There’s something incredibly satisfying about watching a tiny settlement grow into a thriving city. Whether you love carefully planning roads and resources or just enjoy watching your citizens go about their daily lives, city builder games offer the perfect mix of creativity and strategy.
But with so many town building games out there, where do you even start? Whether you’re into cozy management sims or sprawling, complex urban planners, I’ve rounded up the best city and settlement builder games that’ll scratch that city-planning itch.
Some of these games are all about chill vibes and creativity, while others will throw disasters, traffic nightmares, and angry citizens your way (because apparently, people need water to survive—who knew?). No matter your style, there’s a game on this list for you.
So, grab your blueprints, prepare for some questionable zoning laws, and let’s dive into the best city building games you can play right now!
Banished
If you’ve ever thought, “Running a medieval town sounds fun!”—Banished is here to prove you very, very wrong. This city-building survival game puts you in charge of a group of exiles trying to start over, and let’s just say, it’s not exactly a cozy farming sim.
You’ll need to manage food, housing, and resources while keeping your people alive through brutal winters and unexpected disasters. Every decision matters—grow too fast, and you might run out of supplies; expand too slowly, and your population might literally die of old age. No pressure.
Banished is all about efficiency, long-term planning, and learning from your mistakes (because you will make plenty). If you love town-building games with a serious survival challenge, this one’s a must-play. Just don’t get too attached to your villagers.
Anno 1800
If you’ve ever wanted to build a massive industrial empire while also managing grumpy workers, tricky trade routes, and the occasional naval skirmish, Anno 1800 is the perfect city-building game for you. Set during the Industrial Revolution, it lets you turn a tiny settlement into a booming metropolis—if you can handle the chaos.
You’ll need to carefully balance production chains, worker needs, and city layout, all while expanding your influence across new territories. The game’s blueprint mode helps you plan before committing resources (great for perfectionists), but don’t get too comfortable—economic downturns, pollution, and unhappy citizens can throw your plans into disarray.
With deep strategy, stunning visuals, and a world that evolves around your choices, Anno 1800 is one of the best town-building games out there.
SimCity 4
If you’re into city-building games, you probably already know about SimCity 4—it’s a classic. But it’s so good, it still deserves a mention. Released in 2003, this game set the standard for town-builders, and honestly? It still holds up.
You start in God Mode, shaping the land however you want—mountains, rivers, forests, the works. Then it’s time to put on your mayor hat, zoning residential, commercial, and industrial areas while balancing traffic, services, and an economy that can turn on you real fast. Neglect your citizens, and they’ll let you know. Loudly.
It’s deep, challenging, and endlessly replayable. And if you ever get bored? There’s always the option to summon an earthquake, tornado, or giant robot attack. SimCity 4 might be old, but if you love town-building games, it’s still one of the best.
Dinkum
If Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley took a trip to the Australian outback, you’d get Dinkum—a charming yet slightly wild town-building game where kangaroos roam free and crocodiles might crash your farm.
Starting with just a tent and a whole lot of ambition, you’ll gather resources, fish, farm, and craft your way to a thriving settlement. The island’s different biomes—forests, deserts, and beaches—aren’t just for show; they affect what you can grow and which (sometimes aggressive) animals you’ll encounter.
What sets Dinkum apart is its laid-back yet engaging progression. You’re not just decorating a town; you’re shaping it. Invite NPCs to move in, set up shops, and slowly transform your little campsite into a bustling hub. And if you want company, co-op multiplayer lets you build, explore, and fish with friends.
Oh Edo Town
If you’ve ever wanted to build your own Edo-era Japanese town—complete with samurai, tea shops, and bustling markets—then Oh Edo Towns is the perfect city-building game for you. Developed by Kairosoft, the masters of pixelated simulation games, this one lets you turn a quiet patch of land into a thriving, historic settlement.
You’ll start small, placing homes, businesses, and cultural landmarks to attract citizens and boost your town’s prosperity. But careful planning matters—buildings influence each other, so your layout can mean the difference between a peaceful neighborhood or a chaotic mess. As you expand, you’ll unlock new structures, gain prestige, and even encounter famous historical figures who can give your town an extra boost.
With its charming pixel art and relaxing yet strategic gameplay, Oh Edo Towns is a great pick for anyone who loves town building games with a historical twist. Whether you’re here for nostalgia or just want to see how well you’d do as an Edo-era city planner, this game delivers a fun and engaging experience.
Dragon Quest Builders 2
If you love town-building games but wish they came with epic quests and adorable slimes, Dragon Quest Builders 2 is exactly what you need. This action RPG meets sandbox builder lets you craft entire towns, fight off monsters, and explore a massive world—all while defying a cult that’s outlawed creativity (rude).
You play as a young builder teaming up with Malroth, a mysterious amnesiac, to restore the art of building. Along the way, you’ll gather materials, complete quests, and construct everything from cozy villages to sprawling castles. The game improves on its predecessor with new mechanics like gliding, swimming, and a bigger, more detailed world. Oh, and there’s co-op—so you can team up with friends to build something truly ridiculous.
Frostpunk
Frostpunk isn’t just a city-building game—it’s a brutal test of survival. In a frozen wasteland, you lead the last human city, making impossible choices to keep your people alive. Heat is everything, resources are scarce, and every decision has consequences.
Will you enforce child labor to keep production going? Push your citizens to the brink with extreme laws? Or try to maintain hope in a world that wants you dead? There’s no easy path—just survival or collapse.
Challenging, unforgiving, and endlessly gripping, Frostpunk proves that building a city is one thing—keeping it alive is another.
Timberborn
Timberborn is a city-building game—but with beavers. Yes, really. In a world where humans are long gone, these clever little engineers have taken over, building dams, water-powered cities, and surprisingly efficient societies.
Water management is everything here. You’ll need to control rivers, store resources, and survive brutal droughts that can turn your thriving beaver utopia into a wasteland. Different beaver factions offer unique playstyles, so whether you prefer efficient industrialists or nature-loving builders, there’s a way to play that suits you.
With its charming premise and smart mechanics, Timberborn brings a fresh, surprisingly deep spin to town-building games. Plus, watching beavers construct massive wooden cities? Weirdly satisfying.
Urbek City Builder
Urbek City Builder ditches money and taxes—because who needs currency when you have resources? Instead of managing budgets, you’ll grow your city by balancing food, energy, and workforce, making every building placement matter.
Neighborhoods evolve based on what’s around them, so you can’t just plop down houses and hope for the best. Want a bustling downtown? You’ll need schools, parks, and well-planned infrastructure. Prefer a quieter, self-sufficient village? Focus on farming and sustainability.
With its voxel-style visuals and satisfying mechanics, Urbek City Builder offers a fresh take on town-building games, rewarding smart planning over mindless expansion.
Workers and Resources: Soviet Republic
Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic throws you into the deep end of managing a socialist state, where your job isn’t just building cities—it’s balancing an entire economy.
Set in the Cold War era, you’ll plan cities, manage factories, and organize transportation to keep everything running smoothly. It’s all about keeping your people happy and your economy thriving, but the catch? You’re dealing with a centrally planned system, so every decision matters.
With its detailed mechanics and retro communist aesthetic, Workers & Resources might feel overwhelming at first, but if you’re into deep city-building simulations, it’s an addictive challenge. Plus, nothing beats the satisfaction of watching your perfectly planned republic come to life.
