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
The Last Clockwinder
A VR puzzle-automation game. Create intricate clockwork contraptions out of your own clones and restore life to an ancient tree using automation, a collection of rare plants from across the galaxy and a team of clockwork gardeners.
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.
Trainz Railroad Simulator 2022
Drive, Explore, Operate and Create the railroad of your dreams - and now you can collaborate in real time with Multiplayer Surveyor! TRS22 showcases a range of high quality routes, sessions and trains to drive, plus all the scenery you need to make your own masterpiece.
BBQ Simulator: The Squad
Dive into a hilarious sandbox BBQ experience with friends! Grill, serve, and manage mayhem as meats soar and sizzle. Craft your grill, cook steaks, and feed everyone before hunger strikes!
Warlord: Britannia
Lead a Roman expeditionary force into the heart of Ancient Britain! Recruit, promote, and upgrade your legionaries while constructing a series of fortified marching camps. Use Roman tactics and strategies to conquer the entire island and become Warlord!
The Sushi Spinnery
Revolutionize the revolving sushi bar in this fresh new sim!
Outward Definitive Edition
No remarkable journey is achieved without great effort. In Outward, the cold of the night or an infected wound can be as dangerous as a predator lurking in the dark. Explore the vast world of Aurai solo or in Co-op. The Definitive Edition features both DLCs and quality of life improvements.
Tin Can
You've barely managed to escape your exploding spaceship. Now in an old escape pod, you hurtle through space at the mercy of the cosmos. With no knowledge of the pod’s complex systems, your life depends on a technical manual and your own wits. How long can you survive?
Dinosaur Fossil Hunter
Become a real paleontologist, explore various environments and search for dinosaur fossils. Dig for and study the remnants of these majestic creatures to learn about their evolution. Build your own museum and experience an immersive background story.
Bakery Simulator
Get up before dawn and see what it's like to be a baker! Learn to bake several dozen types of bread. Use realistic bakery machines. Deliver orders to stores, earn, and invest. Use original recipes or experiment with ingredients.
Trimps
A text-based incremental idle game with a ridiculous amount of unique content. Automate old stuff as you unlock new stuff to keep things interesting for hours and hours, no spam clicking necessary! Trimps is everything you love about your favorite games, distilled to their purest form.
Idle Spiral
This is a beautiful "Idle", "Incremental" game based on spirals and mathematics. Your goal is to make the spiral grow farther and farther from the origin. The game is very simple, but it is very deep and can be enjoyed for a long time!
Ravenous Devils
A horror cooking simulator where the secret ingredient is crime. Improve your shops, buy new tools, expand your menu, and above all, make your customers happy.
Dorfromantik
Dorfromantik is a peaceful building strategy and puzzle game where you create a beautiful and ever-growing village landscape by placing tiles. Explore a variety of colorful biomes, discover and unlock new tiles and complete quests to fill your world with life!
Save Room - Organization Puzzle
When you enter a save room you know you are safe, no danger can come to you, you can relax. Take advantage of this short period of time to organize your inventory, heal your wounds and reload your weapons. Can you make all the items fit in your inventory?
Trigon: Space Story
Trigon: Space Story sees you take command of your very own spaceship. Carry out tactical battles, defend your vessel against space pirates, and escape from enemy territory. On your voyages, you’ll face a slew of tricky decisions in your quest to uncover the mystery of the galaxy.
Prehistoric Kingdom
Take control of limitless power in Prehistoric Kingdom to build, manage and grow the ultimate zoo for extinct animals.
Godlike Burger
In Godlike Burger you run the craziest restaurant of the galaxy! Stun, poison and kill customers in many devious ways… and turn them into burger meat! And don’t worry: Alien customers will keep coming if you are smart about it, because cannibalism is just too damn tasty.
Warpips
Warpips is the ultimate quick to learn but amazingly deep tug-of-war strategy game. Deploy the right composition of soldiers, tanks, helicopters and planes in this tight, streamlined strategy-focused war game. Compose the best army, research the right tech; overwhelm your enemy!
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.
Dummynation
Geopolitical management game with real-time shifting borders and a streamlined gameplay, designed to minimize all burdensome chores while allowing an absolute strategic control, from military recruitment and deployment, to diplomatic and economic management.
The Heroic Legend of Eagarlnia
Lay out your grand strategy on the land of Eagarlnia where humans, elves, orcs, dwarves, and the undead each battle out a corner of land. Manage your territories by navigating complex decisions and grow your economy.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 15th 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 23,861 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.6
206,226
6,396
23,861
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 13,414 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
13,414
players
3. 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. While seeing 3,642 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among resource management games based on player count.
9.1
112,488
9,121
3,642
players
4. 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 2,236 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played resource management games.
9.2
6,672
320
2,236
players
5. 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 1,847 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played resource management games.
9.1
6,090
365
1,847
players
6. 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 1,309 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played resource management games.
7.2
473
148
1,309
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 1,128 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
1,128
players
8. 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 661 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played resource management games.
7.5
15,770
4,798
661
players
9. 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 15,388 reviews of which 12,032 were positive and 3,356 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. With 638 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played resource management games.
7.7
12,032
3,356
638
players
10. Turmoil
Drill for oil like it's 1899! Turmoil offers players a visually charming, tongue-in-cheek take on the simulation genre inspired by the 19th century oil rush in North America. Turmoil is a management, mining and strategy game developed and published by Gamious. Released on June 02nd 2016 has received 14,726 reviews of which 13,697 were positive and 1,029 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 462 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played resource management games.
9.1
13,697
1,029
462
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 15th 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 15th 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 2,236 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
2,236
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 1,309, this resource management game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free resource management games on Steam.
7.2
473
148
1,309
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 1,157 reviews of which 813 were positive and 344 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 179, this resource management game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free resource management games on Steam.
6.8
813
344
179
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
76
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
48
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 878 reviews of which 661 were positive and 217 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
661
217
33
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 1,855 reviews of which 1,793 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
1,793
62
16
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
9
players
9. Beecarbonize
Do you have what it takes to save the planet? Beecarbonize is an environmental card strategy game with climate change as your opponent. Beecarbonize is a strategy, card game and resource management game developed and published by Charles Games. Released on August 01st 2023 has received 1,953 reviews of which 1,824 were positive and 129 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
8.9
1,824
129
3
players
10. SCP: Observer
SCP: Observer is a frightening experience in which you'll play the role of a maintenance engineer trapped inside a security room. Survive by managing the emergency power supply, monitoring the facility's camera system for threats and blocking the paths of oncoming horrors. SCP: Observer is a resource management, horror and survival horror game developed by and published by GetMyIsland. Released on April 25th 2023 has received 564 reviews of which 522 were positive and 42 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
8.6
522
42
2
players