The coming years are shaping up to be some of the richest in a while for gamers who crave d etailed crafting loops and satisfying base-building mechanics. There are sequels to iconic titles, brand-new IPs from seasoned developers, and indie studios making their first titles. But no matter the source, there are many interesting and enticing games to look forward to in the base-building space.
There is also a lot of diversity in terms of setting and direction. Some of these games are grounded in realism, with others opting for a more fantastical approach. What they share is a dedication to player agency, allowing worlds to be more than mere backdrops. These games give players all the tools they need to build and thrive in wastelands, forests, and everything in between.
The Best Games With Deep Base-Building Mechanics, Ranked
There are a lot of great base-building games out there, but some have much better mechanics than others. Here's a look at some of the best, ranked.
Under a Rock
A Primitive Yet Dangerous World
- Release date: Coming Soon to Early Access
Launching into early access in 2025, Under a Rock generates vast islands filled with prehistoric wildlife and magical anomalies. Base-building is flexible, allowing players to set up camp anywhere they choose, and there are plenty of opportunities to construct some elaborate designs in an otherwise primitive world.
Even more impressive is the number of settings and locations. From deserts to sweeping plains to underwater life, there is no shortage of areas to see and explore. The crafting also shows promise, letting players slowly work their way up through different material levels and progress onwards to tackle bigger threats that are waiting around every corner.
Skyrig
An Entire Civilization In The Sky
SkyRig
- Developer(s)
- Rocket Flair Studios
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, Base Building, Management
- Platform(s)
- PC
Set above a giant gas planet, Skyrig tasks players with building and maintaining floating colonies tethered to resource-rich rigs. Modular base pieces allow for functional customization, and every aspect of civilization management, from power generation to transport hubs, is present, giving players a lot of options and choice over how their construction grows.
2026 Video Game Release Date Calendar
Video game release dates for 2026 are still mostly a mystery, but we'll keep this page up to date with new information on the biggest titles.
But progression isn't just tied to the expansion of the city. Players can develop new technologies and build increasingly advanced rigs, all in the name of survival. It's a unique take on the base-building formula, and it is shaping up to be one of the most interesting titles in the genre to date.
Romestead
Rebuilding A Fantasy Roman Society
Romestead
- Developer(s)
- Beartwigs
WHERE TO PLAY
Romestead blends survival crafting with city-building in a post-collapse Roman Empire plagued by supernatural threats. Six varied biomes host resource gathering, fortress construction, and community management, all feeding into a fantasy of rebuilding a fallen empire.
Mythic beasts, dungeons, and other threats in the world keep the game feeling fresh. Every aspect of the crafting loop is purposeful, regardless of whether the player is building more powerful defenses or reviving lost pieces of culture.
Subnautica 2
Reimagining The Underwater Epic
Subnautica 2
- Developer(s)
- Unknown Worlds Entertainment
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
One of the biggest survival crafting games of all time returns, and Subnautica 2 looks to expand its alien ocean setting with larger biomes, advanced base modules, and four-player cooperative play. Players can engineer sprawling underwater facilities that require constant management of systems like power and oxygen. In the sequel, there are far fewer limits placed on how massive the base can become and how much of the player's imagination can be brought to reality.
More complex construction and expanded seafloor habitats mean that crafting is as rewarding as the game’s deep-sea mysterie. The complexity seems to mirror that of the original, giving long-time fans even more satisfaction to experience whilst not gating new players behind absurd barriers to entry.
Star Rupture
Satisfactory Meets Intense Alien Action
- Release Date: 2025
Star Rupture is a harsh, unforgiving survival game that sees players exploring a vast and beautiful alien world full of minerals and mysteries for the players to discover. The focus is less on building shabby huts and more on building out large networks of power and automation, turning a previously dangerous planet into a full-blown factory system.
8 Most Fun Base Building Games, Ranked
The base-building subgenre has grown a lot in recent years, but nothing beats the fun factor in these base builders in particular.
The crafting system is streamlined yet still has a lot of depth, as players must mine for resources to further their pursuits in both technology and warfare. There's never a dull moment, as hordes of bud-like enemies can quickly swarm the player's base. The group needs to decide whether to continue their production line or defend their base with powerful automated turrets and weaponry.
Autonomica
Settlement Automation With A Solarpunk Aesthetic
- Release Date: Coming soon
In Autonomica, players found settlements where human ingenuity merges with AI assistance. Structures can be upgraded through automated systems, freeing time for exploration and trade. What starts as a humble camp can quickly grow into a giant town full of agriculture and business.
This symbiosis adds depth to crafting, as players decide when to automate and when to build by hand. Its blend of technology and survival promises a large amount of agency for the player, allowing them to approach the challenges and tasks in the world whenever and however they choose.
Light No Fire
Removing Expectations For What An Open World Can Be
Light No Fire
- Developer(s)
- Hello Games
WHERE TO PLAY
From the creators of No Man’s Sky, Light No Fire aims to combine procedural generation with open-world survival on a scale that has never been done before. Entire continents can be shaped, with structures persisting in a shared, seamless online world, adding a level of cooperation to a world that demands to be explored.
Crafting extends beyond just buildings into roads, farms, and fortifications. Players turn plain locations into large settlements that can house both players and creatures from the land. If the developers can replicate even a fraction of the immersion and intensity of their previous title, then Light No Fire may become one of the most impressive survival games ever made.
Railborn
Exploration And Crafting In Constant Motion
Railborn
- Developer(s)
- Washbear Studio
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Survival, Crafting, Base Building, Exploration
Railborn is an intriguing survival game where players slowly build out a settlement atop a moving train. What starts as a few simple carts quickly grows into a large and expansive structure on wheels that can house anything from farms to power systems, allowing players to survive whilst being in constant motion.
When things slow down and the players need to restock precious resources, they are free to explore the world around them on foot, gathering minerals and materials to craft into increasingly complex tools and structures. It's a unique twist on the genre and, if executed well, could be a super fun ride to jump into as a group.
Abiotic Factor is the best survival crafting game in recent times
Abiotic Factor is what you get when you turn Half-Life, Project Zomboid, and the SCP Foundation into a survival game set in a sprawling, Souls-game-style map where every region is interconnected and filled with shortcuts. It's a totally unique game that's brimming with heart, and it's definitely worth your time if you're a fan of the genre.