There are so many different video games to choose from, but few of them can be as entertaining as building games. Are you ready to dive into a world where your creativity knows no bounds? Today, we’re stepping into the realm of virtual construction and exploring the very best building video games of all time. Whether you’re a fan of constructing towering skyscrapers, designing intricate cities, or simply putting your architectural skills to the test, we’ve got you covered.
Come on, grab your virtual hard hats, flex those creative muscles, and let’s embark on a journey through the digital blueprints of some truly remarkable games. Get ready to build, play, and unleash your inner architect like never before!
1. Raft
Get ready for an exciting aquatic adventure in Raft, where you find yourself stranded miles out at sea, far away from the nearest dock, and surrounded by hungry sharks and armed with just a few wooden slabs. Don’t worry, it’s not as terrible as it sounds! In this awesome building game, your mission is to construct a ramshackle pontoon that becomes your lifeline to survival. Using a handy hook, start by reeling in barrels and other floating debris to gather crafting materials. Keep those sharks at bay, and watch your humble raft slowly transform into a floating paradise.
Once you have your raft up and running, it’s time to dive into the depths and discover even more materials to turn your floating abode into a dream haven. You can expect all the usual stuff like shelves, rugs, and chairs to decorate your space, but what really makes Raft one of the best building video games is the thrilling setting and constant sense of danger. There’s something truly exhilarating about watching your makeshift mansion gracefully glide along the sea while the sun paints the sky in vibrant colors. And hey, don’t forget to proudly display your shark trophy on the wall—it’s a reminder of your triumph over those sharp-toothed threats!
2. The Sims
Welcome to The Sims 4, the latest installment in the beloved Sims series! Although most people play this game to do funny and sometimes mean things to their created Sims, it’s actually one of the best building video games if you focus more on creating new, lavish, and beautiful homes or remodeling existing ones.
In The Sims 4, building your dream home is an absolute delight, even if it takes a bit of practice to master. Grab a pen and paper to jot down your ideas and fully bring your vision to life. Start with a simple square shape for the exterior before venturing into more intricate designs. Once you’ve chosen a roof style, the real fun begins as you experiment with room layouts, decorations, and furnishings. And hey, don’t forget to add a pool and a tricked-out sound system to attract the cool kids—it’s the cherry on top of your virtual masterpiece.
The building mode in The Sims 4 offers a plethora of possibilities for unleashing your creative side. Whether you’re aiming for a trendy city pad or a magnificent mansion, the tools at your disposal allow you to shape every detail to your heart’s content. From selecting the perfect wallpaper to meticulously placing furniture, you have the power to create a unique and personalized space for your Sims to thrive.
3. Fortnite
Get ready for a gaming experience like no other with Fortnite! This wildly popular game is not only a fantastic building game, but it’s also a favorite choice for those seeking cooperative fun with friends. It’s considered one of the best building games out there.
Epic Games’ founder, Tim Sweeney, described it as the glorious love child of ‘Minecraft meets Left 4 Dead,’ and trust us, it’s every bit as exciting as it sounds. Fortnite also boasts its position as one of the best battle royale games on PC, where triumph awaits those who follow our Fortnite tips. In what other game would you just casually spot running track flooring like it’s part of everyday life?
In the vanilla version of Fortnite, which you can totally master with the help of our Fortnite Save the World guide, you and your courageous comrades band together to reclaim your homeland from the clutches of the enigmatic darkness known as ‘The Storm.’ But here’s where the building game element comes into play: you’ll need to construct forts and craft clever traps to fend off the relentless hordes of monsters that stand in your way. Teamwork, strategy, and a touch of architectural genius will be your greatest assets in this cooperative adventure.
4. Planet Coaster
Step right up to the world of Planet Coaster, where building virtual theme parks is taken to a whole new level of awesome! Sure, real theme parks are a blast, but this game is built on the belief that we virtual architects can do even better. And let me tell you, it’s one of the absolute best building video games you’ll ever come across.
Planet Coaster offers an endless array of tools and features to bring your dream theme park to life. From constructing thrilling roller coasters to creating intricate landscapes and breathtaking attractions, the possibilities are limitless. You can create theme parks as cool as you can imagine—even a haunted house with frameless glass windows!
Put your skills to the test as you craft every detail, from the layout of pathways to the placement of shops, all while ensuring your guests are entertained, thrilled, and, most importantly, eager to come back for more. With this game, which is easily one of the best building video games, you have the power to design and manage the theme park of your wildest dreams.
5. Cities Skylines
We can’t discuss the best building games of all time without mentioning a game that lets you enjoy residential and commercial construction. Get ready to dive into the world of Cities Skylines, where the thrill lies in the sheer magnitude and grandeur of what this game offers. Unlike its counterparts, you won’t have to worry about cataclysmic disasters or warring factions here. Instead, your focus will be on building a magnificent city that breathes with a life of its own.
Prepare yourself for a level of micromanagement that will make your head spin, and if you’re craving even more control, there are fantastic mods to satisfy your appetite for power. Designing a fully functional city in Cities Skylines means becoming a master of taxes, businesses, and resource exploitation, and ensuring that everything hums along like a well-oiled machine. You’ll be in charge of building roads, creating transit systems, zoning city areas, laying water pipes, and so much more in this intricately detailed city simulation.
By the time your city reaches its glorious completion, you’ll have a sprawling metropolis teeming with a population that lives, works, and functions much like its real-world counterparts. When it comes to city-building games, none can match the depth and detail of Skylines.
6. Minecraft
Minecraft can easily compete for the top spot on any list of the best building video games ever. With this game, you’ll learn to make the best use of your land when you plant crops like pumpkins, carrots, potatoes, and more, so you’ll never run out of food that can heal you during a fight. Because, yes, Minecraft is about more than mining and crafting. In this game, you’ll build a dwelling as big and impressive as your imagination guides you to make while also fighting mobs like skeletons, zombies, and spiders, to name a few.
Creative mode in Minecraft is where true builders shine and show off their skills. Here, you have the power to shape entire worlds without the pesky limitations of reality holding you back. With an unlimited supply of blocks and items, the only limits are the boundaries of your imagination. From crafting towering castles to building intricate redstone contraptions, you can let your creative spirit soar to new heights. And the best part? No need to worry about cleaning up the mess—just focus on the joy of creating and exploring!
7. Surviving Mars
Calling all space enthusiasts! If you’ve ever dreamed of colonizing Mars and embarking on an epic extraterrestrial adventure, Surviving Mars is the game for you. Prepare to leave Earth behind and set foot on the barren wasteland of Mars. But fear not! With the game’s array of tools and resources, you have everything you need to transform the Red Planet into a habitable haven. Brace yourself, though, because this game is not for the faint of heart. It’s a thrilling challenge that will put your skills to the test and ignite the explorer within you!
Surviving Mars throws you into the midst of a battle against the harsh Martian atmosphere, oxygen scarcity, and unfertile land. It’s no walk in the park, that’s for sure. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to overcome these formidable obstacles and establish a thriving settlement on the hostile planet. Once you’ve laid the foundation of a livable colony through clever building and hardscaping, the real challenge begins—attracting humans to your newfound haven.
8. The Wandering Village
Though The Wandering Village is still new, it’s fast becoming one of the best building video games. In this game, you’ll embark on a unique adventure where you construct a village on the back of a colossal creature known as Onbu. But beware, this isn’t your typical village-building experience. The world around you is filled with toxic lands, making it crucial to form a symbiotic relationship with the mighty Onbu. Not only will you manage your village, its inhabitants, and resources, but you’ll also need to care for and protect the magnificent creature itself.
Brace yourself for a challenging and extraordinary gameplay experience! The best part? Your local landscaping services could only dream of doing what you’re capable of with this game, especially given the circumstances you’re in. The Wandering Village introduces a unique twist to the city-building genre by emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between your settlement and the colossal Onbu.
9. Valheim
Welcome to the thrilling world of Valheim, where survival is key, but building a sturdy home is just as important. Prepare to face troll attacks, battle greyling hordes, and brave the untamed biomes as you embark on an epic Viking adventure. While crafting, fighting, and exploring dominate your time, those with a knack for building will find delight in Valheim’s unique materials and construction challenges. From ensuring structural integrity to planning for proper air ventilation, building in Valheim adds an extra layer of strategy to your survival endeavors.
Valheim isn’t just about slapping together walls and roofs. It’s like being a Viking architect on steroids! As you master the art of construction, you’ll appreciate the satisfaction of creating a home that not only looks fantastic but also stands strong against the perils of the Norse wilds. So gather your materials, sharpen your axe for tree removal adventures, and let your imagination run wild as you build the ultimate Viking sanctuary. No wonder it’s seen as one of the very best building video games.
10. Little Cities VR
Last, but not least on our list of the best building video games is Little Cities VR. This game takes the beloved genre of city builders and thrusts you into the heart of your creation using the wonders of virtual reality. Build your dream metropolis, walk its streets, and soak in the vibrant atmosphere like never before. With the Little Citizens update, you’ll have the pleasure of interacting with the charming inhabitants of your city, witnessing their adventures and daily routines up close. So put on your VR headset, grab your virtual construction tools, and embark on an extraordinary journey into the immersive world of Little Cities. Your dream metropolis awaits, and it’s time to make it a reality!
As we wrap up our exploration of the best building video games of all time, one thing becomes abundantly clear: the world of virtual construction is an architect’s dream come true. Whether you prefer the strategic challenges of managing resources and balancing budgets, the freedom to craft entire cities from scratch (complete with technology that would give Tesla solar equipment a run for their money), or the sheer joy of watching your creations come to life, there’s a building game out there for everyone. The variety and depth of these games have only expanded over the years, offering endless possibilities and ensuring that our architectural adventures never grow stale.
Which one of these games is your favorite?