Celestial Empire

I am a huge fan city city-building games, and Celestial Empire is one of the best that I have played in quite a long time. Seriously, this is up there when it comes to the best games of 2025 that I have played. This got its hooks into me right from the start, and I think that the setting of ancient China, as well as the supernatural and fantasy elements that the game had to offer, was a ton of fun. If you love city builders, keep on reading to see why this is an absolute must-play game for you.

As The Emperor Wishes

Since my dad came home with Sim City for the Super Nintendo in the 90s, city-building games have been my jam! What makes Celestial Empire stand out from the millions of others that I have played since then is the setting. This game takes place in ancient China, and the premise of the story is that the Emperor has given us a town and we are tasked with making it prosper, the idea being that if we thrive so much, the Emperor will come and visit our settlement. It is very fun stuff, and the setting alone makes this something quite unique for this genre.

A Supernatural Twist

You know, what I just said about the story of Celestial Empire could be all that there is, and that would be more than ok with me, as it works. However, there is an extra element to things here in the form of ancient Chinese gods! If we worship just right, these gods may bestow us and our settlement with riches, resources, and just generally help us prosper. However, if we pick the wrong god, well, there could be consequences, and remember, when we are worshiping one, we are ignoring another! This was such a fun element, and it really did click with me, and honestly, I could have seen more of this and been very happy as a result.

Always Something That Needs Fixing

Look, if you like city-building games, I am pretty much certain that you will like and enjoy the gameplay Celestial Empire is offering. You start with next to nothing, just some land and a few peasants, but you eventually will be making your own food, building big buildings, more infrastructure, and so on. As you progress and make the Emperor happy, he will open trade routes for you, and you can then start trading with other settlements. Oh, there is also the dynamic weather, trust me, prepare for this, I did not, and lost a crap ton of crop that nearly ruined me! The progression system in the game is just fantastic. I felt well and truly hooked, and I ended up playing this into the early hours of the morning.

Pleasing To The Eye

Even though I saw a couple of trailers for Celestial Empire before I played it. The visuals of this game really did surprise me. Now, the ancient China setting is awesome and a huge part of the appeal here for me. However, it is the incredible detail, the beautiful scenery, and the fact that you can do a flyover and take it all in that make this such a gorgeous-looking game. Of course, we also have the more fantastical and supernatural stuff that happens, too; this is also something that is very well done. If you are someone who feels like the city-building genre always kind of looks the same, this and its unique setting is exactly what you have been looking for.

Pros:

• I thought the Chinese setting was cool and unique
• This game has a great and steady sense of progression
• The supernatural and fantasy elements were awesome
• This is one of my favorite games of 2025

Cons:

• You do need to be into city-building games to appreciate this
• I would have liked even more supernatural elements

Celestial Empire is a strategy simulator that allows you to manage your own city in the prosperous Chinese Empire. Fulfill the will of the Emperor and lead a small but promising city to prosperity. Being a governor is not easy and challenges arise from all sides. Manage several spheres at once and skillfully prioritize for a happy carefree life of your subjects.

Pros of the game:

• Participate in historically-correct events
• Trade, warfare and even cultural development depend only on you.
• Make useful connections for successful cooperation with other countries

Celestial Empire - strategic district management in ancient China will show you the most important side of power - responsibility. The Emperor has appointed you to lead one of the regions to prosperity and to fail to fulfill his will would be a direct attempt to lie alive in the grave. Welcome to office, Governor, may your good deeds be remembered in the annals of history for many years to come, or your failure be passed from mouth to mouth with indescribable tragedy. It all depends on you.

Pros of the game:

• A three-dimensional, elaborate world
• Manage all aspects of your people's lives
• Meet the Emperor's assessment that will decide your fate