10 Unique Settlement Builder Games That Break the Mold
The world of settlement builder games offers a deep dive into creativity, strategic planning, and resource management. While many games in this genre feature familiar medieval or post-apocalyptic settings, there are gems that break the mold by exploring unique environments and themes. Here, we present 10 such settlement builder games that transport players to unusual and imaginative worlds.
1. Frostpunk
Frostpunk takes place in an alternate post-apocalyptic scenario where volcanic winters have engulfed the world. As the leader of the last city on Earth, players are tasked with managing resources to keep the city’s inhabitants warm and alive while making hard moral decisions.
Pro Tip: Focus on gathering coal early in the game to ensure your generator remains operational.
2. Surviving Mars
In Surviving Mars, players colonize the Red Planet. From building domes to providing for colonists, this game challenges you to create a self-sustaining colony in an environment with no breathable air and constant threats from meteor strikes.
3. Banished
Banished immerses players in a setting where a group of exiled travelers create a new settlement. The game emphasizes resource management and survival in a place with unpredictable weather and limited resources.
Read more about: Surviving Harsh Elements in Settlement Games
4. Planetbase
Players lead a group of space settlers through various planets, each with unique challenges. From harsh deserts to frozen wastelands, Planetbase forces you to adapt your strategy to survive in hostile environments.
5. RimWorld
RimWorld boasts of a futuristic setting where you manage survivors on an alien planet. The game’s storyteller AI adds random events, making each playthrough unique. Excellent AI storytelling combined with colony management makes it a standout.
6. Tropico Series
Set in a fictional Caribbean island, Tropico puts players in the shoes of “El Presidente.” You must manage the island’s economy, political landscape, and keep your citizens happy or face inevitable rebellion.
Internal link: See how political management plays a role in settlement games in our Politics in Gaming article.
7. Anno 2070
Set in a near future, Anno 2070 explores how humanity manages to build and sustain cities in the midst of rising sea levels. The game features underwater exploration, making it unique among other settlement games.
Explore other futuristic settings in our article: Top Sci-Fi Settlement Games
8. Kingdoms and Castles
In Kingdoms and Castles, players must fortify their growing kingdom against Viking invasions and dragon attacks. The game’s blend of defense strategy and settlement building offers a unique take on the genre.
9. Dwarf Fortress
Dwarf Fortress is a complex game that combines settlement building with roguelike elements. Set in a procedurally generated world, each game presents a new challenge, from natural disasters to monster invasions.
10. Flotsam
Flotsam offers a post-apocalyptic world covered by water. Players must build floating settlements using debris and navigate the challenges of a world without land. This unique setting and innovative gameplay mechanics set Flotsam apart.
Quick Tip: Focus on constantly scavenging for materials to keep your floating city growing and afloat.
Building in diverse and unconventional settings provides new gameplay dynamics and challenges. These 10 games push the boundaries of the settlement builder genre by introducing unique worlds that require fresh strategies. Dive into these titles and experience settlement building like never before!
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