TOP 69 EMPIRE-BUILDING GAMES

Empire-building games are the crack cocaine of the gaming world. Players just can't get enough of them! They love to be in control of their own little empires, ruling with an iron fist and plotting their next move like a Bond villain. And let's be real, who wouldn't want to rule the world? It's the ultimate power trip! On this site, we've gathered a list of the top empire-building games that will make you feel like a true conqueror. Whether you prefer to crush your enemies with brute force or outsmart them with cunning strategy, we've got you covered. So why do players love this genre so much? Maybe it's the feeling of building something from scratch and seeing it flourish under your guidance. Or maybe it's the rush of power that comes with being in control of an entire society. Whatever the reason, one thing is for sure: these games are addictively fun. So come on in and check out our list of the best empire-building games around. Just don't blame us if you find yourself losing track of time and ruling the virtual world for hours on end!

#01
Games like Master of Orion II

Master of Orion II

  • License: n/a
  • Platforms: PC
  • Release: 1996
  • Rating: 9.6/10

#02
Games like Sid Meiers Civilization Revolution

Sid Meiers Civilization Revolution

  • License: Commercial
  • Platforms: Xbox 360, Console, iPhone / iPad, Wii, PS3, DS
  • Release: 2009
  • Rating: 9/10

#03
Games like Sid Meiers Civilization V

Sid Meiers Civilization V

  • License: n/a
  • Platforms: PC, Mac
  • Release: 2010
  • Rating: 8.9/10

#04
Games like Terraria

Terraria

  • License: Commercial
  • Platforms: PC, PS Vita, Xbox 360, iPhone / iPad, Android, PS3, PS4, Mac, 3DS, Switch, Wii U, Xbox One
  • Release: 2011
  • Rating: 8.7/10

#05
Games like Startopia

Startopia

  • License: n/a
  • Platforms: PC
  • Release: 2001
  • Rating: 8.6/10

#06
Games like Conquest of the New World

Conquest of the New World

  • License: n/a
  • Platforms: PC, Mac
  • Release: 1996
  • Rating: 8.5/10

#07
Games like Roblox

Roblox

  • License: Freemium
  • Platforms: PC, iPhone / iPad, Mac, Android, Xbox One
  • Release: 2005
  • Rating: 8.5/10

Play for free!
#08
Games like Crusader Kings II

Crusader Kings II

  • License: n/a
  • Platforms: PC, Mac
  • Release: 2012
  • Rating: 8.5/10

#09
Games like Sid Meiers Alpha Centauri

Sid Meiers Alpha Centauri

  • License: n/a
  • Platforms: PC, Mac
  • Release: 1999
  • Rating: 8.4/10

#10
Games like Sins of a Solar Empire

Sins of a Solar Empire

  • License: n/a
  • Platforms: PC
  • Release: 2008
  • Rating: 8.3/10

#11
Games like Tropico

Tropico

  • License: Commercial
  • Platforms: PC, Mac, iPhone / iPad
  • Release: 2001
  • Rating: 8.3/10

#12
Games like Minecraft

Minecraft

  • License: Commercial
  • Platforms: PC, PS4, PS Vita, Mac, Browser, iPhone / iPad, PS3, Switch, 3DS, Xbox 360, Android, Wii U, Xbox One, XSX
  • Release: 2017
  • Rating: 8.2/10

#13
Games like Anno 2070

Anno 2070

  • License: n/a
  • Platforms: PC
  • Release: 2011
  • Rating: 8.2/10

#14
Games like Dawn of Discovery

Dawn of Discovery

  • License: n/a
  • Platforms: PC, iPhone / iPad, Wii, DS
  • Release: 2009
  • Rating: 8.2/10

#15
Games like Tropico 3

Tropico 3

  • License: n/a
  • Platforms: PC, Mac, Xbox 360
  • Release: 2009
  • Rating: 8.1/10

#16
Games like Tropico 4

Tropico 4

  • License: commercial
  • Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, Console, Mac, Xbox One
  • Release: 2011
  • Rating: 8.1/10

#17
Games like Dwarf Fortress

Dwarf Fortress

  • License: Free
  • Platforms: PC, Mac
  • Release: 2022
  • Rating: 8/10

#18
Games like Caesar III

Caesar III

  • License: commercial
  • Platforms: PC, Mac
  • Release: 1998
  • Rating: 8/10

#19
Games like 1701 A.D.

1701 A.D.

  • License: commercial
  • Platforms: PC
  • Release: 2006
  • Rating: 7.9/10

#20
Games like Sid Meiers SimGolf

Sid Meiers SimGolf

  • License: n/a
  • Platforms: PC
  • Release: 2002
  • Rating: 7.9/10

#21
Games like Conquest of the New World Deluxe Edition

Conquest of the New World Deluxe Edition

  • License: commercial
  • Platforms: PC, Mac
  • Release: 1996
  • Rating: 7.8/10

#22
Games like SimCity 3000

SimCity 3000

  • License: n/a
  • Platforms: PC, Mac
  • Release: 1999
  • Rating: 7.8/10

#23
Games like Ultimate Ride Coaster Deluxe

Ultimate Ride Coaster Deluxe

  • License: commercial
  • Platforms: PC
  • Release: 2002
  • Rating: 7.7/10

#24
Games like SimCity 4

SimCity 4

  • License: n/a
  • Platforms: PC, Mac
  • Release: 2003
  • Rating: 7.7/10

#25
Games like Imperialism

Imperialism

  • License: n/a
  • Platforms: PC, Mac
  • Release: 1997
  • Rating: 7.6/10

#26
Games like Galactic Civilizations

Galactic Civilizations

  • License: n/a
  • Platforms: PC
  • Release: 2003
  • Rating: 7.5/10

#27
Games like Afterlife

Afterlife

  • License: n/a
  • Platforms: PC, Mac
  • Release: 2019
  • Rating: 7.4/10

#28
Games like A Kingdom for Keflings

A Kingdom for Keflings

  • License: n/a
  • Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, Console, Xbox One
  • Release: 2008
  • Rating: 7.4/10

#29
Games like SimCity 2000

SimCity 2000

  • License: commercial
  • Platforms: PC, Console, Mac, PS3
  • Release: 1993
  • Rating: 7.3/10

#30
Games like City Life

City Life

  • License: commercial
  • Platforms: PC, DS
  • Release: 2006
  • Rating: 7.3/10

#31
Games like Caesar IV

Caesar IV

  • License: commercial
  • Platforms: PC
  • Release: 2006
  • Rating: 7.3/10

#32
Games like Port Royale 2

Port Royale 2

  • License: n/a
  • Platforms: PC
  • Release: 2004
  • Rating: 7.2/10

#33
Games like From Dust

From Dust

  • License: commercial
  • Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, Browser, PS3
  • Release: 2011
  • Rating: 7.2/10

#34
Games like Townsmen

Townsmen

  • License: commercial
  • Platforms: iPhone / iPad, Android, PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox One
  • Release: 2016
  • Rating: 7/10

#35
Games like Garry's Mod (GMod)

Garry's Mod (GMod)

  • License: Commercial
  • Platforms: PC, Mac
  • Release: 2006
  • Rating: 7/10

#36
Games like Aliens

Aliens

  • License: n/a
  • Platforms: PC, iPhone / iPad
  • Release: 1990
  • Rating: 7/10

#37
Games like Blockland

Blockland

  • License: Commercial
  • Platforms: PC, Mac
  • Release: 2007
  • Rating: 7/10

#38
Games like Medieval Conquest

Medieval Conquest

  • License: commercial
  • Platforms: PC
  • Release: 2004
  • Rating: 7/10

#39
Games like Crusader Kings

Crusader Kings

  • License: n/a
  • Platforms: PC, Mac
  • Release: 2004
  • Rating: 6.8/10

#40
Games like Supreme Ruler 2010

Supreme Ruler 2010

  • License: commercial
  • Platforms: PC
  • Release: 2005
  • Rating: 6.8/10

#41
Games like Starships Unlimited

Starships Unlimited

  • License: commercial
  • Platforms: PC
  • Release: 2001
  • Rating: 6/10

#42
Games like Minecraft: Pocket Edition

Minecraft: Pocket Edition

  • License: commercial
  • Platforms: iPhone / iPad, Android
  • Release: 2011
  • Rating: 6/10

#43
Games like Zeus

Zeus

  • License: n/a
  • Platforms: PC
  • Release: 1998
  • Rating: 5/10

#44
Games like SimCity Deluxe

SimCity Deluxe

  • License: commercial
  • Platforms: iPhone / iPad, Android
  • Release: 2010
  • Rating: n/a

#45
Games like Throne: Kingdom at War

Throne: Kingdom at War

  • License: n/a
  • Platforms: PC, Browser
  • Release: 2016
  • Rating: n/a

Play for free!
#46
Games like Vikings: War of Clans

Vikings: War of Clans

  • License: Freemium
  • Platforms: PC, Browser, iPhone / iPad, Android, Mac
  • Release: 2015
  • Rating: n/a

Play for free!
#47
Games like Immortal Cities

Immortal Cities

  • License: commercial
  • Platforms: PC
  • Release: 2004
  • Rating: n/a

#48
Games like Elvenar

Elvenar

  • License: Freemium
  • Platforms: PC, Android, iPhone / iPad
  • Release: 2015
  • Rating: n/a

Play for free!
#49
Games like Clonk

Clonk

  • License: Freemium
  • Platforms: PC
  • Release: 1994
  • Rating: n/a

#50
Games like Travian

Travian

  • License: Freemium
  • Platforms: PC
  • Release: 2006
  • Rating: n/a

Play for free!
#51
Games like OGame

OGame

  • License: Freemium
  • Platforms: Browser, iPhone / iPad
  • Release: 2002
  • Rating: n/a

#52
Games like Stormfall: Age of War

Stormfall: Age of War

  • License: Freemium
  • Platforms: Browser, PC
  • Release: 2012
  • Rating: n/a

#53
Games like Forge of Empires

Forge of Empires

  • License: Freemium
  • Platforms: PC, iPhone / iPad, Android
  • Release: 2012
  • Rating: n/a

Play for free!
#54
Games like Battle Dawn

Battle Dawn

  • License: Freemium
  • Platforms: Browser
  • Release: n/a
  • Rating: n/a

#55
Games like Patrician II

Patrician II

  • License: commercial
  • Platforms: PC
  • Release: 2001
  • Rating: n/a

#56
Games like Manic Digger

Manic Digger

  • License: Free
  • Platforms: PC
  • Release: n/a
  • Rating: n/a

#57
Games like Fortresscraft

Fortresscraft

  • License: Commercial
  • Platforms: Console
  • Release: 2021
  • Rating: n/a

#58
Games like We Rule

We Rule

  • License: n/a
  • Platforms: iPhone / iPad, Android
  • Release: 2010
  • Rating: n/a

#59
Games like Port Royale 3

Port Royale 3

  • License: Commercial
  • Platforms: PC
  • Release: 2012
  • Rating: n/a

#60
Games like Eden

Eden

  • License: Commercial
  • Platforms: iPhone / iPad, PC
  • Release: 2002
  • Rating: n/a

#61
Games like Evony Age II

Evony Age II

  • License: Freemium
  • Platforms: Browser
  • Release: 2010
  • Rating: n/a

#62
Games like Imperialism II

Imperialism II

  • License: commercial
  • Platforms: PC
  • Release: 1999
  • Rating: n/a

#63
Games like Cubelands

Cubelands

  • License: Free
  • Platforms: Browser, Mac, PC
  • Release: 2010
  • Rating: n/a

#64
Games like Space Empires

Space Empires

  • License: n/a
  • Platforms: PC
  • Release: 2000
  • Rating: n/a

#65
Games like Total War

Total War

  • License: Commercial
  • Platforms: PC
  • Release: n/a
  • Rating: n/a

#66
Games like Civ II

Civ II

  • License: n/a
  • Platforms: PC, Console
  • Release: 1997
  • Rating: n/a

#67
Games like Rome

Rome

  • License: n/a
  • Platforms: PC
  • Release: 2004
  • Rating: n/a

#68
Games like Ancient Empires

Ancient Empires

  • License: n/a
  • Platforms: PC
  • Release: 2004
  • Rating: n/a

#69
Games like Civilization III

Civilization III

  • License: Commercial
  • Platforms: PC
  • Release: n/a
  • Rating: n/a