Best City Builder games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated city builder games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free city builder games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Factory Town
Build, automate, and optimize a giant factory on 3D terrain using conveyor belts, trains, chutes, pipes, and airships. Sell your goods to nearby villages to expand their borders, increase happiness, and unlock even better technology!
Surviving the Aftermath
Survive and thrive in a post-apocalyptic future — resources are scarce, but opportunity calls! Build the ultimate disaster proof colony, protect your colonists, and restore civilization to a devastated world.
Grow: Song of the Evertree
Grow your own worlds and nurture a deep natural connection with everything they hold. See your actions change the world for better! Bring the Evertree back to life in this breathtaking world-crafting sandbox, with life management and adventure elements.
Tavern Master
Tavern Master is all about managing your medieval tavern. You start with a very small room, couple of benches and tables and build your way up to a huge successful tavern with a kitchen, rooms for guests, group of loyal staff and much more!
CountryBalls Heroes
CountryBalls Heroes is a game where you get to play as your favorite Countryball. Become a legend by leading massive Countryball armies. Create your forces, build master-planned cities, gather powerful artifacts and prove that your Countryball is the most powerful.
Jurassic World Evolution 2
Jurassic World Evolution 2 is the much-anticipated sequel to Frontier’s highly successful Jurassic World Evolution. This bold new era in the Jurassic World Evolution game franchise builds upon the ground-breaking and immersive 2018 management simulation.
Let's Build a Zoo
It's time to Build a Zoo! Construct and decorate enclosures, buy and breed animals, hire zookeepers and vets... then try your hand at DNA splicing, and stitch together over 300,000 different types of animal. This can only go smoothly...
Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition
Celebrating its first year of delighting millions of global players, the award-winning and best-selling strategy franchise continues with Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition, putting you at the center of even more epic historical battles that shaped the world.
Terraformers: First Steps on Mars
Terraformers: First Steps on Mars is a free prologue of Terraformers, featuring an exclusive challenge to lead humanity's first attempt at settling the Red Planet.
Arcade Tycoon ™ : Simulation Game
Build stunning Arcade Centre’s, purchase a range of arcades machines, manage troublesome staff in this colourful and humorous simulation management game. Inspired by Two Point Hospital, Let's Build A Zoo and Megaquarium.
Hotel Magnate
Have you ever wanted to design and manage your own hotel, rundown motel, or elegant resort? With a ridiculous amount of customization tools to wield, a host of facilities to build, and a wide variety of guests to impress, Hotel Magnate has it all. Let your inner hotel manager shine!
Citystate II
Create your own Nation, build cities and bring prosperity to your people. Citystate II is a unique city-builder featuring realistic economics and complex political options. Slums or skyscrapers, experiment and bring about your vision of the ideal society.
Actraiser Renaissance
Heaven, earth and mankind - Create and destroy everything according to your will! Experience the revival of the '90s classic hit "Actraiser"
Timberborn
Humans are long gone. In a world struck by droughts and toxic waste, will your lumberpunk beavers do any better? A city-building game featuring ingenious animals, vertical architecture, water physics, and terraforming. Contains high amounts of wood.
Dice Legacy
Dice Legacy is a dice-based survival city builder set on a mysterious ringworld. Your ship has reached the shore of an uncharted continent. Roll and use your dice to gather resources, expand and defend your settlement, survive the winter and interact with the strange inhabitants of this eerie world.
Cloud Gardens
A chill game about using plants to overgrow abandoned wasteland dioramas
Reactor Tech²
Become the main power engineer of the world - the builder of the most powerful power plant that feeds the whole world! You have to build your own power plant, research new technologies and make the most successful power company in 100 gaming years.
Townscaper
Instant town building toy
City Game Studio: Your Game Dev Adventure Begins
Manage a game studio from the dawn of the gaming industry in 1976. Your journey starts with small indie titles and grows into a gaming empire. Develop, design, and conquer the industry. From humble beginnings to gaming legend – it’s your story, your studio, your legacy!
Hell Architect
Hell Architect is a game about building and managing your own hell. You take on a role of a hell manager and are tasked with developing the underworld in a way that would make Lucifer himself fall off his chair.
HUMANKIND™
Rewrite history by shaping a civilization as unique as you are. Combine 60 cultures from the Ancient Era to the Modern Age to lead your empire to victory. Build thriving cities, outsmart rivals in epic battles, spread your influence and leave your mark on HUMANKIND™.
Life is Hard
Life is Hard is a godsim town simulator game developed by a two-man-team. Your main aim here is to manage your town. Expand your domain, prevent famine, make war, trade with others, attract new people. Make history!
Dust to the End
Nuclear war ended human civilization, but it could never uproot the evil within our hearts. Fight, trade, negotiate, raid– do whatever it takes to survive in the wasteland. You will have to be as clever as ruthless to thrive in a broken world, torn by war, cruelty, hunger and slavery.Most played city builder games on Steam
Take a look at the top city builder games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 15th 2025.
1. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
42 Civilizations, 229 Campaign Missions, Singleplayer, Co-Op, Multiplayer, In-Game Editor, Mods, Cross-play...It is good to be the king. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is a strategy, rts and city builder game developed by Forgotten Empires, Tantalus Media, Wicked Witch, World's Edge and CaptureAge and published by Xbox Game Studios. Released on November 14th 2019 has received 159,608 reviews of which 151,527 were positive and 8,081 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played city builder game, thanks to its 28,305 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.4
151,527
8,081
28,305
players
2. Cities: Skylines
Cities: Skylines is a modern take on the classic city simulation. The game introduces new game play elements to realize the thrill and hardships of creating and maintaining a real city whilst expanding on some well-established tropes of the city building experience. Cities: Skylines is a city builder, simulation and building game developed by Colossal Order Ltd. and published by Paradox Interactive. Released on March 10th 2015 has received 273,442 reviews of which 254,189 were positive and 19,253 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. While seeing 18,962 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among city builder games based on player count.
9.2
254,189
19,253
18,962
players
3. Anno 1800
Anno 1800™ – Lead the Industrial Revolution! Welcome to the dawn of the Industrial Age. The path you choose will define your world. Are you an innovator or an exploiter? A conqueror or a liberator? How the world remembers your name is up to you. Anno 1800 is a city builder, strategy and simulation game developed by Ubisoft Mainz and published by Ubisoft. Released on April 16th 2019 has received 23,986 reviews of which 19,441 were positive and 4,545 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. While seeing 8,620 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among city builder games based on player count.
8.0
19,441
4,545
8,620
players
4. Timberborn
Humans are long gone. In a world struck by droughts and toxic waste, will your lumberpunk beavers do any better? A city-building game featuring ingenious animals, vertical architecture, water physics, and terraforming. Contains high amounts of wood. Timberborn is a city builder, voxel and colony sim game developed and published by Mechanistry. Released on September 15th 2021 has received 30,293 reviews of which 28,922 were positive and 1,371 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 4,780 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played city builder games.
9.3
28,922
1,371
4,780
players
5. Kingdom Two Crowns
Gather coins, build defenses and reclaim your fallen Kingdom. Explore and uncover secrets, unlock new technologies and protect your crown versus waves of Greed monsters that come at night. Kingdom is a solo or co-op micro-strategy and tower defense game set in an atmospheric pixel world. Kingdom Two Crowns is a tower defense, minimalist and city builder game developed by Stumpy🐙Squid, Fury Studios and Coatsink and published by Raw Fury. Released on December 11th 2018 has received 7,063 reviews of which 6,244 were positive and 819 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. With 4,099 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played city builder games.
8.6
6,244
819
4,099
players
6. Manor Lords
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. With 4,080 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played city builder games.
8.5
60,884
9,416
4,080
players
7. Frostpunk
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 3,642 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played city builder games.
9.1
112,488
9,121
3,642
players
8. Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic
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 3,421 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played city builder games.
8.9
19,651
1,873
3,421
players
9. Foundation
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 3,224 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played city builder games.
8.4
16,721
2,849
3,224
players
10. Northgard
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 2,912 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played city builder games.
8.5
55,486
8,594
2,912
players
Best deals on city builder games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of city builder games available on Steam right now, updated on April 15th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted city builder games.
1. Lords and Villeins
Build a prosperous settlement in a unique simulation of a feudal economy - each family runs their shop, owns their goods, and trades with other villagers in a free market. You will manage the land, build houses, organise events, set taxes, and balance supply and demand while engaging in diplomacy! Lords and Villeins is a colony sim, strategy and city builder game developed by Honestly Games and published by Fulqrum Publishing. Released on November 10th 2022 has received 865 reviews of which 626 were positive and 239 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. Featuring a massive 96% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for city builder category.
6.9
626
239
-96%
27.50€
1.10€
2. Founders' Fortune
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. Thanks to its incredible 95% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in city builder games.
7.8
1,686
407
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
3. InfraSpace
Create an extrasolar efficiency utopia from scratch! In this sci-fi city builder you need to start mining operations, plan production, and lay down transportation routes to ensure a smooth supply chain. InfraSpace is a city builder, automation and transportation game developed and published by Dionic Software. Released on September 22nd 2023 has received 1,611 reviews of which 1,297 were positive and 314 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 95% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in city builder games.
7.7
1,297
314
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
4. Stronghold Crusader 2
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. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for city builder games.
7.1
12,202
4,717
-95%
34.80€
1.74€
5. Medieval Kingdom Wars
Rewrite medieval history through bloody siege combat in a fusion of RTS and Grand Strategy genres. Rule, build, and serve your King as a minor lord in medieval Europe. Experience siege, field and naval combat with an unseen degree of brutality. Rogue-like progression, epic towns and battles await… Medieval Kingdom Wars is a grand strategy, rts and medieval game developed by Reverie World Studios and published by indie.io. Released on January 03rd 2019 has received 2,585 reviews of which 1,977 were positive and 608 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for city builder games.
7.4
1,977
608
-93%
14.29€
1.00€
6. Life is Feudal: Forest Village
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 #6 position in the best deals for city builder games.
6.5
3,892
1,981
-93%
24.57€
1.72€
7. Rise of Industry
Put your entrepreneurial skills to the test in the first title in the ROI series as you create & optimise intricate production lines. As an early 20th-Century industrialist, grow your empire & adapt to an ever-changing business landscape with unexpected events that could lead to boom…or bust. Rise of Industry is a management, strategy and economy game developed by Dapper Penguin Studios and published by Kasedo Games. Released on May 02nd 2019 has received 4,084 reviews of which 2,993 were positive and 1,091 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 92% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for city builder games.
7.1
2,993
1,091
-92%
30.63€
2.45€
8. Frostpunk
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 #8 position in the best deals for city builder games.
9.1
112,488
9,121
-91%
30.00€
2.70€
9. Siege Survival: Gloria Victis
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 #9 position in the best deals for city builder games.
7.6
1,283
344
-91%
25.11€
2.26€
10. Parkasaurus
Parkasaurus is a dinosaur tycoon management simulation where you take care of your dinosaurs by constructing well-designed exhibits, researching specialized technologies, and maximizing profits to expand into the ultimate dinosaur theme park. Do you favor development for guests or your dinosaurs? Parkasaurus is a management, city builder and dinosaurs game developed and published by Washbear Studio. Released on August 12th 2020 has received 3,000 reviews of which 2,801 were positive and 199 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for city builder games.
9.0
2,801
199
-90%
20.10€
2.01€
Free city builder games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play city builder games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 15th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play city builder games.
1. Realm Grinder
Grow your realm, build alliances, and explore one of the deepest idle RPGs ever! Realm Grinder is a free to play, clicker and pixel graphics game developed by Divine Games and published by Kongregate. Released on June 15th 2017 has received 7,027 reviews of which 6,120 were positive and 907 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. With 923 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free city builder games on Steam.
8.5
6,120
907
923
players
2. Galaxy Life
The universe is full of Starlings, tiny orange aliens that want to take over the galaxy. Create your own space colony, fight epic battles and discover new planets. Train your soldiers, develop your technology and create unimaginable gadgets. Enjoy this huge social game with friends! Galaxy Life is a strategy, city builder and wargame game developed and published by Phoenix Network. Released on August 31st 2022 has received 7,942 reviews of which 7,269 were positive and 673 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 423, this city builder game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free city builder games on Steam.
8.9
7,269
673
423
players
3. Stronghold Kingdoms
A massively multiplayer grand strategy game, Stronghold Kingdoms is about forging alliances, political mind games, city-building and castle sieges with thousands of other players! Stronghold Kingdoms is a strategy, free to play and medieval game developed and published by FireFly Studios. Released on February 27th 2012 has received 9,298 reviews of which 5,950 were positive and 3,348 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.3 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 384, this city builder game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free city builder games on Steam.
6.3
5,950
3,348
384
players
4. Zoo 2: Animal Park
Zoo 2: Animal Park – Take care of wild and tame zoo animals in this animal game! Zoo 2: Animal Park is a casual, building and city builder game developed by KING Art and published by upjers. Released on August 24th 2020 has received 1,433 reviews of which 1,127 were positive and 306 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 289 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free city builder games on Steam.
7.5
1,127
306
289
players
5. Bloons Monkey City
Create, upgrade, and customize your very own Bloons Monkey City in this groundbreaking blend of city building and tower defense awesomeness! Bloons Monkey City is a free to play, strategy and action game developed and published by Ninja Kiwi. Released on April 10th 2020 has received 6,147 reviews of which 5,613 were positive and 534 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 287 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free city builder games on Steam.
8.8
5,613
534
287
players
6. Global City
Become the mayor and build the city of your dreams! In this game, anything is possible. Whatever you can imagine in a city-building and development simulator, you can do. Start from the very beginning and unlock new possibilities for developing your city in Global City! Global City is a city builder, strategy and building game developed by Red Brix Wall and published by MY.GAMES. Released on November 30th 2021 has received 1,157 reviews of which 813 were positive and 344 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.8 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 179 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #6 position in the best free city builder games on Steam.
6.8
813
344
179
players
7. Sarah's Adventure: Time Travel
This game unearths the essence of adventure by combining elements of exploration and puzzle-solving. The game’s appeal lies in its interactive gameplay mechanics, where your choices dictate the progression of the story. Sarah's Adventure: Time Travel is a casual, simulation and free to play game developed and published by NUTS POWER ONLINE ENTERTAINMENT LIMITED. Released on June 25th 2024 has received 2,003 reviews of which 1,820 were positive and 183 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free city builder games on Steam.
8.7
1,820
183
80
players
8. My Free Zoo
A small zoo needs your help! As the new manager, it's your job to boost business. Design the zoo of your dreams. From wolves and polar bears all the way to prehistoric beasts – the further you progress in the game, the more exotic the animals you'll be able to keep in your zoo. Play now and save the zoo! My Free Zoo is a free to play, casual and simulation game developed and published by upjers. Released on November 28th 2017 has received 658 reviews of which 410 were positive and 248 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free city builder games on Steam.
6.1
410
248
76
players
9. California Escapades
In this simulation and adventure game, explore 19th-century Gold Rush California. Join Jim and Emma to build and manage your farm and city. Plant crops, raise animals, construct buildings, complete missions, uncover secrets, and collect treasures. Start your adventure now! California Escapades is a casual, simulation and strategy game developed and published by NUTS POWER ONLINE ENTERTAINMENT LIMITED. Released on September 03rd 2024 has received 476 reviews of which 429 were positive and 47 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free city builder games on Steam.
8.4
429
47
69
players
10. Planet S
Planet S is a real-time strategy game where your goal is to colonize multiple planets in a solar system to advance your civilization, build a city and supply it to grow your faction. Planet S is a strategy, city builder and multiplayer game developed and published by Glimmerlight Games. Released on October 28th 2023 has received 2,565 reviews of which 2,352 were positive and 213 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free city builder games on Steam.
8.8
2,352
213
17
players