If you’re a fan of open-ended city-building games, you’ll probably like SimCity Deluxe. After all, it’s one of the best sandbox strategy games around, giving players complete control over a city of their own design. However, if you’re in the mood for something new, there are lots of other games that offer a similar experience. Here are 10 games like SimCity Deluxe to get you started.
1. Cities: Skylines
Cities: Skylines is what many consider the spiritual successor to SimCity. It’s a modern take on city-building, with sleek graphics and lots of features. Players will still find themselves with the familiar task of establishing zoning laws, building roads, and providing services to the citizens of their growing metropolis. The biggest difference is that Cities: Skylines places an extra emphasis on mass transit, such as buses, trains, and ferries. It also offers a high degree of mod support, so players can get creative with their city designs.
2. Tropico 5
Tropico 5 is a surprisingly strategic city-builder which combines traditional SimCity-style city simulation with elements of world-building. Players take on the role of a dictator of a tropical island, and must balance the needs of their citizens with their own plans for the island’s development. As the game progresses, you can choose to align your island with one of the established world superpowers, or even make your own path. This open-endedness makes Tropico 5 stand out from most city-building games.
3. Townscaper
Townscaper is an unusual take on the city-building genre. Instead of playing as a mayor trying to manage a city, you play as a town designer, creating a small coastal village with the help of the game’s intuitive tools. By combining objects such as houses, buildings, and bridges, players can create a unique village filled with character. Townscaper is a great way to practice your town-building skills without needing to worry about citizens, taxes, or public services.
4. Anno 2205
Anno 2205 is another excellent futuristic city-building game. This time, instead of managing a city, players are tasked with managing an entire planet. The game is set in the far future, and you’ll need to colonize the moon in order to access new resources and unlock new technologies. The game is filled with exciting missions and strategic objectives, making it a great choice for those who are looking for a more complex city-building experience.
5. Cities XXL
Cities XXL is a great choice for those who want a lot of freedom to customize their cities. The game is filled with tools and options, allowing you to build massive cities with up to two million citizens. The game also places a strong emphasis on transportation, giving you the ability to create elaborate road networks, metro systems, and more.
6. SimFarm
SimFarm is a classic game in the SimCity franchise, offering a different kind of life-simulation experience. Players are tasked with managing a farm, building up their land and managing their finances in order to become the most successful farmer in the land. Although the game lacks some of the complexity of SimCity Deluxe, it’s still an excellent way to practice your city-building skills.
7. Banished
Banished is an indie city-building game which focuses on the realities of life in a small village. Players are tasked with establishing a small settlement and managing its resources, dealing with natural disasters and other events. Players will need to work hard to keep their villagers healthy and happy, creating a unique challenge for those who are looking for a serious city-building experience.
8. Cities in Motion
Cities in Motion is a unique transport-focused city-builder which puts players in charge of planning and maintaining an urban transit system. Players will need to build and manage an elaborate transportation network, and must also balance their budget in order to be successful. It’s a great game for those who are interested in the planning of public transport systems.
9. Planet Coaster
Planet Coaster is a great choice for those who want to build a theme park instead of a city. The game is filled with coaster-building tools and features, and allows players to create and manage their own theme park. It’s a great choice for those who are looking for a more lighthearted city-building experience.
10. Industry Giant II
Industry Giant II is an older game, but it’s still a great choice for those who want to build an industrial empire. Players are tasked with managing a business, controlling the production and selling of various products and services. It’s a great choice for those who are looking for a more strategic city-building experience.
Conclusion
SimCity Deluxe may be the king of city-building games, but there are plenty of other great titles that offer a similar experience. Whether you’re looking for a world-building experience or a more strategic business-focused game, there’s something for everyone. Give one of these 10 games like SimCity Deluxe a try and see which one you like best!