# Games like Cepheus Protocol

> The closest matches to Cepheus Protocol: Infection Free Zone, Survivalist, Atom Zombie Smasher, They Are Billions, and State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition. Ranked by imho.run from Steam co-play data, shared tags and reviews.

## Similar games, ranked

The full ranked list, 24 games, best match first (the HTML page shows the top 8 as cards).

1. [Infection Free Zone](https://imho.run/games/1465460/infection-free-zone) — Shares base building with Cepheus Protocol. 6,678 Steam reviews, 85% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1465460/)
2. [Survivalist](https://imho.run/games/340050/survivalist) — Also RTS and Zombies, like Cepheus Protocol. 1,320 Steam reviews, 81% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/340050/)
3. [Atom Zombie Smasher](https://imho.run/games/55040/atom-zombie-smasher) — A frequent pick in Cepheus Protocol players' libraries, and another Strategy. 927 Steam reviews, 90% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/55040/)
4. [They Are Billions](https://imho.run/games/644930/they-are-billions) — Also RTS and Zombies, like Cepheus Protocol. 18,746 Steam reviews, 80% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/644930/)
5. [State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition](https://imho.run/games/495420/state-of-decay-2-juggernaut-edition) — Also Zombies and Post-apocalyptic, like Cepheus Protocol. 21,377 Steam reviews, 86% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/495420/)
6. [Delivery from the Pain:Survival / 末日方舟:生存](https://imho.run/games/685340/delivery-from-the-pain-survival) — A frequent pick in Cepheus Protocol players' libraries, and another Action. 98 Steam reviews, 83% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/685340/)
7. [Final Outpost: Definitive Edition](https://imho.run/games/3066310/final-outpost-definitive-edition) — Shares base building with Cepheus Protocol. 99 Steam reviews, 76% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3066310/)
8. [Contagion](https://imho.run/games/238430/contagion) — Also Zombies and Post-apocalyptic, like Cepheus Protocol. 5,535 Steam reviews, 73% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/238430/)
9. [Cataclismo](https://imho.run/games/1422440/cataclismo) — Also RTS and Tactical, like Cepheus Protocol. 2,177 Steam reviews, 89% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1422440/)
10. [VEIN](https://imho.run/games/1857950/vein) — A frequent pick in Cepheus Protocol players' libraries, and another RPG. 6,877 Steam reviews, 90% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1857950/)
11. [Zombie Survival Game Online](https://imho.run/games/2268560/zombie-survival-game-online) — Shares base building with Cepheus Protocol. 173 Steam reviews, 70% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2268560/)
12. [Aliens: Dark Descent](https://imho.run/games/1150440/aliens-dark-descent) — Also RTS and Tactical, like Cepheus Protocol. 9,060 Steam reviews, 88% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1150440/)
13. [Infested Planet](https://imho.run/games/204530/infested-planet) — Also RTS and Gore, like Cepheus Protocol. 1,860 Steam reviews, 95% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/204530/)
14. [Ultimate Zombie Defense 2](https://imho.run/games/1765300/ultimate-zombie-defense-2) — Also Zombies and Post-apocalyptic, like Cepheus Protocol. 189 Steam reviews, 85% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1765300/)
15. [DREADZONE](https://imho.run/games/3484300/dreadzone) — Shares base building with Cepheus Protocol. 507 Steam reviews, 62% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3484300/)
16. [Age of Darkness: Final Stand](https://imho.run/games/1426450/age-of-darkness-final-stand) — Shares base building with Cepheus Protocol. 5,356 Steam reviews, 76% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1426450/)
17. [Rebuild 3: Gangs of Deadsville](https://imho.run/games/257170/rebuild-3-gangs-of-deadsville) — Shares base building with Cepheus Protocol. 1,194 Steam reviews, 86% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/257170/)
18. [Project Zomboid](https://imho.run/games/108600/project-zomboid) — Also Zombies and Post-apocalyptic, like Cepheus Protocol. 147,516 Steam reviews, 94% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/108600/)
19. [Plague Inc: Evolved](https://imho.run/games/246620/plague-inc-evolved) — Also Zombies and Post-apocalyptic, like Cepheus Protocol. 25,374 Steam reviews, 94% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/246620/)
20. [PolyZ](https://imho.run/games/2735220/polyz) — Shares base building with Cepheus Protocol. 68 Steam reviews, 56% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2735220/)
21. [Invasion Machine](https://imho.run/games/964650/invasion-machine) — Also RTS and Gore, like Cepheus Protocol. 505 Steam reviews, 66% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/964650/)
22. [The Scouring](https://imho.run/games/3338950/the-scouring) — Shares unit customization and base building with Cepheus Protocol. 501 Steam reviews, 91% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3338950/)
23. [Left 4 Dead 2](https://imho.run/games/550/left-4-dead-2) — Also Zombies and Post-apocalyptic, like Cepheus Protocol. 226,496 Steam reviews, 98% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/550/)
24. [Jaws Of Extinction™](https://imho.run/games/617850/jaws-of-extinction) — Also Zombies and Gore, like Cepheus Protocol. 161 Steam reviews, 55% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/617850/)

## Machine-readable

The same ranked list as JSON from the imho.run API for AI assistants (GET, no key, same site as this page):

- Top 20: https://imho.run/api/agent/games-like?q=979640&n=20
- Co-op games only: https://imho.run/api/agent/games-like?q=979640&n=20&coop=true
- Free games only: https://imho.run/api/agent/games-like?q=979640&n=20&free=true
- Facts about this game: https://imho.run/api/agent/game-facts?q=979640
- This page as markdown: https://imho.run/md/game/979640
- API docs: https://imho.run/developers (OpenAPI: https://imho.run/openapi.json, MCP: https://imho.run/mcp)

## About Cepheus Protocol

Cepheus Protocol is a 2020 open-world RTS survival game developed by Halcyon Winds, set during a post-apocalyptic zombie outbreak where players command CERC forces hunting Patient Zero. The game blends action and strategy through base-building, an operator system, and pathfinding AI, while demanding players manage civilians and evacuation logistics alongside supply lines. Reviewers highlight how civilian evacuation adds unique strategic depth, and players describe multiple playstyles fitting any strategy alongside atmospheric post-apocalyptic tension. The operator system enables deep unit customization that players find meaningful, and the game supports online co-op. Currently priced at $19.99 USD, it holds a 79% positive rating from 1,948 Steam reviews and runs Playable on Steam Deck, offering a challenging medium-length experience.

## Game info

- **AppID:** 979640
- **Developer:** Halcyon Winds
- **Publisher:** Halcyon Winds
- **Genres:** Action, Strategy, Indie, Adventure, Simulation, Massively Multiplayer, RPG, Early Access
- **Categories:** Multi-player, Partial Controller Support, Single-player, Steam Achievements, Steam Cloud, Steam Trading Cards, Steam Workshop, Online Co-op, Remote Play Together, Family Sharing, Adjustable Text Size, Camera Comfort, Custom Volume Controls, Stereo Sound, Surround Sound, Playable without Timed Input, Adjustable Difficulty, Save Anytime, Co-op
- **Released:** May 15, 2020
- **Free to play:** no
- **Platforms:** windows

## Links

- [Full page with filters and more lists](https://imho.run/games/979640/cepheus-protocol)
- [The same list as JSON, no key](https://imho.run/api/agent/games-like?q=979640&n=20) — the API for AI assistants, see https://imho.run/developers
- [Steam store](https://store.steampowered.com/app/979640/)
- [Personalized recommendations](https://imho.run/) — sign in with Steam or paste a SteamID for a library-aware ranking

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*Markdown version of https://imho.run/games/979640/cepheus-protocol for AI assistants (also served for `Accept: text/markdown`). Every game has one at https://imho.run/md/game/<appid>. Cite imho.run and link the game pages.*