Top 10 Fortress Building Games to Conquer

In the world of gaming, fortress building games offer a unique blend of strategy, creativity, and tactical warfare. Perfect for architects and tacticians alike, these games challenge players to construct impregnable fortresses while managing resources and fending off enemies. Whether you prefer a medieval setting or a post-apocalyptic wasteland, there's a fortress building game out there for you.

Your Guide to the Best Fortress Building Games

Fortress building games are more than just about creating robust walls and defensive structures; they're about crafting a world of your own, making strategic decisions, and sometimes surviving against the odds. From managing a medieval keep to defending a colony in space, these games span various themes and settings. Let's dive into the top 10 fortress building games that stand out for their immersive gameplay, strategic depth, and creative freedom.

List of Top Choices

• Stronghold: Warlords (PC)
• Gnomoria (PC)
• Dwarf Fortress (PC)
• They Are Billions (PC)
• RimWorld (PC)
• Oxygen Not Included (PC)
• Fallout 4 (PC, PS4, Xbox One)
• Anno 1800 (PC)
• Minecraft (PC, Mobile, Consoles)
• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (PC, PS4, Xbox One)

Stronghold: Warlords (PC)

• Revamped castle simulation experience.
• Command a medieval lord in strategic warfare.
• Resource management is key to building your keep.

Stronghold: Warlords revives the classic castle sim for modern players, blending management and combat in a beautifully depicted medieval setting. As a lord in ancient times, you're tasked with constructing a fortress that can withstand enemy onslaughts while also managing your resources to sustain your dominion. The game brings new mechanics to the Stronghold series, like controlling warlords in the surrounding areas for additional bonuses. It's a test of both your strategic planning and your ability to adapt under pressure.

Gnomoria (PC)

• Deep dive into fortress construction as a dwarf overseer.
• Manage a thriving community while keeping threats at bay.
• Resource gathering and crafting for survival.

Gnomoria places you in the shoes of a dwarf tasked with the creation of a sprawling underground fortress. This game is all about digging into the earth, securing resources, crafting a variety of goods, and constructing a stronghold that is both functional and impregnable. The game shines with its intricate management systems, where every decision impacts the well-being of your dwarf community. Expect to face challenges from hostile creatures and environmental hazards that make every playthrough a unique story of survival and creativity.

Dwarf Fortress (PC)

• Notoriously complex and rewarding gameplay.
• Manage a dwarf civilization against endless challenges.
• ASCII graphics that fuel the imagination.

Dwarf Fortress is a game that has reached legendary status for its depth, complexity, and unforgiving nature. Tasking players with building a thriving dwarven empire from scratch, it stands out for its intricate simulation of colony management and survival. The ASCII graphics might seem simplistic, but they allow for a depth of gameplay unmatched in visual detail. Mastering its systems provides a sense of accomplishment few other games can match, making it a must-play for fans of the fortress building genre seeking a challenge.

They Are Billions (PC)

• Steampunk-themed strategy with relentless zombie hordes.
• Base design and resource management are crucial for survival.
• Tactical combat to defend against the infected.

They Are Billions mixes strategy, base building, and survival against a backdrop of a steampunk apocalypse. Players must construct a colony strong enough to withstand the relentless attacks of billions of infected humans. Every aspect, from the layout of your defenses to the management of resources and the training of your army, needs careful consideration and strategy. The tension of defending your base against overwhelming odds makes each victory incredibly rewarding, providing a thrilling challenge for fans of survival and strategy games.

RimWorld (PC)

• Sci-fi colony simulation set on a remote planet.
• Dynamic story generated by your choices and random events.
• Manage colonists with unique personalities and backgrounds.

RimWorld offers a unique blend of base building, strategy, and storytelling. As you construct your space colony on a distant planet, the game throws a variety of challenges at you, from pirate raids to alien infestations. What sets RimWorld apart is its AI storyteller, which tailors the events of the game to your actions, creating a dynamic narrative that feels personal. Managing your colonists' needs, moods, and interpersonal relationships adds another layer of depth, making every decision in colony construction and defense crucial to your survival.

Oxygen Not Included (PC)

• Space-colony simulation with intricate life-support systems.
• Build a self-sustaining base inside an asteroid.
• Balance air pressure, temperature, and colonist health.

Oxygen Not Included challenges players to manage a space colony trapped inside an asteroid. The game excels in its detailed simulation of environmental mechanics, including air flow, water purification, and temperature control. As players dig through the asteroid to expand their base, they must carefully manage resources and colonist needs to prevent disaster. The game’s charm lies in its complexity and the satisfaction of building a well-oiled machine in an inhospitable environment, making it a standout in the survival genre.

Fallout 4 (PC, PS4, Xbox One)

• Detailed settlement construction within a post-apocalyptic world.
• Gather resources and recruit settlers to grow your communities.
• Defend your settlements from raiders and mutated creatures.

While Fallout 4 might not be a traditional fortress builder, its settlement system offers players a unique opportunity to reconstruct the post-apocalyptic wasteland. Players can create settlements, manage resources, and defend their communities from external threats. This aspect of the game allows for creative freedom in designing your safe havens, adding a layer of strategy to the RPG elements Fallout is known for. Whether it's setting up defenses or managing the needs and happiness of your settlers, Fallout 4's building system enriches the game's world in immersive and interactive ways.

Anno 1800 (PC)

• City-building game focusing on the industrial revolution.
• Construct defenses to protect your citizens and trade routes.
• Balances economic simulation with empire building.

Anno 1800 transports players to the dawn of the industrial age, where they must manage the complexities of a burgeoning empire. While it emphasizes economic expansion and trade, players also need to defend their creations from pirates and rivals, making strategic fortress building an essential part of gameplay. The game distinguishes itself with its detailed historical setting, complex resource management, and vast scope for city building and expansion. It's a grand strategy game that integrates city defenses in meaningful and engaging ways.

Minecraft (PC, Mobile, Consoles)

• Unlimited creative freedom in a sandbox world.
• Build elaborate fortresses in survival or creative modes.
• Gather materials and fend off hostile mobs.

Minecraft stands as the quintessential sandbox game, allowing players vast creative freedom to build virtually anything, including magnificent fortresses. Whether in survival mode, where gathering resources adds to the challenge, or creative mode, with unlimited materials, the game pushes your architectural and defensive planning skills. Its blocky, accessible graphics make it suitable for players of all ages, and the constant updates add new materials and mobs to keep the gameplay fresh and engaging. Minecraft's enduring popularity is a testament to its depth, creativity, and the community's passion for building and exploration.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (PC, PS4, Xbox One)

• Build and fortify homesteads across a fantasy landscape.
• Customize walls, fences, and defenses.
• Explore a vast open world filled with danger and adventure.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim may be best known for its open-world exploration and deep lore, but its Hearthfire DLC offers players the chance to build up homesteads, adding a new dimension to the game. Players can purchase land, construct houses, and fortify their buildings against the dangers of Skyrim's wilderness. This feature, while not as central as in other games on this list, adds a personal touch to the epic journey, as players can create a safe harbor for their adventurer. Skyrim's blend of high fantasy storytelling and base building offers a unique escape into another world.

Each of these fortress building games offers a unique take on the genre, whether through the depth of their simulation, the creativity they allow, or the strategic challenges they pose. From managing a medieval keep to surviving the zombie apocalypse, these games promise hours of engaging gameplay for fans of strategy, creativity, and survival. So choose your adventure, gather your resources, and get ready to build the fortress of your dreams.