Core Mechanics
Best City/empire building Games
Growing settlements into cities or civilizations
48 games ranked by city/empire building intensity
The Wandering Village
WindowsmacOSLinux
City/empire buildingAutomation designExplorationBase managementSandbox
Tropico 5
WindowsLinux
City/empire buildingSandboxOpen worldResource managementBase management
Songs of Syx
WindowsmacOSLinux
City/empire buildingSandboxTerritory controlPixel artOpen world
Farthest Frontier
Windows
City/empire buildingSpreadsheet territoryResource managementTech/research treesTerritory control
Prison Architect
WindowsmacOSLinux
SandboxCity/empire buildingBase managementResource managementEmergent narrative
Tropico 6
WindowsmacOSLinux
City/empire buildingDiplomacySandboxDialogue choicesBase management
Techtonica
Windows
Automation designSandboxCity/empire buildingExplorationResource management
Going Medieval
Windows
City/empire buildingSandboxBase managementResource managementEmergent narrative
Foundation
Windows
City/empire buildingSandboxOpen worldDialogue choicesBase management
Against the Storm
Windows
City/empire buildingSandboxOpen worldAutomation designResource management
Cities: Skylines
WindowsmacOSLinux
City/empire buildingSandboxBase managementResource managementEconomic depth
Frostpunk 2
WindowsmacOS
Base managementCity/empire buildingDialogue choicesResource managementTense
Anno 1800
Windows
City/empire buildingSandboxExplorationDialogue choicesBase management
Anno 1404 - History Edition
Windows
City/empire buildingExplorationResource managementBase managementMap scale
Captain of Industry
Windows
Automation designCity/empire buildingPuzzle solvingResource managementMethodical
Factory Town
WindowsmacOS
Automation designCity/empire buildingResource managementSupply chain designSandbox
RimWorld
WindowsmacOSLinux
City/empire buildingSandboxOpen worldBase managementResource management
Dwarf Fortress
WindowsLinux
City/empire buildingSandboxOpen worldExplorationBase management
Surviving the Aftermath
Windows
City/empire buildingOpen worldExplorationResource managementBase management
Dawn of Man
WindowsmacOS
Base managementCity/empire buildingSandboxOpen worldDialogue choices
Patron
Windows
City/empire buildingOpen worldSandboxBase managementResource management
Sapiens
WindowsmacOS
City/empire buildingOpen worldExplorationBase managementResource management
Manor Lords
Windows
City/empire buildingSandboxOpen worldResource managementTech/research trees
HUMANKIND™
WindowsmacOS
City/empire buildingOpen worldMethodicalResource managementTech/research trees
Cities: Skylines II
Windows
City/empire buildingSandboxOpen worldBase managementResource management
Frostpunk
WindowsmacOS
City/empire buildingDialogue choicesBase managementResource managementEmergent narrative
Age of Wonders: Planetfall
WindowsmacOS
City/empire buildingResource managementTech/research treesTurn-based combatTerritory control
A Total War Saga: THRONES OF BRITANNIA
WindowsmacOSLinux
SandboxCity/empire buildingMethodicalResource managementReal-time combat
Knights of Honor II: Sovereign
Windows
City/empire buildingSandboxOpen worldResource managementTech/research trees
Anno 2205™
Windows
City/empire buildingSandboxOpen worldBase managementResource management
Factorio
WindowsmacOSLinux
Automation designSandboxOpen worldPixel artCity/empire building
Dyson Sphere Program
Windows
Automation designOpen worldSandboxCity/empire buildingResource management
Production Line : Car factory simulation
Windows
Automation designSandboxCity/empire buildingResource managementEconomic depth
Autonauts
Windows
Automation designCity/empire buildingSandboxPuzzle solvingResource management
Rise of Industry
WindowsmacOSLinux
City/empire buildingAutomation designResource managementBase managementSolo contemplative
Voxel Tycoon
WindowsmacOSLinux
SandboxVoxelAutomation designCity/empire buildingPixel art
Kenshi
Windows
Open worldSandboxCity/empire buildingCraftingResource management
Ara History Untold: Anniversary Edition
Windows
City/empire buildingMethodicalResource managementTech/research treesSpreadsheet territory
Odd Realm
WindowsmacOSLinux
Base managementCity/empire buildingPixel artSandboxResource management
Settlement Survival
WindowsmacOS
City/empire buildingSandboxExplorationPixel artBase management
Surviving Mars
WindowsmacOSLinux
City/empire buildingSandboxOpen worldBase managementResource management
Aven Colony
Windows
Base managementCity/empire buildingSandboxResource managementEmergent narrative
Sid Meier's Civilization VII
WindowsmacOSLinux
City/empire buildingSpreadsheet territoryMethodicalMulti-hour deep divesDiplomacy
Fallen Enchantress: Legendary Heroes
Windows
City/empire buildingTurn-based combatExplorationSandboxSolo contemplative
Timberborn
WindowsmacOS
City/empire buildingVoxelAutomation designBase managementResource management
First Feudal
Windows
City/empire buildingSandboxBase managementResource managementEmergent narrative
Norland
Windows
City/empire buildingOpen worldSandboxResource managementBase management
Tropico 4
Windows
City/empire buildingSandboxBase managementResource managementEconomic depth