ShantyTown is a relaxing diorama city-building game on Steam that finds beauty in urban chaos, letting you stack buildings high and fill every nook with your own creative touch. Inspired by the dense, story-filled cities of the real world, this single-player indie sim is less about efficiency and more about the joy of making something uniquely yours.
At a Glance
- Release Date: 16 April 2026
- Genre: Casual, Simulation, Indie
- Platform: PC (Steam)
- Cost: $14.99 USD
- Developer/Publisher: Erik Rempen / Kinephantom Games
Get ShantyTown on Steam →
The Concept
ShantyTown puts you in the shoes of a surveyor tasked with bringing 20 distinct locations to life — from a neon-lit Hotpot Casino to the solitude of a Lighthouse. Each location has its own mood and limited build space, pushing you to think creatively about how to pack in buildings, decorations, and lighting without a single wasted corner. There are no timers, no fail states — just you and a blank canvas.
Core Gameplay Features
- Diorama Building — Stack buildings upward, sideways, and in every direction. Place light sources, decorations, and hidden objects to bring each location to life. Upgradable structures like shops and apartment blocks evolve when you add utilities and light.
20 Unique Locations — Each map has its own set of objects, atmosphere, and story to uncover as you build. Food trucks, neon signs, and industrial smokestacks all make appearances.
- Creative Mode & Blankspace — Once you unlock items through the main campaign, Creative Mode lets you go wild with no restrictions. Blankspace provides an enormous sandbox to design entirely custom towns and shops.
- Photography System — Frame your finished creation, snap a photo, and add it to your in-game dossier before moving to the next location.
- Relaxing Soundtrack — A warm, atmospheric score crafted by vaporwave artist Macroblank keeps the vibes cozy throughout.
Who Is This For?
If you love cozy games but find city builders overwhelming, ShantyTown was made for you. There are no resource chains to manage, no citizens to satisfy, and no economy to balance — just pure creative building at your own pace. It is equally satisfying for short play sessions and long cozy evenings.
Pro Tip
Focus on upgrading buildings early by adding light sources and decorations nearby — upgraded structures unlock new objects, giving you more creative tools for later locations.
