10 Best City-Building Games for PC to Play in 2026

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - If you love building cities from the ground up, city-building games give you the freedom to let your creativity run wild. You can design your own dream city, choose how it looks, and guide how it grows over time. At the same time, these games test your planning skills as you manage roads, people, money, and everyday problems. Every decision shapes your city, and seeing it slowly come to life feels rewarding.

In this article, we will look at some of the best city-building games you can play on PC in 2026. Let's start!

Cities: Skylines may be a classic game, but it is still the ultimate city-building experience for many players. It gives you full control over roads, zones, public services, and traffic systems. The game allows deep customization and realistic city growth. With many mods and expansions, players can keep improving their cities and enjoy endless replay value even years after release.

Tropico 6 lets you become the ruler of a tropical island nation. You manage the economy, politics, and happiness of your people. The game mixes city building with humor and strategy. Players can control several islands at once, build landmarks, and deal with different political groups. It is fun, light, but still challenging for players who enjoy management games.

If you enjoy an older timeline, Anno 1800 is a great choice. The game is set during the Industrial Revolution, where you build cities, manage trade, and develop industries. It focuses on supply chains and careful planning. Beautiful visuals and deep systems make the game both relaxing and complex. It is perfect for players who enjoy historical city-building games.

Frostpunk 2 combines city building with a post-apocalyptic theme. You must lead a city in a frozen world where survival is never easy. Players need to manage resources, make hard moral choices, and keep people hopeful. The game focuses more on decisions and consequences than beauty. It is intense and emotional, offering a very different city-building experience.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to colonize Mars? Surviving Mars lets you build and manage a human settlement on the red planet. You must handle oxygen, water, power, and disasters. The game mixes science fiction with city-building mechanics. Every choice matters because mistakes can put the entire colony at risk.

SimCity 4 is an older game, but it is still loved by many city-building fans. It offers detailed city management, realistic simulation, and strong mod support. Players can control zoning, transportation, and public services with precision. Even in 2026, SimCity 4 remains a solid option for players who enjoy classic and detailed city-building gameplay.

Anno 2070 is another game from the Anno series, but this time it takes you into the future. The game focuses on environmental balance, technology, and future cities. Players must choose between different factions with unique styles. It mixes city building with strategy and naval combat. The futuristic setting makes it feel fresh compared to historical Anno games.

Farthest Frontier focuses on building a town in a harsh medieval world. Players start with a small group of settlers and slowly grow their settlement. The game emphasizes resource management, farming, and survival. Natural disasters and limited supplies add challenge. It is slower paced but very rewarding for players who enjoy realistic and survival-based city-building games.

Cities: Skylines II is the newer version of the classic city-building game. It improves graphics, simulation systems, and city management tools. Players can create larger and more realistic cities than before. The game adds deeper systems for citizens, economy, and transportation. It is a strong choice for players who want a modern and detailed city-building experience.

Timberborn is a unique game in the city-building genre. Instead of humans, you control a society of beavers. The game focuses on water management, vertical building, and survival. Players must prepare for droughts and manage resources carefully. Its creative idea and relaxing style make Timberborn stand out from other city-building games.