City building games might not be as popular as they were during the early 2000s, but the genre still receives top-tier releases every year. While franchises such as Tropico and Sid Meier’s Civilization are responsible for major evolutions within the genre, indie titles like Manor Lords have managed to set a new benchmark for city-building games. With all that being said, we’ve put together a list of the best city-building games on PS5 to play in 2026.
List of Best City Building Games on PS5 in 2026
Below, you’ll find a handy list featuring our selections for the 10 best city-building games on PS5. Some of these titles are available on the PlayStation Plus catalogue, so we highly recommend double-checking before you head to the PS Store.
| Name | Release Date |
|---|---|
| Cities: Skylines | February 15, 2023 |
| Frostpunk | October 11, 2019 |
| Tropico 6 | March 31, 2022 |
| Surviving Mars | March 15, 2018 |
| ANNO 117 Pax Romana | November 13, 2025 |
| Lethis: Path to Progress | May 10, 2022 |
| Sid Meier’s Civilization VII | February 11, 2025 |
| The Colonists | May 4, 2021 |
| Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition | November 4, 2025 |
| Before We Leave | April 5, 2022 |
Cities: Skylines – Remastered
- Developer(s): Colossal Order
- Release Date: 15 February, 2023
One of the most popular city-building games on PC, just so happens to be available on the PS5, too. Developed by Colossal Order, Cities: Skylines – Remastered brings over the familiar gameplay you’d expect from the PC version onto a console, giving PS5 players a taste of what to expect from the game. Be it building various zones, managing budgets, or creating something pretty; everything is included here. So, if you want to enjoy this niche genre, you should try this game!
Frostpunk
- Developer(s): 11-bit Studios
- Release Date: October 11, 2019
A recurring city builder that gained quite a recognition for its choice-based gameplay is Frostpunk. Touted to be one of the best city-building games for PS5, Frostpunk puts you in charge of running an entire steampunk city amidst an ice age.
You ensure your colony survives while making hard-hitting decisions and keeping them in contempt. We loved it so much, we decided to include it in the best city-building games for Xbox, too.
Tropico 6
- Developer(s): Limbic Entertainment, Realmforge Studios
- Release Date: March 31, 2022
The latest in the long-running President city builder, Tropico 6, will allow you to fulfill your dreams of becoming a president. Your task is to govern a tropical locale, inspired by island nations like Cuba.
In addition to the standard building mechanics, you can manage trade between countries and exert control over the region as you see fit. The title is also known to be one of the best games like Age of Empires if you’re hankering for an old-school management sim. Become an oppressive ruler or a leader who serves the people’s best interests in this highly acclaimed PS5 city-building game.
Surviving Mars
- Developer(s): Haemimont Games
- Release Date: March 15, 2018
There are a few games out there that I suggest over and over. Surviving Mars is one of them. It caters to a unique niche of gamers who have longed to conquer the planet, Mars. The game allows you to live your dreams of being a Mars colonist, especially if you’re a sci-fi fan.
You can choose from various structures, create zones, and uncover secrets across the planets in each playthrough. You’ll enjoy this city builder if you enjoy Asimov’s works, thereby making it one of the best city-building games for PS5.
ANNO 117 Pax Romana
- Developer(s): Ubisoft Mainz
- Release Date: November 13, 2025
As noted in our glowing ANNO 117 Pax Romana review, the latest entry in the franchise combines all of its individual elements perfectly. As the supreme leader of a fledgling empire, you’ll be responsible for balancing real-time strategy gameplay, shrewd diplomacy, and meticulous city building while also ensuring that the needs of your citizens are met.
Fortunately, the game’s tutorials do an excellent job of explaining these mechanics, making ANNO 117 Pax Romana a great pick for new players and veterans alike.
Lethis: Path to Progress
- Developer(s): Triskell Interactive
- Release Date: May 10, 2022
Lethis: Path of Progress is set in a backdrop where condensed steam rapidly led to urbanization and modernity. With the onset of the Industrial Revolution, you are tasked with building a sprawling Victorian Steampunk city, choosing from over 40 different buildings and over 24 different resources to manage.
While it lacks the looks of its competitors, the 2D art certainly makes it a charming experience and deserves a spot in our list of the best city-building games for PS5.
Sid Meier’s Civilization VII
- Developer(s): 2K Games
- Release Date: February 11, 2025
Sid Meier’s Civilization VII takes a slightly different route compared to what you’d expect from a traditional city builder, but its pull is hard to ignore. The joy here isn’t just in laying out districts or optimizing production, it’s in watching a civilization grow from a humble settlement into a global superpower shaped by your decisions.
That long-term progression is where Civilization VII thrives. Every choice carries weight, whether you’re expanding your borders, investing in infrastructure, or steering your people through moments of crisis. There’s a reason why the game ended up on the Steam best-sellers list in 2025, and we highly recommend finding out the answer on PS5.
The Colonists
- Developer(s): Codebyfire
- Release Date: May 4, 2021
Inspired by games like The Settlers and ANNO, The Colonists is a cozy colony settlement game where you create a sprawling community on randomly generated maps. With a 14-mission campaign, you can either try to finish it or go through the usual building affairs in the sandbox mode.
And the game features cute robots doing the work! This is another cozy builder I highly recommend for players looking to chill out.
Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition
- Developer(s): Relic Entertainment, World’s Edge
- Release Date: August 22, 2023
You can’t have a list such as this without mentioning the legendary franchise that got millions into RTS and city-building. Its latest iteration, Age of Empires IV, lets you pick between 10 different civilizations spread across six different campaigns charting the rise of the biggest empires in human history.
As you watch makeshift towns transform into bustling medieval cities, you’ll feel a unique sense of accomplishment. The core gameplay is carried over to consoles without a hitch, with the Anniversary Edition being especially great for PS5 players. This version of the AOE IV offers full controller support, optional mouse and keyboard compatibility, and even the Dualsense’s trademark haptics.
All this and more make Age of Empires IV one of the best city-building games on PS5. It’s just a shame that this title isn’t available as part of the PS Plus subscription like Xbox Game Pass on the Series X/S consoles.
Before We Leave
- Developer(s): Balancing Monkey Games
- Release Date: April 5, 2022
A comfy city builder, Before We Leave allows you to construct your ideal city after the settlers emerge on the surface, leaving their underground homes. You’ll perform the standard tasks of a city-builder while safeguarding your citizens from troubles.
I always suggest this game to players who’d rather have something comfortable, and Before We Leave fits that niche very well. However, if you prefer a serious city-building game for PS5, try the selections above.
And these are the best city-building games on PS5 you should play. Each game gives a unique experience and lets you live your zoning and planning dreams. So, have you played any of these city-building games? Let us know in the comments below!
