Building stuff is fun. However, not all of us are capable of really building something in the real life and that’s the fact we must live with. We often use video games as a main source of fun and it would be good if some of those games offered us what we want, for example, to build something. Well, folks, you’ve come to the right place! Building games are with us for quite some time and this genre is very versatile, albeit not distinctive. Today, I’ll present you the 22 best PC building games. Get ready to invoke your engineering spirit with me as the list is below.
What are Building Games?
Games that let you use your imagination to build and design various objects are called building video games for the PC. These games are extremely engaging and loved by gamers all over the globe. In these games, you can construct specific structures or your own virtual world with a variety of tools and materials.
Playing building games lets you pretend to be an architect or builder in a virtual setting. Based on your interest, you can construct cities, amusement parks, buildings, and even entire civilizations. All you have to do is to start with a blank canvas or an empty room, and decide what and how to build.
The Best Building Games for PC
1. Minecraft
You’ve guessed it. Minecraft took the first spot on our list as it’s one of the best building games ever! Being a survival game for PC at its core, Minecraft brings you a satisfying experience as you’ll constantly fight in order to survive with both in-game enemies and versus the other players. Minecraft lets you build your shelter with the chunks and possibilities here are really infinite. You can build a small shelter or create a massive house in which you can store your findings, food or items. Graphically, the game is underwhelming, but that’s the whole point! It’s a great game for both kids and adults.
2. Cities: Skylines
Cities: Skylines might be a very complex game and surely not for everyone. But hey, do you want to build something? If so, then don’t expect to do it overnight, although you could by playing this amazing game! As its name says, the game is about building your own city, as well as managing various resources in order for it to survive. The building part is a little easier and more skilled players will have to shine when it comes to maintaining their beloved property. Get ready for this demanding, yet rewarding challenge.
3. ARK Survival Evolved
ARK: Survival Evolved was in the beta state for far too long. Thankfully, the game was released, and although its optimization still plagues the game’s performance, I can’t help but praise it. ARK: Survival Evolved is here to bring you a streamlined survival experience in the era of dinosaurs, as you build your shelter and craft various weapons to defend yourself. You can play this game solo, but I suggest doing it with your friends. ARK: Survival Evolved is an amazing multiplayer game for PC that offers months of fun by just giving you the possibility to build something.
4. Prison Architect
With the cartoonish artwork of the game and it’s childish graphics, you wouldn’t think that the game is this serious. But, don’t let Prison Architect fool you. It’s an awesome game! As the name suggests, you are in a role of an engineer who needs to build a maximum-security prison so the bad guys can’t escape. Building a high-security prison is very hard and you’ll need to think about every move you make, and so is maintaining your property. Prison Architect costs just a few bucks and it’s really cheap for what it offers.
5. Fallout 4
Fallout 4 is primarily an FPS game, but the building elements in the game make it a valuable mention on this list. During your stay in Commonwealth, a fictional town plagued by the nuclear catastrophe, you’ll be able to build your settlements. Fallout 4 allows for building literally anything you want in order to protect yourself from enemies. On top of that, this role-playing game features crafting, so you can build your authentic weapons, too! The in-game world is beautiful, so feel free to explore and ultimately build something that you’ll be proud of!
6. This War of Mine
This 2D game for PC was released in 2014, and although it’s played in 2D, the game is very immersive. Actually, it’s one of the most immersive experience I’ve ever had. This War of Mine is a game about survival in the era of WW2, but not as a soldier. The game lets you play with several survivors whose mission is to stay alive by building their own shelter, adding a heat source, water source, filling the fridge with food and similar. You’ll do a lot of management with your supplies and send one of your survivors to scavenge for materials and food each night. It’s a very immersive game that sucks you in as soon as you start playing it.
7. Fortnite
Fortnite wasn’t that popular game until a few months ago. As PUBG’s popularity exploded, we’ve seen a giant increase in the popularity of Fortnite. Basically, the game is a third-person shooter that allows you to build stuff in order to survive. When I say that it lets you build stuff, I think about real shelters that can protect you from the enemy’s gunfire, so you could maybe stay alive for a little longer. Fortnite isn’t a ground-breaking experience, but it’s a fine replacement for PUBG because it’s a free game.
8. The Sims 4
Many say that The Sims 4 is a game for girls and I must agree with that to a certain point. However, I don’t like to classify the games so I’ll tell you that the game can be enjoyed by males, females and… well, something in between! Jokes aside, The Sims 4 is a relaxing and casual experience that lets you customize everything you want in the game. It’s all about family management here and not just building your family and your dream house. You’ll engage in various dialogues, control family’s relationships and much more. It’s a great way to amuse yourself after a long day of work.
9. Roblox
I used to hate this platform a long time ago, but when I thought better, Roblox is actually a fantastic game-building platform for kids. Roblox isn’t exactly a single game, but a platform where the users can create their own games and publish them in a domain of Roblox community. Roblox offers tons of different mods and almost any mod is about building! Build your factory, your house, your gym, your estate and much more. The graphics are very ugly and animations are poor, but this platform has some of the best games for kids.
10. Tropico 5
At first sight, Tropico 5 is an extremely beautiful game, as well as at second sight. Much like many city-building games, Tropico 5 is about building your own remote island and controlling various factors. Your Dynasty can be expanded in many ways and you’ll face multiple challenges as time goes on. The game features advanced trading mechanics, scientific research, and new technology, to make the living in your city much easier. Tropico 5 is also a great multiplayer game which offers both co-op and competitive mode.
11. Banished
Banished is a strategy game which again focuses on city-building. I’m glad that this genre is revived by some great games like Banished and Tropico 5. Banished looks amazing! Its highly-detailed graphics combined with a smooth gameplay result in an unforgettable experience. Banished puts you in a role of a few travelers looking to begin a new life in a new land. However, the new land must be built and managed thus the game is very challenging. It’s a single-player game for PC, so no multiplayer here, which is a pity.
12. Rust
Rust is an advanced survival game. What I mean by advanced is that you can do literally whatever you want here. Rust forces you to control factors like thirst, cold and hunger of your character so you’ll be on a constant look for shelter and food. Furthermore, Rust includes animals that you can kill for meat as well as other players that can be dangerous or friendly if you create alliances with them. Rust is very realistic which brings that sense of immersion and dread, making you feel like a real survivor in a real world.
13. Car Mechanics Simulator 2018
Car mechanics are geniuses if you ask me. They can not only repair your car but use their knowledge to build a completely new car from scratch! You can now become that genius with Car Mechanics Simulator 2018. The game features everything you like about cars from repairing and building a new car to testing your creation. Yes, you can drive your own cars, isn’t that cool? Car Mechanics Simulator 2018 is here for the true car lovers.
14. Planetbase
This game is full of survival games and it’s not strange that survival is often associated with building stuff. Planetbase is another such game, but it’s set in space, which is a nice change. Planetbase focuses on several settlers whose mission is to establish a base on a remote planet. To do so, they’ll have to defend themselves from the disasters, mine resources, grow food and build a colony. The world in this game is against you and it’s unforgivable and harsh. Do your best and spread your legacy across the galaxy.
15. Anno 2070
Being released in 2011, Anno 2070 still looks amazing and that’s cool. Although the game is developed by a less-known Blue Byte studio, the publisher of this game is no other than Ubisoft. Because of this, Anno 2070 is a streamlined and polished city-building experience. Beautiful urban areas, tall mountains, jaw-dropping vegetation and futuristic setting is what to be expected here. Anno 2070 is a game about building stuff and later managing what you have. Nothing new, but works well.
16. Space Engineers
Another game set in space is Space Engineers. I must admit that I like space setting as it’s always a refreshing experience. From the name of the game, we can clearly see what the developers are trying to bring and I like it! This sandbox game allows you to engineer your space stations, spaceships, and various outposts in order to survive. The game looks jaw-dropping and you’ll be more than happy to explore the in-game world. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that you should try at least once! Or you can get your friend to play with you and enjoy it to the fullest.
17. The Forest
The Forest is a survival horror game for PC that’s both terrifying and enjoyable. This devilish game puts you in a role of a survivor of a jet crash who found himself in an unknown forest. Don’t expect this game to hold you by your hand as you’ll constantly need to search for the means to survive. You’ll need a lot of food, weapons, and materials in order to build your shelter and maybe live another day.
18. Besiege
If you appreciate creating intricate machinery and have an aptitude for engineering, Besiege is the game for you. In this physics-based building game, you can design and construct medieval siege engines and war machines to get past challenging levels.
You have access to a really wide range of building supplies, like wheels, gears, cannons, and much more, so you can let your creativity run wild and build all kinds of inventive contraptions. If you want to build a flying aircraft, a rolling fortification, or a catapult, Besiege offers a sandbox environment where you can do so.
19. Garry’s Mod
Garry’s Mod lets you do literally anything you want. It’s a huge physics sandbox game where you can build some stuff and… well, destroy what you’ve built. The game is based on some of the most popular Valve’s games like Team Fortress 2 and Half-Life series which is fun as hell. You can now drive vehicles, tanks or shoot your gravity gun. Furthermore, G-Man is introduced in this game, and that mysterious bastard isn’t that mysterious here! Punch him in the face if you want or take a selfie with him; you can do all of that! For just a couple of bucks, you can have months and even years of fun!
20. Planet Coaster
Rollercoaster is very fun if you are brave enough to take a sit. In Planet Coaster, you can build your own rollercoaster and let the people enjoy it or be scared and pee in their pants. The game further expands by letting you create your own coaster park where your imagination can really shine. Build your world of fun and let the world know how great you are! Planet Coaster is a colorful, vivid, and joy-filled experience.
21. Foundation
Foundation is a video game that enables you to realize your goal of creating and running your own medieval city. The city-building strategy used by Foundation, which is situated in a non-grid environment and emphasizes organic growth and thorough planning, is distinctive. In this game, you will plan the city’s roads, distribute resources, and create structures while ensuring the welfare of its residents in your capacity as a city architect.
Foundation truly immerses you in a lively medieval universe where your architectural prowess and tactical choices determine the fate of your city, with a concentration on historical accuracy and breathtaking visuals.
22. Fallout Shelter
Fallout Shelter is a rip-off of Fallout series. Featuring a 2D gameplay, cartoonish graphics and less action than its brother, Fallout Shelter is a great surviving-and-building game. Your shelter consists of several sections which you’ll need to take care of in order to survive in the Fallout’s post-apocalyptic world. Fallout Shelter features scavenging for materials, water, and food so you can manage your supplies and ultimately build a shelter that can repel the hostile creatures. It’s a fine way to entertain yourself if you find Fallout games boring or uninspired. I almost forgot to mention that the game is free to play.