Games Like Jon Shafer's At the Gates

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: 4X 66.4% ★, Strategy 33.6%

Why You'll Like It: Designed by the lead designer of Civilization IV, this game offers a similar focus on historical depth and character-driven 4X mechanics.

Unique combination of turn-based 4X and historical grand strategy with a mythological twist. Explore the ancient world and build a world leading civilization. Survive, expand, conquer... and win!

Why similar: 4X 69% ★, Strategy 31%

Why You'll Like It: A deep, turn-based 4X strategy game that captures the historical tension and resource management of the ancient world.

Command armies, manage resources, and build an empire in this real-time strategy wargame from Longbow Games. Will Rome fulfil its destiny to rule the ancient world or will history be rewritten to forge a new Etruscan, Gallic, or Greek hegemony!

Why similar: Strategy 80.5%, Indie 19.5%

Why You'll Like It: Features a unique supply-line and logistics system that feels very similar to the clan-based resource management in At the Gates.

A mix of deep gameplay and rich historical flavor, Aggressors: Ancient Rome lets you relive history as the ruler of one of the mighty civilizations of the ancient Mediterranean. Choose one of twenty available factions and conquer the world.

Why similar: 4X 56.4% ★, Strategy 43.6%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses heavily on the military and economic logistics required to manage an empire during the Roman era.

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: 4X 66.2% ★, Strategy 33.8%

Why You'll Like It: A modern 4X game that offers deep historical progression and complex economic systems similar to the design philosophy of Jon Shafer.

A dark fantasy city builder where you must rebuild civilization in the face of apocalyptic rains. As the Queen’s Viceroy, lead humans, beavers, lizards, foxes, and harpies to reclaim the wilderness and secure a future for civilization's last survivors.

Why similar: 4X 63.2% ★, Strategy 36.8%

Why You'll Like It: While fantasy-themed, its core loop of managing resources and surviving in a hostile, changing environment is a perfect mechanical match.

Field of Glory: Empires is a grand strategy game in which you will have to move in an intricate and living tapestry of nations and tribes, each one with their distinctive culture.

Why similar: 4X 50.3% ★, Strategy 49.7%

Why You'll Like It: This grand strategy title perfectly mirrors the theme of managing the decline and rise of empires in the ancient Mediterranean.

Strategy simulator of the Great Pyramids period, where you take your path from the unification of Egyptian tribes to the foundation of The First Empire. Developed with the assistance of Egyptologists.

Why similar: 4X 47.2% ★, Strategy 38.9%, Indie 13.9%

Why You'll Like It: A focused historical strategy game that emphasizes the survival and growth of a civilization through careful resource allocation.

Manor Lords is a medieval strategy game featuring in-depth city building, large-scale tactical battles, and complex economic and social simulations. Rule your lands as a medieval lord – the seasons pass, the weather changes, and cities rise and fall.

Why similar: 4X 65.6% ★, Strategy 34.4%

Why You'll Like It: Combines historical city-building with management mechanics that require careful attention to seasonal resource gathering.

Against a darkening background of famine, disease and war, a new power is rising in the great steppes of the East. With a million horsemen at his back, the ultimate warrior king approaches, and his sights are set on Rome… The next instalment in the multi award-winning PC series that combines turn-based strategy with real-time tactics,...

Why similar: Strategy 100%

Why You'll Like It: The definitive experience for players interested in the specific historical period of the Roman Empire's collapse and the survival of barbarian tribes.

Turn based 4X strategy game, recreating the civilizations of ancient China. Develop your land, build great cities, raise huge armies and fight epic battles, with hundreds of soldiers fighting right on the game map. Advance your technologies, culture and religion to create one of mankind’s biggest empires.

Why similar: 4X 50.8% ★, Strategy 39.6%, Indie 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: A historical 4X game with a living map and a focus on managing population growth and internal stability.

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: Strategy 75.2%, Indie 24.8%

Why You'll Like It: A turn-based strategy game that focuses on the management of medieval peasants and resources with a distinct indie feel.

Demise of Nations is a 4X turn-based grand strategy wargame covering the rise of Rome till the fall of modern civilization.

Why similar: 4X 57.9% ★, Strategy 31.6%, Indie 10.5%

Why You'll Like It: A grand strategy 4X game that covers the rise and fall of empires with a focus on historical accuracy.

Marble Age is a turn-based historical strategy where your task is to turn a small Ancient Greek village into a flourishing Polis, powerful enough to conquer the known world!

Why similar: Strategy 44.5%, 4X 43.5% ★, Indie 11.9%

Why You'll Like It: A tight, historical strategy game that forces players to make difficult choices about population and resource management.

ENDLESS™ Legend is a 4X turn-based fantasy strategy game by the creators of ENDLESS™ Space and Dungeon of the ENDLESS™. Control every aspect of your civilization as you struggle to save your homeworld Auriga. Create your own Legend!

Why similar: 4X 54.5% ★, Strategy 43.3%, Indie 2.2%

Why You'll Like It: Features distinct faction mechanics and a unique approach to map exploration that rewards the same tactical curiosity found in At the Gates.

Rewrite history by shaping a civilization as unique as you are. Combine 60 cultures from the Ancient Era to the Modern Age to lead your empire to victory. Build thriving cities, outsmart rivals in epic battles, spread your influence and leave your mark on HUMANKIND™.

Why similar: 4X 53.7% ★, Strategy 46.3%

Why You'll Like It: Offers a modular approach to historical civilization building that allows for the same kind of strategic experimentation found in At the Gates.

From Village to Empire is an indie turn based strategy game with a historical setting. Build cities, research technologies, and train units to discover new lands and conquer the world!

Why similar: Strategy 43.4%, 4X 41.7% ★, Indie 14.9%

Why You'll Like It: A hex-grid 4X game that emphasizes the growth of a small settlement into a larger power.

Forge your Kingdom amidst the Ruins of Rome in this turn-based 4X strategy game! As the world crumbles, rebuild civilization and shape your people’s destiny. Unleash your strategic prowess, conquer provinces, and crush all who stand in your way.

Why similar: 4X 67% ★, Strategy 33%

Why You'll Like It: A turn-based strategy game specifically themed around the challenges of the late Roman period.

What was it like to be a chief of a tribe in 6000 year B.C.? Oh, you know, the usual - feed your people, build them shelters, defend them from raids of neighbors. And if you are lucky, sooner or later you will build a kingdom and become their king!

Why similar: 4X 50.3% ★, Strategy 36.3%, Indie 13.3%

Why You'll Like It: A classic-style strategy game that focuses on the survival and development of early civilizations.

Hegemony Rome: The Rise of Caesar takes you to the plains and forests of ancient Gaul where Julius Caesar wages a decade long war to subjugate the barbarian hordes. Hegemony Rome will immerse you in the history like no other real time strategy game ever before, forcing you to pay close attention to the changing seasons and rapidly...

Why similar: Strategy 87.5%, Indie 12.5%

Why You'll Like It: Provides a detailed look at Roman military logistics and territorial expansion in a historical setting.

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: Strategy 89.5%, Indie 10.5%

Why You'll Like It: A grand strategy game that focuses on the long-term management of a historical nation.

Great Houses of Calderia is a Feudal Grand Strategy game focusing on family dynamics & stories. Use your family strengths to compete against rivals to rise in the ranks of Calderia - produce, trade, scheme, bribe, and battle to build your legacy of power!

Why similar: Strategy 43.5%, 4X 42.3% ★, Indie 14.1%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses on the management of a dynasty and its resources, mirroring the clan-management aspects of the seed game.

Legendary board game classic from award winning designer Vlaada Chvátil

Why similar: Strategy 100%

Why You'll Like It: A digital adaptation of a classic board game that captures the essence of historical civilization building through card-based resource management.

Kingdom's Life - Large turn-based global strategy game in pixel style. You have to create your own people and state. Can you lead the state to political, economic, technological and military triumph? It depends on you.

Why similar: 4X 62.3% ★, Strategy 32.2%, Indie 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: A sandbox-style 4X game that allows for deep simulation of historical societal development.

Hearthlands is a medieval/fantasy city-building real time strategy game in which you take a role of a king in a procedurally generated world. You can not control your subjects directly; instead you focus on city-building, resource management, diplomacy, magic, etc.

Why similar: Strategy 75.5%, Indie 24.5%

Why You'll Like It: A colony-sim and city-builder that emphasizes the logistical challenges of managing a growing population.

Foundation is a grid-less, laidback medieval city-building game with a focus on organic development, monument construction and resource management.

Why similar: Strategy 84.5%, Indie 15.5%

As Emperor of a crumbling realm, hold back collapse in this grand strategy epic. Fall of an Empire has you balance deadly politics, manage resources, and command battles to survive invasions and intrigue in a vast, Roman-inspired world.

Why similar: 4X 61.9% ★, Strategy 38.1%

Why You'll Like It: A simulation-heavy strategy game that deals with the political and economic collapse of a civilization.

Lead your noble family in this medieval colony sim, facing off against class conflict, religious struggle, and political treachery. Tend to your people’s needs, uncover the lost knowledge of a fallen empire, and engage in nefarious plots against your enemies.

Why similar: 4X 64% ★, Strategy 36%

Build and manage your own castle settlement in a land reclaimed by wilderness. With detailed management, survival strategy, and a moddable sandbox world, Going Medieval challenges you to build the mightiest colony this side of the apocalypse.

Why similar: Strategy 100%

Incremental clicker strategy, where you expand, construct, research, fight, collect heroes and make choices between good and evil. Ascend through difficulty tiers by playing through challenge campaign going back and forth through history. Mammoths included.

Why similar: 4X 65.8% ★, Strategy 28.9%, Indie 5.3%

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: Strategy 75.6%, Indie 24.4%

Why You'll Like It: Provides a management-focused look at the Roman era, emphasizing the recruitment and care of your units.

Empire Deluxe Combined Edition is the latest in the classic Empire Series of games, which has spanned almost five decades. Empire Deluxe is a game about taking cities. Starting with just one, the city enables a commander to produce units. These units in turn can directly attack or support the attack of more cities.

Why similar: Strategy 51.9%, 4X 30.3% ★, Indie 17.8%

Why You'll Like It: A classic 4X title that serves as a foundational example of the genre's mechanics for those interested in the history of strategy games.

This city-building strategy game puts you as the chieftain of a tribe driven away from their homeland. Now you must rebuild and defend your tribe from both the elements and your old enemies.

Why similar: Strategy 74.4%, Indie 25.6%

Why You'll Like It: A city-building strategy game that requires careful management of resources to survive in a harsh environment.

Kingdoms and Castles is a city-building simulation game about growing a kingdom from a tiny hamlet to a sprawling city and imposing castle. Make trade agreements, alliance, and war with neighboring AI controlled kingdoms. Each villager and resource is individually simulated.

Why similar: Strategy 100%

Turn-based historical simulation strategy. Develop the Greek civilization from the small village to the great city-state when it will dominate the world!

Why similar: 4X 46.3% ★, Strategy 39.4%, Indie 14.3%

Command a settlement of ancient humans, guide them through the ages in their struggle for survival. Hunt, gather, craft tools, fight, research new techs and face the challenges the environment will throw at you.

Why similar: Strategy 90.2%, Indie 9.8%

Songs of Syx is a fantasy city-builder with vast battles simulating thousands of citizens and soldiers. Start off as a small village and build, scheme, and fight your way towards a mighty empire. The mechanics are deep and true to life, where tiny events can spiral into the collapse of kingdoms.

Why similar: 4X 65.8% ★, Strategy 34.2%

Build, manage and defend your medieval castle in this crazy sidescroller RTS game. Build walls, towers and traps to protect your fortress from enemy sieges before launching your own. Command powerful siege weapons and design the perfect strategy to take back the empire.

Why similar: Strategy 100%

Step into the role of a lord, starting from scratch to build your kingdom. Gather resources, construct buildings, recruit troops, explore, and embark on adventures to continuously expand your territory and defend your homeland.

Why similar: 4X 61.8% ★, Strategy 38.2%

Citadelum is a city builder set in legendary Ancient Rome. Build your own settlement, gather resources and evolve it into a magnificent city. Explore the world, trade and lead your mighty legions in epic tactical battles. Earn the favor of the Gods or challenge them, if you dare.

Why similar: Strategy 100%

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: Strategy 100%

"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: Strategy 78.2%, Indie 21.8%

Turn-based kingdom management simulator focused on decision-making. Will you survive and lead the kingdom to prosperity, or die in agony? The throne awaits.

Build a soviet republic from an impoverished country into a rich industrial superpower in a city builder with intricate production chains and a fully simulated global economy. Manage the lives of your citizens from education to work and party loyalty to criminal activity.

Why similar: 4X 56.3% ★, Strategy 43.7%

A medieval city under siege and a handful of civilians are all that keep the walls from falling. Mixing survival strategy and resource management, build your camp, craft supplies, and scavenge the occupied city to supply the last troops holding back the invaders.

Why similar: Strategy 100%

Play your cards right to conquer the world in the Roguelite 4x. Explore mysterious lands, survive against the barbarian horde, and grow your stone age empire into the stars!

Why similar: 4X 68.8% ★, Strategy 31.2%

The glory of Rome is at your fingertips in this city-building game where you must appease the gods, enact laws, and develop complex supply chains to meet the needs of your citizens.

Why similar: 4X 62.2% ★, Strategy 37.8%

As Governor of a Roman Province in the time-honoured Roman Empire, its fortune very much lies in your hands. Choose one of five Roman noble families such as Caesar’s Julii with different abilities to accomplish the comprehensive missions.

Why similar: Strategy 100%

In the dark lands inspired by Slavic myth, life is a struggle for survival against ever increasing odds, be it natural or malevolent. Can you lead your flock to prosperity in this innovative blend of 4X strategy, RPG and card game?

Why similar: Strategy 48.1%, 4X 39.7% ★, Indie 12.2%

Build a prosperous settlement in a unique simulation of a feudal economy - each family runs their shop, owns their goods, and trades with other villagers in a free market. You will manage the land, build houses, organise events, set taxes, and balance supply and demand while engaging in diplomacy!

Why similar: Strategy 78.8%, Indie 21.2%

Survive and thrive in a post-apocalyptic future — resources are scarce, but opportunity calls! Build the ultimate disaster proof colony, protect your colonists, and restore civilization to a devastated world.

Why similar: Strategy 100%

Bellfortis is a strategy game from the early Middle Ages. Expand your kingdom, use politics and power. Strategic planning on the map alternates with realtime battles of armies. Play as a grand strategy or on smaller local maps, build, recruit armies and fight!

Why similar: Strategy 77.3%, Indie 22.7%

Thea: The Awakening is a turn-based strategic survival game inspired by the Slavic mythology and set in a procedural dark fantasy world infused with non-linear story and unique combat system.

Why similar: Strategy 48.1%, 4X 42.2% ★, Indie 9.7%

Rise from the humble role of a simple mayor governing a small settlement and rule over all of Europe.

Why similar: Strategy 100%

Build the perfect kingdom in this turn-based strategy game that combines elements of automation, board games, and city builders. Keep your kingdom happy, endure hostile Challenges, and unlock new cards as your kingdom becomes more prosperous.

Why similar: Strategy 80.3%, Indie 19.7%

The Emperor and State is a turn-based strategy game that simulates the rule of an ancient feudal monarch. It involves the administration, policy adjustment, diplomatic checks and balances, national wars, as well as the emperor's self-cultivation, the cultivation of successors and so on.

Why similar: Strategy 78.6%, Indie 21.4%

Create your own epic saga of survival, mythology and diplomacy! Rule your clan, make strategic decisions that affect the game world, win battles and expand your influence in this unique mix of RPG, strategy and story-telling.

Why similar: Strategy 100%

Patron is a survival city builder with a unique social dynamics system. Gather and produce resources, build your fledgling village into a prosperous city and navigate the intricate social tensions before they reach boiling point.

Why similar: Strategy 100%

A brutal godlike village sim that melds the god game, management, and tower defense genres! Fight off hoards of monsters at night, and expand your village in the day time. Inspired by games like Black and White, Rimworld, and Dwarf Fortress but not quite like any of them.

Why similar: Strategy 81.8%, Indie 18.2%