Games where you build instead of destroy

[gamer_parent]

The other day, I was looking at my daughter play with her lego blocks (the large, kiddy friendly kind) and I just wondered if there are videogames that essentially let you have a similar experience, where the focus of the game is building up, not competitive destruction.

Now it's been a while since I've been really entrenched into the games out there. I know that Sim City is always a staple, and that Spore can qualify (though the DRM gives me pause).

But beyond those two, I'm kind of having a hard time pulling up other names where you win by building.

Escapists, lend me your wisdom!!

 

[Xpwn3ntial]

Civilization series.

 

[Gigaguy64]

Well Age of Empires has a mix of both Destruction and construction.

And the Sims Series is mostly about Building, though most people only Build to destroy....

 

[ThePuzzldPirate]

Dwarf Fortress, you get to build while the game gets to destroy...if you don't destroy yourself first.

 

[DrLeonardChurch]

Any of the 5000 tower defense games on XLA.

 

[gamer_parent]

Dwarf Fortress, you get to build while the game gets to destroy...if you don't destroy yourself first.

well, now let's not get ahead of ourselves here. I want a game that I can build and enjoy, not build and get frustrated because dwarf number #254 just puked up his lunch from eating a poisonous mushroom, walked into the pool of his own vomit and drowned, and then infecting the entire fortress with his carcass.

 

[RatRace123]

Civilization, Sims, LBP, Modnation Racers. That's all I've got.

 

[Pinstar]

Civilization series.

Civ is only pure construction if you never go to war. If you play at any of the non-newbie difficulties, its next to impossible to go a whole game without some war, especially if you skimp on building military, thus labeling you a juicy target.

Even Sim City isn't without its destructive elements where the player can call down disasters.

I'm going to put my vote in for Roller Coaster Tycoon as a game of pure creation and construction.

 

[Radeonx]

Most RTS games are about building a base, empire, or town and micromanaging it to victory.
I'd recommend Age of Empires II or 3, Starcraft and Starcraft: Brood War, and Warcraft 3 and Warcraft 3: Frozen Throne
As for no destruction, a lot of the Tycoon games. Rollercoaster Tycoon is great fun.

 

[ThePuzzldPirate]

Dwarf Fortress, you get to build while the game gets to destroy...if you don't destroy yourself first.

well, now let's not get ahead of ourselves here. I want a game that I can build and enjoy, not build and get frustrated because dwarf number #254 just puked up his lunch from eating a poisonous mushroom, walked into the pool of his own vomit and drowned, and then infecting the entire fortress with his carcass.

And how is that not epic, what other game can offer that level of awesomeness, .
One of the Civilizations would do nicely...Tropico is cheaper but your a dictator with an island, any sim game would work, Black and White works great, I guess it comes down to flavor, there is many god games out there.

 

[Kiju]

Civilization, Zoo/Rollercoaster/Train Tycoon, Sim series, and a few others like that would probably be good.

 

[Gasaraki]

Well just off the top of my head: Banjo Kazooie nuts and bolts requires you to build vehicles with a large array of parts and World of Goo has you build structures to reach certain objectives. They're both pretty fun and family friendly so you don't have to worry about your daughter playing (if that's who you want to find a game for). Banjo Kazooie N&B is especially fun later on once you get some of the cooler parts (folding wings, detachable parts, etc...).
I totally didn't build a penis-mobile with deployable wings and detachable testicle bombs on BK N&B... *shifty eyes*

 

[Ubique]

Anno 1404 and any Tycoon game.

 

[Pilkingtube]

Rollercoaster Tycoon,

Anno 1404 and any Tycoon game.

Goddamn ninjas..

 

[gamer_parent]

I totally didn't build a penis-mobile with deployable wings and detachable testicle bombs on BK N&B... *shifty eyes*

.... how is it that whenever a game gives people the option to create their own whatever, the first thing we end up doing is creating a penis?

Since my daughter is only 2 years old, it's probably a little early for her to start playing videogames. I'm just wondering if these type of games are actually getting made and how popular they generally are. (And if I start to let her play, when would I do so)

The problem with games like say, Civilization is that said construction, while quite epic, is also very abstract. It's something that I don't think you can fully grasp until you have a basic grasp of geography and maybe some social studies to go with that. (So maybe.. what... 10?)

Something where you can see the object you're creating I think is more appropriate for the younger kids who we want to teach to build. i.e. I like Simcity. If you've ever looked out a window of a skyscraper, you know what it is you're building. The complexity might be a little too high for her. (You need a beginner grasp of things like supply and demand of industry labor to really make that game work for you)

I like the suggestion of Banjo Kazooie though. That's something kids will always like. She's already putting little blocks on wheels and calling it a car. So she understands that cars can be built.

Settlers is another one, I think. But again, the subject matter is probably something kids can't quite get excited about.

I wonder if Lego themselves have released a line of games where you just build stuff. I know there are the Lego starwars/indiana jones/batman games, but those are still more adventure-y then anything else.

And how is that not epic, what other game can offer that level of awesomeness, .

you know what, after thinking about it, it IS awesome. I need to find some time to boot that up and kill some dwarves.

 

[enzilewulf]

well I know of tower blocks on New grounds but thats a browser yet fucking addicting

..Thats all I can think of about right now