Strategy games often involve micromanagement of various things that the player must master, ranging from logistics planning to providing optimal resources, to building a strong base that can serve as a foundation of the player's winning move in the game. Most strategy games, be they real-time, simulation, or turn-based, have the element of base-building in their core gameplay loop.
Games With The Best 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.
The base building aspect of the game will usually involve the player having to gather resources and construct buildings as a starting point. This base will evolve to adapt to the game's situation, although it has a heavier resource usage. The evolution of the base can also unlock a new gameplay loop for the player, keeping the game consistently fresh.
A mix of real-time strategy games, turn-based, and simulation games will be considered for the list.
7 Factorio
The Factory Must Expand
Factorio is one of the best examples of how a strategy game can be centered around base building, as it becomes necessary for the player to have a well-built and well-defended fortress in order to 'win' the game. The real-time strategy game is also focused on resource gathering, making it necessary for the player to micromanage their resources optimally while defending the base from hostile invasion from the planet's fauna.
13 Tips For Beginning Factorio Players
From the importance of the Alt key to the value of construction bots, here are some valuable pointers for players who are new to Factorio.
With the game's blueprint system, the base-building aspect of the game becomes more intense as the player will be able to build numerous unique building structures and customize their base, making each playthrough unique.
6 Cult Of The Lamb
Build A Base For An Upstart Cult
Creating a cult has never been more intense than while playing Cult of the Lamb, as the player will be controlling the role of a lamb that owes its life to a demon, and as a payment, tasked with creating a cult in the demon's name. As part of the cult creation, the player is also tasked with building a proper base for the cult to thrive, and also act as a place of worship for its followers.
Cult Of The Lamb: 10 Farm Layout Tips
Farm layout is important in Cult of the Lamb, and these tips can help players keep things running smoothly.
Followers can be tasked with gathering resources to build up the base, and a plethora of other activities, including getting sacrificed to appease the demon. The survival aspect of the game makes it necessary for the player to build a well-balanced base without sacrificing an aspect, as it can lead to an early game over.
5 XCOM: Enemy Unknown
Base Of Operation Is Necessary Against Alien Invasion
XCOM: Enemy Unknown
- Released
- October 9, 2012
- Developer(s)
- Firaxis Games , 2K Games , Feral Interactive
- Genre(s)
- Turn-Based Strategy , Action , Tactical , Strategy
Fighting against an alien invasion that is overwhelmingly more advanced technologically can be insurmountable, but also fun to challenge in XCOM: Enemy Unknown. Aside from undertaking missions to repel alien invasions, the player is tasked with creating a proper base for the organization to build up their soldiers in many aspects, including technological advancement and logistics.
The base-building aspect of the game can become intense once the player is faced with the problem of facing multiple problems that require priority above the others. For example, having a country with a huge amount of funds pull out of the organization's funding can negatively impact the base's performance as upgrades become scarce.
4 Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2
Balance Resources To Achieve The Perfect Foundation For An Assault
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Released
- October 23, 2000
- Developer
- Westwood Pacific
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy
Although the game's age is over two decades, the gameplay loop of both micromanagement and base building still holds fresh against most modern strategy games due to its simple design, but hard-to-master concept. At the start of every game, the player will be tasked to gather enough resources to build up a base that is capable of training units to assault the enemy's base.
Moreover, these bases can also hold unique, powerful buildings that acts as a high-risk, high-reward structure that enables the player to unleash superweapons, such as a nuclear silo.
3 Evil Genius 2: World Domination
Build A Proper Staging Base To Dominate Earth
Evil Genius 2: World Domination
- Platform(s)
- PC , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
- Released
- March 30, 2021
- Developer(s)
- Rebellion Developments
- Genre(s)
- Strategy , Simulation
World domination is not an easy feat to do, and it usually requires a genius leader at the head of an evil organization that is willing to do anything, including building a super-secret base as the foundation of their evil plan. Players of the game will need to have a well-optimized base layout to have a chance of winning the game.
6 Beginner Tips For Evil Genius 2
Evil Genius 2 can seem daunting for players new to the strategy genre. Here's how to start the journey towards world domination.
Moreover, having the proper base layout is crucial, as the different rooms inside the base enable the player to take more missions to grow their organization. A less-optimized layout of the base will have repercussions, especially towards the later stages of the game, as the Forces of Justice's interference grows more intense.
2 Age Of Empires 2
The Best Base Is A Foundation For Good Offense
Age of Empires 2
- Released
- September 27, 1999
- Developer(s)
- Ensemble Studios
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy
The classic real-time-strategy game Age of Empires 2 is still widely played to this day due to its timeless gameplay loop, which includes intense micromanagement of units, resource management, and proper base-building to enable the smooth development of an army. The base-building phase of the game is crucial enough to have a set of patterns on which building to build first, and technologies to research first, to keep up with the enemy's development.
Moreover, building a well-connected network of walls with gates is also important, as a well-defended base will mean the player has a chance to mount a comeback after a failed assault on the enemy's base.
1 Starcraft
The Staple For Both Base Building And Micromanagement
StarCraft
- Platform(s)
- Microsoft Windows
- Released
- March 31, 1998
- Developer(s)
- Blizzard
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy
Veterans of Starcraft will know how crucial it is to have the right sequence of buildings made in their base, as less optimal buildings will hinder their development and rapidly lower their chances of victory. Combined with three unique factions, each with its unique buildings, Starcraft can be categorized as one of the best games that have base building as one of the core gameplay loops.
The base-building aspect of the game ranges from creating an optimal supply chain to build an army, to identifying a satellite base that is dedicated to resource gathering.
