Urbek City Builder

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In Urbek City Builder, create your own city by building various neighborhoods, such as bohemian or bourgeois, while managing over 30 different resources. This game uses a unique resource management system instead of money, Depleting resources must be managed carefully to ensure they can be replaced. The goal is to balance natural resource management with the quality of life for your city's population.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 704 reviews

gameplay40 positive mentions

grinding12 negative mentions

Urbek City Builder offers a unique twist on the city-building genre by focusing on resource management instead of money, making it a refreshing experience.
The game features charming voxel graphics and a satisfying progression system where buildings evolve based on their surroundings, creating a sense of organic growth.
Players can enjoy a relaxing gameplay experience with multiple paths to victory and various biomes that introduce different challenges, enhancing replayability.

The game can become repetitive as players may find themselves spamming the same buildings due to limited space and resource requirements.
Some players have reported issues with unclear building requirements and a lack of helpful overlays, making it difficult to manage resources effectively.
The tutorial can feel overly long and restrictive, leading to frustration for players who prefer a more open-ended city-building experience.

gameplay
125 mentions
32 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Urbek City Builder is characterized by its innovative mechanics that blend city-building with puzzle elements, offering a unique experience that encourages strategic planning and resource management without the constraints of traditional monetary systems. While the game features a charming voxel art style and straightforward mechanics, some players find the gameplay loop engaging yet occasionally cumbersome due to unclear progression requirements and a lack of certain city-building elements. Overall, it provides a laid-back yet addictive experience, appealing to fans of the genre looking for a fresh take on city management.
- “The gameplay is very innovative and made me rethink what one could do with a city-builder, and the fact that the dev is releasing new free updates almost two years after release is really impressive!”
- “This game distills the mechanics of city builders and reforms them into a novel and exciting, nonetheless familiar experience.”
- “Highly addictive gameplay loop.”
- “That being said, the gameplay is boring in general.”
- “I did not find the game mechanics intuitive: build a certain number of lumberjack huts or farmhouses because the game says so, not because you are running out of wood or food.”
- “The process of figuring out what to do next is cumbersome and detracts from the overall gameplay experience.”
graphics
97 mentions
39 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Urbek City Builder" feature charming and detailed voxel art that creates a vibrant and aesthetically pleasing environment, reminiscent of classic city-building games. While some players appreciate the simplicity and nostalgic appeal of the visuals, others note that they may appear outdated or simplistic compared to modern standards. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's relaxing atmosphere and engaging gameplay, making it a delightful experience for fans of the genre.
- “The voxel graphics are also nicely detailed, and the game is really nice to look at from above.”
- “The visuals are gorgeous if you like voxel graphics - especially at night.”
- “The charming voxel art style sells the look of these cities; a big smile filled my face when I first saw the fisherman's homes pop up around my newly opened dock.”
- “Do not be deceived by the graphics.”
- “Just wish the graphics didn't look like one is trying to build a city out of Lego blocks.”
- “The graphics isn't something (it's 2022!) but the gameplay... it keeps you in front of the monitor 'just do this one more thing' and next thing you know, 4 hours have passed.”
music
30 mentions
43 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, described as catchy, relaxing, and enjoyable, enhancing the overall experience. However, some players note that it can become repetitive and suggest turning it off after a while. Despite its limitations, the soundtrack is appreciated for its ability to create a pleasant atmosphere while playing.
- “The music is nice and relaxing, the voxel graphics are fun. I gotta say this is a pretty nice take on a city builder, with a fair price as far as I'm concerned.”
- “With the amazing soundtrack, this game is so relaxing and fun to play!”
- “Seriously, I usually mute music in games like this to multitask with some YouTube or something else, but there are some great tracks on this soundtrack and thought it deserved a shoutout.”
- “The music gets old quick, and there's one very annoying song, so after the first 20 minutes or so I turn the music off.”
- “I say surprisingly because between the nice looking but shoddily animated voxel graphics and the royalty-free music, the very start of this game will feel pretty cheap.”
- “Turn the music off, put the Sim City 4 soundtrack on.”
replayability
20 mentions
25 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is generally viewed as strong, thanks to features like randomly generated maps, multiple victory paths, and diverse biomes that present unique challenges. While some players find it enjoyable and relaxing with endless replay potential, others feel that it lacks depth after achieving all goals, leading to a mixed perception of its long-term engagement. Overall, it offers a solid replay experience, particularly for fans of city-building games.
- “There's replayability here as the maps can be randomly generated and there are 3 different paths to victory conditions.”
- “What I found particularly exciting is that the different biomes present some strikingly different challenges in a way that makes the game much more replayable than other building management games.”
- “I can't wait to figure out the next right way to play this game 10 hours from now... but seriously, this game is a fresh, surprisingly deep take on the city-building genre, and with all of the different paths and biomes, the replayability is huge.”
- “Boring and non-replayable.”
- “However, the game does not offer much in replayability and I felt unmotivated to finish the later maps of the game after 100%-ing the first map challenges.”
- “Urbek is an interesting idea, but I don't think it works, at least from the standpoint of replayability or any sort of creativity.”
grinding
13 mentions
0 % positive mentions
8 % neutral mentions
92 % negative mentions
Reviews on grinding in the game highlight a mixed experience; while some players find the repetitive tasks of farming and resource management tedious and time-consuming, others appreciate the rewarding aspects of city-building and the satisfaction of leveling up buildings. The balance between resource gathering and city evolution can lead to boredom for some, particularly on larger maps, while others enjoy the variety of gameplay options available. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a double-edged sword, with potential for both frustration and engagement.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “I would have to do it again and again, and it's just not fun after the first time; it's tedious at best.”
- “Despite there being so many resources in the game, food is the biggest bottleneck, and it gets really tedious building the same few food buildings and draping the map in farms/orchards.”
optimization
11 mentions
36 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
27 % negative mentions
Overall, the optimization aspect of the game is well-received, with players noting its smooth performance even on older systems and a strong emphasis on thoughtful building placement. While some areas may require further polishing, the game effectively combines city building with puzzle-solving elements, offering a satisfying challenge in optimizing layouts for efficiency and aesthetics. Users appreciate the instant feedback and the depth of strategic choices available, making it a compelling experience for fans of optimization in city-building games.
- “City builder reminiscent of old school impression games (Caesar, Pharaoh, etc.) where your layouts require thought and optimization to get the right mix of stuff in proximity.”
- “Minmaxing through your building placement to unlock better houses, this optimization game provides instant feedback and guides your options through a reasonable amount of choices.”
- “The result was a lovely and difficult optimization challenge, requiring you to use every corner of the game mechanics to build an organic yet thriving city.”
- “Some areas need polishing and optimization.”
- “Urbek shines best when you're under the tightest restrictions, so you don't have space to use a boring, optimized design.”
- “Unique style combines city building with puzzle solving through efficiency optimization.”
story
7 mentions
43 % positive mentions
14 % neutral mentions
43 % negative mentions
The game lacks a traditional narrative, focusing instead on gameplay mechanics and city-building elements. Players can engage in missions without a time constraint, allowing for creative freedom in developing their cities, though some feel the game imposes limitations until advanced technologies are unlocked. Overall, the emphasis is on optimization and beautification rather than storytelling.
- “Going into your beautiful 5-story mixed-use green buildings is a wonderful tiny detail that makes this game better.”
- “Depending on whether your housing meets certain criteria like food, schools, clinics, and banks, they develop into villages, suburbs, downtown multistory housing, or high-rise offices.”
- “(You are free to not end the mission when you reach the goal and instead keep beautifying and optimizing; it's just that the game constrains you too hard until you've unlocked advanced techs.)”
- “There is no story.”
- “The game constrains you too hard until you've unlocked advanced techs, which makes the experience feel limited and unengaging.”
- “I wish there was more narrative depth; the gameplay feels empty without a compelling story.”
humor
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in Urbek is characterized by its charming and funny concept, offering a lighthearted take on the city-building genre. While some elements may feel rough around the edges, the game provides endless options for amusement, enhanced by amusing flavor text. Overall, it successfully blends humor with gameplay, making it an enjoyable experience for players.
- “Urbek is a charming, funny, and simplified entry to the city building genre.”
- “The finish is a bit rough around the edges, but some flavor text is quite funny.”
- “This game offers endless options and plenty of humor.”
stability
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while it runs well on the Steam Deck and features appealing graphics, users report occasional glitches and crashes, particularly during the initial load screen. Most issues are minor and do not significantly detract from the overall experience.
- “It runs great on Steam Deck, but it crashes on the initial load screen.”
- “There are a few little teething glitches, but nothing too serious.”
- “The game offers some nice graphics and a nice aesthetic, although there are some ugly glitches here and there.”
atmosphere
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by a captivating day-night cycle and impressive graphics, creating a visually appealing and immersive experience. Players find the relaxing visual elements contribute to an engaging atmosphere, making it highly recommended for fans of city-building games.
- “The day-night cycle was very atmospheric and nice.”
- “The result is amazing, as the game looks really good and atmospheric, especially at nighttime.”
- “This aspect of the game, paired with its clean graphics and relaxing visual atmosphere, creates an engaging yet satisfying experience that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys city-building games.”
emotional
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while it prompts players to reflect on urban planning and political themes through its evolving city dynamics, some users find it lacks personal engagement, leading to a disconnect that can result in players losing interest early on.
- “The player can control the resource production and the city layout, but building options are limited, so you actually witness your city developing on its own based on the conditions you create - which does raise interesting questions about urban planning, and the game doesn't shy away from touching on politics (surprisingly).”
- “Stopped playing during the tutorial game because emotionally it never clicked for me.”
monetization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Players find the game's advertising to be misleading, suggesting that the monetization practices may not align with their expectations based on promotional materials.
- “The advertising of the game is very misleading.”
- “The in-game purchases feel exploitative and are not worth the price.”
- “The monetization strategy ruins the overall experience, making it feel like a cash grab.”