Best economic strategies on Android

Let's take a look at the most popular games of this genre for smartphones running on Android. The selection includes both projects released over 5 years ago and brand new games.

Tropico

Tropico is a famous series of economic and political strategies. The first part was released on personal computers in 2001. Only one game from the series has been released on Android so far.

The mobile strategy is based on the third part of the game for PC, which, according to fans, is the best. Subsequent parts have improved graphics and a more user-friendly interface, but the basis was laid in Tropico 3.

The game takes place during the "Cold War" in an unnamed country in Latin America, indirectly resembling Cuba. Users are offered to immerse themselves in the role of a local politician and dictator.

The gameplay of Tropico is based on three components:

• political system;
• economic development;
• urban planning.

Specifically, the economic sector in the game is based on the balance between the city's income and expenses on salaries, construction, and development. The main item of expenses is the salaries of workers who carry out all the player's orders.

The player can replenish their "wallet" from several sources. For example, building entertainment and leisure facilities: hotels, bars, casinos. It is possible to open a radio station and television, where anyone can buy advertising. Or export goods from people's production at farms, as well as resources mined at a local mine.

The graphics of the game are almost indistinguishable from the PC version and are demanding on the smartphone's processor. The full list of supported smartphones can be found on the Google Play page in the description section.

Forge of Empires

Forge of Empires is a multiplayer military-economic strategy game developed by the German mobile game developer InnoGames. It was released on Android in 2015 and is a port of the browser version that received an award for the best strategy game in 2013. The latest update was released in the autumn of 2022, adding an autumn and winter event to the game.

The main goal of the game is to develop a small settlement from the Stone Age to the Space Age. Expanding territories will require waging conquest wars or negotiations based on mutually beneficial exchange.

In the beginning, players need to go through a short tutorial, which will introduce them to the game mechanics: construction, improvement, currency collection, material orders, etc.

The types of buildings available for construction in Forge of Empires include:

• residential;
• production;
• industrial;
• military;
• great structures;
• etc.

They will also explain and demonstrate how to engage in battles that occur in a turn-based mode. They are carried out in the form of moving troop figures on a global map. The mode itself, as mentioned, is turn-based and very similar to "Heroes of Might and Magic," but in a more simplified form.

Several types of currency are used for development in the game: coins, physical resources, industrial goods, medals, strategic points, and diamonds. The latter is the currency that can be purchased for real money or obtained as a reward for completing certain quests. Diamonds are used to accelerate development, research technologies, expand territories, etc.

Townsmen

Townsmen is a city-building and economic strategy game developed by the German company HandyGames. At the time of its release in 2012, it was an exclusive for mobile platforms, but in 2018, a PC version was released under the expanded title "A Kingdom Rebuilt."

There are scenarios to choose from, which are the fulfillment of certain quests within strict boundaries. There are more than 15 of them available. For example, saving a settlement from ruin and economic crisis or surviving during harsh winter conditions.

The second option is a sandbox, where players start development on a map under various biomes. For example, wastelands, lowlands, or the coast.

Among the features of the gameplay in Townsmen, let's highlight:

• over 100 unique buildings;
• a complex economic model;
• impact of seasons and weather conditions;
• simulation of natural disasters;
• many game modes.

Townsmen has beautiful and vibrant 2D graphics. The buildings and units are well drawn, everything on the screen is clear and understandable, the interface is not overloaded and logical. It is worth noting that the strategy game works great even on smartphones that are 5 years old.

As for the downsides, the project is freemium, and in the free version, there will be an ad banner at the top of the screen. It can be removed by upgrading to premium. There is also the option to purchase premium currency, which speeds up the construction and development process, but it is also possible to play without it.

Elvenar

Elvenar is a multiplayer economic city-building strategy game by InnoGames Gmbh, based on the browser game of the same name. It is the second game from the German company in our selection. It was released in 2017 and is supported by patches and updates, the latest of which was released in the autumn of 2022.

Players are given the choice of two races - humans and elves, which differ in game setting, units, and buildings. The general principles of the gameplay are the same and are based on two main mechanics: city-building and world exploration.

Resources obtained from city buildings are required for city development. For example, a residence where residents live produces gold, and a sawmill produces wood and other related materials. As resources accumulate, players can research technologies that allow them to advance to a new stage of development.

The global map in Elvenar is represented by provinces of other players that border each other. Players can engage in open confrontation on the battlefield or negotiate with them. All of this will also bring valuable resources and materials.

Other features of the strategy game include:

• modern graphics;
• beautiful art and cutscenes;
• understandable economic model;
• trade and diplomacy.

The game has a fairly simple and smooth start. At the beginning of the game, players are required to go through a short training session, and then they can start managing their city independently.

Like other InnoGames products, Elvenar is visually detailed in 2D graphics - roof tiles, small clumps of grass, light emanating from buildings, and other elements. The game is not demanding on smartphone specifications and works well on devices from 2017-2019.

Simcity Buildit

Simcity Buildit is the mobile part of the cult city-building strategy game from EA. The first part of the series was released over 30 years ago in 1989, and Buildit is currently the latest mobile part. According to Google Play, it is one of the top 100 most downloaded games.

The game takes place in modern times in a fictional universe that is as close to the real world as possible. Players are offered to build and manage their own city.

The game features various buildings, utilities, services, and infrastructure that players need to develop to meet the needs of their citizens. It is also necessary to manage the city's finances, handle disasters, and make strategic decisions. The goal is to create a thriving and sustainable city.

Simcity Buildit features:

• stunning 3D graphics;
• realistic and dynamic simulation;
• online multiplayer mode;
• challenges and competitions;
• social features.

Visually, the game is impressive with highly detailed 3D graphics. Players can zoom in and explore their city from different angles. The game is optimized for mobile devices and provides a smooth gaming experience.

Let's look at the most popular games of this genre for smartphones running on Android. The selection includes both projects released more than 5 years ago and brand new games.

Tropico

Tropico is a famous series of economic and political strategies. The first part was released on personal computers in 2001. Only one game of the series has been released on Android so far.

The mobile strategy is based on the third part of the PC game, which is considered the best according to fans. The subsequent parts have improved graphics and a more pleasant interface, but the basis was laid in Tropico 3.

The game takes place during the "Cold War" in an unnamed Latin American country, somewhat reminiscent of Cuba. The user is offered to take on the role of a local politician and dictator.

The gameplay of Tropico is based on three components:

• political system;
• economic development;
• urban planning.

Specifically, the economic industry in the game is based on the balance between city income and expenses on salaries, construction, and development of the settlement. The main expenditure item is the salaries of workers who carry out all the player's orders.

The player can replenish their "wallet" from several sources. For example, by building places for entertainment and recreation: hotels, bars, casinos. It is possible to open a radio station and television, where anyone can buy advertising. Or export goods of national production from farms, as well as resources mined at a local mine.

The graphics of the game are almost identical to the PC version and require a smartphone processor. You can see the full list of supported smartphones on the Google Play page in the description section.

Forge of Empires

Forge of Empires is a multiplayer war and economic strategy game by the German developer InnoGames. It was released for Android in 2015 and is a port of the browser version, which won the award for best strategy game in 2013. The last update was released in the fall of 2022, adding an autumn and winter event to the game.

The main goal of the game is to develop a small settlement from the Stone Age to the Space Age. To expand territories, players will need to wage conquest wars or negotiate based on mutual benefit.

At the beginning of the game, players need to go through a short tutorial where they will be introduced to the basics and mechanics of the game, such as construction, upgrade, currency collection, material orders, etc.

Available types of buildings for construction in Forge of Empires include:

• residential;
• manufacturing;
• industrial;
• military;
• great structures;
• etc.

Next, players will be taught how to engage in turn-based battles, which take place in the form of troop movement on a global map. The turn-based mode is similar to "Heroes of Might and Magic," but in a more simplified form.

Several types of currency are used for development in the game: coins, physical resources, industrial goods, medals, strategic points, and diamonds. Diamonds are a currency that can be purchased with real money or obtained as a reward for certain quests. Diamonds are used to accelerate development, research technologies, expand holdings, etc.

Townsmen

Townsmen is a city-building and economic strategy game by the German company HandyGames. When it was released in 2012, it was exclusively for mobile platforms, but a PC version called "A Kingdom Rebuilt" was released in 2018.

Players can choose from scenarios that involve completing specific quests within strict limits. There are more than 15 scenarios available, such as saving a settlement from ruin and an economic crisis or surviving a harsh winter.

The second option is a sandbox mode, where players start development on a map with different biomes, such as wastelands, lowlands, or the coast.

The special features of the gameplay in Townsmen include:

• over 100 unique buildings;
• a complex economic model;
• seasonal and weather effects;
• simulation of natural disasters;
• multiple game modes.

Townsmen has a gorgeous and vibrant 2D graphics style. The buildings and units are well-drawn, everything is clear and understandable on the screen, and the interface is not overloaded and logical. It's worth noting that the game runs smoothly even on smartphones that are 5 years old.

The downside is that the project is conditionally free-to-play, and the free version has an advertising banner at the top of the screen. It can only be removed by switching to the premium version. The purchase of premium currency, which speeds up construction and development, is also available, but the game can be played without it.

Elvenar

Elvenar is a multiplayer economic city-building strategy by InnoGames Gmbh, based on the browser game of the same name. It is the second project from the German company in our selection. It was released in 2017 and is supported by patches and updates. The latest update was released in the fall of 2022.

Players are given a choice between two races - humans and elves, which differ in game setting, units, and buildings. The general principles of gameplay are the same and are based on two main mechanics: city building and world exploration.

To develop the city, resources obtained from the city's buildings are required. For example, the residence, where residents live, brings in gold, while the sawmill produces wood and other related materials. As resources accumulate, players can research technologies that allow them to move to a new era of development.

The global map in Elvenar is represented by provinces of other players bordering each other. Players can engage in open confrontation on the battlefield or negotiate with them. All of this will also bring valuable resources and materials.

Other features of the strategy include:

• modern graphics;
• beautiful art and backgrounds;
• understandable economic model;
• trade and diplomacy.

The game has a simple and smooth start. At the beginning of the game, players need to go through a short tutorial, and then they can start managing their city independently.

Like other products from InnoGames, Elvenar has detailed 2D graphics with well-drawn objects and the world. The interface does not overpower the screen, and the icons are intuitive and easy to remember. The game works well on smartphones from 2017-2019.

Simcity Buildit

Simcity Buildit is the mobile part of the legendary city-building strategy from EA. The first part of the series was released more than 30 years ago in 1989, and the mobile part Buildit is the latest. According to Google Play, it is one of the most downloaded games.

The game is set in modern times in a fictional universe that closely resembles the real world. Players are offered the opportunity to become the mayor of a small town and gradually build their dream city step by step.

Players start their journey with one street and a single house, which cannot be occupied by new residents until players provide electricity, plumbing, and sewage. Resources are required for the construction of all these. They can be obtained by building a small factory and other industrial buildings. The construction materials warehouse is used to store resources.

Once residents move into the newly built houses, players need to create jobs and entertainment infrastructure. They will also provide the city with necessary goods and services, which will increase the city's population.

Simcity Buildit has a simple and understandable gameplay based on resource management and utilization. It is somewhat easier than in the computer versions of the game but equally fascinating.

The game is fully 3D with accelerated day and night alternations. The controls are excellent, with accurate touches and smooth map navigation. There were no performance issues, even with dense structures.

Transport Empire

Transport Empire is a freemium economic strategy released in 2014 by Astrum Online. The game received many positive reviews from both Russian and Western publications.

To do this, players need to lay transport networks, upgrade old machinery, hire skilled people, and more. As players level up, the game world gradually expands, providing even more opportunities to expand their transport empire.

The main types of vehicles in the game are trains, steamboats, and airships.

As players progress, they will be offered tasks or contracts. By successfully completing them, players can earn experience and rare resources - gold. Gold is a premium currency that can be purchased with real money. It can be used to speed up development, construction, or contract fulfillment.

The graphics of the game are fully two-dimensional with detailed objects and the world. The interface does not clutter the screen, and the icons are intuitive and easily memorable. The game worked smoothly on a 2018 device, loading quickly without any FPS drops.

Sea Traders Empire

Sea Traders Empire is an economic strategy game by the well-known company Qumaron. They have more than 20 mobile and PC games in various genres.

Players will immerse themselves in a fictional era where the descendants of the Vikings settled on an island and try to build a port empire. The main objective of the game is to establish and interact between several cities for the expansion of the trading empire.

As in any other strategy game, players will first need to go through a short tutorial, where in-game assistants will introduce them to the basics and mechanics of the game.

The special features of the gameplay in Sea Traders Empire include:

• resource extraction and management;
• researching new technologies;
• building and upgrading structures;
• development of the army and fleet;
• maritime battles;
• production and sale of various goods.

Players will need to complete quests and tasks to obtain rare resources. They can receive them from residents of their own island and foreigners from other continents.

The global map in Sea Traders Empire is represented by schematic points of interest, representing the capitals of other states and empires. Players can establish diplomatic relations, trade, or declare war. All of this will somehow affect the economic aspect.

Visually, the game follows the standard style of mobile strategies - bright graphics, smooth and deliberate animations, uncluttered interface. It runs smoothly, but with a high concentration of units and objects on the screen, there may be a drop in frame rate below 30 FPS.

Empire City

Empire City is an economic strategy game set in ancient Rome and Egypt, developed by a company from the UAE. It was released in the summer of 2022 and has gathered an active audience that highly appreciates the project.

Players will take on the role of a prefect in charge of a city settlement. The tasks include building new houses for residents, resource extraction, and the discovery and research of new technologies. The main goal of the game is to create and develop a young state.

The features of the game include:

• several unique development paths;
• construction of ancient wonders of the world;
• the scale and scope of the game;
• freedom in design and construction;
• good graphics and memorable visual style.

During the game, players will receive tasks from city services. By completing them, they can earn experience and gold coins, and sometimes crystals. Coins are needed for construction and research. Crystals can be used to speed up any process in the game and can be purchased for real money.

In terms of gameplay, Empire City is very similar to other economic strategies. The focus is on resource management and utilization. The visuals are excellent, with detailed 2D graphics featuring 3D character and animal models. The game is not demanding in terms of smartphone specifications and runs well on devices from 2018.