The Best Base Building Games for Beginners, Ranked

Highlights

Beginners can ease into base-building with games like Fortnite: Save The World, offering intuitive controls and co-op play.
Dorfromantik takes a unique approach to base-building with its hex-based puzzle strategy gameplay, perfect for relaxation.
Timberborn combines colony sim and city-building mechanics, providing a challenging yet adorable experience for players.

As someone who has dabbled in my fair share of base-building games, I must say that these three titles are absolute gems for beginners and veterans alike!

For gamers, the term “base-building game” might evoke thoughts of titles like Fallout 4, Age of Empires 2, or the latest addition Meet Your Maker. What this implies is that various categories of video games incorporate base-building elements. Therefore, novices to base-building can begin with less daunting or more familiar games, avoiding the initial challenge of complex games such as Factorio or The Sims 4.

A variety of games spanning numerous genres incorporate base-construction elements, and some do so in exceptionally creative ways. If someone dreams of constructing a gothic castle, defending a stronghold against the undead, or establishing an astronaut’s exploration hub in space, there are beginner-friendly base-building games on this list that cater to these interests. Rest assured, it’s not all about Terraria replicas – there’s a diverse range of offerings available.

10 Fortnite: Save The World

Viable Only With Friends

The Best Base Building Games for Beginners, Ranked

Offers extremely intuitive building controls that beginners can pick up quickly
Incorporates tower defense elements, looter shooter elements, and co-op play
May be difficult for solo players to find team matches after a certain level

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but share my excitement about Fortnite, a game that started with its iconic Battle Royale mode but has since evolved into a fierce competitor with Roblox. It’s transformed into a virtual third space, filled with an abundance of user-generated content, crossover events, concerts, and more!

As a gamer, I find myself immersed in a game where the combat echoes that of Left 4 Dead, featuring distinct husk types like Pitchers, Lobbers, Huskies, and many more. What sets this apart is that instead of surviving waves of enemies, we’re tasked with defending our self-designed forts and accomplishing objectives across diverse maps. The beauty lies in the freedom to construct anything my imagination conjures up, while also employing various traps to hinder potential attackers. There’s even a class system for characters, allowing some to bolster building health while others zip around the battlefield at lightning speed.

9 Dorfromantik

A Cozy Puzzle Builder Based On Board Games

Utilizes hex-shaped tiles like the board game Settlers of Catan
Can be played in a variety of Modes including one that changes monthly
Focuses on relaxation instead of combat, resource management, or survival

As a devoted gamer, I was thrilled when Dorfromantik officially launched in April 2022, with a Switch version following in September. This hexagonal, tabletop-style puzzle strategy game has captivated gamers across the globe. Unlike many games that emphasize optimization, Dorfromantik tests players’ strategic thinking skills to the limit.

In line with its origins as a board game, players begin with 40 randomly distributed tiles to set up, which can be rotated but not moved afterward. Tiles representing railroads and water must connect with existing tiles of the same type, yet players can acquire more tiles by enclosing areas, completing quests, or matching tiles of identical kind on all sides. However, for those who prefer not to compete for highest points, there’s an option called Creative mode that offers endless tiles for constructing idyllic villages of one’s imagination. The offered game modes in Dorfromantik are:

Tutorial – teaches new players how to play Dorfromantik and unlocks the Windmill tile.
Classic – standard gameplay mode where players start with 40 tiles and fulfill quests and lay tiles until they run out
Creative – players have infinite tiles to create with and can discard selected tiles, too, while also benefitting from features like Generate Matching Tile and the Eyedropper control.
Quick – gives players 25 tiles at the start and ends after 75 tiles get placed and is very similar to Classic mode.
Hard – offers a more difficult experience with fewer quests and more complex tiles.
Monthly – players experience a new ruleset configuration each month and compete.
Custom – players can alter rules as they see fit

8 Timberborn

Lumberpunk Is Where It’s At

Incorporates colony sim and city-building mechanics
Allows players to experiment with their build strategies against in-game obstacles
Still in Early Access, so updates and changes will occur

In this virtual setting, who wouldn’t appreciate beavers? As humans have rendered the world inhospitable, these resilient beavers face a series of challenges and must strive for survival. This involves crafting structures, accumulating resources, unlocking advancements, and overcoming hardships like droughts and polluted environments. Newcomers to the game might find the mechanics less daunting thanks to the charming inhabitants of their settlements.

In its Early Access stage, the game is set to receive its fifth significant update, called “Badwater,” in January 2024. This update introduces a harmful substance called “Badwater” that affects beavers. Along with this new element, the update offers fresh buildings, an overhaul of the irrigation system, map modifications, and an Antidote for Badwater. Though it might not be the most straightforward learning experience when it comes to base-building mechanics, Timberborn combines city-building and colony simulation elements that some players may find engaging.

7 No Man’s Sky

Explore Space With Friends, Find New Ships, & Build Bases

A perfect game for friends across different platforms
Allows players to build as many bases as they want to across many planets and biomes
When not in Creative mode, building schematics and materials will cost money and take time to acquire

Despite focusing on their upcoming game “Light No Fire,” Hello Games consistently updates their expansive title, “No Man’s Sky.” These updates, known as Expeditions, enrich an already vast galaxy teeming with procedurally generated planets, wildlife, vegetation, and lore. Players gather currencies by scanning creatures, discovering new worlds, completing missions, and various other activities. They can also craft bases on planets, build underwater establishments, and personalize their Freighter bases.

As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in various video games throughout my life, I can confidently say that this game provides a uniquely laid-back base-building adventure with a strong emphasis on exploration and a blend of ground-based firefights and starship combat. The versatility of the game modes caters to players of all skill levels, making it an enjoyable experience for everyone.

Normal – billed as a “chill exploration experience” with standard difficulty, technology, and building costs
Relaxed – disables Life Support and offers a less grind-y experience and reduced danger
Survival – ups the ante for player danger featuring aggressive enemies, loss of inventory on death, more hazards, and less frequent resources.
Permadeath – like Minecraft, NMS offers a mode where all progress is reset if a player dies and features the same increased dangers of Survival Mode.
Creative – players can “explore and create freely” in a much more risk-free environment, beginning with all construction parts and blueprints unlocked and free building and crafting.
Expedition – players drop into a limited-time event starting at a fixed point in the universe with a set list of objectives to achieve for rewards
Custom – allows players to tweak any and all difficulty settings before creating a new save.

As someone who has been a gamer for most of my life, I can confidently say that there is nothing quite like finding a game that you can return to again and again, only to discover new experiences each time. The sense of exploration and discovery keeps me coming back, and it’s a joy to revisit familiar worlds with fresh eyes. Whether it’s uncovering hidden secrets or experiencing the story from a different perspective, these games offer an ever-evolving experience that I find incredibly rewarding.

6 Subnautica

Just Don’t Let The Thalassaphobia Get To You

One of a few underwater base-building games
Offers an extremely immersive experience, but may not be for people who fear deep, open-water
Single-player experience with mod support from Nexus Mods

In the realm of underwater base-building games, Subnautica has solidified its status as a staple following its successful sequel. However, it’s worth noting that not every player may be thrilled with the intricate and eerie Leviathan designs. After all, surviving alone on an alien planet predominantly submerged in water can be a terrifying ordeal for many individuals.

Overcoming that initial hurdle grants players an extraordinary opportunity to explore the distinctly aquatic Andromeda Galaxy world of 4546B beneath the waves. They can construct underwater bases, design submersibles, cultivate indoor gardens, and much more. The game also presents a captivating narrative – a touch of mystery that unfolds as players discover new technologies and delve into the secrets of the ocean planet. To top it off, the stunning visuals offer an entirely engrossing simulation experience. Yet, it’s important to note that this is a single-player game without any built-in co-op options.

5 Astroneer

Like No Man’s Sky, But Smaller, Cuter, And With Mini-Games

Features 7 beautifully rendered planets that players can fully explore from surface right down to the planet’s core
Procedural generation allows for lots of variation in player experience
Best experienced with friends in co-op

In contrast to the capitalist-dystopian feel of Subnautica’s world, Astroneer offers a more enigmatic exploration of life, similar in scope to No Man’s Sky but with a stronger emphasis on base construction and discovery. Instead of delving into an elaborate narrative, Astroneer invites players to traverse various planets, either on foot, by rover, spacecraft, or through teleportation, all presented in a third-person perspective. The game encourages players to alter these planets using advanced terraforming tools while uncovering the universe’s life mysteries. It employs procedural generation like No Man’s Sky but offers seven distinct planets for players to explore, modify, and build upon extensively.

Creating structures within the game ‘Astroneer’ offers a smooth, uninterrupted experience, boasting an abundance of personalization choices for bases, characters, and vehicles. This charming, snug sci-fi journey is most enjoyable when played with companions. Surprisingly, multiplayer matches similar to ‘Rocket League’ can be organized within ‘Astroneer’. The game’s main challenge lies in maintaining oxygen levels while players traverse planets and collect resources.

4 Minecraft

A Mainstay When It Comes To Base Building

Great for younger gamers just starting out and families and accommodates a wide variety of gamer styles
Mods available for both editions with a wider array available on the Javascript Edition
Crossplay is possible with Bedrock Edition.

Many young individuals may have been introduced to gaming through Minecraft, a popular choice among gamers seeking a serene or social experience. This game is often chosen by streamers due to its versatility, offering both tranquil and cooperative play options. Players can engage in random servers, or establish their own with custom rules and modes that cater to both survivalists and creators. In terms of entry-level base-building games, Minecraft certainly ranks among the top choices. Additionally, players have the ability to design custom maps for diverse gaming experiences.

The main drawbacks are its basic, chunky visual aesthetic and the risk of encountering inappropriate content when joining servers not intended for minors. Parents playing with their children should carefully review public online areas before allowing access. For those over the age limit, this concern diminishes, particularly when using individually managed servers. Moreover, the Bedrock Edition offers cross-platform compatibility, while the JavaScript version is exclusive to PC systems.

3 Spiritfarer

Construct Your Boat & Befriend Some Spirits

Features a more linear story than other popular base-building games
Has a cozy aesthetic and cute animation style
Marks a great entry into base-building for gamers who want a smaller-scale base

Hey there fellow gamers! Just because Spiritfarer isn’t typically labeled as a base-building game, doesn’t mean it isn’t one at heart. Give this adorable indie gem another spin if you haven’t already. As Stella, the player, I guide Spirits aboard my boat, providing them with meals, fulfilling their requests, and adding new structures to my seafaring vessel. If you’re a fan of cosy games like Stardew Valley or Cozy Grove, Spiritfarer offers an engaging, Miyakazi-inspired experience in the realm of base-building gameplay.

In contrast to Minecraft, Spiritfarer offers a more structured narrative, making it possible for players to replay the game multiple times and design distinctive boats on each playthrough. The storyline in this game also delves into the themes of the afterlife, exploring what it means to transition and move forward, as portrayed by characters reminiscent of Charon and Hades.

2 Grounded

Best Played With Friends

From the creators of Fallout: New Vegas and The Outer Worlds
Features base building, as well as crafting, combat, and narrative elements
Offers cross-platform play and the unique Shared World co-op mode

Despite primarily being marketed as a survival game, Grounded presents an engaging and accessible platform for base-building enthusiasts from various genres. Similar to Fortnite: Save the World, it allows players to concentrate on diverse mechanics other than construction, enabling them to pick up the game while still enjoying aspects they’re accustomed to and find enjoyable. The esteemed Obsidian Entertainment studio contributes its unique writing style to the game’s storyline and characters. Players need to be aware that the game gradually escalates in difficulty as they delve deeper into the backyard, amass resources, and create items.

In Grounded, players can design their bases according to the narrative requirements or for creative purposes. It is essential to be aware that adversaries might intrude on your base, making the game world feel dynamic and alive. Moreover, the game offers an arachnophobia mode that adjusts spider intimidation levels. One of its standout features is crossplay, which means you can play with others even if the host isn’t online. In co-op using a Shared World, players can collaborate seamlessly. For beginners seeking a story-driven experience with cross-platform cooperative gameplay, Grounded is an ideal starting point.

1 V Rising

Vampires, A Gothic Aesthetic, And Easy Building

The full game release allows players to join or host servers with rulesets they find favorable.
Allows players to build multi-tier castles in various locations
Allows players to recycle building materials when tearing down constructs

For those completely new to building, the top-down vampire-themed game, “V Rising,” offers an unrivaled initial gaming experience. Its combat resembles that of “Diablo,” while its construction process is smooth and user-friendly compared to that in “Fallout 4.” Building isn’t a secondary or added feature in “V Rising;” instead, it plays a significant role, similar to battling V Blood bosses. Players can even construct multi-level castles!

1. In PvP games, things can escalate rapidly, making it tough for novice players. I recommend they join a beginner-oriented server or focus on Player versus Environment (PvE) sessions initially. They’ll have the opportunity to adjust various aspects such as damage output, decay rate of their castle heart, and other factors, enabling them to improve their construction abilities and create an ideal fortress. Moreover, there are extra cosmetic packs available for personalization, even including a Castlevania-themed expansion that introduces Simon Belmont into the game.

2024-07-31 07:34