We are currently witnessing a golden age for city builders, with an abundance of options catering to various gaming preferences. Whether you enjoy strategy, survival, story-driven campaigns, or even casual construction sandboxes, there has never been a better time to explore the city builder genre. What makes this era even more remarkable is that three out of the five most wishlisted games on Steam are city builders, demonstrating the genre’s popularity and diversity.
One highly anticipated game is Manor Lords, a medieval strategy survival city builder. Offering an immersive experience dripping with historical accuracy, Manor Lords goes beyond mere village management. Players will also engage in detailed medieval warfare and diplomacy, defending their cities and even conquering others. Its limited-time demo last year received rave reviews, and it remains one of the most anticipated games in the city builder genre, as well as among all upcoming games.
Another exciting release is Cities: Skylines 2, scheduled for launch on October 24, just three weeks away. This sequel has garnered attention with developer blogs from Colossal Order, discussing everything from citizen lifepaths to the complexities of turning lanes and even the controversial topic of prison labor. With many improvements and additions, Cities: Skylines 2 promises to surpass the success of its predecessor.
Looking ahead to 2024, Frostpunk 2 presents a unique twist on the survival city builder genre. Offering a departure from the original game, Frostpunk 2 challenges players to survive in a society on the brink of fragmentation, all while battling the freezing weather. Early previews have been positive, and it seems the game will provide a thrilling experience for fans of the genre.
For those seeking immediate gaming options, there is good news as well. Pioneers of Pagonia, created by the mastermind behind the original The Settlers series, recently released a free demo on Steam. Dotage, a turn-based village builder, is also set to launch on October 4, while Laysara: Summit Kingdom, a mountainside city builder, is expected to arrive before the end of the year.
Additionally, several city builders are currently available in early access, providing players with the opportunity to enjoy them right away. Fabledom, with its storybook looks and fairytale charm, offers plenty of delightful surprises. Terrascape combines city-building strategy with puzzle elements, providing a relaxing yet challenging experience. Farthest Frontier presents a challenging survival city builder set in a medieval-inspired world. Land of the Vikings allows players to experience settlement survival in the age of Vikings. Finally, Havendock invites players to build a bustling town on the ocean in this captivating colony sim.
With such a variety of city builders available, it’s an exciting time for fans of the genre. Whether you prefer historical accuracy, immersive societies, or charming visuals, there is a game to suit your taste. The golden age of city builders shows no signs of slowing down, and with even more titles on the horizon, it’s a fantastic time for gamers to delve into these captivating worlds of construction, strategy, and creativity.