City builderVideo Games

Strategy 16 April 2019

Another installment in the popular economic strategy game series published by Ubisoft and developed since 2011 by Blue Byte Software - Ubisoft's subsidiary studio known for working on The Settlers series. Like the previous installments in the Anno series, set across various centuries of human history, in Anno 1800, the player assumes the role of a steward tasked with establishing a prosperous metropolis. One begins with a minor settlement inhabited by a handful of subjects, who have to gather resources, erect new buildings, and create complex trade relations allowing for the fast development of the city infrastructure. During the game, the player also has to tend to the needs of the settlers and properly balance the budget, which at times of crisis can be patched up with trading the goods and increasing taxes. Diplomacy is also an important aspect of the game, as it allows the player to establish various relations, enter alliances, and wage wars with the neighboring states.

Strategy 10 March 2015

An economic strategy game belonging to the popular genre of city builders. This one was created by the Finnish studio Colossal Order, creators of the Cities In Motion series. The game is a response to the popular SimCity franchise from Maxis Studios. In contrast to the previous titles from the Finns, this one is not limited to public transportation, letting you build up a whole virtual metropolis from scratch. The game is set on maps providing 36 square kilometers of terrain each, where you can build your dream city and take care of its inhabitants by raising new buildings and creating transportation network. Economic aspect is the crucial element to the game – while playing, you have to keep an eye on the city budget, provided by your citizens' taxes, and establish trade contacts with neighboring cities. You also develop means of public transportation to help your citizens get around the city faster. The game features high quality 3D graphics and full mod support.

Strategy 24 April 2018

An adventure/strategy game with survival elements by Polish studio 11bit Studios. Frostpunk is set in a fictional icy-cold world, whose climate deeply affected the development of its society. To survive, people rely mostly on steam engines. However, it is not enough, and the society is falling apart, which means it needs to change. The gameplay focuses on the survival aspect, which, unlike in other such productions, means more than gathering and managing resources. Strategic elements are also of great importance, and you also need to make difficult and morally ambiguous decisions. The game features distinct visuals, in which the cold colors of nature are contrasted with the warmer hues, which symbolize the remains of civilization.

Strategy 2020

A science fiction economic strategy, which is a continuation of Surviving Mars from 2018. The action of the title takes place after the apocalyptic catastrophe destroying our civilization, and the task of the players is to build a colony of people who survived this global catastrophe.

Strategy 05 March 2013

The fifth installment in the popular economic strategy game series - SimCity. The game was developed by EA Maxis Studios (known for The Sims and Spore) with publishing support from the Electronic Arts company. In accordance to the tradition of the series, you becomes a mayor of a virtual city who has to turn it into a bustling metropolis. To this end, you have to deal with complex management issues, economic and social problems, as well as quickly react to various random events (e.g. natural disasters). The new SimCity stands out from the previous games in the series thanks to its advanced game engine - Glassbox, as well as extensive social panel CityLog (inspired of similar systems used in Need for Speed and Battlefield games).

Strategy 15 March 2018

A science fiction economic strategy game developed by Haemimont Games and published by Paradox Interactive. The title is a city builder in which the player must design the first human settlement on Mars. Being a manager of a space colony requires the player to take care of many matters - the survival and well being of the colony inhabitants depend on it. The colonists won’t survive for long without access to oxygen and water, and the advanced technology of the colony requires a steady supply of energy. What makes things even harder is the fact that the systems constructed by the player can be broken by environmental conditions: the water tanks can freeze and the solar panels can be deactivated by a sandstorm. Additionally, the agency that sponsored the whole mission has specific requirements – if the player had chosen a profit-driven corporation as a sponsor, then he must remember to create a mine for valuable resources and a system that will transport these resources to Earth. Each inhabitant of the colony is a unique character with specific traits and parameters impacted by his living conditions. A happy colonist can decide to have children while a constantly stressed worker will grow psychical traumas. The title is a sandbox which is partially unpredictable due to the mysteries – events and scenarios inspired by classic science fiction tropes.

Strategy 29 March 2019

One of the installments in the economy strategy game series started in 2001 - Tropico. The game has been developed by Limbic Entertainment - the creators of Might & Magic X: Legacy and Might & Magic: Heroes VII. In Tropico 6, the player assumes the role of El Presidente - the leader of a banana republic. The objective is to manage the country by developing the cities, providing the citizens with jobs, fixing the damage caused by various natural disasters, as well as issuing decrees that shape both domestic and foreign policies. One of the novelties delivered by Tropico 6 is the fact that the action of the game no longer takes place on a single island - instead, the country is spread between multiple islands, all of which have to be managed by the player at the same time. The islands can be connected by bridges and tunnels. The game also features agents, who can be dispatched to various corners of the world to - not entirely legally - obtain blueprints for certain structures, such as the Statue of Liberty or the Eiffel Tower. Moreover, the developers decided to allow the players to modify the main palace and appear before the society. During a speech, a player can e.g. make populistic promises.

Strategy 20 May 2009

The fourth major installment in the popular series of economy simulators that began in 1998. It was developed by Related Designs, a subsidiary of Ubisoft. As the title says, the action takes place in the Middle Ages during the Age of Discovery, and the players assume the role of colonists who managed to reach the eastern coast of Asia. The gameplay mechanics do not deviate from the well-known standards of the series. Starting out with a modest colony established on a remote island, we have to develop it and transform subsequent cities into metropolises brimming with life. Anno 1404 offers a sophisticated economy model that involves creating complex production chains as well as effective trade and diplomacy. Among this myriad of lesser novelties, especially noteworthy one is the sandbox mode that allows us to play freely without any plot limitations.

Strategy 01 March 2019

Dawn of Man is a combination of survival and city builder. The player's task is to lead a settlement settled in prehistory, from the Stone Age to the Iron Age. Madruga Works studio is responsible for the production of the game.

Strategy 30 October 1999

A cult economic strategy game created by Impressions Games and published by Sierra Entertainment. Pharaoh takes place in the Nile valley, several hundred years B.C., and spans from the era of the great pyramids to the New Kingdom period. As the pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, you have to transform local villages into great cities, take care of your people's needs, and make your country the greatest of them all. A big factor in the development of your country is agriculture, which is dependent on the flooding of the Nile. You develop your cities, build famous structures (such as the pyramids, the Sphinx, or the Luxor Temple), and also oversee the trade, religion and culture. Apart from governing the cities, the game also features a tactical combat system, both on land and at sea. Pharaoh features several single-player campaigns, each consisting of several dozen of missions. The 2D visuals of the game are very detailed and utilize an isometric view.

Strategy 17 October 2000

Another economic strategy game by Impressions Games, known from e.g. Lords of the Realm and the Caesar series. The production is set in ancient Greece, where you play as a leader of a city, which means, you have not only to develop your domain, but also to care for its citizens and appease the gods overseeing the region. You can also expand you city by founding colonies and fighting other factions — you can send ordinary troops to battle or use heroes, who can defeat mythological creatures, loot mysterious ruins, and lead armies in the most important battles. Zeus: Master of Olympus features high-quality visuals, with detailed building models and ubiquitous citizens, going on about their daily lives.

Strategy 2021

Workers & Resources Soviet Republic is a classic representative of the city builders genre. The aim of the game is to build and develop a fictional Soviet republic and lead it to a bright future. 3Division studio is responsible for production.

Strategy 17 November 2011

Another installment in the popular series of economy strategy games developed cooperatively by Related Designs, the creators of the franchise, and the legendary Blue Byte studio under the watchful eye of Ubisoft. The fifth entry in the series, contrary to the previous ones, takes the players to the future, to the eponymous year of 2070, when climatic changes drastically raised water levels around the world, forcing humankind to move to higher ground. The gameplay mechanics use a number of characteristic solutions of the series but not without several novelties. A grand ship, called the Ark, is our base of operations that can be upgraded with each completed mission. There are three different factions to choose from, each possessing a different development tree. The first one offers advanced industry and aggressive expansion possibilities, the second focuses primarily on environmental protection, while the third one emphasizes modern technologies. The available game modes include a classical single player campaign, continuous mode as well as co-op and competitive multiplayer modes.

Strategy 18 February 2014

Banished is a real-time economical strategy game, the first one developed by Luke Hodorowicz, the founder of the independent studio Shining Rock Software LLC. The player controls a small group of people exiled from their home country, who are trying to settle down in a new place and create the foundations of a powerful kingdom. The task calls, first and foremost, for ensuring the survival of a small society, and then managing its development. The gameplay focuses heavily on reasonable use of resources and methodical care for the player's subjects, constantly threatened by such dangers as hunger, diseases or unfavorable weather conditions (drought, harsh winters, etc.). Along the course of the game, the village grows in size and the gameplay difficulty increases.

Strategy April 2020

An economic strategy game resembling the Anno series. The production is set in the Middle Ages and your task is to build a powerful, prosperous city.

Strategy 2020

A real-time strategy game enriched with elements of RPGs, city builders, and survival games. Ancient Cities was developed by the independent developer Uncasual Games. The player assumes the role of a tribal leader living in the Neolithic era. The tasks of the player are to provide shelter and protection against predators for the members of the tribe, as well as to obtain sufficient amounts of food. Gathering resources (the whole in-game economy is based on them) resembles a survival game, as flora and fauna are simulated within a dynamic ecosystem. Consequently, wild plants and animals are soon not enough to sustain a constantly growing tribe. In harsh periods, the player has to distribute supplies wisely - for instance, foods naturally degrade over time. Things can also get complicated as a result of sudden climatic changes and natural disasters - one oftentimes has to decide whether to stay in one's settlement and try to survive a difficult period, or to abandon the base in search for a safer zone. Alongside progression, the player unlocks new upgrades in the extensive technology tree, which allows for improvements to one's methods of crafting and cultivation, making the tribe's existence easier in the long run. Members of the tribe are described by individual sets of statistics, talents and skills. These mechanics are complemented by having more or less friendly relations with other tribes.

Strategy 03 November 2015

The sixth major installment in a popular economic strategy game series, which started in the Medieval Times (1404-1701) and went all the way to the future (Anno 2070). This new title was developed by the creators of The Settlers franchise, Blue Byte Software, who took part in the development of the previous Anno game. This one lets you play as a governor of a huge futuristic metropolis, and you have to make it thrive till you can launch an expedition to the Moon. Initially, the game is set on Earth, but eventually you move to the surface of our planet’s satellite, where you set up a colony to harvest and process resources. Despite its futuristic setting, gameplay mechanics remained faithful to the traditions of the franchise. Throughout the gameplay you get to construct various residential and industrial buildings, which develop automatically or can be upgraded manually, if you prefer.

Strategy 23 May 2014

The fifth installment in the popular series of economic strategy games developed by studio Haemimont Games, which is responsible for the franchise since the third entry in the series. The game makes the player a leader of a small tropical island, responsible for governing it all the way from the colonial age through modern times and to the near future. Your tasks will be, as usual, to develop the city and take care of its industry and economy. You must also react in real time to the changing situation caused by natural disasters, different needs of the society, and global politics. The new installment adds the possibility to create your own dynasty and entrust the most important positions in the government to your own family members. For the first time in the history of the series the game features a multiplayer mode for up to four players.

Strategy 26 May 2017

A city builder strategy game created by Mindillusion. The player is placed in charge of an early-medieval settlement. One's prime goal here is to maintain an appropriate balance between expanding the village and being able to survive in a hostile environment. Thus, apart from utilizing more and more space, constructing new buildings and upgrading the existing ones, the player has to give proper winter clothing to their subordinates and deliver them with balanced meals. The last can be achieved through growing different kinds of plants, breeding animals and storing food; making light of these aspects can result in dangerous epidemics. Apart from that, the player's village can fall victim to attacks of predators and various natural disasters, such as tornadoes or storms, which can cause a fire. All such events affect the spirit of the villagers, which is reflected by a special meter - unhappy workers become less productive. Life is Feudal: Forest Village offers a three-dimensional environment. Interestingly, the player can switch between an isometric view and first-person perspectives (as one of his subjects).

Strategy 09 January 2003

A new entry in the popular series of city builders developed by Maxis. In comparison with the previous installments, SimCity 4 offers a wide range of new additions and updates. The governed city is no longer a single entity – we are free to connect different cities into a single metropolis linked by industry, public services, or economic means. Moreover, we are now able to view the citizens of each neighborhood and investigate their views and worries regarding the functioning of the city. Creative players received access to new terraforming tools, enabling us to level hills, choose a terrain type, or introduce water basins. The world itself now features a day and night cycle, as well as fully functional public services such as fire departments. Interestingly enough, the developers have introduced the ability to import characters from The Sims and settle them in the city. SimCity 4 is characterized by much more detailed three-dimensional visuals and a new user-friendly interface.

Strategy 26 October 2006

Anno 1701 is a position that will be of particular interest to lovers of the laborious development and expansion of overseas properties and growing into power through skillful, economical manoeuvres.

Strategy 26 November 1998

You are leaving the populated continent to discover new lands and become a pioneer of colonization. When you settle in the archipelagos of the islands, you have to expand your colonies and defend yourself against a new threat.

Strategy 2021

Flotsam is an unconventional city builder. The player's task is to expand the city in the postapocalyptic world, in which the planet has been completely infested. Pajama Llama Games studio is responsible for the production.

Strategy 20 July 2017

An economic strategy game developed by Lion Shield, a team set up by former members of Maxis – the studio behind the SimCity series. In contrast to the aforementioned franchise, Kingdom and Castles is set in a fantasy world. You take the role of the manager of a small village which you are to develop and transform into a thriving city with a castle able to withstand enemy attacks. During gameplay, you need to gather resources necessary for putting up buildings. Also, you need to skilfully manage farms so as to feed all your peasants. However, if you forget that seasons in this title change, you might face famine. You have to strike a balance between the satisfaction of the inhabitants and the tax rates you impose on them. The objective is to defend your city from Viking raids and dragons attacks. To survive, you need to build castles with defensive walls and watchtowers.

Strategy 25 February 2010

An official expansion for the 2009's economic strategy Anno 1404, which is the fourth installment in the series launched more than a decade earlier by the Max Design studio. The add-on features the titular Venetian culture and with it the new merchant ships, the possibility to sabotage opponent's progress, and the institution of city council, which can be manipulated and bribed in order to take control of a foreign metropolis without bloodshed. Moreover, Anno 1404: Venice offers in total three hundred entirely new missions like economic race or loading of ships, sixty additional items, as well as the opportunity to discover and explore previously inaccessible kind of territory – a volcanic island. The biggest novelty is a multiplayer mode for up to 4 people, that was absent in the base game. Players can now compete against each other or form alliances against an opponent controlled by the computer.

Strategy 26 September 2006

Caesar IV is the next, fourth installment of the popular cycle of economic strategies, focusing on the expansion and management of the virtual city in the ancient Roman Empire.