Games like Ancient Cities on Steam
For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free games like Ancient Cities are available at the bottom of the page.
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Per Aspera
Make Mars your own! Take control of the world’s most sophisticated AI (AMI) and terraform the surface of the Red Planet for a city-building experience on a planetary scale. Transform this barren world into a lush paradise and explore the surface for any ancient secrets that may be waiting.
Egypt: Old Kingdom
Strategy simulator of the Great Pyramids period, where you take your path from the unification of Egyptian tribes to the foundation of The First Empire. Developed with the assistance of Egyptologists.
Marble Age
Turn-based historical simulation strategy. Develop the Greek civilization from the small village to the great city-state when it will dominate the world!
SimCity™ 4 Deluxe Edition
SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition includes the bestselling SimCity 4 and the all-new SimCity 4 Rush Hour Expansion Pack. Create the most massive region of cities ever, with a farming town, bedroom community, high-tech commercial center, and industrial backbone.
Microtopia
Become the hive mind of a robot ant colony in Microtopia! Use pheromone trails to create, automate and optimize supply chains for your ants to follow. Collect resources, produce goods, feed your queen, grow your colony and fly out to expand the species!
Songs of Syx
Songs of Syx is a fantasy city-builder where you start off as an insignificant colony and build, scheme, and fight your way towards a metropolis and empire. The mechanics are complex and true to life, where small events can spiral into the collapse of kingdoms. Try the unlimited demo first!
TFM: The First Men
An open-world colony sim based on stories of the first men. Infinite possibilities await your very own Adam and Eve as they embark on a generation-spanning adventure. How will you shape their future?
Bronze Age - HD Edition
What was it like to be a chief of a tribe in 6000 year B.C.? Oh, you know, the usual - feed your people, build them shelters, defend them from raids of neighbors. And if you are lucky, sooner or later you will build a kingdom and become their king!
Marble Age: Remastered
Marble Age is a turn-based historical strategy where your task is to turn a small Ancient Greek village into a flourishing Polis, powerful enough to conquer the known world!
United Penguin Kingdom: Huddle up
This free version of the United Penguin Kingdom covers the content from one year of in-game time. A city-building game where you build a penguin settlement and satisfy the various needs of your penguins while dealing with seals and killer whales.
Mini Settlers
Mini Settlers is a minimalistic city builder! Settle islands, construct cities, and design efficient logistic networks to fulfill your buildings' needs and fuel population growth to adventure into new worlds.
DFHack - Dwarf Fortress Modding Engine
Extensions for Dwarf Fortress, including bugfixes, interface improvements, automation agents, design blueprints, modding building blocks, and other tools.
Cataclismo
Design and build fortresses brick by brick to stand against endless hordes of Horrors in this real-time strategy game with resource management, siege defense, and exploration. Lead from the ramparts, push back the darkness, and hold fast against the creatures of the Mist.
Farlanders
Terraform, strategize, and construct a Martian colony in this retro-inspired turn-based city builder. Create a comfortable living for your citizens, research alien artifacts, and uncover the secrets of the Red Planet.
Surviving the Abyss
Earth, 1976. You have been tasked with managing a deep-sea science facility working to perfect cloning. Explore the darkness and keep your crew alive in this hardcore survival colony builder. And beware. The darkness hides untold horrors.
Rail Route
In Rail Route, you will design, construct, upgrade, and automate your railway network in one of the many maps based on real-life cities worldwide. Dispatch the trains to make the traffic flow and the network grow!
Overcrowd: A Commute 'Em Up
Design and build the most efficient metro stations known to man! Excavate. Expand. Set staff priorities. And manage the commuter flow. Overcrowd is a 2.5D management/tycoon/simulator set below the bustling city of Lubdon Town.
Pioneers of Pagonia
This city builder challenges you to build a thriving community while facing the dangers of an untamed land. Lead your people to success in a procedurally generated and dynamic world. Construct detailed settlements, defend against emerging threats, and optimize resource management.
Solargene
Lead a space corporation in the sci-fi simulator Solargene! Manage personnel, design and develop colonies and orbital stations throughout the solar system! Extract resources, establish logistics, research new technologies, trade and complete missions
Zombie Cure Lab
Construct a laboratory base full of machinery to cure zombies. Assign workers to gather and process resources, building up your economy. Defend against zombie attacks and convert them into your workforce. Research technologies to develop the final antidote and restore humanity.
Settlement Survival
In this city-building game, you will lead a group of survivors in their search for a new home. Manipulate the landscape, manage limited supplies, plant crops, hunt wildlife, gather resources, and develop trade routes to build a bustling and unique town.
Train Fever
It’s the year 1850, and there are great times ahead! Establish a transport company and be its manager. Build infrastructure such as railways and stations, purchase transportation vehicles and manage lines. Fulfill the people’s needs and watch cities evolve dynamically.
New Cycle
New Cycle is a city building game with focus on survival. After an apocalyptic series of solar flares, human society has been thrown into disarray. Establish a settlement and develop it all the way from humble beginnings to industrial metropolis.
Most played games like Ancient Cities on Steam
Take a look at the top games like Ancient Cities that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 16th 2025.
1. RimWorld
Similarity 61% A sci-fi colony sim driven by an intelligent AI storyteller. Generates stories by simulating psychology, ecology, gunplay, melee combat, climate, biomes, diplomacy, interpersonal relationships, art, medicine, trade, and more. RimWorld is a colony sim, base-building and survival game developed and published by Ludeon Studios. Released on October 17th 2018 has received 207,285 reviews of which 203,071 were positive and 4,214 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.7 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played game like Ancient Cities, thanks to its 19,206 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.7
203,071
4,214
19,206
players
2. Factorio
Similarity 52% Factorio is a game about building and creating automated factories to produce items of increasing complexity, within an infinite 2D world. Use your imagination to design your factory, combine simple elements into ingenious structures, and finally protect it from the creatures who don't really like you. Factorio is a automation, base-building and resource management game developed and published by Wube Software LTD.. Released on August 14th 2020 has received 212,622 reviews of which 206,226 were positive and 6,396 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. While seeing 14,006 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among games like Ancient Cities based on player count.
9.6
206,226
6,396
14,006
players
3. Manor Lords
Similarity 60% 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. Manor Lords is a strategy, city builder and simulation game developed by Slavic Magic and published by Hooded Horse. Released on April 26th 2024 has received 70,300 reviews of which 60,884 were positive and 9,416 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. While seeing 2,124 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among games like Ancient Cities based on player count.
8.5
60,884
9,416
2,124
players
4. Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic
Similarity 68% 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. Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic is a strategy, simulation and city builder game developed by 3Division and published by Hooded Horse. Released on June 20th 2024 has received 21,524 reviews of which 19,651 were positive and 1,873 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. With 1,351 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played games like Ancient Cities.
8.9
19,651
1,873
1,351
players
5. Northgard
Similarity 50% Northgard is a critically acclaimed 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! Northgard is a strategy, city builder and simulation game developed and published by Shiro Games. Released on March 07th 2018 has received 64,080 reviews of which 55,486 were positive and 8,594 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. With 1,339 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played games like Ancient Cities.
8.5
55,486
8,594
1,339
players
6. Foundation
Similarity 61% Foundation is a grid-less, laidback medieval city-building game with a focus on organic development, monument construction and resource management. Foundation is a city builder, simulation and medieval game developed and published by Polymorph Games. Released on January 31st 2025 has received 19,570 reviews of which 16,721 were positive and 2,849 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. With 1,273 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played games like Ancient Cities.
8.4
16,721
2,849
1,273
players
7. Against the Storm
Similarity 60% 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. Against the Storm is a strategy, simulation and city builder game developed by Eremite Games and published by Hooded Horse. Released on December 08th 2023 has received 30,816 reviews of which 29,274 were positive and 1,542 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 1,200 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played games like Ancient Cities.
9.3
29,274
1,542
1,200
players
8. Dwarf Fortress
Similarity 66% The deepest, most intricate simulation of a world that's ever been created. The legendary Dwarf Fortress is now on Steam. Build a fortress and try to help your dwarves survive against a deeply generated world. Dwarf Fortress is a dwarf, colony sim and strategy game developed by Bay 12 Games and published by Kitfox Games. Released on December 06th 2022 has received 28,235 reviews of which 26,807 were positive and 1,428 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 1,125 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played games like Ancient Cities.
9.3
26,807
1,428
1,125
players
9. Frostpunk
Similarity 52% 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? Frostpunk is a city builder, survival and resource management game developed and published by 11 bit studios. Released on April 24th 2018 has received 121,609 reviews of which 112,488 were positive and 9,121 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 966 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played games like Ancient Cities.
9.1
112,488
9,121
966
players
10. Captain of Industry
Similarity 64% Land your crew of survivors on an abandoned island and survive! Mine raw materials, grow food, build factories, manufacture products, research new tech, and trade with others. Become an industrial superpower! But this is no easy task, you will be put to the test to keep your settlement alive. Captain of Industry is a base-building, automation and resource management game developed and published by MaFi Games. Released on May 31st 2022 has received 6,455 reviews of which 6,090 were positive and 365 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 850 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played games like Ancient Cities.
9.1
6,090
365
850
players
Best deals on games like Ancient Cities on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of games like Ancient Cities available on Steam right now, updated on April 16th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted games like Ancient Cities.
1. Founders' Fortune
Similarity 60% A fantasy village builder focusing on creative building, colonist psychology and base defense. Handle resources, farming, production, tools, diplomacy, families, trading, defense, and research, as well as the wishes, expectations, thoughts, and equipment of every villager. Founders' Fortune is a colony sim, base-building and city builder game developed and published by Dionic Software. Released on December 18th 2020 has received 2,093 reviews of which 1,686 were positive and 407 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Featuring a massive 95% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for games like Ancient Cities.
7.8
1,686
407
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
2. Stronghold Crusader 2
Similarity 51% 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. Stronghold Crusader 2 is a strategy, medieval and city builder game developed and published by FireFly Studios. Released on September 22nd 2014 has received 16,919 reviews of which 12,202 were positive and 4,717 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 95% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in games like Ancient Cities.
7.1
12,202
4,717
-95%
34.80€
1.74€
3. Snowtopia: Ski Resort Builder
Similarity 59% Build your ideal ski resort. Keep skiers smiling with fresh pistes and fine facilities. Ski, build and chill in the wintry world of Snowtopia where everyone is welcome! Snowtopia: Ski Resort Builder is a simulation, building and management game developed by TeaForTwo and published by Goblinz Publishing and Maple Whispering Limited. Released on December 14th 2022 has received 1,162 reviews of which 713 were positive and 449 were negative resulting in a rating of 6 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 94% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in games like Ancient Cities.
6
713
449
-94%
19.83€
1.19€
4. Life is Feudal: Forest Village
Similarity 50% 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. Life is Feudal: Forest Village is a city builder, colony sim and strategy game developed by Mindillusion and published by Bitbox Ltd.. Released on May 26th 2017 has received 5,873 reviews of which 3,892 were positive and 1,981 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for games like Ancient Cities.
6.5
3,892
1,981
-93%
24.57€
1.72€
5. Frostpunk
Similarity 52% 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? Frostpunk is a city builder, survival and resource management game developed and published by 11 bit studios. Released on April 24th 2018 has received 121,609 reviews of which 112,488 were positive and 9,121 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 91% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for games like Ancient Cities.
9.1
112,488
9,121
-91%
30.00€
2.70€
6. Siege Survival: Gloria Victis
Similarity 58% A medieval city under siege and a handful of civilians are all that keep the walls from falling. Mixing survival strategy and resource management, build your camp, craft supplies, and scavenge the occupied city to supply the last troops holding back the invaders. Siege Survival: Gloria Victis is a singleplayer, city builder and immersive sim game developed by Black Eye Games and published by Ravenscourt. Released on May 18th 2021 has received 1,627 reviews of which 1,283 were positive and 344 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 91% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for games like Ancient Cities.
7.6
1,283
344
-91%
25.11€
2.26€
7. Cartel Tycoon
Similarity 53% Cartel Tycoon is a survival business sim inspired by the ‘80s and '90s narco trade. Expand and conquer, fight off rival thugs and evade the authorities. Earn people's loyalty and strive to overcome the doomed fate of a power-hungry drug lord. Cartel Tycoon is a top-down, rts and resource management game developed by Moon Moose and published by tinyBuild. Released on July 26th 2022 has received 3,507 reviews of which 2,680 were positive and 827 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 91% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for games like Ancient Cities.
7.4
2,680
827
-91%
27.78€
2.50€
8. Transport Fever
Similarity 60% Transport Fever is a railroad-focused tycoon game. Players start in 1850 and build up a thriving transport company. As an emerging transport tycoon, the player constructs stations, airports, harbors and makes money by connecting areas requiring transport services. Build up your own Empire! Transport Fever is a flight, city builder and sandbox game developed by Urban Games and published by Good Shepherd Entertainment. Released on November 08th 2016 has received 10,699 reviews of which 8,917 were positive and 1,782 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for games like Ancient Cities.
8.1
8,917
1,782
-90%
30.20€
3.02€
9. Endzone - A World Apart
Similarity 63% 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. Endzone - A World Apart is a city builder, survival and strategy game developed by Gentlymad Studios and published by Assemble Entertainment and WhisperGames. Released on March 18th 2021 has received 9,325 reviews of which 7,193 were positive and 2,132 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for games like Ancient Cities.
7.5
7,193
2,132
-90%
29.99€
2.99€
10. Train Fever
Similarity 55% It’s the year 1850, and there are great times ahead! Establish a transport company and be its manager. Build infrastructure such as railways and stations, purchase transportation vehicles and manage lines. Fulfill the people’s needs and watch cities evolve dynamically. Train Fever is a simulation, trains and management game developed by Urban Games and published by Good Shepherd Entertainment. Released on September 04th 2014 has received 3,494 reviews of which 2,247 were positive and 1,247 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for games like Ancient Cities.
6.3
2,247
1,247
-90%
19.99€
1.99€
Free games like Ancient Cities on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play games like Ancient Cities you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 16th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play games like Ancient Cities.
1. DFHack - Dwarf Fortress Modding Engine
Similarity 55% Extensions for Dwarf Fortress, including bugfixes, interface improvements, automation agents, design blueprints, modding building blocks, and other tools. DFHack - Dwarf Fortress Modding Engine is a dwarf, simulation and software game developed and published by The DFHack Team. Released on April 13th 2023 has received 692 reviews of which 687 were positive and 5 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 260 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free games like Ancient Cities.
9.2
687
5
260
players
2. Industry Idle
Similarity 50% Industry Idle is an idle game that combines factory building, resource management and market trading. Design & build your base, expand & scale up your productions, improve & optimize your economy. Plus all the incremental game goodies: offline earnings, prestige to unlock more powerful upgrades. Industry Idle is a automation, idler and resource management game developed and published by Fish Pond Studio. Released on September 13th 2024 has received 1,351 reviews of which 1,053 were positive and 298 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played free games like Ancient Cities.
7.5
1,053
298
44
players
3. Oxygen: First Breath
Similarity 60% This is a free version of Oxygen, featuring the first 50 game-days. Build your city around the Oxygen Center and ensure your people's survival in a post-apocalyptic future, threatened by crack explosions, deadly winds, droughts and frosts. Lead your people and keep the Oxygen Center running! Oxygen: First Breath is a strategy, base building and simulation game developed by Turquoise Revival Games and published by GrabTheGames and UpgradePoint. Released on October 07th 2022 has received 1,584 reviews of which 1,423 were positive and 161 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free games like Ancient Cities.
8.6
1,423
161
3
players
4. Espresso Tycoon Prologue: Underwater
Similarity 53% A completely FREE underwater mission from the Espresso Tycoon - a coffee shop simulator. Build your own cafe from scratch, hire staff, create the most delicious recipes in the whole Pacific Ocean and make customers happy! Decorate, manage, and build a successful coffee business in Sydney! Espresso Tycoon Prologue: Underwater is a life sim, sandbox and strategy game developed by DreamWay Games and published by PlayWay S.A.. Released on November 04th 2022 has received 636 reviews of which 572 were positive and 64 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free games like Ancient Cities.
8.4
572
64
2
players
5. United Penguin Kingdom: Huddle up
Similarity 55% This free version of the United Penguin Kingdom covers the content from one year of in-game time. A city-building game where you build a penguin settlement and satisfy the various needs of your penguins while dealing with seals and killer whales. United Penguin Kingdom: Huddle up is a strategy, city builder and survival game developed by Turquoise Revival Games and published by GrabTheGames and UpgradePoint. Released on December 19th 2023 has received 616 reviews of which 552 were positive and 64 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free games like Ancient Cities.
8.4
552
64
1
players
6. Smart Factory Tycoon: Beginnings
Similarity 51% This is a free version of Smart Factory Tycoon, a game inspired by Little Big Workshop introducing the first productions. Smart Factory Tycoon is a tycoon management game where you design your dream factory with robots, plan all steps of production, research new technologies and become a tycoon! Smart Factory Tycoon: Beginnings is a simulation, strategy and resource management game developed by Turquoise Revival Games and published by GrabTheGames. Released on January 05th 2022 has received 495 reviews of which 385 were positive and 110 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free games like Ancient Cities.
7.4
385
110
1
players