A great Cities Skylines rival with some Minecraft flair, Urbek City Builder is less than $4 right now

If Minecraft stepped up to challenge the best city-building games, I like to think the result would be something like Urbek: City Builder. It's not just the blocky voxel style, although that certainly helps, but also the focus on pure resources over the traditional economies of games like Cities Skylines. It's a refreshing twist on the format that throws scarcity into sharp relief, and in doing so feels very of the times. And if you're quick on the draw, you can pick up a copy right now for under $4.

Urbek: City Builder diverges from a lot of its management game rivals by not using money. Instead, everything you build must be done with the resources at your disposal, whether that's materials such as wood, coal, and iron, or broader concepts such as science and skilled work. Natural supplies are limited and aren't replaced quickly, turning the whole experience as much of a puzzle game as a city-building one.

The progression track also avoids buildings that are straight upgrades of other alternatives, so you can't just pick the 'best' option and be done with it. Perhaps you'll choose to opt for more bourgeois housing; this will result in improved living standards for your residents, but they'll consume more food and resources as a result. Or you could build lower-density, more bohemian neighborhoods, and focus on amenities such as parks and libraries.

Alternatively, you could angle towards ramping up productivity and industry to maximise your throughput; but this will result in less-pleasant city standards and leave locals sputtering in the fumes of progress. Much of the construction happens organically based on the conditions in an area, but you're able to control where specific buildings go, such as setting up a market in proximity to your farms.

While I'd always recommend Urbek to someone looking for a break from the Cities Skylines grind, or who might be waiting for the struggling CS2 to reach a better place, it's a lot easier to do so right now thanks to a Steam sale that brings the price down to less than $4. That's basically the cost of a cup of coffee, and it's the perfect experience to mull over while you sip your Sunday morning brew. Don't just take my word for it; 90% of players who've submitted Steam reviews give Urbek the thumbs up.

Urbek City Builder is 80% off on Steam until Monday November 17 at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm GMT / 7pm CET. Expect to pay $3.79 / £3.25 for your copy. If that deal sounds too good to pass up, head here to snag it while you can.