The Best City Building Games for iOS

City-building games offer a captivating blend of creativity, strategy, and management, allowing players to design and oversee thriving virtual metropolises. With the power of iOS devices, city-building experiences have become more immersive than ever, boasting stunning graphics, intricate economic systems, and engaging gameplay mechanics. From casual builders to hardcore simulation enthusiasts, there’s a game for every type of player. But with so many options available on the App Store, finding the perfect city-building game can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve curated a list of the best city-building games for iOS, featuring titles that offer deep strategic gameplay, creative freedom, and long-term engagement. Whether you prefer offline single-player experiences or multiplayer city management challenges, these games will let you craft and govern the city of your dreams, all from the convenience of your iPhone or iPad.

Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI

Developed by renowned game designer Sid Meier, Civilization stands as a seminal turn-based strategy game that immerses players in the challenge of constructing an empire destined to endure the ages. In this captivating journey, players assume the role of a visionary leader tasked with guiding a civilization through the annals of time, from the humble beginnings of the Stone Age to the pinnacle of the Information Age. Through astute diplomacy, strategic warfare, cultural advancement, and encounters with history’s most illustrious leaders, players strive to etch their legacy by forging the greatest civilization in the annals of history. With its immersive gameplay and rich historical narrative, Civilization offers an unparalleled gaming experience that beckons players to shape the course of human history.

Civilization® VI on the App Store

Pocket City

Price: $2.99

Pocket City, a very sweet game where you can feel that you are playing a city building game with your fingers, does not push you to make any purchases in the game. In this city building game with 2 game modes, you can either develop and buy new buildings and build a big city by following the missions, or you can build your dream city and watch it develop in the sandbox mode where all the buildings are open. It’s entirely up to you.

Pocket City on the App Store

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City Island 5

City Island 5 invites players to embark on a city-building adventure where they assume the role of mayor, overseeing the development of a small town situated on a single island. Developed by Sparkling Society, it challenges players to expand their horizons by exploring the world aboard an airship and unlocking new islands to establish thriving cities. Unlike traditional city-building games that focus on managing a single city, City Island 5 offers players the opportunity to diversify their skylines across multiple islands, each boasting its own unique theme and terrain for city construction. With the added benefit of offline gameplay, players can immerse themselves in the experience of building their dream city anytime, anywhere, without the need for an internet connection.

City Island 5 on the App Store

SimCity BuildIt

SimCity BuildIt, the mobile game of the SimCity series, which already has many fans, managed to become one of the best city building games for iOS and Android in a short time, thanks to its free and Electronic Arts quality. esigned specifically for on-the-go play, the game lets you construct and manage a bustling metropolis, balancing resources, infrastructure, and citizen happiness. With a deep economic system, players must carefully plan roads, zoning, and public services while trading with other mayors to keep their city thriving. Exclusive iOS optimizations ensure smooth performance and seamless cloud synchronization, allowing users to pick up their city-building journey across multiple Apple devices.

SimCity BuildIt on the App Store

Also Read: The best multiplayer iPhone games to play with friends

Forge of Empires

In this highly popular city building game, you build your city and evolve from the Stone Age to modern times and beyond. In order to achieve your mission, you will develop new technologies, produce supplies, and discover new territories while proving your building and trading skills. The touch-friendly interface makes managing resources, expanding territories, and forging alliances intuitive and engaging. With iCloud synchronization, players can continue their progress across multiple Apple devices without losing data.

Forge of Empires on the App Store

Megapolis

Megapolis, one of the best city building games for iOS, promises you to to build the metropolis of your dreams. In this popular game, you build a perfect urban infrastruсture, advance science by forming a research center, expand the mining industry for natural resources or become a true oil tycoon. Optimized for iPhones and iPads, the game features a smooth touch interface that makes designing skyscrapers, managing resources, and expanding infrastructure seamless and engaging. Players can develop advanced industries, build transportation networks, and even create a futuristic city with cutting-edge technology.

Megapolis on the App Store

Also Read: The Best Offline Games for iPhone

Fallout Shelter

In the award-winning strategy game Fallout Shelter, you are faced with an alternative world. It is full of dangers outside and a handful of people are trying to survive by forming small vaults underground. The game starts with a small number of people and a few vaults. What you will understand at first glance is that you have three different needs: energy, water, and nutrition, and these must be met by production works to be carried out by people inside the vaults.

Fallout Shelter on the App Store

Rise of the Roman Empire

In Rise of the Roman Empire, you are asked to become the governor of Caesar on the territory of the barbarians and prove your allegiance to the banners of the Emperor. In the game, you try to both recreate the legendary Roman city and protect your citizens from attacks. If you want to both build a city from scratch and fight, you should give this game a chance.

Rise of the Roman Empire on the App Store

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Townscaper

Price: $2.99

Townscaper is not a traditional style city-building game. However, the sole purpose of the production is to build a residential area. You have many choices of colors and styles. This creates an overall calming experience. Townscaper has become a tool for those who want to use the towns it produces as set pieces in tabletop games. The game allows you to build the city you want with exactly the configurations you need.

Townscaper on the App Store

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Citytopia®

Providing players with a really big playground, Citytopia allows users to build their own utopia with almost all elements they need. The game, in which you will try to grow your economy by strategically placing houses, skyscrapers, landmarks, factories, beautiful parks, and more, is quite popular among iPhone users.

Citytopia on the App Store

The Battle of Polytopia

In The Battle of Polytopia, players assume the mantle of a tribal leader tasked with constructing a thriving civilization amidst fierce competition from rival tribes. Through strategic decision-making and tactical prowess, players vie for dominance in a turn-based contest that unfolds across dynamic landscapes. Notably, the game boasts offline functionality, making it an ideal companion for travel and on-the-go gaming enthusiasts seeking immersive gameplay experiences anytime, anywhere.

The Battle of Polytopia on the App Store

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Which games would you add to the list of best city building games for iOS? Don’t forget to share your ideas with us in the comments section!