The Best Base-building colony Games

Update : Cataclismo added at rank #6.
1

RimWorld (2018)

View Similar Games
97
Review score
Logo of RimWorld Screenshot of RimWorld Screenshot of RimWorld Screenshot of RimWorld

PC Windows Xbox One Mac OS Linux

RimWorld is a life simulator and management game set in a remote planet in the distant future. It features a unique character generation system to create complex personalities with flaws, drives and needs, as well as a story generator that creates unexpected scenarios for players to face.


What we like:
  • Unique character generation system
  • Story generator creates unpredictable scenarios
  • Tons of mods for everything
  • Includes interaction bubbles to show interactions as they happen
What could be improved:
  • Unintuitive UI
  • Busy work tasks can be tedious

  • colony
  • survival
  • simulation
  • base-building
  • farming
  • management
  • sandbox
  • pirates
  • sci-fi
  • building
  • card

2

Empires of the Undergrowth (2017)

View Similar Games
97
Review score
Logo of Empires of the Undergrowth Screenshot of Empires of the Undergrowth Screenshot of Empires of the Undergrowth Screenshot of Empires of the Undergrowth

PC Windows Mac OS Linux

Command swarms of warriors at an unprecedented scale of warfare in this blend of RTS and base-building. Lead ant colonies against the many fearsome threats of the insect world, while building intricate nests, developing pheromone-based tactics, and evolving to meet growing dangers.


  • strategy
  • simulation
  • colony
  • automation
  • management
  • moddable
  • real-time
  • base-building
  • city-building
  • resource-management
  • building
  • sandbox
  • economy
  • documentary
  • replay-value

3

Oxygen Not Included (2019)

View Similar Games
96
Review score
Logo of Oxygen Not Included Screenshot of Oxygen Not Included Screenshot of Oxygen Not Included Screenshot of Oxygen Not Included

PC Windows Mac OS Linux

Oxygen Not Included is an innovative and unique colony-building game in which you control a crew of duplicants who start beneath the surface of a procedurally generated asteroid with nothing more than a ration box and cloning device. With its childlike art style and humour, Oxygen Not Included looks like less of a space simulator and more like The Sims in space, but don't let that fool you - it's brimming with complexity and depth.

Buy

What we like:
  • Child-friendly art style
  • Complexity and depth
  • Humor
  • Procedurally generated asteroid
  • Experimenting with contraptions
  • Retconning decisions
What could be improved:
  • Frame rate drops at the start of each cycle
  • AI occasionally getting confused

  • survival
  • simulation
  • colony
  • resource-management
  • base-building
  • management
  • sandbox
  • space

4

Ostriv (2020)

View Similar Games
94
Review score
Logo of Ostriv Screenshot of Ostriv Screenshot of Ostriv Screenshot of Ostriv

early access PC Windows j

Ostriv is a city-building game that puts you in a role of a governor of an 18th century Ukrainian town to challenge your creative skills and management abilities.


  • colony
  • city-building
  • economy
  • building
  • resource-management
  • simulation
  • base-building
  • management
  • agriculture
  • historical
  • relaxing
  • medieval
  • build
  • replay-value
  • 3d

5

Captain of Industry (2022)

View Similar Games
94
Review score
Logo of Captain of Industry Screenshot of Captain of Industry Screenshot of Captain of Industry Screenshot of Captain of Industry

j PC Windows

Embark on an adventure in Captain of Industry, where you transform an abandoned island into a thriving civilization. Mine, farm, and innovate your way to the stars by building rockets, trading with allies, and fending off pirates. With over 150 unique products and the ability to shape the terrain itself, your strategic decisions pave the path to success. Can you conquer the challenges and reach space?

Buy

What we like:
  • Real-time terrain deformation
  • Wide variety of solutions for challenges
  • Handy tools like blueprinting
  • Engaging gameplay
  • Actively developed with promising potential
What could be improved:
  • Lacks clear end goals
  • Some gameplay issues need refining

  • automation
  • mining
  • transportation
  • colony
  • base-building
  • agriculture
  • moddable
  • city-building
  • resource-management
  • logic
  • simulation
  • economy
  • building
  • management
  • survival

6

Cataclismo (2024)

View Similar Games
93
Review score
Logo of Cataclismo Screenshot of Cataclismo Screenshot of Cataclismo Screenshot of Cataclismo

early access PC Windows

Design and build fortresses brick by brick to stand against endless hordes of Horrors in this real-time strategy game with resource management, siege defense, and exploration. Lead from the ramparts, push back the darkness, and hold fast against the creatures of the Mist.


  • real-time
  • city-building
  • colony
  • strategy
  • grand-strategy
  • moddable
  • 4x
  • resource-management
  • base-building
  • tower-defense
  • economy
  • building
  • simulation
  • sandbox
  • historical

7

EarthX (2023)

View Similar Games
93
Review score
Logo of EarthX Screenshot of EarthX Screenshot of EarthX Screenshot of EarthX

Nintendo Switch Linux Mac OS PC Windows Android

EarthX is a rocket company management game. Go from launching small rockets on Earth to eventually building a colony on Mars. Create your own Internet constellation, develop new technologies, supply the International Space Station and terraform Mars!


  • space
  • simulation
  • family-friendly
  • colony
  • management
  • grand-strategy
  • base-building
  • immersive
  • building
  • education
  • competitive
  • minimalist
  • atmospheric
  • 3d
  • relaxing

8

Songs of Syx (2020)

View Similar Games
93
Review score
Logo of Songs of Syx Screenshot of Songs of Syx Screenshot of Songs of Syx Screenshot of Songs of Syx

Linux Mac OS PC Windows

'Songs of Syx' is an immersive fantasy city-builder where you evolve from a tiny colony to a sprawling empire. Battle with legions, manage a diverse population, and shape your society in a living world of gods and creatures. With a blend of strategy and simulation, every decision can lead your kingdom to prosperity or downfall. Ready to rule?


What we like:
  • Unique blend of city-building and grand strategy
  • Tactical battles with huge armies
  • Dynamic world with evolving narrative
  • Deep management of population and resources
  • Regular updates enhancing gameplay
What could be improved:
  • Combat system needs refinement
  • User interface can be unclear in battle and on world map

  • city-building
  • colony
  • grand-strategy
  • simulation
  • base-building
  • moddable
  • building
  • empire
  • fantasy

9

Dwarf Fortress (2022)

View Similar Games
92
Review score
Logo of Dwarf Fortress Screenshot of Dwarf Fortress Screenshot of Dwarf Fortress Screenshot of Dwarf Fortress

PC Windows IOS iPhone Linux

Dwarf Fortress is an incredibly detailed, complex game where you help a colony of dwarves build a settlement by carving out bedrooms, dining halls and other necessary structures from the side of a mountain. You don't control individual dwarves but instead provide instructions for them to follow, with each dwarf having their own needs and wants that you become familiar with as you play.

Buy

What we like:
  • Robust mouse support
  • New tutorial to help new players understand menus
  • Complex web of characters and relationships
  • Simulated world is full of surprises both big and small
  • Ability to create artifacts and engravings that tell stories
What could be improved:
  • Inscrutability can be off-putting for those expecting a more streamlined experience
  • Convoluted user interface can make it difficult to figure out what is even possible in the game or how to access the different menus

  • simulation
  • dwarf
  • management
  • colony
  • construction
  • simulated
  • tile
  • fantasy
  • survival
  • procedural
  • moddable
  • pixel
  • resource-management
  • base-building
  • city-building

10

Farlanders (2023)

View Similar Games
92
Review score
Logo of Farlanders Screenshot of Farlanders Screenshot of Farlanders Screenshot of Farlanders

PC Windows Mac OS Linux

Farlanders is a turn-based city builder set on Mars, with a puzzle game mentality and an engaging story that challenges you to think about the right you have to change the face of a planet. You play as Marco, an architect who discovers that all is not what it seems. Balance resources, build structures and manage colony happiness in this demanding but rewarding space colony simulator.


What we like:
  • Vibrant visuals
  • Realistic environments
  • Dynamic building system
  • Strategic choices
  • Challenging gameplay
  • Turn-based city builder
  • Procedurally generated maps
What could be improved:
  • Complexity can be overwhelming for some players
  • Steep learning curve
  • Requires careful resource management

  • city-building
  • turn-based
  • mars
  • colony
  • resource-management
  • base-building
  • simulation
  • building
  • strategy
  • space
  • procedural
  • pixel
  • management
  • survival

Not seeing your game?