I’m feeling the urge to try a city builder, but I don’t want anything too complex or overwhelming. I’ve played a few games in this genre but have never gotten deep into them due to complexity. I’d love something easy to pick up but with enough content to keep me entertained for a while.
Games I’ve tried:
Oxygen Not Included: Played around 30 hours but found it too complicated to stick with.
Against the Storm: Really enjoyed this one and put in about 70 hours, but the roguelike elements make it feel less like a true city builder. Loved the style and atmosphere!
Here’s what I’m looking for:
Something easy to get into without a huge learning curve.
Either medieval/realistic or cute graphics—no futuristic or present-day themes, as those don’t appeal to me.
Prefer games without warfare or heavy combat aspects.
Here are some I’m considering:
The Wandering Village: The unique concept is really appealing, and the art is great!
Timberborn: Cute but maybe a bit more complex?
Farthest Frontier: Seems traditional but maybe too difficult and pricey?
Banished: A bit older but affordable and not overly complex.
Kingdoms and Castles: Looks charming, but is it too simple?
Settlement Survival: Seems decent but I don’t know much about it.
If anyone has played these, I’d love your thoughts on which might be the best fit. I don’t want to end up with something too complex or too shallow!
Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to reply
If you’re interested in city builders, Banished is definitely worth a shot. It’s a bit dated but has some unique resource mechanics that keep it interesting.
Here are a few other recommendations:
City State: This one has its quirks, but you’ll find yourself investing hours into balancing the city’s economy, transport, and even some political aspects.
Cities: Skylines: A classic, and it’s on the complex side but allows you to build a realistic city without too much hassle.
Caesar III and IV: Very old school and Roman empire-themed, so they’re about balancing population, culture, health, and even pleasing the gods.
Rimworld: More of a base-builder than a city builder, but one of the best games I’ve played. You have to manage colonists, animals, and resources on an alien planet.
Of the ones you listed, Kingdoms and Castles is cute and relaxing but could be too simple if you’re looking for depth. If you’re okay with early access, maybe look into Foundation, which I’ve heard good things about!
@Ellis
I’ll second Banished! It’s simple yet fun. You can keep it chill with a small town or challenge yourself with resource management if you want to grow.
@Ellis
If you’re mentioning Caesar III & IV, gotta throw in Pharaoh too. It’s got that same nostalgic feel, and I always go back to it for a peaceful building session.
For what you’re looking for, I’d recommend The Wandering Village and Kingdoms and Castles. The Wandering Village has a unique vibe since it’s all about living on the back of a giant creature, so it’s less about traditional city building. Kingdoms and Castles is straightforward and charming, which makes it easy to pick up and doesn’t overwhelm with complex mechanics. You might find it’s great for casual sessions!
@Quill
Thank you! Wandering Village does look cool, and I’m leaning towards it. Any thoughts on Banished? I just want to make sure I pick one I’ll stick with!
Tan said: @Quill
Thank you! Wandering Village does look cool, and I’m leaning towards it. Any thoughts on Banished? I just want to make sure I pick one I’ll stick with!
Absolutely, happy to help! Banished is more of a traditional survival city builder, where you manage settlers trying to survive. If you’re excited about Wandering Village, maybe start there, but Banished is a solid, classic choice for a no-frills experience.
Hey there, big fan of city builders here. If I were you, I’d skip Wandering Village. It’s cool, but the gameplay loop gets old quickly. Banished is a classic, especially if you mod it a bit (there’s a popular mod that adds a lot). But heads up, Banished is tough, and achievements are a pain to get. Still, it’s a fantastic game if you’re into the challenge!
