It is becoming increasingly difficult to fit new games into specific genres. Game developers now often blend multiple genres into a new type of gaming experience. Often, RPG elements make up the core gameplay, but survival mechanics, crafting and base building might be included as well. The result is a game that fuses multiple genres into something special.
Not all RPG games include base building. And not all base-building games can be classified as an RPG. However, a great many games do merge these two gameplay styles. In some games, the player’s base is little more than a home and storage depot. In others, a base is required to progress with the RPG aspects of the game.
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7 Necesse
8-Bit Crafting And Base Building
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac
- Released: December 12, 2019
- Developer: Mads Skovgaard, Fair Games ApS
- Genre: Adventure game, Role-playing game
Necesse is a great little 8-bit RPG. Don’t be fooled by the simple, retro-style graphics; this is a fully-fledged RPG with a solid crafting system and some excellent base building mechanics. Necesse has a little bit of everything, including general exploration, resource gathering, and dungeon crawling.
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Base building in Necesse revolves around the player setting up a home base that they will use as a general crafting area, and to store materials. The game doesn't need expensive gaming hardware to play, and is accessible to pretty much anyone with a PC or Mac.
6 Going Medieval
Complex Base And Settlement Building
Going Medieval is a good example of how modern games often merge multiple genres into a unified whole. It combines role-playing aspects with crafting, base building, colony management, and even some basic tower defense mechanics.
Base building in Going Medieval involves assigning player-controlled NPCs to gather resources and build structures and base facilities. In some game modes, enemy NPCs will attack the player’s base, so they will also need to build defenses and assign their own NPCs to defensive duties. It's a fun game with a surprising level of depth, and well worth a place on this list.
5 RimWorld
Strategy With RPG Aspects
The base building in RimWorld is satisfyingly complex. For example, if the player builds a kitchen area, they will need to sterilize the tiles used before actually cooking anything, to avoid food poisoning. Player-owned NPCs will only walk a limited number of tiles to find the resources they need, so base design and layout are key in this game.
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Not every gameplay mode in RimWorld plays like an RPG. However, some modes do; for example, the nomadic mode. In this mode, the player takes over managing a roving caravan.
4 Kenshi
Great Indie Base Building
Since its release in 2016, Kenshi has become something of an indie cult classic. It's an impressive game, developed by a single person. Base building in Kenshi is a requirement for setting up decent storage volumes, and also for training and crafting.
In the early game, the player will only have access to a limited number of structures that can be turned into a functioning base. However, once the player unlocks Tech 2 structures, they will open up more options for building a functional base. Kenshi is a fun game, and building a base opens up more gameplay options.
3 Fallout 4
An Oldie But A Goodie
Fallout 4
- Platform(s)
- PC , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
- Released
- November 10, 2015
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda
Fallout 4 is arguably the pinnacle of Bethesda's world-building prowess. Few games have had such an impact as Fallout 4, and this is evident in its popularity almost a decade after the initial launch. Base building in Fallout 4 revolves around setting up settlements to attract wasteland survivors as inhabitants.
Rather than build actual structures to form a base in Fallout 4, the player can renovate existing buildings and add features such as beds, generators, crafting benches, and defenses. Once the settlement has been improved to a certain level, wasteland survivors will begin to wander in and take up residence. Settlement building is optional in Fallout 4, but it can be a lot of fun.
2 Medieval Dynasty
Fun Quests And Great Base Building
Medieval Dynasty
- Platform(s)
- PC , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
- Released
- December 17, 2020
- Developer
- Render Cube
- Genre(s)
- Open-World , Strategy
Medieval Dynasty is another game that merges multiple genres. At heart, it is an RPG, replete with quests, skills, levels, and all the usual RPG tropes. However, it also bolts on a robust crafting system, some excellent base building mechanics, and general colony management gameplay.
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The player will need to complete a series of tasks, split into seasons, to unlock some of the more advanced base-building aspects of the game. However, right from the start, the player can begin building housing and storage, as well as food production and crafting stations. Once this is done, the player can begin recruiting NPCs from nearby settlements to come and live in their base, and perform day-to-day activities to keep the base running, such as hunting game. Medieval Dynasty combines all the core mechanics into a unique gaming experience.
1 Enshrouded
Classic Combat RPG With Advanced Base Building
Enshrouded
- Platform(s)
- PC , PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
- Released
- January 24, 2024
- Developer(s)
- Keen Games
- Genre(s)
- Survival , Open-World , Action RPG
Players who prefer an RPG with base building, but with more focus on combat rather than crafting, might like to give Enshrouded a try. The role-playing aspects are both engaging and fun. Combat is fast-paced yet rewarding, and quests are often quite challenging.
Base building is a requirement in Enshrouded, and every player will need to build at least a basic base. Crafting NPCs need to be placed inside structures to work, and need certain items placed close to them to upgrade them. Where the base building in Enshrouded really shines, is in the number of excellent building parts that are available. Some very attractive yet functional bases are possible. Enshrouded takes the top place on this list because it is an up-to-date implementation of meaningful base building.
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