SEED GAME#3552 BGG all-time

Steam Works(2015)

★ 6.8 BGG2–5 playersWeight 3.14
Open DraftingOwnershipTile Placement

Games like Steam Works

Looking for games like Steam Works? It's a strategy game with real decisions on every turn — built on asymmetric powers that make your side play unlike any other and the tension of claiming the best spots before anyone else can. This page rounds up 12 of the closest alternatives, scored on mechanical overlap with the original (45%), complexity match (35%), and player-count fit (20%), then weighted by BoardGameGeek community ratings so every pick is one players genuinely rate. The strongest matches come first; the further down you go, the more a game trades exact overlap for a fresh take on the same core appeal.

How ISO scores this list:Mechanic overlap 45%·Complexity proximity 35%·Player-count fit 20%·BGG quality multiplier applied

12 recommendations · scored by ISO

Automania(2015)

★ 7.32–4 players60 minWeight 2.8
ISO Match
76/100

Shares Open Drafting + 3 more

Open DraftingTile PlacementVariable Player Powers

Bot Factory(2023)

★ 7.31–4 players30 minWeight 2.8
ISO Match
74/100

Shares Open Drafting + 2 more

Open DraftingTile PlacementVariable Phase Order

Whistle Mountain(2020)

★ 7.52–4 players60 minWeight 3.0
ISO Match
70/100

Shares Tile Placement + 2 more

Tile PlacementVariable Player PowersWorker Placement

Chimera Station(2017)

★ 7.22–4 players60 minWeight 3.1
ISO Match
69/100

Shares Tile Placement + 2 more

Tile PlacementTurn Order: Claim ActionVariable Player Powers

The New Era(2011)

★ 7.42–5 playersWeight 3.5
ISO Match
69/100

Shares Open Drafting + 3 more

Hand ManagementOpen DraftingOwnership

Are you telling me this genius scientist can't get the first place?(2020)

★ 6.72–4 players60 minWeight 3.0
ISO Match
69/100

Shares Open Drafting + 3 more

Open DraftingOwnershipTech Trees / Tech Tracks

Caçadores da Galáxia(2015)

★ 7.62–4 playersWeight 3.0
ISO Match
68/100

Shares Tile Placement + 2 more

Modular BoardTile PlacementVariable Player Powers

Apiary(2023)

★ 7.71–5 players60 minWeight 3.0
ISO Match
66/100

Shares Tile Placement + 2 more

IncomeMulti-Use CardsSolo / Solitaire Game

Ether Wars(2017)

★ 6.32–4 players45 minWeight 3.0
ISO Match
66/100

Shares Open Drafting + 2 more

Dice RollingOpen DraftingVariable Player Powers

Expedition Zetta(2018)

★ 6.31–5 players30 minWeight 3.2
ISO Match
66/100

Shares Open Drafting + 2 more

Auction / BiddingGrid MovementOpen Drafting

Illuminati(1987)

★ 6.52–6 playersWeight 2.7
ISO Match
65/100

Shares Open Drafting + 2 more

Dice RollingNetwork and Route BuildingOpen Drafting

Illuminati (Second Edition)(2018)

★ 7.02–6 players60 minWeight 2.8
ISO Match
64/100

Shares Open Drafting + 2 more

Dice RollingNetwork and Route BuildingOpen Drafting

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