When players hear the phrase “base-building game,” they may recall games such as Meet Your Maker, Age of Empires 2, or Fallout 4.
This demonstrates how base-building techniques are used in a wide range of game genres. Beginners can begin with games that are either more approachable or less challenging; they don’t have to dive straight into something as complicated as Factorio or The Sims 4.
Base-building components are included in a lot of games, frequently done in inventive ways, and they can be found in many different genres.
There are base-building games suitable for beginners that let users build anything from their ideal gothic castle to a space colony geared towards exploration or defence against zombies. And don’t worry, not all of them are Terraria clones!
V Rising
V Rising is a top-down vampire base-building game that’s a great place to start for total beginners. In contrast to Fallout 4’s more intricate structure, the building techniques in this game are smooth and intuitive, while the combat feels comparable to Diablo.
Base-building is a fundamental component of V Rising, just as crucial as beating the V Blood bosses. It’s not just an add-on. Even multi-level castles are buildable by players!
Since PvP can get intense fast, novice players are advised to join a server that is more beginner-friendly or to participate in a PvE session.
Gamers can change a lot of parameters, including damage totals and the pace at which their castle heart deteriorates. This enables them to hone their construction techniques until they produce the ideal castle.
More personalisation choices are available through cosmetic packs, which also include a Simon Belmont-themed expansion with a Castlevania motif.
Grounded
Although Grounded is primarily a survival game, players of other genres will find it to be an enjoyable and simple introduction to base-building.
Like in Fortnite: Save the World, players can concentrate on a variety of mechanics other than constructing, which enables them to gradually learn the process while enjoying gaming features they may already be accustomed to.
The game, which was created by seasoned developer Obsidian, also includes the character development and storyline that define the studio.
Crossplay, which enables players to collaborate across platforms, is one of the game’s unique features. Better yet, the Shared World feature allows people to play in cooperative mode without the host having to be online.
Grounded is a great place to start for newcomers who want base-building with a compelling story and cross-platform cooperative gaming.
Spiritfarer
Prior to anyone claiming Spiritfarer isn’t a base-building game, it’s worthwhile to give this endearing independent game another glance.
As Stella, the player assumes the role of a ghost who she transports on her boat, feeding, tending to, and constructing new parts for the vessel.
Spiritfarer is a lovely, Miyazaki-esque twist on base-building techniques for fans of cosy games like Stardew Valley or Cosy Grove.
Spiritfarer has a more linear plot than Minecraft, so players can rerun it and make a different boat every time they play.
In addition, the story presents characters like Hades and Charon, offering a contemplative look at the afterlife and the process of letting go.
Minecraft
It’s possible that Minecraft served as many young players’ initial gaming introductions. Whether playing alone or with others, streamers frequently like Minecraft for its tranquil gaming environment.
In order to satisfy the needs of both die-hard survivalists and imaginative builders, players can choose to create their own server with unique rules and modes or join random ones.
Minecraft is a great base-building game for new players. Additionally, it lets users make original maps for a range of gaming experiences.
There are a few drawbacks, though. Players who join servers not meant for kids run the risk of being exposed to unsuitable content due to the game’s simple, blocky animation style.
It is advisable for parents to evaluate public internet areas before allowing their kids to use them. This is less of an issue for adults, especially if they are playing on a private server.
Furthermore, the Java Edition is only compatible with PCs, but the Bedrock Edition allows cross-platform gaming.
Astroneer
Astroneer transports players to a mysterious cosmos full of life’s mysteries.
Similar in complexity to No Man’s Sky, Astroneer has a strong emphasis on base building and exploration. In third-person perspective, players explore open-world planets via teleportation, spacecraft, rovers, and foot travel.
With the use of cutting-edge terraforming technology, they can “reshape” these worlds and reveal the mysteries of the cosmos.
Similar to No Man’s Sky, Astroneer has procedural generation, but it offers seven different planets for thorough exploration, terraforming, and building.
Astroneer’s building interface is user-friendly and provides a wide range of customisation and décor options for vehicles, people, and bases.
A pleasant and comfortable science fiction adventure, this game is best played with companions. In Astroneer, gamers can also host matches akin to Rocket League. As they explore worlds and harvest resources, gamers need be aware of their oxygen levels.
Subnautica
Subnautica has solidified its position as a major game in the underwater base-building genre with the release of its well-received sequel.
But the imaginative and terrifying Leviathan designs can be disconcerting to certain players. After all, for some people, finding themselves the lone survivor on a world that is primarily submerged in water might be a terrifying experience.
Once players get over their initial apprehension, they can explore 4546B, a fascinating aquatic realm located in the Andromeda Galaxy.
In addition to building bases, players can also build underwater submersibles and indoor gardens. In addition, the game has a captivating story that teaches players about the ocean planet while they solve puzzles and unlock new technology.
The breathtaking visuals add to the realistic simulation experience, but it’s important to remember that Subnautica is a single-player game with no official co-op mode.
No Man’s Sky
Hello Games is still providing frequent Expedition updates for its first game, No Man’s Sky, even as it prepares for Light No Fire.
These additions add to the already enormous galaxy that is full of planets, animals, plants, and stories that are all procedurally created.
By scanning creatures, finding new planets, finishing missions, and other activities, players can earn currency. They can also design underwater bases, construct bases on planets, and alter Freighter bases.
The game has some gun-based combat, space combat with starships, and a laid-back base-building experience with a focus on exploration. Additionally, it offers a variety of game modes designed for distinct experiences:
- Normal: Provides a “chill exploration experience” with standard difficulty, technology, and building costs.
- Relaxed: Disables Life Support for a less grind-intensive experience with reduced danger.
- Survival: Increases player danger with aggressive enemies, inventory loss on death, more hazards, and less frequent resources.
- Permadeath: Similar to Minecraft’s mode, this option resets all progress upon death and features the heightened dangers of Survival Mode.
- Creative: Allows players to “explore and create freely” in a risk-free environment, starting with all construction parts and blueprints unlocked and free building and crafting.
- Expedition: A limited-time event mode where players start at a fixed point in the universe with specific objectives to complete for rewards.
- Custom: Enables players to adjust any and all difficulty settings before starting a new save.
No Man’s Sky is a game that players can leave and return to multiple times over the years, always discovering something new and unique with each playthrough.
Timberborn
Everyone adores beavers, right? In this virtual world, where humans have destroyed the globe, these clever beavers now have to overcome the obstacles left in their wake in order to live.
Buildings must be constructed, materials must be gathered, technology must be unlocked, and environmental problems like toxic waste and droughts must be resolved.
Because of how adorable the beavers are in their settlements, new players may find the game less intimidating.
Currently available in Early Access, “Badwater,” the game’s sixth major update, is scheduled for release in January 2024.
The poison “Badwater,” which can harm beavers, is introduced in this update. In addition, the irrigation system is updated, new structures are added, the map is updated, and an antidote to combat the Badwater is included.
While base-building novices may find Timberborn to be a difficult game, it blends city-building and colony simulation elements that some players may find engaging.
Dorfromantik
Dorfromantik is a tabletop puzzle strategy game that was first released to a wider audience in September 2022 on the Switch and in full in April 2022.
Instead of emphasising optimisation, the game challenges players, forcing them to use their imaginations when building their towns and cities.
Base-building aficionados may protest, “This isn’t base-building!” yet Dorfromantik is a game that combines components of base-building with a puzzle and strategy twist. It shares many of the same strategic and logical thought processes as base-building games.
Players start with 40 random tiles, which they can arrange and rotate but cannot move once set, in keeping with the board game’s original design.
Water and railway tiles need to be joined to other tiles of the same kind. By completing tasks, blocking off sections, and matching tiles of the same type on all sides, players can gain more tiles. T
he game has a Creative mode where players can design their dream, cosy towns without worrying about scoring points. This is excellent for people who want a more laid-back gaming experience.
Fortnite: Save The World
Battle Royale mode aside, Fortnite has developed to rival Roblox by providing an abundance of user-generated content, concerts, crossover events, and a virtual social hub.
But there was, and still is, the Save the World mode prior to any of this. This mode is an exciting horde-fighting and base-building game that is best enjoyed in cooperative play.
In addition to customising their characters and establishing their base, players can also protect against different husks.
According to Tim Sweeney, it’s like “Minecraft meets Left 4 Dead,” and even for inexperienced builders, its building principles are as simple as those of Minecraft.
Save the World’s fighting is similar to that of Left 4 Dead, with its distinct husk types—Pitchers, Lobbers, and Huskies—into account.
The main distinction is that players must accomplish objectives on several maps while defending their specially constructed forts.
To stop opposing attacks, they are able to construct inventive constructions and lay a variety of traps. The classes that characters belong to also vary; some are better at battle, while others are experts at enhancing a building’s health.
It’s lower on the list because, although having a matchmaking mechanism, the player community tends to shrink after hitting higher levels, making it less accessible for solitary players.
Save the World allows users to utilise their Battle Royale cosmetics and Fortnite accounts in the game.
