10 Best Colonization Games

10 Best Colonization Games

As a seasoned strategy gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that crafting this list has been nothing short of a Herculean task. The sheer variety and depth of these games is truly mind-boggling!


Colonization games encompass a variety of styles, ranging from high-speed action-strategy games to strategic titles that unfold across centuries. Typically, these games revolve around themes like exploration, resource gathering, infrastructure building, technological advancements, and frequently, conflict.

There are numerous types of games, set in various locations like far-off planets, ancient kingdoms, or your own garden, which utilize the ideas and gameplay elements associated with colonization across multiple genres.

These games embody all the features we discussed earlier and are top-notch in their categories. Let’s embark on an adventure and power up, ready to explore uncharted territories and conquer them!

12 Empires of the Undergrowth

An Insect RTS

10 Best Colonization Games

Among the standout and unforgettable strategy games that have graced our gaming scene recently, I’ve found myself immersed in Empires of the Undergrowth – a game where I command an ant colony on a mission to grow and thrive in some incredibly challenging and inhospitable terrains.

Players can begin their journey beneath the earth with a small number of eggs and a queen, eventually growing massive ant communities and assuming roles for various ant species. In this game, they’ll engage in conflicts against rival colonies, ants, spiders, frogs, and numerous other threats lurking above ground.

In this game, you’ll find various play styles, such as straightforward fights and an engaging narrative focused on a scientist performing genetic studies within a formicarium. Empires of the Undergrowth offers an unforgettable real-time strategy (RTS) adventure and is among the top colonization games currently available.

11 Tropico 6

A Hilarious Political Simulator

10 Best Colonization Games

Tropico 6 might not immediately come to mind, but it’s undeniably one of the top-notch colony simulation games currently available.

In a distant tropical island setting, players will embark on an epic journey spanning from the colonial period to the space age. Their task is to develop a thriving society from scratch, progressing through each era up until modern times.

Apart from boasting exceptional music, the game’s setting offers a serene and pleasant atmosphere that’s delightful to absorb.

Regarding gameplay, you have full freedom to shape your experience. You can opt for roles like a strict capitalist, an eco-conscious leader, a devout religious figure, or essentially any other character when managing your populace.

The primary difficulty in this game arises from managing the demands of various community factions, as these demands can shift and develop throughout the course of play. Additionally, maintaining financial stability while resisting interference or undue influence from dominant world powers presents a level of fairness within the game.

10 Surviving Mars

The Red Planet Base Builder

10 Best Colonization Games

These days, there’s plenty of excitement about settling Mars, and among the games that capture this spirit best is Surviving Mars. You start off with a modest team of robots and an initial colonization vessel. The goal is to gradually develop a thriving settlement, but the biggest challenge comes from the harsh Martian environment itself.

Beyond facing sandstorms, scarcity of water, power outages, and unexplained occurrences, players must also keep track of their settlers’ mental well-being. Providing for their colonists’ essential needs is crucial in establishing prosperous settlements that can expand to encompass entire cities and civilizations.

As a space-faring gamer, I’ve found some rad expansion packs for Surviving Mars that I just can’t get enough of! One of my favorites is the Green Planet DLC, which opens up a whole new world of terraforming possibilities. It’s not just about building bases; it’s about shaping Mars itself to create a thriving colony. In a nutshell, Surviving Mars is an awesome base-building and colonization game that offers a unique blend of challenge and creativity.

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8 Age of Empires 3

A Strategy Classic With Deep Settlement Mechanics

10 Best Colonization Games

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but sing praises for the Age of Empires series, renowned for its captivating settlement-building mechanics, thrilling real-time strategy battles, and one-of-a-kind faction characteristics. Among them all, Age of Empires 3 stands out as the most expansive, delving into a more contemporary timeframe compared to its medieval counterparts – the Colonial Era.

The game encompasses various prominent European groups, along with Asian and indigenous North American cultures, all offering distinct gameplay strategies, advantages, and exclusive units and structures.

Among games that excel at establishing small settlements and setting them in competition, Age of Empires 3 stands out as one of the best. Remarkably, this game continues to garner a significant following long past its initial launch date.

7 Stellaris

Colonization of Alien Species

10 Best Colonization Games

Stellaris by Paradox Interactive is often hailed as one of the greatest science fiction strategy games in existence. It offers a vast array of playable species, each with customizable ideologies, characteristics, and biological attributes.

While it is feasible to limit one’s actions within a restricted space, the essence of the game encourages venturing out and expanding territories, leading to encounters with diverse species and their unique cultures, often resulting in conflicts.

As a passionate enthusiast, I’ve discovered that while no single culture can be entirely dominated or merged, the game offers intriguing mechanisms that allow for the establishment of multicultural empires. However, this multi-culturalism brings along unique challenges and tensions that must be navigated carefully.

Users are also capable of employing genetic engineering and alteration techniques to crossbreed species and create unique life forms, ranging from biologically-based arthropod-like entities (insectoids) to futuristic hybrid humans with advanced technology (cybernetic humanoids).

6 Empire: Total War

A Colonial Era Classic

10 Best Colonization Games

While it may not be the most frequently played game within the Total War series, Empire stands out as the one that most effectively portrays the grandeur and ambiance of the Discovery and Colonial periods.

Participants have the opportunity to select among various influential countries and initiate extensive expeditions across India, Africa, and the Americas.

In my perspective as an ardent fan, what sets Empire: Total War apart from other grand strategy games of its era is its meticulously crafted combat system. With the power to control vast armies armed with muskets, ships, cannons, and cavalry, I find myself immersed in some of the most exhilarating battles the action-RTS genre has to offer.

Empire: Total War might lack the intricate political and financial workings present in certain other games, but it stands out as a pioneering title when it comes to colonization-themed games. In fact, it offers an opportunity for players to build their unique version of the British Empire!

5 Victoria 3

Complex Government And Economic Management

10 Best Colonization Games

Victoria 3 might not be the most accessible game for beginners, as it poses challenges that even experienced strategy gamers may find tough to master completely.

Indeed, this challenge is particularly gratifying, particularly for those captivated by history, diplomatic affairs, and the way technological advancements molded the world from the Industrial Revolution onwards.

In this game, the core action centers on constructing balanced economies and keeping various groups within your control content.

Maintaining stability in production processes and preventing worker uprisings are crucial for a successful gameplay experience. While trading and engaging in wars are equally significant factors, they should not be overlooked.

In Victoria 3, incorporating fresh territories along with their unique cultures plays a vital role in the gameplay. Every nation has the flexibility to select from multiple colonization strategies, spanning from ruthless extraction to gentle relocation.

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3 Anno 1800

A Wonderful Colony Sim

10 Best Colonization Games

In the early Victorian Era, Anno 1800 offers a relaxed take on city-building and resource management games. Starting with simple farming and logging outposts, players can eventually construct massive cities during the peak of the Industrial Revolution.

In this game, the primary hurdle lies in keeping a healthy financial status. Meanwhile, opposing groups vie for control over territories, not just because of their valuable resources but also due to their advantageous locations along trading pathways.

Over the years, a variety of expansion packs and mods have been added, enabling players to travel to new locations such as Africa and the Arctic.

While maintaining a lighthearted atmosphere, Anno 1800 is a game that demands strategic thinking from its players, as they must carefully consider resources, land usage, and infrastructural development.

2 Crusader Kings 3

In-Depth Strategy, Insane Stories

10 Best Colonization Games

Certainly, Crusader Kings 3 stands out as one of the most complex and advanced strategy games available, with a unique focus on characters and cultures seldom explored in games of this size.

In Crusader Kings 3, you can either opt for creating an army of genetically enhanced soldiers or strive for a prosperous trading dynasty – the game provides nearly endless opportunities for both scenarios.

The main backdrop of this tale lies in the Middle Ages, but it delves deeply into international affairs and conflicts between differing cultural norms.

In this game, you have the ability to change characters on the fly. This means you can construct your own empire and then destroy it by attacking a rival faction within the same gaming session.

To establish a thriving dynasty in Crusader Kings 3, it’s essential that players conquer and settle numerous rival lands, while preventing these territories from seceding or igniting independent uprisings.

1 Europa Universalis 4

An All-Time Great

10 Best Colonization Games

Europa Universalis IV might just be one of the most comprehensive political simulation games ever made, boasting an extensive variety of factions, each offering distinct gameplay experiences.

Similar to how factions in Paradox’s other games, such as Stellaris and Crusader Kings, possess unique cultural beliefs and geographical distinctiveness, the same applies here. Each faction will showcase their individual cultural values and geographical peculiarities.

No matter which nation you choose – Ottomans, French, Japanese, or others – Europa Universalis 4 offers a variety of distinct government types for players. The objective is to either grow or protect your territory, gather resources, and progress technologically.

As a gamer, I’ve discovered an exciting fact: There’s a vast collection of DLC for Europa Universalis 4 that can significantly elevate the gaming experience. For instance, you can seamlessly transition from Crusader Kings 3 and continue your journey into a more contemporary age in Europa Universalis 4.

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2024-11-14 18:09