One of the best known sagas in history in the world of “City Builders” is the Age of Empires. Many of us have enjoyed hundreds of hours with several of the installments of this game, taking our cities to the highest level and fighting against the enemies who wanted to prevent it. Although you may be wondering, is there life behind this saga? Well yes, quite a lot. Today we show you the main alternatives to Age of Empires .
What are the “City Builders”?
Simulators of civilization, cities or “City builders” , these types of games are known by various names. Its main theme is to evolve a city, village or civilization from its beginnings to the top.
On this path we will have to collect the available resources (usually wood, stone, gold and food) in order to improve the buildings , create new buildings , build barracks and, with them, warriors. And why do we need soldiers? In most of these titles there are other rival civilizations against which we will have to fight to fulfill our mission. Therefore, these warriors will allow us to attack others or, of course, protect our base with the help of security measures such as the walls themselves.
Age of Empires was the saga that popularized this game dynamic during all its installments. Later modifications and greater complexity were developed, but their basis is this. Now we are going to show you those titles that have best implemented this dynamic and, therefore, have managed to gain a foothold in the civilization simulator industry.
Best alternatives to Age of Empires
Now that you know well the basis of this type of game, let’s see what are the main alternatives to the great Age of Empires saga.
Normally, these types of games are quite similar to each other but, in some cases, they have small details that can make a difference. And, in a few other cases, you may be really surprised by the radical change they make.
Banished
Banished is a game that you can find on the Steam platform for a price of 18.99 euros . It is an AoE-style strategy game, obviously, but with a somewhat calmer dynamic. We manage a group of exiled villagers with whom we will have to raise our settlement and keep them happy for the community to prosper.
Civilization VI
Civilization VI is the latest installment in the well-known saga of the same name. This we can buy through Steam for a current price of 59.99 euros . It includes several improvements over its previous deliveries. A turn-based strategy game whose map is divided by a series of hexagonal squares where we will find the different cities to improve and, of course, conquer.
Factorio
Factorio consists of a real-time strategy game where we will have to collect resources to make tools and new machinery. In turn, these machines will allow us to produce more advanced materials, more sophisticated machines and even complex production lines. This game can be found on Steam for a price of 25 euros currently.
Anno 1404 – History Edition
In this case we have a delivery of another well-known saga. It is Anno 1404 , the last installment released in June of this same 2020. In this title, as in the previous ones, we begin by being named as the monarch of a small settlement. In this, we will have to manage the resources to make this small town grow until it becomes a great civilization. This is one of those titles that starts out as “simple” and that, little by little, get complicated, managing almost 200 different types of resources. Once again, we can find it on Steam for a price of 14.99 euros .
Dawn of Man
Looking for a different point from other “City Builders” games we have Dawn of Man , available on Steam for a price of 20.99 euros . The gameplay consists of improving a village through the management of its resources and the development of new tools, but where is this differential point? Well, we will have to take our villagers from the Stone Age to the Iron Age, spanning more than 10,000 years between prehistory.
March of Empires
March of Empires is another of the civilization simulator-type strategy games that, of course, you can get on Steam for free . In it we will have to develop our own civilization and build an army to fight against other civilizations. Choose your faction well among the 3 available, each one includes a series of competitive advantages and weaknesses.
Empires of the Undergrowth
Another of the different titles in terms of visual aspect, but with the base of AoE. Empires of the Undergrowth is about improving your civilization to make it bigger and stronger. But beware, a civilization with 6-legged members. Your citizens will be ants. You will have to build tunnels, food storage chambers and raise as quickly as possible new members for the colony to fight against other ants that claim your territory. You will find this game on Steam for a price of 19.99 euros .
Total War: THREE KINGDOMS
As in other titles, Total War: THREE KINGDOMS is a strategy game whose dynamics are based on turns. This is another of the sagas known to many users where this is the thirteenth installment. In this case we will control the 12 factions of the three kingdoms. Our mission will be to unify China and become its ruler by defeating the enemy factions. Available on Steam for a price of 59.99 euros .
Pharaoh + Cleopatra
Finally we have the double installment of Pharaoh + Cleopatra . Two games that are sold as a pack on Steam , for a price of 9.99 euros . Despite being two titles released in 1999, they have been considered by many to be one of the best games in the history of the “City Builders”. We will have to develop our civilization in ancient Egypt collecting cereals and resources from the mines, worshiping the gods in their temples and fighting against those who try to defeat us. If you recognize these games because at some point you enjoyed them, we have good news, a new installment entitled Pharaoh: new era is expected during the year 2021. So go open your mouth with its predecessors while you wait for its arrival.
These are the best “City Builders” as an alternative to Age of Empires . If you know of any others worth mentioning, feel free to leave us a comment so we can all include them in our library.