Games Like Knights and Merchants

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 35.6%, Colony Sim 20.6%, City Builder 14.8%, RTS 11.7%, Medieval 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: A quintessential classic that mirrors the seed game's focus on castle building, resource management, and siege 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 38.4%, Colony Sim 20.1%, City Builder 14.4%, RTS 11.9%, Historical 5.3%

Why You'll Like It: This title is the modern spiritual successor to the logistics-heavy medieval city-builder genre, perfectly capturing the balance of supply chains and tactical combat.

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 39.2%, Colony Sim 16.2%, City Builder 15.5%, RTS 10.1%, Medieval 9.2%

Why You'll Like It: This modernized version of the classic formula offers the most polished experience for fans of medieval logistics and defense.

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

Why similar: Strategy 40%, City Builder 25%, Medieval 11.1%, Colony Sim 10.4%, RTS 5.2%

Why You'll Like It: It offers an organic approach to medieval city building with a deep focus on resource management and villager needs.

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 68.6%, Medieval 11.6%, RTS 9%, Classic 6.2% ★, Historical 3.1%

Why You'll Like It: Combines grand strategy with real-time tactical combat in a way that feels like a natural evolution of the medieval simulation genre.

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 39.5%, Colony Sim 27.3%, City Builder 20.6%, Medieval 5.1%, Simulation 2.7%

Why You'll Like It: A challenging survival city-builder that forces players to master complex resource chains to survive harsh medieval winters.

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 43.9%, Colony Sim 19.1%, City Builder 17%, Medieval 6.4%, Historical 5%

Why You'll Like It: Features highly realistic and complex historical supply chains that will appeal to anyone who enjoyed the intricate production lines of the seed game.

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

Why similar: Strategy 54.6%, City Builder 18.7%, Colony Sim 12.7%, Medieval 3.7%, Simulation 3.2%

Why You'll Like It: Provides a deep, satisfying economic simulation where balancing production chains is the core gameplay loop.

The great Lords of England have their eyes on the the English throne! Muster an army and overrun your enemies' castles in this classic, nail-biting strategy game that blends turn-based and real-time gameplay.

Why similar: Strategy 81.2%, Classic 9.7% ★, Medieval 8.2%, Multiplayer 0.9%

Why You'll Like It: A classic that blends turn-based kingdom management with real-time tactical battles in a medieval setting.

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 38.7%, Colony Sim 21.2%, City Builder 15.3%, Medieval 10.6%, RTS 6.6%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses heavily on the logistical challenge of maintaining a castle economy in a harsh desert environment.

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

Why similar: Strategy 60%, Medieval 10.2%, City Builder 9.2%, RTS 9%, Simulation 3.3%

Why You'll Like It: A grand strategy game that emphasizes trade, economic expansion, and the logistical realities of the Middle Ages.

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 39.5%, Colony Sim 21.8%, City Builder 14.5%, RTS 12.3%, Historical 5.2%

Why You'll Like It: A colony-sim that emphasizes vertical building and survival, requiring careful management of resources and defenses.

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 68.7%, City Builder 15.5%, Medieval 7.7%, RTS 6.5%, Multiplayer 1.3%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses on the classic Settlers formula of building thriving medieval towns through careful resource distribution.

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

Why similar: Strategy 84.7%, RTS 9.1%, Medieval 6.3%

Why You'll Like It: Provides a grounded, historically accurate approach to medieval tactical combat and unit management.

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

Why similar: Strategy 89.3%, RTS 7.4%, Historical 3%, Singleplayer 0.2%

Why You'll Like It: A classic RTS that requires managing large-scale resource production to fuel massive historical armies.

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 6.4%, Simulation 5.4%, Management 2.7%, Economy 2.5%

Why You'll Like It: Offers an incredibly deep economic simulation focused on trade and production within the historical Hanseatic League.

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

Why similar: Strategy 41.2%, Colony Sim 19.5%, City Builder 14.3%, RTS 10.8%, Medieval 4.6%

Why You'll Like It: Refines the economic management and supply chain mechanics that fans of complex city-builders crave.

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 46.3%, Colony Sim 23.8%, Medieval 11.2%, City Builder 8.1%, Simulation 3.6%

Why You'll Like It: A unique simulation that allows you to manage a medieval family business and climb the social ladder through economic prowess.

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 33.3%, Colony Sim 21.2%, City Builder 17.5%, RTS 9.8%, Medieval 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: A charming but challenging city-builder that forces players to manage food and resource logistics while defending against threats.

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 61.3%, City Builder 12.3%, Medieval 8%, RTS 7.6%, Classic 3.8% ★

Why You'll Like It: Continues the series' tradition of combining castle construction with economic management and military defense.

LiF:Forest Village is a city builder with survival aspects in a realistic harsh medieval world. Shape, build and expand your settlement, grow various food to prevent your villagers from avitaminosis and starvation. Possess them for additional micromanagement or simply to wander around.

Why similar: Strategy 36.1%, Colony Sim 29%, City Builder 21.8%, Medieval 7.5%, Resource Management 2.7%

Why You'll Like It: Combines medieval city building with survival mechanics that demand strict attention to resource allocation.

Rewrite medieval history through bloody siege combat in a fusion of RTS and Grand Strategy genres. Rule, build, and serve your King as a minor lord in medieval Europe. Experience siege, field and naval combat with an unseen degree of brutality. Rogue-like progression, epic towns and battles await…

Why similar: Strategy 47.1%, City Builder 18.2%, RTS 16.8%, Medieval 13.5%, Simulation 2.6%

Why You'll Like It: An RTS that leans heavily into the building and siege aspects of medieval warfare with a focus on historical scale.

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 94.4%, Medieval 5.6%

Why You'll Like It: A grand strategy title that focuses on the historical development of medieval nations and their economies.

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 88.9%, Medieval 5.8%, RTS 5.3%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses on the tactical side of medieval warfare, emphasizing unit positioning and historical combat mechanics.

When it comes to medieval real-time strategy, Lords of the Realm III flies the flag high. Whether it's maneuvering troops on the battlefield, negotiating trade and alliances, or overseeing armies across the lands, RTS fans will find plenty here to enjoy.

Why similar: Strategy 94.2%, Simulation 5.8%

Why You'll Like It: Features a mix of strategy and simulation elements that focus on the management of medieval fiefdoms.

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

Why similar: Strategy 75.7%, Medieval 11.9%, Simulation 5.5%, Economy 2.3%, Great Soundtrack 2.1%

Why You'll Like It: A trading-focused simulation that challenges players to master the economy of a medieval world.

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%, City Builder 18.5%, RTS 14.5%, Medieval 11.6%, Resource Management 3.8%

Why You'll Like It: A modern take on medieval resource management that tasks players with building and maintaining a feudal estate.

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

Why similar: Strategy 42.2%, Colony Sim 19.5%, City Builder 14%, RTS 10.7%, Medieval 4.5%

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 77.7%, Medieval 13.1%, Simulation 6%, Economy 1.8%, Management 1.4%

Why You'll Like It: A classic life and economic simulator that provides a deep look at the social and financial structures of the Middle Ages.

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 60.7%, City Builder 10.9%, RTS 9%, Medieval 8.5%, Classic 5.1% ★

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%

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 31.2%, Colony Sim 21.7%, City Builder 16.4%, RTS 10.2%, Medieval 9.5%

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

Why similar: Strategy 39.3%, Colony Sim 20.2%, City Builder 14.6%, RTS 11.1%, Medieval 4.8%

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 36.5%, City Builder 22.4%, Colony Sim 14.8%, RTS 11.6%, Historical 5.1%

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 43.7%, Colony Sim 16.8%, City Builder 14.3%, RTS 9.1%, Medieval 8.9%

You are the leader of a city-state in high medieval Europe. Expand your city through deep city-building systems, build a trade empire across the known world, and lead men to war to defend trade routes in a high-stakes struggle of global strategy and brutal warfare.

Why similar: Strategy 52.8%, City Builder 14.7%, RTS 13.7%, Medieval 8.4%, Historical 4.4%

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

Why similar: Strategy 50%, City Builder 21%, Colony Sim 10.7%, Classic 10% ★, Historical 5.2%

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 86.2%, Resource Management 4.3%, Historical 3.1%, Simulation 3%, Economy 1.9%

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 48.6%, City Builder 18.8%, RTS 17.5%, Medieval 11%, Simulation 3.3%

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 96.1%, RTS 2.3%, Classic 1.6% ★

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 85.1%, RTS 11%, Historical 3.9%

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%, Colony Sim 22.4%, City Builder 12%, Medieval 5.8%, Simulation 4%

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 88.6%, RTS 8.5%, Old School 1.8%, Multiplayer 1.1%

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 76.7%, Medieval 13.1%, Simulation 6.6%, Management 1.4%, Economy 1.4%

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 39.3%, Colony Sim 19%, City Builder 16%, RTS 9.2%, Medieval 7.9%

Achieve fame and wealth 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.

Why similar: Strategy 63.4%, Medieval 14.4%, Classic 11.3% ★, Simulation 4.4%, Management 2.4%

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 39.2%, Colony Sim 20.7%, City Builder 14.6%, RTS 10.7%, Historical 5.2%

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

Why similar: Strategy 62.4%, Colony Sim 15.6%, City Builder 11.1%, Simulation 4.6%, Resource Management 3%

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 41.4%, Colony Sim 24%, City Builder 15.6%, Medieval 9.9%, Simulation 2.9%

Choose from professions like Smith, Preacher or Alchemist to gain riches in this medieval economic simulation. Climb the social ladder, dominate politics, and lead your dynasty to power over multiple generations to ensure your legacy.

Why similar: Strategy 79%, Medieval 7.9%, Simulation 6.5%, Historical 3.4%, Economy 1.4%

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 34.4%, Colony Sim 20.5%, City Builder 15.8%, RTS 10.8%, Medieval 10.3%

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 36.5%, Colony Sim 25.1%, City Builder 18.1%, RTS 11.2%, Historical 3.8%

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 59.4%, RTS 12.7%, City Builder 9.8%, Classic 9.2% ★, 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 41.5%, Colony Sim 21.6%, City Builder 15.4%, Medieval 10.8%, Resource Management 3.1%

The legendary city-builder returns! Lead the creation of one of the greatest civilizations the world has ever seen in this HD remake with modernized UI. Build monuments, manage your population and explore 4,000 years of history through over a hundred hours of gameplay.

Why similar: Strategy 35%, Colony Sim 24.4%, City Builder 23.1%, Historical 6%, Simulation 3.6%

Run your own kingdom in the legendary Dungeons & Dragons game world. In this remarkable kingdom simulator, your goal is to become Emperor by building and expanding your stronghold in competition against opposing computer-controlled kingdoms.

Why similar: Strategy 87.8%, Simulation 3.9%, Old School 3.7%, Management 2.6%, Resource Management 1.6%

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 55.2%, City Builder 13.2%, Colony Sim 13.1%, Historical 5.6%, Simulation 3.9%