Game search

Let me just start by saying that getting this game is somewhat of a guilty pleasure should someone know a good one. I like games like castleville. Yes, sad, I know. But my only problem with it is the reliance on gifts from others and the like.
Does anyone know of a game that is very close to these ville games but not socially reliant for expansion of the play area and such? I enjoy games that I can log on for 5 mins, set some stuff up, and then leave for several hours, slowly building up a town or civilization (or even a cartoonish village like in castleville)

If there isn't a game, is there a way to make it where you have an unlimited of those resources for those kinda games that you only get through other players? ie exploration crystals and other stuffs..