5 Best Games Like El Dorado: The Golden City Builder

Do you love playing El Dorado: The Golden City Builder and want to find more games like it? Well, there are lots of games out there that let you build cities and plan strategies. These games are great for anyone who enjoys being in charge of a city and making important decisions. We have curated a list of the five best games like El Dorado: The Golden City Builder. So, get ready to explore new worlds where you can build cities and make big decisions!

5. Anno 1800

Anno 1800 transports players back to the 19th century, a time of industrialization, diplomacy, and discovery. The game expertly blends city-building with economic simulation and strategy, offering a deep, engrossing experience. The core of this game lies in building sprawling cities. Players start with a handful of settlers and a dream. From there, you grow your settlement into a bustling metropolis.

The economy in Anno 1800 is intricate and rewarding. Players must balance resources, production chains, and trade to keep their economy thriving. A wide array of goods, from basic necessities like bread and clothes to luxury items like rum and fur coats, need to be produced and managed. You can trade with other AI-controlled entities or multiplayer opponents, which adds another layer of depth to the economic gameplay.

As the game progresses, players unlock new technologies through a unique research system. This advancement mirrors the real-world industrial revolution, adding elements like electricity and advanced manufacturing. So, Anno 1800, with its detailed city-building, complex economic systems, and blend of strategic gameplay elements, offers a rich and immersive experience.

4. Banished

Banished presents a unique take on the city-building genre, focusing on survival and resource management in a rustic setting. Unlike typical city-building games that emphasize expansion and military might, the game places you in charge of a group of exiles. Your task is to help them establish a new settlement using the limited resources available.

The gameplay here is deeply rooted in managing the basic needs of your settlers. Each individual in your community is important and requires food, shelter, and warmth to survive. As the seasons change, so do the needs of your people, adding a dynamic layer to the gameplay. The challenge lies in balancing the growth of your settlement with the finite resources at hand.

Another aspect that sets Banished apart is the game's focus on the environment. The world in this game is a living, breathing ecosystem. Overharvesting can lead to dire consequences, such as food shortages or a lack of materials for building. This requires you to think long-term and plan strategically, ensuring the sustainability of your settlement.

3. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition brings a classic strategy game back to life with updated graphics and new content. This game lets players lead one of many different civilizations through history, building an empire and battling others.

Players get to choose from a wide range of civilizations with special units and ways of building things. The game is all about collecting resources such as food, wood, gold, and stone. These resources are key for building up your empire and keeping your army strong. The challenge is how well you can gather and use these resources while growing your empire and defending against enemies.

The game also has a lot of historical campaigns where you can play as famous leaders like Joan of Arc. These campaigns take you through important historical events and challenge you to adapt your strategy to win. Plus, there are many custom scenarios to play, which means you can keep playing new and different games.

2. Tropico 6

Alternatively, Tropico 6 offers a colorful and fun experience as a political city-builder game. Here, you play as El Presidente, the leader of a tropical island nation. The game is all about building and running your own country. You get to make all sorts of buildings, manage the island's money, and decide how to trade with other countries. Plus, you need to plan how to connect several islands together, which adds an exciting twist to the game.

In Tropico 6, you also have to deal with the island's politics. There are different groups like capitalists and communists, and they all want different things. You have to keep them happy to stay in charge. The game is quite funny when it comes to these political parts, adding some light-hearted fun to managing a country. You get to make speeches, pass new laws, and sway public opinion to keep your position as leader.

1. Frostpunk

The world of Frostpunk is a challenging and icy place where survival is key. As the leader in this frozen world, you build and look after a city. This game is about making smart choices to keep your city warm and your people alive. You have to manage resources like coal, food, and steel. It's important to make sure these don't run out. You build mines and gather food, and you also choose new technologies to help your city survive in the cold.

Managing resources in Frostpunk is tricky, as you have to decide how to use your limited supplies and workers. Do you send more people to mine coal or gather food? These choices are tough, but important. The game also has a tech tree, where you pick new things to build that can help your city. Each choice you make changes how your city grows and survives in the cold world.

But Frostpunk isn’t just about managing resources; it's also about making hard decisions that affect your people. Sometimes you have to choose between tough options, like making kids work or deciding who gets food when there's not enough. You can also make rules to keep order or help the sick. Every decision has a big impact on your city and the people living there.

So, what's your take? Do you think any other game deserves a spot on this list? Let us know on our socials here!