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
Five Nights at Freddy's 2
Welcome back to the new and improved Freddy Fazbear's Pizza! As always, Fazbear Entertainment is not responsible for death or dismemberment.
Dungeon of the ENDLESS™
Dungeon of the ENDLESS™ is a Rogue-Like Dungeon-Defense game, in which the player and their team of heroes must protect the generator of their crashed ship while exploring an ever-expanding dungeon, all while facing waves of monsters and special events as they try to find their way out...
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.
NOBUNAGA'S AMBITION: Souzou
The 14th entry of the the historical simulation series "Nobunaga's Ambition." Become a daimyō of the Warring States era, and unite the land! With "the creation of a new age" as the key concept, this title features beautifully recreated castle towns, dynamic battlefield action and dramatic event scenes.
Five Nights at Freddy's
Welcome to your new summer job at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza, where kids and parents alike come for entertainment and food! The main attraction is Freddy Fazbear, of course; and his two friends. They are animatronic robots, programmed to please the crowds!
Gods Will Be Watching
Gods Will Be Watching is a minimalistic “point and click thriller” centered on despair, commitment, and sacrifice as players face intriguing puzzles and tough decisions that will affect their entire crew’s wellbeing.
Wildlife Park 2
Now’s the chance to build the Zoo of your dreams! Just like in a real Zoo, your animals must receive complete care. Feed them, train them, cure them and even relocate them. Observe their realistic interactions with one another, the landscape, the play equipment and even Zoo visitors.
Tropico 5
Return to the remote island nation of Tropico and expand your Dynasty’s reign from the early colonial period to beyond the 21st Century, facing new challenges including advanced trading mechanics, technology and scientific research, as well as cooperative and competitive MULTIPLAYER.
RollerCoaster Tycoon®: Deluxe
One of the best games from acclaimed Tycoon series, with well designed gameplay mechanics, appealing graphics, and really high re-playability value. There’s no limit to what you can create so design and build the most thrilling roller coaster the world has ever seen!
1849
1849 is a city management game set during the California Gold Rush. Your task is to build towns, populate them with workers, and make sure that they are housed, fed, and entertained. You’ll have to manage and coordinate extensive production and trade networks to make sure your towns thrive.
The Promised Land
The Promised Land, a brave new world , the hole nation – all this lies in your hands! Become a true leader, a chosen one, a father of nation! Guide your colony to the victory of the modern superpower! We collected all the best that is in games of this genre, arched by exciting mini-games and carefully turned it into the deep and...
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.
Banished
In this city-building strategy game, you control a group of exiled travelers who decide to restart their lives in a new land. They have only the clothes on their backs and a cart filled with supplies from their homeland. The townspeople of Banished are your primary resource.
Hero of the Kingdom
Lovely adventuring RPG series. Casual, story-driven journey and quests. Your home has been raided. Your father is missing. Set off on a dangerous journey to save him, and become the hero of the kingdom.
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.
Knights and Merchants
KNIGHTS and MERCHANTS recreates the era of the Middle Ages. Apart from the purely fictitious geography of our world, all game elements and scenes are based on the Anglo-Saxon period, 1200 A.D. And we haven't used imaginary elements like fabled creatures, either. The player takes on the role of an ordinary captain in the Palace Guard.
Reus
In Reus, you control powerful giants to shape the planet to your will. You can create mountains, oceans, forests and more. Enrich your planet with plants, minerals and animal life. There is only one thing on the planet that you do not control: mankind, with all their virtues and and all their vices.
Age of Empires II (Retired)
Age of Empires II has been re-imagined in high definition. With the release of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, this product will not be updated further.
The Guild II Renaissance
For centuries Europe has been dominated by the church and nobility. On the shoulders of ordinary people the servants of god and the noble families justified their power and wealth. This was the incontrovertible, divine world order. A truly dark era… In the 14th Century the world order is beginning to transform itself.
The Guild II
The Guild 2 is the shining successor of the ultra successful medieval life sim, Europe 1400. The Guild 2 is a unique mixture of RPG and life simulation in an immersive middle ages scenario. The player and his party become part of history and can even change it in real-time. Go back to the dark middle ages and found a new dynasty!
The Void
Only brought to life by scarce sparks of Color, the bleak, grey Void is a peculiar place. The player gets to explore it, get to know the Sisters, Brothers, and other weird creatures inhabiting it, and learn the ways of Color, harvesting it and drawing sigils that change the world around them.
Restaurant Empire II
Restaurant Empire 2 is the most realistic and comprehensive restaurant business simulation available, featuring 4 cuisines, 600 recipes, 4 huge cities, 2 campaigns with a total of 34 missions, 1400 interior objects, and a mix of business strategy and role-playing gameplay such as cooking contests.
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 15th 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 21,076 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.6
208,770
6,439
21,076
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 9,589 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
9,589
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 4,520 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
4,520
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 1,837 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
1,837
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 1,394 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
1,394
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 1,149 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
1,149
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 582 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
582
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 505 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
505
players
9. 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 495 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played resource management games.
8.3
8,217
1,456
495
players
10. 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 458 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played resource management games.
8.1
6,433
1,251
458
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 15th 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€
0.55€
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€
0.54€
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€
0.73€
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€
0.49€
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 15th 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 1,837 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
1,837
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
44
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 898 reviews of which 675 were positive and 223 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
675
223
32
players
5. 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 #5 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
7.9
560
111
9
players
6. 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 1,953 reviews of which 1,885 were positive and 68 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
9.2
1,885
68
8
players
7. 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 #7 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
9.4
4,584
133
6
players
8. 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 1,980 reviews of which 1,850 were positive and 130 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
8.9
1,850
130
6
players
9. Terraformers: First Steps on Mars
Terraformers: First Steps on Mars is a free prologue of Terraformers, featuring an exclusive challenge to lead humanity's first attempt at settling the Red Planet. Terraformers: First Steps on Mars is a strategy, simulation and colony sim game developed by Asteroid Lab and published by Goblinz Publishing and IndieArk. Released on October 23rd 2021 has received 683 reviews of which 610 were positive and 73 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
8.4
610
73
4
players
10. 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 #10 spot among the most played free resource management games on Steam.
8.7
1,496
138
2
players