Defense Grid 2 cover art

games like

Defense Grid 2

Defense Grid 2 leans Optimization (Pure Optimization). Below: catalogued games with the closest cheat-test profile, and exactly where each one differs.

Matched first against: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Simulator, Strategy - then ranked by cheat-test profile.

EXECUTION2 /10READS0 /10VARIANCE1 /10OPTIMIZATION9 /10

12 games like Defense Grid 2

A cross-genre tag below means that pick didn't share a genre - it filled a slot on cheat-test profile alone.

Outer Wilds cover art
Outer WildsPure Optimization · exploration mystery

Both lean on execution about the same (2 vs 2). Otherwise the profiles match closely.

full comparison →
Kingdom Rush cover art
Kingdom RushPure Optimization · tower defense

Both lean on execution about the same (2 vs 2). Otherwise the profiles match closely.

full comparison →
World of Goo cover art
World of GooPure Optimization · physics construction puzzle

Both lean on reads about the same (0 vs 0). Biggest difference: execution (2 vs 3) - Placing goo balls needs only mild precision

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Factorio cover art
FactorioPure Optimization · factory automation

Both lean on execution about the same (2 vs 2). Biggest difference: optimization (9 vs 10) - Throughput, ratios, and logistics are the entire game.

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RollerCoaster Tycoon cover art
RollerCoaster TycoonPure Optimization · theme park sim

Both lean on reads about the same (0 vs 0). Biggest difference: execution (2 vs 1) - Mouse-driven building with no time pressure

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Satisfactory cover art
SatisfactoryPure Optimization · factory automation

Both lean on reads about the same (0 vs 0). Biggest difference: execution (2 vs 1) - Light platforming, no real mechanical ceiling.

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The Swapper cover art
The SwapperPure Optimization · puzzle platformer

Both lean on execution about the same (2 vs 2). Biggest difference: variance (1 vs 0) - Deterministic rooms with no hidden state

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SimCity 3000 cover art
SimCity 3000Pure Optimization · city builder

Both lean on reads about the same (0 vs 0). Biggest difference: execution (2 vs 1) - Point-and-click planning; pause anytime.

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Bloons TD 6 cover art
Bloons TD 6Pure Optimization · tower defense

Both lean on reads about the same (0 vs 0). Biggest difference: execution (2 vs 1) - Placement clicks only; no dexterity ceiling

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Dawn of Discovery cover art
Dawn of DiscoveryPure Optimization · city-building strategy

Both lean on execution about the same (2 vs 2). Biggest difference: reads (0 vs 1) - AI traders and rivals follow predictable scripts

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Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker cover art
Captain Toad: Treasure TrackerPure Optimization · puzzle platformer

Both lean on reads about the same (0 vs 0). Biggest difference: execution (2 vs 3) - Gentle navigation, no jumping, light timing

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Astroneer cover art
AstroneerPure Optimization · space sandbox

Both lean on execution about the same (2 vs 2). Biggest difference: variance (1 vs 2) - Planet resource distribution

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Game details

Released
2014
Developer
Hidden Path Entertainment
Platforms
PS4, Linux, PC, Mac, Oculus Rift, XONE, Switch
Modes
Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative, Split screen
IGDB critics
79/100
IGDB users
87/100
Real Time Strategy (RTS)SimulatorStrategyIndieScience fiction