A villager game is a game that includes building a city or a village. You will have to care for those within your town and ensure their happiness and survival. Your villagers are the priority here and you want to make sure that their needs are met.
Characteristics of a good Villager Game:
- Building a settlement of some sort.
- Caring for villagers.
- Facing challenges.
- Making decisions that affect your village.
- Having to survive in a difficult landscape.
- Changing seasons/ environments.
1. The Wandering Village (PC, Xbox One/ Series X, Series S)
The apocalypse has happened, and only a small group of survivors are left. You have to lead them, help them build their village, and survive what's left of the world. But it won’t be easy with all the toxins and poisons aimed at destroying you.
To survive you had to choose to live on the back of a creature named Onbu. He will be your guide through the different environments and leftover remnants of the old world. But with each of these climates, comes new challenges.
The goal is to bond with Onbu and survive by building trust while maintaining your new civilization. Ensure not only your survival but Onbu’s survival in a land of ferocious parasites, and deadly spores.
There is nothing more unique than building a village on the back of a living creature while trying to survive a world that is aimed at killing you. Are you up for the task? Can you make it through all the challenges ahead?
2. Of Life and Land (PC)
Humans and nature have always been one until humanity grew too large to continue the harmony. In this settlement-building strategy game, go back to a simpler time when villagers, the world, and animals around them were all balanced, or unbalanced, by each other. Build your settlement in a far-away corner of the empire and learn how to navigate the land and all that it offers.
The seasons and climate can affect your villagers, animals, and plants. Certain crops will only grow when it’s warm, and humans and animals alike will need things, such as more water in the summertime. The landscape is lush but make sure that you’re managing your resources well.
Just like your villagers, the animals that roam your village will also have needs and wants. Will you create a balance with them or cause the extinction of certain species? You get to choose how you run your village and how you care for it.
Will you provide balance with nature, or will you ultimately destroy it? The unique thing about this game is that the choice is yours. Everything in your village needs your help to survive and thrive.
3. Against The Storm (PC)
Humans aren't the only ones who need a new settlement to begin to rebuild their world. In this fantasy city builder, several species will rely on you to help build what has been lost. Each of these species has their own needs, wants, and preferences.
This game takes place in an apocalyptic landscape where the Scorched Queen has tasked you to reclaim the unforgiving wilderness and rebuild the empire. There is more than one settlement that needs your assistance, you will be tasked with ensuring the wellbeing of multiple.
Climate and environment will affect the different settlements that you attempt to create, and let's not forget the Blightstorms that pose a threat to your villages. How will you navigate this apocalyptic terrain? Will you deliver the results that the Queen is hoping for?
The most interesting part about this game is the ability to manage other species that will live with your human villagers. They also have different strengths, and needs, that you can use to your advantage. Are you up for the challenge?
4. Surviving Mars (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One)
The time has finally come for us to settle on Mars. In this sci-fi city-building game, be the first to build a colony on the red planet. Just make sure you bring some oxygen and supplies to be successful.
Set in a futuristic landscape, build a thriving colony that can make it on this barren planet. Mine for food or minerals, build domes and an established infrastructure, or relax at the bar after work.
Each of your citizens has their own unique personality with strengths and disadvantages. Consider this when assigning them positions and keep an eye on those who frequent the bar (they may prefer alcohol rather than hard work).
The goal is to create a sustainable colony on this once-uninhabited planet. The different mysteries and challenges that come along with life on Mars make this game unique and interesting. Will you be able to survive in an oxygenless landscape?
5. Medieval Dynasty (PC, Playstation 4 & 5, Xbox One/ Series X/ Series S)
It’s the Middle Ages, and you are just a regular farmer or hunter in this harsh landscape. Hone in on your skills and become the head of a town. Invite other villagers to join you in this small community. You can even fall in love and start a family to ensure the continuation of your dynasty.
In this medieval landscape, experience an open world complete with all four seasons. You will have to work to survive the hot summers and freezing winters. Explore caves, cut down trees, or hunt to make food.
Build a dynasty starting with just you. Once you're able to sustain yourself, invite other NPCs to join your town or even play with friends in multiplayer mode. Develop your character any way you like, specializing in one thing, or multiple.
This game offers the unique experience of building a dynasty starting by yourself. There will be no villagers to help you at first and you will have to navigate on your own or play in multiplayer. What will you choose to do in this open-world simulation?
6. Frostpunk (PC, Playstation 4 & 5, XBox One)
Earth has started to self-destruct and you are the ruler of its last city. Establish the law of the land and dictate how things work in this frost-covered world. The choices you make as a leader will affect your citizens.
Set in a world that has frozen over in ice, you are the only one left to help save humanity. Rule this steam-powered city in any way you like. But at some point, you will have to explore the frost-bidden world beyond.
The goal is to ensure the survival of humanity, no matter the cost. Leadership is not always easy and you will have to make the hard decisions, even if you don’t want to. Will you be a dictator or will you show compassion?
One of the first society survival games available for those who are 18 and over, this game features the unique opportunity to lead a city in a desolate world. You make the choices for the citizens under your rule, and you decide whether or not to rule with an iron fist. Will humanity survive with you as its leader?
7. Airborne Kingdom (PC, Playstation 5 & 4, Xbox One/ Series X/ Series S, Nintendo Switch)
A kingdom built in the sky that might just be the key to uniting a struggling world below. Build this new city up into a large metropolis that stretches across the sky. And explore the world above, and below, aiding those who need help in the city beneath you.
The airborne kingdom disappeared years ago, but now a small city has appeared in the sky. You will have to turn this city into a thriving floating town. Build an expansive city, choosing any style you’d like.
The sky holds many secrets, seek out shrines or ruins of the airborne kingdom that disappeared. Complete quests to earn the allegiance of the world below, and restore the balance of the kingdoms. But don’t forget to take care of your villagers, they will need food, housing, medical, etc.
Reclaim the legacy of the first airborne city. Restore the balance and rebuild the relationship with the city below. This game offers the unique opportunity to create a floating metropolis that will reunite the world.
What will your airborne kingdom be like?
The city below looks like it’s doing well.
8. Yes, Your Grace (PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One/ Series X/ Series S)
In the medieval kingdom of Davern, you are the sovereign ruler of the land. The people will come to you for help with resources, monster attacks, and other issues throughout the kingdom. Remember resources are not unlimited and a war is brewing on the horizon.
Good to know the monsters have been vanquished.
In this medieval world, monsters and arcane practices still exist. Your villagers will look to you to help them with different things happening throughout your kingdom. You may hire generals, witchers, and hunters to help with some of those issues.
You will also have lords who come to you to forge an alliance for the upcoming war, but some will ask you to do immoral things. What decisions will you make to cement your alliances and protect your kingdom?
No ruler is perfect, but it’s your job to make decisions for your citizens. Experience interesting gameplay where you must aid your family, your citizens, and your allies. What kind of ruler will you be?
9. Dawn of Man (PC, Xbox One, Playstation 4 & 5)
It's the Stone Age, and your settlement contains the first modern humans. You will have to ensure their survival throughout the ages. Evolution is necessary, but there will be challenges along the way.
This game spans over 10,000 years of human history, beginning in the Stone Age and ending in the Iron Age. To ensure your survival you will need to be resourceful, especially as the seasons change. It’s easier to hunt animals, fish, or plant when it's warm.
At least they have some food and a nice fire.
As time passes, you will need to advance in technology and begin to build more complex structures for your villagers. You may also begin to domesticate certain animals to aid in your hunting or resources. The goal is to survive the ever-evolving world around you.
This survival city-builder game is unique because it takes you through the stages of human civilization, but how you survive is up to you. Can you handle the evolution of the world around you? Will you be able to survive?
10. Virtual Villagers 3 - The Secret City (PC, IOS, Android)
One of the most iconic villager games, you will start with only a few villagers and must build your tribe from there. How will you survive in this new city? Your villagers will need homes, food, and other resources.
You have discovered a new corner of the island Isola with a few other villagers. In this tiny new part of the island, your villagers must learn how to get food, build houses, do research, and heal one another. They must also have children to continue on the tribe.
I wonder what they’re researching.
The goal is to complete the puzzles and create a thriving village in this new corner of the island. Each of your villagers will have skills, needs, and health. Which villagers will you assign to what tasks to ensure your village continues to survive?
Wow, that’s a lot of babies.
The unique thing about this game is that it takes place in real time. Children will grow as you continue to play and with each hour played villagers will get older and complete tasks. It’s up to you to ensure their survival and finish the puzzles.
