As a gamer dad, life can get a little chaotic, right? Between work (or trying to find my next role), family, and the general madness of daily life (soccer practices and games, lifts to here and there, the dog, etc.), finding the time to sit down and really immerse yourself in a game can feel like a luxury.
That's where city-building games come in, and let me tell you, they've been a game-changer (pun totally intended).
The Magic of the Pause Button
First off, let’s talk about one of the biggest perks of city-building games: the ability to pause or stop the game whenever you need to. Whether you're deep into a session of Cities: Skylines meticulously planning the perfect road network or trying to ensure your colonists survive another day in Surviving Mars, you can hit pause and step away without missing a beat. No need to worry about respawning in an FPS firefight or letting your team down in the middle of a MOBA match (I could write a whole posts on all the insults I've taken from World of Tanks players).
These game wait for you, not the other way around.
Meditative Moments in Gaming
Additionally, city-building games offer something incredibly valuable in our fast-paced world: a sense of peace and mindfulness. There’s a certain meditative quality to watching your city grow, whether it's a bustling metropolis in Cities: Skylines or a fragile colony on the brink of collapse in Frostpunk. You’re not just reacting to what’s happening on screen; you’re crafting something from the ground up, watching your creation evolve over time.
It’s like a digital Zen garden, where each decision is a small stone you’re placing just so, bringing order to the chaos. Oh the hundreds of hours I've spent in my Cities Skylines cities, beautifying them with parks, trees and endless landscaping.
Building Something That Lasts (well, sorta)
Speaking of crafting, there’s something deeply satisfying about the “building something” aspect of these games. Unlike many other game genres where the goal is to destroy or outlast, city-builders are all about creation and longevity. In Farthest Frontier, you’re not just surviving; you’re creating a thriving settlement, planning for the future, and seeing the fruits of your labor grow season by season. It's a nice change of pace from the quick reflexes and high-stakes tension of other games.
Casual, But Deep
Don’t be fooled by the seemingly laid-back nature of city-building games - they’re deceptively deep. Take Per Aspera, for example. On the surface, you’re just managing resources and expanding your colony on Mars, but dive deeper, and you’re making decisions that could impact the future of humanity on a new planet. And that's not counting the whole aspect of watching the AI Singularity unfold with every decision you make.
These games allow you to play at your own pace, offering a depth of strategy and planning that’s both engaging and relaxing. It's a perfect match for those of us who want to enjoy our gaming sessions without the pressure of keeping up with the latest trends or high-skill demands of other genres.
A Different Kind of Challenge
Sure, there’s something exhilarating about a well-timed headshot in an FPS or a perfectly executed combo in a MOBA, but city-building games present a different kind of challenge. It’s not about speed or reflexes; it’s about foresight, planning, and adaptability. In Frostpunk, for example, every decision you make could mean the difference between life and death for your citizens, adding a layer of moral complexity to the game. It’s a challenge that’s less about adrenaline and more about thoughtful consideration—a welcome break from the usual high-octane fare.
City-building games like Cities: Skylines, Farthest Frontier, Per Aspera, Frostpunk, and Surviving Mars offer a unique blend of strategy, relaxation, and creativity that’s perfect for casual gamers, especially gamer dads.
They’re games you can pick up and put down at your convenience, offering a sense of accomplishment without the stress. So next time you’re looking for a game that fits into your busy life, consider giving one of these a try.
You might just find it’s exactly what you’ve been looking for.
Here's a short list of some of the games I've enjoyed over the years:
- Cities: Skylines II (2023) - The sequel to the highly acclaimed Cities: Skylines, this game takes city-building to new heights with more advanced tools, deeper simulation, and enhanced graphics.
- Farthest Frontier (2022) - A survival city-builder where you manage a frontier settlement, focusing on resource management, farming, and surviving harsh conditions.
- Surviving the Aftermath (2021) - A post-apocalyptic city-builder where you lead a group of survivors to rebuild society after a global catastrophe.
- Memoriapolis (2024) is a city-building game where you guide a city through 2,500 years of history across four eras. The game emphasizes organic growth, resource management, and cultural influence, allowing your city to evolve uniquely through each age, with distinct challenges and opportunities shaping your city's future.
- Manor Lords (2024) is a medieval city-building and strategy game focused on realism. You manage a settlement, from agriculture to urban planning, while also engaging in large-scale tactical battles. The game emphasizes detailed building mechanics and realistic resource management.
- Per Aspera (2020) - A Mars colonization city-builder with a focus on scientific accuracy, where you terraform the planet and build a self-sustaining colony.
- Industries of Titan (2020) - A city-building strategy game set on Saturn’s moon Titan, blending industrial city-building with corporate management.
- Endzone: A World Apart (2020) - A post-apocalyptic city-builder where you create a new civilization in a radioactive wasteland, focusing on survival and resource management.
- Frostpunk (2018) - A city-builder with a strong focus on survival and morality, where you manage a city in a frozen world, making tough decisions to ensure the survival of your citizens.
- Anno 1800 (2019) - A historical city-building game set during the industrial revolution, blending city-building, resource management, and trade.
These games offer a wide range of settings and gameplay mechanics, from futuristic colonies to historical cities, each providing unique challenges and experiences for fans of the genre.
