Summary
Renowned for their usually slower pace and tactical-mindedness, kingdom-building games see players undertake the role of a leader, whether as a protector of NPCs, a ruler, or a god. For players, their goal is to keep their kingdom alive. Whether defending their settlements personally or providing them with the means to protect themselves, players can rest assured that they will be rewarded for their efforts with power, wealth, and respect.
While the term kingdom builder isoften associated with grand strategy gameslikeCrusader Kings, it spans many genres and forms, from first-person builders likeColony Survivalto dynasty builders likeThe Guild 2.
Updated July 12, 2025 by Mati Kent-Nye:Like a proud parent, there’s nothing more satisfying for players than watching their lovingly crafted empire rise to power and crush their enemies beneath their newly developed feet.
The options are endless in these games. Players can choose to specialize their kingdom for countless purposes, including conquest, wealth, or diplomacy, so long as it ultimately brings them victory. For players who haven’t got their fill of the genre yet, here are some more engaging kingdom builders to try.
Colony Survivalis a first-person strategy game set within a medieval world. Players lead their colonists, building sprawling cities to protect them from nightly monster hordes. Cities are costly to make, however, and players must keep their colonists fed and healthy to ensure the survival of their kingdom.
Colony Survival’s base building gives players a tremendous amount of creativity and customization options when it comes to building their settlements. No two settlements are ever the same, from tiny outposts to sprawling fortresses. This game also pressures players to build and bolster their defenses as monster hordes become increasingly more powerful. The gameplay loop does, however, become repetitive as players find themselves cycling through a handful of actions for hours on end.
The Guild 2is a life simulation strategy game. Players play as the impoverished founder of a new dynasty in a medieval world. Become a wealthy trader, holy healer, or sticky-fingered rogue; the choice is in players' hands, so long as they can out-compete rival dynasties. No one said the game had to be fair. Political intrigue and violence are just as viable a means to eliminate threats as financial prowess.
The Guild 2is a fantastically multifaceted game. Whether making powerful thugs, financially lucrative businesses, or accruing political power, there are endless ways for players to win. As a multi-generational game, players must also balance improving their current characters with that of their children. Dynasties will quickly crumble under sub-par successors.
Embark into the medieval fantasy world ofKingdom Two Crowns: a co-op tower defense. Building strong, well-protected towns is vital, as under the cover of darkness, Greedlings emerge, intent on pillaging anything they can get their hands on.
The gameplay sees players hop from island to island, building towns and ridding the land of Greedlings. Every day that passes sees the Greedlings strengthen and seasons progress, so players will have to move fast if they are to keep pace with the Greedlings' ever-growing numbers. The seasons themselves also pose unique challenges. Winter is particularly harsh, leaving players with little money with which to build defenses due to the absence of animals and farming.
TheMount & Bladeseries is a strategy-action RPG hybrid. Players mustlearn to survive in a brutal medieval worldwhere brigands and overzealous nobles lurk around every corner. Players can recruit armies, wage wars, and conquer cities to claim the continent as their own.
This series is a unique gaming experience that expertly blends strategy with action-filled first-person combat. Poor choices on the strategic map will make combat very difficult, while a bad battle will limit players’ options on the strategic map. These games also evolve organically as players grow in wealth and renown, from a single army and personal battles to commanding a nation and managing castles.
Dwarf Fortressis a survival sandbox city builder. Build a fortress to protect settlers against the horrors of this medieval fantasy world. Players must learn how tokeep their settlers happy and healthywhile gathering resources to increase their fortress' strength and wealth.
Dwarf Fortressgives players unprecedented levels of freedom with their fortress building. Complex and varied building mechanics allow players to build anything they can dream of. From decadent throne rooms to deadly lava traps, creativity is the only limit in this game. Players are also allowed to choose where in the world they want to build their fortress, giving access to an array of unique biomes, monsters, and factions.
Step back in time to a world of chariots, mounted archers, and berserking warriors inTotal War: Rome 2.Here players must conquer, build, and negotiate their way if they are to survive the shark pit of over 100 rival nations. Alliances can be as strong as the sword, but it’s up to players to choose how, when, and if they use them.
What makes this game such a fantastic kingdom builder is the complexity of gameplay. The survival of a player’s nation rests as much on their ability to perform slow, calculated strategy as it does instinctive split-second decision-making. Players aren’t just managing a kingdom but also its battles. In a world where victory can be the difference between success and ruin, it’s up to players to balance both gameplay elements if they want to build a thriving kingdom.
TheCrusader Kingsseries is a grand strategy game with dynasty simulation. Players are therulers of a nationin a historical medieval world. Raise armies, conquer the land, and launch political schemes; players can pursue power and wealth by any means necessary.
This game is a kingdom builder in the literal sense, with players building their nations up from rags to riches. Players must not only build their kingdom and rulers' strength but also that of their heirs, as a nation will not long outlive its ruler with an unsuitable heir. Random events also add chaos and tension to the game, as players can never predict how their conquests and political schemes will unfold.
Explore the beautiful high fantasy worlds ofAge Of Wonders 4in this brutal turn-based strategy of conquest and world domination. Power is the name of the game here, as players must form armies, build kingdoms, and research magic to destroy their rivals, lest they be destroyed in turn.
Age Of Wonders 4features unprecedented variety in its gameplay and kingdom-building. Character creation alone features several races, society traits, and ruler types to choose from, each featuring unique advantages and drawbacks. Once in the game, there are nearly endless types of kingdoms players can build. Whether they specialize in collecting certain resources, choose conquest over alliances, or strength over expansion, the choice is theirs!
