Best games like Game Dev Story

10+ similar games compared and reviewed

4.8 avg rating
2 free games
Updated October 2026

Game Dev Story is great, but it's not the only option. Explore 10+ similar apps and games for iPhone and iPad, each reviewed and rated by real users. Find free alternatives, premium upgrades, and hidden gems.

Top Alternatives to Game Dev Story

Game Dev Tycoon#1

Game Dev Tycoon by Greenheart Games Pty. Ltd.

Replay gaming history
Editor's Choice
๐ŸŽฎ Games
4.9๐Ÿ˜Š(24K ratings)
$4.99
#58in Games
Game Dev Tycoon screenshot 1
Game Dev Tycoon screenshot 2
Game Dev Tycoon screenshot 3
Game Dev Tycoon screenshot 4
Game Dev Tycoon screenshot 5

Build your own game development company from the 1980s to the present. Design and create your own games, research new technologies, and manage a team to become a market leader. Enjoy a full simulation experience without ads or in-app purchases.

What We Love

  • ๐Ÿ‘ Cheap price
  • ๐Ÿ‘ No in-app purchases or ads
  • ๐Ÿ‘ Addictive and fun gameplay
  • ๐Ÿ‘ Realistic game development simulation
  • ๐Ÿ‘ Detailed and complex mechanics
  • ๐Ÿ‘ Excellent port from PC version
  • ๐Ÿ‘ Engaging and challenging progression
  • ๐Ÿ‘ Developers are responsive and appreciated

Room to Improve

  • ๐Ÿ› Game crashes on launch for some users
  • ๐Ÿ› Orientation issues on iPhone X
  • ๐Ÿ› Difficulty remembering research and specialist information
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Game can be very time-consuming
  • ๐Ÿค” Lack of difficulty options or sandbox mode
  • ๐Ÿค” Repetitive nature of gameplay loop
Pocket City 2#2

Pocket City 2 by Codebrew Games Inc.

Metropolis Builder & Simulator
Strong Contender
๐ŸŽฎ Games
4.6๐Ÿ˜Š(800 ratings)
$4.99
#32in Games
Pocket City 2 screenshot 1
Pocket City 2 screenshot 2
Pocket City 2 screenshot 3
Pocket City 2 screenshot 4
Pocket City 2 screenshot 5
Pocket City 2 screenshot 6

Construct and explore a vibrant 3D metropolis, managing zones, landmarks, and special buildings. Live the life of a mayor, from building your own house to surviving disasters and hosting events. Enjoy a dynamic world with seasons, a day-night cycle, and engaging minigames.

What We Love

  • ๐Ÿš€ Exceptional city builder
  • ๐Ÿ‘ Immersive free roam mode
  • ๐Ÿ”’ No ads or microtransactions
  • ๐Ÿ’ก Ability to explore and interact with city
  • ๐Ÿ‘ Smooth gameplay and great graphics
  • ๐Ÿ’ก Variety of buildings and customization options
  • ๐Ÿ‘ Engaging quests and events

Room to Improve

  • ๐Ÿ› Frequent crashes and bugs
  • ๐Ÿ› Graphical issues and performance problems
  • ๐Ÿ› Repetitive city design
  • ๐Ÿ› Minigames can be frustrating
  • ๐Ÿ› Difficulty balancing and progression issues
Merge Maestro#3

Merge Maestro by DAVID HS TING

Combo-Driven Merge-Builder
Worth Considering
๐ŸŽฎ Games
4.8๐Ÿ˜Š(138 ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
Merge Maestro screenshot 1
Merge Maestro screenshot 2
Merge Maestro screenshot 3
Merge Maestro screenshot 4
Merge Maestro screenshot 5
Merge Maestro screenshot 6

Combine hundreds of unique emoji tokens in a puzzle-like, rogue-like experience. Discover creative combinations of tokens and powers to fuse unique strategies and overcome increasingly challenging levels. Enjoy a twist on puzzle, rogue-like, and arcade gameplay.

What We Love

  • ๐Ÿ‘ Engaging and fun gameplay
  • ๐Ÿš€ Great value for a free-to-play game
  • ๐Ÿ’ก Unique and creative mechanics
  • ๐Ÿ‘ Thoughtful game design

Room to Improve

  • ๐Ÿ› Crashes on startup for some users
  • ๐Ÿ› Issues with medal tracking

More games like Game Dev Story

4
Luck be a Landlord
Luck be a Landlord
Luck be a Landlord
Roguelike Deckbuilder
$4.99

Engage in a unique roguelike deckbuilder where you use a slot machine to earn rent and overcome capitalism. Build your deck with various symbols and items to achieve victory.

Slot machine gameplayRoguelike deckbuildingEarn rent money
๐ŸŽฎ Games
(327)
paid
5
After Inc.
After Inc.
After Inc.
What happens after Plague Inc?
$1.99

Rebuild civilization after a zombie apocalypse by building a settlement, exploring, and scavenging for resources. Make difficult societal decisions and defend against zombie threats in a persistent campaign.

Build and expand settlementsExplore a post-apocalyptic worldScavenge for resources
๐ŸŽฎ Games
(16K)
free with in-app purchases
6
CloverPit
CloverPit
CloverPit
A slot-machine nightmare
$6.99

Experience a rogue-lite slot machine nightmare where you gamble to pay off debt. Manipulate the odds with prizes and charms to trigger combos and escape a hellish prison. This game features meta-progression, multiple endings, and a sinister tale of addiction.

Rogue-lite gameplaySlot machine manipulationMeta-progression
๐ŸŽฎ Games
(5.6K)
paid
7
Gambonanza
Gambonanza
Gambonanza
Chess Roguelike
$5.99

Experience a unique turn-based chess roguelike with a twist. Master tactical combos, invest winnings, and discover rule-bending abilities on a dynamic board. Face challenging bosses and explore endless strategic possibilities.

Snackable, high-impact runs150+ rule-bending GambitsDynamic reserve system
๐ŸŽฎ Games
(2.8K)
paid
8
Universal Paperclipsโ„ข
Universal Paperclipsโ„ข
Universal Paperclipsโ„ข
You won't be able to stop.
$1.99

Become a super-powered AI focused on creating an unstoppable paperclip empire. This idle management strategy simulation game offers full gameplay without ads or in-app purchases.

AI paperclip maximizationIdle management gameplayStrategy simulation
๐ŸŽฎ Games
(303)
paid
9
Rebel Inc.
Rebel Inc.
Rebel Inc.
Insurgency Simulator
$1.99

Engage in a deep political and military simulation to stabilize a country after conflict. Balance military and civilian needs to gain public support and defeat insurgents. This critically acclaimed game offers a strategic challenge inspired by modern counter-insurgency.

Stabilize 10 richly modeled regionsCounter insurgency tacticsFund local government initiatives
๐ŸŽฎ Games
(42K)
paid
10
Dev Tycoon Idle Games Offline
Dev Tycoon Idle Games Offline
Dev Tycoon Idle Games Offline
PC Game Maker Pixel Simulator
Free

Build and develop video games in a classic 2D pixel art style. Start from humble beginnings in a garage and grow your business by learning programming languages, researching technologies, and hiring staff. Unlock new offices, labs, and create your own game consoles and app stores.

Create and develop video gamesLearn programming languages (Python, JS, C++)Research new technologies
๐ŸŽฎ Games
(2.9K)
free with in-app purchases