13 Best Free Building Games in 2024
13 Best Free Building Games for Board Game Lovers
On this list:
13 Catan
Catan is a classic in the world of free building games. It has you trading resources, building settlements, and competing for the longest road. We’ve seen friendships tested and alliances formed over that precious brick card. It’s a great intro game with simple rules, but still offers depth.
12 Carcassonne
Carcassonne is the perfect blend of strategy and simplicity. You place tiles to build roads, cities, and fields. Then, you score points by completing these features. The game’s beauty lies in its ever-changing board, making each playthrough unique. We spent countless hours trying to outsmart each other with clever tile placements!
11 7 Wonders
7 Wonders is all about building ancient civilizations. You draft cards to construct buildings, and every choice can shift your strategy. It’s fast-paced, plays up to 7, and each game demands new tactics. We’ve had many thrilling moments scrambling for that last card to complete our Wonder.
10 Suburbia
Suburbia has you planning and developing your own city. You place hex tiles to create a metropolis. Every tile has its own effects, and part of the fun is watching your city come to life. We’ve competed fiercely to build the most prosperous and well-planned city.
9 Terraforming Mars
Terraforming Mars takes you to the future where you build and manage resources to make Mars habitable. The game is deep and strategic, packed with cards that create countless combos. We’ve enjoyed crafting different paths to victory, from focusing on greenery to raising the planet’s temperature.
8 Everdell
Everdell charms with its beautiful components and compelling gameplay. You build a woodland city using worker placement and card drafting. The adorable critters and detailed world make it immersive. We’ve had a blast plotting our strategies and seeing which critter city reigns supreme.
7 Agricola
Agricola puts you in the shoes of a farmer, building and expanding your farm. You balance growing crops, raising animals, and feeding your family. It can be intense, but it’s also very rewarding. We’ve loved the challenge of making tough choices each turn.
6 Keyflower
Keyflower combines tile placement and auctions. You build your village while gathering resources and bidding on new tiles with workers. Each game feels different with varied tile interactions. We’ve enjoyed the strategic depth and the competitive bidding wars.
5 Castles of Burgundy
This game has you building a medieval estate in the Burgundy region of France. You roll dice to perform actions, like building cities or trading livestock. The game combines luck and strategy perfectly. We’ve spent countless evenings plotting our estate’s expansion and optimizing every move.
4 Puerto Rico
In Puerto Rico, you develop plantations and ship goods back to Europe. Each player chooses roles that grant different actions, leading to deep strategy. We’ve loved the tense and competitive gameplay, where every decision can have far-reaching consequences.
3 Architects of the West Kingdom
Set in the Carolingian Empire, you’re an architect aiming to construct landmarks. The game is worker placement mixed with unique mechanics like capturing workers. We’ve enjoyed the mix of building structures and keeping an eye on your opponents’ actions.
2 Gloomhaven
Gloomhaven is an epic campaign-driven game. You build your characters and develop the game world through many scenarios. While it’s more of a dungeon crawler, the build-your-own adventure aspect fits well. We’ve spent countless hours immersed in its rich and evolving storyline.
1 Wingspan
Wingspan is our top pick because of its relaxing and educational gameplay. You build a bird sanctuary, playing unique birds that give you different abilities. The game’s stunning artwork and thoughtful mechanics make it a joy to play. We believe it’s the best because it offers a calming yet strategic experience that appeals to all types of players.
