Simulation/Government/God/Finance/Construction Games

ShaShaBear

So, I'm looking for some games of the above mix/genre as in title.

I've played (and utterly enjoyed) all of Tropico, Age of Empires (to an extent),The Guild and SimCity.
I've played (and was bored by) Sid Meyer's Civilization, Total War (any), Europa Universalis and Age of Empires Online.

Basically I love games involving the management of a craft/profession/community and using the correct management to make money to in turn become better at what I was doing originally. Tropico and SimCity really were the best of what I've played so far. I also enjoyed Age of Empires but felt a bit constrained in later expansions by the rush of the opposition to annihilate me while I was busy exercising my OCD on carefully-constructed identical houses

I also enjoyed Rollercoaster and Zoo Tycoon (the originals).

Currently trying Banished on Steam, and while it is good fun, I feel there is just too little to be at, and once you have it figured out, there's not much to it.

Any other games like this that I might be missing?

Falthyron

The Settlers!

ShaShaBear

Falthyron wrote: »

The Settlers!

I know I've heard of this, just not sure if I got round to playing it!

(finishing college and on house arrest until baby is born in July, keep 'em coming )

Wossack

I've played (and was bored by) Sid Meyer's Civilization

ShaShaBear

Wossack wrote: »

Deeply saddened my partner as well. It just wasn't graphically-challenging enough for me tbh. I'd rather something with more to look at, if that makes sense!

Wossack

civ V? thought it was as pretty as you can make em tbh!

ShaShaBear

Wossack wrote: »

civ V? thought it was as pretty as you can make em tbh!

If it were made like AoE, I would be sold. The airplane view and controls just bug me. I like trading, and don't mind the construction of armies and having treaties etc, but I couldn't visually see enough of what I was in control of.

Wossack

aye, I getcha

tropico is probably your best bet of late - you have it, but expansions could be worth a look?

might a ask trying to get into dwarf fortress, but gnomoria is similar - same with 'Towns' afaik

heard good things about some of the anno series too

ShaShaBear

Wossack wrote: »

aye, I getcha

tropico is probably your best bet of late - you have it, but expansions could be worth a look?

might a ask trying to get into dwarf fortress, but gnomoria is similar - same with 'Towns' afaik

heard good things about some of the anno series too

The whole lot of them on Steam (tropico). Still go back to them regularly, but I've gotten so good at it now that a sandbox game is pointless, even with all the difficulty settings turned up. I more play it now for the music and voice actors

Shiminay

So you want real time and not turn based?

Anno 2070 might be a good fit. I've not played it myself, but I'm told it's got a nice sharp learning curve that should be challenging but far from impossible for someone who's played quite a bit of that sort of game.

ShaShaBear

Shiminay wrote: »

So you want real time and not turn based?

Anno 2070 might be a good fit. I've not played it myself, but I'm told it's got a nice sharp learning curve that should be challenging but far from impossible for someone who's played quite a bit of that sort of game.

Exactly. Pregnancy brain has me fighting for the words, but yeah, the turn-based thing puts me off.

That looks like exactly what I might like to try next!

cherryghost

Tropico 5 should out Juneish

Mr E

It's taking all my will power not to slip the word "Goat" into the thread title.

ShaShaBear

cherryghost wrote: »

Tropico 5 should out Juneish

Dont tell me things like that, Im hoping to keep this child alive

5uspect

EVE, about as hardcore as you can get in terms of Economics. You'll have to sell the baby though.

Wetbench4

I recently started playing banished, its addictive but not sure how long it will last before the boredom sets in.

ShaShaBear

Wetbench4 wrote: »

I recently started playing banished, its addictive but not sure how long it will last before the boredom sets in.

About 4 hours

It's such a great concept, and I was really battling with keeping everyone alive and warm, but once I got it it became pretty easy to move up from there!

Pushtrak

I love Civilization V. It's a pretty accessible game really. Very much so in comparison to Europa Universalis IV which I really don't see myself going back to. How is Settlers? More Civ or EU?

Sulla Felix

Crusader Kings 2 if you like a medieval setting.

nesf

Pushtrak wrote: »

I love Civilization V. It's a pretty accessible game really. Very much so in comparison to Europa Universalis IV which I really don't see myself going back to. How is Settlers? More Civ or EU?

Neither. It's a simulation game as opposed to an empire builder.

Robert ninja

Black & White 2 is pretty good in my opinion. Not so much about money but there's definitely resource management and it can be pretty tricky at times. There's lots of videos out there but I might as well make a plug about my own. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1jhxye_gaming-compilation_videogames At the 1 minute mark there's some B&W2 gameplay but not really showing off everything you can do.

Cravez

Theme Hospital is always a good laugh and fun to play, even if it is yonks old at this stage.

ShaShaBear

Cravez wrote: »

Theme Hospital is always a good laugh and fun to play, even if it is yonks old at this stage.

I've had some problems getting it to work on Windows 8, that's the only thing.

And I much preferred the first B&W to the second one!

Cravez

There's an third party application for Theme Hospital that improves the textures etc and I think it makes it more compatible with later Windows versions. I can't remember the name of it but If I find it ill let you know.

Shiminay

It's called CorsixTH and it works pretty well. You'll need the original for this to work, but GOG have it.

"Patients are asked not to die in the corridors."

Cravez

Shiminay wrote: »

It's called CorsixTH and it works pretty well. You'll need the original for this to work, but GOG have it.

"Patients are asked not to die in the corridors."

That's the one!

gaynorvader

Rise Of Nations, Anno 1440, Stronghold 2, Empire Earth 2, Cossacks 2, Outpost 2.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

Skerries

ShaShaBear wrote: »

I've played (and was bored by) Sid Meyer's Civilization, Total War (any), Europa Universalis and Age of Empires Online.

were you bored by all the above or only Civ?

From Dust and Reus might be your thing or King Arthur 1&2: The role playing Game

Cravez

Mount & Blade Warband is a fantastic game. Incorporates tons of game styles such as Strategy, Diplomacy, Trading, Third/Person Combat, Siege Combat, Macro Management etc. Some of them very in-depth.

Pillage villages, elope with a kings wife, Siege castles, betray your allegiance and form your own kingdom? You can do tons of stuff in M&B Warband and you can create a female character which has it's own achievements during the playthrough.

There's mods for the game too but the most complete and best I'v found is the Floris Mod Pack.

Also it's not neccessarily like one game, even if you didn't like Total War you might really enjoy this. It's not a point/click and drag type of game. In battle you have free roam of your character and give your troops orders, with after a little practice is accomplished in less than 3 key strokes max.

cherryghost

gaynorvader wrote: »

Rise Of Nations, Anno 1440, Stronghold 2, Empire Earth 2, Cossacks 2, Outpost 2.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

Rise of Nations, there's one game I REALLY want a sequel/remake to.

Mal-Adjusted

Iv'e a few good suggestions but they're quite old and may need a bit of tracking down..but they're worth it.

Dungeon Keeper is pretty much Sim City mixed with Age of Empires and set in an underground cavern. You mine out rock, layout rooms, attract creatures to work in it and eventually fight off the heroes of the land. You have to basically create an ecosystem as many creatures will be at odds with each other and start fighting and others need to be molly-coddled and appeased.

Airport Inc. Does what it says on the tin. Design and build an airport, try to attract airlines, constantly upgrade your business and try to offset maintenance costs against runway quality/bomb scares, or charges against quality, things like that.

Pharaoh. Imagine Sim City set on the ancient Nile. design the city layout, make sure you have police and firefighters nearby, grow crops in the spring, make sure the bazaar is always well stocked for winter (it's surprisingly easy to let half your city starve!) make sure you have clean water or else you'll get a cholera outbreak, host cultural events to keep people happy, or go to war, great craic.

weiland79

Doesn't really fall into your criteria but this is a seriously addictive little game
http://www.dontstarvegame.com/

Branoic

ShaShaBear wrote: »

Basically I love games involving the management of a craft/profession/community and using the correct management to make money to in turn become better at what I was doing originally

Based on this requirement, then Anno 2070 really is your best bet. Or the earlier Anno games if you prefer a medieval vibe.

ShaShaBear

Cravez wrote: »

Mount & Blade Warband is a fantastic game. Incorporates tons of game styles such as Strategy, Diplomacy, Trading, Third/Person Combat, Siege Combat, Macro Management etc. Some of them very in-depth.

Pillage villages, elope with a kings wife, Siege castles, betray your allegiance and form your own kingdom? You can do tons of stuff in M&B Warband and you can create a female character which has it's own achievements during the playthrough.

There's mods for the game too but the most complete and best I'v found is the Floris Mod Pack.

Also it's not neccessarily like one game, even if you didn't like Total War you might really enjoy this. It's not a point/click and drag type of game. In battle you have free roam of your character and give your troops orders, with after a little practice is accomplished in less than 3 key strokes max.

I have absolutely no idea why I didn't mention this as one of the games I love Recently played through the GoT mod, think I heard that there is a LotR one as well, might have to give that a go! Bannerlords is the new one due to come out, isn't it?

Branoic

ooh, also - Prison Architect hasn't been mentioned yet. Its in Alpha still, but very playable and very good. Like Theme Hospital but with high-security violent offenders instead of patients!

Shiminay

Tropico 5's just been given a release date of May 23rd - what's your due date ShaSha?

ShaShaBear

Shiminay wrote: »

Tropico 5's just been given a release date of May 23rd - what's your due date ShaSha?

Pfffffffffffffffffffft not until 10th of July!

BloodBath

Caesar 4. Basically Roman times sim city.

It's old but still looks good for the genre and is a great game if you like the genre.

nesf

BloodBath wrote: »

Caesar 4. Basically Roman times sim city.

It's old but still looks good for the genre and is a great game if you like the genre.

Did it improve massively with patches? I remember being deeply disappointed by that when it launched. I was a huge Caesar fan when I was younger.

BloodBath

Not sure to be honest. I never had an issue with it.

Why were you disappointed?

erkifino

Another nod for Rise of Nations. Class game.

nesf

BloodBath wrote: »

Not sure to be honest. I never had an issue with it.

Why were you disappointed?

It was a long time ago. I remember strongly disliking it after Caesar III, it felt like a very different game much less management-like and more mainstream.

Cravez

ShaShaBear wrote: »

I have absolutely no idea why I didn't mention this as one of the games I love Recently played through the GoT mod, think I heard that there is a LotR one as well, might have to give that a go! Bannerlords is the new one due to come out, isn't it?

I haven't heard of Bannerlords, I must check it out and see what it's about. I tend not to go for the overhaul mods that change alot of the factions/landscape too much. The Floris mod adds high res textures for the vanilla game but also includes tons of tweaks mods into the one package like the diplomacy mod, expanded troops (loads of solder upgrades), UI changes, skill changes/additions etc.

I actually liked M&B With Fire and Sword but very disappointed that you can't create your own kingdom or do things such as Diplomacy etc. The trading in it was fantastic though.

cherryghost

It wasn't a patch on the previous ones. Caesar III, there's a game you could be proud of

ShaShaBear

Cravez wrote: »

I haven't heard of Bannerlords, I must check it out and see what it's about. I tend not to go for the overhaul mods that change alot of the factions/landscape too much. The Floris mod adds high res textures for the vanilla game but also includes tons of tweaks mods into the one package like the diplomacy mod, expanded troops (loads of solder upgrades), UI changes, skill changes/additions etc.

I actually liked M&B With Fire and Sword but very disappointed that you can't create your own kingdom or do things such as Diplomacy etc. The trading in it was fantastic though.

The only problem I had with it was originally there was no choice for a female character. I haven't played in a while
(Nostalgic itch + 4 days off college = end of life)
but I have loads of Steam achies to get for it!

The GoT mod was a serious overhaul alright, but it was extremely well-done and actually made the game even more difficult rather than easier!
https://www.taleworlds.com/en/Games/Bannerlord

Wossack

another ancient one - Startopia

or (old again) - Evil Genius

BloodBath

nesf wrote: »

It was a long time ago. I remember strongly disliking it after Caesar III, it felt like a very different game much less management-like and more mainstream.

cherryghost wrote: »

It wasn't a patch on the previous ones. Caesar III, there's a game you could be proud of

That's nostalgia talking. I've played both and enjoyed both.

It's like saying the new xcom is bad because your first experience with the original was better because it was a lot fresher and newer at the time.

For someone who never played the original the newer version is going to be better.

CiDeRmAn

Sadly the only ones of this genre I ever liked were Sim City on the Snes, Theme Park on the 3DO and Populous on the Megadrive.

sarumite

I was addicted to all the tycoon games back in the day. Railroad and Rollercoaster in particular. I bought RCT 3 on steam during the summer but I just haven't had the time to dig into it and trying to play it without doing any tutorial was a mess.

ShaShaBear

sarumite wrote: »

I was addicted to all the tycoon games back in the day. Railroad and Rollercoaster in particular. I bought RCT 3 on steam during the summer but I just haven't had the time to dig into it and trying to play it without doing any tutorial was a mess.

I tried the new ones, and I dunno, they just didn't have the same pull (although it could have been that my OCD obsession with everything being neat and tidy and properly spaced wasn't adequately sated with the new gfx).

gaynorvader

Transport tycoon deluxe. There's an open source (free) version up here.