Games like Populous on Mac
3 of the 5 modern alternatives to Populous (1989) run on Mac. One of them is free, and the cheapest paid option is WorldBox - God Simulator at € 19,50. One is made by independent developers.
Mac support for classics is patchier than PC, and Apple's move away from 32-bit software broke a lot of older re-releases. What works well: games sold through Steam or GOG with native Apple Silicon builds, cross-platform open-source engine ports, and browser-based versions. Many remaining gaps can be closed with an emulator or a compatibility layer.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
WorldBox - God Simulator Indie
€ 19,50A sandbox god game where you grow civilisations and then wipe them out with plagues and meteors.
WorldBox - God Simulator runs on PC, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet. Not available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Verified.
Godus
Free + in-app purchasesMolyneux's modern take on the god-game concept, also on mobile.
Godus runs on PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet. Not available on Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Untested.
The Universim
€ 34,99A modern god-game where you guide a civilisation across the ages.
The Universim is also an alternative to 2 other classics
The Universim runs on PC, Mac, Linux. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Playable.
Not on Mac
These alternatives to Populous are listed on the main page, but do not run on Mac:
All 5 games like Populous