Summary
- Kenshi offers freedom in goal-setting, featuring RPG elements with optional combat and base-building.
- V Rising combines action RPG combat with castle-building, offering impressive boss battles and base customization.
- Cult Of The Lamb blends colony-sim and dungeon-crawler, providing addictive gameplay with synergistic combat and base-building.
There are many games that allow players to build structures and develop entire bases to varying degrees. From the typical base-building of real-time strategy games such as StarCraft 2 to the creative offerings of titles like Minecraft, there are a variety of base-building experiences on the market.
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However, these games don't always feature combat. In addition, those that feature both don't always combine the two in interesting ways. These games, however, feature both base-building and combat, and the best of them blend each element in synergistic ways.
7 Kenshi
A Tough & Slow-Burning Sandbox
Kenshi
- Released
- December 6, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- nr
- Developer(s)
- Lo-Fi Games
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Open-World, Survival
- Platform(s)
- PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Kenshi is an open-world sandbox RPG with an abundance of activities and an emphasis on player agency. In the game, players are given complete freedom to set and explore their own goals. This allows for bounty-hunting, trading, and even base-building.
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The detailed RPG systems, methodical combat, and party management allow for diverse gameplay. Best of all, while Kenshi does feature combat and base-building, both are somewhat optional. That said, players will more than often be forced to contend with the world's many dangers in some way.
6 V Rising
An Action RPG With Castle-Building
V Rising
- Released
- May 8, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Blood, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Stunlock Studios
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
V Rising is a slick and stylish action RPG that combines frequent combat encounters and impressive boss battles with expressive base-building. In the game, players take on the role of a vampire in an open world, exploring Gothic locations across a variety of environments as they attempt to defeat myriad bosses.
The slick action is a particular strength, but V Rising features both combat and base-building. The base-building features a variety of options, ultimately allowing players to construct impressive castles to call home. This multi-faceted design results in a diverse and satisfying loop that can be enjoyed in single-player or in online co-op.
5 Cult Of The Lamb
A Blend Of Colony-Sim & Dungeon-Crawler
Cult of the Lamb
- Released
- August 11, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Teen / Blood, Violence.
- Developer(s)
- Massive Monster
- Genre(s)
- Roguelite, Indie Games, Simulation
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Cult Of The Lamb is an innovative combination of roguelite dungeon-crawlers and colony-sims. In the game, players take control of a burgeoning cult, working to grow its ranks in order to unlock new zones and upgrade their abilities.
The colony-sim gameplay of Cult Of The Lamb is relatively simple, streamlined, but it blends perfectly with the accompanying dungeon-crawls and offers an addictive flow. As a result, Cult Of The Lamb manages to offer combat and base-building that are both satisfying and synergistic.
4 Dune: Spice Wars
4X Base-Building & RTS Combat
Dune: Spice Wars
- Released
- September 14, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Teen // Fantasy Violence, Drug Reference
- Developer(s)
- Shiro Games
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Dune: Spice Wars is a slow-paced and methodical RTS that borrows heavily from 4X design to offer players a unique experience. Every game of Dune: Spice Wars is heavily focused on acquiring and efficiently managing territory.
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Each territory features a base that can be expanded upon, and also comes with traits that can be exploited with specific structures. This puts a heavy emphasis on base-building, but Dune: Spice Wars also features real-time combat that can be particularly deadly thanks to the addition of attrition mechanics and the iconic sandworms.
3 Thronefall
An Intuitive Blend Of RTS & Tower Defense
Thronefall
- Released
- October 11, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ // Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- GrizzlyGames
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, City Builder
- Platform(s)
- PC, Nintendo Switch
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Though it takes a minimalist approach to design, Thronefall is a feature-rich experience that blends both combat and base-building in intuitive ways. In the game, players develop and defend a miniature kingdom against waves of enemies via a combination of defensive structures and units.
In addition to the blend of RTS combat and tower defense base-building, Thronefall also allows players to navigate each level with their own character and even partake in battle. This allows for a diverse gameplay loop that deftly blends combat with base-building and even light economy management.
2 RimWorld
A Colony-Sim With Lethal Combat
RimWorld
- Released
- October 17, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
RimWorld is a deep and rich management game that tasks players with the development of a small colony on a wildly dangerous planet. The game features a complex combination of mechanics and systems that make it difficult at first, but its effortless blend of base-building, management, and lethal combat encounters makes it a rewarding experience overall.
Combat isn't RimWorld's primary focus, but it is a frequent enough occurrence to be meaningful. In addition, the security and layout of the player's base can have a tremendous impact on combat. Additionally, how well players manage their colonists can have an effect on their efficiency during encounters.
1 StarCraft 2
A Fast-Paced Sci-Fi RTS
StarCraft 2
- Released
- July 27, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
StarCraft 2 is a slick real-time strategy game that offers a tremendously polished take on the genre's patented blend of base-building and army management. Economy, unit production, and unit control are all important factors in a game of StarCraft 2, and this results in incredibly diverse gameplay.
Additionally, StarCraft 2 features three asymmetric factions that are wildly different from one another. Each of these factions offers unique strengths and weaknesses within both base-building and combat, allowing for a diverse and expressive experience that's consistently rewarding.
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