Top-Rated City Builders: A Must-See List for Newcomers

City-builder games have become increasingly popular due to the ability they offer players to shape and influence the virtual world within the game. Whether playing as a character or themselves, the actions taken by the player have consequences that can either improve or worsen the game world.

One of the main attractions of city-builder games is the opportunity to create and manage a society from scratch, giving players the freedom to make decisions regarding every aspect of their virtual city, including the construction of buildings and the well-being of its citizens. While some may find city-builders initially daunting, there are numerous titles available that are specifically tailored for beginners.

6 Anno 1800

Anno 1800, the latest game in the historical city-building series, returns to its roots after a brief departure into the future with Anno 2070 and Anno 2205. Set during the dawn of the Industrial Age, Anno 1800 introduces new features such as tourism and the impact of industrialization.

In this game, players must construct factories to meet the needs of their citizens. However, each factory built affects the city's "attractiveness rating" and increases pollution. Balancing the demands of industrialization with the desire to maintain happy citizens and tourists presents a compelling challenge.

Fortunately, the new blueprint mode allows both beginners and experienced players to carefully plan the construction of their city, avoiding unnecessary waste of materials or money. The blueprint can even be saved on the city map for future construction, particularly useful when resources are scarce.

5 Frostpunk

Frostpunk offers a more serious and high-stakes experience for players seeking a city-building game. Set in a world of perpetual snow and cold, Frostpunk tasks players with constructing the last city on Earth and overseeing the crucial giant generator that ensures everyone's survival. Every decision, regardless of its scale, holds the power to alter the fate of the city and its inhabitants, demanding careful consideration from players.

The player's choices in establishing the city's laws and determining their ruling style, whether benevolent or ruthless, will heavily shape their city. Additionally, Frostpunk features an Endless Mode comprising three distinct gameplay options: Builders, Serenity, and Endurance. Endurance mode challenges players with the harshest conditions, testing their skills and decision-making abilities. Builders mode, on the other hand, presents players with the initial challenge of not having access to the generator from the start. Lastly, Serenity mode offers a "peaceful" experience, allowing players to focus solely on the pleasure of building without any added pressure.

4 Tropico 6

In Tropico 6, players can embrace their role as "El Presidente" and shape the destiny of their islands. With a touch of humor and lightheartedness, the game offers the freedom to choose between benevolent leadership or ruthless dictatorship. For the first time in the series, players can expand their influence across vast archipelagos, utilizing various infrastructures and transportation methods to connect their islands.

Spanning four different eras, players can immerse themselves in a plethora of activities, from managing citizens to embarking on thrilling expeditions to foreign lands in search of treasures. Even newcomers to the city-building genre will find themselves engrossed for hours on end. With an intuitive in-game guide, building a successful regime from scratch is made easy, allowing beginners to swiftly navigate through the game's depth and complexity.

3 Surviving Mars

Surviving Mars offers a unique city-building experience for beginners who are looking for something beyond the typical real-world settings. Set on the planet Mars, this sci-fi city-builder challenges players to colonize and establish a thriving community. The focus lies on constructing essential domes and infrastructures, as even the slightest errors can have life or death consequences for the colonists.

Constructing the necessary infrastructures for the colonies is relatively straightforward. Water and oxygen are transported through tubes, power lines ensure the dome is powered, tunnels connect nearby domes, and shuttles enable colonists to travel to distant destinations. Additionally, the game provides a comprehensive tutorial that is highly recommended for new players to fully grasp the mechanics and intricacies of the game.

2 Cities: Skylines

Cities: Skylines is widely recognized as one of the top city builders in the gaming industry. It is often hailed as the ultimate city-building game by its dedicated fan base. As the city's mayor, players have complete freedom to construct their city according to their own preferences. There are virtually no limitations or consequences when it comes to placing buildings and infrastructure.

Moreover, for players seeking a unique gaming experience, Cities: Skylines offers a variety of downloadable content (DLCs) that introduce new gameplay elements. For instance, the "Natural Disasters" DLC presents players with a range of catastrophic events, allowing them to witness the resilience of their city in the face of adversity.

1 Banished

Banished stands out as an excellent city-builder game for newcomers. In this game, players take control of a group of exiled travelers who must establish a new life in an unfamiliar land. Unlike other city builders, Banished does not involve complex skill trees or financial management. Instead, the townspeople serve as the primary resource in the game.

To build a prosperous territory, it is crucial to ensure the well-being and contentment of the townspeople, while also providing goods and services that contribute to the town's success. Each map in Banished offers a unique playing experience, with varying availability of resources. This makes it an ideal starting point for beginners, as they can explore different aspects of city-building games and discover other similar games based on their preferences.