Games Like Making History: The Calm & the Storm

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: Grand Strategy 36.6% ★, World War II 36% ★, Strategy 19%, Historical 8.4%

Why You'll Like It: A fan-favorite title that provides a highly detailed and complex simulation of the WWII era.

Victory is at your fingertips! Your ability to lead your nation is your supreme weapon, the strategy game Hearts of Iron IV lets you take command of any nation in World War II; the most engaging conflict in world history.

Why similar: World War II 35.7% ★, Grand Strategy 34.6% ★, Strategy 19%, Historical 9.6%, Action 1%

Why You'll Like It: The definitive modern grand strategy experience for WWII, offering unparalleled depth in military and political management.

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: Grand Strategy 36.5% ★, World War II 34.9% ★, Strategy 22%, Historical 6.6%

Why You'll Like It: The direct sequel that expands upon the original's economic and diplomatic systems with improved AI and mechanics.

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 39.2% ★, Strategy 34.9%, World War II 25.9% ★

Why You'll Like It: A refined version of the classic Hearts of Iron engine that emphasizes historical accuracy and economic depth.

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 36.9% ★, World War II 22.9% ★, Strategy 18.7%, Turn-Based Strategy 12%, Historical 9.5%

Why You'll Like It: Utilizes the familiar Making History engine to provide a deep, turn-based strategic look at World War we.

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: Strategy 40.8%, World War II 39.7% ★, Grand Strategy 19.5% ★

Why You'll Like It: A turn-based grand strategy game that captures the global scale of WWII with a focus on hex-based logistics.

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 32.3% ★, Grand Strategy 29.3% ★, Turn-Based Strategy 14.8%, Strategy 14.1%, Historical 9.5%

Why You'll Like It: A deep, turn-based WWII grand strategy game that focuses on realistic logistics and operational movement.

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 33.7% ★, Strategy 21.4%, World War II 18.7% ★, Turn-Based Strategy 13.2%, Historical 13%

Why You'll Like It: An accessible grand strategy game that allows players to rewrite history through diplomacy and conquest.

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 44.9% ★, World War II 32.8% ★, Strategy 15.1%, Historical 7.3%

Why You'll Like It: Combines real-time grand strategy with deep economic, military, and diplomatic control over a long historical timeline.

Unity of Command is an innovative and refreshing operational-level wargame that covers the entire 1942/43 Stalingrad Campaign on the Eastern Front.

Why similar: World War II 41.3% ★, Strategy 24.7%, Turn-Based Strategy 16.9%, Grand Strategy 10.5% ★, Historical 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: A classic turn-based wargame that emphasizes the importance of supply lines and logistics in WWII.

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 34.3% ★, Grand Strategy 23.8% ★, Strategy 20.2%, Turn-Based Strategy 14.5%, Historical 7.2%

Why You'll Like It: A highly polished turn-based strategy game that excels at operational WWII combat and unit management.

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: Grand Strategy 39.9% ★, World War II 36.3% ★, Strategy 15.6%, Historical 8.3%

Why You'll Like It: A notoriously deep and complex grand strategy game for players who want total control over their nation's military structure.

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

Why similar: Grand Strategy 32.4% ★, World War II 32.3% ★, Strategy 19.7%, Turn-Based Strategy 12.4%, Historical 3.3%

Why You'll Like It: The gold standard for deep, complex operational-level wargaming on the Eastern Front.

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

Why similar: World War II 45.8% ★, Strategy 34%, Turn-Based Strategy 20.2%

Why You'll Like It: A sophisticated turn-based strategy game that blends operational combat with historical RPG-like decision-making.

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 34% ★, Grand Strategy 29.8% ★, Strategy 14.4%, Turn-Based Strategy 12.2%, Historical 9.7%

Why You'll Like It: A modernized iteration of the series that streamlines the core gameplay while maintaining its strategic roots.

A turn-based strategy game like no other has landed on Steam. Approachable, absorbing and visually impressive yet detailed, Battle Academy aims to revolutionise the strategy games market with a blend of intuitive design and compelling gameplay.

Why similar: World War II 49% ★, Strategy 29.4%, Turn-Based Strategy 21.6%

Why You'll Like It: A turn-based tactical wargame that brings WWII scenarios to life with a focus on unit capabilities.

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

Why similar: Strategy 66.4%, World War II 33.6% ★

Why You'll Like It: A refined turn-based wargame that offers a balanced approach to the European theater of WWII.

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: Grand Strategy 43% ★, Strategy 29.7%, Turn-Based Strategy 14.4%, Historical 13%

Why You'll Like It: A turn-based grand strategy game that features deep systems for managing population, culture, and military expansion.

Spanning the most turbulent era in Western history, your quest for territory and power takes you through Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and even onto the shores of the New World.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 35.4% ★, Strategy 32%, Turn-Based Strategy 17.7%, Historical 13.8%, Action 1.1%

Why You'll Like It: A classic grand strategy title that balances turn-based campaign management with real-time tactical battles.

Combat Mission Battle for Normandy faithfully recreates the experience of tactical land warfare in Western France during World War Two.

Why similar: World War II 45.7% ★, Strategy 33.1%, Turn-Based Strategy 21.2%

Why You'll Like It: A highly realistic tactical simulation that provides a deeper look at WWII combat mechanics.

Shadow Empire is a deep turn-based 4X wargame with a unique blend of military focus, procedurally generated content and role-playing features. Players take the seat of the supreme ruler of a small nation, with the goal of reconquering a devastated planet.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 52.2% ★, Turn-Based Strategy 24.1%, Strategy 23.6%

Why You'll Like It: A complex, turn-based grand strategy game that emphasizes logistics, exploration, and nation-building.

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 61.4% ★, Strategy 21%, Historical 17.6%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses heavily on the economic and diplomatic simulation aspects that are central to the Making History experience.

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 45.8% ★, World War II 34.5% ★, Strategy 19.7%

Why You'll Like It: The latest entry in the series, offering a more modern interface and expanded grand strategy mechanics.

Experience one war through two epic sagas where you will be a part of history or change it. Feel the power of the historically authentic and decisive battles of the Pacific War. Relive some of the grandest and most critical naval battles of recent history and for the first time, choose to lead your fleet to a completely different ending...

Why similar: World War II 66.8% ★, Strategy 23%, Action 5.8%, Historical 4.5%

Why You'll Like It: Offers a unique blend of action and strategy, focusing on the naval warfare aspects of the Pacific theater.

Take Command and Secure Victory in the Great War! Commander – The Great War features a Grand Campaign covering the whole war from the invasion of Belgium on August 5, 1914 to the Armistice on the 11th of November 1918 in addition to 16 different unit types including Infantry, Cavalry, Armoured Cars and Tanks, Artillery, and much more!

Why similar: Strategy 39%, Grand Strategy 32.2% ★, Turn-Based Strategy 19.5%, Historical 9.4%

Why You'll Like It: A turn-based strategy game that focuses on the strategic management of the First World War.

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 46.2% ★, Turn-Based Strategy 19.8%, Strategy 19.4%, Historical 14.5%

Why You'll Like It: A turn-based 4X game that blends historical grand strategy with character-driven narrative elements.

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: Strategy 33.8%, World War II 25.2% ★, Grand Strategy 24.9% ★, Historical 8.5%, Turn-Based Strategy 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: A collection of turn-based historical strategy games that capture the feel of classic board-game wargaming.

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 62.5%, World War II 32.6% ★, Historical 4.2%, Action 0.6%

Why You'll Like It: While more RTS-focused, it provides an intense, historically grounded look at the Eastern Front of WWII.

You take the part of the military and political leadership, trying to lead your nation to victory, in the midst of some of the toughest operations of the Civil War. You will build, organize and command your armies over one of the largest maps of the USA ever made for a Civil War game.

Why similar: Strategy 35.9%, Grand Strategy 32.6% ★, Turn-Based Strategy 16.4%, Historical 15.1%

Why You'll Like It: A deep, turn-based historical grand strategy game that shares the same focus on logistics and military command.

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 58.5% ★, Strategy 23.4%, Historical 18.2%

Command the seas, control the land, forge a new nation, and conquer the globe.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 36.5% ★, Strategy 32.9%, Historical 16.3%, Turn-Based Strategy 13.2%, Action 1.1%

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 58.5% ★, Strategy 23.3%, Historical 18.3%

Making History Gold Edition is the expanded and updated version of the original WWII grand strategy game Making History: Calm & the Storm. Command your nation and change the course of history.

Why similar: World War II 54.4% ★, Strategy 45.6%

Set during the events of WW2, Strategic War in Europe is a classic turn-based strategy game that combines a deep strategic layer with accessibility and ease-of-use.

Why similar: World War II 45.6% ★, Strategy 32.2%, Turn-Based Strategy 14.4%, Historical 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: A straightforward, turn-based grand strategy game focused on the European theater of WWII.

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 54% ★, Strategy 36.1%, Historical 7%, Action 2.9%

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 56.8% ★, Strategy 30.1%, Historical 13.2%

A turn-based WWI Grand Strategy game. Rush to field new modern weaponry and survive the horrendous attrition battles. Join the global conflict between the Great Powers of the age and forge a new world order for freedom or tyranny.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 42.9% ★, Strategy 23.9%, Turn-Based Strategy 17.8%, Historical 15.4%

Strategic Command WWII: War in the Pacific is a turn-based strategy game. It offers a comprehensive experience of the Pacific Theater, challenging you to achieve victory in one of history's greatest conflicts.

Why similar: World War II 33.9% ★, Strategy 31.3%, Turn-Based Strategy 22%, Historical 12.8%

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 37.7% ★, Grand Strategy 24.4% ★, Strategy 20.2%, Turn-Based Strategy 9.6%, Historical 8.1%

A one-of-a-kind real-time strategy game that allows players to bluff their enemies to lead their nation to victory. The Definitive Edition — includes all DLCs and Steam Deck support.

Why similar: World War II 50.6% ★, Strategy 38.5%, Historical 8.9%, Action 1.9%

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 49.4% ★, Strategy 31%, Turn-Based Strategy 14.6%, Historical 5%

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 54.4% ★, Strategy 38.9%, Historical 4.5%, Action 2.2%

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 45.3% ★, Turn-Based Strategy 21.4%, Strategy 20.2%, Historical 13.1%

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

Why similar: Grand Strategy 75% ★, Strategy 15.2%, Historical 9.8%

The ultimate edition of Panzer Corps, containing hundreds of scenarios and all its expansions. Panzer Corps Gold is the culmination of the wargame that has enthralled millions of fans all around the globe, and now it’s your chance to fully experience a real classic.

Why similar: World War II 46% ★, Strategy 22.1%, Turn-Based Strategy 19.5%, Grand Strategy 6.6% ★, Historical 5.8%

Create, discover, and download new player-created maps, scenarios, interfaces, and more!

Why similar: Turn-Based Strategy 38.4%, Strategy 30.9%, Grand Strategy 18.5% ★, Historical 12.2%

Battle of Empires: 1914-1918 is a story-driven RTS that brings to life some of the most brutal battles of the Great War. Each mission showcases the era’s most devastating weaponry — sabotage, stealth, trench warfare, gas attacks, artillery, and mobile infantry. BoE delivers the full WWI experience.

Why similar: Strategy 44.8%, World War II 24.9% ★, Historical 22.9%, Action 7.4%

Wage total war across the ancient world from the Aegean to Mesopotamia in this free addition to Total War: PHARAOH. Challenge the Bronze Age Collapse by building your own dynasty and leading your faction to victory with new cultures, new units and dramatic new battle mechanics.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 40.8% ★, Strategy 27.2%, Turn-Based Strategy 14%, Historical 9.8%, Action 8.2%

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 60.6% ★, Strategy 34.2%, Action 5.2%

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 60.2% ★, Strategy 22.5%, Historical 17.3%

Delivering a visceral WWII gaming experience, Company of Heroes redefines RTS by bringing the sacrifice of heroic soldiers, war-ravaged environments, and dynamic battlefields to life. This legacy version also grants access to the latest version of COH, just called "Company of Heroes".

Why similar: World War II 60.1% ★, Strategy 29.6%, Historical 6.4%, Action 4%

Addictive yet chill. An immersive Cold War sandbox. Revive the Cold War in this classic strategy game—easy to pick up, yet challenging and deep, offering endless replayability.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 44.8% ★, Turn-Based Strategy 25.3%, Strategy 17.4%, Historical 12.5%

Sid Meier's Civilization III: Complete, the latest offering in the Sid Meier's Civilization III franchise, provides gaming fans with Sid Meier's Civilization III, the highly-addictive journey of discovery.

Why similar: Strategy 39.4%, Turn-Based Strategy 30.1%, Grand Strategy 18.6% ★, Historical 11.9%

Attack at Dawn is a WWII strategy game that mixes the ease of real-time action with the depth of operational gameplay, all on beautifully crafted North Africa maps. Plan your strategy like Rommel or Montgomery and better the real history.

Why similar: World War II 38.1% ★, Grand Strategy 28% ★, Strategy 16.1%, Historical 10.6%, Turn-Based Strategy 6.3%

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: Grand Strategy 36.4% ★, World War II 36.3% ★, Strategy 16.1%, Historical 11.2%

Europa Universalis Rome Gold combines the epic strategy title Europa Universalis Rome with the expansion pack Vae Victis. Experience one of the most defining periods in world history in an experience crafted by the masters of Grand Strategy.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 53.3% ★, Strategy 33.1%, Historical 13.5%

This latest multiplayer standalone entry in the COH2 series features this iconic Allied army. Experience a unique tech-tree that challenges the player to balance the constant trade-off between mobility and defense. Surprise opponents with your development choices and an open end game configuration.

Why similar: World War II 57.2% ★, Strategy 39.4%, Action 3.4%

A turn-based strategy game where you can experience WWII campaigns and explore alternate history scenarios made by the community.

Why similar: World War II 41.4% ★, Turn-Based Strategy 22.1%, Strategy 21.6%, Historical 14.9%

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 63.8% ★, Strategy 21.4%, Historical 14.8%

Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization is the third offering in the award winning Civilization IV series. A re-imagining of the classic Colonization game Sid Meier created in 1994, Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization is a total conversion of the Civilization IV engine into a game experience in which players will lead a European...

Why similar: Strategy 44.8%, Turn-Based Strategy 28.7%, Historical 16.1%, Grand Strategy 10.4% ★