We chose Anno 1800 not only because it’s the most recent but also because the setting captures the spirit of the gameplay. You’ll need to fight from time to time, but only to defend your industry. Instead of engaging in war or appeasing your citizens, Anno 1800 mainly tasks you with building and maintaining supply chains and then exploiting those supply chains to generate as much revenue as possible through trade. Like other Anno games, this one is focused on production and industry. From there, you’ll make your mark on the world with a network of trade routes, diplomatic agreements, and expeditions around the globe. Starting with a trade port and a small plot of land, you’ll attract farmers and workers to build your city from a farming village into a modern manufacturing powerhouse. Cities: Skylines is the city-building game on PC, and it’s a must-own if you’re a fan of the genre.Īnno 1800 puts you at the beginning of the Industrial Age. Plus, there’s mod support, so you can add community assets and grab inspiration from custom-built maps. Green Cities, for example, gives you 350 assets to build a more eco-friendly city, while After Dark gives you new tourist attractions and an international airport so you can draw more people in. Cities: Skylines really comes alive through its DLC, though. The base game gives you plenty of challenges to overcome, including managing emergencies, keeping your residents happy, and dealing with the flow of traffic throughout your city. Starting with a small square off the highway, you’ll build your infrastructure to accommodate new residents, businesses, emergency services, schools, and more.

It takes all of the best parts of SimCity, ignores the bad parts, and expands on the mechanics to create a city-builder that’s enjoyable for hundreds of hours.

Further readingĬities: Skylines is the best city-building game you can play right now.

We have a mix of hardcore survival experiences like Frostpunk and minimalist builders like Islanders, so there’s something for everyone. Every game on our list represents hundreds of hours of simulation gameplay, regardless of if you want to build a modern metropolis, conquer strange Viking lands, or terraform the Red Planet.Īlthough city-building games usually carry a steep learning curve and tons of content, beginners can dive into any option on our list and have a good time. Fitbit Versa 3īlink while playing one of the best city-building games, and you’ll lose countless hours expanding your city, refining your infrastructure, and focusing your trade.

Games like build a lot