PPG Game Of The Year 2024 - 36 - City Building

Of all the more management and strategy niches we have been able to choose from more recently, the idea of planning out and building your very own town or city has been the most popular by a long shot. Since Cities: Skylines proved that SimCity didn't need to be the only player in town, the genre has flourished into new and wonderful games and series pitching their own unique take on the cascading complexity of these interlocking systems.

New Cycle (EA)
Post Apocalyptic City Builder
Still got a bit to go that early access will hopefully sort out, but the ideas in this game around resource management and expansion make it a worthwhile addition to the genre.

Of Life and Land (EA)
Simulation Settlement Building
Create a thriving settlement that is balanced against nature in a colourful low poly world, with a focus on interdependence between humans, plants and animals.

Fabledom
Wholesome Fairytale World
Self described "laid back" city builder about growing out a settlement and defending it against fairy-tale creatures. Got a more cartoony look suitable as much for kids as adults.

Synergy (EA)
Ecosystem Builder
An interesting builder that focuses on building the environment as much as it is about building a place to live and thrive in. Analyzing and spreading plants is key to survival.

Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic
Brutalist Soviet City Construction
The Soviet flair to this one sets it apart from your regular city builder with intricate city management and resourcing, with the socialist control of industry opening up more fun ways to explore societal possibilities.

MEMORIAPOLIS
Civilization City Builder
Most city builders focus on a few dozen to a few hundred years, rather than several thousand. A good blend of larger Civilization style ideas mixed into a rather gorgeous city builder environment.

Frostpunk 2
Frozen City Management
Pushes further than the original in a lot of ways, this game is as much about political management as the first is about resource management. Great ideas for exploring in a fraught time.

Settlements Rising (EA)
Medieval Settlement Management
A bit more simpler to manage than most city builders, reflected in the simpler but no less striking art style. For fans of Banished.

Citadelum
Ancient Rome Setting
Pretty classic city building strategy game with a specific setting, building on Roman mythology, expansionism and warmongering.

And The Best City Builder Of 2024 Is…

Manor Lords (EA)
Medieval Society Builder
Peaked as one of the highest wishlisted games ever before release for good reason. Wonderful little builder that has you managing at first a handful of peasants, who can grow a basic little village into a sprawling hub of medieval activity. There’s still plenty more to be added throughout early access, but the vibes and fun in building up and managing your little settlement is top tier. There are other mechancis outside building - trade, raids, etc - but the core of building up the town just right is where it’s at. The ability to zoom right in and walk around your little town is also an excellent feature.