- #1 Cities: Skylines
97% matchVery Positive93% of 288,732 reviews2015
Dev: Colossal OrderPub: Paradox Interactive
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 10.0 hrsMean: 65.4 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 44.4%, Building 12.5%, Economy 8.9%, Management 8.1%, Simulation 7.2%
Why You'll Like It: This is the definitive modern city-builder that offers the most robust tools for road construction and urban simulation.
- #2 Cities: Skylines II
96% matchMixed54% of 88,593 reviews2023
Dev: Iceflake StudiosPub: Paradox Interactive
Windows
Median: 23.5 hrsMean: 73.7 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 38.4%, Building 12.9%, Economy 11.8%, Management 8.3%, Simulation 7.9%
Why You'll Like It: The direct evolution of the genre, providing enhanced simulation depth and larger map scales for complex city management.
- #3 Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic
94% matchVery Positive91% of 25,891 reviews2024
Dev: 3DivisionPub: Hooded Horse
Windows
Median: 6.4 hrsMean: 73.1 hrs≥1hr: 77%
Build a soviet republic from an impoverished country into a rich industrial superpower in a city builder with intricate production chains and a fully simulated global economy. Manage the lives of your citizens from education to work and party loyalty to criminal activity.
Why similar: City Builder 32.4%, Economy 15.7%, Building 13.1%, Management 10.3%, Moddable 8.6% ★
Why You'll Like It: Offers an incredibly deep and complex economic simulation that emphasizes infrastructure and supply chain management.
- #4 Cities XL Platinum
96% matchMixed58% of 1,633 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 56.4%, Simulation 14.1%, Management 8.3%, Sandbox 7.3%, Strategy 5%
Why You'll Like It: As a direct predecessor to the seed game, it shares the same core engine and focus on massive, realistic urban development.
- #5 SimCity™ 4 Deluxe Edition
95% matchVery Positive82% of 9,694 reviews2010
Dev: EA - MaxisPub: Electronic Arts
Windows · Mac
Median: 1.3 hrsMean: 13.3 hrs≥1hr: 54%
SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition includes the bestselling SimCity 4 and the all-new SimCity 4 Rush Hour Expansion Pack. Create the most massive region of cities ever, with a farming town, bedroom community, high-tech commercial center, and industrial backbone.
Why similar: City Builder 30.6%, Economy 16.2%, Building 13.5%, Management 10.4%, Sandbox 9%
Why You'll Like It: This classic title remains the gold standard for regional city planning and remains a core inspiration for the genre.
- #6 Highrise City
94% matchMostly Positive78% of 1,288 reviews2023
Dev: Fourexo EntertainmentPub: Deck13
Windows
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 12.9 hrs≥1hr: 68%
Highrise City offers a new spin on City Simulations & Tycoon games expanding the economy and resource management aspect. Experience a modern take on the genre enriched with a complex resource based economy system.
Why similar: City Builder 37.1%, Economy 12.9%, Building 12.1%, Sandbox 9.9%, Simulation 8.6%
Why You'll Like It: Focuses on large-scale urban planning with a heavy emphasis on complex supply chains and economic efficiency.
- #7 Anno 1800
93% matchVery Positive81% of 31,402 reviews2019
Dev: Ubisoft MainzPub: Ubisoft
Windows
Median: 9.8 hrsMean: 39.9 hrs≥1hr: 89%
Anno 1800™ – Lead the Industrial Revolution! Welcome to the dawn of the Industrial Age. The path you choose will define your world. Are you an innovator or an exploiter? A conqueror or a liberator? How the world remembers your name is up to you.
Why similar: City Builder 51.7%, Economy 17.5%, Simulation 7.8%, Strategy 7.3%, Sandbox 4.7%
Why You'll Like It: Combines intricate city building with sophisticated trade and production chains set in the Industrial Revolution.
- #8 Citystate II
92% matchMostly Positive74% of 1,120 reviews2021
Dev: Andy Sztark
Windows
Median: 4.8 hrsMean: 9.5 hrs≥1hr: 74%
Create your own Nation, build cities and bring prosperity to your people. Citystate II is a unique city-builder featuring realistic economics and complex political options. Slums or skyscrapers, experiment and bring about your vision of the ideal society.
Why similar: City Builder 36.3%, Economy 18.2%, Building 13.5%, Management 10%, Sandbox 7.7%
Why You'll Like It: Provides a detailed focus on economic policy and political simulation within a city-building framework.
- #9 Tropico 6
91% matchVery Positive88% of 29,005 reviews2019
Dev: Limbic EntertainmentPub: Kalypso Media
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 5.6 hrsMean: 27.0 hrs≥1hr: 88%
El Presidente is back! Prove yourself once again as a feared dictator or peace-loving statesman on the island state of Tropico and shape the fate of your very own banana republic through four distinctive eras.
Why similar: City Builder 43%, Economy 16.8%, Management 10.3%, Simulation 7.7%, Strategy 7.1%
Why You'll Like It: Adds a unique layer of political management and regime control to the traditional city-building formula.
- #10 Urbek City Builder
91% matchVery Positive90% of 1,843 reviews2022
Dev: FridusPub: RockGame S.A.
Windows
Median: 3.1 hrsMean: 10.1 hrs≥1hr: 75%
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 35.4%, Economy 15.6%, Building 15.2%, Management 11.5%, Sandbox 9.2%
Why You'll Like It: Focuses on organic growth and neighborhood-based development without the need for traditional zoning.
- #11 Foundation
89% matchVery Positive86% of 23,739 reviews2025
Dev: Polymorph Games
Windows
Median: 11.0 hrsMean: 26.6 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 50.6%, Economy 11.2%, Building 9.7%, Management 8.1%, Simulation 7.4%
Why You'll Like It: A gridless, organic medieval city builder that emphasizes population management and natural expansion.
- #12 Transport Fever 2
90% matchVery Positive90% of 31,697 reviews2019
Dev: Urban GamesPub: Good Shepherd Entertainment
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 15.7 hrsMean: 65.9 hrs≥1hr: 84%
The classic transport simulation genre has a new gold standard with Transport Fever 2. Discover a whole new world by navigating transport routes through land, water and air. May progress and prosperity find their way!
Why similar: City Builder 30.2%, Economy 14.8%, Management 12.5%, Simulation 9.8%, Building 9.6%
Why You'll Like It: Focuses on the logistics and transportation infrastructure that are essential for driving city growth.
- #13 Planet Coaster
89% matchVery Positive91% of 71,745 reviews2016
Dev: Frontier Developments
Windows · Mac
Median: 4.2 hrsMean: 22.0 hrs≥1hr: 77%
Planet Coaster® - the future of coaster park simulation games has arrived! Surprise, delight and thrill incredible crowds as you build your coaster park empire - let your imagination run wild, and share your success with the world.
Why similar: Building 22.1%, City Builder 14.6%, Management 14.4%, Economy 14%, Sandbox 11.7%
Why You'll Like It: Offers unparalleled creative tools for building and managing a theme park with high levels of detail.
- #14 Manor Lords
86% matchVery Positive84% of 87,232 reviews2024
Dev: Slavic MagicPub: Hooded Horse
Windows
Median: 9.4 hrsMean: 22.1 hrs≥1hr: 89%
Manor Lords is a medieval strategy game featuring in-depth city building, large-scale tactical battles, and complex economic and social simulations. Rule your lands as a medieval lord – the seasons pass, the weather changes, and cities rise and fall.
Why similar: City Builder 44.9%, Economy 10.1%, Simulation 10%, Building 8.3%, Strategy 7.6%
Why You'll Like It: Blends realistic medieval city building with tactical logistics and resource management.
- #15 SimAirport
88% matchMostly Positive79% of 4,022 reviews2020
Dev: LVGameDev LLC
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 5.5 hrsMean: 21.1 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 34%, Economy 18.2%, Building 14.7%, Management 12%, Sandbox 9.4%
Why You'll Like It: A management-heavy simulation that focuses on the complex logistics of running a busy airport terminal.
- #16 Project Highrise
87% matchVery Positive85% of 4,762 reviews2016
Dev: SomaSimPub: Kasedo Games
Windows · Mac
Median: 8.7 hrsMean: 32.1 hrs≥1hr: 85%
Project Highrise is a skyscraper construction and management sim...
Why similar: Building 24.5%, Management 22.7%, Simulation 14.2%, City Builder 11.2%, Economy 10.6%
Why You'll Like It: Focuses on vertical construction and tenant management within a single, complex building structure.
- #17 Airport CEO
86% matchVery Positive83% of 8,179 reviews2021
Dev: Apog Labs
Windows · Mac
Median: 6.9 hrsMean: 27.1 hrs≥1hr: 72%
Build and manage an international airport!
Why similar: City Builder 22.8%, Moddable 14.3% ★, Economy 13.8%, Building 12.9%, Management 11%
Why You'll Like It: Provides granular control over airport infrastructure, logistics, and daily operations.
- #18 Frostpunk
85% matchVery Positive93% of 134,607 reviews2018
Dev: 11 bit studios
Windows · Mac
Median: 6.2 hrsMean: 22.3 hrs≥1hr: 87%
Frostpunk is the first society survival game. As the ruler of the last city on Earth, it is your duty to manage both its citizens and infrastructure. What decisions will you make to ensure your society's survival? What will you do when pushed to breaking point? Who will you become in the process?
Why similar: City Builder 58.7%, Building 13.2%, Strategy 8.3%, Economy 7.9%, Management 6.9%
Why You'll Like It: A high-stakes survival city builder that forces you to manage resources under extreme environmental pressure.
- #19 Timberborn
82% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 39,576 reviews2026
Dev: Mechanistry
Windows · Mac
Median: 10.2 hrsMean: 42.2 hrs≥1hr: 84%
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 48.5%, Building 16.1%, Management 12.5%, Sandbox 11%, Simulation 6.7%
Why You'll Like It: Features unique water physics and vertical building mechanics that offer a fresh take on city-building strategy.
- #20 Banished
84% matchVery Positive90% of 43,119 reviews2014
Dev: Shining Rock Software LLC
Windows
Median: 7.8 hrsMean: 27.0 hrs≥1hr: 78%
In this city-building strategy game, you control a group of exiled travelers who decide to restart their lives in a new land. They have only the clothes on their backs and a cart filled with supplies from their homeland. The townspeople of Banished are your primary resource.
Why similar: City Builder 60.7%, Simulation 9%, Strategy 7.5%, Sandbox 7.1%, Economy 6.3%
Why You'll Like It: A challenging, pure city-building experience that focuses on survival and careful resource balancing.
- #21 Against the Storm
81% matchVery Positive95% of 35,994 reviews2023
Dev: Eremite GamesPub: Hooded Horse
Windows
Median: 5.5 hrsMean: 28.3 hrs≥1hr: 84%
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 29.5%, Economy 14.9%, Building 12.9%, Moddable 11.8% ★, Management 10.2%
Why You'll Like It: A unique roguelite city builder that emphasizes quick, iterative urban planning and resource management.
- #22 Planet Zoo
82% matchVery Positive91% of 94,593 reviews2019
Dev: Frontier Developments
Windows
Median: 6.4 hrsMean: 34.3 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 26%, Building 16.2%, Management 15.5%, Economy 13.4%, Sandbox 9.8%
Why You'll Like It: Provides deep management tools and creative freedom for building complex, living environments.
- #23 Tropico 5
83% matchMostly Positive79% of 14,348 reviews2014
Dev: Haemimont GamesPub: Kalypso Media Digital
Windows · Linux
Median: 5.0 hrsMean: 22.1 hrs≥1hr: 90%
Return to the remote island nation of Tropico and expand your Dynasty’s reign from the early colonial period to beyond the 21st Century, facing new challenges including advanced trading mechanics, technology and scientific research, as well as cooperative and competitive MULTIPLAYER.
Why similar: City Builder 50.4%, Economy 12%, Simulation 10.3%, Strategy 9.8%, Sandbox 9.1%
Why You'll Like It: A classic entry that balances city building with dynasty-based regime management over different eras.
- #24 Anno 1404 - History Edition
81% matchVery Positive82% of 3,505 reviews2020
Dev: Ubisoft MainzPub: Ubisoft
Windows
Median: 3.2 hrsMean: 31.2 hrs≥1hr: 64%
Relive the captivating gameplay of a true city-building classic with Anno® 1404 History Edition.
Why similar: City Builder 47.5%, Building 17.1%, Management 10.8%, Simulation 9.1%, Strategy 8.9%
Why You'll Like It: A beloved classic that perfected the balance of production chains and trade mechanics in a historical setting.
- #25 Ostriv
79% matchOverwhelmingly Positive95% of 7,467 reviews2020
Dev: yevhen8
Windows
Median: 9.0 hrsMean: 36.6 hrs≥1hr: 87%
Ostriv is a city-building game that puts you in a role of a governor of an 18th century Ukrainian town to challenge your creative skills and management abilities.
Why similar: City Builder 37.7%, Economy 13.4%, Building 12.9%, Management 10.2%, Sandbox 7.9%
Why You'll Like It: A realistic, gridless city builder that emphasizes historical accuracy and detailed supply chain management.
- #26 Citystate
80% matchMostly Positive75% of 811 reviews2018
Dev: Andy Sztark
Windows
Median: 1.9 hrsMean: 7.8 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 41.8%, Economy 14.3%, Building 11.3%, Simulation 9.4%, Management 7.8%
Why You'll Like It: The original title that focuses heavily on the intersection of political ideology and urban development.
- #27 IXION
78% matchMostly Positive79% of 17,230 reviews2022
Dev: Bulwark StudiosPub: Kasedo Games
Windows
Median: 10.1 hrsMean: 30.9 hrs≥1hr: 90%
IXION is an unrelenting, city-building odyssey across the stars. As Administrator of the Tiqqun, DOLOS’ prototype space station, you are tasked with balancing preservation and exploration as you manage infrastructure, resources and crew. Can you keep the flame of humanity alight in the cold dark?
Why similar: City Builder 51.5%, Building 14.7%, Economy 12.3%, Strategy 7.8%, Simulation 6.8%
Why You'll Like It: Combines city-building mechanics with space station management and narrative-driven survival elements.
- #28 Cliff Empire
78% matchVery Positive87% of 4,350 reviews2019
Dev: Lion's Shade
Windows · Mac
Median: 4.0 hrsMean: 15.2 hrs≥1hr: 79%
After a nuclear war life on the surface became impossible. A 300m thick radioactive fog covered the Earth. We are looking for bold active people to manage the process of restoring life on Earth. Join!
Why similar: City Builder 36.8%, Economy 17.8%, Building 12.5%, Management 10.4%, Sandbox 8.1%
Why You'll Like It: Challenges players to build vertical cities on small platforms in a post-apocalyptic, resource-scarce world.
- #29 Smart City Plan
79% matchMixed65% of 121 reviews2020
Dev: Ambiera
Windows
Smart City Plan is a modern old-school style city builder game: Plan zones, roads, public transport like trains, trams, buses, subways and even the hypertube. Set taxes and policies and implement smart city technologies.
Why similar: City Builder 31.5%, Building 13.3%, Economy 13.1%, Simulation 11.4%, Management 8.8%
Why You'll Like It: A straightforward city builder that focuses on urban planning, public services, and infrastructure management.
- #30 Anno 117: Pax Romana
73% matchMixed70% of 11,936 reviews2025
Dev: Ubisoft MainzPub: Ubisoft
Windows
Median: 13.8 hrsMean: 25.7 hrs≥1hr: 94%
Shape the Roman Empire in this genre-defining strategic builder game. Build cities while expanding your influence through Roman provinces. Govern using your economic prowess, diplomatic skills, or military might.
Why similar: City Builder 37.3%, Economy 15.7%, Building 13%, Sandbox 9.5%, Simulation 8.4%
- #31 Planet Coaster 2
74% matchMostly Positive73% of 13,296 reviews2024
Dev: Frontier Developments
Windows
Median: 6.1 hrsMean: 32.2 hrs≥1hr: 86%
Build and customise thrilling roller coasters and incredible water slides, manage the ultimate theme park experience, and share your epic creations. Are you ready to ride the wave?
Why similar: City Builder 29.9%, Building 16.2%, Economy 14%, Sandbox 11.3%, Simulation 10.3%
- #32 Anno 2205™
77% matchMostly Positive70% of 6,296 reviews2015
Dev: Blue BytePub: Ubisoft
Windows
Median: 10.2 hrsMean: 54.6 hrs≥1hr: 89%
In Anno 2205™, you join humankind‘s next step into the future with the promise to build a better tomorrow. You conquer Earth, establishing rich, bustling cities and grand industrial complexes, but to secure the prosperity of your people, you must travel into space.
Why similar: City Builder 50.8%, Economy 14.9%, Strategy 8.3%, Simulation 7.8%, Management 7.5%
- #33 Anno 2070™
77% matchMixed61% of 12,654 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 54.9%, Economy 12%, Strategy 10%, Simulation 7.1%, Building 5.8%
- #34 Transport Fever
75% matchVery Positive83% of 10,810 reviews2016
Dev: Urban GamesPub: Good Shepherd Entertainment
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 8.7 hrsMean: 47.6 hrs≥1hr: 77%
Transport Fever is a railroad-focused tycoon game. Players start in 1850 and build up a thriving transport company. As an emerging transport tycoon, the player constructs stations, airports, harbors and makes money by connecting areas requiring transport services. Build up your own Empire!
Why similar: City Builder 29.9%, Economy 16.1%, Building 13.6%, Management 10.3%, Sandbox 9.3%
- #35 Project Hospital
74% matchVery Positive89% of 9,130 reviews2018
Dev: Oxymoron Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 4.4 hrsMean: 24.2 hrs≥1hr: 80%
Become an ace doctor, an aspiring architect and a successful manager at the same time. Design your very own hospital, tweak every detail or choose one of the prebuilt scenarios and just jump to the doctor’s duty.
Why similar: City Builder 33.9%, Management 12.7%, Building 11.8%, Economy 11.2%, Sandbox 8.1%
- #36 Cities in Motion
76% matchMostly Positive77% of 1,082 reviews2011
Dev: Colossal OrderPub: Paradox Interactive
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 54 minMean: 10.6 hrs≥1hr: 49%
Manage transportation for commuters in four of the world's greatest cities - Vienna, Helsinki, Berlin, and Amsterdam
Why similar: City Builder 30.6%, Simulation 19.9%, Management 18.3%, Economy 14%, Sandbox 6%
- #37 Cities in Motion 2
76% matchMixed58% of 2,499 reviews2013
Dev: Colossal OrderPub: Paradox Interactive
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.4 hrsMean: 6.2 hrs≥1hr: 84%
Cities in Motion 2 is the sequel to the popular mass transit simulation game Cities in Motion. Build, manage and lead your transportation network to provide cities with their ever changing needs. CIM2 introduces new features including multiplayer game modes, day and night cycles, timetables and dynamic cities.
Why similar: City Builder 33.3%, Simulation 15.7%, Management 15.3%, Economy 10.3%, Sandbox 8.6%
- #38 Train Fever
75% matchMixed64% of 3,525 reviews2014
Dev: Urban GamesPub: Good Shepherd Entertainment
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 4.6 hrsMean: 29.8 hrs≥1hr: 66%
It’s the year 1850, and there are great times ahead! Establish a transport company and be its manager. Build infrastructure such as railways and stations, purchase transportation vehicles and manage lines. Fulfill the people’s needs and watch cities evolve dynamically.
Why similar: City Builder 22.4%, Economy 19.8%, Management 14.5%, Simulation 13.9%, Building 8.7%
- #39 Parking World: Build & Manage
71% matchMixed67% of 180 reviews2025
Dev: Binary ImpactPub: Aerosoft GmbH
Windows
Build, manage, and expand your own lucrative parking enterprise in this management sim. Parking World puts the power to build your perfect parking garage at your fingertips while solving everybody else's parking problems in unique narrative scenarios or without any objectives in freeplay mode.
Why similar: City Builder 33.7%, Building 12.2%, Economy 12%, Simulation 8.8%, Management 8.4%
- #40 Mad Tower Tycoon
73% matchMostly Positive78% of 441 reviews2020
Dev: Eggcode
Windows · Mac
Median: 2.3 hrsMean: 5.3 hrs≥1hr: 56%
Design your own skyscraper with more than 100 Floors. Rent offices, apartments or shops and build a financially lucrative skyscraper. Build cinemas, bars or a theater to satisfy your visitors and create an effective transport system with elevators and stairs.
Why similar: City Builder 31.7%, Economy 17.1%, Building 15%, Management 12%, Sandbox 9.5%
- #41 Constructor Plus
72% matchVery Positive89% of 458 reviews2019
Dev: System 3
Windows
Median: 1.4 hrsMean: 8.6 hrs≥1hr: 57%
Constructor Plus is the definitive building simulation for the modern day tycoon. Build your dream town full of crackpot undesirables, businesses, and quirky tenants whilst fending off your rivals in the eagerly awaited sequel to Constructor HD. With almost 3 times more content, building just got bigger!
Why similar: City Builder 49.6%, Simulation 19.1%, Building 15.5%, Strategy 15%, Singleplayer 0.8%
- #42 Kingdoms and Castles
71% matchVery Positive94% of 31,097 reviews2017
Dev: Lion Shield, LLC
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 6.1 hrsMean: 16.1 hrs≥1hr: 88%
Kingdoms and Castles is a city-building simulation game about growing a kingdom from a tiny hamlet to a sprawling city and imposing castle. Make trade agreements, alliance, and war with neighboring AI controlled kingdoms. Each villager and resource is individually simulated.
Why similar: City Builder 45.1%, Building 12.1%, Management 11.6%, Economy 9.7%, Sandbox 8.2%
- #43 Aven Colony
73% matchMostly Positive72% of 2,747 reviews2017
Dev: Mothership Entertainment LLCPub: Team17 Digital Ltd
Windows
Median: 4.2 hrsMean: 8.2 hrs≥1hr: 90%
Build a new home for humanity in Aven Colony. Discover Aven Prime - an alien planet of deserts, tundras, and wetlands light years from earth. Build your colonies into massive, sprawling cities whilst dealing with the challenges faced when settling on a new world.
Why similar: City Builder 70.4%, Simulation 11.4%, Strategy 10.5%, Management 4.3%, Sandbox 2.8%
- #44 Nebuchadnezzar
71% matchMostly Positive79% of 1,804 reviews2021
Dev: Nepos GamesPub: Astra Logical
Windows · Linux
Median: 4.3 hrsMean: 7.4 hrs≥1hr: 90%
Create and customize cities in Nebuchadnezzar, a classic isometric city-builder where careful planning and define your rise as a ruler in ancient Mesopotamia.
Why similar: City Builder 35.8%, Economy 15.9%, Building 13.2%, Management 9.6%, Sandbox 9.2%
- #45 Highrise Mogul
72% matchMixed51% of 53 reviews2021
Dev: Olli Arkko
Windows
Highrise Mogul: design, build and manage your own skyscraper. Make floor plans, place rentable rooms, hire staff, design a beautiful garden, manage your own power grid and much more!
Why similar: City Builder 40.3%, Building 17.5%, Economy 17.4%, Management 10.8%, Simulation 7.3%
- #46 SimCasino
70% matchMostly Positive74% of 751 reviews2021
Dev: LVGameDev LLC
Windows
Median: 2.9 hrsMean: 10.4 hrs≥1hr: 86%
Modern Casino Tycoon Simulation in full 3D glory. Build the casino. Set the odds. Expand into a luxury hotel/casino or go cheap & extract max profits. Keep the vault secure at all times, and beware of criminals & cheaters!!
Why similar: City Builder 31.4%, Economy 14.9%, Building 13.7%, Management 10.1%, Sandbox 9.4%
- #47 Skyline Urban Story
68% matchVery Positive89% of 104 reviews2025
Dev: PandaUpStudio
Windows · Mac
From barren land to towering metropolis, every decision you make shapes the destiny of your city. Industrial flow, global trade, surging land values, and growing wealth, offers deep management gameplay, perfect for players who love strategic city-building and economic simulation.
Why similar: City Builder 40.6%, Economy 20.5%, Building 17.2%, Sandbox 10.8%, Simulation 9.9%
- #48 Tropico 4
69% matchVery Positive92% of 12,678 reviews2011
Dev: Haemimont GamesPub: Kalypso Media Digital
Windows
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 13.9 hrs≥1hr: 86%
The world is changing and Tropico is moving with the times - geographical powers rise and fall and the world market is dominated by new players with new demands and offers - and you, as El Presidente, face a whole new set of challenges.
Why similar: City Builder 53.3%, Management 11.6%, Simulation 9.3%, Economy 8.1%, Strategy 6.7%
- #49 Overcrowd: A Commute 'Em Up
68% matchVery Positive81% of 1,748 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 35.4%, Building 15.8%, Management 14%, Economy 11.5%, Sandbox 9.6%
- #50 Block'hood
70% matchMostly Positive74% of 1,256 reviews2017
Dev: Plethora ProjectPub: Devolver Digital
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 54 minMean: 18.9 hrs≥1hr: 48%
Block’hood is a neighborhood-building simulator that celebrates the diversity and experimentation of cities and the unique ecosystems within them. Budding city planners will have access to 200+ building blocks to combine and to create unique neighborhoods and discover the implications of their designs.
Why similar: City Builder 54.6%, Sandbox 12.4%, Building 12.2%, Simulation 11.9%, Strategy 6.4%
- #51 TheoTown
67% matchVery Positive95% of 4,517 reviews2019
Dev: Lobby DivinusPub: blueflower
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.8 hrsMean: 19.3 hrs≥1hr: 73%
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 35.6%, Building 14.4%, Moddable 13.2% ★, Management 11%, Sandbox 10.2%
- #52 Grand Ages: Medieval
70% matchMixed48% of 1,971 reviews2015
Dev: Gaming Minds StudiosPub: Kalypso Media Digital
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 4.8 hrsMean: 8.3 hrs≥1hr: 92%
Rise from the humble role of a simple mayor governing a small settlement and rule over all of Europe.
Why similar: City Builder 31.6%, Economy 21.3%, Strategy 13.2%, Simulation 12.5%, Management 11.6%
- #53 Children of the Nile: Enhanced Edition
69% matchVery Positive85% of 465 reviews2008
Dev: Tilted Mill Entertainment, Inc.
Windows
Median: 48 minMean: 9.6 hrs≥1hr: 45%
Children of the Nile™ is a unique gem of a city-building game, unparalleled in both grandeur and attention to detail.As Pharaoh you will guide your people through thousands of years of history: from simple hunter-gatherers to the creation of an immortal civilization.
Why similar: City Builder 61.8%, Simulation 13.4%, Management 11.8%, Strategy 9.1%, Sandbox 3.5%
- #54 City Life 2008
69% matchVery Positive81% of 249 reviews2008
Dev: Monte CristoPub: Focus Entertainment
Windows
Median: 42 minMean: 5.5 hrs≥1hr: 44%
Construct the city of the 21st Century with City Life! City Life 2008 Edition is a next-generation City Builder. Its 3D game engine provides a level of detail and animation unprecedented in the City Builder genre, with total freedom of construction.
Why similar: City Builder 64.6%, Simulation 20.5%, Strategy 15%
- #55 Prison Architect
66% matchVery Positive89% of 73,349 reviews2015
Dev: Introversion SoftwarePub: Paradox Interactive
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 6.0 hrsMean: 30.2 hrs≥1hr: 87%
Only the world’s most ruthless Warden can contain the world’s most ruthless inmates. Design and develop your personalized penitentiary in Prison Architect.
Why similar: City Builder 28.3%, Building 15.7%, Management 11.1%, Economy 10.9%, Sandbox 10.1%
- #56 Little Big Workshop
66% matchVery Positive84% of 3,371 reviews2019
Dev: Mirage Game StudiosPub: HandyGames
Windows · Mac
Median: 4.3 hrsMean: 8.1 hrs≥1hr: 88%
Manage your workers, stations, machines and create awesome stuff as your little big workshop grows into your dream factory!
Why similar: Simulation 18.3%, Building 17.5%, Economy 17.1%, Management 16%, Strategy 11.9%
- #57 City Tales - Medieval Era
63% matchVery Positive90% of 571 reviews2026
Dev: Irregular ShapesPub: Firesquid
Windows
Median: 3.8 hrsMean: 8.4 hrs≥1hr: 79%
City Tales is a medieval city builder, allowing you to unleash your creativity and shape vast cities that break outside a traditional grid. Plan each district for your citizens needs and aid your companions in their tales, creating a city to be proud of!
Why similar: City Builder 40.8%, Economy 19.6%, Building 18.1%, Management 11.6%, Simulation 9.7%
- #58 Pocket City 2
64% matchVery Positive94% of 130 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 43.2%, Economy 20%, Sandbox 12.3%, Building 9.8%, Strategy 7.8%
- #59 Power to the People
66% matchVery Positive82% of 547 reviews2022
Dev: Rhombico GamesPub: Crytivo
Windows
Median: 3.0 hrsMean: 5.7 hrs≥1hr: 82%
Build and maintain a power grid for a constantly growing population, while fighting off all kinds of disasters in this thrilling resource management experience. It's time for you to give "Power to the People"! Do you have what it takes to keep the lights on?
Why similar: City Builder 32.9%, Economy 20%, Building 16.2%, Management 13.8%, Simulation 6.9%