Games Like Age of Empires III: 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 24.6%, Base Building 17.8%, Strategy 12.8%, City Builder 11%, War 10.1%

Why You'll Like It: It delivers the closest modern alternative to AoE3’s historical base-building RTS formula, with distinct civilizations, strong economy management, and large-scale real-time battles.

42 Civilizations, 229 Campaign Missions, Singleplayer, Co-Op, Multiplayer, In-Game Editor, Mods, Cross-play...It is good to be the king.

Why similar: RTS 27.2%, City Builder 17.2%, Strategy 16.2%, Base Building 16.2%, Historical 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: This remains one of the purest versions of the Age formula, sharing AoE3’s gather-build-tech-fight loop with a deeper medieval emphasis.

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 27.6%, Base Building 17%, Strategy 16.9%, City Builder 14.7%, Historical 10.6%

Why You'll Like It: Although simpler and older in setting, it still offers the same classic cycle of expanding a base, gathering resources, and pushing through tech ages.

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 26.9%, Base Building 22.3%, Strategy 10.6%, Resource Management 7.8%, Multiplayer 6.9%

Why You'll Like It: Built on the same Ensemble-style foundation, it mirrors AoE3’s villager economy and age progression while adding more asymmetrical factions and powers.

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

Why similar: RTS 38%, Strategy 20.5%, Historical 11.6%, War 8.7%, Base Building 7.2%

Why You'll Like It: It feels like a broader cousin to AoE3, combining classic RTS base-building and resource collection with nation progression across multiple eras.

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 21.3%, Base Building 14.8%, City Builder 11.8%, Strategy 11.7%, War 11%

Why You'll Like It: This historical RTS also revolves around worker economies, upgrades, and huge army clashes, especially for players who enjoy early modern warfare.

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 52.6%, Strategy 28.8%, Multiplayer 10.7%, Historical 5.4%, Co-op 1.1%

Why You'll Like It: The older version of Age of Mythology still captures the same old-school RTS rhythm of villagers, base growth, age advancement, and decisive battles.

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 38.8%, Strategy 19.3%, War 12.2%, Historical 12%, Multiplayer 8.4%

Why You'll Like It: This AoE-inspired historical RTS closely matches the gather-build-upgrade loop while giving each civilization a noticeably different economy and roster.

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: Base Building 24.4%, RTS 23.8%, Strategy 12.6%, Military 12%, War 8.4%

Why You'll Like It: Its age advancement, worker economy, and evolving bases make it feel like a free-form multiplayer spin on the Age of Empires formula.

Gather resources, build your base, and lead your people to victory in this captivating reimagining of classic RTS, set in the Bronze Age. Secure fertile land, fend off raids, and stockpile food to generate knowledge and unlock powerful village advancements.

Why similar: RTS 21.9%, Base Building 19.8%, City Builder 19%, Historical 10.9%, Strategy 9.4%

Why You'll Like It: An indie historical RTS that leans heavily into classic villager management, teching, walls, and faction-based macro warfare.

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

Why similar: RTS 44.9%, Strategy 32.1%, Historical 22%, Singleplayer 1%

Why You'll Like It: Set in a similar colonization-era timeframe, it focuses on settlement building, resource gathering, and massive musket-and-cavalry battles.

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 23.3%, RTS 22.4%, Base Building 18.3%, Strategy 11.3%, Historical 11.1%

Why You'll Like It: This polished classic overlaps with AoE3 in its emphasis on economy, defenses, army timing, and historical strategy atmosphere.

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 26.3%, Strategy 23.3%, City Builder 21.7%, Multiplayer 7.9%, Historical 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: It keeps the same economy-and-siege focus as Crusader HD while offering a more modern presentation for players who like building up and then smashing fortified enemies.

One of the most innovative Real-Time Strategy Games comes back totally renewed and improved to the smallest detail, with epic large scale battles, new civilizations, unit customization system never seen before in a game, 8K support, and much more.

Why similar: RTS 27.5%, City Builder 20.5%, Historical 13.5%, Military 12.4%, Strategy 11.5%

Why You'll Like It: This old-school historical RTS offers traditional base-building, resource harvesting, and large army battles that feel very much in the AoE mold.

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 51.6%, Strategy 19.5%, Base Building 15%, War 4.1%, Multiplayer 4%

Why You'll Like It: It modernizes the classic base-building RTS formula with faction asymmetry and decisive pushes, making it a strong non-historical substitute.

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 18.5%, RTS 17.4%, Base Building 15.4%, Military 14.6%, War 11.1%

Why You'll Like It: Its fortified bases, economy management, and real-time assaults make it a good fit if you enjoy the city-building side of AoE3 alongside warfare.

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 35.1%, Base Building 23.1%, Strategy 14.8%, War 9.3%, Military 8.4%

Why You'll Like It: A streamlined RTS that still captures the satisfying loop of establishing bases, producing counters, and winning through army composition and timing.

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 36.6%, Base Building 25.8%, Strategy 16.1%, War 9.7%, Multiplayer 6.8%

Why You'll Like It: Not historical, but its harvest-build-expand-attack structure is one of the strongest classic macro RTS alternatives on Steam.

A classic real-time strategy game with an epic single player campaign, multiplayer & coop, set in the alternate reality of 1920+

Why similar: RTS 35.8%, Base Building 23.4%, War 13.4%, Strategy 13%, Multiplayer 6.4%

Why You'll Like It: This dieselpunk RTS offers base expansion, teching, and real-time battles, though with a more squad-focused feel than AoE3.

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: RTS 18.6%, City Builder 18.5%, Base Building 16.7%, Military 14.8%, War 11.5%

Why You'll Like It: It leans more into castle simulation, but the real-time economy, military buildup, and siege combat still resonate with Age-style players.

Company of Heroes 3 combines heart-pounding combat with deeper strategic choices in a stunning Mediterranean theatre of war. In Company of Heroes 3, every battle tells a story...what's yours?

Why similar: RTS 31.4%, Strategy 15.4%, Military 14.7%, Historical 11.7%, Multiplayer 9%

Why You'll Like It: Much more tactical and territory-based, but it still appeals to players who enjoy commanding armies in readable, real-time historical warfare.

Stormgate is a free-to-play real-time strategy game with a full single-player campaign, 3-player co-op, and PvP versus modes on over 60 maps. Our Editor is also freely available for you to craft just about any custom game mode you can imagine. Join our development journey today!

Why similar: RTS 27.2%, Base Building 23.5%, War 15.8%, Strategy 10.8%, Multiplayer 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: A modern competitive RTS with strong macro fundamentals and faction variety, though it is more sci-fi and ability-driven than Age of Empires III.

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 56.3%, Strategy 34.5%, Multiplayer 8.7%, Singleplayer 0.5%

Why You'll Like It: Its peasant economy, production buildings, and timing-based battles echo the core structure of old-school RTS design despite the different theme.

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 20.5%, RTS 19.2%, Base Building 16.7%, War 12%, Strategy 11.9%

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 42.5%, Strategy 17.7%, RTS 13.7%, Multiplayer 10%, Resource Management 6.9%

Why You'll Like It: If your favorite part of AoE3 is building an efficient colonial economy, this is the best city-building-focused alternative even though combat is secondary.

The SpellForce 3: Versus Edition gives you the chance to enter the battlefields of Eo for free, letting you test your RTS skills against AI opponents or even other human players.

Why similar: RTS 33.8%, Strategy 22.4%, Base Building 20.3%, Multiplayer 9.8%, PvP 5.2%

Why You'll Like It: It mixes heroes into a traditional resource-and-base RTS framework, making it a hybrid recommendation for AoE3 players who want more faction flavor.

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 34.9%, Strategy 17.6%, Base Building 12.3%, City Builder 9.5%, Historical 9.4%

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 26.6%, City Builder 22%, Base Building 13.6%, Strategy 11.5%, War 8.1%

Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour brings you closer to the enemy than ever before. Engage opposing forces at hot spots around the globe as you match strategies and arsenals against the new masterminds of modern war.

Why similar: RTS 26.4%, Military 18%, War 14.1%, Base Building 11.4%, Strategy 9.2%

War Party is a strategy game where you enter a prehistoric world of Dinosaurs, Cavemen and Magic! Build up your chosen faction, gather resources, explore the land and command them against enemy tribes and wildlife! Will your story be about Life, Death or Balance? Can you survive?

Why similar: RTS 22.2%, Base Building 18.4%, City Builder 14.4%, War 11.3%, Historical 11%

Why You'll Like It: It keeps the familiar gather-build-tech-attack skeleton of Age-style RTS games, just with smaller-scale tribal factions instead of empires.

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 33.8%, Strategy 21.1%, Historical 14.7%, War 10.1%, Base Building 5.8%

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 35.3%, Strategy 29.8%, RTS 21.7%, Multiplayer 7.6%, Medieval 4.7%

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

Why similar: City Builder 43.6%, Strategy 24.4%, Multiplayer 11.9%, RTS 5.3%, Historical 5.1%

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

Why similar: Base Building 26.6%, City Builder 20.3%, Historical 16.9%, Multiplayer 11.8%, Strategy 9.9%

Command & Conquer Generals puts your trigger finger on the pulse of modern warfare. Prepare your forces General... it's time to engage in the next generation of real-time strategy.

Why similar: RTS 37.4%, Strategy 28.9%, Base Building 17.6%, Multiplayer 14%, Singleplayer 2.1%

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 37%, Base Building 23.2%, Strategy 14.8%, Multiplayer 9.9%, Online Co-Op 4.7%

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 18.8%, RTS 17.1%, Base Building 16%, Military 14%, War 11%

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 47%, RTS 23.1%, Military 7.3%, War 6.1%, Historical 5.9%

Act of Aggression – Reboot Edition brings the techno-thriller RTS game Act of Aggression to a higher level. The Reboot Edition offers a full gameplay overhaul in skirmish mode against the AI and in your multiplayer battles.

Why similar: RTS 36.7%, Base Building 18.8%, Strategy 14.8%, Military 14.8%, War 7.2%

The year is 2047. A massive nuclear fireball explodes high in the night sky, marking the dramatic beginning of the Third Tiberium War and the long-awaited return of the most groundbreaking Real-Time Strategy franchise of all time

Why similar: RTS 28%, Base Building 20.4%, City Builder 17.8%, Strategy 12.9%, Multiplayer 7.8%

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 29.2%, RTS 27.9%, Strategy 15.6%, Historical 13.5%, Resource Management 5.7%

Delivering a visceral WWII gaming experience, Company of Heroes redefines RTS by bringing the sacrifice of heroic soldiers, war-ravaged environments, and dynamic battlefields to life. Please visit the "Company of Heroes - Legacy Edition" page for additional user reviews.

Why similar: RTS 37.1%, Strategy 17.8%, War 13.4%, Military 9.9%, Base Building 6.8%

The desperate leadership of a doomed Soviet Union travels back in time to change history and restore the glory of Mother Russia.

Why similar: RTS 29.9%, Base Building 23.7%, Strategy 13.8%, Multiplayer 8.9%, Level Editor 7.4%

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: Base Building 18.8%, City Builder 17.9%, Military 17.6%, War 12.7%, RTS 11.3%

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 28.8%, Historical 20.4%, City Builder 18.4%, War 13.3%, Multiplayer 11.6%

In the name of Kane! The Command & Conquer™ series continues to thrive with Command & Conquer™ 3: Kane’s Wrath.

Why similar: RTS 30.8%, Base Building 22.3%, Strategy 13.9%, Multiplayer 10.2%, Level Editor 7.4%

Command the seas, control the land, forge a new nation, and conquer the globe.

Why similar: Strategy 23.1%, Military 21.9%, Historical 21.5%, RTS 15.9%, War 12.1%

Unite Ancient China under your rule through a thrilling blend of turn-based empire building and real-time battles. Use the Guanxi System and diplomacy to forge alliances, and build powerful armies with hundreds of unique infantry, cavalry and war machine units.

Why similar: Historical 22.9%, RTS 20.6%, Strategy 20.3%, War 17.9%, Military 12.1%

Lead empires that evolve or endure through the Ages. Build something you believe in with Sid Meier's Civilization® VII.

Why similar: City Builder 22%, Military 21.5%, Historical 16.9%, War 15.4%, Strategy 11.4%

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

Why similar: RTS 30.2%, City Builder 27%, Strategy 14%, Historical 12.2%, War 7.7%

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 52.4%, RTS 38.5%, Multiplayer 9.1%

Claim your title as Shogun, Highland King, Northern Tsar or Desert Sultan and join this genre-redefining strategy game where you will wage constant war for real territorial conquest! Fortify your castle, fuel a massive army, and enter the ultimate fight for realm domination!

Why similar: RTS 22.4%, Base Building 20.9%, City Builder 17.5%, War 15.4%, Strategy 10.8%

The Settlers®: New Allies is a strategy game with an in-depth build-up experience and real-time strategic battles.

Why similar: City Builder 41%, Strategy 24.5%, Base Building 13.5%, RTS 8.4%, Multiplayer 5.2%

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 23.3%, Strategy 22.1%, RTS 21%, Base Building 10.1%, Historical 7.2%

Delivering a visceral WWII gaming experience, Company of Heroes redefines RTS by bringing the sacrifice of heroic soldiers, war-ravaged environments, and dynamic battlefields to life. This legacy version also grants access to the latest version of COH, just called "Company of Heroes".

Why similar: RTS 33%, Strategy 16%, Military 14.6%, Base Building 11.5%, War 8.1%

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 55.3%, Strategy 37.8%, Combat 5.2%, Singleplayer 1.7%

Empire Earth II: Gold Edition refines the series’ time-spanning gameplay with a host of new features. With advanced AI, picture-in-picture control, dynamic weather and many other additions, this RTS doesn’t just stand the test of time – it annihilates it.

Why similar: Strategy 47.2%, RTS 43.1%, Combat 7.3%, Singleplayer 2.4%

Total War: ROME REMASTERED lets you relive the legacy that defined the award-winning strategy game series. Remastered to 4K with multiple improvements to visuals as well as refinements to gameplay, it’s time to revisit a true classic. Not everyone gets a second chance to conquer the Roman Empire.

Why similar: RTS 37.7%, Strategy 22.4%, Historical 18.9%, War 14.3%, Multiplayer 6%

Conqueror's Blade gives you a chance to be a true warlord. Commanding medieval troops in epic 15 vs. 15 siege battles, conquering cities with allies in the open world or fighting against players from all over the world – it's you who make the choice.

Why similar: War 41.6%, Strategy 30.3%, PvP 16%, Medieval 12.1%