Empire builder games let you take a tiny settlement — or a single island, or a medieval duchy — and grow it into a sprawling power through economy, diplomacy and war. The genre had a huge 2025 with Civilization VII, Europa Universalis V and Anno 117, so there’s never been more choice. Here are the best empire building games to play in 2026, grouped by the kind of empire you want to build.
Table of Contents
Quick picks
| Game | Style | Best for | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anno 117: Pax Romana | City/economy builder | Beautiful, relaxed empire building | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S |
| Europa Universalis V | Grand strategy | Deep historical simulation | PC |
| Sid Meier’s Civilization VII | Turn-based 4X | “One more turn” history from ancient to modern | PC, consoles, Switch |
| Crusader Kings III | Dynasty grand strategy | Character drama and medieval intrigue | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S |
| Age of Empires II: DE / IV | Real-time strategy | Fast battles and base building | PC, Xbox (and PS5 for AoE II/IV) |
| Age of Wonders 4 | Fantasy 4X | Custom fantasy empires and tactical battles | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S |
| Stellaris | Space grand strategy | Galactic empires | PC, consoles |
| Rise of Kingdoms | Mobile strategy | Empire building on your phone | Android, iOS |
1. Anno 117: Pax Romana — best empire builder of 2026
Released on November 13, 2025, Anno 117 puts you in charge of Roman provinces in Latium and Celtic Albion. You build production chains, keep citizens happy, trade between islands and defend your territory. It’s become the series’ best-rated game on Metacritic and its fastest seller, and it plays well with a controller on console.
Pick it if: you love watching a thriving economy take shape and prefer building to constant war.
2. Europa Universalis V — best for history buffs
Paradox’s grand strategy sequel covers centuries of history from the late Middle Ages onward. You manage provinces, estates, trade, diplomacy and armies in enormous detail. Critics scored it among the best strategy releases of 2025.
Pick it if: you want the deepest simulation and don’t mind a steep learning curve.
3. Sid Meier’s Civilization VII — best turn-based 4X
Civilization VII (February 2025) splits each game into Antiquity, Exploration and Modern ages and lets you change civilization between them. The launch was mixed, but post-launch updates and expansions have added content and quality-of-life fixes. It’s still the most accessible “build an empire through history” game for many players.
Pick it if: you want classic 4X with a clear goal and a game you can finish in an evening or two.
4. Crusader Kings III — best for storytelling
Instead of managing a nation, you manage a dynasty. Marriages, rivalries, plots and inheritance laws decide whether your family’s realm grows or collapses. It’s the empire builder most likely to produce stories you’ll tell your friends.
5. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition and Age of Empires IV — best real-time strategy
If you want your empire building fast, the Age of Empires games mix base building and resource gathering with real-time battles. AoE II DE has a huge civilization roster and competitive scene; AoE IV offers modern visuals and distinct civilizations.
6. Age of Wonders 4 — best fantasy empire builder
Design your own faction, choose magic tomes and carve a fantasy empire with turn-based tactical battles. Expansions add new realms and races, giving it tremendous replay value.
7. Stellaris — best space empire
Explore, colonise and conquer a procedurally generated galaxy as a species you create. Stellaris has had years of updates and expansions, and it shines in the late game when galactic crises arrive.
8. Rise of Kingdoms — best on mobile
A free-to-play mobile strategy game where you build a city, train armies and join alliances to fight for territory. It’s great for short sessions, though, like most mobile strategy games, it includes optional in-app purchases.
Honourable mentions
- Manor Lords — a beautiful medieval town builder with tactical battles (Early Access).
- Total War: Warhammer III — turn-based empire management plus huge real-time battles.
- Victoria 3 — economic and political grand strategy in the 19th century.
- Old World — a historical 4X with dynasties and character events.
How to choose
- Want to relax and build? Anno 117.
- Want depth and history? Europa Universalis V or Crusader Kings III.
- Want “one more turn”? Civilization VII or Old World.
- Want action? Age of Empires or Total War.
- Playing on a phone? Rise of Kingdoms.
FAQ
What’s the difference between a 4X and grand strategy game?
4X games (explore, expand, exploit, exterminate) like Civilization usually have clearer goals and shorter games. Grand strategy games like Europa Universalis are more open-ended simulations of real history.
Which empire builder is best for beginners?
Anno 117 and Civilization VII are the most beginner-friendly, with tutorials and clear objectives.
Are there good empire builders on console?
Yes: Anno 117, Civilization VII, Crusader Kings III, Age of Wonders 4 and Age of Empires all have console versions.
Like strategy on mobile? See our Empires & Puzzles Harpoon guide and Clash of Clans gems guide.
Hi, I’m Emam Hasan — an English teacher and the founder of Anirban Lexicon Center in Mirpur, Dhaka. I run Takedownloads to share honest game guides, tips and app reviews that help players choose well and play better. Alongside teaching, I work in digital marketing and SEO, and I enjoy turning complex topics into simple, helpful lessons anyone can follow.
