Rise to Ruins

A brutal godlike village sim that melds the god game, management, and tower defense genres! Fight off hoards of monsters at night, and expand your village in the day time. Inspired by games like Black and White, Rimworld, and Dwarf Fortress but not quite like any of them.

Rise to Ruins is a tower defense, colony sim and city builder game developed by Raymond Doerr and published by SixtyGig Games.
Released on October 14th 2019 is available in English on Windows, MacOS and Linux.

It has received 7,607 reviews of which 6,714 were positive and 893 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. 😎

The game is currently priced at 13.99€ on Steam.

The Steam community has classified Rise to Ruins into these genres:

Tower Defense Colony Sim City Builder Strategy Survival Pixel Graphics Base-Building God Game Simulation Indie Sandbox Singleplayer 2D Resource Management Early Access Retro Rogue-like Great Soundtrack Level Editor Soundtrack

Media & Screenshots

Get an in-depth look at Rise to Ruins through various videos and screenshots.

screenshot_ss_5c87844580091796814583e9408ce62a468c5392.1920x1080.jpg

screenshot_ss_20a099e9de89ca00f4cee6c060753065dfd57f23.1920x1080.jpg

screenshot_ss_ca30ef5b4cee617bd36017da2953777f19b151c2.1920x1080.jpg

screenshot_ss_b9451ef13da675084783e87af293def31637bb12.1920x1080.jpg

screenshot_ss_0dfe4550cd5f2daad2faa43aedad4059eaf8db1f.1920x1080.jpg

screenshot_ss_6ec7e87a6abb974c4ae2d2ff3f7fef8321e5f3e5.1920x1080.jpg

screenshot_ss_116ddf5c19815f83c40ca9034355fdfbbdbe937d.1920x1080.jpg

screenshot_ss_bd07002cbce15a5081ed50434df57b3ff6d2cb3e.1920x1080.jpg

screenshot_ss_13f50720ad32c2c71797bd3c7630e9c3052d4fb8.1920x1080.jpg

screenshot_ss_95d84cf50114203d1643de7a428b0aae73f5cdb4.1920x1080.jpg

screenshot_ss_a8bbc17ed709012b677e3a509ff94d3f3e99aad9.1920x1080.jpg

screenshot_ss_190382f18be96ee4bd7706afc791a622bb19e5ba.1920x1080.jpg

screenshot_ss_17ba3c46b8c62ec81d709499a1fa3e3f4afd9de3.1920x1080.jpg

screenshot_ss_17e3463915a667dfb165d410c59168b559fdfe63.1920x1080.jpg

screenshot_ss_df089ac9fa6fccb822292613eb759a7104561de5.1920x1080.jpg

screenshot_ss_f16f4197535e37a1c04794e5af0f843fed38b92a.1920x1080.jpg

screenshot_ss_4fe1e488109fa6225d49ad799ab270f9921ec6f0.1920x1080.jpg

screenshot_ss_e4e3aa29f3848fed2d49dcc50f0c81a3e4e2f67e.1920x1080.jpg

Requirements

These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.

Windows

Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
OS *: Windows XP (64 Bit)
Processor: Intel i5 or equivalent (Dual Core with Hyper-Threading)
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Graphics: Intel HD 4400 or equivalent, 1280x720 resolution or higher.
Storage: 1 GB available space
Additional Notes: Java 8 or Higher Required (Bundled with product)

MacOS

OS: Os X 10.7 or later
Processor: Intel i5 or equivalent (Dual Core with Hyper-Threading)
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Graphics: Intel HD 4400 or equivalent, 1280x720 resolution or higher.
Storage: 1 GB available space
Additional Notes: Java 8 or Higher Required (Bundled with product)

Linux

OS: Most 64 Bit Linux Distros (Must support Java)
Processor: Intel i5 or equivalent (Dual Core with Hyper-Threading)
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Graphics: Intel HD 4400 or equivalent, 1280x720 resolution or higher.
Storage: 1 GB available space
Additional Notes: OracleJDK or OpenJDK 8 Required (OpenJDK bundled with product)

Reviews

Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.

Nov. 2024

When I play Tower defence games, I am basically enjoying watching brainless AI units get destroyed by my gradually improved/upgraded defence structures. It is brutal and not that complex, apart from knowing what to upgrade and when, more or less. That is the fun of that. I don't want it to be too clever. I'm not too fussy - there are lots of tower defence games that work for me. When I play city-builders or other management type games I am enjoying the complexity. I don't like it dumb. My favourite city builders are Workers and Resources Soviet Republic, Amazing Cultivation Simulator, or, especially, Songs of Syx. I want it deep and complex and I want it to reward my brain cells, not kiil them as so many supposedly complex games do these days. Rise to Ruins, somehow manages to engage the part of me that wants brainless, along with the part that likes complex, and gets them to play nicely with each other. It is a fragile arrangement, on occasion, when playing my brain will spasm with a "why is the AI so stupid?" but mostly it works. Because undead, mostly. Also it is, I think, a very cleverly designed game, there are in-game lore reasons why things are as they are and if you cllick with that it is a very fun game with hidden depths. RtR is a game that I am really happy I have in my library because when I need that particular mix of game-play elements it is really fun. If you have ever found yourself wondering what game to play, and not quite fancying any of the tower defence games or city builders in your library - this game might be just the thing. Certainly I have found nothing else like it. I recommend it, works great in linux and if you have problems the dev is very responsive and helpful.

Sept. 2024

Rise to Ruins is one of those games that really hits the sweet spot if you're into god sims or city-builders with a twist. It’s like it knows exactly what itch to scratch, blending the satisfaction of managing a village with the chaos of survival. As a god in the game, you’re not just watching your villagers build huts and gather resources—you’re actively involved. You can heal them, control the weather, and even throw down some godly wrath if things get out of hand. It feels like you're guiding them but also constantly reacting to the world. And that balance between control and unpredictability is what makes it so engaging. What I love most is how everything just clicks. You’re building this peaceful little village, but at the same time, there’s this looming threat from monsters that come at night. So while you're expanding and gathering resources during the day, you’re also preparing to defend everything you’ve built. It adds just the right amount of tension. And honestly, the game has this really addictive loop. You’re constantly improving things, tweaking your strategy, and watching your village grow from a few huts to a thriving settlement. Plus, the retro pixel art style just gives it that extra charm. If you’re looking for a game that scratches that god-sim itch while keeping things fresh with a mix of management and survival, Rise to Ruins is a must-try. It’s challenging but in a way that feels rewarding, and you’ll get sucked in for hours without even realizing it.

June 2024

This one is something special. There are now games coming out doing shallow version of this formula, but this is a true original. Still getting content updates five years in. It's a little slow and being under prepared can lead to devastating invasions, but the learning curve isn't too steep.

April 2024

its a great game not sure why its got a negative review, the dev is a bit of a wild card giving up on the game but he came back and has done some updates and is continuing on the journey, i hope people revisit there review and update and forgive

Feb. 2024

Pretty good tower defence / colony sim with a stylish lack of graphics, not too simple, not too overwhelming. I rediscovered this game while organizing steam library. Now in 2024, a lot changed since I last played it in 2019 and now it became quite good. Before, you got thrown on a map without understanding much, then monsters came and whooped your ass. Somewhere along the way they added in-game hints serving as tutorial, and the latest Achievement update provides a network of goals, which also doubles as learning framework. It does it's job well, making the game more accessible without compromising challenge. BTW most trash issues come from overharvesting/overproducing, you can, and should, set limits for materials less then "all available space", especially since that all space includes some ancillary on the opposite side of the map. And don't spam harvest spell without considering storage.

Similar games

View all

United Penguin Kingdom A city-building game where you build a penguin settlement and satisfy the various needs of your penguins while dealing with seals and killer whales. Enjoy the growth of your settlement, become the king, and lead the United Penguin Kingdom.

Similarity 99%

Price -70% 4.43€

Rating 7.3

Release 09 Mar 2024

View

Odd Realm Dive into Odd Realm, a mystical colony sim set in a land of fantasy! Lead your settlers to construct a thriving haven, navigating unpredictable seasons, elusive bandits, unseen horrors, and fabled gods. Every choice etches your colony's destiny, igniting a saga of adventure, peril, and triumph.

Similarity 79%

Price 19.50€

Rating 8.2

Release 16 Aug 2024

View

Kingdom: Classic Kingdom is a 2D sidescrolling strategy/resource management hybrid with a minimalist feel wrapped in a beautiful, modern pixel art aesthetic.

Similarity 79%

Price Free to play

Rating 8.9

Release 21 Oct 2015

View

Gnomoria Gnomoria is a sandbox village management game where you help lead a small group of gnomes, who have set out on their own, to thrive into a bustling kingdom! Anything you see can be broken down and rebuilt elsewhere.

Similarity 77%

Price 12.49€

Rating 7.4

Release 23 Feb 2016

View

Craft The World Craft The World is a unique sandbox strategy game, the mix of Dungeon Keeper, Terraria and Dwarf Fortress.Explore a random generated world populated by dangerous creatures, build a dwarf fortress, gather resources, and craft all the items, weapons, and armor you need.

Similarity 76%

Price -80% 3.66€

Rating 8.7

Release 24 Nov 2014

View

Settlement Survival In this city-building game, you will lead a group of survivors in their search for a new home. Manipulate the landscape, manage limited supplies, plant crops, hunt wildlife, gather resources, and develop trade routes to build a bustling and unique town.

Similarity 73%

Price -50% 8.39€

Rating 8.5

Release 24 Oct 2022

View

Space Haven Embark on a space voyage with your ragtag crew of civilians in search of a new home. Build spaceships tile by tile, create optimal gas conditions, manage the needs and moods of their crew, encounter other space-faring groups, and explore the universe in this spaceship colony simulation.

Similarity 73%

Price -60% 8.79€

Rating 8.4

Release 21 May 2020

View

From Glory To Goo From Glory To Goo is a Sci-Fi Survival RTS set on an alien world. Serve as humanity's bulwark by establishing a colony and supporting your colonists still in orbit. But beware, for The Goo, a relentless and shape-shifting force approaches from all sides, even above and below.

Similarity 72%

Price -30% 6.99€

Rating 8.8

Release 02 Apr 2024

View

Dwarfs!? Dig! Dig! Dig! Manage the small underground Dwarf base and make it as rich as possible before they meet their inevitable doom. Purchase before May 11th and save!

Similarity 72%

Price 8.19€

Rating 7.4

Release 04 May 2011

View

Zombie Cure Lab Construct a laboratory base full of machinery to cure zombies. Assign workers to gather and process resources, building up your economy. Defend against zombie attacks and convert them into your workforce. Research technologies to develop the final antidote and restore humanity.

Similarity 70%

Price -64% 9.03€

Rating 6.9

Release 07 Dec 2022

View

Ratopia Ratopia is a new game that has combined elements of both strategic survival and city building. With plenty of content available, and more planned, enjoy a vast world to adventure and populate with citizens! Build your own economical system to sustain your ideal city of Ratopia.

Similarity 70%

Price 19.50€

Rating 8.5

Release 05 Nov 2023

View

Bee Island Take control of the hive and protect it from enemies. Build factories and defence, research technologies and, if necessary, use nuclear weapons, but do not let the enemies harm the queen!

Similarity 70%

Price -35% 6.33€

Rating 7.9

Release 25 Aug 2023

View

More games like Rise to Ruins

Data sources

The information presented on this page is sourced from reliable APIs to ensure accuracy and relevance. We utilize the Steam API to gather data on game details, including titles, descriptions, prices, and user reviews. This allows us to provide you with the most up-to-date information directly from the Steam platform.

Additionally, we incorporate data from the SteamSpy API, which offers insights into game sales and player statistics. This helps us present a comprehensive view of each game's popularity and performance within the gaming community.

Last Updates

Steam data	18 November 2024 19:03
SteamSpy data	20 January 2025 02:55
Steam price	22 January 2025 20:43
Steam reviews	22 January 2025 15:54

13.99€

8.6

6,714

893

Online players

Developer

Raymond Doerr

Publisher

SixtyGig Games

Release 14 Oct 2019

Platforms