Welcome to the ultimate guide to the best city-building games. Whether you’re a fan of traditional city builders or craving a unique twist on the genre, we’ve got you covered. Our list showcases a diverse range of city-building experiences to suit every taste and preference. So, let’s dive into the world of city-building and start constructing the cities that will stand the test of time.
Table of Contents
1) Cities: Skylines
Let’s start with one of our personal favorites that never fails to impress us with its massive scale: Cities: Skylines. As the mayor of your city, you’re not just laying out roads and zoning areas; you’re juggling the delicate balance of education, utilities, emergency services, healthcare, and the city’s economy.
Your citizens react realistically to various gameplay scenarios, giving your city an authentic feel. Day and night cycles add another layer of realism to the game. The game takes the classic city-building experience and elevates it to new heights, offering a huge number of features that will keep you glued to your screen for hours on end. We also highly recommend the new sequel, Cities: Skylines II!
2) Anno 1800
Our list wouldn’t be complete without the game that has been a favorite of our users for years – Anno 1800. Set at the exciting dawn of the Industrial Age, the fate of nations and the course of history are yours to shape.
Lead the Industrial Revolution in this rich city-building experience, complete with a captivating story-based campaign, and a highly customizable sandbox mode. You’ll find familiar elements such as individual AI opponents, dynamic trading systems, randomly generated maps, and multi-session gameplay, as well as a host of innovative new features!
3) Frostpunk
In Frostpunk, a unique blend of survival, city-building, and 4X elements, the cold is the ultimate enemy, and humanity’s last spark of hope flickers in the freezing darkness. At its core, the game is a society survival game like no other. Your mission? Build the last city on Earth and create a sanctuary amidst the unforgiving frost.
As you navigate the relentless cold and scarcity, you’ll inevitably face moral crossroads. Will you rule your people with an iron fist, prioritizing survival at all costs? Or will you lead with compassion and faith, even if it means taking risks? Immerse yourself in this gripping story, paired with stunning visuals, and decide the fate of your society.
Needless to say, we’re very hyped for the release of Frostpunk 2!
4) Timberborn
If you’re a fan of beavers, we have the perfect game for you. Welcome to Timberborn, where humanity’s downfall has paved the way for beavers to shine as the ultimate architects of survival! In this post-apocalyptic world, you’ll take on the role of a faction of beavers and strive to build a thriving colony against all odds.
One of the standout features of Timberborn, next to its vertical architecture system, is its innovative gameplay centered around preparing for recurring droughts. These beavers of the future have mastered water engineering. Build dams, floodgates, and canals, and even redirect rivers to rejuvenate the wasteland. So, jump into the Early Access title and embark on a beaver adventure like no other! The fate of your colony is in your paws.
5) Farthest Frontier
In 2022, Grim Dawn developer Crate Entertainment brought us an Early Access version of Farthest Frontier, a game that shouldn’t be missing from our list of the best city-building games. Step into the shoes of a medieval settler and face the untamed wilderness. Protect and guide a small band of settlers in their quest to build a thriving town in this historically authentic city builder mixed with survival elements.
Your settlers will rely on your resource management skills to survive. Craft items and materials, develop infrastructure, build a bustling city, and cultivate your fields. Farthest Frontier is a journey through history, offering a compelling and immersive experience that no history enthusiast or city-building gamer should miss.
6) Fabledom
Something a little different from the other games on our list of the best city builders is Fabledom, a relaxing city builder and colony sim set in a vibrant fairy tale world with adorable animals. The Early Access title lures you into a realm where you control the destiny of your settlement. Build, design, and craft a city that will stand as a testament to your reign.
But what truly sets Fabledom apart is its heartfelt focus on romance. Love and honesty are intertwined with the city-building mechanics, adding a new layer of complexity and depth to your gameplay. Will you find a queen or king to rule beside you, or will your heart lead you down a different path?
7) Against The Storm
Another fantasy city builder we highly recommend is Against The Storm, a game that blends management elements with roguelite gameplay. In the desolate aftermath of a world shattered by a relentless storm, the fate of civilization rests in your hands as the chosen Viceroy.
Embark on a daring mission to reclaim the wilderness and uncover hidden riches for the Smoldering City, humanity’s last stronghold. Establish new settlements and gather vital resources, but be careful – every decision you make will shape the fate of a shattered world. It’s time to reclaim what’s been lost, one settlement at a time.
8) SimCity
Let’s continue with a classic that turned 10 years old this year – SimCity. We’ve played it many times over the years and believe it deserves its place on our list of the best city-building games. The game world is one of limitless creativity and urban planning, allowing you to build a metropolis from the ground up.
SimCity puts you in the shoes of a mayor and gives you the power to shape every aspect of your city, from designing intricate road networks to managing essential services. With limitless possibilities and an ever-evolving world at your fingertips, your journey to urban mastery is about to begin.
9) Sengoku Dynasty
If you’re like us, a fan of Medieval Dynasty, but looking for a city-builder and colony management sim with a different setting, we highly recommend its successor, Sengoku Dynasty. Explore feudal Japan, build your legacy, and survive the challenges of a turbulent time when Japan was ravaged by famine and war.
The game’s open-world landscape is stunning, thanks to the power of Unreal Engine 5. Experience the beauty of nature, participate in ancient rituals, and uncover the secrets of the divine. Will you rise to the challenge and become a legendary leader, or will your dynasty be lost to the winds of time?
10) The Settlers III
We couldn’t make this list without a title from The Settlers franchise and we chose The Settlers III. In this real-time strategy game, you’ll embark on an epic journey that will test your city-building and military strategy skills. In the game’s single-player campaign, you’ll assume the role of one of three formidable races: the Romans, Egyptians, or Asians, and wage war against the other peoples.
Your primary goal is to build a thriving settlement with a robust economy while amassing a formidable military force to conquer rival territories. As you wage war and defend your territory, the game’s dynamic mechanics ensure that every decision counts. The Settlers III offers an immersive and engaging experience that will test your strategic skills and keep you hooked.
11) Tropico 6
Welcome to the captivating world of Tropico 6, where you have the power to be the feared dictator or the peace-loving statesman your island republic desperately needs. With four distinct eras at your fingertips, you’ll experience the thrill of navigating your way through the complexities of governance, diplomacy, and strategic planning.
You must balance the ever-evolving needs of your people with the demands of the international stage. With addictive gameplay, vibrant graphics, and a dash of humor, Tropico 6 invites you to immerse yourself in a world where you’ll prove that your leadership transcends time and challenge.
12) Going Medieval
Let’s go from tropical islands straight back to the Middle Ages with Going Medieval. This Early Access title transports you to the end of the 14th century and offers a unique blend of survival, building, and storytelling. Your mission is clear: create a new beginning for survivors in a dangerous, untamed land where nature reigns supreme.
Research, craft, and equip your colonists with weapons and gear to fend off the relentless waves of attackers. Grow your settlement, forge alliances, and watch as it thrives and evolves. Are you ready to lead your people to wealth and glory? The Dark Ages await your guiding hand.
13) Banished
Embark on a thrilling journey of resilience and resourcefulness in the captivating world of Banished. This city-building strategy game is not your run-of-the-mill urban planner; it’s a test of your survival instincts as you guide a group of exiled travelers determined to carve out a new life in an untamed land.
What sets the game apart is its deep and immersive gameplay. Forget skill trees and currency; Banished throws those conventions out the window. You have the freedom to construct any building at any time, provided your industrious citizens have gathered the necessary resources. Can you lead your exiled travelers to prosperity and build a thriving community from scratch?
14) Kingdoms Reborn
Welcome to the enchanting world of Kingdoms Reborn, where you’re not just a city builder, but a visionary leader crafting the destiny of your very own civilization. This game stands out as a true gem in the realm of city-building simulations, and here’s why.
Similar to Banished, each citizen is a living, breathing entity with their own needs, ambitions, and roles, and your task is to keep them happy. Encounter seven strikingly different biomes, master the extensive tech tree, and progress through the eras. The deck-building system adds an extra twist and an element of unpredictability to the game. Immerse yourself in this adventure and build your legacy.
15) Foundation
Let’s finish our list of the best city-building games with another title with a medieval setting – Foundation, the gateway to a new era of organic city development. In an untouched land teeming with potential, you’ll have the chance to craft a medieval settlement that reflects your vision and strategy.
Balancing the needs and skills of your inhabitants, resource availability, extraction, and goods production is crucial for prosperity – your decisions will shape the destiny of your settlement. Are you ready to embark on this epic adventure and build a kingdom that stands the test of time?
Build the cities of your dreams with PLITCH!
Are you a fan of city builders but sometimes wish you could speed up certain parts? Or maybe you want a challenge because you’ve reached a point where the game has become too easy? That’s where PLITCH comes in!
We offer game trainers for single-player games that allow you to customize your favorite games to your liking. Whether you want more credits and influence in Anno 1800 or you want to reset your hunger in Sengoku Dynasty to make the game harder, PLITCH has you covered.
All you have to do is download our client, choose your game, and get started. Custom hotkeys and an overlay application for easy in-game cheat activation are included!
For more information about PLITCH and our codes, check out this blog and our YouTube channel. If you have any questions, feel free to use our forum or contact us on Discord.
Happy Gaming!
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