Best Empire Building Strategy Apps & Games

231+ iOS apps & games curated and reviewed

4.5 avg rating
20 free apps & games
Updated October 2026

With an average user rating of 4.5★, the empire building strategy category is one of the App Store's strongest. Browse all 231+ apps and games we track, sorted so the most loved ones surface first.

Compare top Empire Building Strategy Apps & Games (October 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1Island Empire: Build & ConquerIsland Empire: Build & ConquerFree4.8★ (152)YesYesOct 2026
2Empire City: Civilization DawnEmpire City: Civilization DawnFree4.7★ (1.5K)YesYesOct 2026
3Forge of Empires: Build a CityForge of Empires: Build a CityFree4.6★ (168K)YesYesOct 2026
4Roman Empire: Strategy GameRoman Empire: Strategy GameFree4.1★ (1.6K)YesYesOct 2026
5Base Raid EmpireBase Raid EmpireFree—NoNoJul 2026
6Empire Manager (Civ Manager)Empire Manager (Civ Manager)Free4.2★ (76)NoYesOct 2026
7Modern Empire: Build & ConquerModern Empire: Build & ConquerFree—NoYesOct 2026
8Kingdom Maker: Build StrategyKingdom Maker: Build StrategyFree4.8★ (11K)NoYesOct 2026

Top Picks for Empire Building Strategy

Island Empire: Build & Conquer#1

Island Empire: Build & Conquer by Michael Haberzeth

Turn-Based Strategy & Empire
Editor's Choice
🎮 Games
4.8😊(152 ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
Island Empire: Build & Conquer screenshot 1
Island Empire: Build & Conquer screenshot 2
Island Empire: Build & Conquer screenshot 3
Island Empire: Build & Conquer screenshot 4
Island Empire: Build & Conquer screenshot 5
Island Empire: Build & Conquer screenshot 6

Engage in a turn-based strategy game where you build and expand your island empire. Develop your economy, fortify defenses, train units, and conquer enemy territories through a campaign or multiplayer battles. Enjoy offline play and customizable maps.

What We Love

  • 👍 Great strategy game
  • 💡 Challenging and strategic
  • 👍 Simple yet complex gameplay
  • 👍 Worth paying for
  • 👍 Good user-generated content
  • 👍 Excellent value for money
  • 👍 Fair gameplay, no pay-to-win
  • 👍 Good for short sessions
  • 👍 Addictive and fun
  • 👍 Well-optimized
  • 👍 Good art style
  • 👍 Clever mechanics
  • 👍 High replayability potential

Room to Improve

  • ⚠️ Ads can be intrusive
  • ⚠️ Difficulty spikes suddenly
  • ⚠️ Some users report saving issues
  • ⚠️ User-created levels disappearing
  • ⚠️ Lack of iCloud backup
  • ⚠️ Can feel repetitive after finishing levels
  • ⚠️ Some users find it a copy of other games
Empire City: Civilization Dawn#2

Empire City: Civilization Dawn by RED BRIX WALL

Build a town! Rise of medieval
Strong Contender
🎮 Games
4.7😊(1.5K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
Empire City: Civilization Dawn screenshot 1
Empire City: Civilization Dawn screenshot 2
Empire City: Civilization Dawn screenshot 3
Empire City: Civilization Dawn screenshot 4
Empire City: Civilization Dawn screenshot 5

Build and manage your own ancient empire. Develop cities, extract resources, forge unique cultures, and engage in trade and diplomacy with other civilizations. Create magnificent structures and expand your territory to become a legendary ruler.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Great graphics
  • 👍 Challenging
  • 👍 Enjoyable gameplay
  • 👍 Addictive
  • 👍 Fun and relaxing
  • 👍 Good value for free game
  • 👍 Entertaining and exciting

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Warehouse capacity issues
  • 💰 Microtransactions required for progress
  • 🐛 Glitches and bugs
  • 🐛 Slow progress without spending money
  • 🐛 Frequent ads can be annoying
Forge of Empires: Build a City#3

Forge of Empires: Build a City by InnoGames

Civilization building game
Worth Considering
🎮 Games
4.6😐(168K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
Forge of Empires: Build a City screenshot 1
Forge of Empires: Build a City screenshot 2
Forge of Empires: Build a City screenshot 3
Forge of Empires: Build a City screenshot 4
Forge of Empires: Build a City screenshot 5
Forge of Empires: Build a City screenshot 6

Build and evolve your city from the Stone Age through modern times and beyond. Develop new technologies, produce goods, and trade with neighbors. Conquer territories through negotiation or battle in this award-winning strategy game.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Enjoyable gameplay
  • 🌐 Engaging social features
  • 🏆 Sense of progression
  • 👍 Cooperative community

Room to Improve

  • 💰 Excessive in-app purchases
  • 🕰️ Slow progression without spending
  • 🔄 Repetitive gameplay loop
  • 🔒 Lack of player control

More Empire Building Strategy apps to explore

FAQ about Empire Building Strategy

What are the best empire building strategy apps & games for iPhone?
Island Empire: Build & Conquer tops our empire building strategy apps & games ranking as of October 2026, with a 4.8-star average from 152 App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes — 20 of the top empire building strategy apps & games we rank are free to download, including Island Empire: Build & Conquer and Empire City: Civilization Dawn.
Island Empire: Build & Conquer shows ads and offers in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of October 2026.
We track 231+ empire building strategy apps & games on the iOS App Store as of October 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.