- #1 Terra Nil
97% matchVery Positive88% of 8,564 reviews2023
Dev: Free LivesPub: Devolver Digital
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.5 hrsMean: 7.7 hrs≥1hr: 77%
Terra Nil is an intricate environmental strategy game about transforming a barren wasteland into a thriving, balanced ecosystem. Bring life back to a lifeless world by purifying soil, cleaning oceans, planting trees, and reintroducing wildlife, then leave without a trace.
Why similar: City Builder 53.3%, Nature 16.2%, Strategy 11.8%, Isometric 11.2%, Puzzle 6.5%
Why You'll Like It: Focuses on ecosystem restoration and environmental balance, mirroring the sustainability themes found in Block'hood.
- #2 Dorfromantik
96% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 29,327 reviews2022
Dev: Toukana Interactive
Windows
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 12.7 hrs≥1hr: 81%
Dorfromantik is a peaceful building strategy and puzzle game where you create a beautiful and ever-growing village landscape by placing tiles. Explore a variety of colorful biomes, discover and unlock new tiles and complete quests to fill your world with life!
Why similar: City Builder 50.1%, Sandbox 19.7%, Simulation 10.9%, Strategy 8.6%, Puzzle 6.5%
Why You'll Like It: A peaceful, tile-based puzzle game that emphasizes spatial placement and logical connections similar to building blocks.
- #3 Cloud Gardens
96% matchOverwhelmingly Positive95% of 2,295 reviews2021
Dev: Noio
Windows · Mac
Median: 48 minMean: 5.5 hrs≥1hr: 46%
A chill game about using plants to overgrow abandoned wasteland dioramas
Why similar: Sandbox 29.5%, City Builder 21.2%, Nature 16.9%, Building 15.8%, Simulation 11.8%
Why You'll Like It: Combines urban building with the slow encroachment of nature, capturing the aesthetic and thematic essence of the seed game.
- #4 ISLANDERS
95% matchVery Positive94% of 16,755 reviews2019
Dev: Coatsink
Windows · Mac
Median: 1.9 hrsMean: 5.5 hrs≥1hr: 64%
ISLANDERS is a minimalist strategy game about building cities on colorful islands.
Why similar: City Builder 64.4%, Building 15.4%, Strategy 10.1%, Puzzle 5.7%, Indie 3.4%
Why You'll Like It: A minimalist city-builder that relies on spatial puzzle mechanics and resource proximity to score points.
- #5 Townscaper
94% matchOverwhelmingly Positive95% of 21,533 reviews2021
Dev: Oskar StålbergPub: Raw Fury
Windows · Mac
Median: 42 minMean: 8.5 hrs≥1hr: 43%
Instant town building toy. Place housing blocks and watch them transform, piece by piece, into idyllic ocean-side towns, pastoral gardens, or sweeping cities on the sea.
Why similar: City Builder 43.9%, Sandbox 20.1%, Building 14.5%, Simulation 10.1%, Nature 7.4%
Why You'll Like It: An experimental, relaxing building tool that focuses on the joy of creating isometric structures without the pressure of traditional management.
- #6 Timberborn
92% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 40,121 reviews2026
Dev: Mechanistry
Windows · Mac
Median: 10.3 hrsMean: 42.9 hrs≥1hr: 85%
Humans are long gone. In a world struck by droughts and toxic waste, will your lumberpunk beavers do any better? A sandbox city-building game featuring ingenious animals, vertical architecture, water physics, and terraforming. Contains high amounts of wood.
Why similar: City Builder 49.6%, Sandbox 15.6%, Building 11.1%, Nature 8%, Simulation 7.4%
Why You'll Like It: Emphasizes verticality and water management, requiring players to build complex systems to survive in a changing environment.
- #7 Buildings Have Feelings Too!
94% matchMixed45% of 80 reviews2021
Dev: Blackstaff GamesPub: Silver Lining Interactive
Windows
An exciting new city-management/puzzle game about buildings and the city they inhabit. You must grow your city to a bustling metropolitan centre with an array of shops, offices, entertainment facilities and amenities, to help your buildings thrive; or risk them being demolished forever.
Why similar: City Builder 53%, Building 13.7%, Strategy 10.5%, Simulation 6.5%, Puzzle 5.1%
Why You'll Like It: Features sentient buildings that must be placed strategically to satisfy their specific needs and interdependencies.
- #8 Urbek City Builder
93% matchVery Positive90% of 1,866 reviews2022
Dev: FridusPub: RockGame S.A.
Windows
Median: 3.1 hrsMean: 10.2 hrs≥1hr: 74%
Urbek is a city building game where you can build your own neighbourhoods: from nightlife district to industrial district. Don't exhaust your natural resources before you have an educated population to build more efficient structures.
Why similar: City Builder 44.9%, Sandbox 16.2%, Building 13%, Simulation 9.8%, Strategy 6.9%
Why You'll Like It: Focuses on resource management and neighborhood development where buildings rely on local proximity to function.
- #9 Foundation
91% matchVery Positive86% of 23,848 reviews2025
Dev: Polymorph Games
Windows
Median: 11.1 hrsMean: 26.9 hrs≥1hr: 89%
Foundation is a grid-less, laidback medieval city-building game with a focus on organic development, monument construction and resource management.
Why similar: City Builder 60.4%, Sandbox 11.8%, Simulation 9.6%, Building 7.8%, Strategy 6.7%
Why You'll Like It: A gridless city-builder that allows for organic, non-linear development and structural placement.
- #10 Town to City
91% matchOverwhelmingly Positive98% of 6,538 reviews2026
Dev: Galaxy GrovePub: Kwalee
Windows
Median: 4.0 hrsMean: 7.6 hrs≥1hr: 81%
Build an idyllic 19th century Mediterranean town and help it flourish into a prosperous city. Freely place and customise each element to create the perfect home for your growing population in this cozy city builder from the creators of Station to Station.
Why similar: City Builder 55.5%, Sandbox 13.7%, Building 12.6%, Simulation 7.4%, Strategy 6.3%
Why You'll Like It: A cozy, voxel-based building game that emphasizes the relaxing aspects of city planning and growth.
- #11 Mini Motorways
90% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 24,040 reviews2021
Dev: Dinosaur Polo Club
Windows · Mac
Median: 6.0 hrsMean: 16.7 hrs≥1hr: 89%
Mini Motorways is a strategy simulation game about designing the road map for a growing city. Build a traffic network, one road at a time, to create a bustling metropolis. Redesign your roads and place your motorways to get everyone where they need to go. How long can you keep the city moving?
Why similar: City Builder 29.9%, Simulation 21.1%, Strategy 17.9%, Building 12.1%, Puzzle 6.8%
Why You'll Like It: A minimalist strategy game that focuses on the flow of resources and traffic, mirroring the systemic connectivity of Block'hood.
- #12 Against the Storm
89% matchVery Positive95% of 36,221 reviews2023
Dev: Eremite GamesPub: Hooded Horse
Windows
Median: 5.4 hrsMean: 28.4 hrs≥1hr: 83%
A dark fantasy city builder where you must rebuild civilization in the face of apocalyptic rains. As the Queen’s Viceroy, lead humans, beavers, lizards, foxes, and harpies to reclaim the wilderness and secure a future for civilization's last survivors.
Why similar: City Builder 45.4%, Sandbox 17.6%, Building 13.3%, Simulation 11%, Strategy 8.4%
Why You'll Like It: A roguelite city-builder that forces players to manage complex resource chains and environmental challenges.
- #13 Eco
89% matchVery Positive81% of 13,944 reviews2018
Dev: Strange Loop Games
Windows
Median: 16.7 hrsMean: 89.9 hrs≥1hr: 88%
Build a civilization of real people, working together to advance society and stop a meteor, all without destroying the ecosystem in the process.
Why similar: Sandbox 38.6%, Simulation 21.4%, Education 21%, Nature 19%
Why You'll Like It: A deep simulation game where players must build a civilization while managing the delicate ecological impact of their actions.
- #14 Satisfactory
84% matchOverwhelmingly Positive97% of 273,405 reviews2024
Dev: Coffee Stain StudiosPub: Coffee Stain Publishing
Windows
Median: 32.9 hrsMean: 110.9 hrs≥1hr: 94%
Satisfactory is a first-person open-world factory building game with a dash of exploration and combat. Play alone or with friends, explore an alien planet, create multi-story factories, and enter conveyor belt heaven!
Why similar: Sandbox 41.8%, Building 33.7%, Simulation 12.6%, Strategy 8.4%, Indie 2.4%
Why You'll Like It: Features complex vertical factory building and resource chain management that rewards efficient spatial planning.
- #15 TheoTown
86% matchVery Positive95% of 4,582 reviews2019
Dev: Lobby DivinusPub: blueflower
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.9 hrsMean: 19.4 hrs≥1hr: 74%
Build and manage your dream city in this captivating simulation game. Create unique urban landscapes and enjoy compatibility with the mobile versions. Unleash your creativity and shape the metropolis of your dreams.
Why similar: City Builder 41.5%, Sandbox 16.6%, Building 11.2%, Simulation 9.8%, Isometric 8.7%
Why You'll Like It: A detailed pixel-art city-builder that offers deep simulation mechanics and sandbox freedom.
- #16 Lethis - Path of Progress
88% matchMixed68% of 1,214 reviews2015
Dev: Triskell Interactive
Windows
Median: 4.6 hrsMean: 7.9 hrs≥1hr: 89%
Lethis - Path of Progress is a city-builder in a victorian steampunk setting.
Why similar: City Builder 50%, Building 11.1%, Sandbox 10.1%, Simulation 9.7%, Strategy 7.5%
Why You'll Like It: A classic city-builder that focuses on production chains and efficient urban layout.
- #17 SUMMERHOUSE
85% matchVery Positive93% of 3,302 reviews2024
Dev: FriedemannPub: Future Friends Games
Windows · Mac
Median: 30 minMean: 1.7 hrs≥1hr: 33%
A tiny building game about beautiful lived-in houses. No rules or restrictions, just pure creativity.
Why similar: City Builder 47%, Sandbox 24.4%, Building 14.1%, Simulation 6.9%, Strategy 4%
Why You'll Like It: A small-scale, relaxing building game that prioritizes aesthetic experimentation over complex management.
- #18 Anno 2070™
87% matchMixed60% of 12,663 reviews2011
Dev: Blue BytePub: Ubisoft
Windows
Median: 10.5 hrsMean: 30.9 hrs≥1hr: 90%
Build your society of the future, colonize islands, and create sprawling megacities with multitudes of buildings, vehicles, and resources to manage.
Why similar: City Builder 65.7%, Strategy 12.9%, Simulation 9.3%, Sandbox 4.7%, Building 4.7%
Why You'll Like It: Features complex production chains and environmental management, requiring players to balance industry with sustainability.
- #19 Citystate
86% matchMostly Positive75% of 812 reviews2018
Dev: Andy Sztark
Windows
Median: 1.9 hrsMean: 8.0 hrs≥1hr: 60%
Create a 21st century micro-nation and experiment with economic and political ideals. Futuristic skyscrapers or spreading slums, the Nation relies on your economic and city planning skills.
Why similar: City Builder 51.5%, Simulation 12.7%, Sandbox 9.7%, Building 9.4%, Strategy 8.6%
Why You'll Like It: A political and economic city-builder that focuses on the systemic implications of player decisions.
- #20 Cities: Skylines
84% matchVery Positive93% of 289,591 reviews2015
Dev: Colossal OrderPub: Paradox Interactive
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 10.0 hrsMean: 65.5 hrs≥1hr: 87%
Cities: Skylines is a modern take on the classic city simulation. The game introduces new game play elements to realize the thrill and hardships of creating and maintaining a real city whilst expanding on some well-established tropes of the city building experience.
Why similar: City Builder 58.8%, Building 11.2%, Sandbox 10.9%, Simulation 10.4%, Strategy 5%
Why You'll Like It: The definitive modern city-builder that offers deep simulation and management tools for large-scale urban planning.
- #21 shapez
83% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 15,551 reviews2020
Dev: Tobias SpringerPub: tobspr Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.7 hrsMean: 14.7 hrs≥1hr: 66%
shapez is an easy-going, minimalistic factory building game about the automation of shapes through extraction and satisfying production lines. Adapt to increasingly complex shapes and grow your factory across an infinitely expanding map. Your only limitation is your creativity!
Why similar: Sandbox 39.6%, Building 19.4%, Strategy 14.7%, Simulation 10.8%, Puzzle 6%
Why You'll Like It: A minimalist automation game that focuses on the flow and processing of resources through interconnected systems.
- #22 Let's Build a Zoo
82% matchVery Positive89% of 4,073 reviews2021
Dev: SpringloadedPub: No More Robots
Windows
Median: 4.5 hrsMean: 13.1 hrs≥1hr: 80%
It's time to Build a Zoo! Construct and decorate enclosures, buy and breed animals, hire zookeepers and vets... then try your hand at DNA splicing, and stitch together over 300,000 different types of animal. This can only go smoothly...
Why similar: City Builder 44.2%, Sandbox 18.2%, Simulation 14.3%, Building 11.8%, Strategy 7.3%
Why You'll Like It: Focuses on management and interdependency, where the placement of exhibits and facilities impacts the overall ecosystem.
- #23 Indoorlands
82% matchVery Positive82% of 272 reviews2022
Dev: Pixelsplit
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 6.6 hrs≥1hr: 80%
The indoor park management simulator where you can create your rides and coasters from scratch and freely design your halls. Manage, expand and develop your own park to inspire your guests. Satisfy your visitors' needs by unlocking and researching new buildings, rides, transportation and more!
Why similar: City Builder 31.7%, Building 14.6%, Sandbox 14.4%, Simulation 12.8%, Isometric 9.8%
Why You'll Like It: A management simulation that focuses on the building and maintenance of specific, interconnected attractions.
- #24 Pan'orama
81% matchVery Positive89% of 1,344 reviews2023
Dev: Chicken LauncherPub: Awaken Realms
Windows
Median: 3.4 hrsMean: 10.0 hrs≥1hr: 72%
Relax and unleash your creativity in this new city building puzzle game. Create amazing landscapes and discover wide range of structures with special abilities. Enter the world of beauty and tranquility with the panoramas of your own creation and don't forget to pet your new animal friends!
Why similar: City Builder 51.4%, Sandbox 16.4%, Building 15.5%, Simulation 6.4%, Strategy 5.8%
Why You'll Like It: A relaxing puzzle game that uses procedural generation and tile placement to create beautiful, interconnected landscapes.
- #25 Tinytopia
81% matchVery Positive83% of 325 reviews2021
Dev: MeNic GamesPub: Mastiff
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.9 hrsMean: 4.5 hrs≥1hr: 88%
Construct charming toy towns and cities atop tiny terrain. Combine building blocks to create new megastructures. Test your skills in the physics-based Challenge stages or simply unwind and obliterate everything with an array of cute catastrophes!
Why similar: City Builder 48.5%, Sandbox 18%, Building 13.8%, Simulation 9.9%, Strategy 5.2%
Why You'll Like It: A physics-based city-builder that encourages creative building and experimentation with structural placement.
- #26 Autonauts
80% matchVery Positive90% of 4,938 reviews2019
Dev: DenkiPub: Curve Games
Windows
Median: 4.6 hrsMean: 13.9 hrs≥1hr: 86%
In Autonauts you must build, create, and automate. Start by establishing a colony, crafting bots and teaching them via Scratch-style programming to build an ever evolving autonomous paradise of agriculture, industry and enlightenment.
Why similar: Simulation 31.3%, Sandbox 28.5%, Building 19.7%, Indie 8.4%, Strategy 7.7%
Why You'll Like It: Centers on creating systemic automation chains, requiring players to build logical loops to sustain their colony.
- #27 Orrstead
79% matchVery Positive80% of 80 reviews2024
Dev: IndividualKex
Windows
Orrstead is a relaxing city builder that combines resource management and incremental game mechanics. Unlock technologies, complete quests, and adapt to the changing seasons.
Why similar: City Builder 43.9%, Sandbox 18.1%, Building 12.4%, Isometric 8.2%, Simulation 7%
Why You'll Like It: A colony-sim that emphasizes building and management within a sandbox environment.
- #28 Two Point Museum
76% matchOverwhelmingly Positive95% of 12,347 reviews2025
Dev: Two Point StudiosPub: SEGA
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 9.0 hrsMean: 25.8 hrs≥1hr: 88%
Curate and manage incredible museums! Explore to discover amazing artifacts. Design and refine the layout, keep staff happy, guests entertained, donations plentiful… and children off the exhibits
Why similar: City Builder 39.2%, Sandbox 15.4%, Building 13.2%, Simulation 12.1%, Strategy 7.6%
- #29 Overcrowd: A Commute 'Em Up
79% matchVery Positive81% of 1,752 reviews2020
Dev: SquarePlay Games
Windows
Median: 1.7 hrsMean: 6.1 hrs≥1hr: 59%
Design and build the most efficient metro stations known to man! Excavate. Expand. Set staff priorities. And manage the commuter flow. Overcrowd is a 2.5D management/tycoon/simulator set below the bustling city of Lubdon Town.
Why similar: City Builder 40.5%, Sandbox 15.3%, Building 12.2%, Isometric 9.5%, Simulation 9.1%
Why You'll Like It: A management game that focuses on the flow and efficiency of people within a complex, built environment.
- #30 Cities: Skylines II
77% matchMixed55% of 89,569 reviews2023
Dev: Iceflake StudiosPub: Paradox Interactive
Windows
Median: 23.4 hrsMean: 74.0 hrs≥1hr: 94%
Raise a city from the ground up and transform it into a thriving metropolis with the most realistic city builder ever. Push your creativity and problem-solving to build on a scale you've never experienced. With deep simulation and a living economy, this is world-building without limits.
Why similar: City Builder 52.9%, Sandbox 14.3%, Building 12%, Simulation 11.9%, Strategy 4.9%
- #31 Townopolis
78% matchMixed67% of 140 reviews2016
Dev: Lonely Troops
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.2 hrsMean: 4.0 hrs≥1hr: 95%
Casual city building. Become an architect. Manage the small polis. Construct an idyllic neighborhood with plenty of houses. Work your way to the top through the campaign mode, or create your own scenarios.
Why similar: City Builder 38.5%, Simulation 24%, Building 11.1%, Isometric 8.8%, Indie 7.2%
Why You'll Like It: A casual city-building experience that focuses on time management and steady expansion.
- #32 City Painter
73% matchVery Positive97% of 58 reviews2026
Dev: Blunix Games
Windows
Advanced city simulator with minimalist "Paint" graphics. Build complex intersections, edit traffic rules, and solve traffic jams without melting your PC.
Why similar: City Builder 49%, Sandbox 19.5%, Simulation 18.1%, Building 9.5%, Management 2%
- #33 Cities XL Platinum
77% matchMixed58% of 1,635 reviews2013
Dev: Focus Entertainment
Windows
Median: 1.0 hrsMean: 5.8 hrs≥1hr: 51%
Build cities, shape a world.Cities XL Platinum lets you design, build and link up cities of all shapes and sizes around the Cities XL planet!Build more impressive cities than ever before! Cities XL Platinum offers a huge variety of over 1,000 buildings and constructions (including 50 brand new structures), that you can freely place on...
Why similar: City Builder 61.3%, Simulation 16.7%, Sandbox 11.1%, Strategy 5.9%, Building 2.7%
- #34 Cities XXL
78% matchMixed41% of 2,361 reviews2015
Dev: Focus Entertainment
Windows
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 51.0 hrs≥1hr: 87%
Design, build, and manage the world’s largest and most diverse cities in Cities XXL. Bigger and better than ever before with a more powerful game engine and new interface, become the mayor of your very own sprawling metropolis.
Why similar: City Builder 54.4%, Sandbox 12.4%, Building 12.3%, Simulation 11.8%, Strategy 6.4%
Why You'll Like It: A large-scale city-builder that provides extensive tools for managing urban infrastructure and economy.
- #35 BalanCity
76% matchVery Positive81% of 908 reviews2016
Dev: MeNic Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.6 hrsMean: 4.0 hrs≥1hr: 82%
BalanCity is a city building / balance physics game. It's a mixture between old school SimCity and Jenga. You must build the tallest towering city over a balancing platform while keeping your citizens happy.
Why similar: City Builder 72.2%, Simulation 10.8%, Strategy 7.6%, Puzzle 6.6%, Indie 2.8%
- #36 SimAirport
73% matchMostly Positive79% of 4,027 reviews2020
Dev: LVGameDev LLC
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 5.5 hrsMean: 21.2 hrs≥1hr: 85%
Build & Manage Your Airport. An International Hub or a Regional Masterpiece -- it's up to you. Buy more land to scale out, or escalators to scale up with MULTIPLE FLOORS. You're in full control in this modern business management tycoon!
Why similar: City Builder 46.4%, Sandbox 17.9%, Building 13.6%, Simulation 9.5%, Strategy 7.3%
- #37 Pocket City 2
71% matchVery Positive94% of 132 reviews2025
Dev: Codebrew Games Inc.
Windows · Mac
A city-building game with a unique twist—step inside and experience your city firsthand! Plan roads, zones, and infrastructure while growing your economy, managing resources, and unlocking special buildings. Host events, build mega projects, and watch your city thrive in a dynamic world.
Why similar: City Builder 53.1%, Sandbox 21%, Strategy 10.3%, Building 8.2%, Simulation 5.8%
- #38 Road to your City
75% matchMixed63% of 76 reviews2019
Dev: Yheeky Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Road to your City is a city building and management game with a heavy emphasis on football. Slipping into the role of mayor, you are tasked with establishing a successful football club and developing it from grassroots to world class powerhouse.
Why similar: City Builder 48%, Simulation 15%, Sandbox 11.3%, Strategy 9.3%, Building 7.7%
- #39 Tile Cities
72% matchVery Positive94% of 572 reviews2022
Dev: yevhen8
Windows
Median: 2.1 hrsMean: 4.9 hrs≥1hr: 67%
Tile Cities turns city-building experience into a simple relaxing puzzle game and does so with style
Why similar: City Builder 66.6%, Strategy 14.9%, Building 8.7%, Puzzle 7.3%, Management 1.8%
- #40 Seeds of Resilience
74% matchMixed70% of 367 reviews2019
Dev: Subtle GamesPub: Goblinz Publishing
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.4 hrsMean: 5.2 hrs≥1hr: 88%
Ready to start anew? Build a village from scratch in Seeds of Resilience. Learn to choose the right items, understand nature's patterns, use real life-based constructions and craft techniques in this turn-based tycoon game.
Why similar: City Builder 43.9%, Sandbox 17.1%, Building 12.9%, Nature 7.9%, Simulation 7.2%
- #41 TerraScape
70% matchVery Positive89% of 2,172 reviews2024
Dev: Bitfall StudiosPub: Stray Fawn Publishing
Windows · Mac
Median: 2.3 hrsMean: 5.9 hrs≥1hr: 68%
Build gorgeous kingdoms on floating islands by strategically placing buildings in this cozy, medieval City-Puzzler. Discover secret combinations, take on weekly challenges and explore randomly generated maps in various single- and multiplayer game modes.
Why similar: City Builder 64.7%, Isometric 15.6%, Strategy 11.6%, Puzzle 8.1%
- #42 Timber and Stone
75% matchMixed49% of 864 reviews2015
Dev: Games by Robert, LLC
Windows
Median: 2.4 hrsMean: 12.7 hrs≥1hr: 71%
Timber and Stone is a procedural city building game set in a medieval fantasy world. With over one-hundred resources to gather and craft, Timber and Stone has the feel of a real time strategy game, but with much more depth and complexity.
Why similar: City Builder 65.4%, Sandbox 18.7%, Strategy 11.4%, Indie 4.1%, Singleplayer 0.4%
- #43 Tile Cities 2
71% matchVery Positive93% of 67 reviews2024
Dev: yevhen8
Windows
City-building experience reimagined as a simple relaxing puzzle game bringing the original Tile Cities to a new level
Why similar: City Builder 46.2%, Simulation 20%, Strategy 15.9%, Building 9.6%, Puzzle 5.9%
- #44 Whiskerwood
68% matchVery Positive93% of 3,112 reviews2025
Dev: Minakata DynamicsPub: Hooded Horse
Windows
Median: 9.3 hrsMean: 16.3 hrs≥1hr: 88%
Establish a home for your industrious mice under the oppressive paw of your cat overlords in this city builder featuring complex simulations, intricate production chains, and the age-old rivalry between cat and mouse.
Why similar: City Builder 44.9%, Sandbox 18.3%, Building 13.3%, Simulation 11.1%, Strategy 8.3%
- #45 SUPER BUILD
73% matchVery Positive82% of 241 reviews2019
Dev: MOONBEAR
Windows · Mac
Build, design, and explore your own fantasy world using over 1000+ items, in this relaxing sandbox game. No missions, no objectives, no timers. Just stress-free building, exploration, and good vibes.
Why similar: City Builder 32.7%, Sandbox 29.5%, Building 15.5%, Simulation 14.3%, Isometric 3.8%
- #46 Urbek City Builder: Prologue
70% matchVery Positive94% of 1,703 reviews2022
Dev: Estudios KremlinoisPub: RockGame S.A.
Windows
Median: 48 minMean: 3.8 hrs≥1hr: 41%
Urbek City Builder: Prologue is a free city building game where you can build your own neighbourhoods: from nightlife district to industrial district. Don't exhaust your natural resources before you have an educated population to build more efficient structures. Try it yourself for free!
Why similar: City Builder 43.6%, Sandbox 18%, Building 13.3%, Simulation 10%, Strategy 7.2%
- #47 Shanshui Haven
70% matchVery Positive99% of 86 reviews2024
Dev: LeeT Game
Windows
"Shanshui Haven" is a casual city-building game, offering a relaxing and engaging experience with strategic elements.
Why similar: City Builder 52.5%, Isometric 12.1%, Strategy 10.1%, Building 9.6%, Simulation 6.7%
- #48 Gnomoria
72% matchMostly Positive75% of 3,537 reviews2016
Dev: Robotronic Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.9 hrsMean: 18.2 hrs≥1hr: 82%
Gnomoria is a sandbox village management game where you help lead a small group of gnomes, who have set out on their own, to thrive into a bustling kingdom! Anything you see can be broken down and rebuilt elsewhere.
Why similar: City Builder 43.9%, Sandbox 19.8%, Building 9.7%, Simulation 9.7%, Strategy 7.6%
- #49 Synergy
68% matchMostly Positive76% of 1,052 reviews2025
Dev: Leikir StudioPub: Goblinz Publishing
Windows · Mac
Median: 1.4 hrsMean: 6.9 hrs≥1hr: 54%
An ecosystem City Builder in a unique world. Build your settlement, manage your workers and optimize your resources. Analyzing your environment, spreading new plants, and harvesting them are key to prosperity.
Why similar: City Builder 39.8%, Sandbox 13.7%, Building 11%, Isometric 9.6%, Simulation 8.3%
- #50 Towns
74% matchMostly Negative27% of 2,833 reviews2012
Dev: Xavi Canal, Ben PalgiPub: SMP
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 1.3 hrsMean: 17.6 hrs≥1hr: 53%
The game brings a fresh new take on the city building/management genre by introducing many RPG features. In Towns you manage a settlement on top of an active dungeon. Instead of playing the hero who delves deep into the dungeon, how about playing the town that houses and caters to the hero's needs?
Why similar: City Builder 52.2%, Sandbox 19%, Simulation 9.5%, Strategy 6.9%, Building 4.8%
- #51 Station to Station
68% matchVery Positive89% of 1,905 reviews2023
Dev: Galaxy GrovePub: Prismatika
Windows
Median: 54 minMean: 7.4 hrs≥1hr: 47%
‘Station to Station’ is a minimalist & relaxing game about building railway connections. Grab your conductor’s hat and bring the voxel-art world to life through the magic of trains!
Why similar: City Builder 34.9%, Sandbox 14.8%, Simulation 13.5%, Nature 11.4%, Building 8.1%
- #52 NewCity
71% matchMixed58% of 476 reviews2020
Dev: Lone Pine Games, LLC
Windows · Linux
The Regional City Builder: Let's Build Something New.
Why similar: City Builder 51.2%, Simulation 13.8%, Building 11%, Strategy 8.2%, Isometric 8%
- #53 Before We Leave
69% matchMostly Positive78% of 1,711 reviews2021
Dev: Balancing Monkey GamesPub: Team17
Windows · Mac
Median: 3.5 hrsMean: 6.0 hrs≥1hr: 84%
Before We Leave is a city building game set in a cozy corner of the universe. Nurture your Peeps and their surroundings while rebuilding and rediscovering civilisation. Settle new lands and planets while avoiding hungry Space Whales.
Why similar: City Builder 52.2%, Sandbox 16.2%, Building 13.8%, Simulation 10%, Strategy 6.5%
- #54 Preserve
66% matchVery Positive93% of 735 reviews2025
Dev: Bitmap GalaxyPub: Grindstone
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.2 hrsMean: 6.0 hrs≥1hr: 70%
Preserve is a relaxing puzzle nature-building game in which you flourish a vibrant ecosystem by cleverly placing plants and animals to create a perfect symbiosis to your liking.
Why similar: City Builder 39%, Sandbox 16.9%, Building 12%, Nature 8.9%, Simulation 8.3%
- #55 Planet Zoo
66% matchVery Positive91% of 95,209 reviews2019
Dev: Frontier Developments
Windows
Median: 6.4 hrsMean: 34.5 hrs≥1hr: 84%
Build a world for wildlife in Planet Zoo. From the developers of Planet Coaster and Zoo Tycoon comes the ultimate zoo sim. Construct detailed habitats, manage your zoo, and meet authentic living animals who think, feel and explore the world you create around them.
Why similar: City Builder 33.5%, Sandbox 17.6%, Building 14.2%, Simulation 13%, Nature 8.9%
- #56 Rescue HQ - The Tycoon
69% matchMostly Positive79% of 922 reviews2019
Dev: stillalive studiosPub: Aerosoft GmbH
Windows
Median: 3.9 hrsMean: 15.3 hrs≥1hr: 86%
Build up your headquarters from scratch and design your own masterpiece. In Rescue HQ you build, organize and manage a joint station for firefighters, police and ambulance. Manage your resources wisely and master challenging emergencies to keep your city safe! Are you up to the challenge?
Why similar: City Builder 32.1%, Sandbox 16.7%, Simulation 13.1%, Building 12.5%, Isometric 9.2%
- #57 Fantastic Haven: Prologue
67% matchMostly Positive76% of 283 reviews2024
Dev: Piece of Cake FabulousPub: Gamera Games
Windows
Save fantasy creatures and protect them until releasing them into their natural habitat. Build your shelter, explore the neighboring region, and encounter a series of events.
Why similar: City Builder 48.2%, Sandbox 20.6%, Simulation 13.8%, Building 10.4%, Nature 4.1%
- #58 Let's School
65% matchVery Positive93% of 7,275 reviews2023
Dev: Pathea Games
Windows
Median: 4.4 hrsMean: 14.6 hrs≥1hr: 83%
Dive into the exhilarating role of a headmaster entrusted to revive your alma mater! Beyond just bricks and mortar, train teachers, recruit students. Sculpt your school into a unique educational haven! Let's School!
Why similar: City Builder 38.4%, Sandbox 15.4%, Building 10.2%, Simulation 9%, Education 8%
- #59 Megapolis
69% matchMostly Positive75% of 162 reviews2016
Dev: Lonely Troops
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.2 hrsMean: 5.4 hrs≥1hr: 94%
Casual city building. Become an architect. Manage the small polis. Construct beautiful city zones with plenty of modern blocks. Work your way to the top through the campaign mode, or create your own scenarios.
Why similar: City Builder 38.4%, Simulation 27.7%, Building 10.4%, Strategy 8%, Isometric 6.9%
- #60 ShantyTown
63% matchVery Positive98% of 370 reviews2026
Dev: Erik RempenPub: Kinephantom Games
Windows · Mac
ShantyTown is a relaxing diorama-building game about finding beauty in everyday chaos. Bring new locations to life, stack your urban buildings high, and fill each little nook and cranny with your own touch. Try your hand at shaping a cozy little town that is unique to you.
Why similar: City Builder 53.8%, Sandbox 21.3%, Building 10.6%, Simulation 9.7%, Indie 3.1%