The City Must Grow (2021)

Developer: Tunaic Games
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Genres: Casual, Indie, Simulation, Strategy, Early Access
Rating: 4.1 of 5, 70 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 2.7 hours
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A minimalist, turn-based city builder that feels like a relaxing puzzle where you carefully plan each move and often start over.

casualrelaxingpuzzle-likechallengingminimalistturn-basedfast-pacedaddictive

What players say

Players praise the turn-based puzzle approach but report the developer abandoned the game in early access. The lack of tutorial frustrates newcomers, and many find it punishingly difficult with a steep learning curve and no freeplay mode. Players are split on whether it is a relaxing puzzle game or a harsh city builder, with some calling it addictive for restarting.

Screenshots

More games like this

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.