Top City Builder Games
60+ city builder games ranked by player tags and tunable re-ranking. Related tags include Strategy, Singleplayer, Management, Simulation.
Recommended City Builder Games

Cities: Skylines
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.

Frostpunk
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?
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- #1 Cities: Skylines98% matchVery Positive93% of 286,936 reviews2015Developer: Colossal OrderPublisher: Paradox InteractivePlatforms: Windows, Mac, LinuxMedian: 10.0hMean: 65.0h≥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.
- #2 Frostpunk95% matchVery Positive93% of 132,545 reviews2018Developer: 11 bit studiosPlatforms: Windows, MacMedian: 6.2hMean: 22.4h≥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?
- #3 Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition94% matchVery Positive95% of 175,733 reviews2019Developer: World's EdgePublisher: Xbox Game StudiosPlatforms: WindowsMedian: 10.8hMean: 86.2h≥1hr: 92%
42 Civilizations, 229 Campaign Missions, Singleplayer, Co-Op, Multiplayer, In-Game Editor, Mods, Cross-play...It is good to be the king.
- #4 Cities: Skylines II93% matchMixed54% of 86,513 reviews2023Developer: Iceflake StudiosPublisher: Paradox InteractivePlatforms: WindowsMedian: 23.8hMean: 72.6h≥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.
- #5 Banished91% matchVery Positive90% of 42,988 reviews2014Developer: Shining Rock Software LLCPlatforms: WindowsMedian: 7.8hMean: 26.9h≥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.
- #6 Anno 180089% matchVery Positive81% of 30,897 reviews2019Developer: Ubisoft MainzPublisher: UbisoftPlatforms: WindowsMedian: 9.7hMean: 39.6h≥1hr: 88%
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.
- #7 Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI87% matchVery Positive86% of 371,365 reviews2016Developer: Firaxis GamesPublisher: 2KPlatforms: Windows, Mac, LinuxMedian: 18.0hMean: 98.6h≥1hr: 90%
Expand your empire, advance your culture and go head-to-head against history’s greatest leaders. Will your civilization stand the test of time?
- #8 Kingdoms and Castles87% matchVery Positive93% of 30,837 reviews2017Developer: Lion Shield, LLCPlatforms: Windows, Mac, LinuxMedian: 6.1hMean: 16.0h≥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.
- #9 Dawn of Man87% matchVery Positive87% of 17,635 reviews2019Developer: Madruga WorksPlatforms: Windows, MacMedian: 10.9hMean: 29.7h≥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.
- #10 Northgard: Definitive Edition83% matchVery Positive85% of 68,002 reviews2018Developer: Shiro GamesPlatforms: Windows, Mac, LinuxMedian: 5.9hMean: 28.7h≥1hr: 88%
Northgard: Definitive Edition is a critically acclaimed real-time strategy game based on Norse mythology. Lead your clan, uncover the secrets of a mysterious newfound continent and defeat your enemies to conquer the Throne!
- #11 Frostpunk 282% matchMostly Positive75% of 25,240 reviews2024Developer: 11 bit studiosPlatforms: Windows, MacMedian: 8.1hMean: 19.4h≥1hr: 87%
Develop, expand, and advance your city in a society survival game set 30 years after an apocalyptic blizzard ravaged Earth. In Frostpunk 2, you face not only the perils of never-ending winter, but also the powerful factions that watch your every step inside the Council Hall.
- #12 Tropico 682% matchVery Positive88% of 28,783 reviews2019Developer: Limbic EntertainmentPublisher: Kalypso MediaPlatforms: Windows, Mac, LinuxMedian: 5.5hMean: 26.9h≥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.
- #13 Foundation81% matchVery Positive86% of 23,481 reviews2025Developer: Polymorph GamesPlatforms: WindowsMedian: 11.0hMean: 26.3h≥1hr: 89%
Foundation is a grid-less, laidback medieval city-building game with a focus on organic development, monument construction and resource management.
- #14 Tropico 481% matchVery Positive92% of 12,642 reviews2011Developer: Haemimont GamesPublisher: Kalypso Media DigitalPlatforms: WindowsMedian: 3.6hMean: 13.9h≥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.
- #15 Tropico 579% matchMostly Positive79% of 14,325 reviews2014Developer: Haemimont GamesPublisher: Kalypso Media DigitalPlatforms: Windows, LinuxMedian: 5.0hMean: 22.1h≥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.
- #16 Anno 2070™79% matchMixed60% of 12,622 reviews2011Developer: Blue BytePublisher: UbisoftPlatforms: WindowsMedian: 10.5hMean: 30.9h≥1hr: 90%
Build your society of the future, colonize islands, and create sprawling megacities with multitudes of buildings, vehicles, and resources to manage.
- #17 Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition77% matchVery Positive86% of 91,161 reviews2021Developer: World's EdgePublisher: Xbox Game StudiosPlatforms: WindowsMedian: 14.3hMean: 75.8h≥1hr: 94%
Celebrating its first year of delighting millions of global players, the award-winning and best-selling strategy franchise continues with Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition, putting you at the center of even more epic historical battles that shaped the world.
- #18 Planet Zoo77% matchVery Positive91% of 93,912 reviews2019Developer: Frontier DevelopmentsPlatforms: WindowsMedian: 6.4hMean: 34.2h≥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.
- #19 Dwarf Fortress74% matchVery Positive95% of 30,806 reviews2022Developer: Bay 12 GamesPublisher: Kitfox GamesPlatforms: Windows, LinuxMedian: 5.5hMean: 38.4h≥1hr: 78%
Build a fortress and try to help your dwarves survive against a deeply generated world. Keep your dwarves happy, grow their community and beware of digging too deeply. The deepest, most intricate simulation of a world that's ever been created.
- #20 Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition74% matchVery Positive85% of 52,705 reviews2020Developer: World's EdgePublisher: Xbox Game StudiosPlatforms: WindowsMedian: 4.8hMean: 43.6h≥1hr: 80%
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition offers players a trial of this historical single & multiplayer RTS experience. *Note: To unlock all features of the game please see the “Base Game” product.
- #21 Prison Architect74% matchVery Positive89% of 73,112 reviews2015Developer: Introversion SoftwarePublisher: Paradox InteractivePlatforms: Windows, Mac, LinuxMedian: 6.0hMean: 30.1h≥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.
- #22 Timberborn72% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 38,007 reviews2026Developer: MechanistryPlatforms: Windows, MacMedian: 9.8hMean: 40.3h≥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.
- #23 Manor Lords72% matchVery Positive85% of 85,453 reviews2024Developer: Slavic MagicPublisher: Hooded HorsePlatforms: WindowsMedian: 9.3hMean: 21.5h≥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.
- #24 Stonehearth73% matchMostly Positive75% of 12,970 reviews2018Developer: Radiant EntertainmentPublisher: (none)Platforms: Windows, MacMedian: 14.1hMean: 38.7h≥1hr: 91%
Pioneer a living world full of warmth, heroism, and mystery. Help a small group of settlers build a home for themselves in a forgotten land. Establish a food supply, build shelter, defend your people, monitor their moods, and find a way to grow and expand, facing challenges at every step.
- #25 Endzone - A World Apart72% matchMostly Positive77% of 9,807 reviews2021Developer: Gentlymad StudiosPublisher: Assemble EntertainmentPlatforms: WindowsMedian: 3.9hMean: 9.1h≥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.
- #26 Pharaoh + Cleopatra72% matchVery Positive92% of 2,537 reviews2016Developer: Impressions GamesPublisher: ActivisionPlatforms: WindowsMedian: 1.5hMean: 18.5h≥1hr: 55%
Immerse yourself in Ancient Egypt from the age of the great pyramids to the final years of the New Kingdom.
- #27 Life is Feudal: Forest Village73% matchMixed66% of 5,984 reviews2017Developer: MindillusionPublisher: Bitbox Ltd.Platforms: WindowsMedian: 2.5hMean: 30.8h≥1hr: 63%
LiF:Forest Village is a city builder with survival aspects in a realistic harsh medieval world. Shape, build and expand your settlement, grow various food to prevent your villagers from avitaminosis and starvation. Possess them for additional micromanagement or simply to wander around.
- #28 ISLANDERS72% matchVery Positive94% of 16,710 reviews2019Developer: CoatsinkPlatforms: Windows, MacMedian: 1.9hMean: 5.5h≥1hr: 64%
ISLANDERS is a minimalist strategy game about building cities on colorful islands.
- #29 HUMANKIND™71% matchMixed69% of 28,231 reviews2021Developer: AMPLITUDE StudiosPlatforms: Windows, MacMedian: 7.5hMean: 33.0h≥1hr: 91%
Rewrite history by shaping a civilization as unique as you are. Combine 60 cultures from the Ancient Era to the Modern Age to lead your empire to victory. Build thriving cities, outsmart rivals in epic battles, spread your influence and leave your mark on HUMANKIND™.
- #30 Age of Empires II (Retired)71% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 102,403 reviews2013Developer: Skybox LabsPublisher: Xbox Game StudiosPlatforms: WindowsMedian: 9.1hMean: 47.8h≥1hr: 92%
Age of Empires II has been re-imagined in high definition. With the release of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, this product will not be updated further.
- #31 Transport Fever 271% matchVery Positive91% of 31,208 reviews2019Developer: Urban GamesPublisher: Good Shepherd EntertainmentPlatforms: Windows, Mac, LinuxMedian: 15.7hMean: 65.7h≥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!
- #32 Thronefall70% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 22,563 reviews2024Developer: GrizzlyGamesPublisher: MythwrightPlatforms: Windows, MacMedian: 3.9hMean: 8.4h≥1hr: 83%
A minimalist game about building and defending your little kingdom.
- #33 IXION70% matchMostly Positive79% of 17,015 reviews2022Developer: Bulwark StudiosPublisher: Kasedo GamesPlatforms: WindowsMedian: 10.0hMean: 31.1h≥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?
- #34 Stronghold Crusader 271% matchMostly Positive72% of 17,791 reviews2014Developer: Firefly StudiosPlatforms: WindowsMedian: 3.5hMean: 15.0h≥1hr: 87%
Stronghold Crusader 2 is the long awaited sequel to the original castle sim. After 12 years Stronghold returns to the desert with a new 3D engine and powerful Havok Physics. Crusader 2 recaptures the original game’s addictive, fast-paced gameplay and authentic castle simulation.
- #35 Bloons Monkey City70% matchVery Positive91% of 6,589 reviews2020Developer: Ninja KiwiPlatforms: Windows, MacMedian: 2.6hMean: 34.5h≥1hr: 66%
Create, upgrade, and customize your very own Bloons Monkey City in this groundbreaking blend of city building and tower defense awesomeness!
- #36 The Settlers® 7 : History Edition70% matchMixed63% of 993 reviews2019Developer: Ubisoft Blue BytePublisher: UbisoftPlatforms: WindowsMedian: 1.4hMean: 10.1h≥1hr: 57%
Let yourself be enchanted by the new world of Settlers with this modernized History Edition – in the midst of green forests and lush meadows, it will bustle again. You alone hold the fate of your kingdom in your hands. Which strategy will you choose?
- #37 Sid Meier's Civilization VII69% matchMixed48% of 53,475 reviews2025Developer: Firaxis GamesPublisher: 2KPlatforms: Windows, Mac, LinuxMedian: 17.4hMean: 44.1h≥1hr: 93%
The award-winning strategy game franchise returns with a revolutionary new chapter. Sid Meier's Civilization® VII empowers you to build the greatest empire the world has ever known!
- #38 Kingdoms Reborn69% matchVery Positive91% of 9,531 reviews2020Developer: EarthshinePlatforms: WindowsMedian: 10.0hMean: 24.2h≥1hr: 87%
A city builder with simulated citizens, set in a procedurally-generated world map. Grow your kingdom through the eras from a tiny medieval hamlet into a prosperous global empire! Cooperate or compete in real-time with your friends in multiplayer mode.
- #39 Jurassic World Evolution 268% matchVery Positive90% of 45,488 reviews2021Developer: Frontier DevelopmentsPlatforms: WindowsMedian: 4.9hMean: 22.3h≥1hr: 83%
Jurassic World Evolution 2 is the much-anticipated sequel to Frontier’s highly successful Jurassic World Evolution. This bold new era in the Jurassic World Evolution game franchise builds upon the ground-breaking and immersive 2018 management simulation.
- #40 Town to City67% matchOverwhelmingly Positive98% of 5,836 reviews2025Developer: Galaxy GrovePublisher: KwaleePlatforms: WindowsMedian: 3.8hMean: 7.0h≥1hr: 80%
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.
- #41 Planetbase69% matchMostly Positive80% of 10,262 reviews2015Developer: Madruga WorksPlatforms: Windows, MacMedian: 8.2hMean: 26.2h≥1hr: 90%
Guide a group of space settlers trying to establish a base on a remote planet. Grow food, collect energy, mine resources, survive disasters and build a self-sufficient colony in a harsh and unforgiving environment.
- #42 Cities XL Platinum70% matchMixed58% of 1,631 reviews2013Developer: Focus EntertainmentPlatforms: WindowsMedian: 1.0hMean: 5.8h≥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...
- #43 Caesar™ 368% matchVery Positive93% of 2,162 reviews2016Developer: Impressions GamesPublisher: ActivisionPlatforms: WindowsMedian: 1.7hMean: 12.0h≥1hr: 57%
Prove your strength of mind and spirit and you just may be crowned Caesar!
- #44 Kingdom Two Crowns68% matchVery Positive90% of 37,612 reviews2018Developer: Stumpy🐙SquidPublisher: Raw FuryPlatforms: Windows, Mac, LinuxMedian: 6.5hMean: 18.6h≥1hr: 92%
Gather coins, build defenses and reclaim your fallen Kingdom. Explore and uncover secrets, unlock new technologies and protect your crown versus waves of Greed monsters that come at night. Kingdom is a solo or co-op micro-strategy and tower defense game set in an atmospheric pixel world.
- #45 Zeus + Poseidon68% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 1,911 reviews2016Developer: Impressions GamesPublisher: ActivisionPlatforms: WindowsMedian: 1.0hMean: 20.9h≥1hr: 51%
Zeus + Poseidon delivers hundreds of hours of gameplay in one game!
- #46 Jurassic World Evolution67% matchVery Positive87% of 54,890 reviews2018Developer: Frontier DevelopmentsPlatforms: WindowsMedian: 7.3hMean: 28.0h≥1hr: 89%
Place yourself at the heart of the Jurassic franchise and build your own Jurassic World. Bioengineer dinosaurs that think, feel and react intelligently to the world around them and face threats posed by espionage, breakouts and devastating tropical storms in an uncertain world where life always finds a way.
- #47 Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic66% matchVery Positive91% of 25,183 reviews2024Developer: 3DivisionPublisher: Hooded HorsePlatforms: WindowsMedian: 6.6hMean: 73.0h≥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.
- #48 Bellwright66% matchVery Positive81% of 18,990 reviews2024Developer: Donkey CrewPlatforms: WindowsMedian: 13.0hMean: 41.1h≥1hr: 90%
Establish and expand your own settlements, liberate the land and assist its villagers, and recruit others to your cause while learning more about a life you had to leave behind. Command your forces, prove your valor through combat, and cement yourself as the hero of your people.
- #49 Stacklands66% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 29,013 reviews2022Developer: Sokpop CollectivePlatforms: Windows, MacMedian: 5.3hMean: 11.9h≥1hr: 89%
Stacklands is a village builder where you stack cards to collect food, build structures, and fight creatures. 🃏 For example, dragging a Villager card on top of a Berry Bush card will spawn Berry cards which the villagers can eat to survive. 🃏 Play your cards right and expand your village!
- #50 They Are Billions66% matchVery Positive85% of 50,609 reviews2019Developer: Numantian GamesPlatforms: WindowsMedian: 14.1hMean: 56.0h≥1hr: 91%
They Are Billions is a Steampunk strategy game set on a post-apocalyptic planet. Build and defend colonies to survive against the billions of the infected that seek to annihilate the few remaining living humans. Can humanity survive after the zombie apocalypse?
- #51 Against the Storm65% matchVery Positive95% of 35,504 reviews2023Developer: Eremite GamesPublisher: Hooded HorsePlatforms: WindowsMedian: 5.5hMean: 28.3h≥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.
- #52 Stronghold Crusader HD (2012)66% matchOverwhelmingly Positive98% of 20,726 reviews2013Developer: Firefly StudiosPlatforms: WindowsMedian: 3.0hMean: 16.1h≥1hr: 76%
The highly anticipated sequel to the best-selling Stronghold, Stronghold Crusader HD throws you into historic battles and castle sieges from the Crusades with fiendish AI opponents, new units, 4 historical campaigns and over 100 unique skirmish missions.
- #53 Age of Empires: Definitive Edition66% matchVery Positive84% of 15,117 reviews2019Developer: World's EdgePublisher: Xbox Game StudiosPlatforms: WindowsMedian: 4.7hMean: 17.6h≥1hr: 83%
Age of Empires, the pivotal real-time strategy game that launched a 20-year legacy returns with modernized gameplay, all-new 4K visuals, 8-person multiplayer battles and a host of other new features. Welcome back to history.
- #54 Farthest Frontier65% matchVery Positive87% of 23,648 reviews2025Developer: Crate EntertainmentPlatforms: WindowsMedian: 9.6hMean: 26.7h≥1hr: 85%
Protect and guide your people as you forge a town from untamed wilderness at the edge of the known world. Harvest raw materials, hunt, fish and farm to survive. Produce crafted items to trade, consume, equip and fight with as you battle for your survival against the elements and outside threats.
- #55 CivCity: Rome67% matchMostly Positive72% of 924 reviews2007Developer: FireFly StudiosPublisher: 2KPlatforms: WindowsMedian: 1.2hMean: 10.9h≥1hr: 52%
CivCity: Rome, an innovative city builder inspired by the world of Sid Meiers Civilization, and created by a collaboration between Firefly Studios and Firaxis Games, invites players to shift focus from building a multi-city empire and zoom-in on the great cities of the Roman Empire, culminating in Rome itself!
- #56 Anno 117: Pax Romana65% matchMostly Positive70% of 11,270 reviews2025Developer: Ubisoft MainzPublisher: UbisoftPlatforms: WindowsMedian: 13.4hMean: 23.5h≥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.
- #57 Anno 2205™67% matchMostly Positive70% of 6,263 reviews2015Developer: Blue BytePublisher: UbisoftPlatforms: WindowsMedian: 10.1hMean: 54.9h≥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.
- #58 Dorfromantik65% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 29,027 reviews2022Developer: Toukana InteractivePlatforms: WindowsMedian: 3.6hMean: 12.3h≥1hr: 81%
Dorfromantik is a peaceful building strategy and puzzle game where you create a beautiful and ever-growing village landscape by placing tiles. Explore a variety of colorful biomes, discover and unlock new tiles and complete quests to fill your world with life!
