Top 10 city construction games

You will have to use all the raw materials at your disposal to protect your citizens by equipping them with the tools necessary to deal with external threats.

10 best city construction games to discover in 2023

A city construction game is a simple simulation game in which you build the city of your dreams.

This game allows you to build, decorate and enlarge your city according to your preferences. The city construction game is both relaxing and stimulating, balancing strategic challenges with a relaxing gameplay, and implies the planning of infrastructure, housing and tourism.

The basic principle is the same, whatever the game you choose. It can be classified as a simulation game devoted to planning and construction. City construction games will be useful to you if you are a town planner or if you want to relax after a long day of work.

What makes construction games of fun cities to play ?

The players of a city construction game are responsible for supervising and planning the growth and development of an entire city. These games allow players to design and personalize the city according to their preferences.

Players can stimulate their motivation, attention and mood by playing these games. These games can also serve as a means of distraction and help to keep stress away.

One of the main characteristics of the city construction games is that they focus on dead end scenarios, which test the mental strength and the decision -making capacities of the players.

However, here are the best city construction games that you can enjoy on all platforms. Discover them !

Anno 1800

Anno 1800 allows you to build a prosperous industrial metropolis from agricultural land and warehouses at the time of the industrial revolution. You can always attract tourists to your zoos and museums.

Scenario – This game offers an interactive campaign, a customizable sandbox and an exciting multiplayer mode. You can measure yourself with IA characters or embellish a colossal empire.

The key to winning Anno 1800 is to attract foreign investors and tourists, as in popular 4x games. The game has three modes: campaign, multiplayer and sandbox. You must also be aware of the decisions and the reputation of other islands, because you will compete with them.

Your commercial city will develop if you make sure that your employees are satisfied. There is even a local newspaper that relates the successes and failures of your city. Although Anno 1800 ignores the dark facts of the time, its captivating scenario and its picturesque landscapes make it very interesting.

Developer – Ubisoft Mainz

Release date – March 16, 2023

Platforms available on Xbox Series X | S / PlayStation 5

Caesar 3 – PC

César III is part of the famous series of CAESAR cities construction games. In this game, the player controls a Roman governor whose task is to save and protect the citizens of his city.

Scenario – Caesar III allows players to build cities, define areas and discuss with the inhabitants of their province. Trade and leisure are possible, but you must stay in your city. In addition, disasters can occur if you do not satisfy the gods.

The game consists of two modes: the main campaign mode, in which you progress by fulfilling objectives, and the free construction mode, in which there is no emperor or objective to worry about. However, invasions and attacks are still a risk.

The interface of the game is divided into several tabs. The “Empire Card” tab allows you to trade with other Roman cities. You will also benefit from other interesting features. You don’t have to get involved, but this will be beneficial to you.

Developer – Print games

Release date – September 30, 1998

Platforms on which it is available – Windows 98, Windows 95

Cities: Skylines (Nintendo Switch)

Cities: Skylines is one of the most popular cities building games. It combines old and new elements to make the construction of cities more pleasant. Since its release in 2015, the game has become a favorite of fans.

Scenario – City game: Skylines introduces the classic city simulation game in a modern context. It offers you the excitement and challenges of construction and protection of a real city while exploring the well -established principles of the construction of cities.

As a player in the city, you manage public facilities, transport, roads and taxes. You must also monitor the city’s economic, social and environmental conditions of the city.

The classic urban simulation game Cities: Skylines has been updated with various game elements to illustrate the excitement and the challenges associated with the construction and maintenance of a real city.

Developer – Colossal control

Release date – September 30, 1998

Platforms it is available – Windows/MacOS/Linux

Frostpunk – Console edition

Frostpunk may seem cold, but this is not the case. It is the most difficult game of this kind, which extends to survival and strategy. You will think differently about the construction games of cities after playing the first game of Frostpunk.

Scenario – The players assume leaders’ roles at the end of the 19th century. In this game, you must build a city during a global volcanic winter, manage resources, decide how to survive and explore the surroundings in search of survivors and resources.

In this game, the player directs an arctic colony in a world where humanity has been abandoned. Players quickly collect resources, develop their cities carefully and gather around an imposing heat core through ice temperatures.

It’s about building a city in a frozen world that tries to stay hot. You want to develop and extend, but different factions are competing for control. You will flourish in this game, and you will be delighted.

Developer – 11 bit studios

Release date – April 24, 2018

Platforms on which it is available: PlayStation 4

The kingdoms are reborn

The main objective of Les Royaumes reborn is the management of resources and the improvement of the life of your residents. You can choose their location, provide them with food and luxury, and extend your area to attract more residents.

Scenario – The world map and the citizens of Kingdoms Reborn are artificially generated. Puting your kingdom from a small medieval hamlet to a prosperous world empire is easy ! It’s up to you to choose if you want to measure your friends or work together.

Kingdoms Reborn offers the unique possibility of playing online with other players in real time on the same card. The game can be appreciated together by sharing gifts and resources or in competition by grabbing the global markets and playing its muscles.

Playing with a friend is even better.

Developer – Earthly influence

Release date – November 2, 2020

Platforms on which it is available – Microsoft Windows

Romans: the age of Caesar

Romans: The age of Caesar focuses on the reconstruction of the Roman Empire, one of the most prosperous cities construction empires of all time.

History – The latest Stronghold’s historical strategy game is novels: Age of Caesar by Firefly Studios. Novels allows players to rebuild an empire by collecting resources, restoring commercial roads and protecting cities shared against barbarians.

While you play, you can build and maintain cities with a team of 16 players while the rest of humanity builds and maintains its cities.

You will get resources to develop your city, defend it against barbarians and establish trade routes and relations with other cities, as if you were building a large digital empire. It’s like building a digital empire. It’s an honor to participate.

Developer – Firefly studios

Release date – April 27, 2022

Platforms on which it is available – Microsoft Windows/ Android

The Sims 4

If you are looking for a nostalgic experience or a city construction game, the Sims 4 is one of the best. This game offers excellent graphics, music and a global experience.

Scenario – SIMS allows users to personalize their lives according to their preferences. The players must work, build relationships, manage their feelings and even start a family to achieve the wishes of their character. The game can reflect the needs and hopes of players in real life.

You can change the appearance, personality and emotions of your SIM. Decide the hairstyle, process and fashion of your SIM.

You can choose features that allow your Sim to control your mind, body and heart. There is a lot to see, unique neighborhoods and worlds to explore. You will meet new people, visit parks with your friends and collect objects.

Developer – Maxis

Release date – September 2, 2014

Platforms on which it is available: PC, Mac, Xbox One and PlayStation 4

Survive

Creating a historic or futuristic city on earth is easy, but building one on Mars will be difficult. There is only one way to survive on Mars with a colony.

Business history – Surviving Mars is the last game of Haemimont Games, the same company that has developed Tropico. This is a game in which the player is responsible for the construction of an independent colony on Mars. The colony will be able to survive the elements and support life.

In Survive in Marsvous’s mission to make the planet Mars habitable, which is currently sterile land. You can see a card created from real data. Try only if you are strong.

Beginners may find the game overwhelming. The learning curve is steep and there are no instructions to start. There is no oxygen, the earth is infertile and the atmosphere is fatal; The installation of your colony will therefore require a lot of work.

Settlers will flock once you have built a livable colony. Your task is to make sure they survive – which will be a challenge, and you will have to do it.

Developer – Haemimont Games, abstraction

Release date – March 15, 2018

Platforms on which it is available – PlayStation 4, Xbox One, MacOS, Microsoft Windows, Linux and Mac Classic OS.

Tropico 6 – PC

Tropico 6 City Builder is easy to use. If you want to reach your global goal, you will have to face dishonest officials, depending on the situation.

Business history – There is no better time to be president than now. In Tropico, you can be both a formidable dictator and a peaceful statesman and shape the fate of your banana republic through four times.

Tropico 6 offers many options, but a bad choice can be devastating. Whatever you do, losing an election is a serious matter.

As shown in the dramatic presentation of Tropico 6, you will have to take care of its system, which will make it a success. As you build houses, you can monitor your buildings and notifications, you try to find rebels or huts.

Developer – Limbic Entertainment

Release date – March 29, 2019

Platforms on which it is available – Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, MacOS, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Steamos and Mac Mac.

The most distant border

Tier furthest border has the potential to become something big. The game takes place in colonial America and you must establish a colony in a place where you have never been before.

Scenario – The story is that of a group of workers tired of seeing the rich monopolize them, and who set off to reach the most distant border. This is the dream.

It is a more demanding city building game. Droughts, diseases, bandits, labor shortages and other realistic challenges exist.

Those who want a more relaxing experience can adapt. If you are courageous, you will prefer life on the border with all its faults and scourges.

Developer – Crate entertainment

Release date – August 9, 2022

Platforms on which it is available: Microsoft Windows

Conclusion

Now that you have understood the construction games better, it may be time to play it. So choose one of these games in the list and have fun !

Then you can also consult some multiplatform games.

Top 10 city construction games

The creation of an urban environment is not an easy task. Fortunately, many video game developers have given us the opportunity to play the “creator” and build our own vision of the world thanks to city construction games on PC, many of which are compatible with consoles and mobile devices.

With the development of 4G networks, online village and city construction games are now easily available and you can play where you are.

If you can’t wait to see our list of the best games to build a city in 2022 and which we consider the best of all the time, Consult our selection below.

Best games | Build the city of your dreams

PC games are not limited to dynamism, aggressiveness or spatial adventure. It is always difficult to say to which franchise belongs to the title of the best known game in the world. Ditto for the most popular franchise.

Today, we will focus on city construction games, free and paid, which are full of particular charm.

At first glance, some city construction games do not seem as exciting as games belonging to other genres, including adventure games.

No one is aware that city creation games do not provide the same adrenaline as, for example, shooting games. However, there are many reasons why the city construction games, whether multiplayer or solo games, have conquered the hearts of many gamers.

Popularity of free PC city construction games

We all like to take control, and a meticulously designed city construction game allows you to reach an unprecedented level of control. You think yourself about the design from A to Z.

You can decide on the appearance of every centimeter of tarmac and each sprig of grass, and to the most important elements, such as the way some play characters interact with each other.

There is something relaxing in the fact of quietly developing your own city. You can easily indulge in it after a long week of work, especially since they are always games with magnificent graphics.

After all, some players prefer realistic games because they feel more affected by the real world and find it difficult to hang with the horrors of the apocalyptic survival games or the games in space.

If this is your first experience of a strategy game in which you have to build a city, here are some examples of titles that will help you familiarize yourself with the gameplay.

You will immediately realize that these are not only games where you have to build castles, but distinct worlds with their own heroes.

The 5 best games | Build a city in 2022

1. Two Campus Point

Created by the Developers Two Point Studios, the city construction game Two Point Campus is the long -awaited successor to the game Two Point Hospital, acclaimed by criticism in 2018.

Two Campus point in charge of players to develop and manage their own university campus. You will have to think of everything, from the design of amphis and libraries to the organization of events for students.

Like its predecessor, this game will take place in the district of Two Point. Its aesthetics is almost similar to that of Sims, which is actually an ideal example of play on PC compatible with consoles. The game will be released in early August. We do not know if Two Point Campus will be among the free city construction games.

If the developers of Two Point Campus make it one of the free city construction games provided for prior recording, their “baby” is likely to stay at the top for a long time.

2. Pharaoh: A New Era

Almost a generation has passed since the original version, yet the Pharaoh franchise is back in the genre of city creation games. For the moment, the publisher Dotemu has not announced the official release date in 2022.

The action takes place in ancient Egypt and covers six emblematic periods of Egyptian history with 53 individual missions, some of which inherit the 2000 Cleopatra extension pack: the queen of the Nile.

It will undoubtedly be one of the most captivating mobile and PC games in the City Creation Games category.

Absolutely recommended to retrogaming enthusiasts.

3. Farthest Frontier

Find yourself at the end of the world with Farthest Frontier of Cutte Entertainment.

\ Although it has not yet been released, it is possible to register for early access to the game when it is available on Steam.

As in the best village construction games, you will have to develop a small colony to transform it into a full -fledged town.

You will have to use all the raw materials at your disposal to protect your citizens by equipping them with the tools necessary to deal with external threats.

4. Prehistoric Kingdom

You have already wondered if it is technically possible to merge Zoo Tycoon and Jurassic Park ?

The developers of Blue Meridian succeeded with Prehistoric Kingdom. It’s time to celebrate the era of dinosaurs by developing a park that highlights your favorite dinosaurs.

The release is scheduled for this month, so the wait will not be very long and you will soon be able to immerse yourself in the exciting universe of one of the most promising PC games of the year.

5. Frostpunk 2

The first frostpunk was nominated for the Bafta, which was amply deserved in many ways. He spectacularly merged the mechanisms of village and city construction games with those of survival games.

In the original game, you play the role of the leader of the last city on the planet. How to deal with the population and simultaneously manage the city’s infrastructure ?

Frostpunk 2 transports you in a post-apocalyptic glacial period, where your city depends strongly on oil to ward off threats that are looming on the horizon.

Top 5 city construction games of all time

1. Simcity 3000

Maxis and Electronic Arts released the big game with the third episode of the Simcity franchise.

Simcity 3000 was a huge commercial success, with a million units sold within six months of its release. In January 2002, the total sales reached 4.6 million units worldwide.

Extended editions followed, then versions for smartphones. Simcity 3000 is now considered an example to follow for other city construction games.

2. Banished

Banized, Shining Rock Software, is considered one of the best city strategy and construction games of all time. What’s more, you will find it among free city construction games.

You take the role of chief of a group of travelers, the chief of the clan, who seek to settle in a new and unknown territory.

Thanks to a meticulous management of resources and raw materials, you are responsible for transforming this isolated group into a fully functional company.

3. Pharaoh

Impressions Games relied on the success of Caesar 3 to launch Pharaoh in 1999. Although its game mechanisms are similar to those of Caesar 3, in Pharaoh the action takes place, not surprisingly, in ancient Egypt.

Your mission is to manage all aspects of building a city and protecting its citizens by ensuring that they are fed, supplied with water and safety.

Next Generation described the game as a mixture of “construction of pyramids and managing floodplays”, which made it an emblematic city construction game.

4. Cities: Skylines

Launched in March 2015, Cities: Skylines has become one of the most emblematic city construction games of all time. It is a more contemporary version of Simcity 3000.

Players use improved elements in the game to better meet the challenges of the evolution of an urban environment.

Extension packs, which include the airport branch, add an additional dimension to a collection of cities construction games.

5. Caesar 3

Third and last episode of the Caesar Games series, Caesar 3 is ahead of its predecessors by far. Gog considered him the best simulation game of the year of its release in 1998.

Your mission is to develop the eternal city and to control the inhabitants of ancient Rome, despite their individual needs and objectives dictated by AI.

It was one of the first city construction games to offer the choice between peaceful missions and military missions.

There is no doubt that this year’s releases will be able to compete on the commercial level with the best city construction games of 2021, with a whole series of popular franchises.