Games Like Blackthorn Arena

A strategic autobattler sim where you build a team of gladiators, compete in arenas, plan fight tactics, and form alliances. Combine fighters, beasts, and mages, develop and equip them to optimize your well-oiled fighting machine, dominate the championships, and leave your mark on the world.

Why similar: Turn-Based Tactics 23.5%, Management 21.6%, Medieval 21.4%, Building 20.7%, Strategy 10.6%

Why You'll Like It: This game mirrors the core loop of managing a guild of gladiators and training them for tactical arena combat.

Lead a mercenary company in this tactical RPG set in a medieval fantasy world. Chase fame and fortune as you choose where to go, who to recruit, which contracts to pursue, and how to train and equip your men in a procedurally generated open world campaign.

Why similar: Medieval 17.4%, Turn-Based Tactics 17.3%, Sandbox 15.3%, Realistic 12%, Open World 11.3%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a gritty, medieval mercenary management experience with deep turn-based tactical combat and character progression.

Mortal Glory is a fantasy-themed tactical roguelike game about recruiting a team of gladiators and pitting them against brutal competition in a blood-soaked tournament. Train your gladiators, find a legendary sword, learn ancient spells, recruit a celebrity, cheat - do whatever it takes to bring glory to your name!

Why similar: Turn-Based Tactics 25.4%, Turn-Based Combat 20.1%, Management 19.8%, Difficult 16.4%, Top-Down 10.1%

Why You'll Like It: A roguelike tactical game that focuses heavily on the gladiator tournament experience and party management.

Re-experience the thrill and challenges of managing a Gladiator arena in this management/simulation game. With new content, new graphics, Quality of Life updates, and all DLCs packed into this new experience, this is how Blackthorn Arena was meant to be experienced.

Why similar: CRPG 23.8%, Real Time Tactics 17.7%, Medieval 14.9%, Management 14.5%, Dark Fantasy 11.2%

Why You'll Like It: This is the definitive, updated version of the seed game, offering improved mechanics and a more polished experience.

Wartales is an open world RPG in which you lead a group of mercenaries in their search for wealth across a massive medieval universe. Explore the world, recruit companions, collect bounties and unravel the secrets of the tombs of the ancients!

Why similar: Medieval 26.8%, Open World 21.9%, Turn-Based Combat 21.8%, Sandbox 13.2%, Strategy 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: Features an open-world mercenary management system with turn-based tactical combat that feels like a more expansive version of the Blackthorn experience.

Age of Gladiators II: Rome is a single-player strategy/management sim set at the height of the bloody gladiatorial games in ancient Rome. As your fighters increase in level, it will be up to you to decide how to forge their attributes and abilities. Build your story. Build your empire.

Why similar: Management 27%, Turn-Based Combat 23.3%, Turn-Based Tactics 22.2%, Strategy 15%, Simulation 11.2%

Why You'll Like It: A management-heavy title that captures the administrative side of running a gladiator stable in the Roman era.

Dead Monarchy is an open-world, turn-based tactical RPG set in a low fantasy world. Personally lead and manage your mercenary company as the captain and embark on your personal quest to defeat the arena champions.

Why similar: Turn-Based Tactics 20.7%, Perma Death 14.9%, Strategy 13.7%, Turn-Based Combat 11.4%, Dark Fantasy 11.1%

Why You'll Like It: A tactical RPG that emphasizes party management and brutal combat in a dark, low-fantasy setting.

Determine the destiny of Rome as you conquer foreign lands and navigate political intrigue in this turn-based RPG. Directly fight with your party of Praetorians, guide your legion to victory, and choose your own path in a story where every decision matters. How will you shape the future of Rome?

Why similar: CRPG 43.6%, Turn-Based Tactics 24.9%, Strategy 12.3%, Top-Down 9.8%, Turn-Based Combat 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: Combines deep tactical combat with squad management and RPG elements set in a historical, high-stakes environment.

Gladiator School is a Tycoon-style simulation game. You play as the master of a newly formed school for gladiators. Your job is to prepare and train recruits before you send them away to fight for their survival and entertain the crowd in the arena.

Why similar: Management 28.8%, Simulation 26.5%, Strategy 26.2%, Difficult 15.8%, Singleplayer 2.7%

Why You'll Like It: Provides a focused simulation experience centered on the daily operations and training of a gladiator academy.

Urtuk is an open world, tactical turn-based RPG in a low-fantasy setting. Guide your band of adventurers through the ruins of an ancient world. Recruit new followers, loot the corpses of your fallen foes, and do your best to survive in this harsh and unforgiving realm.

Why similar: Turn-Based Tactics 23.5%, Perma Death 19.2%, Dark Fantasy 16.9%, Difficult 16%, Turn-Based Combat 15.5%

Why You'll Like It: Features complex hex-grid tactical combat and a dark, gritty atmosphere that aligns well with the tone of Blackthorn Arena.

A free-roaming squad based RPG. Focusing on open-ended sandbox gameplay features rather than a linear story. Be a trader, a thief, a rebel, a warlord, an adventurer, a farmer, a slave, or just food for the cannibals. Train your men up from puny victims to master warriors.

Why similar: Real Time Tactics 33.1%, Sandbox 16.1%, Building 16%, Management 15.7%, Open World 13.9%

Why You'll Like It: Offers an unparalleled sandbox experience where you can build a party from nothing and manage their survival in a harsh, unforgiving world.

Turn-based fantasy gladiatorial game with monster breeding. Crossbreed various species to create monster hybrids for gladiatorial combat. Manipulate creatures’ traits with surgery, magic, and alchemy. Manage your enterprise, craft items and upgrade your base. Fight in the arena for gold and glory!

Why similar: Turn-Based Tactics 18.1%, Perma Death 14.4%, Management 13.1%, Sandbox 12%, Turn-Based Combat 11.3%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses on the management and training of creatures for combat, sharing the 'breeder/trainer' aspect of the seed game.

Age of Reforging: The Freelands is a medieval high-freedom sandbox adventure CRPG. You'll be a reforger in the freelands chosen by the Goddess to embark on a medieval adventure tour at your own pace, gathering teammates, fighting for survival, and craft your unique legend!

Why similar: Real Time Tactics 18.6%, CRPG 17.4%, Sandbox 15.2%, Medieval 14.4%, Open World 11.8%

Why You'll Like It: An open-world sandbox RPG that emphasizes exploration and strategy in a fantasy setting.

Adventure and fight in a medieval fantasy open world! Build heroic characters with various abilities, travel through villages, cities, or perilous dungeons. Strategic turn-based combat system and advanced character building - Fog of war, charging and flanking, and more in the fast-paced Arena mode.

Why similar: CRPG 26.7%, Turn-Based Tactics 20.7%, Turn-Based Combat 18.6%, Medieval 15.9%, Sandbox 12.4%

Why You'll Like It: A party-based tactical RPG that utilizes a ruleset similar to tabletop games, focusing on deep combat mechanics.

Train gladiators. Manage a ludus. Fight in the arenas. Conquer the tower. Gods of Sand is a gladiator manager with intense turn-based combat, inspired by the Swords and Sandals series, in a dark and unforgiving setting.

Why similar: Perma Death 27%, Management 25.8%, Turn-Based Combat 23.8%, Strategy 11.9%, Simulation 9.4%

Why You'll Like It: A management-focused gladiator game with a distinct visual style and a focus on the gritty reality of arena life.

Explore the open world of Terscara as you advance through the challenging and tactical encounters in this epic turn-based tactical RPG. Form and lead a group of battle-proven companions, delve into the ancient dungeons to collect the elusive vault crystals, and end Xandar’s Wraith once and for all.

Why similar: Turn-Based Tactics 22.5%, Sandbox 17.7%, Dark Fantasy 15.1%, Turn-Based Combat 14.8%, Management 12%

Why You'll Like It: A tactical RPG that allows for sandbox exploration and party management in a fantasy world.

Manage a team of traveling gladiators in this turn-based fantasy roguelike. Find the best recruits, discover powerful item combinations and come up with clever tactics on the battlefield. The tournament awaits those who desire MORTAL GLORY!

Why similar: Turn-Based Tactics 29.4%, Turn-Based Combat 23.6%, Management 21%, Top-Down 11.7%, Strategy 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: The sequel to the original, expanding on the tournament-based tactical combat and management systems.

A Turn-Based Fighting Game Set in the Roman Era, where you can develop your Gladiators and fight them in arenas to increase the glory of your Ludus.

Why similar: Turn-Based Combat 30.4%, Medieval 26.6%, Turn-Based Tactics 22.2%, Strategy 18.9%, Singleplayer 2%

Why You'll Like It: A tactical RPG that leans into the gladiator theme with a focus on party-based combat and character development.

A strategy/action RPG. Create a character, engage in diplomacy, craft, trade and conquer new lands in a vast medieval sandbox. Raise armies to lead into battle and command and fight alongside your troops in massive real-time battles using a deep but intuitive skill-based combat system.

Why similar: Medieval 30.8%, Sandbox 18.4%, Open World 17.2%, Strategy 12.5%, Realistic 7.5%

Why You'll Like It: Provides a massive sandbox experience where you can manage your own army and engage in large-scale tactical battles.

Stoneshard is a hardcore turn-based RPG about the harsh life of a medieval mercenary: travel with your own caravan, descend into procedurally generated dungeons, learn new skills, survive hunger and injuries - and remember, every mistake can mean death and loss of progress.

Why similar: Dark Fantasy 18.2%, Turn-Based Combat 18.1%, Medieval 16.5%, Difficult 14.2%, Sandbox 12.8%

Why You'll Like It: A challenging roguelike RPG that emphasizes tactical combat and survival in a gritty fantasy world.

Lead a strike force against an alien threat in this turn-based tactical RPG from the developers of Battle Brothers. Answer distress calls across different worlds, train and equip infantry, deploy tanks and mechs, and plan and execute missions in detailed turn-based battles.

Why similar: CRPG 31.7%, Turn-Based Tactics 19%, Turn-Based Combat 18%, Dark Fantasy 14.5%, Strategy 8.4%

Why You'll Like It: A tactical RPG that focuses on squad management and difficult choices, sharing the strategic depth of the seed game.

"Age of Gladiators" is a single-player strategy/management sim set at the height of the bloody gladiatorial games in ancient Rome. As your fighters increase in level, it will be up to you to decide how to forge their attributes and abilities.

Why similar: Management 37%, Medieval 23.5%, Strategy 19.1%, Simulation 16.8%, Singleplayer 3.6%

Why You'll Like It: The original title in the series, offering a straightforward management simulation of a gladiator stable.

"Crown Champion: Legends of the Arena" is a fantasy RPG/Management simulator set in the ruthless world of gladiatorial combat. Develop your academy and train your fighters. Increase your power and influence in the realm. Reap the rewards of your labours.

Why similar: Building 46%, Difficult 42.6%, Strategy 11.4%

Why You'll Like It: A narrative-driven gladiator game that focuses on the story and management aspects of arena combat.

A deck-building roguelike game with unique semi-real-time combat system. Step into the shoes of an ancient gladiator and do your best to survive in the coliseum. Combine various skills and equipment, develop your own fighting style, and defeat all the enemies to become the next champion!

Why similar: Turn-Based Tactics 22.5%, Turn-Based Combat 21.8%, Medieval 20.9%, Dark Fantasy 20.4%, Strategy 12.2%

Why You'll Like It: A deckbuilding gladiator game that focuses on the tactical combat aspect of arena fighting.

Manage your own medieval smithy in Blacksmith Master and supervise the entire process from mining ores and gems to designing and selling finished products. Forge everything from weapons and armor to tools and cooking utensils to fund your craft and become the Blacksmith Master.

Why similar: Medieval 16.6%, Building 15.9%, Management 15.4%, Sandbox 14.5%, Realistic 10.5%

Why You'll Like It: While more focused on production, it shares the management and medieval simulation DNA found in Blackthorn Arena.

Legends of Ellaria is a unique blend of sandbox action-RPG and real-time strategy. Build a new kingdom for your people, construct and manage its cities, command your troops in epic battles and join them fighting in third-person action, and live adventures in an immersive high fantasy world.

Why similar: Strategy 32.1%, Building 16.1%, Sandbox 15%, Open World 12.3%, Medieval 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: Blends RPG exploration with kingdom management and tactical combat in a fantasy world.

Veil of crows is a sandbox style real-time strategy game set in a chaotic medieval world. From violent, and overtly bloody battles, to completely destructible castles, RPG style hero development, and meaningful interactions with other factions. Trade, extort, and conquer!

Why similar: Medieval 41.1%, Sandbox 32.9%, Strategy 24.1%, Singleplayer 1.9%

Why You'll Like It: A medieval strategy game that includes RPG elements and large-scale warfare management.

Bloodgrounds merges tactical turn-based combat with strategic management, RPG and roguelite elements. Forged in the pits of the arena, you fought your way out and now as a wealthy patron you recruit, train, and command your team of hardened Gladiators to glory - or death.

Why similar: Perma Death 30.2%, Turn-Based Tactics 25.1%, Turn-Based Combat 21.6%, Management 14.8%, Strategy 6.8%

Discover a unique blend of Colony Sim and Tactical RPG. Recruit and train your heroes, build your outpost, explore dungeons and engage in turn-based strategic battles to protect and expand your domain. Shape your stories by managing moods, relationships, ambitions and more!

Why similar: Building 19.4%, Management 15.5%, Sandbox 15.2%, Strategy 10.6%, Open World 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: A colony simulation game that requires careful management of resources and units in a challenging environment.

Tabletop Tavern is a roguelike RTS where you build an army from scratch and command them across a brutal campaign. Recruit diverse units, create devastating synergies, and make tactical choices that shape the fate of every run.

Why similar: Real Time Tactics 42.2%, Medieval 21.2%, Strategy 13.6%, Management 12.7%, Combat 8.5%

Gladiator Guild Manager: Prologue is a battle sim about managing your own Gladiator Guild in an epic fantasy world. Build and run your own guild, hire and train gladiators, develop unique tactics, manage resources, compete for the rank in the arena, and much more.

Why similar: Management 23.8%, Medieval 21.1%, Turn-Based Tactics 20.9%, Strategy 11.8%, Simulation 11.5%

A dark, immersive Turn Based Strategy RPG. Master tactical combat and the art of 17th century alchemy to liberate a doomed city from a bloodthirsty cult inspired by the great alchemist Mephisto.

Why similar: Perma Death 26.5%, Turn-Based Tactics 20.3%, Turn-Based Combat 16.2%, Difficult 14.5%, Realistic 11.5%

Why You'll Like It: A turn-based tactical RPG that features a unique combat system and a dark, atmospheric setting.

Dive into a living medieval fantasy sandbox RPG where the world moves with or without you and factions rise and fall. Become a thief, hunter, or sellsword, survive alone or with a party, and shape your story in a fully enterable world where every building, cave, and road hides opportunity or danger.

Why similar: Sandbox 16.5%, Medieval 16.3%, Building 16.1%, Management 12.8%, Open World 12.3%

Fight & strategize your way through spectacles and arenas - rise from lowly slave to Grand Champion and earn your freedom. Or... die trying. This Gladiator RPG Roguelite features in-depth career management and a unique physics simulated combat system. To those who are about to die, I salute you!

Why similar: Medieval 20.2%, Difficult 18.1%, Sandbox 17.9%, Realistic 12.7%, Strategy 9.9%

A gladiator management sim. Recruit unique gladiators, train them, equip them, hire staff, manage finances, build prestige, develop traits and stat-based skills, and let real-time arena battles decide your rise.

Why similar: Management 46.2%, Simulation 21.6%, Strategy 20.7%, Combat 9.5%, Singleplayer 2%

Command, endure, and prosper in The Iron Oath, a turn-based tactical RPG where the fate of your mercenary company rests on your decisions. Customize your roster, build your renown, and discover the secrets that await in the medieval fantasy realm of Caelum.

Why similar: CRPG 30.7%, Turn-Based Tactics 17.5%, Turn-Based Combat 17.4%, Medieval 15.2%, Open World 10%

Colony building RPG with detailed characters, driven by procedurally generated Stories. Build a hut, a village, a town, a city, a kingdom. 5 different races. Ally with unique factions. Rule an Undead empire. Craft Legendary items. Tame creatures. Enslave enemies. It's all here.

Why similar: Dark Fantasy 17.7%, Building 14.2%, Medieval 13.4%, Management 10.4%, Sandbox 9.2%

《龙胤立志传》是一款融合门派经营的开放江湖武侠游戏。在各大门派割据一方的神州之上，你可以自由驰骋，历经奇遇，修炼神功，踏上行侠仗义或行凶作恶之路，也可以经营自己的门派，攻城略地，称霸一方，最终谱写一段独一无二的武林传奇。

Why similar: Turn-Based Combat 19.4%, Management 18.9%, Open World 15.9%, Sandbox 12%, Simulation 10.6%

Engage in tactical turn-based combat, manage and upgrade each character, and strive to reclaim harmony in a world on the brink of oblivion. Take on the mantle of leadership as you guide a mercenary squad through perilous landscapes, selecting your comrades from a diverse pool of skilled recruits.

Why similar: Turn-Based Tactics 27.3%, Dark Fantasy 20.9%, Medieval 20.6%, Turn-Based Combat 14.1%, Strategy 8.6%

JIANGHU CHRONICLES is a Wuxia-themed clan simulator, which focuses on simulating Jianghu clans and experiencing realistic battle. Set up a clan of your own, recruit disciples, complete missions... And eventually make your clan second to none by improving its power and reputation.

Why similar: Real Time Tactics 50.8%, Top-Down 17.9%, Simulation 13.1%, Combat 8.1%, Exploration 6.7%

Age of Gladiators II: Death League is a single-player strategy game set in the futuristic 3000AD, during the rebirth of the violent and hyper-competitive gladiatorial games. Manage your franchise while forging the attributes and abilities of your warriors. Build your story. Build your empire.

Why similar: Turn-Based Tactics 31.6%, Management 17.5%, Turn-Based Combat 17.3%, Strategy 15.5%, Simulation 15%

Raiders! Forsaken Earth is a strategy/management game where you play as the leader of a merciless band of post-apocalyptic marauders. Build up your organization while extorting, kidnapping, and destroying the last remnants of civilization. The wasteland doesn't need another hero...

Why similar: CRPG 32.4%, Sandbox 14.5%, Building 14.4%, Management 14.2%, Open World 9.9%

A turn-based RPG that is action-oriented but rewards a thoughtful approach. Explore a fantastic land populated by different animal tribes. Follow the main story or hunt for treasures in ancient ruins and mysterious dungeons. Develop your character and gain powerful equipment.

Why similar: Medieval 17.7%, Dark Fantasy 15.8%, Turn-Based Combat 15.4%, Sandbox 15.1%, Open World 10.3%

Iratus: Lord of the Dead is a turn-based tactical roguelike RPG set in a dark fantasy universe. Lead an army of undead to help an angry necromancer in his quest to reach the surface world and bring death to the mortal realms!

Why similar: Turn-Based Combat 31.9%, Dark Fantasy 26.4%, Strategy 18.6%, Turn-Based Tactics 14.3%, Difficult 8.8%

A roguelike deckbuilding tactics game that combines elements from 'Slay the Spire' and 'Into the Breach'. Play as a gladiator to survive. With roguelike deckbuilding and hex-based tactics, no longer bound by simple attack and defense. Make use of dodges and knockbacks to stay alive!

Why similar: Turn-Based Tactics 39.4%, Difficult 24.5%, Dark Fantasy 21.3%, Strategy 12.8%, Singleplayer 2%

Rise through the ranks and lead your band of Gladiators to glory. Can you build the ultimate fighting force and a kingdom to rule all! Be careful who you trust. Becoming a Gladiator Trainer isn't easy.

Why similar: Difficult 27.8%, Turn-Based Tactics 17.3%, Strategy 17.1%, Third Person 16.9%, Open World 16.6%

Rising Lords is a medieval turn-based strategy game with card and board game elements. Send your serfs to fight and die in your name... or let them prosper, and use them to your advantage!

Why similar: Turn-Based Tactics 28.1%, Medieval 25.9%, Turn-Based Combat 16.2%, Strategy 11.3%, Sandbox 10.8%

Eisenwald: Blood of November is a new sandbox adventure in the world of Eisenwald. Take up your arms and fight for your cause (and find out first who or what you want to be fighting for).

Why similar: CRPG 26.5%, Medieval 16.6%, Turn-Based Tactics 13.2%, Turn-Based Combat 12.1%, Sandbox 9.7%

An open-world adventure RPG. Choose your favorite character, train your elite legion step by step, and crush all enemies on the battlefield. Strengthen yourself, establish a powerful family, create a great dynasty, and become the dominator of this fantasy world.

Why similar: Real Time Tactics 47.5%, Sandbox 27%, Open World 13.6%, Strategy 10.9%, Singleplayer 1%

Gladiator Manager is a sports management and tactical battle simulation game.

Why similar: Strategy 38.8%, Simulation 36.5%, Management 24.7%

Enter a world of blood, influence and secrets in this easy to learn, yet deep strategy sim where you control a group of Gladiators, guiding them through combat and competition. Bribe, gamble and slash your way to an arena championship!

Why similar: Turn-Based Tactics 27.3%, Strategy 25.4%, Simulation 24.6%, Management 22.7%

The War of Crowns rages on. Knights and brigands run rampant throughout the land, sowing destruction. From your castle base, rise to become the lord who leads the battle against the forces of evil in this turn-based tactics and strategy game.

Why similar: Turn-Based Combat 25.6%, Turn-Based Tactics 23.5%, Medieval 17.8%, Strategy 13.2%, Dark Fantasy 11.2%

Legend of Keepers is the perfect mix between Dungeon Defender and Roguelite. You have been hired as a dungeon manager by the Dungeons Company. Your job is simple: protect their dungeons!

Why similar: Turn-Based Combat 22%, Difficult 18.9%, Management 17.3%, Turn-Based Tactics 15.7%, Dark Fantasy 14.7%

Welcome to the arena! An auto battler with lite "idle" game mechanics. Defeat bosses to earn resources and power up. Invest in a complex skill tree and dig for ancient relics. Earn glory from righteous combat and spend it on permanent upgrades that ramp up the pace and excitement every run.

Why similar: Perma Death 52.4%, Strategy 22.7%, Combat 11.4%, Simulation 10.9%, Singleplayer 2.6%

Harness the elements in fierce real-time battles while gathering and upgrading a crew of fantasy creatures in this rogue-lite adventure across a world torn apart by war.

Why similar: Real Time Tactics 44.2%, Dark Fantasy 33.3%, Strategy 18.7%, Singleplayer 3.8%

Build your dungeon, command demons, set traps, and slay invading adventurers with powerful spells.

Why similar: Real Time Tactics 25.9%, Building 14.7%, Medieval 14.2%, Management 13.7%, Difficult 10.3%

"STRANGER SAGA" is a turn-based SRPG where you lead a resistance army against a mighty enemy force. Raise citizens into elite warriors and conquer challenging strategy battles!

Why similar: CRPG 34.6%, Turn-Based Tactics 20.2%, Medieval 16.3%, Turn-Based Combat 11.1%, Dark Fantasy 7.2%

A Turn-Based Tactics game set in Viking-Age Norway. Build a settlement, forge alliances, and fight strategic battles. Manage a community of craftspeople, farmers, and warriors, as you grow strong on your path to vengeance in this story-rich saga.

Why similar: Turn-Based Tactics 33.2%, Turn-Based Combat 27.5%, Top-Down 13.7%, Realistic 13.4%, Strategy 12.1%

Embark on a perilous journey across a realm forsaken by the gods and devastated by an arcane cataclysm. Accompanied by a hardy crew, you must trade, fight, and explore your way to success as the leader of a traveling company in Vagrus, an award-winning turn-based post-apocalyptic fantasy RPG.

Why similar: CRPG 27%, Dark Fantasy 17%, Difficult 14.1%, Turn-Based Combat 13.7%, Sandbox 11.5%