Summary
There are a lot of games out there that give players the creative tools to create what they want in order to move forward in a game. This is one of the biggest elements of thebest base-building games, a genre that has a collection of games that have their main focus revolve around creating an effective home. The base-building genre can be a bit loose by definition, so there are plenty of games out there that can claim to be perfectly fit underneath the label.
However, it’s important for people who want to experiment with this mechanic to check out thebest base-building gamesaround so that they can see the true draw of this mechanic. Players will lose hours upon hours in these video games as they strive to create the best base possible after gathering a ton of materials. It can take a while, but players who put in the effort will see their bases flourish to become something special.
Updated on August 07, 2025, by Usama Ali: Base-building games take players to a place where they can become master architects and build their own civilizations. From the first humble shelter to a thriving city, players can meticulously plan every detail of their expanding settlements. Of course, they’ll run into different challenges, like resource scarcity, environmental hazards, population management, and other unexpected events. Even with these obstacles, these games are a haven for those who relish the challenges of problem-solving, the intricacies of resource management, and the sheer joy of constructing personalized, evolving worlds. We’ve updated this list with more base-building games that push the boundaries of the genre, introducing innovative mechanics that redefine what it means to build.
Fallout 76had a bad rap back when it launched, but a slew of updates and expansions have done a great job of making the game palatable in the eyes of many once again. Given how big theFalloutTV adaptation has become, most people would love to check out a multiplayer-focused game in this post-apocalyptic series.
The settlement-building mechanics fromFallout 4are present in this title, albeit in a unique manner. The C.A.M.P.s in this game are portable and can be decked out with the right materials. Bringing out a cozy crash pad in the middle of the wasteland is a unique way to let players interact with one of the best base-building games that’s a ton of fun to interact with.
TheDragon Questseries has slowly gained more traction in the West, with games likeDragon Quest 11doing a great job of modernizing the series with some much-needed gameplay improvements and quality-of-life changes. Another great way that Square Enix has tried to broaden the appeal of this series is with a spin-off that adds a unique gameplay element to the series.
Dragon Quest Buildersand its sequel are two of thebest base-building gamesJRPG fans can check out. The traditional turn-based combat of the series may be replaced with a real-time action variant, but that shouldn’t take anything away from the allure of this brilliant game. Players will love gathering materials and turning their unimpressive base into something special as they slowly but surely make progress in this well-paced game.
Fallout 4is a video game that players have slowly come to appreciate, especially after Starfield highlighted how important it was for Bethesda’s core gameplay loop to require handcrafted open worlds with many unique visuals, landmarks, and one-of-a-kind secrets to uncover.Fallout 4was a huge phenomenon when it launched, with many people loving the settlement-building mechanics this game brought to the table.
Sure, building a base came with a set of restrictions and wasn’t as in-depth as most people would’ve liked, but it was still a great side activity worth checking out for players who wanted to populate their settlements and protect them against any attacks. If players found this mechanic lacking, then mods could always swoop in to save the day.
Like most survival games out there,Project Zomboidhas intricate base-building mechanics. Project Zomboid is a hardcore, open-world zombie survival game that throws players into a world overrun by the undead. To survive, players need to build a strong base to protect themselves from the hordes of zombies.
When building a base, players should find easily accessible locations to gather resources, like water, food, and building materials, and avoid dangerous areas. Having access to water sources, tough walls, storage space, multiple entry points, and multiple floors are just a few of the things players need to keep in mind. For players looking for a game that pushes their limits and tests their survival and base-building skills,Project Zomboidis the perfect choice.
Terrariais a 2D sandbox adventure game with intricate base-building mechanics. Those who are familiar with Minecraft will enjoy the depth of the crafting system, which rivals or even surpasses Minecraft’s in complexity. Nothing is impossible in Terraria, players have complete freedom to design and construct structures of any shape and size, limited only by their imagination.
Interestingly, thebiomes ofTerrariacan influence the look and feel of the bases. Each biome has a unique identity, defined by distinct terrain blocks, collectible treasures, enemies, critters, and other features. Besides this, a fundamental aspect of base building inTerrariais creating suitable houses for NPCs.
Attracting NPCs is important as these helpful characters provide valuable services, such as selling items, healing, and crafting. Additionally,Terrariahas many events and enemy invasions. Because of this, many players build very defensive bases. All in all,Terrariais the perfect choice for players looking for a game that pushes their limits and tests their exploration and base-building skills.
Players who want to check out an engaging survival game set in medieval times that includes base-building elements will love whatMedieval Dynastyhas to offer. There aren’t many historically accurate games that players can sink their teeth in, so it’s easy to see why this title will pique the interest of fans who want to check out some of thebest base-building gamesaround with a unique setting.
One of the major draws of this game is constructing a village from the ground up, attracting settlers as players create a host of important buildings to help their base grow. This gameplay loop is executed brilliantly and helpsMedieval Dynastystand out as one of the better survival games that will keep players busy for hours on end.
Like manyopen-universe exploration games,No Man’s Skyfeatures deeply intricate base-building mechanics.No Man’s Skyis a procedurally generated, open-world adventure that throws players into a vast cosmos filled with diverse planets and alien life. Players can establish bases on virtually any planet in the game, opening the doors to exploration and discovery.
When establishing abase inNo Man’s Sky, players should prioritize locations with readily available resources, such as minerals and gases, and consider the environmental hazards of the planet. Access to power sources, efficient resource extractors, secure storage facilities, and a teleporter for interstellar travel are just a few of the critical aspects players must consider. Another thing to keep in mind is that there are limits to the number of bases and base components that can be created. However, with recent updates, the base-building system has significantly grown and introduced new building components and technologies.
The key to thebest base-building gamesis to make everything harvestable, giving the player the ability to set up their home wherever they like. This is part of the idea behind7 Days to Die, a survival horror game that was released in 2013 in early access and still remains so today.
Set in the nuclear apocalypse post-World War III, players must survive while being hunted down by zombies that have come to life due to the effects of the war. Bases are not just a safe haven as they can also be filled with traps thatcan kill zombieslooking to break in.
City-builders tend to be a very different type ofbase-building gameas they tend to focus more on creating a civilization without a ton of pressure. However, there are a few games that add stakes to this, including the early access titleThe Wandering Village.
Players work to build a society on the back of a colossal creature that is also attempting to survive on its own. The world has fallen apart thanks to mysterious plants that are poisonous to all, and it is up to the player to build up a community that can protect the people living there as well as the giant the society is built on.
There is somethinginherently satisfying about exploringspace, and setting up a home in space to build a massive factory to complete an important mission is the crux ofDyson Sphere Program. As the leading member of the space alliance COSMO, players are tasked with harnessing the power of Dyson Spheres to fuel humanity’s push into the future.
Every new file inDyson Sphere Programis unique as worlds are procedurally generated, meaning players will discover new planets upon each save. With the engineering skills that are learned, players are able to set up shop on these planets and build massive factories to start building the necessary energy.
