Best 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 building games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free building games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Meet Your Maker
Meet Your Maker is a building game of brutal expression and conquest. Unleash your inner evil genius in co-op or single-player to build the ultimate fortress of devious deathtraps, or take on those built by others in a high-stakes heist to steal resources essential for your survival.
Jigsaw Puzzles Infinite
Sit back, relax and build puzzles to your heart's content. Assemble one of the many included puzzles, or add your own images. Customize size and shape of the pieces for any puzzle. Enjoy Classic mode or try out Zen mode for a new type of puzzle experience.
Reshaping Mars
「Reshaping Mars」is a colony simulation game on Mars, you will start by gathering resources, storing food, accepting immigrants, and building a better colony together. Develop powerful technologies for Mars Reshaping, make Mars great agai..sorry, just great. Don't forget to make the residents happy.
Undead Horde 2: Necropolis
As a powerful necromancer you have the ability to raise the dead and command them in battle. With each victory, your army will grow stronger and your city will become more powerful. Undead Horde 2 is an action game with elements from RPG, strategy and hack'n'slash. Rise from the crypt and rebuild!
ZED ZONE
A great catastrophe has come, and you, who are on duty, crash and trapped in a Zed Zone. There are zombies and monsters everywhere, In order to escape, by collecting materials, upgrading skills, building shelters, defeating zombie waves and mysterious mechs, chasing a glimmer of hope.
Ancient Cities
Ancient Cities is a realistic, survival city builder in an immersive procedural environment. Lead the fate of your tribe through ancient times!
Masterplan Tycoon
Welcome to the resource management game where your creativity and logistics skills are put to the test! In this minimalistic simulation you will build interconnected chains of products and open new missions by completing various tasks to create the biggest system you can.
Sea of Craft
Hello! Captain! “Sea Of Craft” is a sandbox ocean-building game with realistic physics simulation. In “Sea of Craft”, you can build your exclusive ship with hundreds of materials, and explore intriguing stages on planet Beella as well as adventures of wonders in the great ocean!
Goblins of Elderstone
This Goblin Tribe Simulator brings a challenging blend of chaos and creativity to the city-building genre. Build dwellings, manage your resources, defend your goblins, and grow your tribe to face other races and even the Gods! Do you have what it takes to control the chaos and rule the unruly?
Hotel Renovator
Unleash your inner designer and renovate the hotel of your dreams! Embark on a makeover journey to turn this worn-out place into a successful getaway. Play with thousands of furniture pieces and accessories, and manage the hotel to get 5-star reviews!
Outlanders
Outlanders is a town-building strategy game, populated by hard-working, charming folk in search of a simpler life. Some just want to survive off the land, others want to create amazing things.
My Dream Setup
My Dream Setup is a simulation game about building the room you've always dreamed of. A huge selection of furniture, computers and their accessories, posters, pictures, plants, and other interior details await you. Try all of them and create your dream setup.
SpaceBourne 2
Embark on a journey to greatness. Get ready for adrenaline-fueled battles and a chance to claim your place in the galaxy. Grab the controls of your ship, gear up for the fight, and unleash your ambition to conquer and build a new empire in the vastness of space.
Pharaoh™: A New Era
The legendary city-builder returns! Lead the creation of one of the greatest civilizations the world has ever seen in this HD remake with modernized UI. Build monuments, manage your population and explore 4,000 years of history through over a hundred hours of gameplay.
Plan B: Terraform
Terraform a lifeless rock into a lush and habitable world. Build trucks, trains and sprawling factories on an enormous hexagonal planet. Grow its population to millions. Enjoy a dynamic simulation of atmosphere, temperature, water and forests.
The Last Starship
The Last Starship is a 2D space construction game where you design and upgrade your starship. Choose your path: pirate hunter, miner, engineer, spacebus driver, and more, whilst exploring vibrant star systems. Enjoy a growing sandbox world, with regular free updates. Your cosmic adventure awaits!
Waves of Steel
If you like warships but wish they could kickflip, Waves of Steel is for you! Build your own custom warship and embark on a sprawling campaign filled with enemy ships, planes, submarines, and bizarre superweapons. Fast-paced arcade naval action is here!
Broken Universe - Tower Defense
Get ready to rethink all your defense strategies! Build barricades to stop monsters, or lure them into a maze and attack. A variety of stages that change each time depending on how you play them.
Cooking Live - Italian Kitchen Simulator
Hello everyone! My name is Jane, and I need your help! I travel around the world and create a blog about local restaurants and cuisine. I’ve seen how big corporations squeeze out talented local cooks and their restaurants! Let’s take matters into our own hands and give them back their zest for life!
Don't get lost
A procedurally-generated, open-world, first-person colony sim. Build colonies in an infinite world, alone or with friends via Steam or self-hosted multiplayer.
Industries of Titan
Create a sprawling industrial city. Compete with other rival corporations on Titan for resources, territory, and power. Seek victory via technology, influence, warfare, or the wealth extracted from your citizens. Stake your claim to the Industries of Titan in this innovative sim/strategy game!
Garden In!
Chill in the peaceful world of Garden In!, a charming sandbox game. Grow unique plants, discover new seeds, and design your dream garden. With its serene atmosphere, you'll find yourself saying 'just one more plant!' Dive in for quick relaxation or lose yourself for hours in the cozy journey.
Juno: New Origins
Bring to life anything you can imagine from rockets and airplanes to cars and more. Automate them with a visual programming language. Explore 3D planets and make your own. Share your creations online. Complete contracts, conquer milestones, and unlock technology in the newly added Career Mode.
Ultimate Admiral: Dreadnoughts
Design warships the way you want them, command fleets, win the naval arms race for your nation!Most played building games on Steam
Take a look at the top building games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of May 01st 2025.
1. The Sims™ 4
Play with life and discover the possibilities. Unleash your imagination and create a world of Sims that’s wholly unique. Explore and customize every detail from Sims to homes–and much more. The Sims™ 4 is a life sim, free to play and character customization game developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. Released on June 18th 2020 has received 167,732 reviews of which 146,459 were positive and 21,273 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played building game, thanks to its 25,194 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.6
146,459
21,273
25,194
players
2. Garry's Mod
Garry's Mod is a physics sandbox. There aren't any predefined aims or goals. We give you the tools and leave you to play. Garry's Mod is a sandbox, moddable and multiplayer game developed by Facepunch Studios and published by Valve. Released on November 29th 2006 has received 1,153,288 reviews of which 1,116,314 were positive and 36,974 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. While seeing 19,220 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among building games based on player count.
9.6
1,116,314
36,974
19,220
players
3. Conan Exiles
An online multiplayer survival game, now with sorcery, set in the lands of Conan the Barbarian. Survive in a vast open world sandbox, build your home into a kingdom, and dominate your enemies in single or multiplayer. Conan Exiles is a survival and open world game developed and published by Funcom. Released on May 08th 2018 has received 106,724 reviews of which 83,957 were positive and 22,767 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. While seeing 8,096 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among building games based on player count.
7.8
83,957
22,767
8,096
players
4. Cities: Skylines
Cities: Skylines is a modern take on the classic city simulation. The game introduces new game play elements to realize the thrill and hardships of creating and maintaining a real city whilst expanding on some well-established tropes of the city building experience. Cities: Skylines is a city builder, simulation and building game developed by Colossal Order Ltd. and published by Paradox Interactive. Released on March 10th 2015 has received 274,208 reviews of which 254,907 were positive and 19,301 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 6,024 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played building games.
9.2
254,907
19,301
6,024
players
5. Space Engineers
Space Engineers is a sandbox game about engineering, construction, exploration and survival in space and on planets. Players build space ships, space stations, planetary outposts of various sizes and uses, pilot ships and travel through space to explore planets and gather resources to survive. Space Engineers is a space, sandbox and building game developed and published by Keen Software House. Released on February 28th 2019 has received 131,878 reviews of which 116,777 were positive and 15,101 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. With 5,123 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played building games.
8.7
116,777
15,101
5,123
players
6. 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 127,555 reviews of which 123,406 were positive and 4,149 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. With 4,506 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played building games.
9.5
123,406
4,149
4,506
players
7. Myth of Empires
Myth of Empires is a multiplayer war sandbox game featuring a high degree of freedom and multiple civilizations. Players must survive, craft, create, and lead troops in their quest to conquer PVE or PVP territory and build their own empire. Xizhou Civilization Pack is now officially released! Myth of Empires is a building, open world survival craft and sandbox game developed by Angela Game and published by Imperium Interactive Entertainment . Released on February 21st 2024 has received 16,789 reviews of which 11,479 were positive and 5,310 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. With 3,441 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played building games.
6.7
11,479
5,310
3,441
players
8. Planet Zoo
Build a world for wildlife in Planet Zoo. From the developers of Planet Coaster and Zoo Tycoon comes the ultimate zoo sim. Construct detailed habitats, manage your zoo, and meet authentic living animals who think, feel and explore the world you create around them. Planet Zoo is a management, simulation and building game developed and published by Frontier Developments. Released on November 05th 2019 has received 87,057 reviews of which 79,305 were positive and 7,752 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 2,564 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played building games.
9.0
79,305
7,752
2,564
players
9. Dyson Sphere Program
Build the most efficient intergalactic factory in space simulation strategy game Dyson Sphere Program! Harness the power of stars, collect resources, plan and design production lines and develop your interstellar factory from a small space workshop to a galaxy-wide industrial empire. Dyson Sphere Program is a automation, space and base-building game developed by Youthcat Studio and published by Gamirror Games. Released on January 20th 2021 has received 84,667 reviews of which 82,683 were positive and 1,984 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. With 1,933 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played building games.
9.6
82,683
1,984
1,933
players
10. House Flipper
House Flipper is a unique chance to become a one-man renovation crew. Buy, repair and remodel devastated houses. Give them a second life and sell them at a profit! House Flipper is a simulation, design & illustration and building game developed by Empyrean and published by Frozen District and PlayWay S.A.. Released on May 17th 2018 has received 94,651 reviews of which 89,126 were positive and 5,525 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 1,770 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played building games.
9.3
89,126
5,525
1,770
players
Best deals on building games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of building games available on Steam right now, updated on May 01st 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted building games.
1. 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 2,099 reviews of which 1,690 were positive and 409 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Featuring a massive 95% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for building category.
7.8
1,690
409
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
2. Snowtopia: Ski Resort Builder
Build your ideal ski resort. Keep skiers smiling with fresh pistes and fine facilities. Ski, build and chill in the wintry world of Snowtopia where everyone is welcome! Snowtopia: Ski Resort Builder is a simulation, building and management game developed by TeaForTwo and published by Goblinz Publishing and Maple Whispering Limited. Released on December 14th 2022 has received 1,169 reviews of which 717 were positive and 452 were negative resulting in a rating of 6 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 94% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in building games.
6
717
452
-94%
19.83€
1.19€
3. Juno: New Origins
Bring to life anything you can imagine from rockets and airplanes to cars and more. Automate them with a visual programming language. Explore 3D planets and make your own. Share your creations online. Complete contracts, conquer milestones, and unlock technology in the newly added Career Mode. Juno: New Origins is a building, science and space sim game developed and published by Jundroo and LLC. Released on January 26th 2023 has received 3,082 reviews of which 2,776 were positive and 306 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 93% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in building games.
8.7
2,776
306
-93%
18.43€
1.29€
4. When Ski Lifts Go Wrong
Ride into a hilarious construction puzzler; packed with over 100 creative physics-based challenges, sports and bloody disasters! Build contraptions to help every passenger reach their destination. Enjoy the sports by controlling your riders away from (or towards if you feel like it) peril! When Ski Lifts Go Wrong is a simulation, building and indie game developed by Hugecalf Studios and published by Curve Games. Released on January 23rd 2019 has received 842 reviews of which 731 were positive and 111 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for building games.
8.2
731
111
-93%
14.29€
1.00€
5. Bridge Constructor Portal
Enter the Aperture Science Enrichment Center and experience Bridge Constructor Portal – the unique merging of the classic Portal™ and Bridge Constructor™ games. Bridge Constructor Portal is a puzzle, simulation and strategy game developed by ClockStone and published by Headup. Released on December 20th 2017 has received 6,536 reviews of which 5,989 were positive and 547 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 92% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for building games.
8.9
5,989
547
-92%
9.99€
0.79€
6. Bridge Constructor Medieval
Bridge Constructor Medieval turns back the clock a few centuries to the time of knights and castles. Build sturdy bridges to supply your city with provisions - or cunningly constructed bridges that collapse under the weight of attacking troops, sending the horde of enemies into the abyss below. Bridge Constructor Medieval is a simulation, casual and indie game developed by ClockStone and published by Headup. Released on September 15th 2014 has received 556 reviews of which 452 were positive and 104 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 92% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for building games.
7.7
452
104
-92%
9.99€
0.79€
7. Car Mechanic Simulator 2015
New cars, new tools, new options, more parts and much more fun in the next version of Car Mechanic Simulator! Take your wrench! Create and expand your auto repairs service empire. Car Mechanic Simulator 2015 will take you behind the scenes of daily routine in car workshop. Car Mechanic Simulator 2015 is a automobile sim, simulation and singleplayer game developed by Red Dot Games and published by PlayWay S.A.. Released on April 23rd 2015 has received 14,566 reviews of which 13,461 were positive and 1,105 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 91% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for building games.
9
13,461
1,105
-91%
20.56€
1.85€
8. Car Mechanic Simulator 2018
Build and expand your repair service empire in this incredibly detailed and highly realistic simulation game, where attention to car detail is astonishing. Find classic, unique cars in the new Barn Find module and Junkyard module. You can even add your self-made car in the Car Editor. Car Mechanic Simulator 2018 is a simulation, automobile sim and driving game developed by Red Dot Games and published by PlayWay S.A.. Released on July 28th 2017 has received 51,304 reviews of which 46,857 were positive and 4,447 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 91% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for building games.
9.0
46,857
4,447
-91%
20.22€
1.82€
9. Conan Exiles
An online multiplayer survival game, now with sorcery, set in the lands of Conan the Barbarian. Survive in a vast open world sandbox, build your home into a kingdom, and dominate your enemies in single or multiplayer. Conan Exiles is a survival and open world game developed and published by Funcom. Released on May 08th 2018 has received 106,724 reviews of which 83,957 were positive and 22,767 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 91% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for building games.
7.8
83,957
22,767
-91%
41.89€
3.77€
10. To The Rescue!
To The Rescue! is a charming dog shelter simulator. Take care of unique dogs and find the right homes for as many of them as you can. Upgrade your shelter, control disease outbreaks, learn each dog's preferences, and make tough decisions, all while helping support real-world animal shelters! To The Rescue! is a dog, management and immersive sim game developed by Little Rock Games and indie.io and published by indie.io. Released on November 02nd 2021 has received 2,045 reviews of which 1,373 were positive and 672 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 91% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for building games.
6.5
1,373
672
-91%
19.22€
1.73€
Free building games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play building games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on May 01st 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play building games.
1. The Sims™ 4
Play with life and discover the possibilities. Unleash your imagination and create a world of Sims that’s wholly unique. Explore and customize every detail from Sims to homes–and much more. The Sims™ 4 is a life sim, free to play and character customization game developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. Released on June 18th 2020 has received 167,732 reviews of which 146,459 were positive and 21,273 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. With 25,194 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free building games on Steam.
8.6
146,459
21,273
25,194
players
2. Muck
Muck is a survival-roguelike. Collect resources, find items & build a base to survive for as long as you can. Muck is a survival, multiplayer and crafting game developed and published by Dani. Released on June 05th 2021 has received 174,922 reviews of which 163,761 were positive and 11,161 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 978, this building game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free building games on Steam.
9.3
163,761
11,161
978
players
3. OpenTTD
OpenTTD is a business simulation game in which players earn money by transporting passengers and cargo via road, rail, water, and air. It is an open-source remake and expansion of the 1995 Chris Sawyer video game Transport Tycoon Deluxe. OpenTTD is a simulation, building and free to play game developed and published by OpenTTD. Released on April 01st 2021 has received 14,214 reviews of which 13,670 were positive and 544 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 457, this building game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free building games on Steam.
9.4
13,670
544
457
players
4. War Planet Online: Global Conquest
Build your army, dominate your region and lead your alliance to conquer the globe! War Planet Online: Global Conquest is a strategy, massively multiplayer and building game developed and published by Gameloft. Released on December 19th 2017 has received 907 reviews of which 579 were positive and 328 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.2 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 196 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free building games on Steam.
6.2
579
328
196
players
5. Global City
Become the mayor and build the city of your dreams! In this game, anything is possible. Whatever you can imagine in a city-building and development simulator, you can do. Start from the very beginning and unlock new possibilities for developing your city in Global City! Global City is a city builder, strategy and building game developed by Red Brix Wall and published by MY.GAMES. Released on November 30th 2021 has received 1,169 reviews of which 823 were positive and 346 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.8 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 178 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free building games on Steam.
6.8
823
346
178
players
6. Infinitode 2 - Infinite Tower Defense
Infinitode 2 - a strategy in the Tower Defense genre, in which the player will have to build towers to protect his base from endless waves of enemies. The game features huge maps, lots of towers, resource miners, upgrade tree and map editor. Infinitode 2 - Infinite Tower Defense is a level editor, tower defense and building game developed and published by Prineside. Released on May 06th 2021 has received 3,608 reviews of which 3,294 were positive and 314 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 174 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #6 position in the best free building games on Steam.
8.8
3,294
314
174
players
7. Resonite
Enter a novel digital universe with infinite possibilities. Whether you resonate with people around the world in a casual conversation, playing games and socializing or you riff off each other when creating anything from art to programming complex games, you'll find your place here. Resonite is a early access, casual and sandbox game developed by Yellow Dog Man Studios and Frooxius and published by Yellow Dog Man Studios. Released on October 06th 2023 has received 1,230 reviews of which 1,004 were positive and 226 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 157 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #7 position in the best free building games on Steam.
7.8
1,004
226
157
players
8. Zoo 2: Animal Park
Zoo 2: Animal Park – Take care of wild and tame zoo animals in this animal game! Zoo 2: Animal Park is a casual, building and city builder game developed by KING Art and published by upjers. Released on August 24th 2020 has received 1,445 reviews of which 1,137 were positive and 308 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 142 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #8 position in the best free building games on Steam.
7.6
1,137
308
142
players
9. SpellForce 3 Versus Edition
The SpellForce 3: Versus Edition gives you the chance to enter the battlefields of Eo for free, letting you test your RTS skills against AI opponents or even other human players. SpellForce 3 Versus Edition is a strategy, rpg and building game developed by Grimlore Games and published by THQ Nordic. Released on November 03rd 2020 has received 1,498 reviews of which 1,130 were positive and 368 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free building games on Steam.
7.3
1,130
368
83
players
10. My Free Zoo
A small zoo needs your help! As the new manager, it's your job to boost business. Design the zoo of your dreams. From wolves and polar bears all the way to prehistoric beasts – the further you progress in the game, the more exotic the animals you'll be able to keep in your zoo. Play now and save the zoo! My Free Zoo is a free to play, casual and simulation game developed and published by upjers. Released on November 28th 2017 has received 658 reviews of which 411 were positive and 247 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free building games on Steam.
6.1
411
247
42
players