Games Like Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

Celebrating its first year of delighting millions of global players, the award-winning and best-selling strategy franchise continues with Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition, putting you at the center of even more epic historical battles that shaped the world.

Why similar: RTS 29.2%, Strategy 15.9%, City Builder 14.4%, Base Building 13.5%, Historical 6.9%

Why You'll Like It: Its medieval factions, four-age progression, resource economy, landmark choices, and multiplayer battles make it the closest modern counterpart to Age of Empires II.

Lead powerful civilizations across the globe, master strategies and tactics, and relive history in co op battles—now remastered in stunning 4K and modernized gameplay.

Why similar: RTS 27.2%, City Builder 17.4%, Base Building 16.3%, Strategy 16.1%, Historical 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: It preserves the familiar Age of Empires gather-build-advance-conquer formula while moving the action to the colonial era and adding Home City support.

Play as mythological Gods and smite your enemies in this award-winning, mythological Real-Time Strategy classic given new life. Wage war across timeless campaigns, fierce skirmishes, and god-powered multiplayer modes.

Why similar: RTS 38.9%, Base Building 20.4%, Strategy 15.8%, Resource Management 9.7%, Multiplayer 9.3%

Why You'll Like It: This polished Age of Empires-style RTS uses the same accessible base building and age advancement structure, enhanced by gods, myth units, and powers.

Rise of Nations is back! Play the updated classic with full Steamworks integration and enhanced features!

Why similar: RTS 34.3%, Strategy 19.2%, Classic 15.1% ★, Historical 8.8%, City Builder 5.9%

Why You'll Like It: It expands the Age of Empires formula across all of history with city building, territorial borders, eight ages, and large-scale strategic warfare.

Cossacks 3 is the return of RTS classics. Obtain resources, build cities and research technologies while taking command of great armies, crushing enemies in grand historical warfares on land and sea!

Why similar: RTS 26.6%, City Builder 15.9%, Strategy 15.1%, Base Building 11.8%, Historical 10.7%

Why You'll Like It: Its historical factions, resource chains, settlement construction, and enormous formations deliver an especially grand take on classic economy-focused RTS combat.

Age of Empires, the pivotal real-time strategy game that launched a 20-year legacy returns with modernized gameplay, all-new 4K visuals, 8-person multiplayer battles and a host of other new features. Welcome back to history.

Why similar: RTS 26.1%, Strategy 16.5%, City Builder 15%, Base Building 10.2%, Historical 8.3%

Why You'll Like It: The series' original historical RTS offers recognizable villager management, technology ages, civilization differences, and large-scale base assaults.

An exciting free-to-play Real Time Strategy game set in medieval times. Uniquely designed factions, customization options, singleplayer and multiplayer gameplay. Gather resources, raise an army and lead your civilization to victory in a classic RTS, brought to the modern age.

Why similar: RTS 36.9%, Strategy 19%, Real-Time 11.7% ★, Historical 9.5%, Multiplayer 7.4%

Why You'll Like It: This streamlined medieval RTS is explicitly built around asymmetric civilizations, villagers, aging up, and fast competitive matches reminiscent of AoE II.

Age of Mythology is back! Choose your god and take to the battlefield in this classic, upgraded with full Steamworks integration and enhanced features.

Why similar: RTS 40%, Strategy 22.7%, Classic 17.4% ★, Multiplayer 7.7%, Real-Time 4% ★

Why You'll Like It: It is a classic companion to Age of Empires II, pairing familiar economic RTS fundamentals with mythological factions and god powers.

Greetings sire! Your stronghold awaits you. Build a castle economy, besiege unforgettable villains and return to the 'castle sim' that started it all. Experience this classic RTS with upgraded visuals, modernised gameplay, Steam multiplayer and a new campaign.

Why similar: City Builder 25.1%, RTS 22.1%, Strategy 11.5%, Base Building 11.5%, Historical 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: Its medieval castle economy, peasant management, fortification building, and siege warfare make it an excellent choice for players who enjoy AoE II's castle-age fantasy.

Gird your loins and sharpen your steel! Besiege 20 unique enemy lords and battle friends online, in this expanded remaster of the classic 'castle sim'. Relive history with new units, opponents, visuals, audio, campaigns, skirmish trails, co-op and larger maps.

Why similar: City Builder 25.9%, RTS 22.3%, Strategy 14.4%, Base Building 12.3%, Medieval 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: It combines detailed desert-castle management with skirmish-focused real-time sieges against AI lords and rival medieval armies.

Lead the great armies of the Star Wars™ Episode II: Attack of the Clones saga in intense real-time strategy clashes. Enter the fray as the Galactic Empire, Rebel Alliance, Wookies, Trade Federation, Gungans or Royal Naboo to determine the course of the Galactic Civil War.

Why similar: RTS 42.9%, Strategy 21.9%, Classic 11.4% ★, Multiplayer 8.3%, Base Building 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: Built on the original Age of Empires II engine, it plays almost exactly like classic AoE while replacing medieval armies with Star Wars factions.

The highly anticipated sequel to the best-selling Stronghold, Stronghold Crusader HD throws you into historic battles and castle sieges from the Crusades with fiendish AI opponents, new units, 4 historical campaigns and over 100 unique skirmish missions.

Why similar: City Builder 25.2%, Base Building 15.5%, RTS 14.6%, Strategy 11.6%, Medieval 10.4%

Why You'll Like It: This long-lived castle RTS focuses on balancing a functioning medieval economy with wall defenses, siege engines, and aggressive desert warfare.

Northgard: Definitive Edition is a critically acclaimed real-time strategy game based on Norse mythology. Lead your clan, uncover the secrets of a mysterious newfound continent and defeat your enemies to conquer the Throne!

Why similar: RTS 31.3%, City Builder 28.2%, Strategy 14%, Base Building 10.2%, Multiplayer 5.3%

Why You'll Like It: It condenses the RTS economy-and-expansion loop into a Norse setting where clans gather resources, claim territory, survive seasons, and battle rivals.

In American Conquest, Players set sail from Europe to discover new world and conquer its innumerable riches.

Why similar: RTS 43.6%, Strategy 32.3%, Historical 17.9%, Multiplayer 5.3%, Singleplayer 0.9%

Why You'll Like It: From the creators of Cossacks, it emphasizes historical warfare, extensive resource management, and huge armies spanning the colonial Americas.

Return of the Classic, now remastered! Battle Realms is a fantasy RTS inspired by the stories told in martial- arts movies and oriental mythology. Develop your peasants into a highly trained and deadly efficient clan of warriors who are ready to die with your name on their lips.

Why similar: RTS 46.6%, Strategy 28.6%, Classic 16.6% ★, Multiplayer 6.8%, Action 1%

Why You'll Like It: Its distinctive feudal-fantasy factions, worker-driven economy, unit training paths, and tactical real-time combat offer a more characterful alternative to AoE II.

Cossacks: Back to War contains all of the gameplay features of Cossacks: European Wars and Cossacks: The Art of War, this is a complete care package for all current and future Cossacks fans. This add-on contains two new nations: Switzerland and Hungary.

Why similar: RTS 34.2%, Strategy 27.6%, Classic 20.1% ★, Historical 9.1%, Multiplayer 8.6%

Why You'll Like It: This classic historical RTS provides the same massive-unit battles and production-heavy economies that make Cossacks and Age of Empires compelling.

Relive the captivating gameplay of a true city-building classic with Anno® 1404 History Edition.

Why similar: City Builder 44.7%, Strategy 23.7%, Multiplayer 10.6%, Medieval 5.2%, RTS 5%

Why You'll Like It: While more trade-focused than AoE II, its historical city growth, production chains, naval activity, and expanding medieval economy are deeply satisfying.

Build vibrant cities in a medieval world with this modernized version of The Settlers – Rise of an Empire. Each character leads their individual lives and can be observed by you at any time. Will you go down in history as a legendary king?

Why similar: City Builder 34.7%, Strategy 27.9%, RTS 19.6%, Medieval 10.2%, Multiplayer 6.9%

Why You'll Like It: It emphasizes expanding a self-sustaining medieval town through production networks before fielding armies and defending your realm.

Command & Conquer and Red Alert are both remastered in 4K by the former Westwood Studios team members. Includes all 3 expansions, rebuilt multiplayer, a modernized UI, Map Editor, bonus footage gallery, and over 7 hours of remastered music.

Why similar: RTS 39.9%, Strategy 18.2%, Base Building 17.9%, Classic 13.1% ★, Multiplayer 7%

Why You'll Like It: Its setting differs sharply, yet its immediate resource harvesting, base construction, unit counters, and classic RTS pacing are ideal for AoE II strategy fans.

Stronghold Crusader 2 is the long awaited sequel to the original castle sim. After 12 years Stronghold returns to the desert with a new 3D engine and powerful Havok Physics. Crusader 2 recaptures the original game’s addictive, fast-paced gameplay and authentic castle simulation.

Why similar: RTS 23.1%, Strategy 21%, City Builder 20.7%, Medieval 9.6%, Multiplayer 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: This 3D sequel retains the series' blend of food production, castle construction, defensive layouts, and siege-heavy real-time battles.

KNIGHTS and MERCHANTS recreates the era of the Middle Ages. Apart from the purely fictitious geography of our world, all game elements and scenes are based on the Anglo-Saxon period, 1200 A.D. And we haven't used imaginary elements like fabled creatures, either. The player takes on the role of an ordinary captain in the Palace Guard.

Why similar: Strategy 57.5%, RTS 12.5%, City Builder 11.7%, Classic 6.3% ★, Medieval 5.3%

Why You'll Like It: Its unusually detailed medieval supply chains and village management appeal to players who especially enjoy the economic side of building an AoE settlement.

The original castle sim, Stronghold HD allows you to design, build and destroy historical castles. Engage in medieval warfare against the AI in one of two single player campaigns or online with up to 8 players.

Why similar: RTS 26.4%, City Builder 24.8%, Base Building 14.7%, Strategy 10.8%, Medieval 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: It offers the foundational Stronghold mix of medieval estate management, castle design, army recruitment, and siege defense.

War Selection is a compelling RTS game featuring base building, resource extraction and warfare. Evolve from a stone age tribe to a distinct industrial nation with unique game mechanics and battle for supremacy with dozens of players on a unique procedurally generated map.

Why similar: RTS 36.3%, Base Building 23.9%, Strategy 20%, Multiplayer 10.5%, Historical 6.6%

Why You'll Like It: This free-to-play RTS lets players develop settlements and armies through successive historical eras, creating a broad civilization-building progression similar to Age games.

Catapult werewolves over castle walls, incinerate troops with dragon fire and command the Knights of the Round Table! This remaster of the mythical ‘castle sim’ features Steam multiplayer, Workshop support, new maps, achievements and DLC campaigns.

Why similar: City Builder 23.8%, RTS 19.9%, Real-Time 12.3% ★, Base Building 11.8%, Historical 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: Its castle-building and resource-management systems remain close to Stronghold's historical games, with fantasy factions and magical units adding variety.

Ancestors Legacy is a squad-based real time strategy with a strong focus on tactics. Inspired by medieval European history, it brings to life four different nations and their conflicts, usually solved by war.

Why similar: RTS 30.2%, Strategy 19.5%, Historical 11%, Real-Time 11% ★, Medieval 10.9%

Why You'll Like It: It delivers squad-based medieval RTS battles with faction campaigns and tactical positioning for players who want a more combat-focused historical alternative.

Lead the battles that forged the greatest Empire of all time. Seven civilizations fighting for glory or freedom: Rome, Aegyptus, Britannia, Germania, Gallia, Hispania, and Carthago. Enjoy the fast-paced RTC “Real-Time Conquest” gameplay, an Old School RTS oriented to military conquest.

Why similar: RTS 43.2%, Strategy 29.4%, Historical 18.8%, Multiplayer 6.7%, 2D 1%

Why You'll Like It: This ancient-era RTS combines settlement development, resource control, distinct historical factions, and military campaigns across the Roman world.

Experience the ultimate WWII RTS platform with COH2 and its standalone expansions. This package includes the base game, which you can then upgrade by purchasing The Western Front Armies, Ardennes Assault and/or The British Forces. More info in the "About This Game" section below.

Why similar: Strategy 53.9%, RTS 25.7%, Historical 5.5%, Multiplayer 4.2%, Base Building 3%

Why You'll Like It: This WWII RTS replaces medieval economies with territory control and squad tactics, while retaining real-time base development, tech choices, and competitive multiplayer depth.

Age of Empires II has been re-imagined in high definition. With the release of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, this product will not be updated further.

Why similar: RTS 29.3%, Strategy 15.2%, Classic 10.3% ★, City Builder 8.7%, Medieval 6.9%

Spanning the most turbulent era in Western history, your quest for territory and power takes you through Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and even onto the shores of the New World.

Why similar: Strategy 25.2%, RTS 24.1%, Historical 16.5%, Medieval 15.8%, Classic 6.6% ★

Why You'll Like It: It trades continuous base building for a turn-based kingdom layer and tactical battles, but offers an equally rich medieval conquest fantasy.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Definitive Edition is the ultimate Dawn of War experience, featuring the original Dawn of War and all its expansions, along with enhanced visuals, an improved camera, and 64-bit platform support.

Why similar: RTS 43.1%, Strategy 17.9%, Base Building 17.4%, Multiplayer 10.8%, Tactical 5%

Shape the Roman Empire in this genre-defining strategic builder game. Build cities while expanding your influence through Roman provinces. Govern using your economic prowess, diplomatic skills, or military might.

Why similar: City Builder 32.6%, RTS 28.4%, Strategy 16.6%, Historical 11.5%, Resource Management 5.1%

Halo Wars: Definitive Edition is an enhanced version of the real-time strategy classic, Halo Wars, updated to run natively on PC. Halo Wars: Definitive Edition includes improved graphics, new achievements and all of the DLC created for the landmark real-time strategy game.

Why similar: RTS 44.8%, Strategy 19.5%, Base Building 18.8%, Multiplayer 6.8%, Classic 3.9% ★

Tax, torture or treat your peasants! Rehabilitate criminals or sentence them to death? Decide as you enjoy jousting over a lavish banquet, all while under siege from the warmongering Lord Barclay.

Why similar: City Builder 23.6%, RTS 21.7%, Real-Time 13.1% ★, Base Building 12.4%, Strategy 9.3%

As King, it is your duty to lead your people in their struggle to raise your kingdom from its humble beginnings to a position of power and prestige. War, diplomacy and a burgeoning economy are the means by which you increase your power and expand your influence.

Why similar: Strategy 28.8%, RTS 27.9%, Medieval 15.8%, Historical 10.9%, Classic 8.3% ★

The world erupts in conflict as Soviet forces invade American soil in Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2. You are the Supreme Commander. Arm yourself to the teeth with top-secret technologies and lead the Soviet or Allied troops to victory.

Why similar: RTS 44.2%, Strategy 19.1%, Base Building 11.5%, Classic 10.9% ★, Multiplayer 10.6%

Immerse yourself in Ancient Egypt from the age of the great pyramids to the final years of the New Kingdom.

Why similar: City Builder 47.5%, Strategy 20.6%, Historical 18%, Classic 13.1% ★, Singleplayer 0.8%

Build empires, forge alliances and conquer hundreds of players in real time.

Why similar: City Builder 28%, Base Building 20.7%, Historical 17.8%, Multiplayer 13.5%, Strategy 13%

With this modernized History Edition dive into the diversified mix of enthralling build-up matches and exciting real-time fights. Manifold landscapes await to be explored and populated. Includes the main game plus the two expansions.

Why similar: City Builder 32.4%, RTS 32.1%, Strategy 25.2%, Medieval 10.4%

Anno 1800™ – Lead the Industrial Revolution! Welcome to the dawn of the Industrial Age. The path you choose will define your world. Are you an innovator or an exploiter? A conqueror or a liberator? How the world remembers your name is up to you.

Why similar: City Builder 45.7%, Strategy 18.1%, RTS 13.6%, Multiplayer 9.1%, Resource Management 5.9%

Expand your empire, advance your culture and go head-to-head against history’s greatest leaders. Will your civilization stand the test of time?

Why similar: Strategy 34.9%, City Builder 23.6%, Historical 19.9%, Multiplayer 12.7%, Tactical 4.3%

Experience the classic gameplay of 1503 A.D.: The New World, optimized for current computers with resolutions up to 4K.

Why similar: RTS 31.5%, City Builder 30.6%, Strategy 15%, Historical 10.7%, Medieval 6%

Prove your strength of mind and spirit and you just may be crowned Caesar!

Why similar: City Builder 47.2%, Strategy 20.6%, Classic 15.6% ★, Historical 14.7%, Isometric 1.7%

Relive the celebrated real-time strategy classic Praetorians, re-imagined in high definition. Praetorians is set amidst the political machinations of an emerging Roman Empire.

Why similar: Strategy 53.5%, RTS 38%, Multiplayer 8.4%

A massively multiplayer grand strategy game, Stronghold Kingdoms is about forging alliances, political mind games, city-building and castle sieges with thousands of other players!

Why similar: Strategy 21.6%, RTS 19.3%, City Builder 19.1%, Real-Time 11.6% ★, Base Building 10.8%

The most popular Heroes® title of all time is back in HD! Fifteen years later, rediscover the epic tale of Queen Catherine Ironfist, as she re-embarks on her critically acclaimed quest to unite her ravaged homeland and re-conquer the kingdom of Erathia.

Why similar: Strategy 38.7%, Classic 38.5% ★, Multiplayer 14.4%, Great Soundtrack 3.8%, Co-op 3%

Set 10 years after the original, Stronghold 3: Gold follows the vengeful story of The Wolf in the third installment of the award-winning castle building series. The Wolf has cheated death become even more bitter and twisted. Build castles, rally your troops and save medieval England!

Why similar: City Builder 22.9%, Strategy 20.8%, RTS 19.2%, Medieval 8.8%, Base Building 5.8%

The legendary city-builder returns! Lead the creation of one of the greatest civilizations the world has ever seen in this HD remake with modernized UI. Build monuments, manage your population and explore 4,000 years of history through over a hundred hours of gameplay.

Why similar: City Builder 45.3%, Historical 18.2%, Strategy 12.5%, Base Building 10.7%, Resource Management 9.4%

With dozens of hours of gameplay set across a rich tapestry of time, Empire Earth: Gold Edition offers real-time strategy for the ages. Choose any point in time - from the discovery of fire to the laser battles of the future - and command your civilization with one goal: make Earth your Empire.

Why similar: RTS 57.9%, Strategy 40.5%, Singleplayer 1.6%

Relive the beginnings of the Anno® series with Anno® 1602 History Edition, updated and optimized for current computers.

Why similar: RTS 31.1%, City Builder 30.2%, Strategy 16.6%, Historical 10.5%, Medieval 5.8%

Sid Meier's Civilization III: Complete, the latest offering in the Sid Meier's Civilization III franchise, provides gaming fans with Sid Meier's Civilization III, the highly-addictive journey of discovery.

Why similar: Strategy 39.4%, Classic 24.6% ★, Historical 18.1%, City Builder 8.5%, Multiplayer 7.3%

Command distinct factions in a desperate struggle for power and resources in Tempest Rising - a classic RTS set on Earth after a nuclear war.

Why similar: RTS 56.1%, Strategy 21.9%, Base Building 10.4%, Real-Time 4.8% ★, Multiplayer 4.1%

SpellForce 3 - The perfect blend between RTS and RPG!

Why similar: RTS 51.9%, Strategy 23.3%, Multiplayer 10.6%, Base Building 5%, Co-op 3.6%

Ancestors Legacy Free Peasant Edition represents a part of the full product. Get a taste of medieval battles in this free version of the acclaimed historical RTS! 4 SP missions and 17 MP maps are now available to everyone. Challenge friends, AI, or take part in our League that will start in March!

Why similar: RTS 30.8%, Strategy 22.5%, Real-Time 15.8% ★, Historical 13.4%, Multiplayer 7.8%

One of the best games from acclaimed Tycoon series, with well designed gameplay mechanics, appealing graphics, and really high re-playability value. There’s no limit to what you can create so design and build the most thrilling roller coaster the world has ever seen!

Why similar: Classic 44.1% ★, Strategy 26.8%, City Builder 12.6%, Resource Management 5%, Multiplayer 4.5%

8-Bit Armies is a retro Real-Time Strategy game. With a colorful, blocky voxel art style, 8-Bit Armies is Petroglyph's most fast-paced, friendly, and accessible RTS game to date. Featuring a campaign of 25 single-player missions, 12 co-op missions, multiplayer and skirmish modes.

Why similar: RTS 44.4%, Strategy 30.9%, Base Building 11.2%, Multiplayer 8.7%, Co-op 3.2%

Let yourself be enchanted by the new world of Settlers with this modernized History Edition – in the midst of green forests and lush meadows, it will bustle again. You alone hold the fate of your kingdom in your hands. Which strategy will you choose?

Why similar: City Builder 42.2%, Strategy 26%, RTS 20.7%, Medieval 11%

Besiege Great Khans, Imperial warlords and Shōgun commanders in Stronghold: Warlords, the latest 'castle sim' from Firefly Studios. Command AI warlords across the battlefield as you build a castle economy and new gunpowder-fuelled siege engines!

Why similar: City Builder 23.7%, RTS 20.5%, Real-Time 11.9% ★, Base Building 11.6%, Strategy 8.8%

Includes 47 Steam achievements, leaderboards, and stats!

Why similar: RTS 41.8%, Strategy 22%, Base Building 12.3%, Real-Time 8.9% ★, Multiplayer 7.3%