- #1 Urbek City Builder
97% 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 26.8%, Political Sim 22% ★, Building 13.9%, Sandbox 12.3%, Management 12.2%
Why You'll Like It: It focuses on resource management and organic city growth without the need for traditional zoning, mirroring TheoTown's modular feel.
- #2 Pocket City 2
96% 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 42.5%, Sandbox 21.2%, Building 11.7%, Strategy 11%, Casual 5.4%
Why You'll Like It: It offers a similar accessible yet deep city-building experience with a focus on intuitive controls and satisfying progression.
- #3 SimCity™ 4 Deluxe Edition
96% 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 23.7%, Isometric 14.1%, Building 12.7%, Sandbox 12.3%, Management 11.3%
Why You'll Like It: As the primary inspiration for TheoTown, it provides the definitive classic isometric city-building experience.
- #4 Cities: Skylines
95% 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 39.7%, Moddable 15.2% ★, Building 13.5%, Management 10.1%, Sandbox 9.3%
Why You'll Like It: The gold standard for modern city builders, offering unparalleled scale and management depth for those who enjoy TheoTown's complexity.
- #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 49%, Sandbox 12.1%, Building 11.3%, Management 11%, Simulation 7.8%
Why You'll Like It: This gridless city builder emphasizes organic growth and complex production chains in a charming, stylized environment.
- #6 Timberborn
92% 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 40.5%, Building 16.2%, Sandbox 16.1%, Management 14.7%, Strategy 6.4%
Why You'll Like It: This unique city builder introduces innovative water physics and vertical building mechanics that add a fresh layer to traditional management.
- #7 Citystate II
94% 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 29.5%, Political Sim 23.3% ★, Building 13.3%, Management 11.5%, Sandbox 11%
Why You'll Like It: It emphasizes the political and economic simulation aspects of running a city, providing a more serious management challenge.
- #8 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 56.5%, Sandbox 11.7%, Strategy 10%, Simulation 9.1%, Building 5.7%
Why You'll Like It: It captures the survival and management aspects of city building, requiring careful planning to keep your population thriving.
- #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 33.4%, Political Sim 20.8% ★, Management 11.3%, Sandbox 8.4%, Strategy 7.9%
Why You'll Like It: It blends city building with political management and a distinct personality, offering a more narrative-driven approach to urban development.
- #10 Townscaper
90% matchOverwhelmingly Positive95% of 21,498 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 38.5%, Building 22.6%, Sandbox 22.2%, Simulation 8.8%, Casual 4.5%
Why You'll Like It: It focuses purely on the creative, aesthetic side of building, perfect for players who enjoy the sandbox aspect of TheoTown.
- #11 Venture Towns
91% matchMostly Positive80% of 132 reviews2022
Dev: Kairosoft Co.,Ltd
Windows
Make your own metropolitan utopia! Stores, mansions, towers--anything goes!
Why similar: City Builder 31%, Life Sim 12.2%, Simulation 10.5%, Political Sim 10.2% ★, Building 10.1%
Why You'll Like It: This Kairosoft title offers a simplified, pixel-art management experience that mirrors the casual charm of TheoTown.
- #12 Dream Town Island
89% matchVery Positive96% of 460 reviews2023
Dev: Kairosoft Co.,Ltd
Windows
Median: 8.1 hrsMean: 11.7 hrs≥1hr: 77%
A town sim where you raise generations of residents. Unlock new stores and facilities, help your residents find love, or cash in on the stock market!
Why similar: City Builder 27.6%, Life Sim 14.4%, Building 11.1%, Sandbox 9.9%, Simulation 7.9%
Why You'll Like It: It provides a lighthearted, pixelated city-building experience with a focus on resident happiness and community growth.
- #13 Highrise City
89% 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 33.3%, Sandbox 15.5%, Building 13.1%, Moddable 12.3% ★, Management 9.1%
Why You'll Like It: This game combines traditional city building with a complex economy and supply chain management for a more challenging experience.
- #14 Project Highrise
88% 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 26.4%, Building 24.4%, Simulation 12.7%, Sandbox 10.5%, Strategy 10.2%
Why You'll Like It: This game focuses on the vertical aspect of urban development, requiring careful management of tenants and infrastructure.
- #15 Parkitect
87% 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: Moddable 17.3% ★, City Builder 16.1%, Building 11.7%, Management 10.7%, Isometric 10.7%
Why You'll Like It: It offers a highly detailed management simulation for theme parks with a focus on building and operational efficiency.
- #16 Let's Build a Zoo
86% matchVery Positive89% of 4,050 reviews2021
Dev: SpringloadedPub: No More Robots
Windows
Median: 4.5 hrsMean: 13.0 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 29.5%, Sandbox 15.3%, Management 15%, Building 14.1%, Pixel Graphics 9.9%
Why You'll Like It: It shares the charming pixel art aesthetic and deep management systems of TheoTown but applies them to a zoo-building context.
- #17 Cliff Empire
86% 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 36.2%, Building 14.8%, Management 14.4%, Sandbox 13.9%, Strategy 8.4%
Why You'll Like It: It features a unique modular building system on small, challenging cliffside platforms that requires precise spatial planning.
- #18 Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic
83% 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 29.3%, Moddable 18.7% ★, Building 14.3%, Management 13.1%, Sandbox 10.2%
Why You'll Like It: For players who love the deep logistics and management side of TheoTown, this offers the most complex economy simulation in the genre.
- #19 Tinytopia
84% matchVery Positive84% of 322 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 34.5%, Building 17.5%, Sandbox 16.1%, Retro 9.2%, Simulation 7%
Why You'll Like It: It introduces physics-based building mechanics that allow for creative and chaotic urban development in a casual setting.
- #20 Block'hood
85% 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 41.7%, Sandbox 16.6%, Building 11.2%, Simulation 9.9%, Isometric 8.6%
Why You'll Like It: It treats city building as an ecological puzzle, requiring players to balance resources and sustainability in a vertical space.
- #21 NewCity
84% matchMixed58% of 476 reviews2020
Dev: Lone Pine Games, LLC
Windows · Linux
The Regional City Builder: Let's Build Something New.
Why similar: City Builder 28.9%, Management 12.2%, Building 11.2%, Isometric 11.1%, Life Sim 10.4%
Why You'll Like It: An indie city builder that focuses on providing a modern, scalable experience with a dedicated community-driven development path.
- #22 Nebuchadnezzar
82% 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 27.6%, Moddable 14.5% ★, Sandbox 12.5%, Building 12.3%, Isometric 11.6%
Why You'll Like It: This classic-style isometric city builder focuses on historical building and production chains, reminiscent of older simulation titles.
- #23 Cities: Skylines II
81% 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 35.7%, Building 14.5%, Moddable 13.2% ★, Sandbox 12.1%, Management 10.9%
Why You'll Like It: The successor to the original, offering even more advanced simulation systems and graphical fidelity for dedicated city planners.
- #24 Station Manager
82% matchVery Positive83% of 207 reviews2022
Dev: Kairosoft Co.,Ltd
Windows
Build your own spectacular, multi-story station for your favorite trains!
Why similar: City Builder 22.7%, Automobile Sim 21.5%, 2.5D 10.8%, Simulation 8.1%, Building 7.9%
Why You'll Like It: It focuses on the transit and management aspects of city building, which are a core component of TheoTown's infrastructure systems.
- #25 Silicon City
81% matchMixed68% of 56 reviews2023
Dev: Polycorne
Windows · Mac · Linux
Silicon City is a new take on the classic city builder genre, where each citizen voice their opinion. Will you be an urban designer, a rural evangelist or a reckless capitalist? Build your way to the most productive city until elected as the best mayor or plan the city of your dreams in sandbox.
Why similar: Political Sim 18.9% ★, City Builder 18.2%, Moddable 16.4% ★, Building 9.9%, Sandbox 9.6%
Why You'll Like It: A modern, retro-styled city builder that emphasizes procedural generation and a clean, minimalist aesthetic.
- #26 SUMMERHOUSE
78% matchVery Positive93% of 3,260 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 34.5%, Sandbox 22.6%, Building 18.5%, Pixel Graphics 9%, Simulation 5.1%
Why You'll Like It: A relaxing, non-pressured building game that captures the creative freedom of the sandbox mode in TheoTown.
- #27 Project Hospital
78% 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 24.7%, Management 13%, Moddable 13% ★, Sandbox 10.4%, Building 10.4%
Why You'll Like It: While focused on a single facility, it requires the same level of detailed infrastructure and management planning found in city builders.
- #28 Constructor Plus
79% 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 42.2%, Strategy 18.2%, Simulation 17.7%, Building 15.9%, Indie 6%
Why You'll Like It: It adds a layer of strategy and competitive management to the city-building genre, focusing on construction and urban rivalry.
- #29 Citystate
79% 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 30.6%, Political Sim 24.8% ★, Building 10%, Management 8%, Simulation 7.5%
Why You'll Like It: The original entry in the series, focusing on economic and political simulation with a classic top-down perspective.
- #30 Townopolis
80% 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 25.3%, Simulation 15.7%, Isometric 14%, Building 13%, Management 11.8%
Why You'll Like It: A casual, time-management-focused city builder that provides a straightforward and relaxing experience.
- #31 Pocket City
77% matchVery Positive93% of 270 reviews2022
Dev: Codebrew Games Inc.
Windows · Mac
Median: 1.6 hrsMean: 5.8 hrs≥1hr: 58%
A casual city building game. Become the mayor and create your own metropolis! Create residential, commercial, and industrial zones. Build parks and recreation spots. Respond to crime and disasters. Watch your city come alive!
Why similar: City Builder 29.6%, 2.5D 16.4%, Isometric 14%, Building 10.5%, Simulation 8.6%
- #32 Dream House Days DX
77% matchVery Positive85% of 307 reviews2022
Dev: Kairosoft Co.,Ltd
Windows
Median: 2.2 hrsMean: 6.3 hrs≥1hr: 62%
Make the dwelling of your dreams a reality in this apartment management sim!
Why similar: City Builder 19.1%, Life Sim 16.2%, 2.5D 12.4%, Management 10.6%, Simulation 9.7%
- #33 SimAirport
76% 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 29.3%, Building 15.3%, Management 14.5%, Sandbox 14.2%, Pixel Graphics 6.7%
- #34 Two Point Campus
74% matchVery Positive88% of 7,918 reviews2022
Dev: Two Point StudiosPub: SEGA
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 5.5 hrsMean: 19.7 hrs≥1hr: 84%
Build the university of your dreams with Two Point Campus, the sim with a twist from the makers of Two Point Hospital. Build, hire staff and run an academic institution packed with wild courses.
Why similar: City Builder 23.5%, Management 17.5%, Building 15.3%, Sandbox 11.9%, Isometric 11%
- #35 Heian City Story
73% matchVery Positive89% of 152 reviews2025
Dev: Kairosoft Co.,Ltd
Windows
A city-building sim with a historical twist
Why similar: City Builder 32.3%, 2.5D 17.2%, Building 11%, Simulation 9.3%, Strategy 9.1%
- #36 Overcrowd: A Commute 'Em Up
75% 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 24.1%, Isometric 13.7%, Management 13.4%, Building 13%, Sandbox 11.5%
- #37 Urbek City Builder: Prologue
73% 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: Political Sim 26% ★, City Builder 24.7%, Building 13.5%, Sandbox 12.9%, Management 11.9%
- #38 Dream Park Story
73% matchVery Positive89% of 157 reviews2023
Dev: Kairosoft Co.,Ltd
Windows
Create your own amusement park with a variety of rides, mascots, and activities!
Why similar: City Builder 24.2%, Life Sim 16%, Simulation 14.6%, Strategy 12.4%, Building 9.4%
- #39 Cities XL Platinum
76% 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 52.3%, Simulation 14.2%, Sandbox 11.9%, Management 10.8%, Strategy 6.7%
- #40 MEMORIAPOLIS
71% matchMostly Positive77% of 1,755 reviews2025
Dev: 5PM Studio
Windows
Median: 3.9 hrsMean: 6.6 hrs≥1hr: 85%
Memoriapolis is a historical city builder where your city grows organically across 5 ages, from Antiquity to the Industrial Revolution. Manage resources, interact with factions, and shape your dynasty toward building a final Wonder with easy, normal, or hard difficulty levels.
Why similar: City Builder 30.4%, Political Sim 28.4% ★, Building 13%, Management 11.5%, Strategy 5.7%
- #41 Town to City
69% 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 41.3%, Building 16.9%, Sandbox 12.8%, Management 12.8%, Strategy 6.3%
- #42 Sweet Transit
71% matchMixed68% of 1,248 reviews2024
Dev: Ernestas NorvaišasPub: Team17
Windows
Median: 2.2 hrsMean: 11.5 hrs≥1hr: 67%
Sweet Transit is a unique city builder where the railway is king. Build and automate the dream supply chain for your citizens, giving them all they need to expand quaint villages into bustling cities. Progress from steam power to diesel and beyond in this advanced train-driven experience.
Why similar: City Builder 22.2%, Moddable 21.1% ★, Isometric 11.6%, Building 11.4%, Management 10.7%
- #43 Megapolis
74% matchMostly Positive75% of 162 reviews2016
Dev: Lonely Troops
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.2 hrsMean: 5.5 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 26.8%, Simulation 19.2%, Building 12.9%, Isometric 11.7%, Management 9%
- #44 Cities XXL
75% 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 35.6%, Building 14.4%, Moddable 13.2% ★, Management 11%, Sandbox 10.2%
- #45 Overthrown
70% matchMixed60% of 286 reviews2026
Dev: BrimstonePub: Maximum Entertainment
Windows
Lift and throw anything as you build and manage your kingdom in this chaotic city builder for 1-6 players. Harness the power of your soul-stealing crown to defend your citizens from bandits and mutants, farm the land, and gather resources. Keep citizens happy or see them desert you!
Why similar: City Builder 30.5%, Building 16.5%, Sandbox 16.4%, Management 14.1%, Multiplayer 8.3%
- #46 The Architect: Paris
72% matchMostly Positive73% of 234 reviews2021
Dev: Enodo GamesPub: 5PM Studio
Windows
The Architect: Paris is a construction game that allows you to shape the city of Paris into what you want. Destroy, draw, build your own architectural projects, customizing each building carefully or entire districts at once.
Why similar: City Builder 36.4%, Building 23.1%, Sandbox 21.7%, Simulation 9.5%, Casual 7.4%
- #47 Virtual City Playground®: Build Your Metropolis
68% matchVery Positive85% of 737 reviews2026
Dev: G5 Entertainment AB
Windows
Relaxing city builder where you grow a vibrant metropolis, produce goods, manage transit and build iconic landmarks at your own pace.
Why similar: City Builder 41.6%, Building 18.4%, Isometric 16.1%, Management 6.8%, Casual 6%
- #48 Orrstead
70% matchMostly Positive80% of 78 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 28.9%, Sandbox 15.1%, Building 14.6%, Isometric 13.1%, Management 12.9%
- #49 City Game Studio: Your Game Dev Adventure Begins
69% matchVery Positive92% of 1,809 reviews2021
Dev: Binogure Studio 🐺
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 7.0 hrsMean: 14.9 hrs≥1hr: 87%
Manage a game studio from the dawn of the gaming industry in 1976. Your journey starts with small indie titles and grows into a gaming empire. Develop, design, and conquer the industry. From humble beginnings to gaming legend – it’s your story, your studio, your legacy!
Why similar: Moddable 24.6% ★, Management 13.5%, Isometric 13.4%, Life Sim 10.7%, Sandbox 9.8%
- #50 Tiny Town VR
70% matchVery Positive92% of 1,239 reviews2017
Dev: Lumbernauts
Windows
Create an original world and fill it with buildings, roads, vehicles and more. Give it life with posable characters. Tell a story with custom speech bubbles and in-game photo captures. Then, share with friends!
Why similar: City Builder 44.4%, Sandbox 24.8%, Simulation 12%, Building 9.5%, Casual 4.8%
- #51 Two Point Museum
65% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 11,825 reviews2025
Dev: Two Point StudiosPub: SEGA
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 9.1 hrsMean: 25.6 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 23.3%, Building 14%, Sandbox 11.7%, Life Sim 11.7%, Isometric 9.9%
- #52 Littlewood
68% matchVery Positive93% of 6,802 reviews2020
Dev: Sean YoungPub: SmashGames
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 6.9 hrsMean: 17.8 hrs≥1hr: 82%
The world has already been saved. Now it's time to rebuild your town, learn new hobbies, and forge lifelong friendships in this peaceful and relaxing RPG.
Why similar: City Builder 31%, Life Sim 17.7%, Sandbox 13.1%, Building 12.9%, Pixel Graphics 9.8%
- #53 Simutrans
71% matchMostly Positive76% of 660 reviews2016
Dev: The Simutrans Team
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 36 minMean: 13.6 hrs≥1hr: 37%
Simutrans is a freeware and open-source transportation simulator. Your goal is to establish a successful transport company. Transport passengers, mail and goods by rail, road, ship, and even air. Interconnect districts, cities, public buildings, industries and tourist attractions.
Why similar: Management 15.3%, City Builder 14.4%, Simulation 12.9%, Building 12.8%, Moddable 11.7% ★
- #54 Go-Go Town!
66% matchVery Positive95% of 2,153 reviews2024
Dev: Prideful Sloth
Windows
Median: 5.5 hrsMean: 11.3 hrs≥1hr: 80%
Step into the role of a hands-on mayor and build your town from the ground up. Plan neighborhoods, automate logistics, and grow your community—all while juggling workers, infrastructure, and day-to-day chaos to create your dream town. Play solo for total control, or bring friends for co-op mayhem.
Why similar: City Builder 28.8%, Building 14.9%, Sandbox 14.9%, Life Sim 13.6%, Management 13.1%
- #55 Urban Tale
69% matchMixed69% of 223 reviews2021
Dev: WASD Games
Windows · Mac
Median: 3.2 hrsMean: 4.0 hrs≥1hr: 95%
Urban Tale is a realistic, vibrant and unique RPG that will allow you to fulfil your dreams, and pursue your most wanted goals in life. You start from scratch, having nothing in the city where you can meet a lot of people, that can help you throughout your adventure. Your goal is to succeed in life.
Why similar: Life Sim 17.8%, Sandbox 15.3%, Management 12.1%, Retro 11.6%, Pixel Graphics 10.9%
- #56 SimCasino
68% 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 27.3%, Moddable 16.6% ★, Sandbox 14.4%, Building 14.3%, Management 12.3%
- #57 Burger Bistro Story
67% matchVery Positive83% of 313 reviews2023
Dev: Kairosoft Co.,Ltd
Windows
Median: 1.9 hrsMean: 7.5 hrs≥1hr: 64%
Open your own diner and create custom burgers in this management sim game.
Why similar: City Builder 25.9%, Life Sim 15.1%, Simulation 10.7%, Management 10.4%, Pixel Graphics 10.2%
- #58 Oh! Edo Towns
67% matchVery Positive86% of 102 reviews2022
Dev: Kairosoft Co.,Ltd
Windows
Plunge into the past for a rousing romp through Edo period Japan!
Why similar: City Builder 23.5%, Life Sim 12.3%, Building 11.1%, 2.5D 10.6%, Management 9.9%
- #59 Towns
72% matchMostly Negative27% of 2,832 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 43.8%, Sandbox 20.2%, Simulation 7.9%, Strategy 7.8%, Building 7.2%
- #60 Mega Mall Story
66% matchVery Positive94% of 309 reviews2022
Dev: Kairosoft Co.,Ltd
Windows
Median: 4.4 hrsMean: 8.1 hrs≥1hr: 66%
Design a towering mega mall in this mall management simulation game.
Why similar: City Builder 26.8%, Sandbox 15%, Building 14.4%, Management 13%, Life Sim 12.9%