City building games for PC span a wide range today, from miniature tabletop kits that bring medieval streets and grimdark battlefields to your desk, to digital packs that add entire neighborhoods to a virtual home. You might want a slow painting project for a rainy weekend, a strategy box you can break out with friends, or a downloadable expansion that adds apartments, festivals, and rooftop living to an existing game.
The list below pulls together ten options that scratch different itches. Some are unpainted plastic kits requiring glue and patience, others are ready-to-play board games, and one is a digital pack for an existing PC franchise. Each entry focuses on what it actually offers, who it suits, and where it might fall short so you can pick with confidence.
A Quick View Of The Lineup
Warhammer 40K Primaris Repulsor Tank
Warhammer 40K Chaos Space Marines Chosen
Modiphius Black Void RPG Core Rulebook
Warhammer 40K Szarekh The Silent King
Age of Sigmar Eternus Blade of the First Prince
Warhammer Necron Catacomb Command Barge
Space Marine Stormhawk Interceptor Kit
Osprey Games London Second Edition
7 Wonders Cities Anniversary Expansion Pack
The Sims 4 City Living PC Expansion
Taking A Closer Look At The Options
The Primaris Repulsor kit from Games Workshop lands as one of the larger plastic tanks in the Space Marine range, built to anchor a midfield push in Warhammer 40,000. You get a multi-part plastic kit, a transfer sheet, and a 100mm round base with a clear hover stand, which keeps the model visually floating above your battlefield.
Where this kit earns its keep is the deep weapon customization. The turret accepts either a heavy onslaught gatling cannon or a las-talon, the front hull swaps between a twin heavy bolter and a twin lascannon, and pintle and rear hardpoints each offer two weapon options. For a hobbyist building a centerpiece, that mix lets you tune the model to your army’s role rather than painting a fixed loadout.
Positive Takeaways
- Eight distinct weapon combinations keep repeated builds feeling fresh
- Large 100mm base with hover stand gives the tank real visual presence on the table
- Multi-part plastic construction supports custom poses and magnet swaps for long-term flexibility
- Transfer sheet included, so detailing the model does not require a separate purchase
- Centerpiece scale makes it a natural focal point for newer Space Marine collections
Things To Consider
- Unpainted plastic with multiple sub-assemblies demands glue, clippers, and patience for first-time builders
- Box contents do not include paints, tools, or glue, so you’ll need a starter hobby kit on hand
- Model size eats table space, and a 100mm base may not fit standard movement trays
Key Attributes
Who It Suits Best
Veteran hobbyists who already own Citadel paints, glue, and clippers, and want a tank that doubles as the centerpiece of a growing Space Marine army.
Where Another Pick Suits Better
The Space Marine Stormhawk Interceptor fits better for players who want fast air support rather than a slow, heavily armed frontline tank.
The Chaos Space Marines Chosen box is a multi-part plastic kit geared at adding elite, customizable heroes to a Chaos force in Warhammer 40,000. Released in 2022, it leans into the warband aesthetic, where each model can carry a different combination of weapons and accoutrements.
For painters, the appeal is the variety of bare heads, helmets, and weapon arms in the kit. You can field squads that look unified but read as individuals, which is a real bonus for narrative play. Compared to the Primaris Repulsor, this is a much smaller project that fits in a single painting session.
The Upside
- Multiple weapon and head options let you build each marine differently
- Plastic kit is friendlier for newer hobbyists than resin alternatives
- Compact size means the project paints faster than a vehicle kit
Trade Offs
- Paints, clippers, and glue still sold separately, so a first-time buyer needs extra supplies
- Assembly has many small components that can be tricky without fine clippers
Right Fit For
Chaos collectors who already run a warband and want to add characterful, customizable elite infantry without committing to a large vehicle kit.
Swap It Out When
The Szarekh The Silent King model is the better pick for hobbyists who prefer a single, large centerpiece over a squad of infantry.
Black Void from Modiphius is a dark fantasy tabletop role-playing game built around narrative campaigns set in a grim, post-collapse cosmos. The core rulebook is the main purchase, and it carries the system, character options, and world lore for a group to start playing.
Where Black Void earns its spot is the focus on player-driven storytelling rather than dungeon crawls. The setting supports morally complex factions, occult machinery, and city-spanning intrigue, which lines up nicely with the city building theme that runs through this list. For a game master who already enjoys worldbuilding, the rulebook gives them a foundation to scaffold urban campaigns on.
Useful Touches
- Dark fantasy framework supports long, narrative-driven city campaigns
- Modiphius 2d20 system rewards creative roleplay and tactical combat
- Core rulebook is self-contained, so a group can start without buying multiple supplements
Worth Noting
- Requires a committed game master who enjoys prep, since the system rewards narrative detail
- No miniatures included, so players who prefer physical figures will need to source those separately
Made For
Experienced game masters and players who love dark fantasy and want a ruleset for running grim, city-focused campaigns at home.
Look Elsewhere When
The Warhammer 40K plastic kits are a better fit for hobbyists who want physical modeling alongside their game nights.
Szarekh The Silent King is one of the largest character kits Games Workshop has released for the Necron range, depicting the ancient ruler of the Necron empire on his Dais of Dominion alongside his Triarch praetorians and noctilith menhirs. The model is a multi-part plastic kit, so it ships unassembled and unpainted.
For Necron collectors, this is a flagship centerpiece. The model towers over standard infantry, comes with optional arcane machinery, and looks dramatic on a display shelf even before painting. Compared to the Chaos Chosen kit, this is a much longer build, and the box is heavier with components, but the visual payoff is significantly larger.
Advantages To Know
- Massive centerpiece scale makes it a true focal model for any Necron army
- Includes the Silent King, his retinue, and supporting menhirs in one box
- Plastic construction is more forgiving than metal for a model this size
Soft Spots
- Many parts demand careful dry-fitting and pinning, so the build time stretches into several sessions
- Requires a sizeable display area once assembled, which matters for apartment hobbyists
Best Suited To
Necron enthusiasts who want a definitive centerpiece and have the time and desk space for a multi-session painting project.
Consider Something Else When
The Age of Sigmar Eternus model is a more practical pick for hobbyists who prefer a mounted character kit over a stationary, large-scale diorama.
This Age of Sigmar kit brings Eternus, Blade of the First Prince, into the Slaves to Darkness range as a Chaos Lord mounted on a daemonic steed. It’s a character kit rather than a squad, so you’re adding one named hero to a chaos force, not a unit of rank-and-file warriors.
The lore hook here is the relationship to Be’lakor, the Dark Master, with Eternus framed as a treacherous champion granted immortality. For painters, the model offers a chance to combine metallic armor, exposed flesh, and a beast with plenty of texture, which is a fun technical challenge. Compared to the Necron Catacomb Command Barge, this is a smaller, more focused project that still reads as a centerpiece.
Reasons It Performs
- Mounted hero format gives the model dynamic forward motion on the table
- Strong narrative tie-in with Be’lakor for Slaves to Darkness players
- More approachable build size than the Silent King centerpiece
Honest Caveats
- Paints and glue recommended separately, with Citadel Plastic Glue noted for best results
- Mounted poses require a bit of balance work, so hobbyists may want to pin the rider
Key Attributes
Who Will Love This
Age of Sigmar players running a Slaves to Darkness army who want a charismatic mounted hero to lead charges.
Reach For A Different Pick When
Warhammer 40K collectors should look at the Space Marine Stormhawk Interceptor instead, since it’s a flyer built for that game’s scale.
The Necron Catacomb Command Barge is a hovering transport for a Necron character, and the kit also assembles as the alternative Annihilation Barge variant. That dual-build nature is the real draw, since one box gives you two distinct battlefield roles for a Necron force.
The box includes 84 components, two fly shafts, a 60mm flying base, a 32mm round base, and two Necron transfer sheets. As with other Games Workshop kits here, everything arrives unpainted and requires assembly, so plan on hobby tools and paints as separate purchases. Compared to the Primaris Repulsor, the build is faster and the finished model smaller, but the dual-build option adds real value.
A Strong Showing
- Two variants from a single kit, doubling its usefulness for army building
- Generous 84-component count supports detailed posing and weapon choices
- Includes both flying and round bases, so you don’t need a second purchase for either variant
Points To Note
- Small parts like fly shafts can be brittle if handled roughly during assembly
- You must commit to one variant per box, since the same sprues can’t easily build both at once
Key Attributes
Perfect Match For
Necron players who want a command vehicle with flexibility, since one kit covers both transport and fire-support roles.
Where A Sibling Pick Shines
The Primaris Repulsor is the better pick for Space Marine players, since it offers a similar dual-role concept in a different faction’s vehicle range.
The Stormhawk Interceptor is a multi-part plastic flyer from the Space Marine range, and the same kit can also be assembled as the alternative Stormtalon Gunship. That dual-build approach is the main draw, since a single box covers two air support roles for a Space Marine force.
Where this model earns its place is battlefield mobility. The Interceptor variant leans into air superiority, while the Gunship variant trades altitude for ground-attack punch. For a hobbyist who already has Space Marine infantry and tanks, adding a flyer rounds out the army in a meaningful way. Compared to the Necron Command Barge, this is a faster, more agile-looking build.
Real Benefits
- Dual-build format covers an air superiority or ground attack role from one box
- Plastic construction keeps the model lightweight for in-game movement
- Fills a mobility gap for Space Marine armies that rely on ground troops
Potential Compromises
- Wings and fuselage can be fragile, so careful handling matters during assembly and storage
- Requires a flying base purchase in some setups, which adds a small extra cost
Key Attributes
Who Should Grab It
Space Marine commanders who want fast air support and a kit that adapts between anti-air and ground attack roles.
Not Your Match When
Necron collectors should look at the Catacomb Command Barge, which is tailored to a slower, hovering command playstyle instead.
London from Osprey Games is a card-driven board game about rebuilding the city after the Great Fire of 1666. The Second Edition refreshes the original design, supports two to four players, and runs about 60 to 90 minutes per game.
For groups that enjoy strategic city building, this is a tight, replayable title that fits a normal game night. You draft cards to develop neighborhoods, manage poverty, and balance civic ambition against the city’s debts. Compared to the 7 Wonders expansion, London is a standalone experience, so a group doesn’t need a base game to start playing.
Strong Points
- Standalone box means no base game purchase required
- Card-driven city building is approachable for new strategy players
- Reasonable 60 to 90 minute playtime fits most game night schedules
Possible Drawbacks
- Two to four player count may not suit very large or solo groups without modifications
- Card iconography takes a session or two to internalize, so first plays feel slower
Built With In Mind
Tabletop groups that want a focused, historic city building experience they can finish in a single evening without learning a heavy ruleset.
Skip It When
7 Wonders fans with the Cities expansion will get more mileage from the Anniversary Pack since it adds new content to a system they already know.
The 7 Wonders Cities Anniversary Pack is an expansion that adds 15 new city cards to the 7 Wonders: Cities expansion, designed for use with the 7 Wonders New Edition base game. It’s a small box, but the new cards refresh the drafting and resource management at the heart of 7 Wonders.
For established 7 Wonders players, this is a low-effort way to keep the game feeling fresh. The new cards slot into existing play and create new tactical choices, particularly in the mid and late ages. The trade-off is the obvious one, since this is an expansion and not a standalone product, so a group without the base game and the Cities expansion cannot use it.
Noteworthy Benefits
- Adds 15 anniversary-exclusive city cards for fresh drafting strategies
- Integrates with existing 7 Wonders gameplay, so the rules overhead is minimal
- Strong pick for groups who already know the base game well
What To Weigh
- Requires both the 7 Wonders base game and the Cities expansion to play, which is a real cost for newcomers
- Not a standalone experience, so it won’t work as a gift for someone without the core set
Key Attributes
Whose Shelf It Belongs On
Existing 7 Wonders households with the Cities expansion, who want a steady drip of new content without buying a full new edition.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
Tabletop groups new to civilization building should grab London Second Edition instead, since it comes with everything needed to play.
City Living is a digital expansion pack for The Sims 4 on PC, distributed as an Origin online game code. It introduces the city of San Myshuno, where Sims live in apartments, attend cultural festivals, and progress from starter units to penthouses.
For Sims 4 players, this is one of the most lifestyle-shifting expansions in the lineup. Apartments change the lot dynamics, neighbors become persistent characters, and the festivals create reasons to leave the house. Compared to the tabletop picks in this list, it’s the only digital option, and it requires the base game plus all current updates to run.
Where It Delivers
- Adds a dense urban world with multiple neighborhoods and cultural festivals
- Apartment living brings new lot challenges and neighbor interactions
- Clear progression from starter apartment to penthouse, which gives long-term play a goal
Where It May Fall Short
- Requires The Sims 4 base game and current updates, so it’s not a standalone purchase
- Performance in dense apartment lots can tax older PCs, depending on hardware
Best Suited To
Existing Sims 4 players who want an urban life simulation with apartments, festivals, and a structured progression path.
Another Choice May Suit
Tabletop hobbyists looking for a physical building experience should turn to London Second Edition, which delivers city building in cardboard form.
Matching Games To Your Play Style
The first thing to settle is the medium. Hobbyist miniature kits like the Primaris Repulsor or Stormhawk Interceptor reward patience and painting, and they make sense for anyone who already has a workspace set up with clippers, glue, and Citadel paints. Digital packs like the Sims 4 City Living expansion fit a very different audience, one who wants city content folded into an existing software library. A card game or rulebook, like London or the 7 Wonders expansion, sits in the middle and works for groups who want a structured night without a long modeling commitment.
Scale matters just as much. A small infantry kit paints in an afternoon, while a centerpiece like Szarekh The Silent King eats an entire weekend, and a mounted character like Eternus falls somewhere in between. Consider the time and shelf space you actually have, not the size that looks best on the marketing photos. For shared experiences, the 2-4 player count and 60-90 minute playtime of London make it a far easier sell than a 2000-point Space Marine army for a casual friend group.
Finally, think about longevity. An expansion pack like the 7 Wonders Cities Anniversary is a low-risk way to refresh something you already enjoy, while a flagship miniature is a one-time investment you’ll paint and display for years. Match the commitment to your energy, and the rest tends to fall into place.
Key Considerations Across These Picks
Pitfalls Shoppers Hit
Skipping the hobby tool budget is the most common mistake with Games Workshop kits. The boxes list paints, glue, and clippers as not included, and hobbyists who already own a Citadel starter set will be ready to build straight away, while newcomers face hidden costs. The other trap is buying an expansion like the 7 Wonders Anniversary Pack without confirming the base game and the Cities expansion are already on the shelf, which makes the purchase unusable until those are acquired.
When Paying More Pays Off
Higher-tier kits like Szarekh The Silent King and the Primaris Repulsor cost more because they ship with more components, larger bases, and more weapon options, and that translates to a longer project and a more dramatic centerpiece. If the goal is a single model that anchors an army or a display shelf, the extra spend is justified, since a smaller character kit can’t fill the same visual role. For casual painting nights, a character kit like Eternus delivers the hobby experience at a friendlier size and price.
