Best Resource Management 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 resource management games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free resource management games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
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?
DORAEMON STORY OF SEASONS: Friends of the Great Kingdom
Noby and his friends are back in an all-new Doraemon: Story of Seasons title! Grow crops, raise animals, and use Doraemon's Secret Gadgets to help friends in a fun-filled and heartwarming story that people of all ages can enjoy.
Out of Ore
A casual heavy equipment experience. Mine ore, Move dirt, Build and repair.
Mosaique Neko Waifus 5
Unique hentai puzzle about flirting with cute anime Neko girls. "Neko Waifus" is a series loved by millions around the world
USAC: Code Breach
USAC: Code Breach™ is a unique coop experience set in a cyberpunk universe. As a special police unit, you and your partner are called in to investigate the unexpected shutdown of a high-tech research facility. Between reflection and action, you must survive a situation that is beyond you.
Victoria 3
Paradox Development Studio invites you to build your ideal society in the tumult of the exciting and transformative 19th century. Balance the competing interests in your society and earn your place in the sun in Victoria 3, one of the most anticipated games in Paradox’s history.
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.
Monster Prom 3: Monster Roadtrip
Embark on a road trip like no other in this co-op narrative survival adventure. Visit fun locations, meet wacky characters, and manage your resources wisely. And yes: you still can date some hot monsters ;)
Potionomics
You’ve inherited your uncle’s potion shop—and a huge debt. Better get brewing! Customize your store, hire heroes to gather ingredients, befriend (or romance) fellow vendors to learn new haggling strategies, and go head-to-head with competitors in this narrative-driven, deck-building shop simulator.
Stay Out of the House
Can you escape the home of a cannibal serial killer? It's only a matter of time until you're dinner!
Ozymandias: Bronze Age Empire Sim
Build an empire in a single sitting. All the strategy of a classic 4X in a faster format, which also shines in multiplayer.
WW2: Bunker Simulator
During WWII you are an American soldier who captured the german bunker in Normandy. You must defend it at all costs and survive this World War II. Complete missions, cook & shoot, search the bodies for medicines, ammo, and food to survive. WW2: Bunker Simulator is a mix of fps and simulator.
Bakso Simulator
Create the most successful bakso business in this world!
Oxygen: First Breath
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!
Dome Keeper
Defend against waves of alien attackers in this innovative roguelike survival miner. Dig for resources and choose from powerful upgrade paths. Is there enough time to mine a little deeper and get back to defend before the monsters attack your dome?
Card Survival: Tropical Island
Card Survival is a card-based survival experience. Stranded on a desert island you must use your wits and skills to stay alive. Use cards and combine them together to explore, gather resources and craft useful tools.
Idle Skilling
Idle Skilling is the ultimate Idle Game with years of content! Meant to be played for 5-10 minutes a day, you gradually unlock new skills like mining, fishing, pet breeding, crusading, potion-making, lab-research, construction, and more! With new updates coming, you'll never run out of stuff to do!
The Wandering Village
The Wandering Village is a city-building strategy game on the back of a giant, wandering creature. Build your settlement and form a symbiotic relationship with the colossus. Will you survive together in this hostile, yet beautiful post-apocalyptic world, contaminated by poisonous plants?
Mist Legacy
Mist Legacy gives you a new way to experience the thrills and adventures of an MMORPG. Handcrafted by a small team of passionate developers, the game features an easy to play top-down world, turn-based combat and a skill-based progression system. Try our game for free. We hope you like it!
Gloomwood
Trapped in a dark, Victorian city consumed by an ancient curse, you must plan your survival and daring escape using nothing but stealth, an arsenal of eccentric weapons, and your wit in this haunting adventure inspired by the immersive sims and survival horror greats of the late 90s and early 2000s.Most played resource management games on Steam
Take a look at the top resource management games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 16th 2025.
1. Factorio
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. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played resource management game, thanks to its 14,006 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.6
206,226
6,396
14,006
players
2. Oxygen Not Included
Oxygen Not Included is a space-colony simulation game. Deep inside an alien space rock your industrious crew will need to master science, overcome strange new lifeforms, and harness incredible space tech to survive, and possibly, thrive. Oxygen Not Included is a colony sim, base-building and survival game developed and published by Klei Entertainment. Released on July 30th 2019 has received 127,145 reviews of which 123,019 were positive and 4,126 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. While seeing 4,534 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among resource management games based on player count.
9.5
123,019
4,126
4,534
players
3. Farmer Against Potatoes Idle
Pick up your sword and fight off waves of Potatoes by upgrading your stats constantly, use Equipment, choose between different Classes, put your many Talents to good use, and so much more designed to keep you entertained for a long time. Farmer Against Potatoes Idle is a idler, casual and clicker game developed and published by Oni Gaming. Released on September 05th 2024 has received 6,992 reviews of which 6,672 were positive and 320 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. While seeing 2,243 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among resource management games based on player count.
9.2
6,672
320
2,243
players
4. Galaxy Idle Clicker
Embark on an interstellar journey with Galaxy Idle Clicker! Conquer galaxies, upgrade your spaceship, and face off against a myriad of enemy ships. With engaging minigames, powerful upgrades, GIC delivers an unparalleled idle space adventure. Join the cosmic conquest today and dominate the universe! Galaxy Idle Clicker is a idler, casual and clicker game developed and published by Soehnle. Released on July 18th 2024 has received 621 reviews of which 473 were positive and 148 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. With 1,290 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played resource management games.
7.2
473
148
1,290
players
5. 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 966 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played resource management games.
9.1
112,488
9,121
966
players
6. Captain of Industry
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 #6 spot among the most played resource management games.
9.1
6,090
365
850
players
7. Mindustry
An open-ended factory management game with RTS and tower defense elements. Mindustry is a base-building, resource management and tower defense game developed and published by AnukenDev. Released on September 26th 2019 has received 21,477 reviews of which 20,586 were positive and 891 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 485 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played resource management games.
9.4
20,586
891
485
players
8. IXION
IXION is an unrelenting, city-building odyssey across the stars. As Administrator of the Tiqqun, DOLOS’ prototype space station, you are tasked with balancing preservation and exploration as you manage infrastructure, resources and crew. Can you keep the flame of humanity alight in the cold dark? IXION is a space, city builder and strategy game developed by Bulwark Studios and published by Kasedo Games. Released on December 07th 2022 has received 15,462 reviews of which 12,098 were positive and 3,364 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. With 277 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played resource management games.
7.7
12,098
3,364
277
players
9. Frostpunk 2
Develop, expand, and advance your city in a society survival game set 30 years after an apocalyptic blizzard ravaged Earth. In Frostpunk 2, you face not only the perils of never-ending winter, but also the powerful factions that watch your every step inside the Council Hall. Frostpunk 2 is a strategy, city builder and survival game developed and published by 11 bit studios. Released on September 20th 2024 has received 20,568 reviews of which 15,770 were positive and 4,798 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. With 273 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played resource management games.
7.5
15,770
4,798
273
players
10. shapez
shapez is an easy-going, minimalistic factory building game about the automation of shapes through extraction and satisfying production lines. Adapt to increasingly complex shapes and grow your factory across an infinitely expanding map. Your only limitation is your creativity! shapez is a automation, base-building and resource management game developed by Tobias Springer and published by tobspr Games and Doyoyo Games. Released on June 07th 2020 has received 13,510 reviews of which 13,000 were positive and 510 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 252 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played resource management games.
9.4
13,000
510
252
players
Best deals on resource management games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of resource management games 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 resource management games.
1. The Pale Beyond
You didn’t ask to lead this expedition, but here you are. Stuck in the ice, Captain missing, miles from civilisation. Someone has to take charge. Manage your meagre resources, balance safety and morale, make the hard calls, and head in the only direction you can - through The Pale Beyond. The Pale Beyond is a resource management, survival and choices matter game developed by Bellular Studios and published by Fellow Traveller. Released on February 24th 2023 has received 1,808 reviews of which 1,609 were positive and 199 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Featuring a massive 95% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for resource management category.
8.5
1,609
199
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
2. Hexarchy
Hexarchy is an innovative, fast-paced, historical 4x strategy game where you use cards and deckbuilding to make your decisions. Single-player and online multiplayer. Hexarchy is a turn-based, card game and resource management game developed by Main Tank Software and published by Yogscast Games and Gamersky Games. Released on October 19th 2023 has received 1,120 reviews of which 915 were positive and 205 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 resource management games.
7.8
915
205
-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 resource management games.
7.7
1,297
314
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
4. Honey, I Joined a Cult
It's time to start working towards that ultimate goal of enlightenment, faith and money…lots and lots of money! Become the ultimate tycoon - create, customise, and manage your own cult whilst listening to funky music. Welcome to Honey, I Joined a Cult! Honey, I Joined a Cult is a simulation, base-building and resource management game developed by Sole Survivor Games and published by Team17. Released on November 03rd 2022 has received 1,713 reviews of which 1,268 were positive and 445 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 95% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for resource management games.
7.2
1,268
445
-95%
23.40€
1.17€
5. Help Will Come Tomorrow
In an uninhabitable Siberian wilderness, in a wake of October Revolution, a group of passengers survives the mysterious catastrophe of Trans-Siberian railway train. They must endure in a harsh ice-clad climate until rescue arrives. Facing many dangers, their own weaknesses and, their own prejudice. Help Will Come Tomorrow is a survival, adventure and resource management game developed by Arclight Creations and published by Klabater. Released on April 21st 2020 has received 884 reviews of which 708 were positive and 176 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 94% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for resource management games.
7.6
708
176
-94%
19.67€
1.18€
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 resource management games.
6.5
3,892
1,981
-93%
24.57€
1.72€
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. Currently offered at a significant 91% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for resource management games.
9.1
112,488
9,121
-91%
30.00€
2.70€
8. 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 #8 position in the best deals for resource management games.
7.6
1,283
344
-91%
25.11€
2.26€
9. Cartel Tycoon
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 #9 position in the best deals for resource management games.
7.4
2,680
827
-91%
27.78€
2.50€
10. Train Valley
Build railways, manage traffic and stay accident-free. Play in Europe, America, Japan and USSR in 1830-2020. Complete the story mode from the Gold Rush of 1849 to the first manned spaceflight, and then explore the random mode. Management. Construction. Trains. Welcome to Train Valley! Train Valley is a replay value, resource management and indie game developed by Alexey Davydov, Sergey Dvoynikov, Timofey Shargorodskiy and Flazm and published by Flazm and META Publishing. Released on September 16th 2015 has received 3,289 reviews of which 2,952 were positive and 337 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for resource management games.
8.6
2,952
337
-90%
10.00€
1.00€
Free resource management games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play resource management games 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 resource management games.
1. Farmer Against Potatoes Idle
Pick up your sword and fight off waves of Potatoes by upgrading your stats constantly, use Equipment, choose between different Classes, put your many Talents to good use, and so much more designed to keep you entertained for a long time. Farmer Against Potatoes Idle is a idler, casual and clicker game developed and published by Oni Gaming. Released on September 05th 2024 has received 6,992 reviews of which 6,672 were positive and 320 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 2,243 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free resource management games on Steam.
9.2
6,672
320
2,243
players
2. Galaxy Idle Clicker
Embark on an interstellar journey with Galaxy Idle Clicker! Conquer galaxies, upgrade your spaceship, and face off against a myriad of enemy ships. With engaging minigames, powerful upgrades, GIC delivers an unparalleled idle space adventure. Join the cosmic conquest today and dominate the universe! Galaxy Idle Clicker is a idler, casual and clicker game developed and published by Soehnle. Released on July 18th 2024 has received 621 reviews of which 473 were positive and 148 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 1,290, this resource management game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free resource management games on Steam.
7.2
473
148
1,290
players
3. 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 1,163 reviews of which 818 were positive and 345 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.8 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 169, this resource management game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free resource management games on Steam.
6.8
818
345
169
players
4. Magic Archery
Train a commoner to become the greatest archer in this short incremental game! Increase your stats, gather wealth from quests, buy upgrades, and infuse your arrows with magic. Magic Archery is a clicker, idler and fantasy game developed and published by Barribob. Released on October 04th 2024 has received 5,346 reviews of which 5,285 were positive and 61 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
9.5
5,285
61
56
players
5. Industry Idle
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 #5 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
7.5
1,053
298
44
players
6. Prosperous Universe
In Prosperous Universe start your galactic empire by trading on the real-time market exchange with other real players. Build your 1st base from humble beginnings & watch as your business flourishes with complex supply chain strategies. Economics, politics & realism fuel this immersive business MMO. Prosperous Universe is a early access, economy and resource management game developed and published by simulogics. Released on April 20th 2022 has received 883 reviews of which 665 were positive and 218 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
7.2
665
218
25
players
7. Cookard
Cookard is a cooking game where you run a restaurant by stacking cards to prepare and serve dishes to customers. Cookard is a free to play, card game and cooking game developed and published by Panitia GameDev and Cliffbite Game. Released on May 10th 2024 has received 1,875 reviews of which 1,813 were positive and 62 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
9.2
1,813
62
7
players
8. Pacifish
Pacifish is an incremental fishing management game with several mechanics to interact with and improve. It can be played both idly, or more actively to progress faster. Pacifish is a casual, idler and resource management game developed and published by Conifer Studios. Released on June 07th 2022 has received 666 reviews of which 555 were positive and 111 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
7.9
555
111
6
players
9. Outpath: First Journey
Outpath: First Journey is a prologue chapter of the main game, Outpath. An experimental clicker base building game. Craft, gather & manage resources, build your base and buy more islands to exploit and expand! Outpath: First Journey is a base building, resource management and crafting game developed by David Moralejo Sánchez and published by GrabTheGames and UpgradePoint. Released on December 17th 2022 has received 4,727 reviews of which 4,595 were positive and 132 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
9.4
4,595
132
4
players
10. 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. Terraformers: First Steps on Mars is a strategy, simulation and colony sim game developed by Asteroid Lab and published by Goblinz Publishing and IndieArk. Released on October 23rd 2021 has received 680 reviews of which 608 were positive and 72 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
8.4
608
72
3
players