Top 5 Historic city builders of all time

SimCity is an open-ended city-building video game series originally designed by Will Wright. (Image via EA)
SimCity is an open-ended city-building video game series originally designed by Will Wright. (Image via EA)

City builder games have been a popular genre of video games for decades, offering players the chance to construct and manage their cities from scratch. These games challenge players to balance various factors, such as budget, infrastructure, population growth, and diplomacy, to create a thriving and prosperous city. From ancient Rome to modern-day metropolises, city builder games allow players to step into the role of a leader and shape the course of history.


Five city builder games that have stood the test of time

1) Foundation

youtube-cover

Looking for Crossword hints & solutions? Check out latest NYT Mini Crossword Answers, LA Times Crossword Answers, and USA Today Crossword Answers

Foundation is a medieval city builder game released in 2021 that has been praised for its unique approach to city building. The game emphasizes the organic growth of a town, allowing players to build a city from scratch and watch it develop into a bustling metropolis. Focusing on natural resources, Foundation challenges players to manage their economy and create sustainable industries.

The game's sophisticated AI economy ensures that each player's decisions impact the city's development, creating a truly dynamic and immersive experience. Foundation also features dynamic seasons and natural disasters that challenge the gameplay, requiring city builders to adapt their strategies to changing circumstances.

The game's beautiful visuals and attention to detail make it a joy to play, with intricate designs and various building options. Foundation offers a fresh and engaging take on the city builder genre, perfect for players looking for a challenge and a chance to build their own medieval kingdom.


2) Surviving Mars

youtube-cover

Surviving Mars is a city builder game on the red planet, challenging players to build a sustainable human presence on Mars. Released in 2018, the game has been praised for its realistic approach to space colonization and attention to detail.

In the game, players must manage resources such as food, water, and oxygen while dealing with the harsh Martian environment, including dust storms, radiation, and extreme temperatures. It also features a wide range of technologies and buildings that can be unlocked as the player progresses, allowing for more advanced and efficient resource management.

One of the most unique features of Surviving Mars is its focus on the scientific exploration of Mars. Players can research the planet's geology, weather patterns, and potential for terraforming, offering a rewarding city builder experience, perfect for space enthusiasts and fans of the genre alike.


3) Minecraft

youtube-cover

Minecraft is a sandbox city builder video game that was first released in 2011 and has since become one of the best-selling video games ever. The game's popularity can be attributed to its open-ended gameplay and endless possibilities for creativity and exploration.

In Minecraft, players are placed in a randomly generated world of blocks, which they can mine and use to build structures of their own design. The game has no specific goals or objectives, allowing players to create gameplay experiences. However, players can engage in various activities, such as farming, crafting, and fighting off monsters that come out at night.

Minecraft's simple yet effective graphics and immersive gameplay have made it popular with gamers of all ages. The game has also spawned a massive modding community, with countless fan-made mods adding new features, gameplay mechanics, and even new game modes.


4) SimCity

youtube-cover

SimCity is a classic city builder game first released in 1989 and has since become a beloved franchise. The game challenges players to build and manage their cities from the ground up while balancing factors such as budget, infrastructure, and population growth.

In SimCity, players start with a small town and must gradually expand and develop it into a bustling metropolis. The game features various building options and infrastructure management tools, allowing players to create a unique city that reflects their vision.

Its attention to detail and immersive gameplay have made it a fan favorite for decades. The game has also inspired numerous sequels and spin-offs, including SimCity 2000, SimCity 4, and the more recent SimCity BuildIt for mobile devices. It is a classic city builder game that remains popular with players of all ages.


5) Age of Empires II

youtube-cover

Age of Empires 2 is a real-time strategy game that was first released in 1999 and has since become a classic in the genre. The game is set in the medieval period and challenges players to build and manage their own civilizations, leading them to victory through strategic planning and tactical battles.

In Age of Empires 2, players start with a small group of villagers. They must gradually build up their economy, research new technologies, and train an army to defend against enemy attacks. The game features various civilizations to choose from, each with unique units, technologies, and strategies.

Age of Empires 2's attention to historical accuracy and strategic depth has made it a fan favorite for over two decades. The game has also inspired numerous sequels and spin-offs, including the recently released Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition, which includes updated graphics and new gameplay features.

This classic city builder game is based on real-time strategy and remains popular with players of all ages. It offers a challenging and rewarding gameplay experience that combines history, strategy, and tactical combat.


In conclusion, historic city builder games have been a beloved genre of video games for a long time, providing players the chance to become leaders and develop their own cities while tackling various difficulties.

From ancient Rome to modern-day metropolises, the top five games discussed in this article offer a range of settings and challenges, each with unique gameplay mechanics and appeal. Whether you are interested in diplomacy, warfare, infrastructure management, or simply building a beautiful city, these games have something to offer for players of all interests and skill levels.

Are you stuck on today's Wordle? Our Wordle Solver will help you find the answer.

Quick Links

Edited by Ashmita Bhatt
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications