Games Like Hearts of Iron IV

Hearts of Iron III lets you play the most engaging conflict in world history, World War 2, on all fronts as any country and through multiple different scenarios. Guide your nation to glory between 1936 and 1948 and wage war, conduct diplomacy and build your industry in the most detailed World War 2 game ever made.

Why similar: World War II 29.5% ★, Grand Strategy 27.9% ★, Historical 10%, Real-Time with Pause 7.6% ★, Strategy 7.2%

Why You'll Like It: This earlier Paradox entry delivers the same nation-level WWII command but leans even harder into logistics, order of battle detail, and military micromanagement.

Developed by a team of experienced modders from the Paradox forum, Darkest Hour is a stand-alone Hearts of Iron game. The game features a mixture of short and in-depth campaigns set across the darkest chapters of the 20th century. Play from the outbreak of the Great War up until the onset of the Cold War.

Why similar: World War II 33.5% ★, Grand Strategy 29.3% ★, Historical 11.6%, Strategy 10%, Military 5.6%

Why You'll Like It: It is one of the closest alternatives, offering classic Hearts of Iron-style WWII grand strategy with deep diplomacy, production, research, and alternate-history campaign paths.

Includes Hearts of Iron II plus the two expansions, Doomsday and Armageddon When Germany is defeated in 1945, the Allies and the new Soviet alliance fight for supremacy. World War III is drawing closer. Play as the ruler of one of 175 countries through World Wars II and III.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 34.8% ★, World War II 33% ★, Strategy 16.1%, Historical 13.5%, RTS 2.6%

Why You'll Like It: Though older, it remains a strong match for its global WWII scope, historical nations, and classic balance of politics, production, and military conquest.

Taking place from 1936-64, Arsenal of Democracy lets you play as any nation during the era of WW2, complete with detailed models for economics, diplomacy, research, and intelligence. Warfare is also fully represented with all three branches of operations: land, sea, and air.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 42.5% ★, World War II 32.6% ★, Strategy 24.9%

Why You'll Like It: It expands the old Hearts of Iron formula with robust economic management, research, and wartime planning that will feel immediately familiar to grand-strategy WWII fans.

Rule your land and dominate the world with unparalleled freedom, depth and historical accuracy. Write a new history of the world and build an empire for the ages.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 25.2% ★, Historical 13.6%, Real-Time with Pause 12.7% ★, Diplomacy 11% ★, Alternate History 11%

Why You'll Like It: It lacks the WWII setting but shares Paradox’s signature map-based grand-strategy flow of diplomacy, expansion, resource management, and alternate-history empire building.

Strategic Command WWII: World At War is your chance to re-fight the 20th century’s greatest conflict, from Poland to China, Normandy to the Pacific, on a map encompassing the globe.

Why similar: World War II 50.8% ★, Strategy 29.6%, Grand Strategy 19.6% ★

Why You'll Like It: It captures the same appeal of directing entire nations through WWII, with broad-front planning, diplomacy, production, and a full global conflict map.

What if Germany won the Battle of Britain? What if Moscow fell in 1942?You’re in charge. Anything can happen and history will never repeat itself in this classic WWII grand strategy game MAKING HISTORY II: The War of the World. Are you ready to battle for global dominance?

Why similar: World War II 36.9% ★, Grand Strategy 33.3% ★, Strategy 13.2%, Historical 10.4%, Simulation 3.7%

Why You'll Like It: Its turn-based grand-strategy design lets you steer any nation through the buildup to WWII with diplomacy, economics, military expansion, and alternate-history outcomes.

Real-Time Strategy Game. Guide your nation through the most violent era in modern history. Play massive campaigns as one of the principal nations, set-piece scenarios of famous battles, or set your own victory condition and play as any nation in the world in Sandbox mode.

Why similar: World War II 23% ★, Grand Strategy 19.9% ★, Historical 10.5%, War 10.2%, Military 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: This is a nation-management-heavy historical sandbox where politics, economics, research, and military command combine in a way that strongly overlaps with HOI4’s appeal.

Choose a nation and prepare for the greatest conflict in human history, World War II. Build your military and industrial power, form alliances and race to achieve the advanced technologies that will bring total victory in this global-wide turn-based Grand Strategy struggle.

Why similar: World War II 26.2% ★, Grand Strategy 19.8% ★, War 12%, Historical 11.1%, Military 9.7%

Why You'll Like It: It focuses on WWII-era nation leadership and alternate history, giving you control over diplomacy, production, and war planning on a global stage.

WarPlan is an incredibly accurate World War II simulation engine. It is a balance of realism and playability incorporating the best from 50 years of World War II board wargaming. Play a recreated World War II in every detail, thanks to the engine flexibility and database

Why similar: World War II 28.9% ★, Grand Strategy 23.1% ★, Military 12.9%, Historical 12.9%, War 12.2%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a streamlined but serious WWII grand-strategy experience centered on large-scale operations, force buildup, supply, and global war management.

Strategic Command WWII: War in Europe is a deeply immersive turn based strategy game covering the greatest conflict in modern history!

Why similar: Strategy 52.7%, World War II 47.3% ★

Why You'll Like It: This is a tighter but very satisfying strategic-level WWII sandbox focused on major powers, long campaigns, and meaningful military and diplomatic decisions.

Paradox Development Studio invites you to build your ideal society in the tumult of the exciting and transformative 19th century. Balance the competing interests in your society and earn your place in the sun in Victoria 3, one of the most anticipated games in Paradox’s history.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 29.7% ★, Historical 14.7%, Diplomacy 11.6% ★, Real-Time with Pause 11.2% ★, Alternate History 9.8%

Why You'll Like It: Its emphasis on industry, politics, trade, and state capacity mirrors the peacetime buildup and systemic nation management that make HOI4 compelling.

Carefully guide your nation from the era of absolute monarchies in the early 19th century, through expansion and colonization, to finally become a truly great power by the dawn of the 20th century. Victoria II is a grand strategy game played during the colonial era of the 19th century, where the player takes control of a country, guiding...

Why similar: Grand Strategy 36.8% ★, Historical 14.7%, Real-Time with Pause 10.2% ★, Strategy 8.1%, Military 7.3%

Why You'll Like It: This classic grand strategy game is a strong fit if you enjoy shaping a nation’s economy, ideology, military, and geopolitical position over the long term.

An alien invasion has fractured humanity into seven ideological factions each with a unique vision for the future. Lead your chosen faction to take control of Earth’s nations, expand across the Solar System, and battle enemy fleets in tactical combat.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 20.6% ★, War 11.4%, Historical 11%, Real-Time with Pause 11% ★, Diplomacy 10.4% ★

Why You'll Like It: It channels a similar high-level strategic feel by combining faction politics, research, global influence, and military escalation into a long-form geopolitical campaign.

Age of History II is a grand strategy wargame that is simple to learn yet hard to master.Your objective is to use military tactics and cunning diplomacy to either unify the world, or conquer it.Will the world bleed out or bow before you? The choice is yours..

Why similar: Grand Strategy 23.9% ★, Historical 16%, World War II 15.4% ★, War 15.3%, Strategy 10%

Why You'll Like It: This lighter grand-strategy sandbox still scratches the same itch of taking any country, redrawing borders, and pursuing alternate-history world conquest.

War in the East 2 is the most comprehensive, most realistic, and most advanced wargame modeling Eastern Front warfare in World War Two.

Why similar: World War II 40.2% ★, Strategy 19.3%, War 15.7%, Historical 13.3%, Simulation 6.6%

Why You'll Like It: If your favorite part is the Eastern Front and detailed operational warfare, this is one of Steam’s deepest command-level WWII simulations.

Explore one of the defining periods in world history in an experience crafted by the masters of Grand Strategy.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 61% ★, Historical 13.8%, Strategy 8.1%, Real-Time with Pause 5% ★, Diplomacy 4.7% ★

Why You'll Like It: It offers a deeper, messier historical sandbox full of diplomacy, war, succession, and unpredictable alternate history for players who enjoy long-form strategic campaigns.

Love, fight, scheme, and claim greatness. Determine your noble house’s legacy in the sprawling grand strategy of Crusader Kings III. Death is only the beginning as you guide your dynasty’s bloodline in the rich and larger-than-life simulation of the Middle Ages.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 33.2% ★, Historical 16.8%, Strategy 12.2%, War 11.4%, Real-Time with Pause 10.3% ★

Why You'll Like It: It trades WWII for character-driven medieval politics, but the mix of grand strategy, emergent history, and map-based power building feels very familiar.

Dominate the classical Mediterranean in Imperator: Rome, a grand strategy game from Paradox Interactive. Navigate the dangerous waters of politics and diplomacy as you build up your provinces and conquer foreign lands. Now available with special content and the digital artbook.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 46.9% ★, Historical 18.8%, Strategy 16.3%, War 6.2%, Simulation 3.8%

Why You'll Like It: Its real-time pausable grand-strategy structure, map painting, internal management, and military maneuvering make it a natural fit for Paradox strategy fans.

Steel Division 2 is a historically-accurate WW2 real-time strategy game set on the Eastern Front. Features 1:1-scale turn-based army management and real-time tactical battles with thousands of men at your order.

Why similar: World War II 24.7% ★, Grand Strategy 13.7% ★, Military 10.5%, War 9.5%, Real-Time with Pause 8.1% ★

Why You'll Like It: While more tactical than grand-strategic, it still appeals to HOI4 fans who want large-scale WWII army composition, front management, and historical authenticity in battle.

Panzer Corps 2 is the ultimate Second World War strategy game! Enjoy the time-proven gameplay formula which has been appreciated by millions of players over the years, brought to a whole new level of refinement up to the latest technical standards.

Why similar: World War II 31.6% ★, Grand Strategy 19.1% ★, Military 11.9%, Strategy 10.6%, Historical 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: This is a more focused turn-based WWII command game, but its campaign progression, force composition, and operational choices appeal strongly to HOI4 war planners.

Steel Division: Normandy is a tactical real-time strategy (RTS) game that pits players against AI enemies in a single-player campaign -- or against several opponents in massive 10-on-10 multiplayer battles.

Why similar: World War II 43.2% ★, Military 12.4%, RTS 10.1%, Strategy 9.5%, War 9.3%

Why You'll Like It: It trades global nation management for real-time operational combat, but its historical factions, deck-building, and frontline tactics make it a solid thematic follow-up.

Call to Arms - Gates of Hell is a realistic RTS/ RTT game that offers endless replay value. Command all types of troops in historical singleplayer, dynamic campaign, PvP and PvE battles. Are you ready for some serious immersion in World War 2?

Why similar: World War II 37% ★, Historical 15.9%, War 14.2%, Military 12.3%, RTS 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: This is a strong pick if you want the same WWII setting and realism but with a much more direct, battlefield-focused style of command.

Unity of Command II is the sequel to one of the most critically acclaimed strategy games of all time; a game critics called 'the perfect gateway' into computer war games.

Why similar: World War II 35.3% ★, Grand Strategy 19.2% ★, Strategy 10.1%, Military 8.4%, War 8.3%

Why You'll Like It: Its emphasis on logistics, encirclements, and front management captures some of the most rewarding military-planning elements that HOI4 players often enjoy.

Real-Time Strategy/Wargame. From World War II through the Cold War and into the future, re-live or re-imagine the tensions and crises of our recent history! Guide your nation through the era of your choice in Campaigns, Scenarios, and Sandboxes, as you make every effort to become Supreme Ruler!

Why similar: Grand Strategy 20.5% ★, World War II 17.4% ★, Real-Time with Pause 11.5% ★, Military 10.6%, Alternate History 6.8%

Why You'll Like It: Its sprawling geopolitical sandbox gives you control over national economics, diplomacy, military production, and war across multiple historical settings.

Use war, trade or diplomacy to satisfy your grandest ambitions and dominate five centuries of history in the newest version of Europa Universalis, Paradox Interactive's flagship historical grand strategy game.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 28.7% ★, Historical 15.4%, War 14.3%, Diplomacy 14.2% ★, Alternate History 13.4%

Gary Grigsby’s War in the West is the most ambitious and detailed computer wargame on the Western Front of World War II ever made.

Why similar: World War II 55.3% ★, War 21.1%, Simulation 13.1%, Strategy 10.5%

Why You'll Like It: Like its Eastern Front counterpart, this is a heavyweight operational WWII simulation for players who want more realism and front-level planning than grand-strategy abstractions.

Grand strategy wargame where the destiny of Civilizations rests in your hands - will they stand united under your leadership or fall divided in conflict? Journey through the entire saga of human civilization, from its earliest days to the futuristic era, crafting your legacy age by age.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 25.6% ★, World War II 22.4% ★, Alternate History 12%, Diplomacy 11.6% ★, War 9.4%

Hex of Steel is a refreshing WWII wargame covering all fronts featuring a certain amount of original mechanics. Fight in solo against finally a decent AI throughout Europe, Africa or the Pacific, or against a friend in the cross-platform PBEM or real time multiplayer. Coop is also an option!

Why similar: World War II 44.7% ★, Military 20.3%, Historical 18.3%, Strategy 10.4%, Multiplayer 5.4%

Why You'll Like It: This flexible WWII wargame offers broad operational play, lots of scenarios, and a strong strategic-command feel despite its more classic hex-based presentation.

Command a true operational structure. Can you balance and prioritize three different Theatres in order to achieve your objective?

Why similar: World War II 63.5% ★, Strategy 26.7%, Strategy RPG 7.2%, Multiplayer 2.1%, Singleplayer 0.5%

Why You'll Like It: It blends operational warfare with political and command pressures, making it a great pick for players who like military planning with strategic context.

Play the classic board game, Axis & Allies 1942 2nd Edition! Act as WWII powers in a turn-based strategy game that fits your screen and schedule— get notified on your turn and command armies at your own pace! Team up with friends, challenge the world’s top players, or go solo vs. A.I.

Why similar: World War II 39.1% ★, Historical 16.9%, Military 13.4%, War 12.9%, Strategy 9.5%

Why You'll Like It: It is simpler and board-game-like, but it still offers the fun of directing major WWII powers through production, alliances, and theater-level conflict.

Order of Battle: World War II is a breath of fresh air for all strategy fans. It is a game that takes wargaming to a new level by upgrading every single game element and rebooting the genre for a new generation of players.

Why similar: World War II 51.1% ★, Strategy 18.2%, War 11.6%, Historical 7.7%, Multiplayer 3.9%

Why You'll Like It: It delivers accessible but satisfying WWII operational strategy across multiple theaters, with persistent forces and scenario-driven military problem solving.

Take over the control of one of the mighty nations during the times of World War 2 in this persisting long-term strategy game. Conquer provinces, forge alliances and build up your economy in real-time. Research top secret weapons of World War 2 and become the one true superpower!

Why similar: World War II 24.3% ★, Grand Strategy 17.1% ★, War 11.2%, Military 9.2%, Strategy 7.5%

Take over the control of one of the mighty nations during the times of World War 1 in the biggest WW1 strategy game of all time. Conquer provinces, forge alliances and build up your economy in real-time on persistent maps. Build experimental weapons of World War 1 and become the one true superpower!

Why similar: Grand Strategy 21.4% ★, War 16.1%, Historical 13.4%, Military 11.7%, Strategy 10.4%

Men of War: Assault Squad 2 expands the real-time tactics series with new skirmish missions, massive multiplayer battles, enhanced visuals, improved AI, and full Direct Control. Command five factions across 65 maps, 250 vehicles, and 200 soldiers in one of the most detailed WWII RTS experiences.

Why similar: World War II 35.4% ★, War 14.7%, Strategy 12.6%, Military 10.4%, RTS 7.7%

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 34.1%, World War II 31.5% ★, RTS 7.7%, War 6.4%, Historical 6%

A unique and deeply engaging political/military strategic simulation from the creator of Plague Inc. Balance competing civilian and military priorities and deal with a deadly insurgency in order to stabilise a war-torn country.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 18.5% ★, War 10.3%, Historical 10.1%, Real-Time with Pause 10% ★, Diplomacy 9.6% ★

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: Grand Strategy 30.3% ★, Strategy 20.4%, Historical 20.3%, War 13.8%, Multiplayer 6.5%

Take command of your hand-tailored fleet of space warships and use realistic radar, electronic warfare, advanced movement controls in 3D space, and precision targeting to outmaneuver and outwit your opponents in a simulation-heavy tactical space game like no other.

Why similar: World War II 15.6% ★, Grand Strategy 14.5% ★, Real-Time with Pause 8.8% ★, War 8.3%, Military 7.9%

Sudden Strike is back! The beloved Real Time Strategy series returns, this time with bigger battlefields, more units, better graphics, new scenarios and legendary commanders – making Sudden Strike 4 more tactical and realistic than ever before!

Why similar: World War II 36.1% ★, War 14.3%, Strategy 13.4%, RTS 9.9%, Historical 9.6%

Old World is a revolutionary new historical strategy game where you lead your dynasty over generations of rule against rival kings and queens. Wage massive wars, manage your court, and build a dynasty — or watch your empire crumble to dust. What legacy will you leave behind?

Why similar: Grand Strategy 22.4% ★, War 12.2%, Historical 12.2%, Diplomacy 11.1% ★, Military 9.8%

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

Why similar: Grand Strategy 24.7% ★, Historical 12.5%, Military 12.2%, Diplomacy 12.1% ★, War 11.9%

Join the ever expanding experience of Hell Let Loose - a hardcore World War Two first person shooter with epic battles of 100 players with infantry, tanks, artillery, a dynamically shifting front line and a unique resource based RTS-inspired meta-game.

Why similar: World War II 38.8% ★, War 17.2%, Military 14.7%, Historical 10%, Multiplayer 5.8%

Faces of War puts you in the heart of World War II – not as a distant commander, but as the leader on the ground. Combining the tactical depth of real-time strategy with the immediacy of direct control, it lets you issue precise orders or jump straight into battle as one of your soldiers.

Why similar: World War II 51.5% ★, Strategy 16.5%, War 13.6%, RTS 8.7%, Multiplayer 4%

This is a strategy game with the theme of WWII. As a battlefield commander, maintaining your army's motivation and satisfaction, promoting your generals, managing your own economy, dealing with your friends' armies, and real time grand battle. What kind of commander will you become in the process?

Why similar: World War II 24.4% ★, Grand Strategy 19.1% ★, Historical 13.6%, War 11.6%, Military 11.2%

Making History® delivers the open-ended gameplay of strategy-game classics, but with compelling new economic, military, and diplomatic systems and deep research that lets you play with real historical challenges.

Why similar: World War II 35.7% ★, Grand Strategy 34.6% ★, Strategy 19%, Historical 9.6%, Action 0.9%

The Great War is a turn-based grand strategy game based on the epic struggles of the WWI era. Experience the battles of attrition and punishing artillery barrages. Play as any nation of the period as the modern world of industrialized warfare replaces an age of kings with a struggle of ideologies.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 24.5% ★, World War II 17.6% ★, Historical 10.9%, War 10.8%, Military 9.1%

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: World War II 33.5% ★, Historical 11.8%, Military 11.3%, Strategy 10.8%, RTS 10.1%

Realistic, immersive, breathtaking. WARNO is the ultimate World War III battle simulator from the masters of strategy, Eugen Systems. A Cold War turns decisively hot as you command hundreds of units on a beautiful and brutal battlefield. Outsmart, outfight, and lead your forces to total victory.

Why similar: Military 24%, War 20.3%, Historical 16.4%, RTS 12.7%, Strategy 10.5%

Team up and join the frontline in Squad 44, the most authentic tactical WW2 shooter. Experience ruthless realism with an immense arsenal of faithfully recreated weapons and vehicles across massive WW2 battlefields.

Why similar: World War II 42% ★, Military 16%, War 13%, Historical 8.5%, Strategy 5.8%

Strategy & Tactics: Wargame Collection is a set of three historical turn-based strategies, in which you are going to take command of the armies in the greatest Medieval wars as well as take control of countries and nations during World War II.

Why similar: World War II 23.5% ★, Grand Strategy 20% ★, Strategy 17.8%, War 13.7%, Historical 11.8%

Blitzkrieg 3 is a WW2 RTS made for true admirers of strategic mastery! Challenge your tactical skills in historical campaigns and defeat powerful Neural Network AI in competitive matches.

Why similar: World War II 28.7% ★, War 11.8%, Military 11.7%, Historical 10.3%, Real-Time with Pause 9.3% ★

Men of War: Assault Squad delivers a deeply tactical WWII experience, blending large-scale strategy with intense, hands-on combat. Fight across multiple fronts – from European countryside to Pacific jungles and command every unit and every bullet on the battlefield.

Why similar: World War II 35.1% ★, War 13.8%, Strategy 13.3%, Military 11.1%, Historical 6.8%

Create your own nation in Millennia, a historical turn-based 4X game that challenges your strategic prowess across 10,000 years of history, from the dawn of humanity to our possible futures.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 24.9% ★, Alternate History 12.8%, Historical 12.4%, War 12%, Diplomacy 10.9% ★

The grand strategy classic returns with improved gameplay, a massive 13,892 province map, expanded diplomacy and wartime capitulation, new civilizations and scenarios, atomic weapons, smarter AI, enhanced visuals, UI upgrades, and major performance improvements.

Why similar: World War II 26.3% ★, Grand Strategy 18% ★, Diplomacy 14.2% ★, War 13.8%, Alternate History 7.8%

Men of War is a stunning Real-Time Strategy game that takes place during the height of World War II. Intense battles span Europe and North Africa as gamers play as Soviet, Allied or German forces across 19 massive single-player missions.

Why similar: World War II 39.1% ★, Strategy 15.8%, Military 10.2%, War 9.3%, RTS 8.3%

Select an era, a nation and lead it to greatness or decay. Develop the economy and society, or focus on military and territorial expansion. In Nations you can rule your people for centuries – from ancient times to the modern day and beyond. You shape your state, history and map of the world.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 28.1% ★, Historical 20.5%, Strategy 12.8%, Alternate History 10.2%, Diplomacy 9.6% ★

Europa Universalis III Complete includes the original Europa Universalis III as well as the expansions In Nomine and Napoleons Ambition Europa Universalis III delves deeply into the areas of exploration, trade, warfare and diplomacy.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 46% ★, Historical 19.2%, Real-Time with Pause 12.3% ★, Strategy 11.8%, War 2.5%

War on an Epic scale from Moscow to Berlin – this is War in the East!

Why similar: World War II 39.6% ★, Grand Strategy 33.6% ★, Strategy 13.7%, Historical 6%, Simulation 3.7%