Building a real city is not done in a flash. Luckily, game developer companies have given us the chance to make our dreams come true with city building games for PC, mobile games and console games.
One thing: if this intro seems a bit silly to you, feel free to skip it and go directly below where you’ll find the best city building games of 2022, as well as the best city building games ever.
At first, some people are not captivated by city building games, and may prefer other genres, such as shooting games.
While city building games don’t get you adrenaline pumping like adventure games or nostalgic like retro games, they do have a legion of fans who have a blast, whether in single player or multiplayer games.
We humans love to be in control, and city building games give it to us at an exceptional level. Every last detail of the city design is up to you. You can plan your entire city, from the asphalt and the green areas to how the characters interact with each other.
First and foremost, as humans, we inherently love being in control – and city building games allow us to achieve unprecedented levels of control. The design, down to every last detail, is in your hands.
Also, oddly enough, sitting back and bringing your city to life, with the freedom to develop it however you want, is quite relaxing. After a long day at work, it’s not bad to have an entertaining time playing a city building game.
On the other hand, some people prefer more realistic games because they easily get hooked on them, rather than apocalyptic survival games, PC games or space games.
Is it the first time you are going to play city building games? If so, don’t miss these two video game lists as they include the best of the best.
The 5 best city building games of 2022
1.Two Point Campus
Developed by Two Point Studios, Two Point Campus is the long-awaited successor to Two Point Hospital, a game that was very successful in 2018.
In Two Point Campus, the player must create and manage his own university campus. You have to think of everything; for example, the design of conference rooms and libraries, or the organization of extracurricular events.
The setting of the game, like that of its predecessor, is Two Point County. The graphics are very similar to those of the Sims and it will be available on both computers and consoles.
It will be released at the beginning of August and will probably be considered one of the games with the best graphics.
2. Pharaoh: A New Era
It’s been a long time since the original game was released in 1999, but the Pharaoh and his entourage have returned to the world of city building games with Pharaoh: A New Era, the long-awaited successor.
Although Dotemu (the publisher) has not revealed the exact release date yet, we do know that the game places the player in Ancient Egypt and that in the campaign mode it will explore six important periods of Egyptian history through 53 missions, including some of the year 2000 expansion, Cleopatra: Queen of the Nile.
3. Farthest Frontier
Crate Entertainment’s Farthest Frontier will take you to the edge of the world.
The game isn’t out yet, but it’s possible to sign up for early access when it’s available on Steam.
The objective of the game is to develop a small settlement and make it become a big city.
You must take advantage of all the raw materials you have at your disposal to protect citizens and equip them with the skills and tools they need to face external threats.
It will undoubtedly be one of the most anticipated city building games of the year.
4.Prehistoric Kingdom
Have you ever wondered if Zoo Tycoon and Jurassic Park could merge together?
It’s just what the developer Blue Meridian did before creating Prehistoric Kingdom, a game with which you’ll enjoy the era of dinosaurs and create a park where visitors can see your favorite diplodocus.
It’s coming out later this month, so the wait won’t be long.
5. Frostpunk 2
The original Frostpunk was nominated for a BAFTA, an award it deserved for many reasons. It perfectly combined city building games with survival games.
In the original, the player assumes the role of ruler of the last city standing on the face of the earth. Would you be able to keep the peace between the people and manage the infrastructures?
Frostpunk 2 transports you to a post-apocalyptic ice age, and in that setting, you rule a city that relies heavily on oil to face the threats that loom on the horizon.
The 5 best city building games of all time
1.SimCity 3000
SimCity 3000, the third edition of the game created by Maxis and Electronic Arts, sold one million units in its first six months and was a commercial success.
As of January 2002, it had already sold 4.6 million units worldwide.
Then expansions and mobile versions came out, and SimCity 3000 became the gold standard for city-building games.
2.Banished
Banished, developed by Shining Rock Software, is considered one of the best city building games as well as one of the best strategy games.
In this game, you are the leader of a group of travelers, the clan leader, who must find a place to live in unexplored territories.
Your goal is to transform this small group into a large society, meticulously managing resources and raw materials.
3.Pharaoh
Impressions Games built on the success of the award-winning Caesar 3 to release Pharaoh in 1999. Pharaoh, which has similar gameplay to Caesar 3, is set in Ancient Egypt.
The player must manage everything related to the construction of buildings and protect the citizens by making sure that there are provisions, drinking water, etc.
This game, which according to Next Generation is about building pyramids and managing floodplains, has become one of the best city building games.
4. Cities: Skylines
Cities: Skylines, released in March 2015, is one of the most important city building games ever.
Sort of a modern version of SimCity 3000, this open-ended simulation game requires players to solve real-life problems and develop and maintain a city. Also, this city building game has many extensions (for example airports) that will offer you hours of fun.
5.Caesar 3
Caesar 3, the third and final installment of this game, is much better than its predecessors. Proof of this is that in 1998 (the year of its release) GOG considered it the best city-building game.
The player’s goal is to develop Rome and rule the people of the Eternal City, who are controlled by the AI ​​and will not make it easy for you, as they have their own needs and goals. Caesar 3 was one of the first city building games that divided missions between peaceful and military.
