Well, if you want to go the Zombie game route, and you like base building and working with NPCs, there’s also State of Decay 2. Its considered the “least” horror game in the zombie genre (focuses more on ‘action’ than ‘surprise’).

The bases are in fixed locations, and lots can be “upgraded” with a few limited choices. NPCs do fill up your base (but you are only allowed a certain number depending on the “size” of the location you choose to inhabit. State of Decay 2 has a good premise, but Conan Exiles has way, way more freedom in base location and design, and the number of NPCs you can have and what they do.

State of Decay 2 does have a “purge” system though if your base makes too much noise – which is pretty cool. There are patrols of wandering zombies to watch out for (which Conan Exiles could use – wandering patrols, not the zombie part).

I enjoyed the State of Decay 2 game, too – and the company is planning on a State of Decay 3, but that game was announced a few years ago and they’ve been quiet about it ever since.