TheoTown

TheoTown is a deep city-building and management simulation developed by solo creator Benedikt “blueflower” Gräler.

Inspired by classic city simulators, it lets players design, expand, and govern one or multiple cities on a connected regional map.



Starting from a small settlement, you gradually build residential, commercial, and industrial zones while managing utilities, transportation, public services, and citizen happiness.

The PC version offers the complete premium experience with no ads or forced microtransactions, bundling all core content into a single purchase.

With lightweight system requirements and a powerful plugin ecosystem, TheoTown for PC delivers surprising depth despite its minimalist 2D pixel-art presentation.



Key Features

City Simulation: Build and manage cities from a small town to a massive metropolis.

Zoning System: Design residential, commercial, and industrial areas with demand-based growth.

Infrastructure Management: Control electricity, water, waste, roads, and public transport.

Transportation Networks: Build roads, railways, airports, ports, and custom transit routes.

Public Services: Provide healthcare, education, police, fire protection, and public amenities.

Disasters and Challenges: Handle fires, floods, pollution, crime, disease, and economic crises.

World Wonders: Construct famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower or Statue of Liberty.

Regional Maps: Manage multiple interconnected cities within a shared world map.

Plugin Support: Expand gameplay with thousands of community-made buildings, maps, and systems.

Performance-Friendly Engine: Runs smoothly even on very low-end PCs.

User Interface

TheoTown’s interface reflects its mobile origins, which can feel clunky on PC at first.



Menus are icon-heavy and layered, requiring several clicks to access core tools like roads or utilities.

Placement often needs manual confirmation, slowing down fast-paced city design.

However, once learned, the UI becomes functional and predictable. The information panels provide detailed statistics, and experienced players can manage complex systems efficiently despite the dated layout.

Installation and Setup

• Download TheoTown from Steam.
• Install automatically via the Steam client.
• Launch the game and configure resolution and controls.
• Choose a new region or load an existing city.
• Optional: browse and install plugins directly from the in-game manager.

How to Play

• Start a new city on an empty map.
• Lay down basic roads to define city blocks.
• Zone residential, commercial, and industrial areas.
• Provide power, water, and waste services.
• Monitor demand bars and citizen happiness.
• Expand transportation and public services as population grows.
• Respond to disasters and financial challenges.
• Optimize taxes, traffic, and zoning for long-term stability.

FAQs

Is TheoTown a full PC game or just a mobile port?
It began as a mobile game, but the PC version includes all premium content without ads or paywalls.

Does TheoTown support mods?
Yes, it has a very active plugin community with thousands of downloadable assets.

Is the game difficult for beginners?
There is a steep learning curve, especially for players new to city builders.

Can I manage multiple cities at once?
Yes, the regional map system allows several interconnected cities.

Does it require a powerful PC?
No, it runs smoothly even on very low-end hardware.

Alternatives

Cities: Skylines II – Large-scale 3D city builder with advanced traffic simulation.

Pricing

This game is available on Steam for approximately $9.75 as a one-time purchase.

The PC version includes all content with no ads or DLC packs.

System Requirements

Minimum:

• OS: Windows 10
• Processor: Intel Pentium
• Memory: 1024 MB RAM
• Graphics: Intel Integrated Graphics
• Storage: 200 MB available space

Recommended:

• OS: Windows 11
• Processor: Intel Core i5
• Memory: 2048 MB RAM
• Graphics: Dedicated GPU
• Storage: 500 MB available space

PROS

• Extremely lightweight and well-optimized.
• Deep city management despite simple visuals.
• Huge plugin and modding ecosystem.
• No DLC or aggressive monetization on PC.
• Large regional maps with interconnected cities.
• Fast progression from empty land to living city.
• Excellent value for the price.

CONS

• User interface feels outdated and mobile-focused.
• Limited control over zoning density.
• Search and filtering tools for plugins are basic.
• Stylized pixel art may not appeal to everyone.
• Some mechanics feel shallow compared to modern sims.
• Occasional micromanagement frustrations on large maps.

Conclusion

TheoTown is a surprisingly deep and rewarding city-building simulation that proves complexity doesn’t require cutting-edge graphics.

While its mobile-inspired interface and learning curve may frustrate some PC players, the game shines through its performance efficiency, creative freedom, and unmatched plugin support.

For fans of classic SimCity or budget-conscious players looking for a rich city builder that runs on almost any PC, TheoTown is absolutely worth its price.