The city-building genre has been around for many years, with iconic games such as SimCity 2000, Banished, and Cities: Skylines being among the genre's greatest entries. However, many of these games are exclusively single-player affairs, which is unfortunate for those that enjoy playing with friends.

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Many city-builders that include multiplayer features are versus games, but there are a handful that include options for online co-op. However, while most of these games are strictly about city-building, some of them - such as Parkitect and OpenTTD - don't fit the description as well as others. Regardless, fans of city-builders should enjoy many of these co-op games.

8 Skyward Collapse

Steam User Rating: 47%

• Platform(s): PC
• Released: 2013
• Developer(s): Arcen Games
• Genre: God-Game

Skyward Collapse is a rough-edged God-game in which players build multiple cities in a turn-based fashion, placing tiles and optimizing their score. However, Skyward Collapse doesn't hit every mark, and many players simply may not enjoy its slow-paced gameplay.

Graphically, Skyward Collapse is also a bit of a mess, though it does retain a certain old-school charm. However, despite its downsides, Skyward Collapse does have a handful of interesting and innovative ideas that make it worth a try. Furthermore, the game can be played in online co-op with up to eight players.

7 Parkitect

Steam User Rating: 94%

• Platform(s): PC
• Released: 2018
• Developer(s): Texel Raptor
• Genre: Tycoon

This throwback tycoon game is a nostalgic business-sim that tasks players with building and managing a theme park. The nostalgic gameplay of Parkitect clearly hearkens to the likes of games such as Rollercoaster Tycoon, and although players don't build a literal city, the gameplay loop is a similar affair.

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In Parkitect, players will have to build and manage their park by creating rides, managing finances/logistics, and ensuring that their customers are happy. The game features both a campaign and a sandbox mode, either of which can be played with up to eight players in online co-op.

6 Northgard

Steam User Rating: 87%

This Norse-themed strategy game tasks players with building and expanding a settlement through the careful management of their resources and Vikings. Every game, players take on the role of a unique clan, often attempting to conquer as much of the continent as possible.

Northgard also features a Conquest mode that allows players to play through challenging scenarios in online co-op. Furthermore, the game's multiplayer mode allows players to play both with and against their friends.

5 Age Of Empires 2

Steam User Rating: 94%

This classic combination of real-time strategy game and city-builder tasks players with leading and managing one of several civilizations. In Age Of Empires 2, players will gather and manage resources to build and expand their territory, and eventually muster an army to conquer nearby opponents.

Age Of Empires 2 is a tried and true classic that's aged well since its 1999 release. The game was further improved and brought into the modern age with its 2019 Definitive Edition, making it easier than ever to play co-op with friends through Steam.

4 Tropico 6

Steam User Rating: 87%

This city-builder takes place on an archipelago, in which players must manage resources, engage in light diplomacy, and attempt to grow their city. Tropico 6 is arguably one of the best entries in the long-running series, innovating on its ideas while still feeling like a Tropico game.

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Tropico is highly focused on player agency and leadership gameplay, offering players the freedom to rule how they want, which helps it to distinguish itself from other city-builders. Despite the game being fairly visually bland, the addition of online co-op helps to improve the overall experience.

3 OpenTTD

Steam User Rating: 96%

• Platform(s): PC
• Released: 2004
• Developer(s): OpenTTD
• Genre: Building, Tycoon

Though more of a tycoon game than a fully-fledged city-builder, OpenTTD has plenty of the gameplay mechanics that city-builder fans enjoy. Instead of building and expanding a city directly, however, OpenTTD tasks players with running the transportation of cities across the country.

The main gameplay of OpenTTD revolves around building and managing the infrastructure of transportation in various areas, all while keeping the local authorities happy and ensuring that the operation remains profitable. Players will also have to contend with AI (or player) opponents, though the game also boasts online co-op.

2 Anno 1800

Steam User Rating: 82%

This entry in the long-running Anno series takes place in the 19th century and tasks players with building a massive city. Players will have to worry about their logistics, economy, and diplomacy throughout every game, making Anno a highly strategic city-builder.

Anno 1800 is arguably one of the most polished and well-designed Anno games, with high-quality visuals and strong multiplayer components. Although Anno 1800 has plenty of content to enjoy in single-player, it's arguably more fun when played with friends, especially in online co-op.

1 Kingdoms Reborn

Steam User Rating: 91%

• Platform(s): PC
• Released: 2020
• Developer(s): Earthshine
• Genre: City-Builder

This Banished-adjacent city-builder has players building a Kingdom and managing resources as one of several civilizations with their own unique styles. As seen in games such as Civilization, Kingdoms Reborn sees players progressing through several Ages as they research and unlock new technology.

However, unlike most city-builders, such as Banished, Kingdoms Reborn uses a unique card system to distinguish itself. At the end of every in-game season, players choose building cards that allow them to construct the depicted structure. This dramatically helps Kingdoms Reborn stand out, and the online co-op is another welcome addition.

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