The Best World-Building Games to Let Your Creativity Flow

The Best World-Building Games to Let Your Creativity Flow

Ever wanted to create your own world and rule it the way you want? If so, then you may love titles with world-building game mechanics.

Several titles allow your creativity to flow and let you create an entirely customized world. Even though this is not something new in the video game industry, time surely brought new technologies and mechanics to make these games even more interesting, gathering many players worldwide.

Whether you’re looking for a management simulation game or sandbox experience where you can do anything, the genre is full of different experiences for you to try.

If you’re looking for a new world-building game to add to your library, this article is for you. We will show some of the best options for creative players looking for a game to build their own civilization and manage their worlds.

Don’t worry; we will also cover multiple platforms and genres to ensure you find the perfect game, whether you’re playing on Steam Deck, desktop, or any other platform.

Where to Buy Your Video Game Keys

Before we see which games offer the greatest possibilities for creating custom worlds, knowing where you can find video game keys for the best price is essential. There are several options available, going from the official store of each platform to online marketplaces from around the world.

Among all the options available, RoyalCDKeys is the best one for your gameplay. We offer over a thousand titles for the best price on the market, ensuring you can play everything you want while saving money.

We also offer 24-hour support for every key sold. This way, you ensure no problems when redeeming the keys for your world simulation games. Visit our homepage and check out our newest deals.

Best World-Building Games You Can Play Right Now

Now it’s time to get to know the best games you can play if you want to build your own world and rule it however you like. Make sure to look at each one to see which titles catch your attention. 

We will cover different game types to ensure you find one that fits your taste. Here are the best world-building games you can play right now and start your civilization:

Cities Skylines 2

  • Release Date: October, 2023

  • Developer: Colossal Order

  • Platforms: Playstation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Microsoft Windows

 

Cities Skylines has always been a reference in the world-building genre. In this sequence, what was already a great game became even better.

The title features a depth of mechanics you’ll not see in any other game, especially considering the number of possibilities. You can edit the minimum details of your city and decide aspects like how the economics will work and the laws your citizens must follow.

The game presents an enormous learning curve as you explore different features like airport management and underground construction. Everything must be carefully planned for the city to run smoothly and your citizens to be happy.

You’ll also find a sandbox mode where you can build whatever you want without worrying about resources, budget, or anything else. It’s the perfect mode for understanding the basics or releasing the full potential of your creative side. 

The game is ideal if you want to play solo since there’s no current support for multiplayer features. You can develop structures of all kinds, including buildings, houses, skyscrapers, etc.

If you want to enjoy everything the game has to offer, prepare to spend some time learning its mechanics and exploring the different menus. The content volume in this game is insane, guaranteeing hundreds of hours of gameplay and challenging management of the cities.

 

Get Cities Skylines 2 Steam CD key on RoyalCDKeys.

Dwarf Fortress

  • Release Date: August, 2006

  • Developer: Bay 12 Games

  • Platforms: macOS, Linux, and Microsoft Windows

 

Don’t get fooled by the simple graphics of Dwarf Fortress. It is a reference when it comes to world-building titles and one of the best options if you want to explore a fantasy game world to build your land.

Even though the game is one of the most famous releases when it comes to building games, it is not the only focus. Dwarf Fortress can also be considered a looting game with RNG mechanics attached to its gameplay. This means every run differs from the last one, increasing its replayability and making it more challenging to complete your goals. 

The game doesn’t feature a specific storyline, and you don’t have main objectives during its gameplay, leaving it open for the player to choose what to do next. As you expect from a game with no story or objectives, the game doesn’t feature an ending, so you can play as much as you want without worrying about ending the campaign.

Unlike a city management simulator, you won’t be creating laws or worrying about the population's happiness. You’re by yourself and will be constantly threatened by monsters, so make sure to build your fortress to save your life.

Planet Zoo

  • Release Date: November, 2019

  • Developer: Frontier Developments

  • Platforms: Microsoft Windows

 

If you ever wondered what managing a zoo looks like, this is your chance. Planet Zoo puts you in the role of the owner and manager of a brand-new zoo. 

Everything from the species to the buildings will impact how it develops, so you’ll have to plan the details before taking any action. In Planet Zoo, you won’t worry about just the management and the relationships between the species but also how popular your zoo is and what you need to do to attract more visitors.

If you think world-building games don’t have a storyline, this game will prove you wrong. There is a campaign mode where players assume the role of Bernard Goodwin.

Your objective is to make this business grow and become the biggest zoo in the world, with a diversity of species and a happy audience.

The best part of Planet Zoo is that while playing, you’ll be constantly learning about the species you put in your Zoo and other interesting curiosities about the animal world. If you want a game to learn about nature and distance yourself from classic city management sims, this might be the perfect game for you.

 

Get Planet Zoo Steam CD key on RoyalCDKeys.

No Man’s Sky

  • Release Date: August, 2016

  • Developer: Hello Games

  • Platforms: Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, macOS, and Microsoft Windows

 

If you like exploring outer space and want to have fun building your cities and ideas on other planets, No Man’s Sky should definitely be on your wishlist. Even though world-building is not the title’s main focus, the developers added some features that make it an excellent option for those seeking a title of this genre.

Here, you’ll spend a lot of time exploring numerous planets and gathering resources to upgrade your spaceship and equipment. There are more than hundreds of thousands of worlds to explore since they are randomly generated, and this reflects on both the resources you’ll find and the creatures that appear.

In No Man’s Sky, you control a character seeking answers regarding the mysteries of Artemis and the Fourth Race. Knowing this will also help you understand your main doubts about Atlas, the Portals, and many other secrets you’ll find along the way. Once again, the key to getting these answers is exploring the universe around you.

The game’s launch was not as expected for both the developers and the players, but as time passed, the game received an enormous volume of content, becoming one of the best and most complete space games ever released. The best part is that it also features multiplayer, so you can have fun with other players and even trade resources for building your base and own planet.

 

Get No Man’s Sky Steam CD key on RoyalCDKeys.

Tropico 6

  • Release Date: March, 2019

  • Developer: Limbic Entertainment

  • Platforms: Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, macOS, Linux, and Microsoft Windows

 

If you want to live a tropical life and manage your own island, there’s no option better than Tropico 6. The famous world-building and city management title has a long story in the gaming industry, being a reference for many devs regarding political mechanics and many other aspects.

The main characteristic of Tropico is giving the player full freedom to choose how they want to manage the citizens’ lives, whether through peace and love or a dictatorial discipline. The same works for your alliances with other nations. You can either try to keep everything in peace or prepare to fight for power and influence.

One of the main positive points of Tropico 6 is that, while on the previous titles, your land consisted of only one island, in this one, the game allows players to build an entire archipelago. But be careful. More islands also mean more complex management.

In the sixth title of the saga, you’re back to the role of El Presidente, and your objective is to become as influential and wealthy as possible. You have the resources and the meanings for that. Now, it’s time to start planning and expanding.

 

Get Tropico 6 Steam CD key on RoyalCDKeys.

Crusader Kings III

  • Release Date: September, 2020

  • Developer: Paradox Interactive

  • Platforms: Playstation 5, Xbox Series X/S, macOS, Linux, and Microsoft Windows

 

If you like medieval-themed titles, you’ll surely love Crusader Kings 3. Here, you have a clear objective: expand and conquer other kingdoms.

The game has a depth of mechanics that is not often seen in other games, resulting in a more complex learning curve, especially if you’re not used to games of this kind. Everything will impact your strategy and how well you perform during an attack or invasion, from the buildings you create to what each citizen does.

The game doesn’t have a specific storyline; the only objective is to create your Dynasty, expand it, and conquer neighboring nations. The campaign ends when you reach the year 1453. This date is not randomly chosen by Paradox, and it has to do with the year when many medieval hallmarks ended, including the Byzantine Empire.

But don’t think the campaign is short. It will take a long time and many combats to reach this day, so every action must be well-planned.

Crusader Kings III is one of my favorite world-building games, thanks to its enormous replayability. Because of its vast content volume and number of mechanics, you can play it countless times without repeating a single strategy. There are several ways of becoming the most powerful king in the world.

 

Get Crusader Kings III Steam CD key on RoyalCDKeys.

Minecraft

  • Release Date: November, 2011

  • Developer: Mojang

  • Platforms: Playstation 3, Playstation 4, Playstation Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo 3DS, Android, iOS, Apple TV, Linux, macOS, and Microsoft Windows

 

Everybody knows Minecraft. Not only because it’s one of the most sold games of the entire history but because it is available for almost any platform worldwide. The randomly generated map is also enormous, allowing the player to do various constructions.

The world is yours to explore and build, but be careful. As night falls, the creatures crawl out of the caves and prepare to fight if they see you.

Minecraft offers an enormous number of creation and building possibilities, ensuring hundreds of hours of non-stop fun. Even though the game doesn’t have a specific storyline, the main campaign ends once you defeat the Ender Dragon, but you’re free to keep building and exploring as much as you want after finishing the quest.

Just like Cities Skylines, Minecraft features a creative mode where you don’t need to worry about fighting or staying alive. Your only objective is to build anything you want with unlimited resources and the power to fly across the infinite map.

The simple graphics and chilling gameplay make it one of the best titles to play if you want a casual experience alone or with your friends. The gameplay is not supposed to be challenging or for tryhard players, but there’s a hardcore mode for players who want to take the campaign to the next level.

 

Get Minecraft Microsoft Windows CD key on RoyalCDKeys.

Fallout Shelter

  • Release Date: June, 2015

  • Developer: Bethesda Game Studios

  • Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS, and Microsoft Windows

 

If you like the Fallout Games franchise, this base management title will definitely catch your eye. It’s also developed by Bethesda, and the idea is that, just like in the main Fallout title, you start the game in a vault, but here, your objective is to manage it. The best part is that the game is entirely free to play on all platforms.

From the energy supplies to the tech and tools development, every action in the vault must be carefully planned to keep everything running smoothly. You’re the boss and choose everything inside the base, including who can get in.

You won’t be alone in this journey and will find many characters that can be part of your crew or not. The more people you have, the better since you’ll have dozens of tasks to do simultaneously, including the production of supplies and searching for valuable items in the outside world.

The objective is to survive for as long as possible while expanding your vault. It is a must-play for any Fallout fan. The more your kingdom expands, the more stressful it’ll be to manage, so make sure to plan everything to ensure harmony and wealth inside the base.

Time to Start Creating Your World

World-building games are one of the best genres if you want to unleash your imagination and create anything that comes to your mind. From medieval settings with factions and politics mechanics to sandbox experiences where you can make anything, there are several titles to choose from.

You can find these and hundreds of other world-building titles at RoyalCDKeys for a special price. This way, you can enjoy all the games you want and still save money.

Now it’s time for you to choose your next world-building game.

Whether you want to be the president of an island or the absolute god of your own world, grab your resources and start building the absolute best base.