By City-building games seem to be having a sort of renaissance lately, as we’ve been seeing so many new titles rise to popularity in the genre.
This genre used to be dominated by just a handful of franchises but today, there are so many new titles you can choose from to enjoy unique experiences.
In this list, I’m showcasing some of the best city-building games available today. There are both classics and modern city-building and management sim games on this list.
These games are not just about strategic thinking and planning ahead, some of these games also offer very chill and relaxing gameplay vibes for winding down after a long day.
Check them out and see if you’ve played any of these before.
1. Cities: Skylines
Cities Skylines is a game that even architects play to have some time off from their work.
Jokes aside, Cities Skylines is a game that truly lives up to the title of the genre by offering a complex and realistic city building expeirence.
In this game, you can basically plan and build a modern city with all of the realistic concepts and mechanics of modern infrastructure attached to it.
The game features a day and night cycle and a district-based administration system. Cities Skylines has been out for more than a decade now and has a passionate modding community as well.
Cities Skylines II is also available but the original title is in much better state right now, due the terrible optimization of the newer game.
2. Manor Lords
Manor Lords is an incredibly detailed and immersive medieval simulation game that pretty much nails all aspects of city-building games.
The game features a highly detailed, hand-crafted world that looks and feels alive. The city building mechanics feel smooth and satisfying.
The organic feel of the gameplay, from placing roads to resource management, is indescribable. On top of all that, it does medieval warfare simulation quite well too.
This is a game that will surely win awards when it finally comes out of early access.
3. Anno 1404
Many of the city-building game veterans often recommend Anno 1404 as the game every city-building and management sim fan should play at least once in their lifetime.
This is truly one of the iconic games that basically revived the city-building genre in modern times.
Anno 1404 feels slightly old and dated, but its gameplay still holds up to this day. This game offers one of the best campaign modes ever in any city-building game. What makes it amazing is that the core story of the campaign is based on real-life historical events.
I often recommend this game to beginners, especially those who are completely new to the genre. It’s the perfect starting point to becoming a city-building addict.
4. Anno 1800
Almost every title in the Anno series deserves a playthrough, as they are all impressive. But I especially wanted to highlight Anno 1800 for those who want to experience Anno 1404-esque gameplay with modern graphics.
Anno 1800 features similar gameplay mechanics and a campaign to 1404. Except this time, the game takes you to the peak of the Industrial Revolution.
Everything from the buildings and structures in this game is designed quite beautifully. And the gameplay also feels smooth and engaging at all times.
The only downside to this game is its massive size, which sits at over 90GBs.
5. Foundation
We’re venturing into a different territory of the city-building genre, starting with this title.
Foundation is considered to be one of the most chill and relaxing city-building games available today. This game removes all the stressful aspects of management sims and offers a laid-back experience suitable for all types of players.
Similar to Manor Lords, this game also features a gridless building system and a medieval experience. As well as full support for modding.
Being able to play at your own pace without deadlines and timers is the best part of this game.
6. Tropico 6
Tropico is one of my favorite city builders that I often reinstall for a playthrough.
This game combines city building and management with a fun political concept. In the game, you become a corrupt dictator who has to do some crazy things to win elections and fight off rebellions.
This game is packed with comedy and entertainment from the very beginning. There are multiple campaigns and game modes you can play as well.
Tropico 7 is also on the way and will be released soon.
7. Frostpunk 2
If you prefer a city builder with a more serious tone and a bold campaign, then Frostpunk is worth checking out.
In Frostpunk, you are in control of a post-apocalyptic city in the middle of nowhere. You have limited resources to survive.
In this game, you also have to take some drastic measures to keep your citizens alive through harsh weather and conditions, like using child labour or deciding to kill elders who fall ill.
Frostpunk is a brutal game, but one that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. Both Frostpunk 1 and 2 are great games. The newer title has great graphics as well.
8. Farthest Frontier
Farthest Frontier is a city-builder made by Crate Entertainment, the developers of one of my all-time favorite games, Grim Dawn.
This game also lives up to its usual level of quality by offering a highly detailed and expansive sandbox environment for you to build massive cities.
The game also features a very engaging city that truly comes to life as the citizens actually live their lives in real-time.
The randomly generated map system makes each playthrough feel different and unique. And there are multiple ways you can change difficulty and settings to challenge yourself.
9. Laysara: Summit Kingdom
Laysara: Summit Kingdom is a particularly new city-builder game that has just come out of early access, and it looks fascinating.
In this game, you are tasked with building and managing a city on top of a mountain. And with it come many challenges, like avalanches that you have to prepare and deal with.
The visuals of this game look stunning, and the gameplay looks just as smooth. Even though I haven’t tried this game yet, it’s already on top of my list.
10. The Universim
The Universim is technically not a city-building game; it’s actually a universe-building game!
In this game, you are not just building cities; you are building entire planets. You start off by building a small earth-like planet, taking its civilization from the stone ages to industrial age and beyond. And then you get to explore the universe to build more planets.
On each planet, you are challenged with different threats and missions to accomplish. You are basically playing God, and it’s up to you to either defend your puny humans or show them your wrath.
11. Timberborn
Timberborn is another fun and playful city-builder that is a favorite among the fans of the genre.
This game takes you to a world where humans don’t exist. This world is run by beavers! You are tasked with helping them manage their resources and build their massive city.
Timberborn is a sandbox game with many fluid and flexible gameplay mechanics, like a seasonal weather system, 3D water physics, wellness system, and much more.
This is a great game for enjoying a few hours relaxing while managing your beavers.
12. Worshippers of Cthulhu
Worshippers of Cthulhu is a unique city-builder that features a very dark and mysterious world dominated by the great and powerful Cthulhu!
Your task is to make sure your people stay in line and occasionally sacrifice some of the disobedient people to the great Cthulhu.
You are also in charge of building and managing the city, as well as attacking your enemies and solving disputes.
Don’t expect to spend hundreds of hours playing this game. It’s fun for a while, but lacks content. Try to grab it on a sale and you’ll surely enjoy it.
