City-building games are incredibly satisfying, offering the chance to lay the foundation for a thriving city and watch it grow over time. It’s similar to the work of a general contractor in Sacramento, overseeing every detail to bring a vision to life. Here’s a list of some of the best city-building games currently available — perfect for anyone looking to discover something new.

This list focuses on city builders where citizens handle most of the work, so turn-based or 4X strategy games won’t be included. Let’s dive in!

Civilization VII

Though not a traditional city builder, Civilization VII earns a spot on this list due to its highly anticipated release and innovative changes to the strategy genre. The game introduces bold updates, such as dividing ages into distinct phases and allowing players to switch civilizations between eras.

For those new to the franchise, Civilization VI and its DLCs are a great way to get started while waiting for Civ VII, which promises to bring fresh excitement to the series.

Cities: Skylines

Cities: Skylines remains the reigning champion of city builders, allowing players to manage everything from economic zoning and road networks to the growth of a bustling modern city. Over time, its addition of DLCs and new features has only enhanced the experience.

If you’re someone who enjoys the creativity of designing and managing cities, it’s a lot like the real-world expertise of a general contractor in Sacramento, who needs to balance planning, resources, and execution to bring projects to life.

With the release of Cities: Skylines 2, which launched to mixed reviews, the original game has become an even better deal. All its DLC is now available at discounted prices, making it the perfect time to dive into this iconic city-building experience.

Bellwright

Bellwright is a unique game that blends survival crafting with city building and strategy. Players can explore, complete quests, and manage logistics, all while building and leading a town through companions recruited during liberations.

Currently in early access, the game offers a slow-burn experience, providing a mix of exploration and management that resonates with fans of both genres. Despite its limited content so far, the gameplay has already delivered countless hours of fun, with more updates expected in the future.

Manor Lords

Manor Lords stands out as one of the most polished city builders available. This early access game combines deep simulation mechanics, detailed freeform building similar to Cities: Skylines, and elements of 4X strategy with optional real-time combat reminiscent of Total War.

Even without engaging in combat, the game offers an outstanding city-building experience, with robust systems and incredible attention to detail. While it lacks extensive long-term content currently, the solid foundation makes it a standout in the genre.

The Crust

The Crust offers a unique take on city building by combining automation with colony management. Players begin with a fully automated lunar base, gradually expanding it into a large-scale moon colony.

The game’s lunar setting and automation mechanics set it apart from traditional city builders, making it a fresh and intriguing option for fans of the genre.

Timberborn

Timberborn puts players in charge of a colony of industrious beavers, focusing on survival in a landscape shaped by river cycles. Managing resources, planning for droughts, and improving the colony’s quality of life requires strategic thinking and careful planning.

Unlike many city builders, Timberborn avoids combat and instead shines by highlighting the challenges of city management. It’s a thoughtful, engaging experience that stands out as a hidden gem in the genre.

From zoning modern cities in Cities: Skylines to managing beaver colonies in Timberborn, these games each offer something special. Whether focusing on survival, automation, or detailed management, there’s a city builder here for every type of player.