RimWorld
RimWorld: A $35 colony sim for players who enjoy managing survivors and unfolding stories. Ranked #14 of 98 in PC Games by our editors (8.1/10); pricing: From $35; best for colony simulation with emergent stories.
At a glance
- Editor score8.1 / 10
- PricingFrom $35
- Best forColony simulation with emergent stories
- Free planNo
- Paid from$35one-time
- Supported OSMultiple
- Facts checked5 Oct 2026
Where it wins
- AI storyteller shapes random events into changing colony stories
- Colonist needs, relationships and health add management depth
- Supports community mods through Steam Workshop
Where it doesn't
- The base game costs $35 as a one-time purchase
- Colony management may not suit players seeking a directed campaign
- Partial controller support
Our verdict on RimWorld
RimWorld is a sci-fi colony simulation for players who want to guide crash-landed survivors and see how their circumstances develop. Its AI storyteller controls random world events, while colonists bring moods, needs, relationships, health and injuries to the colony’s ongoing challenges. The game is single-player and available on Windows, macOS and Linux, with construction, crafting, animal training, trade and travel among its systems. It is a fit for players drawn to management and emergent stories rather than a fixed sequence of missions.
The base game, called RimWorld Base Game, costs $35 as a one-time purchase. Its listed options are a DRM-free download and instant access through Steam. The official site shows a time-limited 20% discount through October 9, 2026; the regular listed price is $35. The price is substantial for a single-player simulation, so buyers should weigh the colony-management and storytelling focus against their interest in returning to generated scenarios. It is not a free-to-play game.
The game’s scope extends beyond keeping a settlement running: players can build structures, craft weapons and apparel, tame animals, trade with passing ships and caravans, form caravans, complete quests and travel across the planet. Community mods are available through Steam Workshop, which may appeal to players who want to extend or adjust the experience. RimWorld also has partial controller support. Choose it if managing colonists and responding to unpredictable events is the appeal; consider another game if you want a lower one-time price, full controller support or a more tightly directed campaign.
RimWorld pricing
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RimWorld fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $35one-time |
| Genre | Simulation |
| Single-player | Yes |
| Online multiplayer | Not verified |
| Controller support | Yes |
| Mod support | Yes |
| Supported OS | Multiple |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Pricing | From $35 (source) |
| Website | rimworldgame.com |
| Facts checked | 5 Oct 2026 |
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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