City-building and strategy games have been around for a long time but they've recently begun to "take off" in the last decade thanks to advancements in technology. What were once basic text-based adventures and visually un-inspired builders are now breathtaking titles sprawling with content, details, and all manner of gameplay mechanics.

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From the series that started it all to a title that truly encapsulates what it means to run and build a city, we've scoured the web to bring together (and rank) the Top 10 City Building Games Of The Last Decade. With so much variety and a difference in mechanics, there's definitely something here for everyone to enjoy.

10 10. Sim City Series

It's tough to place just one game here, considering Sim City cranks out titles as often as possible. When talking about the city-building genre, this is the franchise that started it all. You've got the thrill of crafting your own unique town or metropolis, paired with incoming dangers and natural disasters.

The reason it ranks so low on this list is that many games have surpassed it in terms of detail and mechanics. Still, it's important to recognize where it all began.

9 9. Stonehearth

This game flashed so much potential it's sickening. Long story short, it falls to a lower spot on this list because certain Kickstarter goals that were promised and met were not implemented into the game. That left a bad taste in players' mouths (as it should).

That said, there is still a lot to enjoy in Stonehearth, specifically with its multiplayer mode and unique visual style. It's a very Minecraft-esque style with a heavier focus on city-building and resource gathering. It's definitely worth a look thanks to its lower price tag.

8 8. Prison Architect

We know, we're cheating a little bit here since a prison isn't exactly a city, but Prison Architect is a blast to play and there will be many times in which your incarcerated habitat feels like its own little bustling metropolis.

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You'll need to manage your prison's finances, build and connect things like cells, drains, and other areas, and keep a close eye on prisoners by hiring staff. You'll even need to deal with an escape attempt from time to time. The best part is that multiplayer was recently introduced to this title, allowing you to build a prison with up to three other friends cooperatively.

7 7. Anno 2070

The Anno series has been around for a while but the fifth installment is considered perhaps the best in the series. This city-building trek takes place in a future in which global warming has completely ravaged the world, plunging it into water-filled chaos. After the tides settle, it's up to humanity to re-build but this time you won't have to deal with politics.

Instead, Anno 2070 focuses on energy production and the global agreement of power at specific times throughout your journey. One of the coolest aspects of this title is that you can build an entire city underwater.

6 6. Tropico 4

There have been a few Tropico titles released in the last decade but we grabbed Tropico 4 for this list thanks to its adoration from fans of the genre. This is definitely a unique take on the city-building experience, as you'll take control of a leader known as "El Presidente" after a nuclear war has destroyed your island country.

Tropico 4 is a much more "light-hearted" city-building affair compared to other titles in the genre and will have you battling to keep citizens happy so you can avoid a revolution.

5 5. Banished

Banished arrived on-scene back in 2014 and offered players a unique twist on the traditional city-building experience. Most titles revolved around building a location that would thrive economically but Banished gave players a challenge by making the goal one of survival.

Resources need to be closely monitored and citizens will actually die of old age as the years pass. Rather than worry about how much money your city is generating, you'll need to keep an eye on food stocks, prepare for harsh winters, and ensure your population is safe by building hospitals and other constructs. The bigger the city, the more difficult it is to keep it alive. Banished offers something refreshing to the genre.

4 4. Surviving Mars

If you've ever wanted to live on another planet or you have dreams of colonizing a seemingly unlivable place, Surviving Mars is the city-building game for you. As the title suggests, you'll spend your time creating livable habitats on the surface of Mars, ensuring that your society has everything it needs to flourish.

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What sets this title apart from others is the unique "mystery" system that will have you dealing with everything from rival corporations and economic issues to an artificial intelligence revolution and even aliens.

3 3. Aven Colony

Take everything you just learned about Surviving Mars and turn it up a notch. Aven Colony slides in one place further on this list thanks to its unique spin on the space-frontier genre. Set on a planet lightyears from Earth, you'll need to build a colony to keep humans safe and thriving in a hostile environment.

Since the land is unpredictable, you won't know what dangers you face or what kind of enemies you have until everything is crashing down around you. It's a truly exhilarating city-building experience that can be challenging at times.

2 2. Frostpunk

2018's Frostpunk took the groundwork from Banished and ran with, creating an experience that cranks the genre up to eleven and then promptly breaks the knob off. Set in an alternate reality in which humans are backed into a cold corner due to the effects of climate change, the player's main focus is to keep as much of their civilization alive through the frigid era as possible.

The hazards that Frostpunk throws at you are much more severe than those seen in Banished. Your society will form opinions, look to your for ultimate guidance, and there will be many moments in which it feels that your city is "hanging on by a thread." This is a must-play city-building experience.

1 1. Cities: Skylines

When it comes to ranking city-building games, it's easy to place Cities: Skylines in the number one spot. A lot of the games featured on this list offer up unique experiences and core city-building mechanics but Cities: Skylines is perhaps the most detailed and in-depth title ever created.

You won't need to worry about wild gameplay mechanics here. It's simply you and the city you build, taken to a level of detail that can be intimidating at times. You'll need to micromanage everything from taxes and zoning to businesses and housing. On top of that, roads, sewers, and electricity must be maintained.

If anything, this game will likely have you appreciating your own city council a bit more.

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