- #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 36.6%, Building 13.6%, Economy 10.3%, Management 10.3%, Sandbox 8.9%
Why You'll Like It: Widely considered the true spiritual successor to the SimCity formula with modern depth and extensive modding support.
- #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 30.9%, Building 13.8%, Economy 13.4%, Sandbox 10.8%, Management 10.4%
Why You'll Like It: The latest evolution in the genre, offering massive scale and highly detailed simulation mechanics for urban planning enthusiasts.
- #3 Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic
96% 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 22.1%, Economy 15%, Base Building 14.7%, Building 11.8%, Management 10.8%
Why You'll Like It: Provides an incredibly deep and complex economic simulation that challenges players with intricate supply chains and infrastructure management.
- #4 Tropico 6
95% 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 34.3%, Economy 18.9%, Management 12.8%, Sandbox 8.8%, Strategy 8.2%
Why You'll Like It: Balances traditional city-building with political management and economic growth in a charming, satirical setting.
- #5 Foundation
94% 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 38.1%, Economy 11.9%, Sandbox 9.7%, Building 9.6%, Management 9.4%
Why You'll Like It: Focuses on organic, gridless city growth that allows for more natural-looking settlements compared to traditional grid-based builders.
- #6 Anno 1800
94% 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 43.1%, Economy 20.5%, Strategy 8.8%, Sandbox 7.1%, Simulation 6.7%
Why You'll Like It: Combines sophisticated logistical city-building with a rich historical setting and complex trade route management.
- #7 Banished
93% 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 52.4%, Sandbox 11.1%, Strategy 9.3%, Simulation 8.1%, Economy 7.6%
Why You'll Like It: A challenging survival-focused city-builder that emphasizes population stability and resource management in a harsh environment.
- #8 Prison Architect
92% 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 18.5%, Base Building 15.4%, Building 13.6%, Sandbox 12%, Management 11.3%
Why You'll Like It: Offers a detailed management simulation with a heavy focus on layout, infrastructure, and operational efficiency.
- #9 Timberborn
90% 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 32.6%, Base Building 16.8%, Building 14.3%, Sandbox 13.4%, Management 13%
Why You'll Like It: Introduces unique vertical building and water management mechanics that force players to rethink traditional city planning.
- #10 Frostpunk
91% 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 44.2%, Building 13.2%, Base Building 12.2%, Strategy 9.1%, Economy 8.3%
Why You'll Like It: Adds a high-stakes survival layer to the traditional city-building loop, forcing difficult moral and management decisions.
- #11 Parkitect
91% matchVery Positive94% of 8,037 reviews2018
Dev: Texel Raptor
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 4.9 hrsMean: 18.3 hrs≥1hr: 86%
Parkitect is a business simulation game that charges you with the construction and management of theme parks! Bringing back the best of classic theme park games with many new features and content on top. Now supports online co-op with up to 8 players!
Why similar: Economy 15.4%, City Builder 15.4%, Building 12.2%, Isometric 11.8%, Management 11.3%
Why You'll Like It: Captures the classic management feel of older tycoon games while providing modern, intuitive building tools.
- #12 Project Highrise
89% 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: Management 25.3%, Building 23.4%, Economy 10.7%, Simulation 10.6%, Sandbox 9.5%
Why You'll Like It: Focuses on the vertical city-building aspect, challenging players to manage the complex needs of commercial and residential tenants.
- #13 SimCity™ 3000 Unlimited
88% matchVery Positive85% of 735 reviews2024
Dev: MaxisPub: Electronic Arts
Windows
Median: 12 minMean: 3.3 hrs≥1hr: 31%
SimCity 3000 Unlimited brings you the classic strategy gaming of SimCity 3000 with all-new scenarios that open up a whole world of city planning and building possibilities! The thrills of the classic SimCity 3000 are here again!
Why similar: City Builder 53.1%, Simulation 17%, Strategy 14.4%, Classic 8.6% ★, Casual 5.8%
Why You'll Like It: The direct predecessor that shares the same iconic aesthetic and core simulation mechanics as SimCity 4.
- #14 Planet Zoo
87% 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 19.3%, Management 17.8%, Building 15.9%, Economy 14%, Sandbox 13.1%
Why You'll Like It: Provides deep management tools and creative building systems for designing complex, living environments.
- #15 Cities in Motion
89% 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 24.4%, Management 22.6%, Simulation 16.4%, Economy 15.7%, Sandbox 8.6%
Why You'll Like It: Focuses specifically on the transportation infrastructure management that was a core component of SimCity 4.
- #16 Tropico 4
86% 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 42.2%, Management 14.3%, Economy 9%, Sandbox 8.7%, Strategy 7.7%
Why You'll Like It: Often considered the peak of the series for its perfect balance of charm, humor, and economic management.
- #17 Urbek City Builder
85% 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 26.6%, Economy 16.5%, Building 15.1%, Management 13.4%, Sandbox 12.5%
Why You'll Like It: A grid-based city builder that emphasizes neighborhood development and resource management without the need for traditional money.
- #18 Pharaoh™: A New Era
84% matchMostly Positive75% of 5,206 reviews2023
Dev: Triskell InteractivePub: Dotemu
Windows
Median: 4.1 hrsMean: 12.6 hrs≥1hr: 85%
The legendary city-builder returns! Lead the creation of one of the greatest civilizations the world has ever seen in this HD remake with modernized UI. Build monuments, manage your population and explore 4,000 years of history through over a hundred hours of gameplay.
Why similar: City Builder 29.8%, Economy 16.7%, Building 14.9%, Management 13.4%, Base Building 8.1%
Why You'll Like It: A faithful modernization of a classic city-builder that shares the grid-based planning roots of SimCity 4.
- #19 Cities XL Platinum
86% 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 48.5%, Simulation 12.5%, Sandbox 11.4%, Management 11%, Strategy 6.3%
Why You'll Like It: A classic city-builder that attempted to expand on the regional scale and economic complexity of the SimCity series.
- #20 RollerCoaster Tycoon® 2: Triple Thrill Pack
84% matchVery Positive90% of 5,765 reviews2014
Dev: Chris Sawyer ProductionsPub: Atari
Windows
Median: 24 minMean: 9.9 hrs≥1hr: 38%
This compilation includes the entire RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 series, with the original game as well as the Time Twister and Wacky Worlds expansions.
Why similar: Management 21.1%, Classic 13.6% ★, Sandbox 13.1%, Building 11.7%, Economy 10%
Why You'll Like It: The gold standard for classic management games with deep simulation roots and iconic gameplay.
- #21 Anno 1404 - History Edition
83% 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 39.8%, Building 18.9%, Management 14%, Strategy 10.7%, Simulation 7.9%
Why You'll Like It: A classic entry in the series that excels at logistical and economic city management in a beautiful historical setting.
- #22 Planet Coaster
82% 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 18.2%, Management 13.9%, Sandbox 13.1%, Economy 12.2%, God Game 11% ★
Why You'll Like It: Offers unparalleled creative building tools for those who enjoy the aesthetic and design side of management games.
- #23 Against the Storm
78% 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 19.9%, Base Building 14.5%, Economy 14.2%, Building 11.6%, Management 10.7%
Why You'll Like It: A roguelite city-builder that forces players to adapt to changing environments and strict resource constraints.
- #24 Cliff Empire
81% 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 25.5%, Economy 17.4%, Base Building 12.2%, Building 11.5%, Management 11.1%
Why You'll Like It: A unique city-builder that tasks players with managing multiple small, resource-dependent cities across cliff tops.
- #25 Tropico 5
81% 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 41.2%, Economy 13.8%, Sandbox 13.4%, Strategy 11.6%, Simulation 8.7%
Why You'll Like It: Expands the series with a dynasty system and multiplayer, offering a fresh take on the political city-builder.
- #26 Endzone - A World Apart
80% matchMostly Positive77% of 9,875 reviews2021
Dev: Gentlymad StudiosPub: Assemble Entertainment
Windows
Median: 3.9 hrsMean: 9.1 hrs≥1hr: 84%
Endzone is a post-apocalyptic survival city builder, where you start a new civilization with a group of people after an ecological disaster. Build them a new home and ensure their survival in a shattered world, threatened by constant radiation, toxic rain, sandstorms and droughts.
Why similar: City Builder 39.6%, Base Building 16.7%, Building 8.9%, Strategy 7.9%, Sandbox 6.7%
Why You'll Like It: A post-apocalyptic city-builder that emphasizes survival, radiation management, and infrastructure development.
- #27 Dawn of Man
79% matchVery Positive87% of 17,712 reviews2019
Dev: Madruga Works
Windows · Mac
Median: 10.9 hrsMean: 30.0 hrs≥1hr: 86%
Command a settlement of ancient humans, guide them through the ages in their struggle for survival. Hunt, gather, craft tools, fight, research new techs and face the challenges the environment will throw at you.
Why similar: City Builder 60.9%, Sandbox 10.3%, Economy 9.8%, Strategy 9.2%, Simulation 6.2%
Why You'll Like It: A survival-focused city-builder that tracks the development of a settlement through the ages of human history.
- #28 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 26%, Base Building 14.1%, Economy 13%, Building 11.8%, Management 10.9%
Why You'll Like It: A realistic city-builder that focuses on historical accuracy and complex, realistic supply chains.
- #29 Captain of Industry
78% matchVery Positive90% of 10,894 reviews2022
Dev: MaFi Games
Windows
Median: 10.2 hrsMean: 84.6 hrs≥1hr: 82%
Build an industrial empire on a remote island. Mine resources, reshape terrain with excavators, grow food, construct factories, lay train tracks, and trade with the outside world. Research 100+ technologies to advance from basic metal smelting all the way to nuclear power and space flight.
Why similar: Base Building 25.4%, Economy 19.9%, City Builder 15.6%, Management 12.5%, Building 11.7%
Why You'll Like It: A deep logistics and factory-building game that appeals to the industrial management side of city-building.
- #30 RollerCoaster Tycoon®: Deluxe
77% matchVery Positive94% of 8,150 reviews2014
Dev: Chris Sawyer ProductionsPub: Atari
Windows
Median: 1.3 hrsMean: 14.8 hrs≥1hr: 54%
One of the best games from acclaimed Tycoon series, with well designed gameplay mechanics, appealing graphics, and really high re-playability value. There’s no limit to what you can create so design and build the most thrilling roller coaster the world has ever seen!
Why similar: Management 22.9%, Sandbox 15.6%, Classic 14.6% ★, Building 12.7%, Simulation 11.1%
- #31 RollerCoaster Tycoon® 3: Platinum
77% matchVery Positive92% of 5,227 reviews2008
Dev: Frontier
Windows
Median: 2.2 hrsMean: 12.0 hrs≥1hr: 64%
Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 Platinum combines the excitement of rollercoasters with the fun of a great strategy simulation. RCT3 Platinum combines the roller coaster theme park fun of the Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 with included expansion packs Soaked! and Wild! Now enjoy more options than ever.
Why similar: Management 22.1%, Building 17.8%, Sandbox 17.4%, Simulation 10.4%, Economy 10.2%
- #32 RollerCoaster Tycoon® 3: Complete Edition
75% matchVery Positive87% of 2,861 reviews2020
Dev: Frontier DevelopmentsPub: Atari
Windows · Mac
Median: 48 minMean: 8.3 hrs≥1hr: 45%
Build the park of a lifetime and rediscover the critically acclaimed rollercoaster simulation bestseller. Feel the thrill of a genre-defining classic, complete with two huge expansion packs.
Why similar: City Builder 25.2%, Management 18.9%, Building 17.9%, Sandbox 13.1%, Strategy 7.3%
- #33 The Sims™ 3
75% matchVery Positive86% of 34,077 reviews2011
Dev: The Sims StudioPub: Electronic Arts
Windows
Median: 14.2 hrsMean: 88.1 hrs≥1hr: 87%
The Sims 3: Create the perfect world with full customization at your fingertips. Refine personalities and help fulfill destinies.
Why similar: Building 28.8%, Sandbox 26%, Simulation 20.4%, Moddable 12% ★, Casual 4.3%
- #34 TheoTown
73% 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 23.7%, Isometric 14.1%, Building 12.7%, Sandbox 12.3%, Management 11.3%
- #35 Rise of Nations: Extended Edition
74% matchVery Positive95% of 15,654 reviews2014
Dev: SkyBox LabsPub: Xbox Game Studios
Windows
Median: 5.7 hrsMean: 18.2 hrs≥1hr: 90%
Rise of Nations is back! Play the updated classic with full Steamworks integration and enhanced features!
Why similar: Classic 26.4% ★, Strategy 24.3%, City Builder 14.8%, Base Building 11.9%, Simulation 6.8%
- #36 Anno 2070™
76% 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 46.5%, Economy 14.3%, Strategy 12.2%, Management 6.9%, Building 6.5%
- #37 SimAirport
73% 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 21.6%, Economy 16.3%, Base Building 15.3%, Building 12.4%, Management 11.8%
- #38 Cities XXL
76% matchMixed41% of 2,360 reviews2015
Dev: Focus Entertainment
Windows
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 51.1 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 30.6%, Economy 16.2%, Building 13.5%, Management 10.4%, Sandbox 9%
- #39 Tropico Reloaded
74% matchVery Positive88% of 973 reviews2009
Dev: PopTop SoftwarePub: Kalypso Media Digital
Windows
Median: 24 minMean: 7.7 hrs≥1hr: 40%
TROPICO RELOADED is the ultimate game compilation for hobby-dictators and those dreaming of their own Caribbean island. Tropico combines real-time strategy and simulation elements with a healthy dose of political intrigue and Caribbean flair to create a unique and critically acclaimed game experience.
Why similar: City Builder 43.4%, Management 13.6%, Simulation 10.1%, Strategy 9.4%, Sandbox 8.8%
- #40 Transport Fever 2
71% 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 23.9%, Economy 16.5%, Management 15.3%, Building 10.1%, Sandbox 9.6%
- #41 Sid Meier's Civilization® III Complete
73% matchVery Positive89% of 7,658 reviews2006
Dev: Firaxis GamesPub: 2K
Windows
Median: 18 minMean: 20.0 hrs≥1hr: 33%
Sid Meier's Civilization III: Complete, the latest offering in the Sid Meier's Civilization III franchise, provides gaming fans with Sid Meier's Civilization III, the highly-addictive journey of discovery.
Why similar: Strategy 34.9%, Classic 30.1% ★, City Builder 14.3%, Simulation 6.3%, Multiplayer 5.3%
- #42 RollerCoaster Tycoon® Classic
72% matchVery Positive91% of 2,989 reviews2017
Dev: Origin8 Technologies Ltd.Pub: Atari
Windows · Mac
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 61.0 hrs≥1hr: 76%
Create incredible parks in the original rollercoaster sim from Chris Sawyer.
Why similar: Management 35.8%, Simulation 12.6%, Classic 12.5% ★, Strategy 10.8%, Sandbox 10.5%
- #43 Sid Meier's Civilization® IV
72% matchVery Positive92% of 3,602 reviews2006
Dev: Firaxis GamesPub: 2K
Windows · Mac
Median: 1.1 hrsMean: 10.0 hrs≥1hr: 52%
With over 6 million units sold and unprecedented critical acclaim from fans and press around the world, Sid Meier's Civilization is recognized as one of the greatest PC game franchises of all-time. Now, Sid Meier and Firaxis Games will take this incredibly fun and addictive game to new heights by adding new ways to play and win, new...
Why similar: Strategy 36.3%, Moddable 17.5% ★, Classic 13.6% ★, Economy 11.6%, Multiplayer 8.1%
- #44 Railway Empire
71% matchVery Positive83% of 9,652 reviews2018
Dev: Gaming Minds StudiosPub: Kalypso Media
Windows · Linux
Median: 4.5 hrsMean: 12.3 hrs≥1hr: 89%
In Railway Empire, you will create an elaborate and wide-ranging rail network, purchase over 40 different trains modelled in extraordinary detail, and buy or build railway stations, maintenance buildings, factories and tourist attractions to keep your travel network ahead of the competition.
Why similar: Economy 20.2%, Management 17.3%, City Builder 13.7%, Building 13.5%, Strategy 10.4%
- #45 The Sims™ Legacy Collection
69% matchMostly Positive71% of 2,320 reviews2025
Dev: MAXISPub: Electronic Arts
Windows
Median: 1.8 hrsMean: 7.6 hrs≥1hr: 61%
The original game you know and love. For Windows 10/11. Create a neighborhood of Sims and guide their lives through careers and romance. Or create chaos with open-ended gameplay that lets you shape their destinies.
Why similar: Building 21.2%, Sandbox 21.1%, Management 18.9%, Immersive Sim 14%, Simulation 7.1%
- #46 Town to City
66% matchOverwhelmingly Positive98% of 6,166 reviews2025
Dev: Galaxy GrovePub: Kwalee
Windows
Median: 4.0 hrsMean: 7.3 hrs≥1hr: 82%
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 32.4%, Economy 15.4%, Building 14.5%, Management 11%, Sandbox 10.3%
- #47 Citystate II
69% 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 28.7%, Economy 20.3%, Building 14.1%, Management 12.3%, Sandbox 11%
- #48 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 41.5%, Sandbox 17%, Building 12.2%, Isometric 9.9%, Simulation 9.3%
- #49 Chris Sawyer's Locomotion™
70% matchVery Positive87% of 661 reviews2015
Dev: Chris SawyerPub: Atari
Windows
Median: 54 minMean: 5.5 hrs≥1hr: 47%
Explore a vast and detailed world and build a Transportation Empire!
Why similar: Management 27.4%, Simulation 22%, Economy 21.1%, Strategy 19.7%, Classic 9.8% ★
- #50 Mini Motorways
66% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 23,837 reviews2021
Dev: Dinosaur Polo Club
Windows · Mac
Median: 6.0 hrsMean: 16.9 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: Management 24.1%, City Builder 20.1%, Strategy 16.2%, Building 16.1%, Simulation 13.4%
- #51 Smart City Plan
70% 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 23.8%, Economy 13.9%, Building 13.3%, Sandbox 11.1%, Management 10.4%
- #52 Anno 117: Pax Romana
65% 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 29.4%, Economy 17.4%, Building 13.6%, Sandbox 13.5%, Management 9.5%
- #53 Train Simulator Classic
69% matchMostly Positive72% of 29,134 reviews2015
Dev: Dovetail GamesPub: Dovetail Games - Trains
Windows
Median: 4.6 hrsMean: 44.5 hrs≥1hr: 80%
The ultimate railway hobby for more than 15 years! From historic steam locomotives to modern high-speed and heavy freight trains, and routes around the world, Train Simulator Classic is the simulation made by railfans for railfans.
Why similar: Simulation 39.5%, Building 13%, Moddable 10.8% ★, Realistic 10.6%, Sandbox 10.3%
- #54 RollerCoaster Tycoon World™
71% matchMostly Negative25% of 5,866 reviews2016
Dev: Nvizzio CreationsPub: Atari
Windows
Median: 4.6 hrsMean: 9.7 hrs≥1hr: 82%
RollerCoaster Tycoon World™ is the newest installment in the legendary RCT franchise. This next-generation theme park simulation and building game includes fan-favorite features along with incredible new advancements!
Why similar: Building 26.6%, Management 23%, Sandbox 20.6%, Simulation 14.2%, Strategy 9.1%
- #55 Pharaoh + Cleopatra
67% matchVery Positive92% of 2,554 reviews2016
Dev: Impressions GamesPub: Activision
Windows
Median: 1.5 hrsMean: 18.4 hrs≥1hr: 55%
Immerse yourself in Ancient Egypt from the age of the great pyramids to the final years of the New Kingdom.
Why similar: City Builder 63.1%, Strategy 14%, Classic 12.3% ★, Simulation 10.1%, Singleplayer 0.6%
- #56 Constructor Plus
67% 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 44.1%, Strategy 19.3%, Building 18.3%, Simulation 17.5%, Singleplayer 0.8%
- #57 Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization
68% matchVery Positive87% of 1,534 reviews2008
Dev: Firaxis GamesPub: 2K
Windows · Mac
Median: 30 minMean: 13.8 hrs≥1hr: 41%
Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization is the third offering in the award winning Civilization IV series. A re-imagining of the classic Colonization game Sid Meier created in 1994, Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization is a total conversion of the Civilization IV engine into a game experience in which players will lead a European...
Why similar: Strategy 53.5%, Moddable 16.1% ★, Economy 14.8%, Multiplayer 9%, Simulation 4.8%
- #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 27.6%, Economy 17.9%, Base Building 15%, Sandbox 14.2%, Building 8.3%
- #59 Highrise City
65% 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 25.3%, Economy 12.3%, Immersive Sim 12.2%, Sandbox 12.2%, Building 10.9%