character is permanent, adding weight to combat encounters and resource allocation. Reviewers highlight the tension of balancing short-term survival against long-term community growth. State of Decay is verified to run on Steam Deck and holds an 82% positive rating from over 8,800 Steam reviews, offering a lengthy and challenging solo experience in the zombie survival sandbox genre.

About State of Decay: The end is here. Life as you knew it has gone to hell after the mother of all zombie outbreaks. Now you and the few scattered survivors must band together to survive and rebuild in a 3rd-person action game set in a dynamic open world.

2013ActionSimulationRPGDeck VerifiedMetacritic 79Windowsby Undead Labs
State of Decay — Steam game cover

Players who liked State of Decay also play

Steam players who put hours into State of Decay 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. State of Decay: YOSE

    WHY THIS

    Top pick for State of Decay fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action and Simulation with State of Decay.

    Make your stand against the collapse of society in the ultimate zombie survival-fantasy game. Explore an open world full of dangers and opportunities that respond to your every decision. Recruit a community of playable survivors, each with their own unique skills and talents.

    2015ActionSimulationRPG19.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  2. State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition

    WHY THIS

    Second-strongest match for State of Decay fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action and Simulation with State of Decay.

    The dead have risen and civilization has fallen. Now it's up to you to gather survivors, scavenge for resources and build a community in a post-apocalyptic world – a world where you define what it means to survive in this ultimate zombie survival simulation.

    2020ActionSimulationRPG29.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  3. iZolated

    WHY THIS

    Third-strongest match for State of Decay fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action and RPG with State of Decay.

    iZolated - This is a post-apocalyptic 2D action game with elements of survival and RPG, which throws you into a harsh open world where the slightest mistake costs you your life. Find equipment, engage in fights, and prove that you are the top of the food chain in this chaos!

    2024ActionIndieAdventure5.99 USDSteam ↗
  4. 7 Days to Die

    WHY THIS

    Ranked #4 for State of Decay fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action with State of Decay.

    7 Days to Die is an open-world game that is a unique combination of first-person shooter, survival horror, tower defense, and role-playing games. Play the definitive zombie survival sandbox RPG that came first. Navezgane awaits!

    2024ActionStrategyIndie44.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  5. Survivalist

    WHY THIS

    Ranked #5 for State of Decay fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action with State of Decay.

    It's one year after the collapse of civilization and self-centered hedge fund manager Joe Wheeler emerges from his specially constructed bunker in search of food. This is a huge open-world RPG where you have the freedom to play how you want - but your choices have consequences.

    2015ActionStrategyIndie4.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  6. Nether: Resurrected

    WHY THIS

    Ranked #6 for State of Decay fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action and Simulation with State of Decay.

    Nether is a unique, first-person, multiplayer urban survival experience. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, Nether forces players to make life-saving decisions in a fast-paced struggle against players and the environment. Join tribes, hold territory, scavenge, craft, trade and loot your way to stay alive.

    2014ActionIndieSimulationSteam ↗
  7. How to Survive

    WHY THIS

    Ranked #7 for State of Decay fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action and RPG with State of Decay.

    “A real Gem” – Destructoid at E3 “Offers a different experience for zombie game veterans” – Co-Optimus“Has a lot more going for it than smashing brains and gory, red goo ... With a surprisingly deep crafting system” – GamesRadarYou're shipwrecked on an isolated island, a desperate castaway in a total freakshow world. How will you survive?

    2014ActionAdventureRPG14.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  8. How to Survive 2

    WHY THIS

    Ranked #8 for State of Decay fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action and RPG with State of Decay.

    Dead or Alive? Make up your mind, stranger. We don’t like that undead business here in Louisiana…Survive solo or with friends as you look to fulfill your basic needs of food, water and shelter, crafting your own tools and weapons while you secure your camp and face flesh hungry zombies.

    2016ActionAdventureRPG14.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗

Reviewers mention these as similar to State of Decay

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. Project Zomboid

    WHY THIS

    Reviewers of State of Decay cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares Simulation and RPG with State of Decay.

    Project Zomboid is the ultimate in zombie survival. Alone or in MP: you loot, build, craft, fight, farm and fish in a struggle to survive. A hardcore RPG skillset, a vast map, massively customisable sandbox and a cute tutorial raccoon await the unwary. So how will you die? All it takes is a bite..

    2013IndieSimulationRPG19.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  2. Survivalist: Invisible Strain

    WHY THIS

    Reviewers of State of Decay cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares Action with State of Decay.

    It's ten years since the infection started. Long-established settlements are collapsing, one by one, for unknown reasons. Survivors are running to the hills to escape, hoping for safety in remote places. As another refugee, you're here to carve out a new life for yourself - by any means necessary.

    2025ActionStrategyIndie11.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  3. The Forest

    WHY THIS

    Reviewers of State of Decay cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares Action and Simulation with State of Decay.

    As the lone survivor of a passenger jet crash, you find yourself in a mysterious forest battling to stay alive against a society of cannibalistic mutants. Build, explore, survive in this terrifying first person survival horror simulator.

    2018ActionIndieAdventure19.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  4. Kenshi

    WHY THIS

    Reviewers of State of Decay cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares Action and Simulation with State of Decay.

    A free-roaming squad based RPG. Focusing on open-ended sandbox gameplay features rather than a linear story. Be a trader, a thief, a rebel, a warlord, an adventurer, a farmer, a slave, or just food for the cannibals. Train your men up from puny victims to master warriors.

    2018ActionStrategyIndie29.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  5. RimWorld

    WHY THIS

    Reviewers of State of Decay cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares Simulation with State of Decay.

    A sci-fi colony sim driven by an intelligent AI storyteller. Generates stories by simulating psychology, ecology, gunplay, melee combat, climate, biomes, diplomacy, interpersonal relationships, art, medicine, trade, and more.

    2018StrategyIndieSimulation34.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  6. 7 Days to Die

    WHY THIS

    Reviewers of State of Decay cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares Action with State of Decay.

    7 Days to Die is an open-world game that is a unique combination of first-person shooter, survival horror, tower defense, and role-playing games. Play the definitive zombie survival sandbox RPG that came first. Navezgane awaits!

    2024ActionStrategyIndie44.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  7. This War of Mine

    WHY THIS

    Reviewers of State of Decay cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares Simulation with State of Decay.

    In This War Of Mine you do not play as an elite soldier, rather a group of civilians trying to survive in a besieged city; struggling with lack of food, medicine and constant danger from snipers and hostile scavengers. The game provides an experience of war seen from an entirely new angle.

    2014IndieAdventureSimulation19.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  8. Medieval Dynasty

    WHY THIS

    Reviewers of State of Decay cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares Action and Simulation with State of Decay.

    Hunt, survive, build and lead in the harsh Middle Ages: Create your own Medieval Dynasty and ensure its long-lasting prosperity or die trying! Play alone or team up with friends to enjoy the ultimate medieval experience.

    2021ActionIndieAdventure34.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗

Free alternatives

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

  1. Doki Doki Literature Club!

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it.

    The Literature Club is full of cute girls! Will you write the way into their heart? This game is not suitable for children or those who are easily disturbed.

    2017IndieFree To PlayCasualFreeDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  2. Life is Strange - Episode 1

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Action with State of Decay.

    Episode 1 now FREE! Life is Strange is an award-winning and critically acclaimed episodic adventure game that allows the player to rewind time and affect the past, present and future.

    2015ActionAdventureFreeDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  3. Ultimate Custom Night

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Action with State of Decay.

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

    2018ActionIndieFree To PlayFreeSteam ↗
  4. Bongo Cat

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Simulation with State of Decay.

    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 ↗
  5. ENA: Dream BBQ

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it.

    Experience surreal environments and inexplicable characters as ENA in a new wild world.

    2025IndieAdventureFreeDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  6. Indigo Park: Chapter 1

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Action with State of Decay.

    Explore the abandoned childhood wonder of Indigo Park! Guided by Rambley the Raccoon, help restore power to the destroyed amusement park while you run from the reason it shut down.

    2024ActionIndieAdventureFreeDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  7. STRAFTAT

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it. Shares Action with State of Decay.

    STRAFTAT is a 1v1/2v2 ONLINE first person SHOOTER with quick rounds in over 350 MAPS ; Including all WEAPONS, proximity chat and 4 players FFA.

    2024ActionFreeDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  8. The Looker

    WHY THIS

    Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it.

    You wake up, alone, on a strangely familiar island full of puzzles that will frustrate and annoy you.

    2022IndieFreeDeck PlayableSteam ↗

More from Undead Labs

Other recommendable Steam games by Undead Labs, ranked by review count so the studio's hits land first.

  1. State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition

    WHY THIS

    Another title from Undead Labs, the studio behind State of Decay. Shares Action and Simulation with State of Decay.

    The dead have risen and civilization has fallen. Now it's up to you to gather survivors, scavenge for resources and build a community in a post-apocalyptic world – a world where you define what it means to survive in this ultimate zombie survival simulation.

    2020ActionSimulationRPG29.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  2. State of Decay: YOSE

    WHY THIS

    Another title from Undead Labs, the studio behind State of Decay. Shares Action and Simulation with State of Decay.

    Make your stand against the collapse of society in the ultimate zombie survival-fantasy game. Explore an open world full of dangers and opportunities that respond to your every decision. Recruit a community of playable survivors, each with their own unique skills and talents.

    2015ActionSimulationRPG19.99 USDDeck PlayableSteam ↗
  3. State of Decay 3

    WHY THIS

    Another title from Undead Labs, the studio behind State of Decay. Shares Action with State of Decay.

    Play as a community of survivors, build up your settlements with friends, and destroy zombies in State of Decay 3, the latest in the franchise from developer Undead Labs.

    2027ActionAdventureSteam ↗

Plays great on Steam Deck

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

  1. 7 Days to Die

    WHY THIS

    Deck Verified — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares Action with State of Decay.

    7 Days to Die is an open-world game that is a unique combination of first-person shooter, survival horror, tower defense, and role-playing games. Play the definitive zombie survival sandbox RPG that came first. Navezgane awaits!

    2024ActionStrategyIndie44.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  2. Survivalist

    WHY THIS

    Deck Verified — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares Action with State of Decay.

    It's one year after the collapse of civilization and self-centered hedge fund manager Joe Wheeler emerges from his specially constructed bunker in search of food. This is a huge open-world RPG where you have the freedom to play how you want - but your choices have consequences.

    2015ActionStrategyIndie4.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗
  3. How to Survive

    WHY THIS

    Deck Verified — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares Action and RPG with State of Decay.

    “A real Gem” – Destructoid at E3 “Offers a different experience for zombie game veterans” – Co-Optimus“Has a lot more going for it than smashing brains and gory, red goo ... With a surprisingly deep crafting system” – GamesRadarYou're shipwrecked on an isolated island, a desperate castaway in a total freakshow world. How will you survive?

    2014ActionAdventureRPG14.99 USDDeck VerifiedSteam ↗

Frequently asked about State of Decay

Is State of Decay verified for Steam Deck?
Yes — State of Decay is Steam Deck Verified, meaning Valve has confirmed it runs well on the Deck with full controller, text legibility, and default configuration support.
What games are most similar to State of Decay?
Based on Steam play patterns and shared genres/tags, the games most often recommended alongside State of Decay are State of Decay: YOSE, State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition, iZolated.
Who developed State of Decay?
State of Decay was developed by Undead Labs and published by Xbox Game Studios.

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 State of Decay.

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

30 Games Like State of Decay — Ranked for 2026 · imho.run