The Best Base-building Games

Update : Diplomacy is Not an Option added at rank #38.
1

Factorio (2020)

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97
Review score
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PC Windows Nintendo Switch Mac OS Linux

Factorio is an absorbing factory management game. You play the role of a handy person who needs to build a rocket and craft almost anything with little more than spit and elbow grease. Automation is the key to success as you establish production chains and assembly lines to make sure all the hard work is done for you.


What we like:
  • Complex puzzle-solving
  • Open-ended gameplay
  • Automation mechanics
  • Creative assembly lines
  • Captivating story
What could be improved:
  • Tedious combat
  • Limited environmental resources
  • Environmental consequences of mass manufacturing

  • management
  • construction
  • automation
  • simulation
  • robots
  • base-building
  • resource-management
  • trains
  • crafting
  • empire
  • sandbox
  • multiplayer
  • cooperative
  • resource
  • aliens

2

Dyson Sphere Program (2021)

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97
Review score
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early access PC Windows

In Dyson Sphere Program, you'll become a space engineer, building Dyson Spheres and managing interplanetary logistics. Explore the universe, gather resources, and design efficient production lines. Will you construct a galactic empire from scratch? Harness the power of the stars and find out!


What we like:
  • Perfect for automation game enthusiasts
  • Unique interplanetary logistics
  • High-quality factory building and logistics
  • Multiple end-game goals and achievements
  • Not reliant on Dyson Sphere completion
What could be improved:
  • Improvements needed in mid-to-late game
  • Challenging planet navigation in late game

  • automation
  • space
  • base-building
  • factory
  • resource-management
  • building
  • simulation
  • sandbox
  • management
  • sci-fi
  • city-building
  • open-world
  • empire

3

Critter Cove (2024)

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97
Review score
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early access PC Windows

A deep, open world life sim and town building game set in a cozy post-apocalyptic paradise. Restore an old town, sail across a mysterious archipelago. Hunt for relics and farm, fish & craft everything you need. Can you help turn Critter Cove into a thriving tourist town once again?

Buy

  • cozy
  • fishing
  • sailing
  • base-building
  • simulation
  • cooking
  • agriculture
  • nature
  • farming
  • management
  • relaxing
  • life
  • character
  • customization
  • open-world

4

Empires of the Undergrowth (2017)

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97
Review score
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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

5

Utopia Must Fall (2024)

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97
Review score
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early access Mac OS PC Windows

Defend humanity's last surviving metropolis from mysterious alien machinations in this challenging base-defense arcade shooter. Featuring rapid upgrade progression, procedurally generated attack waves, dark humor and laser-sharp aesthetics.

Buy

  • dark
  • arcade
  • rogue-like
  • shoot-em-up
  • base-building
  • humor
  • tower-defense
  • bullet-hell
  • procedural
  • perma-death
  • comedy
  • abstract
  • sci-fi
  • minimalist
  • shooter

6

The Genesis Project (2022)

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95
Review score
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early access PC Windows Linux Mac OS

The Genesis Project is an attempt to replicate Sburb from the popular webcomic Homestuck, made by Andrew Hussie.

Buy

  • rpg
  • party
  • memes
  • base-building
  • building
  • dungeon-crawler
  • action-adventure
  • character
  • 3d
  • tag
  • exploration
  • customization
  • crafting
  • management
  • fantasy

7

shapez (2020)

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94
Review score
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Linux Mac OS PC Windows

shapez is a game about building factories to automate the creation and processing of increasingly complex shapes across an infinitely expanding map.


  • automation
  • base-building
  • resource-management
  • sandbox
  • crafting
  • open-source
  • management
  • building
  • moddable
  • idler
  • abstract
  • open-world

8

shapez 2 (2024)

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93
Review score
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early access Linux Android PC Windows Mac OS

Dive into a factory-building game where the focus is on just that — building huge factories! Construct sprawling multi-level factories and min-max your layouts without limits. Shapez 2 is tailor-made for enthusiasts who crave the thrill of optimizing production lines and perfecting automation.


  • automation
  • trains
  • transportation
  • base-building
  • factory-building
  • building
  • logic
  • space
  • resource-management
  • sandbox
  • crafting
  • simulation
  • relaxing
  • programming
  • puzzle

9

Cataclismo (2024)

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93
Review score
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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

10

Aground (2018)

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93
Review score
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Linux Mac OS PC Windows Xbox One

Aground is a Mining/Crafting RPG with a goal, story, and reason to craft and build. The gameplay is simple, but engaging with tons of features. In Aground, you can raise dragons and launch into space, fight enemies, discover magic, and explore secrets. If you're into crafting games with a lot of exploration, Aground is a thoroughly addictive game with plenty to discover.


What we like:
  • Story is interesting and allows for a lot of exploration
  • Crafting is solid and varied
  • Mod support and community are helpful
  • Gameplay is engaging and controls are good
  • Freedom to choose which islands to visit and play at your own pace.
What could be improved:
  • Item storage can be tedious and requiring a lot of trips
  • Low-resolution graphics may take some getting used to
  • Lack of personal relationships with NPCs
  • Basic tutorial and sometimes requires use of outside resources for guidance.

  • survival
  • crafting
  • dragon
  • mining
  • open-world
  • base-building
  • city-building
  • building
  • post-apocalyptic
  • exploration
  • sandbox
  • 2d
  • choices
  • management
  • story

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