Best Resource Management 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 resource management games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free resource management games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Terra Nil
Terra Nil is an intricate environmental strategy game about transforming a barren wasteland into a thriving, balanced ecosystem. Bring life back to a lifeless world by purifying soil, cleaning oceans, planting trees, and reintroducing wildlife, then leave without a trace.
Ancient Cities
Ancient Cities is a realistic, survival city builder in an immersive procedural environment. Lead the fate of your tribe through ancient times!
Resident Evil 4
Survival is just the beginning. Six years have passed since the biological disaster in Raccoon City. Leon S. Kennedy, one of the survivors, tracks the president's kidnapped daughter to a secluded European village, where there is something terribly wrong with the locals.
Magic Research
Magic Research is a text-based incremental game about Magic. You are the headmaster of a newly-created institution of Magic. Will you be able to lead your school to win the prestigious Tournament of Magic?
Big Ambitions
Big Ambitions is a revolutionary role-playing business sim. Go from nothing to the biggest entrepreneur in New York by opening small businesses or slowly building huge corporations any way you like.
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.
Terraformers
Terraform Mars in this turn-based colony builder and resource management game with roguelike elements. Explore the planet, develop spectacular cities, spread life and turn the Red Planet into a green one!
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.
Final Profit: A Shop RPG
FINAL PROFIT is a story driven shop-sim RPG. Gather products and find customers. Spend your hard-earned profits on upgrades and investments. Make far-reaching choices as you expand your business. And explore a world full of secrets on your quest to defeat capitalism by becoming the best at it!
The Pale Beyond
You didn’t ask to lead this expedition, but here you are. Stuck in the ice, Captain missing, miles from civilisation. Someone has to take charge. Manage your meagre resources, balance safety and morale, make the hard calls, and head in the only direction you can - through The Pale Beyond.
Chef Life: A Restaurant Simulator
Create and manage your dream restaurant! Menus, purchasing, décor, staff, equipment, customers… and don't forget the actual cooking! Experience the daily life of a restaurateur and earn your awards from the Michelin Guide.
The Last Haven
The world after a nuclear war. Manage the settlement, learn technology, make decisions, produce weapons, ammunition, organize defense, raid for supplies on other areas, do not let residents die, survive the nuclear winter.
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.
Noobs Want to Live
Noobs Want to Live is a fast-paced roguelike featuring several characters and a large pool of skills to choose from (that synergize with one another, too!) Fight, kill, grow. Each run is a new chance to create a steamrolling build!
The Farmer Was Replaced
Program and optimize a drone to automate a farm and watch it do the work for you. Collect resources to unlock better technology and become the most efficient farmer in the world. Improve your problem solving and coding skills.
Underworld Idle
An idle dungeon management game, where high tier units can create low tier units.
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!
The Pioneers: Surviving Desolation
Deep and innovative space survival simulation experience. Build your station, manage your crew and explore the harsh environment of Io, the innermost moon of Jupiter. Are you brave enough to survive?
Most played resource management games on Steam
Take a look at the top resource management games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of June 16th 2025.
1. 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. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played resource management game, thanks to its 18,640 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.6
208,770
6,439
18,640
players
2. 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. While seeing 9,142 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among resource management games based on player count.
9.5
124,220
4,170
9,142
players
3. Captain of Industry
Land your crew of survivors on an abandoned island and survive! Mine raw materials, grow food, build factories, manufacture products, research new tech, and trade with others. Become an industrial superpower! But this is no easy task, you will be put to the test to keep your settlement alive. Captain of Industry is a base-building, automation and resource management game developed and published by MaFi Games. Released on May 31st 2022 has received 7,154 reviews of which 6,737 were positive and 417 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. While seeing 3,916 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among resource management games based on player count.
9.1
6,737
417
3,916
players
4. Farmer Against Potatoes Idle
Pick up your sword and fight off waves of Potatoes by upgrading your stats constantly, use Equipment, choose between different Classes, put your many Talents to good use, and so much more designed to keep you entertained for a long time. Farmer Against Potatoes Idle is a idler, casual and clicker game developed and published by Oni Gaming. Released on September 05th 2024 has received 7,184 reviews of which 6,844 were positive and 340 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 1,727 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played resource management games.
9.2
6,844
340
1,727
players
5. Frostpunk
Frostpunk is the first society survival game. As the ruler of the last city on Earth, it is your duty to manage both its citizens and infrastructure. What decisions will you make to ensure your society's survival? What will you do when pushed to breaking point? Who will you become in the process? Frostpunk is a city builder, survival and resource management game developed and published by 11 bit studios. Released on April 24th 2018 has received 123,546 reviews of which 114,315 were positive and 9,231 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 1,167 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played resource management games.
9.1
114,315
9,231
1,167
players
6. FOUNDRY
Build a sophisticated robot factory optimized to perfection in an infinite voxel world. Mine and harvest resources, automate your production lines and manage complex systems while researching your way to become the galaxy’s leading robotics megacorp. FOUNDRY is a early access, automation and base-building game developed by Channel 3 Entertainment and published by Paradox Interactive. Released on May 02nd 2024 has received 2,783 reviews of which 2,197 were positive and 586 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. With 926 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played resource management games.
7.6
2,197
586
926
players
7. Mindustry
An open-ended factory management game with RTS and tower defense elements. Mindustry is a base-building, resource management and tower defense game developed and published by AnukenDev. Released on September 26th 2019 has received 22,266 reviews of which 21,329 were positive and 937 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 491 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played resource management games.
9.4
21,329
937
491
players
8. Frostpunk 2
Develop, expand, and advance your city in a society survival game set 30 years after an apocalyptic blizzard ravaged Earth. In Frostpunk 2, you face not only the perils of never-ending winter, but also the powerful factions that watch your every step inside the Council Hall. Frostpunk 2 is a strategy, city builder and survival game developed and published by 11 bit studios. Released on September 20th 2024 has received 21,628 reviews of which 16,477 were positive and 5,151 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. With 461 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played resource management games.
7.5
16,477
5,151
461
players
9. Airport CEO
Build and manage an international airport! Airport CEO is a flight, resource management and moddable game developed and published by Apog Labs. Released on March 04th 2021 has received 7,684 reviews of which 6,433 were positive and 1,251 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. With 432 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played resource management games.
8.1
6,433
1,251
432
players
10. Diplomacy is Not an Option
Diplomacy is Not an Option is a strategy game set in a medieval fantasy world. Build your town and defenses, raise huge armies and fight against massive hordes of enemies. How long can you survive? Diplomacy is Not an Option is a real-time with pause, resource management and simulation game developed and published by Door 407. Released on October 04th 2024 has received 9,673 reviews of which 8,217 were positive and 1,456 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. With 429 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played resource management games.
8.3
8,217
1,456
429
players
Best deals on resource management games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of resource management games available on Steam right now, updated on June 16th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted resource management games.
1. InfraSpace
Create an extrasolar efficiency utopia from scratch! In this sci-fi city builder you need to start mining operations, plan production, and lay down transportation routes to ensure a smooth supply chain. InfraSpace is a city builder, automation and transportation game developed and published by Dionic Software. Released on September 22nd 2023 has received 1,667 reviews of which 1,333 were positive and 334 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Featuring a massive 99% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for resource management category.
7.7
1,333
334
-99%
19.99€
0.39€
2. 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. Thanks to its incredible 99% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in resource management games.
7.1
1,279
453
-99%
21.99€
0.40€
3. The Pale Beyond
You didn’t ask to lead this expedition, but here you are. Stuck in the ice, Captain missing, miles from civilisation. Someone has to take charge. Manage your meagre resources, balance safety and morale, make the hard calls, and head in the only direction you can - through The Pale Beyond. The Pale Beyond is a resource management, survival and choices matter game developed by Bellular Studios and published by Fellow Traveller. Released on February 24th 2023 has received 1,862 reviews of which 1,658 were positive and 204 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 98% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in resource management games.
8.5
1,658
204
-98%
19.50€
0.45€
4. Hexarchy
Hexarchy is an innovative, fast-paced, historical 4x strategy game where you use cards and deckbuilding to make your decisions. Single-player and online multiplayer. Hexarchy is a turn-based, card game and resource management game developed by Main Tank Software and published by Yogscast Games and Gamersky Games. Released on October 19th 2023 has received 1,155 reviews of which 942 were positive and 213 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for resource management games.
7.8
942
213
-98%
19.50€
0.58€
5. Help Will Come Tomorrow
In an uninhabitable Siberian wilderness, in a wake of October Revolution, a group of passengers survives the mysterious catastrophe of Trans-Siberian railway train. They must endure in a harsh ice-clad climate until rescue arrives. Facing many dangers, their own weaknesses and, their own prejudice. Help Will Come Tomorrow is a survival, adventure and resource management game developed by Arclight Creations and published by Klabater. Released on April 21st 2020 has received 893 reviews of which 714 were positive and 179 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for resource management games.
7.6
714
179
-98%
19.99€
0.46€
6. Siege Survival: Gloria Victis
A medieval city under siege and a handful of civilians are all that keep the walls from falling. Mixing survival strategy and resource management, build your camp, craft supplies, and scavenge the occupied city to supply the last troops holding back the invaders. Siege Survival: Gloria Victis is a singleplayer, city builder and immersive sim game developed by Black Eye Games and published by Ravenscourt. Released on May 18th 2021 has received 1,641 reviews of which 1,295 were positive and 346 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for resource management games.
7.6
1,295
346
-98%
24.99€
0.65€
7. Cartel Tycoon
Cartel Tycoon is a survival business sim inspired by the ‘80s and '90s narco trade. Expand and conquer, fight off rival thugs and evade the authorities. Earn people's loyalty and strive to overcome the doomed fate of a power-hungry drug lord. Cartel Tycoon is a top-down, rts and resource management game developed by Moon Moose and published by tinyBuild. Released on July 26th 2022 has received 3,536 reviews of which 2,699 were positive and 837 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for resource management games.
7.4
2,699
837
-98%
28.99€
0.72€
8. Automachef
Welcome to Automachef, a resource management puzzler where you design kitchens, program machinery and watch your genius come to life! It’s time to engineer tomorrow’s kitchen, today! Automachef is a simulation, indie and automation game developed by Rhombico Games and published by Team17 Digital Ltd. Released on July 23rd 2019 has received 863 reviews of which 622 were positive and 241 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 resource management games.
6.9
622
241
-98%
14.99€
0.37€
9. Kardboard Kings: Card Shop Simulator
Open your own Card shop by the seaside! Buy, trade and sell Cards, OR keep them for your own collection! Earn reputation with customers, beat your shop goals, unlock new decorations, and host exciting events to bring everyone to the best Card shop in town! Kardboard Kings: Card Shop Simulator is a funny, 2d and capitalism game developed by Henry's House, Oscar Brittain and Rob Gross and published by Akupara Games. Released on February 10th 2022 has received 440 reviews of which 319 were positive and 121 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 98% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for resource management games.
6.9
319
121
-98%
19.50€
0.48€
10. 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 #10 position in the best deals for resource management games.
6.8
279
108
-98%
19.99€
0.51€
Free resource management games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play resource management games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on June 16th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play resource management games.
1. Farmer Against Potatoes Idle
Pick up your sword and fight off waves of Potatoes by upgrading your stats constantly, use Equipment, choose between different Classes, put your many Talents to good use, and so much more designed to keep you entertained for a long time. Farmer Against Potatoes Idle is a idler, casual and clicker game developed and published by Oni Gaming. Released on September 05th 2024 has received 7,184 reviews of which 6,844 were positive and 340 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 1,727 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free resource management games on Steam.
9.2
6,844
340
1,727
players
2. Industry Idle
Industry Idle is an idle game that combines factory building, resource management and market trading. Design & build your base, expand & scale up your productions, improve & optimize your economy. Plus all the incremental game goodies: offline earnings, prestige to unlock more powerful upgrades. Industry Idle is a automation, idler and resource management game developed by FishPond and published by Fish Pond Studio. Released on September 13th 2024 has received 1,360 reviews of which 1,058 were positive and 302 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
7.5
1,058
302
46
players
3. Magic Archery
Train a commoner to become the greatest archer in this short incremental game! Increase your stats, gather wealth from quests, buy upgrades, and infuse your arrows with magic. Magic Archery is a clicker, idler and fantasy game developed and published by Barribob. Released on October 04th 2024 has received 5,794 reviews of which 5,726 were positive and 68 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
9.5
5,726
68
39
players
4. Prosperous Universe
In Prosperous Universe start your galactic empire by trading on the real-time market exchange with other real players. Build your 1st base from humble beginnings & watch as your business flourishes with complex supply chain strategies. Economics, politics & realism fuel this immersive business MMO. Prosperous Universe is a early access, economy and resource management game developed and published by simulogics. Released on April 20th 2022 has received 899 reviews of which 674 were positive and 225 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
7.2
674
225
27
players
5. Cookard
Cookard is a cooking game where you run a restaurant by stacking cards to prepare and serve dishes to customers. Cookard is a card game, free to play and cooking game developed and published by Panitia GameDev and Cliffbite Game. Released on May 10th 2024 has received 1,968 reviews of which 1,897 were positive and 71 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
9.2
1,897
71
7
players
6. Pacifish
Pacifish is an incremental fishing management game with several mechanics to interact with and improve. It can be played both idly, or more actively to progress faster. Pacifish is a casual, idler and resource management game developed and published by Conifer Studios. Released on June 07th 2022 has received 671 reviews of which 560 were positive and 111 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
7.9
560
111
7
players
7. Beecarbonize
Do you have what it takes to save the planet? Beecarbonize is an environmental card strategy game with climate change as your opponent. Beecarbonize is a strategy, resource management and card game game developed and published by Charles Games. Released on August 01st 2023 has received 1,988 reviews of which 1,858 were positive and 130 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
8.9
1,858
130
5
players
8. Outpath: First Journey
Outpath: First Journey is a prologue chapter of the main game, Outpath. An experimental clicker base building game. Craft, gather & manage resources, build your base and buy more islands to exploit and expand! Outpath: First Journey is a base building, resource management and crafting game developed by David Moralejo Sánchez and published by GrabTheGames and UpgradePoint. Released on December 17th 2022 has received 4,717 reviews of which 4,584 were positive and 133 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
9.4
4,584
133
4
players
9. Bakso Simulator
Create the most successful bakso business in this world! Bakso Simulator is a simulation, cooking and resource management game developed and published by Akhir Pekan Studio. Released on October 08th 2022 has received 1,634 reviews of which 1,496 were positive and 138 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
8.7
1,496
138
3
players
10. Flicker of Hope
Flicker of Hope is a suspense thriller where you play as a small candle in the ruins of a dark cathedral. Though the halls are littered with victims of a mysterious plague, you are not the only soul left. Use the properties of a candle, and a trusty douter to prevent yourself from being discovered. Flicker of Hope is a horror, stealth and indie game developed and published by Studio Whip. Released on August 02nd 2020 has received 943 reviews of which 881 were positive and 62 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
8.8
881
62
1
players