Games Like Knights and Merchants

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: Strategy 39.8%, Colony Sim 16.2% ★, City Builder 14.9%, RTS 9.8%, Medieval 9%

Why You'll Like It: It offers the quintessential medieval castle-building experience with a heavy focus on resource management and defensive warfare.

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: Strategy 44.3%, Colony Sim 22.6% ★, City Builder 15.8%, Historical 5.8%, Resource Management 3.6%

Why You'll Like It: This game perfectly blends organic medieval city-building with large-scale tactical RTS combat, mirroring the core loop of Knights and Merchants.

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

Why similar: Strategy 55.4%, City Builder 18.2%, Colony Sim 12.5% ★, Medieval 3.5%, Simulation 3.3%

Why You'll Like It: Known for its deep and satisfying production chains, this game rewards players who master the logistics of their medieval economy.

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

Why similar: Strategy 41.1%, City Builder 24.2%, Medieval 10.9%, Colony Sim 10% ★, RTS 5.1%

Why You'll Like It: This grid-less city-builder emphasizes complex production chains and the growth of a medieval society without the need for fantasy elements.

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

Why similar: Strategy 36.2%, Colony Sim 20.5% ★, City Builder 14.4%, RTS 11.5%, Medieval 9.8%

Why You'll Like It: A classic real-time strategy game that balances castle construction with the management of a medieval population and economy.

Ostriv is a city-building game that puts you in a role of a governor of an 18th century Ukrainian town to challenge your creative skills and management abilities.

Why similar: Strategy 44.8%, Colony Sim 18.7% ★, City Builder 16.3%, Medieval 6.4%, Historical 4.9%

Why You'll Like It: This title provides a highly detailed look at medieval life and economy, focusing on realistic production and resource management.

The year is 1268 and the English throne lies empty. Fight for the right to be King in this classic blend of turn-based and real-time strategy.

Why similar: Strategy 100%

Why You'll Like It: A classic strategy game that blends turn-based province management with real-time sieges, capturing the feel of medieval warfare.

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: Strategy 46.5%, Colony Sim 21% ★, City Builder 16.6%, Historical 5.5%, Simulation 3.5%

Why You'll Like It: While set in a different era, it is the gold standard for complex, interconnected production chains and logistical management.

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 45.4%, Colony Sim 24.5% ★, City Builder 16.1%, Historical 5.9%, Simulation 3.2%

Why You'll Like It: This colony-sim allows you to build intricate medieval structures while managing the survival and production needs of your villagers.

This game is devoted to the key events of the XVII–XVIII centuries.

Why similar: Strategy 89.7%, RTS 7.2%, Historical 2.9%, Singleplayer 0.2%

Why You'll Like It: This RTS focuses on historical accuracy and massive scale, requiring careful resource management to sustain your armies.

Real Warfare: 1242, is a realistic real-time strategy game based on authentic historic events.

Why similar: Strategy 85.8%, RTS 8.4%, Medieval 5.8%

Why You'll Like It: A realistic historical RTS that focuses on medieval military tactics and the logistical challenges of the 13th century.

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: Strategy 70.2%, City Builder 14.9%, Medieval 7.4%, RTS 6.1%, Multiplayer 1.2%

Why You'll Like It: It emphasizes the logistical side of medieval city-building, focusing on trade routes and resource distribution.

Become the king and fight over Europe in this fresh take on medieval real-time grand strategy. Manage provinces, gather armies, initiate diplomacy, and dabble in espionage. The path is open: become the true Sovereign of your people and bring them to glory.

Why similar: Strategy 67.7%, RTS 11.1%, Medieval 10.8%, Simulation 3.5%, Historical 3%

Why You'll Like It: It combines grand strategy with real-time tactical battles, offering a broader look at medieval governance and warfare.

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

Why similar: Strategy 60.6%, Medieval 10.1%, City Builder 8.9%, RTS 8.8%, Simulation 3.3%

Why You'll Like It: It focuses on the economic side of the Middle Ages, tasking players with managing trade networks and city growth across a large map.

In this city-building strategy game, you control a group of exiled travelers who decide to restart their lives in a new land. They have only the clothes on their backs and a cart filled with supplies from their homeland. The townspeople of Banished are your primary resource.

Why similar: Strategy 40.3%, Colony Sim 27% ★, City Builder 20%, Medieval 5%, Simulation 2.8%

Why You'll Like It: A pure survival city-builder that forces players to master the delicate balance of food production and resource management in a harsh environment.

Become a fellow of the famous medieval Hanse trading association in the 13th century. Manage the politics, prestige and economic success in your city and the known parts of Europe!

Why similar: Strategy 83%, Historical 6%, Simulation 5.5%, Management 2.8%, Economy 2.7%

Why You'll Like It: A deep economic simulation that focuses on the trading and management aspects of the Hanseatic League.

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: Strategy 39.3%, Colony Sim 21% ★, City Builder 14.8%, Medieval 10.5%, RTS 6.4%

Why You'll Like It: This classic expansion of the Stronghold formula focuses on desert warfare and the logistical challenges of maintaining a castle in a harsh climate.

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 38.9%, Colony Sim 23.8% ★, City Builder 19.5%, Medieval 8.8%, RTS 3.6%

Why You'll Like It: A charming but challenging city-builder that requires you to manage resources and defend your kingdom from medieval threats.

Rediscover the classic gameplay of 1701 A.D. and its expansion The Sunken Dragon in Anno® 1701 History Edition.

Why similar: Strategy 41.8%, Colony Sim 19.4% ★, City Builder 13.9%, RTS 10.6%, Medieval 4.5%

Why You'll Like It: A refined city-builder that emphasizes the importance of trade and economic stability in a growing colonial empire.

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

Why similar: Strategy 42.8%, Colony Sim 19.4% ★, City Builder 13.5%, RTS 10.5%, Medieval 4.5%

Why You'll Like It: The original classic that established the series' focus on resource management and the expansion of trade-based settlements.

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: Strategy 35%, Colony Sim 20.4% ★, City Builder 15.3%, RTS 10.6%, Medieval 10.2%

Why You'll Like It: It adds a layer of social and economic complexity to the traditional castle-building formula, including crime and estate management.

Reign: Conflict of Nations allows players to have a well thought-out and historically accurate system of building and assigning labor forces in cities, a large selection of scenario-based and random missions, an expansive and realistic technology tree, more than 150 types of military units and elaborated graphics and animations which brin

Why similar: Strategy 100%

Why You'll Like It: A grand strategy game that captures the political and military struggles of medieval Europe with a focus on historical accuracy.

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

Why similar: Strategy 51.1%, City Builder 20.5%, Colony Sim 10.7% ★, Classic 9.4% ★, Historical 5%

Why You'll Like It: A classic city-builder that excels at complex production chains and managing the needs of a growing historical population.

Create and customize cities in Nebuchadnezzar, a classic isometric city-builder where careful planning and define your rise as a ruler in ancient Mesopotamia.

Why similar: Strategy 37.1%, City Builder 21.8%, Colony Sim 14.7% ★, RTS 11.4%, Historical 5%

Why You'll Like It: A classic-style city-builder that focuses on building monuments and managing production chains in ancient Mesopotamia.

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

Why similar: Strategy 39.9%, Colony Sim 20.1% ★, City Builder 14.2%, RTS 11%, Medieval 4.7%

Why You'll Like It: This entry focuses more on the survival and economic development of a colony, requiring careful resource allocation.

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: Strategy 61.6%, City Builder 10.5%, RTS 8.7%, Medieval 8.4%, Classic 4.8% ★

Why You'll Like It: A modern take on the classic Crusader formula, focusing on fast-paced RTS combat and castle defense.

The Guild 3 is a fascinating trade and life simulation that takes place during the late Middle Ages. Step into the shoes of a citizen, acquire businesses and mansions, produce goods and trade them, start intrigues in politics and society, love, hate, bribe, fight and live through good and bad times!

Why similar: Strategy 62.7%, Medieval 18.7%, Simulation 5.3%, Economy 3.4%, RTS 2.8%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a unique simulation of medieval life, focusing on the economic and social advancement of a family dynasty.

XIII Century Gold Edition combines the highly successful strategy game XIII Century: Death or Glory with the follow-up sequel, XIII Century: Blood of Europe.XIII Century: Death or Glory is an RTS game which immerses players in the Middle Ages.

Why similar: Strategy 89.2%, Medieval 5.7%, RTS 5.1%

Why You'll Like It: This game focuses strictly on the tactical side of medieval warfare, providing a realistic look at historical battles.

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

Why similar: Strategy 69.5%, Medieval 11.4%, RTS 8.8%, Classic 5.8% ★, Historical 3%

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: Strategy 31.7%, Colony Sim 21.5% ★, City Builder 15.9%, RTS 10%, Medieval 9.5%

Feudal Baron: King’s Land is classic-style city-builder. Turn a humble settlement into a medieval town, build workshops and churches, repel raids, and manage your subjects. Ensure steady supplies – or squeeze every last penny from the people.

Why similar: Strategy 46.6%, City Builder 17.9%, RTS 14.2%, Medieval 11.5%, Resource Management 4.1%

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: Strategy 62.1%, City Builder 11.9%, Medieval 7.8%, RTS 7.4%, Classic 3.5% ★

Why You'll Like It: It continues the series' tradition of combining castle building with realistic physics and siege warfare.

Your heroes and your armies will need strong leadership to take them on a spellbinding odyssey that has everything a gamer’s heart could wish for breathtaking worlds in space, battles against cunning enemies and even downright treason from your own government faction - are you up to it?

Why similar: Strategy 96.4%, RTS 2.2%, Classic 1.4% ★

You are a merchant in northern Europe in the late Middle Ages when the Hanseatic League was flourishing. Your goal is to rise to the most successful and influential member of the Hanse, ultimately being elected Elderman, leader of the trading league.

Why similar: Strategy 85.9%, Resource Management 4.6%, Historical 3%, Simulation 3%, Economy 2%

Travel to the Holy Land with the First Crusades. Rise from a humble knight to the founding father of a world-spanning holy order. Lead through war, faith, diplomacy, and cunning schemes. Experience a unique blend of RTS, city-building, and sandbox gameplay, and shape history!

Why similar: Strategy 49.5%, City Builder 18.3%, RTS 17.2%, Medieval 11%, Simulation 3.4%

For centuries Europe has been dominated by the church and nobility. On the shoulders of ordinary people the servants of god and the noble families justified their power and wealth. This was the incontrovertible, divine world order. A truly dark era… In the 14th Century the world order is beginning to transform itself.

Why similar: Strategy 46.9%, Colony Sim 23.5% ★, Medieval 11%, City Builder 7.9%, Simulation 3.6%

It’s the year 1400- the late Middle Ages. Europe sees the dawn of the golden age of the new departures and the free spirit. Under the rule of the bourgeoisie and businessmen, more and more towns are emerging from the clutches of the aristocracy and are achieving independence, power and wealth.

Why similar: Strategy 78.4%, Medieval 12.4%, Simulation 6%, Economy 1.9%, Management 1.3%

Cossacks II: Napoleonic Wars sends the player into the heroic XIX century where they assume the role of a commander to take part in the massive historical battles for the supremacy over Europe.

Why similar: Strategy 85.5%, RTS 10.7%, Historical 3.8%

Regain your riches, restore your honor and avenge your father's murder. A challenging trading game with lots of RPG elements.

Why similar: Strategy 76%, Medieval 11.7%, Simulation 5.6%, Economy 2.5%, Great Soundtrack 1.9%

Townsmen – A Kingdom Rebuilt hands the crown to you: Guide your people from their first steps in a small village to a massive medieval metropolis with thousands of inhabitants.

Why similar: Strategy 54.7%, Colony Sim 22.1% ★, City Builder 11.5%, Medieval 5.6%, Simulation 4.1%

Achieve wealth and fame in the Principality of Mittelland! Found a dynasty, trade goods, prove your political skill, eliminate your rivals, and immortalize yourself in the history books! The classic political and economic simulation starting from the year 1600 – now available again!

Why similar: Strategy 64.3%, Medieval 14.2%, Classic 10.2% ★, Simulation 4.5%, Management 2.5%

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 88.9%, RTS 8.2%, Old School 1.8%, Multiplayer 1.1%

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: Strategy 44.5%, Colony Sim 22.8% ★, City Builder 15.8%, Historical 5.6%, Resource Management 3.4%

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 39.9%, Colony Sim 18.8% ★, City Builder 15.5%, RTS 9%, Medieval 7.8%

Kingdom is a 2D sidescrolling strategy/resource management hybrid with a minimalist feel wrapped in a beautiful, modern pixel art aesthetic.

Why similar: Strategy 62.9%, Colony Sim 15.2% ★, City Builder 10.7%, Simulation 4.7%, Resource Management 3.2%

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: Strategy 43.4%, Colony Sim 17.3% ★, City Builder 13.6%, RTS 9.1%, Medieval 8.9%

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 41.8%, Colony Sim 23.7% ★, City Builder 15.1%, Medieval 9.8%, Simulation 3%

The Guild 2 is the shining successor of the ultra successful medieval life sim, Europe 1400. The Guild 2 is a unique mixture of RPG and life simulation in an immersive middle ages scenario. The player and his party become part of history and can even change it in real-time. Go back to the dark middle ages and found a new dynasty!

Why similar: Strategy 76.6%, Medieval 12.9%, Simulation 6.6%, Economy 1.5%, Management 1.5%

Colonize Prologue is a combination of survival game and building strategy that takes place during the colonization period - the 17th century. It tells the story of a settlement in the new world and all the difficulties encountered by the early settlers.

Why similar: Strategy 37.2%, Colony Sim 25% ★, City Builder 17.6%, RTS 11%, Historical 3.8%

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

Why similar: Strategy 67.1%, Medieval 16.9%, Historical 7.5%, Simulation 3.2%, RTS 3%

The Vikings are back! Get this RTS classic!

Why similar: Strategy 70.4%, City Builder 17%, RTS 10.8%, Resource Management 1.6%, Singleplayer 0.2%

Establish and grow a pirate utopia during the Golden Age of Piracy. Create a resource-based economy, engage in real-time naval combat, and conduct diplomacy with rival powers. Explore the far reaches of the Caribbean in search of the ultimate fortune and glory.

Why similar: Strategy 42.1%, Colony Sim 18% ★, City Builder 15.1%, RTS 12.5%, Historical 3.2%

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: Strategy 60.4%, RTS 12.1%, City Builder 9.8%, Classic 8.7% ★, Historical 3.5%

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: Strategy 47.1%, Colony Sim 24% ★, City Builder 16.5%, Resource Management 3.7%, Simulation 3.5%

Become a real medieval feudal lord: start with a small village and build it up into an enormous impenetrable castle. You will have to repel enemy raids: hide behind thick walls, lure your enemies into strategically placed traps, and even lead your loyal peasants into battle.

Why similar: Strategy 39.2%, Colony Sim 24.9% ★, City Builder 13.9%, Medieval 10.9%, Resource Management 3.7%

In the medieval era, assume the role of a lord and engage with other lords，develop fiefdoms, and employ strategies involving intrigue, warfare, and plunder. Expand your territory and strengthen your house lineage Or, be a god, manipulate the world? This game primarily strategic role-playing elements

Why similar: Strategy 65.9%, Medieval 16.6%, Historical 7.7%, Simulation 4.6%, Management 2.8%

The New World lies before you with all its peril, promise and infinite possibility. Your colonists anxiously follow you to shore. The treasures of an entire continent await you.

Why similar: Strategy 63.5%, Classic 25.3% ★, Simulation 6.5%, Historical 3.5%, Economy 0.9%