SimCity is a game that lets you create custom cities. If you quite like the idea, or are a SimCity fan looking for more, let the architect inside you come out and produce masterpieces as never before, as we bring to you some of the best games like SimCity.
SimCity BuildIt is a freemium version of SimCity, available on the Play Store as well as the App Store.
There was a time when creation of buildings that came from our imagination would only rest in our memories. The smallest block would be made out of sand or mud. But with games becoming more in tune with reality than ever before, we can build our own city or even a sprawling country. And SimCity allows you to do all this, and more.
SimCity was first designed by Will Wright, and was released in 1989. It had an over-the-top view of the city, and the limited resources you have to contend with. But the next installment had an isometric view, with each new building offering new upgrades. In the game, you adorn the role of the Mayor, and fulfill your role of keeping your residents happy. SimCity has become popular enough to have its own franchise, and proved to be the reason for the release of The Sims, and its subsequent sequels. It is available for all consoles as well as the latest operating systems. But the latest gimmick by Electronic Arts (parent company), in its latest installment of SimCity (SimCity BuildIt), has soured the taste of the game for the players. For availing any item or resource, you need to cough real cash and not the in-game currency. This has led to massive protests from the gaming community, and led EA to release a more stable version.
In light of these events, fans of the city-building genre need not fret, ’cause we bring you the best city building games that are quite like SimCity.
Cities XL 2011 lets players build cities around the world. The game offers three types of zones, namely industrial, commercial, and residential. You can even decide the different types of classes that can occupy the neighborhood. The player has an advanced option of allotting numerous zones on the map, at which point the lots will be created individually. A new feature of creating roadways and other modes of transport were added to make trade easy. The Game Enhancement Module would let the player add extra features in a theme-related area. For example, near the beach, the player is allowed to create amusement parks and other water-based activities.
Download Cities XL
Tropico 4 lets you assume the dictatorship of a small island. As El Presidente, your mission is to ensure the smooth running of the island, as well as gain the trust of its inhabitants. In a campaign mode, there’s a plot-based storyline outlining your meteoric rise and fall. The game offers 20 campaigns on 10 maps, which lets you construct new buildings, such as a stock exchange, aqua park, and others, as well as protect yourself from Mother Nature’s wrath. It even contains anecdotes from historical figures, such as Che Guevara, Nikita Khrushchev, etc. The latest expansion pack for the game State of Emergency, was released in April 2014.
Download Tropico 4
This game is extremely unique, in the sense that, you control the lives of all the citizens in the town of Banished. As a small community, your job is to guide your people through thick and thin, as well as maintain the economy of your small community. It takes excellent resource management as well as skill to weather the forces of nature as well as all the people’s complaints. Another unique aspect is that, it’s borne from the idea of a single person, Luke Hodorowicz.
Download Banished
Cities in Motion has similar elements to SimCity, and lets you focus on the cities of Amsterdam, Berlin, Helsinki, and Vienna. Your goal is to build cities, maintain them, and implement the transport system to connect all of them. It even has a sequel named Cities in Motion 2, released on April 2, 2013.
Download Cities in Motion
If you thought finding real estate in the Big Apple was difficult, prove us wrong by building your own version, in this city-building adventure. Your goal is to create each district, starting from Greenwich Village to Chelsea. You can raise your own business empire by working the inner annals of the city system, and create real-life landmarks. Your skills are sure to be tested here, in a fun way.
Download Tycoon City: New York
In the year 2070, global warming has already melted the ice caps, and the citizens of Earth are scrambling helter-skelter to survive. With the fate of the planet resting on 3 factions – Eden Initiative, Global Trust, and S.A.A.T., it rests on the player to either combine and utilize the resources of the three, or aid them out singularly in their mission to let Earth see another day. It even has an expansion pack, titled Deep Ocean, focusing only on the S.A.A.T. division.
Download Anno 2070
The Simpsons have lived in the fictional town of Springfield, entertaining us with their antics. But one of these antics led to a nuclear meltdown and the destruction of Springfield. As Homer Simpson, rebuild the town from scratch, and bring back key characters. You have many side-quests which result in a prize of donuts, the in-game currency, and Homer’s favorite snack. The game has gone through several updates, and contains many levels, the latest one titled ‘Superheroes’.
Download The Simpsons: Tapped Out
The Egyptian civilization was one of the oldest and the greatest, making discoveries in science and technology. Get ready to play as the Pharaoh of Egypt, and create a flourishing nation through thousands of years. As per the norm, you need to address the woes of your citizens, or they end up on a strike, and an incomplete pyramid.
Download Immortal Cities: Children of the Nile
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was its vast empire. In this game, you’ll get to experience the lives of all the citizens, from the lowest in the hierarchy to the highest. The battlefield beckons all the cities to aid Rome, and the citizens get ready to do so. The player starts with the lowest rank of ‘Citizen’, and can rise to the position of ‘Emperor’. There’s even a separate editor to map out terrains and create customized maps.
Download Caesar III
If you thought people in ancient times had it easy, get ready to change your mind and revel in awesomeness. As the current legionary serving the Roman Army, your mission is to build towns and manage the economy of each. The money gained is used to fight further battles and expand the regions of Rome. As with all city-building games, creating historical buildings such as the Colosseum and Pantheon gives you extra credit. If you liked this one, get the expansion pack, titled Grand Ages: Rome – The Reign of Augustus.
Download Grand Ages: Rome
- CivCity: Rome
- Afterlife
- Theme Hospital
- The Movies
- Black and White 2
These are some of the best city building games like SimCity that you can lay your hands out. Try out whichever one suits your liking, and let us know how you liked it.