City builders would have to be one of my personal favourite genres. I don’t know what it is about them, but the resource management cross with the building cross with running of the city is just the perfect mix of engaging, fun, and frustrating.
In this article, we’ll be going through 10 amazing city builders, ranging from nice and cozy all the way to dystopian apocalypse.
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new cycle
New Cycle plunges players into a world ravaged by solar flares, where rebuilding civilization from scratch is the ultimate goal. This industrial-focused city builder demands meticulous resource management, as players must gather food, water, tools, and clothing to sustain their growing population. The game offers both freeform and grid-based building, allowing for creative city layouts.
Survival is paramount, and players must establish a robust infrastructure for resource collection and production. The unforgiving environment presents constant challenges, including natural disasters and societal unrest. With a steampunk aesthetic and a focus on complex resource management, New Cycle caters to those who enjoy a demanding city-building experience. Wishlist the game here.
SteamWorld Build
SteamWorld Build transports players to a futuristic Wild West setting where they must establish a colony on a dying Earth. This charming game combines elements of city building and resource management with tower defense as players protect their underground tech from invading creatures.
Players will construct various buildings to house and support their bot population, each with unique needs and requirements. Expanding the workforce is essential for resource extraction, and players must carefully manage their bot colony’s well-being. With its blend of western and futuristic themes, SteamWorld Build offers a unique and engaging experience. Wishlist the game here.
Against the Storm
Against the Storm is a dark fantasy city builder where players rebuild civilization in the face of apocalyptic rain. This game introduces a unique twist by featuring a colony composed of humans, beavers, lizards, foxes, and harpies, each with distinct needs and abilities.
Players must explore a shrouded map, uncovering new lands and resources while facing dangerous challenges. Building a thriving colony requires careful resource management, quest completion, and protecting the colony’s flame from the relentless storm. With its roguelike elements and emphasis on exploration, Against the Storm offers a fresh take on the genre. Wishlist the game here.
Timberborn
Timberborn is a charming colony sim where players control a colony of beavers in a world plagued by droughts and toxic waste. This game emphasizes water management, resource conservation, and terraforming as players build dams and manipulate the environment to ensure their colony’s survival.
Timberborn features unique vertical architecture, allowing players to build multi-level beaver cities. The game’s focus on ecological balance and resource management provides a challenging yet rewarding experience. Wishlist the game here.
Fabledom
Fabledom is a charming fairy tale city builder that transports players to a magical realm filled with delightful characters and enchanting landscapes. Players focus on building a thriving kingdom, managing resources, and fostering relationships with neighboring kingdoms. The game boasts a cozy atmosphere, allowing players to develop relationships with their citizens, including finding love and forming families.
Building and expanding the kingdom while managing resources and ensuring citizen happiness are key elements. The inclusion of magical creatures, quests, and enchanting events adds to the fairy tale experience, while diplomacy with neighboring kingdoms offers additional gameplay opportunities.
While not as complex as other city builders, Fabledom excels in creating a heartwarming and enjoyable experience, perfect for players seeking a more relaxed and casual gameplay style. Check out our review here.
Pioneers of Pagonia
Pioneers of Pagonia is a spiritual successor to the classic The Settlers series, offering a deep and complex city-building experience. Players are tasked with establishing a thriving community on an untamed island, managing resources, and expanding their territory.
With over 50 buildings and 80 different goods, players have a vast array of options for building their economy. The game features procedurally generated maps, ensuring each playthrough offers unique challenges and opportunities. To protect their settlement, players must build a strong military to fend off hostile scavengers, bandits, and mythical creatures.
Pioneers of Pagonia also incorporates diplomacy, allowing players to trade with neighboring tribes and build alliances. The game’s emphasis on intricate production chains, resource management, and strategic planning makes it a compelling choice for fans of classic city builders. Wishlist the game here.
Of Life and Land
Of Life and Land offers a serene and environmentally focused city-building experience. Players take on the role of a leader tasked with establishing new settlements in remote regions. The game emphasizes the delicate balance between human civilization and nature, with a strong focus on seasonal cycles and resource management.
Players must ensure their villagers have enough food to survive the winter while also considering the impact of their actions on the environment. The game’s beautiful visuals and emphasis on sustainability create a relaxing and immersive experience. Check out our review here.
Republic of Pirates
Republic of Pirates transports players to the golden age of piracy, where they build settlements, manage resources, and engage in naval combat. Players must establish a strong economy, utilizing the black market to trade valuable goods.
Recruiting skilled captains and building a powerful fleet is essential for survival in this cutthroat world. The game features dynamic gameplay with choices that impact the player’s reputation and relationships with other factions. For those seeking a blend of city building and naval combat, Republic of Pirates offers an exciting adventure. Check out our review here.
Frostpunk
Frostpunk is a stark, unforgiving city builder that places players in the role of leader of one of the last remnants of humanity in a world consumed by eternal winter. Survival is a constant, precarious balance, demanding meticulous resource management, technological advancement, and, most crucially, the careful curation of societal laws and beliefs.
The game’s core challenge is the relentless cold. Players must build heating infrastructure, allocate resources for food and medicine, and ensure the city’s power supply. But the real test lies in managing the people. Will you prioritize worker welfare, or push them to their limits for the sake of survival? Will you adopt child labor or turn to cannibalism in desperate times? These choices, often morally ambiguous, shape the city’s culture and ultimately its fate. Frostpunk is not merely a game of resource management; it’s a harrowing exploration of human nature under extreme pressure. Check it out here.
Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles
Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles offers a more relaxed and creative approach to the city-building genre. Set in a world of floating islands, the game allows players to construct sprawling fortresses and settlements with a degree of freedom rarely seen in the genre. There’s a focus on aesthetic and organic growth, rather than strict resource management.
Players can connect islands with bridges and walkways, building upwards as well as outwards. The game encourages experimentation and player creativity. While resource management is present, it’s less demanding than in other city builders. The emphasis is on exploration, discovery, and the joy of seeing your city take shape. Bulwark is a game about building for the sake of building, with a strong focus on visual appeal and player expression. Check it out here.
That is a wrap on some amazing city builder games!
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