Best City Building Games – 2024

Games in the city-building simulation category actually belong to one of the most detailed areas of the gaming world. Those who don’t play these types of games might say, “What’s the big deal? You just build a couple of buildings.” However, players know it’s much more than that. We’ve prepared a list of the best city-building games for those looking for suggestions and wanting to discover new games.

1.Cities: Skylines

Among city-building simulation games, this one is currently the most preferred. In fact, we think it’s the best in this category! Developed by Colossal Order Ltd. and published by Paradox Interactive, the game was released in 2015. You can play it on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. The game is quite detailed. As we mentioned earlier, it’s not just about placing a couple of buildings. You need to work like a real mayor.

You’ll need to properly manage water, electricity, and gas lines. Build multi-lane roads. Instead of cutting down trees, you’ll green your city. Every neighborhood must have good education, health, and security services. Industry is also important, as people need jobs. And of course, you have to keep everyone happy. There are incredible details in the game. You need to be extremely patient.

Pros and Cons

Honestly, because this game is at the top of the best city-building games list, you won’t find anything better than this. Magnificent details and graphics draw you in. There’s also no time limit in the game. You can build and play whenever you want. It deserves every penny. The difficulty level progresses with the game, which is a nice detail. The downside is the lack of Turkish language support.

However, you can change this with a mod. Also, you might think, “I wish all the DLCs came with the game instead of having to buy them every time a new one comes out.” It’s not pleasant to keep paying for each DLC, but we’ve gotten used to it from other games. Apart from these, the only bad thing I can say is the absence of a multiplayer mode. Actually, if there was such a mode, the game could have been even more enjoyable.

Cities: Skylines System Requirements

2.Anno 1800

The game is set during the Industrial Revolution period. It offers two different modes. In the first mode, we inherit debts instead of assets from our father. If that’s not enough, we’re exiled. On the island where we’re exiled, we work to pay off our debts. Honestly, it sounds good when explained, but it may not be very enjoyable to play due to its storyline. Therefore, we’re more interested in the second scenario mode. Named Sandbox, this mode doesn’t have a specific storyline. Our goal here is to establish our city on a map that includes different countries and engage in relationships with other island nations. We start as an agricultural country and then strive to adapt to the Industrial Revolution. In our opinion, this mode is more enjoyable.

If we progress in the city-building mode in the game, we still need to pay attention to every detail. This includes areas for farming, ports for ships to dock, and spaces where people can move around comfortably. So, it’s still about planned progression.

Pros

In our opinion, the biggest advantage of the game is its association with Ubisoft. Ubisoft has brought its expertise to Anno 1800, resulting in fantastic visuals in the game. Time passes quickly while playing. It’s especially enjoyable to play a game set in a past era and to feel the conditions of that time period.

Anno 1800 System Requirements

3.Tropico 6

This city-building game has a different format as well. This time, we start the game as a dictator. Again, our goal is to build a beautiful city. So, since we’re a dictator, we can do whatever we want, right? Wrong! Being a dictator in the game doesn’t mean you can do everything as you please and disregard the people. The population might grow tired of your approach one day and revolt, leading you to lose control and management. However, you can also resolve some issues by giving bribes. But if a scandal emerges, then you’ll have to deal with it.

By the way, just because you’re a dictator doesn’t mean you have to act that way. You can also be a democrat who cares about people’s quality of life, builds a beautiful city, and solves problems. It’s entirely up to you. Although the game is like a country management simulation, it’s fundamentally based on city-building logic.

Pros and Cons

The game is actually very enjoyable. It can keep you glued to the screen for hours. It even tempts you to unleash your inner devil at times. The humorous dialogues within the game can also be considered a plus point. On the downside, it’s quite challenging to earn money in the game.

Tropico 6 System Requirements

4.Surviving Mars

We’re advancing with the logic of ‘Hasn’t there been enough cities on Earth? Let’s build on Mars!’ and venturing into space. We’re pushing our limits with the game Surviving Mars, featured in the best city-building games list! Following Paradox Interactive’s Cities Skylines, Surviving Mars presents us with the challenge of establishing a colony rather than just a city. There’s a reason for this distinction. If we haphazardly erect buildings like a contractor in the game, we encounter problems in our colony. Therefore, we need to proceed somewhat differently compared to ordinary city-building games.

Here, the focus is on research for mines, other resources, space farming, and industrial development. We need to progress with minimal resources for maximum efficiency, which is a style we’re not quite accustomed to. Hence, you might find yourself starting the game anew like everyone else. After gaining experience in the first game and saying, ‘Aha! Now I understand!’, you can approach the second game with a clearer mind.

Pros and Cons

The best part of the game is that it allows us to experience city-building not on Earth, but on Mars. On the downside, after playing for about 10-12 hours, it can start making you question yourself. I wrote “can start” because I know it won’t happen to everyone. I think some people really enjoy this type of games and won’t get bored.

Surviving Mars System Requirements

5.Frostpunk

In Frostpunk, we manage the last city left on Earth. Our goal is to navigate the challenges that arise while governing this final city and, of course, to keep the citizens satisfied.

The game is set during an ice age, and people are striving to survive by sheltering in massive crevices. We develop our city within these crevices because we are the last bastion of humanity and must find a way to sustain ourselves. In this context, the generator at the heart of our city holds immense importance. In the ice age, staying warm is crucial, and if we can’t keep this generator running, it’s game over. This becomes our primary task. Afterwards, with limited resources, we strive to meet the people’s needs and manage the city smoothly.

Similar to Tropico 6, in Frostpunk, you also have the right to become a dictator. In fact, it almost happens involuntarily because the people eventually make unreasonable demands, pushing you to the brink of exasperation. To prevent dangerous uprisings, you try to keep them under control. Here, the world’s most dangerous weapon emerges: religion! By saying “Just be patient, things will get better. God will help us,” we attempt to maintain control over the populace.

Pros and Cons

Managing to develop the city amidst harsh weather conditions and the never-ending demands of the people is quite challenging, but it’s rewarding if you have patience.

On the downside, sometimes the incessant demands of the people can be very frustrating. Even if you were to say the whole city has turned into a hospital due to constant demands for infirmaries, they never seem convinced. Using religion isn’t really pleasant, and the game’s progression actually pushes you towards it. It might have been better if the game didn’t force you to use it.

Frostpunk System Requirements

6.Aven Colony

Another game that sends city-building enthusiasts into space is Aven Colony, developed by Mothership Entertainment. This game, available for 4 years now, opens up the boundaries of living on a different planet for us. Even in space, your first task remains meeting basic needs: energy, water, and food should be your top priorities.

Afterwards, challenges start emerging slowly. You’ll face situations like oxygen shortages, toxic gas leaks, and electrical storms. Since these things don’t happen in our daily lives on Earth, initially you might find yourself staring blankly and wondering, “What’s happening?” But soon enough, you understand how to overcome these challenges and take appropriate actions.

One of the most interesting aspects of the game is that seasons change every 37 hours. Seasons, as we know them on Earth, continue here as well, but winter is more severe compared to Earth. You need to protect yourself from these harsh winter conditions, especially managing energy becomes most challenging during winter. There are different alternatives available, but you decide which ones to pursue.

Pros and Cons

Overall, we can say it’s a nice game. The graphics are good, but it’s a downside that buildings mostly have a single color tone. It can keep you entertained for a while during idle periods without new games. However, especially when new games are released, we can say it’s a game that doesn’t quite say “I’m here.”

Aven Colony System Requirements

7.Kingdoms and Castles

We conclude our list of the best city-building games with Kingdoms and Castles. Kingdoms and Castles offers a unique gaming experience that blends strategy and simulation genres into a magical adventure. This game invites players to establish, develop, and defend their own kingdoms, featuring delightful graphics and addictive gameplay.

Players start with an empty piece of land and construct various structures and buildings to build their kingdoms. You can create a growing settlement by placing houses, farms, mines, and more to meet your needs. Managing resources is crucial to maintaining the economic balance of your kingdom. Expand your economy by cultivating crops, mining resources, and establishing trade routes, while increasing the happiness of your people and discovering new technologies.

Pros and Cons

The game offers addictive gameplay that constantly encourages players to improve their kingdoms and make strategic decisions. Additionally, it provides an accessible experience even for newcomers to the strategy genre. The core gameplay mechanics are understandable and easy to learn.

However, some players may feel that the game lacks deeper strategic depth over the long term. They may find a shortage of more complex decisions and management options as the game progresses. Furthermore, as the game advances, some players might become tired of having to rebuild similar structures repeatedly.

Kingdoms and Castles System Requirements

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