Best Base-Building Games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated base-building games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free base-building games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Space Colony: Steam Edition
Space Colony: Steam Edition is a remaster of the real-time base builder and strategy game from Firefly Studios, creators of the Stronghold series. In Space Colony you colonize to survive, designing intergalactic bases that keep your crew productive, happy and defended against hostile alien threats.
Block N Load
Five of you. Five of them. Face off in a battle where everything you build, destroy, construct or shoot has a devastating impact on the entire game. Build defences using a crazy range of block types and work together in this FPS where no game is EVER the same. NOW FREE TO PLAY.
State of Decay: YOSE
Make your stand against the collapse of society in the ultimate zombie survival-fantasy game. Explore an open world full of dangers and opportunities that respond to your every decision. Recruit a community of playable survivors, each with their own unique skills and talents.
Dungeons 2
The Dungeon Lord is back – and this time he’s serious! In Dungeons 2, fulfil the Dungeon Lord’s insatiable quest for vengeance by recruiting fearsome new monsters from all corners of the underworld in order to undertake his evil bidding.
War for the Overworld
War for the Overworld is an unholy union of Dungeon Management and Strategy that rewards all those villainous thoughts you’ve been having. Craft your own perilous dungeon and defend it against pesky heroes who keep exploring it and taking your stuff.
The Spatials
It's the year 5781 -- and you have been chosen to build and lead a space station in a wild corner of the galaxy! Attract visitors and explore hundreds of planets to fund your station.
Cultures - Northland
The Vikings are back! Get this RTS classic!
Marble Age
Turn-based historical simulation strategy. Develop the Greek civilization from the small village to the great city-state when it will dominate the world!
Survivalist
It's one year after the collapse of civilization and self-centered hedge fund manager Joe Wheeler emerges from his specially constructed bunker in search of food. This is a huge open-world RPG where you have the freedom to play how you want - but your choices have consequences.
Xsyon - Prelude
Xsyon is a player driven apocalyptic fantasy sandbox MMORPG, set in a living and evolving environment. Players create the world they want to live in as they form tribes, construct towns, shape landscapes, create quests, hunt, farm, gather, build societies and develop a New World.
Dead State: Reanimated
Dead State is a narrative-driven survival RPG set at the dawn of the undead apocalypse. Drawing inspiration from classic RPGs like Fallout, X-Com, and Suikoden, Dead State combines strategic, turn-based combat with base building mechanics, character creation, and social management.
Rising World
Rising World is a voxel based open-world sandbox game, featuring a procedurally generated world, playable in single and multi-player.
This War of Mine
In This War Of Mine you do not play as an elite soldier, rather a group of civilians trying to survive in a besieged city; struggling with lack of food, medicine and constant danger from snipers and hostile scavengers. The game provides an experience of war seen from an entirely new angle.
Stronghold Crusader 2
Stronghold Crusader 2 is the long awaited sequel to the original castle sim. After 12 years Stronghold returns to the desert with a new 3D engine and powerful Havok Physics. Crusader 2 recaptures the original game’s addictive, fast-paced gameplay and authentic castle simulation.
Battle Islands
Battle friends over air, land and sea in this epic WW2-themed battle strategy game.
Xenonauts
Xenonauts is a strategy game in which you control a multi-national military organisation defending a Cold War-era Earth from alien invasion, using small squads of persistent soldiers to eliminate the extraterrestrials and recover their technology in turn-based ground combat.
Rise of Nations: Extended Edition
Rise of Nations is back! Play the updated classic with full Steamworks integration and enhanced features!
Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal
Creeper World 3 is what happens when cellular automata takes over a strategy simulation. Instead of discrete units that attack your base, a fluid-like substance spreads over the terraformable terrain. Your base, your weapons, your strategy... you must adapt them all.
Earth 2150 Trilogy
Your heroes and your armies will need strong leadership to take them on a spellbinding odyssey that has everything a gamer’s heart could wish for breathtaking worlds in space, battles against cunning enemies and even downright treason from your own government faction - are you up to it?
Stronghold Crusader HD (2012)
The highly anticipated sequel to the best-selling Stronghold, Stronghold Crusader HD throws you into historic battles and castle sieges from the Crusades with fiendish AI opponents, new units, 4 historical campaigns and over 100 unique skirmish missions.
Stronghold HD (2012)
The original castle sim, Stronghold HD allows you to design, build and destroy historical castles. Engage in medieval warfare against the AI in one of two single player campaigns or online with up to 8 players.
Startopia
A once thriving network of space stations and planets have been left lifeless, redundant scars of the apocalypse. Into this age of darkness comes light. You will lead the way in rebuilding the network of space stations to a standard accepted by the individual alien races, attracting them to harness their expertise and research new...
Company of Heroes 2
Experience the ultimate WWII RTS platform with COH2 and its standalone expansions. This package includes the base game, which you can then upgrade by purchasing The Western Front Armies, Ardennes Assault and/or The British Forces. More info in the "About This Game" section below.
Most played base-building games on Steam
Take a look at the top base-building games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of June 15th 2025.
1. Satisfactory
Satisfactory is a first-person open-world factory building game with a dash of exploration and combat. Play alone or with friends, explore an alien planet, create multi-story factories, and enter conveyor belt heaven! Satisfactory is a base-building, automation and open world game developed by Coffee Stain Studios and published by Coffee Stain Publishing. Released on September 10th 2024 has received 232,064 reviews of which 225,479 were positive and 6,585 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played base-building game, thanks to its 28,710 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.6
225,479
6,585
28,710
players
2. RimWorld
A sci-fi colony sim driven by an intelligent AI storyteller. Generates stories by simulating psychology, ecology, gunplay, melee combat, climate, biomes, diplomacy, interpersonal relationships, art, medicine, trade, and more. RimWorld is a colony sim, base-building and survival game developed and published by Ludeon Studios. Released on October 17th 2018 has received 210,517 reviews of which 206,216 were positive and 4,301 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.7 out of 10. While seeing 27,800 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among base-building games based on player count.
9.7
206,216
4,301
27,800
players
3. Factorio
Factorio is a game about building and creating automated factories to produce items of increasing complexity, within an infinite 2D world. Use your imagination to design your factory, combine simple elements into ingenious structures, and finally protect it from the creatures who don't really like you. Factorio is a automation, base-building and resource management game developed and published by Wube Software LTD.. Released on August 14th 2020 has received 215,209 reviews of which 208,770 were positive and 6,439 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. While seeing 21,076 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among base-building games based on player count.
9.6
208,770
6,439
21,076
players
4. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
42 Civilizations, 229 Campaign Missions, Singleplayer, Co-Op, Multiplayer, In-Game Editor, Mods, Cross-play...It is good to be the king. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is a strategy, rts and city builder game developed by Forgotten Empires, Tantalus Media, Wicked Witch, World's Edge and CaptureAge and published by Xbox Game Studios. Released on November 14th 2019 has received 162,462 reviews of which 154,061 were positive and 8,401 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 17,203 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played base-building games.
9.4
154,061
8,401
17,203
players
5. Enshrouded
You are Flameborn, last ember of hope of a dying race. Awaken, survive the terror of a corrupting fog, and reclaim the lost beauty of your kingdom. Venture into a vast world, vanquish punishing bosses, build grand halls and forge your path in this co-op survival action RPG for up to 16 players. Enshrouded is a open world, survival and base-building game developed and published by Keen Games GmbH. Released on January 24th 2024 has received 78,080 reviews of which 67,486 were positive and 10,594 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. With 11,807 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played base-building games.
8.5
67,486
10,594
11,807
players
6. V Rising
Awaken as a Vampire. Hunt for blood in nearby settlements to regain your strength and evade the scorching sun to survive. Raise your castle and thrive in an ever-changing, open world full of mystery. Gain allies online and conquer the land of the living. V Rising is a survival, open world and base-building game developed and published by Stunlock Studios. Released on May 08th 2024 has received 119,440 reviews of which 106,197 were positive and 13,243 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. With 10,748 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played base-building games.
8.8
106,197
13,243
10,748
players
7. Oxygen Not Included
Oxygen Not Included is a space-colony simulation game. Deep inside an alien space rock your industrious crew will need to master science, overcome strange new lifeforms, and harness incredible space tech to survive, and possibly, thrive. Oxygen Not Included is a colony sim, base-building and survival game developed and published by Klei Entertainment. Released on July 30th 2019 has received 128,390 reviews of which 124,220 were positive and 4,170 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. With 9,589 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played base-building games.
9.5
124,220
4,170
9,589
players
8. Grounded
The world is a vast, beautiful and dangerous place – especially when you have been shrunk to the size of an ant. Can you thrive alongside the hordes of giant insects, fighting to survive the perils of the backyard? Grounded is a survival, multiplayer and co-op game developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios. Released on September 27th 2022 has received 84,517 reviews of which 75,482 were positive and 9,035 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. With 8,101 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played base-building games.
8.8
75,482
9,035
8,101
players
9. Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition
Celebrating its first year of delighting millions of global players, the award-winning and best-selling strategy franchise continues with Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition, putting you at the center of even more epic historical battles that shaped the world. Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition is a strategy, rts and base-building game developed by Relic Entertainment, Forgotten Empires, Climax Studios and World's Edge and published by Xbox Game Studios. Released on October 28th 2021 has received 80,870 reviews of which 69,559 were positive and 11,311 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. With 7,469 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played base-building games.
8.5
69,559
11,311
7,469
players
10. The Planet Crafter
A space survival open world terraforming crafting game, designed for 1 to 10 players. Alter the ecosystem of an inhospitable planet to render it habitable for humanity. Survive, gather resources, and build your base. Then, generate oxygen, warmth, and pressure to create a brand new biosphere. The Planet Crafter is a open world survival craft, base-building and survival game developed and published by Miju Games. Released on April 10th 2024 has received 54,316 reviews of which 52,168 were positive and 2,148 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 7,031 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played base-building games.
9.4
52,168
2,148
7,031
players
Best deals on base-building games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of base-building games available on Steam right now, updated on June 15th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted base-building games.
1. Nova Lands
Nova Lands is a factory building, exploration, and island management game. Explore, engage in combat, and automate your industry. The planet you’re on is full of mysteries, creatures, people, and things to do. Welcome to your new home amongst the stars! Nova Lands is a automation, base-building and sandbox game developed by BEHEMUTT and published by HypeTrain Digital. Released on June 22nd 2023 has received 2,823 reviews of which 2,546 were positive and 277 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Featuring a massive 99% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for base-building category.
8.7
2,546
277
-99%
19.99€
0.37€
2. Founders' Fortune
A fantasy village builder focusing on creative building, colonist psychology and base defense. Handle resources, farming, production, tools, diplomacy, families, trading, defense, and research, as well as the wishes, expectations, thoughts, and equipment of every villager. Founders' Fortune is a colony sim, base-building and city builder game developed and published by Dionic Software. Released on December 18th 2020 has received 2,114 reviews of which 1,699 were positive and 415 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 99% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in base-building games.
7.7
1,699
415
-99%
18.99€
0.26€
3. Ashes of the Singularity: Escalation
A massive-scale real-time strategy game where you command entire armies on a dynamic battlefield. Conquer multiple worlds across several single-player campaigns; or play with your friends in multiplayer combat. Ashes of the Singularity: Escalation is a rts, base-building and pvp game developed by Stardock Entertainment and Oxide Games and published by Stardock Entertainment. Released on November 10th 2016 has received 4,772 reviews of which 3,548 were positive and 1,224 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 99% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in base-building games.
7.2
3,548
1,224
-99%
28.99€
0.56€
4. Honey, I Joined a Cult
It's time to start working towards that ultimate goal of enlightenment, faith and money…lots and lots of money! Become the ultimate tycoon - create, customise, and manage your own cult whilst listening to funky music. Welcome to Honey, I Joined a Cult! Honey, I Joined a Cult is a simulation, base-building and resource management game developed by Sole Survivor Games and published by Team17. Released on November 03rd 2022 has received 1,732 reviews of which 1,279 were positive and 453 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 99% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for base-building games.
7.1
1,279
453
-99%
21.99€
0.40€
5. Patch Quest
In a labyrinth surrounded by vicious monsters, Explorers must rely on their Lasso to survive! Capture and tame ANY monster to leap, glide, surf, tunnel and websling through a treacherous, patchwork maze. This roguelike/metroidvania seems cute, but it’s a deceptively difficult bullet-hell challenge! Patch Quest is a adventure, creature collector and rogue-lite game developed by Lychee Game Labs and published by Curve Games. Released on March 02nd 2023 has received 2,647 reviews of which 2,479 were positive and 168 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for base-building games.
9.0
2,479
168
-98%
14.99€
0.34€
6. Black Skylands
Become the captain of an airship and explore the world of the skies, gather resources and build powerful weapons, uncover ancient secrets and fight beneath your ship's sails. Black Skylands is a pixel graphics, open world and sandbox game developed by Hungry Couch Games and published by tinyBuild. Released on August 15th 2023 has received 3,894 reviews of which 3,236 were positive and 658 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for base-building games.
8.0
3,236
658
-98%
19.50€
0.45€
7. CryoFall
CryoFall is a sci-fi colony simulation survival game set on a forgotten planet in a distant future. Master technology, agriculture, trading, industry, cybernetics, exploration, and more! CryoFall is a colony sim, crafting and pve game developed by AtomicTorch Studio and published by Daedalic Entertainment. Released on April 29th 2021 has received 6,167 reviews of which 4,856 were positive and 1,311 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for base-building games.
7.7
4,856
1,311
-98%
19.99€
0.49€
8. Basement
Basement is a strategy game, where you start doing illegal business to fund the development of your dream video game. It won't be easy, so get ready to deal with other gangs, cops, crazy junkies, mysterious investor and even ghosts from the past. Basement is a management, strategy and crime game developed and published by Halfbus. Released on November 10th 2019 has received 2,204 reviews of which 1,554 were positive and 650 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for base-building games.
6.9
1,554
650
-98%
16.79€
0.46€
9. The Hive
The Hive is a strategy game with RPG elements where you assume command as the insectoid hivemind. Build and expand your underground colony, harvest resources, and evolve your swarm using DNA. Will you survive in this hostile yet beautiful underworld? The Hive is a rts, strategy and rpg game developed and published by Skydome Entertainment. Released on August 25th 2016 has received 387 reviews of which 279 were positive and 108 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for base-building games.
6.8
279
108
-98%
19.99€
0.51€
10. Garbage
Experience the struggle which a homeless man goes through in a humorous manner. Primitive elements of contemporary life that we take for granted, such as staying warm, well-nourished, and hygienic, will become an issue. Garbage is a simulation, management and strategy game developed by Homebased and published by GrabTheGames and UpgradePoint. Released on June 04th 2021 has received 1,117 reviews of which 746 were positive and 371 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for base-building games.
6.5
746
371
-98%
13.99€
0.39€
Free base-building games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play base-building games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on June 15th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play base-building games.
1. Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition offers players a trial of this historical single & multiplayer RTS experience. *Note: To unlock all features of the game please see the “Base Game” product. Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition is a strategy, base-building and rts game developed by World's Edge, Tantalus Media and Forgotten Empires and published by Xbox Game Studios. Released on October 15th 2020 has received 48,342 reviews of which 40,941 were positive and 7,401 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. With 3,894 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free base-building games on Steam.
8.3
40,941
7,401
3,894
players
2. Shop Titans
Shop Titans is the ultimate RPG shopkeeper simulation. Craft powerful equipment, stock your shop and sell to aspiring heroes… at a markup! Hire heroes and explore dungeons to gather valuable materials to craft with. There’s never a dull moment in the world of Shop Titans! Shop Titans is a idler, shop keeper and medieval game developed and published by Kabam Games and Inc.. Released on May 05th 2020 has received 16,928 reviews of which 13,249 were positive and 3,679 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 3,440, this base-building game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free base-building games on Steam.
7.7
13,249
3,679
3,440
players
3. Fallout Shelter
Fallout Shelter puts you in control of a state-of-the-art underground Vault from Vault-Tec. Build the perfect Vault, keep your Dwellers happy, and protect them from the dangers of the Wasteland. Fallout Shelter is a free to play, base-building and survival game developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. Released on March 29th 2017 has received 74,448 reviews of which 65,847 were positive and 8,601 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 983, this base-building game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free base-building games on Steam.
8.7
65,847
8,601
983
players
4. War Selection
War Selection is a compelling RTS game featuring base building, resource extraction and warfare. Evolve from a stone age tribe to a distinct industrial nation with unique game mechanics and battle for supremacy with dozens of players on a unique procedurally generated map. War Selection is a strategy, base-building and free to play game developed and published by Glyph Worlds. Released on October 08th 2019 has received 21,854 reviews of which 18,745 were positive and 3,109 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 579 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free base-building games on Steam.
8.4
18,745
3,109
579
players
5. Pixel Starships
Pixel Starships is an FTL-style online sci-fi strategy builder and management game with a competitive PVP tournament. Set in the retro galaxy, your role is to explore space, meet aliens, and develop your ship, crew and AI. The game contains deep strategic and 4x elements. PSS is community-driven. Pixel Starships is a sci-fi, space and strategy game developed and published by SavySoda. Released on May 23rd 2023 has received 2,732 reviews of which 2,008 were positive and 724 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 125 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free base-building games on Steam.
7.1
2,008
724
125
players
6. Tribal Wars
Compete in hardcore PvP strategy in persistent game worlds where real time resource and troop management in coordination with other players is required to expand your kingdom from one village to hundreds as you conquer the map in this winner takes all medieval contest. Tribal Wars is a strategy, massively multiplayer and base-building game developed and published by InnoGames. Released on November 12th 2020 has received 738 reviews of which 531 were positive and 207 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free base-building games on Steam.
6.9
531
207
65
players
7. Kingdom: Classic
Kingdom is a 2D sidescrolling strategy/resource management hybrid with a minimalist feel wrapped in a beautiful, modern pixel art aesthetic. Kingdom: Classic is a free to play, strategy and singleplayer game developed by Noio and Licorice and published by Raw Fury. Released on October 21st 2015 has received 22,088 reviews of which 20,023 were positive and 2,065 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free base-building games on Steam.
8.9
20,023
2,065
59
players
8. XERA: Survival
Action-focused, open world survival shooter, PvPvE against fellow mercenaries and lethal XOIDS. Raid for resources alone or with team-mates, build and defend your base, stash your gear and survive against the odds. You are the hunters. You are the hunted. And the robots never sleep… XERA: Survival is a base-building, open world survival craft and multiplayer game developed and published by Spotted Kiwi Interactive. Released on September 26th 2021 has received 7,774 reviews of which 5,185 were positive and 2,589 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free base-building games on Steam.
6.6
5,185
2,589
43
players
9. Warzone 2100
In the late 21st century, the world's civilizations are wiped out by a series of nuclear strikes, seemingly caused by a massive malfunction of the new NASDA (North American Strategic Defense Agency) strategic defense system. Warzone 2100 is a strategy, free to play and rts game developed by Pumpkin Studios, Underdone Gaming and Warzone 2100 Project and published by Underdone Gaming. Released on February 18th 2020 has received 1,500 reviews of which 1,355 were positive and 145 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free base-building games on Steam.
8.6
1,355
145
19
players
10. Space Commander: War and Trade
Fight, explore the stars, trade, and lead your fleet across the galaxySpace Commander: War and Trade is an ultimate single player space-sim featuring spectacular graphics, intuitive combat and deep mechanics. Space Commander: War and Trade is a action, rpg and base-building game developed and published by Home Net Games. Released on November 04th 2020 has received 656 reviews of which 442 were positive and 214 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free base-building games on Steam.
6.5
442
214
10
players