21 Best City-Building Games for Creative Minds in 2025

I absolutely love the best city-building games – they’re a great genre to spend your free time on.

It’s an amazing feeling when you build your own city from scratch, watching it grow, come to life, and expand. Over the years of gaming, I’ve tried countless city-building strategies. Today, I’m ready to share the best city-building games that are truly worth your time.

The selection includes both complex economic simulators and relaxing sandbox games, so keep reading regardless of whether you’re a hardcore gamer or a casual.

Our Top Picks for City Building Games

The best city-building games come in different styles. Some focus on economy and realism, while others focus on relaxing and creating. Here are some of the leading titles you’ll definitely appreciate:

1. Cities: Skylines (2015) – One of the top city-building games that has remained relevant for over 10 years. Here, you’ll find a flexible zoning system and realistic management of your economy and infrastructure, the perfect choice for gamers who want full control over their metropolis.
2. Frostpunk (2018) – A city-builder where survival and morality collide. In a frozen world, every choice matters — from rationing coal to enforcing laws that test your ethics. Few games combine tension, story, and strategy as powerfully as Frostpunk.
3. Tropico 6 (2019) – Rule your tropical archipelago as “El Presidente.” Manage trade, tourism, and politics while keeping your citizens loyal (or fearful). It’s witty, stylish, and full of strategic choices that make every playthrough entertaining.

I’ll be breaking down these top three games in juicy detail along with so many more titles. I’ll also be including the best game deal purchases for the impatient ones!

21 Best City Building Games to Flex Your Creativity

Let’s move on to a detailed overview of the best town-building games. Keep reading to find a game that fits your interests perfectly.

1. Cities: Skylines [The Ultimate City-Building Sandbox]

My Score	10 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Year of Release	2015
Multiplayer/Co-op Support	No but Community Mod available via CSM
Average Playtime	80–300+ hours

If you’re looking for a city builder that is also an excellent strategy game, then Cities: Skylines is the true benchmark of the genre. Even a decade after release, its open-ended design grasps realistic city systems: traffic, zoning, public services, economy. I’ve spent hundreds of hours refining road networks or balancing industrial output. The game never stops feeling profound. 

Modding transformed this game into a sandbox of possibilities. Want disasters? The Natural Disasters DLC makes tornadoes and floods feel real. Pinpoint precision? Use the “Move It!” mod to tweak roads and zones block by block. Want realism? Industry and economy mods deepen resource chains and simulate factory logistics.

What makes it shine:

• Real-feel simulation: traffic, power, water, and zoning feel grounded in actual urban planning.
• Mod support from disasters to custom transit and supply-chain depth.
• Scale and control of maps up to nine tiles let you shape entire regions with full control.

Cities: Skylines offers every element strategic builders crave: realistic systems, total creative freedom, extensive control, and infinite refinement through mods. If you want to play mayor with serious depth and room to experiment, this game remains the one to beat.

2. Frostpunk [Best Frozen Apocalypse Management]

My Score	9.9 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC, PS4, Xbox One, mobile
Year of Release	2018
Multiplayer / Co‑op Support	No – single-player only
Average Playtime	25–40 hours

If you’ve ever wanted a city-building game that tests your morality as much as your management skills, Frostpunk delivers exactly that. Set in a frozen world on the brink of extinction, your task is to build the last city on Earth – keeping your people warm, fed, and hopeful against impossible odds.

From building generators to enforcing controversial laws, every decision feels heavy. Should you allow child labor to keep the city running, or risk production slowing to a crawl? The pressure never lets up. But that’s the magic of Frostpunk – it blends city-building, survival, and emotional storytelling like no other.

What makes it shine:

• Unique mix of survival mechanics and moral choices.
• Beautifully bleak art direction and immersive atmosphere.
• Every resource and decision has visible, emotional consequences.

Frostpunk remains a must-play for anyone who wants a city-builder that’s about heart, humanity, and hard decisions – not just statistics.

3. Tropico 6 [Best for Political Strategy]

My Score	9.7 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Year of Release	2019
Multiplayer / Co‑op Support	Yes – supports up to 4 players in shared map multiplayer
Average Playtime	40–60 hours

Tropico 6 makes you the dictator of a Caribbean archipelago. You balance propaganda, economic growth, public opinion, building resorts, and shady offshore accounts. You’re issuing edicts and doing just enough good to keep the people from rioting. With multiple islands per map, managing trade and tourism becomes a logistical puzzle with hilarious outcomes if you’re not careful.

The real fun comes from manipulating elections, cozying up to foreign powers, and passing laws that make you laugh and earn. It’s light on punishment but deep in options. Game World Observer reports the series has topped 4.5 million sales, and Tropico 6 remains the most feature-rich version to date. On the downside, the combat system still lacks real strategy, so rebel fights rarely demand skill or planning.

What makes it shine:

• Political sandbox full of strategic choices.
• Expands on city-building with edicts and trade.
• Great balance of humor and pacing.

Tropico 6 stands out by mixing traditional city-building with political gamesmanship and absurdity to keep things unpredictable. If you want to rule with charm, bribes, or fear, this is one of the most flexible and entertaining city sims out there.

4. Anno 1800 [Best for Economic Strategy Lovers]

My Score	9.5 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Year of Release	2019 [PC], 2023 [Console]
Multiplayer / Co‑op Support	Yes – up to 4 human players via Ubisoft Connect; Alliances allow up to 16 players overall
Average Playtime	100–250 hours

Anno 1800 is a great find for fans of detailed simulation games, where resource management mechanics are deep and advanced. Anno 1800 immerses you in industrial-era empire-building with islands to settle and production chains to optimize. You can spend hours rerouting goods and launching fleet convoys to outsmart rivals. 

A sudden resource shortage can throw off your entire supply chain and force you to rethink logistics on the fly! It stays fresh thanks to layered systems: challenges, tourism, workforce tiers, and naval skirmishes. The UI can feel crowded after factories multiply, yet it still remains a strong contender in this list. 

What makes it shine:

• Trade-heavy economy rewards careful planning and scaling.
• Cooperative mode supports teamwork with up to four players.
• DLC adds fresh challenges.

Anno 1800 earns its spot thanks to its deep economic systems, cooperative play, steady post-launch and consistent daily players around 3–4 k on Steam. 

5. Surviving Mars [Best Sci-Fi City-Builder]

My Score	9.3 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC, PS4, Xbox One
Year of Release	2018
Multiplayer / Co‑op Support	No – single-player only [engine not designed for coop]
Average Playtime	50–100 hours

Tired of classic city-building games and want to try something truly unique? Surviving Mars will be the perfect choice. Take control of the first human colony on the red planet in an otherworldly open-world game. Remember that every mistake will cost the lives of your settlers. Prepare for a shortage of oxygen and useful resources, as well as solving unconventional problems. 

The pacing slows on setup phases, but once your infrastructure hums, expansion feels satisfying. DLC like Green Planet transforms the world with terraforming, and mod support adds layers of customization. 

Some colonist behaviors get quirky once you scale up but managing complexity is part of the thrill! Steam reviews sit “Very Positive” at 80%, and the game has moved over 1.8 million copies globally. 

What makes it shine:

• Atmospheric survival is built into every decision.
• DLC & mods extend play with new mechanics.
• Deep resource chains keep systems interconnected.

Surviving Mars combines city-building with survival tension. If managing supply chains under constant threat sounds thrilling, this one’s a cornerstone for the genre.

6. Frostpunk 2 [Best for Survival Strategy Fans]

My Score	9.2 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Year of Release	2024 [PC], 2025 [Console]
Multiplayer / Co‑op Support	No – designed as single-player only
Average Playtime	35–60 hours

Frostpunk 2 is a chilling RTS game with a great way to test your leadership skills. If you think managing an ordinary city is hard, you simply haven’t tried being the mayor of a metropolis in the midst of an eternal winter. Every day is a real fight for survival. 

The first game became one of the most intense strategy games, and the second part is a fantastic continuation, as there are even more moral choices for a society on the brink of exhaustion. Some mechanics feel overwhelming at first, especially political maneuvering, and it hits performance dips when your city grows dense. 

Still, this game is unforgettable and absolutely should not be ignored for true fans of the genre.

What makes it shine:

• Social simulator layers political tension into city-building.
• District-based design opens up complex planning choices.
• Winter disasters force adaptive resource strategies.

Frostpunk 2 stands out in the city-building genre because it weaves tense political drama into survival strategy. Its depth and replayability position it as a top candidate for anyone craving a challenging, narrative-driven builder.

7. Anno 2070 [Best Near-Future City-Builder]

My Score	9 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC
Year of Release	2011
Multiplayer / Co‑op Support	Yes – up to 4 players online
Average Playtime	80–150 hours

Anno 2070 brings the long-running Anno series into the future – a world where rising sea levels, eco-crises, and corporate powers shape civilization. You’ll build floating cities, manage energy production, and decide between eco-friendly or industrial progress paths.

Every decision influences your environment and economy. Choosing the Eden Initiative promotes sustainability but limits output, while the Tycoons offer raw power at the cost of pollution. This moral balancing act adds refreshing depth to traditional city-building gameplay.

What makes it shine:

• Deep economic strategy with ecological consequences.
• Distinct factions with unique technologies and playstyles.
• Gorgeous futuristic aesthetic that still feels grounded.

Anno 2070 remains one of the most forward-thinking entries in the genre, perfect for players who enjoy complex systems with modern environmental themes.

8. Timberborn [Best for Unique Mechanics]

My Score	8.8 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC
Year of Release	2021 [early access]
Multiplayer / Co‑op Support	No official coop, but mod “BeaverBuddies” enables multiplayer
Average Playtime	40–90 hours

Still thinking that all city-building games are the same? It’s time to launch Timberborn. Here, humans are replaced by intelligent beavers, building their settlement in the midst of a drought. Water is the main resource, and the well-being of all the inhabitants depends on it.

Thought-out mechanics and vibrant graphics will not leave you indifferent. The game’s charm comes from its clever use of 3D water dynamics; watching beaver bots rearrange canals feels satisfying in a tactile, almost relaxing way. You’ll spend more than a few hours optimizing water flow and setting up power grids.

What makes it shine:

• Vertical construction lets you stack lodges and workshops to save space.
• Seasonal droughts force strategic reservoir and dam placement.
• Mod-friendly: active community, 7 major updates, plus BeaverBuddies mod for co‑op.

Timberborn brings fresh, water-focused mechanics to city-building. With a thriving player base and an active dev roadmap, it stands out for anyone craving smart, survival-oriented gameplay.

9. Cities: Skylines II [Best Next-Gen City Builders]

My Score	8.6 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Year of Release	2023
Multiplayer / Co‑op Support	No – single-player only, though mods and save-sharing exist
Average Playtime	80–200 hours

Cities: Skylines II took the original’s legacy and added realistic weather, better traffic systems, deeper zoning tools, and smarter citizen behavior. At launch, it hit a million sales fast! And even now, you’ll find around 6,600 weekly players on Steam. Traffic AI updates, flexible road design, plus layered districts make it feel modern. Although performance hiccups still pop up for some. 

Playing it is like city-building with extra planning phases. Vertical zoning helps pack more units into tight areas, and storms actually reshape your game world. It feels complex and rewarding. But keep in mind some systems still need polishing, and certain performance issues persist.

What makes it shine:

• Real-time storms and weather changes that genuinely alter gameplay.
• Deep zoning tools let you stack residential/commercial districts.
• Upgraded traffic and transit systems for more realistic city flow.

Cities: Skylines II raises the stakes for modern city builders with realistic simulation and design depth. If you want a richly detailed urban sandbox filled with strategic options [and are okay with a few rough edges], it’s worth grabbing right now!

10. Farthest Frontier [Best Banished-Style City-Builder]

My Score	8.5 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC
Year of Release	2022 [Early Access], 2024 [Full Release]
Multiplayer / Co‑op Support	No – single-player only
Average Playtime	40–80 hours

Farthest Frontier throws you into the harsh wilderness, where every crop, structure, and villager matters. Your mission? Lead a small band of settlers to safety and growth while surviving disease, raids, and unpredictable weather.

It’s a city-builder that prioritizes realism – crops can fail, food spoils, and seasons hit hard. Combat isn’t constant but when it arrives, it’s brutal. The visual presentation is stunning, with every field, farm, and house handcrafted with love. It’s a spiritual successor to Banished, but with more depth, more polish, and more heart.

What makes it shine:

• Deep survival and resource management systems.
• Authentic medieval setting with real farming and trade mechanics.
• High replayability through dynamic events and seasonal systems.

Farthest Frontier rewards players who plan, adapt, and care about every villager. It’s one of the most immersive and rewarding settlement builders available today.

11. Aven Colony [Best for Alien Planet Colonization]

My Score	8.3 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC, PS4, Xbox One
Year of Release	2017
Multiplayer / Co‑op Support	No – solely single-player
Average Playtime	20–35 hours

Aven Colony invites you to travel to the distant planet Aven Prime and build the first human colony. There are no roads or familiar greenery here, but plenty of extreme conditions and mysterious creatures. And just like on any unexplored planet, you’ll be facing a constant shortage of resources.

You’ll spend all your time juggling oxygen shortages, alien infestations, resource crashes, and alien atmospheres. There’s something satisfying about watching your colony glow at night while a thunderstorm rages in the background. Aven Colony isn’t overly punishing, but it does keep you alert. The AI pathfinding can be clunky, especially in larger colonies with layered transit systems.

What makes it shine:

• Satisfies the urge to build in uncharted alien environments.
• Weather and atmosphere systems change your entire approach.
• The expedition system adds strategic pacing and risk.

Aven Colony mixes traditional city-building with off-world survival in a way that’s both relaxing and challenging. It’s a must-try for sci-fi strategy fans.

12. Settlement Survival [Best Banished-Style City-Builder]

My Score	8.1 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC, Android, macOS
Year of Release	2017
Multiplayer / Co‑op Support	No – solely single-player
Average Playtime	50–120 hours

Inspired by Banished but expanded with more systems and customization, Settlement Survival gives you full control over your people’s fate in a world full of risk. You’ll manage food, housing, education, and trade – all while surviving natural disasters like floods and droughts.

The game shines with its progression tree, allowing you to specialize settlements for trade, agriculture, or sustainability. Each run feels different as you choose your development path. The art style is clean and comforting, balancing challenge with accessibility.

What makes it shine:

• Deep progression system and custom difficulty options.
• Strong focus on survival mechanics with strategic depth.
• Regular developer updates and mod support keep it fresh.

If you loved Banished but wanted more content and long-term goals, Settlement Survival delivers exactly that in a satisfying, replayable package.

13. Against the Storm [Best Roguelike City-Builder]

My Score	8 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC
Year of Release	2023
Multiplayer / Co‑op Support	No – designed for solo play from day one
Average Playtime	60–150 hours

Against the Storm is not just a building game, but a real challenge for fans of complex and realistic strategies. I really liked the resource management elements and the constant pressure of time. It’s crucial to make the right decisions as quickly as possible. Each new city here is a true test for you because it will introduce resource shortages and constantly worsening weather conditions. 

At the moment, building feels tense and rewarding. You’ll scramble to adjust production lines mid‑storm while storms rage and settlers get unreliable. The UI and soundtrack elevate that vibe. But it isn’t flawless: late‑game runs can drag once you’ve unlocked most perks. Some players hit a wall around Prestige 10, where rewards plateau.

What makes it shine:

• Random blueprints mean you adapt every settlement.
• Meta unlocks reward repeated play without feeling stale.
• Storm cycles create high‑stakes tactical tension.

Against the Storm reinvents city building with its roguelike structure and thoughtful progression. Its mix of tension, strategy, and replay value makes it a standout.

14. Tiny Glade [Best Stress-Free City-Sketching]

My Score	7.9 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC
Year of Release	2024 [Early Access]
Multiplayer / Co‑op Support	No – single-player only
Average Playtime	10–25 hours

Sometimes, you just want to build for the joy of it – no timers, no disasters, no pressure. Tiny Glade is a cozy, creative sandbox where you sketch little villages, sculpt landscapes, and let your imagination lead.

Buildings curve and adapt naturally to your mouse strokes, grass sways in the wind, and there’s zero resource management – just pure aesthetic satisfaction. It’s the perfect break from high-stakes strategy titles, offering relaxation and creativity in equal measure.

What makes it shine:

• Freeform building with intuitive, sketch-like controls.
• Calming visuals and atmosphere perfect for relaxation.
• Zero stress, no objectives – just creativity and charm.

Tiny Glade is proof that city-building doesn’t always need pressure. It’s about beauty, flow, and peaceful creation – ideal for players who build to unwind.

15. The Wandering Village [Best for a Unique Setting]

My Score	7.8 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One
Year of Release	2022
Multiplayer / Co‑op Support	No – developer confirmed no plans for any multiplayer
Average Playtime	30–60 hours

What makes The Wandering Village unique? It’s a unique indie game where you build your settlement with a magical spin. Forget about classic land plots! Here, your city is located on the back of a giant titan named Onbu. This adds several interesting game mechanics. When building structures, it’s extremely important to consider the movement of this massive creature.

Starting a settlement on the back of a colossal titan called Onbu isn’t typical, but it’s what makes this indie city-builder stand out. You must balance your villagers’ needs while caring for Onbu and navigating shifting biomes full of poison and storms. I spent over 30 hours tooling around, and the Studio‑Ghibli art style hooked me before the survival loops even kicked in.

I’ve sifted through Steam stats..224k copies sold, over 91% “Very Positive” reviews, and a player peak near 5800. Now, I know I’m not the only one captivated.

What makes it shine:

• Village‑Onbu symbiosis: Your build decisions impact how Onbu moves and reacts.
• Biome puzzles: Harsh environments force you to rethink resource layouts.
• Stunning visuals and looming poison.

With its one‑of‑a‑kind titan base-building and mesmerizing visuals, The Wandering Village is the definition of “unique” in city-building. If you want to escape into something otherworldly and different from the rest, then you should play this game now.

16. Endzone: A World Apart [Best Post-Apocalyptic City-Builder]

My Score	7.6 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Year of Release	2021 [PC], 2022 [Consoles]
Multiplayer / Co‑op Support	No – currently single-player only, no MP announced
Average Playtime	50–100 hours

Endzone: A World Apart is a game where you need to construct and manage your own settlement in a world that was destroyed by a nuclear catastrophe. For most players, Endzone will be a true test of planning and adaptation skills. The game’s disaster system adds extra dynamics to the gameplay.

There’s a harsh beauty in how brutally it pushes back when you overextend. That early-game pressure to balance energy and morale while scanning for radiation hotspots is genuinely intense. It’s the kind of builder that teaches through loss, not tutorials. After 30 hours in, you’ll stop playing casually. That kind of realism is what makes Endzone click. 

It’s not about playing safe at all. It’s ALL about learning why something went wrong. Biggest gripe? Zero multiplayer or community co-op, which makes post-campaign content feel a bit stale.

What makes it shine:

• Punishing survival mechanics that demand foresight.
• Genuinely dynamic weather and disaster events.
• Feels high-stakes from minute one.

Endzone stands out for its brutal environmental realism and deeply rewarding strategy loops. It’s the perfect pick for city-builder fans who want real stakes, not just aesthetics. Craving more high-stakes colony sims? Browse our curated survival games roundup.

17. Industries of Titan [Best for Industrial City Management]

My Score	7.4 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC
Year of Release	2023
Multiplayer / Co‑op Support	No – solo-focused, multiplayer not in current roadmap
Average Playtime	30–70 hours

Industries of Titan puts you in charge of a city that’s more machine than home. You’re building on Titan, Saturn’s moon. Here, everything runs on systems..factories, power grids, pollution filters, and the workers caught in between. This is less about aesthetics and more about squeezing performance out of tight, cold infrastructure. 

You’ll design factory layouts and convert ruins into profit, all while a rival corporation waits to strike. Plus,the real game starts when systems overlap. It rewards players who think in layers. Placement, energy balance, pollution zones, and employee burnout. There’s satisfaction in watching your power grid stabilize seconds before an attack hits. 

My biggest gripe? No sandbox mode. Once you’ve seen the full campaign arc, experimentation feels boxed in.

What makes it shine:

• Dense factory logistics with no fluff.
• Strong visual identity and UI clarity.
• Tactical depth without overwhelming micromanagement.

Industries of Titan rewards precision, not decoration. Perfect if you want structure and strategy during your gameplay.

18. Kaiserpunk [Best Alt-History City-Builder]

My Score	7.2 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC
Year of Release	2025
Multiplayer / Co‑op Support	No – single-player only
Average Playtime	50–120 hours

Kaiserpunk blends city-building with grand strategy set in an alternate early-20th-century era where production chains, building layouts, and logistics matter as much as diplomacy and faction competition. 

What makes it shine:

• A complex mix of city building + global strategy layers (production, diplomacy, combat).
• Unique setting with stylized historical twist.
• Strong resource and logistics focus for players who like deep systems.

Kaiserpunk rewards long-term thinkers who enjoy building powerful, self-sustaining economies rather than quick wins. It’s one of the freshest takes on industrial strategy and a must-try for anyone craving large-scale world-building with a bold creative twist.

19. Airborne Kingdom [Best for Floating Cities]

My Score	7 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Year of Release	2020
Multiplayer / Co‑op Support	No – always single-player
Average Playtime	20–35 hours

Build your own flying settlement in the Airborne Kingdom. There are no familiar streets or buildings on the ground here, but there’s a huge floating megacity. When building, it’s important to consider not only resources but also the weight of your settlement to prevent a disaster. Don’t forget the needs of the local inhabitants. 

The gameplay’s uniqueness is also enhanced by diplomacy. You’ll need to establish strong economic ties with ground settlements. After 20+ hours, you’ll find yourself pausing not because the systems are too complex, but because the visuals will keep pulling you in. Watching a flying city glow against a purple dusk while new settlements come into view never gets old. It’s peaceful, but not passive. 

What makes it shine:

• Sky-based city sim with real physics.
• Exploration is tied directly to expansion.
• Peaceful pacing without feeling empty.

Airborne Kingdom offers city-building with altitude and heart. Ideal if you want strategy that flies. If exploration is your thing, glide into our picks for the best adventure games next.

20. Foundation [Best Medieval City-Builder]

My Score	6.9 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC
Year of Release	2025 [full release]
Multiplayer / Co‑op Support	No – single-player only
Average Playtime	40–100 hours

Foundation drops you onto untouched medieval land and lets you build without rigid grids or fixed rules. Every structure grows naturally. Villagers decide where to settle, how to work, and what to prioritize. You react to the landscape, not override it. Hills slow movement. Rivers split your economy. The result is a village that feels more like an ecosystem than a spreadsheet. 

It’s designed for players who enjoy quiet control and creative momentum. The freedom is real, but so is the need to plan early or risk bottlenecks in food and space. Watching someone haul berries across town while the church bell rings is oddly satisfying. And the new UI and mod support sharpen its strengths! The downside? No conflict or late-game challenges, so pacing stays relaxed the whole way through.

What makes it shine:

• Villager building without fixed placement.
• Strong visual feedback and lively town loops.
• Excellent for thoughtful, sandbox-style planning.

Foundation turns quiet planning into something personal. If you want a city builder with freedom and no stress timers, this one is your top pick.  For even more open-ended building, check out this list of the best sandbox games that champion freeform play.

21. Planetbase [Best for Space Colony Simulation]

My Score	6.8 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Platforms	PC, PS4, Xbox One
Year of Release	2015
Multiplayer / Co‑op Support	No – single-player only
Average Playtime	20–40 hours

Planetbase is another space city-building strategy where you must build your colony on a hostile planet. Your settlers arrive with a few supplies, and you need to establish resources and shelter before the next solar flare hits. Each planet has its own twist, and you’ll fail a few times before you figure out the right order of operations. This is survival through structure, not speed.

Every run teaches you something new. There’s no room for wasted clicks, as only efficiency keeps you going. With over 1 million owners on Steam, it’s been a long-time favorite for players who enjoy compact, systems-first building. The biggest drawback is that the camera controls feel stiff, especially when you’re trying to manage the layout during disasters.

What makes it shine:

• Survival strategy with no fluff or filler.
• Planet-specific difficulty changes your approach.
• Satisfies players who like tight system loops.

Planetbase is a pure survival strategy in space. If you like mastering tight systems and reacting to environmental chaos, it’s worth your time.

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TL;DR: What Are the Best City-Building Games to Play in 2025?

The best city-building games in 2025 combine creativity, strategy, and system depth across a wide range of settings, from survival-based towns to futuristic megacities. Titles like Cities: Skylines II, Foundation, and Airborne Kingdom stand out for their balance of accessibility and complexity. 

You’ll find games on the list focused on urban planning, resource management, diplomacy, or space colonization, depending on what kind of challenge you’re after. These games are popular among the PC gamer and console crowd for their advanced functionality, replayability, design flexibility, compelling challenges, and unique game worlds.

Which City-Building Game Should You Try First?

Picking the best building game depends on what you want to manage, fix, or grow. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:

• Foundation: Excellent for peaceful town growth without rigid placement systems.
  
• Airborne Kingdom: Floating cities with real-time weight balancing and mobility.
  
• Cities: Skylines II: The go-to for massive layouts and hands-on traffic control.
  
• Industries of Titan: Industrial-style grid systems with layered production planning.

If you’re after functionality and player freedom, Cities: Skylines II and Foundation are both solid starting points.

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How Do You Choose a Safe Marketplace for Gaming Goods and Game Keys?

Buying digital content is about avoiding unreliable sellers and long wait times. If you’re building a collection of city-builders or grabbing DLCs for simulation games, the last thing you want is a sketchy key that doesn’t activate.

Here’s what to look for:

• Clear platform labeling [Steam, Epic, GOG] and instant delivery tracking
• Transparent refund policy in case of key issues or delays
• Trusted payment options with no hidden conversion fees
• A strong history of community engagement and user-submitted ratings

In the long run, players tend to stick with a reliable digital marketplace for cheap gaming goods like Eneba. They consistently handle volume, region restrictions, and sales events without friction. Price alone doesn’t make a platform worthwhile. Functionality, speed, and accountability matter more.

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