Games Like Stellaris

Distant Worlds 2 is a vast, pausable real-time 4X space strategy game.

Why similar: 4X 32.2% ★, Grand Strategy 24.8%, Space 14.1%, Strategy 7.9%, Sci-fi 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: Its living galaxy, civilian economy, automated governors, exploration, diplomacy, and real-time empire warfare make it one of the closest alternatives to Stellaris's systemic space sandbox.

Take command of a civilization that has just achieved faster-than-light travel in Galactic Civilizations IV, the newest entry in the award-winning space 4X strategy game series. Explore the galaxy, colonize worlds, shape cultures, make alliances, fight wars and pioneer new technologies.

Why similar: 4X 20.8% ★, Grand Strategy 19.3%, Space 11.9%, Diplomacy 8.8% ★, Sandbox 6.9%

Why You'll Like It: This expansive turn-based space 4X focuses on customizing civilizations, colonizing worlds, researching technologies, conducting diplomacy, and pursuing galaxy-wide conquest.

ENDLESS Space™ 2 is a Strategic Space Opera, featuring the compelling “just one more turn” gameplay, set in the mysterious ENDLESS Universe™. As the leader of your civilization, will you impose your vision and build the greatest stellar empire?

Why similar: Strategy 62.8%, Space 13.2%, 4X 12.1% ★, Grand Strategy 4.5%, Sci-fi 3.8%

Why You'll Like It: It offers richly asymmetric factions, narrative quest lines, deep empire management, diplomacy, and beautiful large-scale galactic expansion.

Battle for galactic dominance in this real-time 4X strategy game with unrivaled scale! You’ll explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate through military force, diplomacy, trade, culture, influence, and other underhanded tactics.

Why similar: 4X 42.9% ★, Space 31.3%, Sci-fi 10.6%, Strategy 9.6%, Multiplayer 4.6%

Why You'll Like It: It combines 4X-style empire growth, research, diplomacy, and planetary development with real-time fleet battles across seamless star systems.

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: 4X 21.3% ★, Grand Strategy 19.2%, Real-Time with Pause 10.9% ★, Diplomacy 9.9% ★, Space 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: Its detailed political, economic, scientific, and space-colonization simulation delivers Stellaris-like long-term planning on a more grounded near-future scale.

Distant Worlds is a vast, pausable real-time 4X space strategy game. Experience the full depth and detail of turn-based strategy, but with the simplicity and ease of real-time, and on the scale of a massively-multiplayer online game.

Why similar: 4X 36.5% ★, Space 17.7%, Grand Strategy 17.1%, Strategy 6.7%, Sci-fi 6.7%

Why You'll Like It: This exceptionally detailed space grand-strategy sandbox lets you manage or automate nearly every facet of a sprawling interstellar civilization.

Build a civilization that will stand the test of time in the largest space-based strategy game ever! Choose from dozens of unique races and make a name for yourself across the galaxy through diplomacy, espionage, technological advances, and more.

Why similar: 4X 26.9% ★, Grand Strategy 22.6%, Space 12%, Moddable 9.9%, Sandbox 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: A vast turn-based 4X with custom civilizations, ideological choices, planetary management, diplomacy, and large-scale interstellar warfare.

Star Trek: Infinite is a grand strategy experience that lets you play your own Star Trek story as the leader of one of four major factions in the galaxy. Follow the specially crafted story or blaze your own trail in the first Star Trek grand strategy game.

Why similar: 4X 26.8% ★, Grand Strategy 24.3%, Space 13.8%, Diplomacy 10.6% ★, Sandbox 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: Built around Paradox-style real-time grand strategy, it emphasizes exploration, diplomacy, internal politics, and expansion in a focused Star Trek galaxy.

ENDLESS Space™ is a turn-based 4X strategy game, covering the space colonization age in the ENDLESS Universe™, where you can control every aspect of your civilization as you strive for galactic domination.

Why similar: 4X 39.6% ★, Space 20.9%, Strategy 12.7%, Sci-fi 8.3%, Grand Strategy 5.8%

Why You'll Like It: Its streamlined but stylish turn-based galactic expansion, faction asymmetry, and diplomacy make it a strong option for Stellaris players wanting a faster-paced 4X.

Command a space-faring empire in Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion, the new stand-alone expansion that combines 4X depth with real-time strategy gameplay.

Why similar: 4X 21.6% ★, Grand Strategy 19%, Space 11.5%, Diplomacy 11.4% ★, Sandbox 7.3%

Why You'll Like It: It delivers the satisfying blend of planetary empire building, research trees, diplomacy, and enormous real-time space battles that Stellaris players often enjoy.

The ascendant spacefaring 4X strategy game returns! A new chapter in the epic Master of Orion saga is poised to once again capture the imaginations of millions of gamers.

Why similar: 4X 51.2% ★, Space 18.9%, Strategy 12.8%, Grand Strategy 8%, Sci-fi 6.7%

Why You'll Like It: This streamlined modern remake provides accessible alien-faction 4X gameplay built around colonization, technology, diplomacy, and fleet warfare.

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 23.6%, 4X 21.5% ★, Real-Time with Pause 12.8% ★, Diplomacy 10.5% ★, Moddable 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: Although historical rather than sci-fi, its open-ended nation building, diplomacy, warfare, trade, colonization, and emergent alternate history strongly match Stellaris's grand-strategy appeal.

The award-winning Space Empires IV Deluxe is the latest edition in the Space Empires series. A grand strategy title in the space 4X (explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate) genre, Space Empires has already found a place in the heart of strategy gamers everywhere.

Why similar: 4X 57.2% ★, Space 17.5%, Strategy 14.3%, Sci-fi 10.7%, Singleplayer 0.3%

Why You'll Like It: Despite its older presentation, it remains a remarkably deep space 4X centered on empire design, colonization, research, ship construction, and galactic conquest.

Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth is a new science-fiction-themed entry into the award winning Civilization series. As part of an expedition sent to find a home beyond Earth, lead your people into a new frontier, explore and colonize an alien planet and create a new civilization in space.

Why similar: 4X 30.5% ★, Space 17.3%, Grand Strategy 14.9%, Sci-fi 11.7%, Strategy 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: Its science-fiction colonization setting, affinity-based civilization development, exploration, and diplomacy make it a natural turn-based counterpart to Stellaris.

Interstellar Space: Genesis is a turn-based space 4X strategy game in which you attempt to build a thriving galactic empire. Discover mysteries among the stars, colonize worlds, and engage enemies in tactical turn-based combat on your journey to becoming the ruler of the galaxy!

Why similar: 4X 29.1% ★, Grand Strategy 18.6%, Space 14.4%, Sci-fi 7.8%, Diplomacy 6% ★

Why You'll Like It: This modern turn-based space 4X emphasizes exploration, colonization, alien civilizations, research, ship design, and event-driven galactic discovery.

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: 4X 31.4% ★, Grand Strategy 26%, Space 15.2%, Sci-fi 8.4%, Strategy 5.7%

Why You'll Like It: It trades space opera for a harsh sci-fi planetary setting but offers extraordinary depth in logistics, politics, exploration, warfare, and emergent empire management.

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 31.2%, Real-Time with Pause 13.6% ★, Diplomacy 12.4% ★, Sandbox 11%, Moddable 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: Players drawn to Stellaris's population systems and economic development will find a similarly intricate society, market, politics, and diplomacy simulation.

The most devious and acclaimed artificial intelligence in strategy gaming is better than ever. A grand strategy/RTS hybrid that reverses many conventions of both genres. Take territory without attracting attention, build your empire with care, and adapt to an ever-evolving galactic battleground.

Why similar: 4X 30.6% ★, Grand Strategy 24.6%, Space 10.2%, Moddable 6.5%, Sandbox 6.1%

Why You'll Like It: Its unconventional real-time grand strategy asks you to build a star-spanning resistance while carefully expanding against a vastly stronger AI empire.

Can anyone build an empire in a place like this? Other factions are naturally suspicious of newcomers and may wage war at the first sign of unidentified craft. Here, a natural death is an uncommon luxury.

Why similar: 4X 31.6% ★, Grand Strategy 21.2%, Space 16.5%, Real-Time with Pause 15.3% ★, Strategy 7.1%

Why You'll Like It: This real-time 4X features massive customizable fleets, colonization, research, diplomacy, and large procedurally generated galaxies.

Stellar Monarch 2 is a feudal space empire builder where you feel like the Emperor, not a logistics officer. Great noble houses, usurpers to the throne, rebels, assassins, court intrigues, disloyal admirals, incompetent governors and ever-present alien threat.

Why similar: 4X 39.3% ★, Grand Strategy 31%, Space 13.5%, Strategy 8.4%, Sci-fi 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: It concentrates on the ruler-level side of interstellar empire management, with internal politics, espionage, diplomacy, economy, and expansion handled at a grand scale.

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 32.1%, 4X 30.2% ★, Strategy 16%, Multiplayer 5.9%, Moddable 4.9%

Why You'll Like It: Its polished turn-based empire building, technological progress, diplomacy, territorial expansion, and multiple victory paths appeal to Stellaris players who want a terrestrial 4X.

Your journey to building a vast space empire begins behind the controls of a single ship. Explore, trade, fight, and build as you rise to command fleets, stations, and entire economies in a living, fully simulated universe that reacts to every decision.

Why similar: 4X 25% ★, Grand Strategy 18.6%, Space 15.2%, Moddable 9.4%, Sandbox 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: It is a more hands-on space sandbox where you can explore, trade, build stations, manage fleets, and influence a simulated galactic economy.

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 32.6%, 4X 19.3% ★, Real-Time with Pause 10.7% ★, Strategy 8.8%, Sandbox 7.7%

Why You'll Like It: Its character-driven political sandbox provides the same kind of emergent stories, internal management, diplomacy, and long-term empire building in a medieval setting.

Age of Wonders: Planetfall is the new strategy game from Triumph Studios, creators of the critically acclaimed Age of Wonders series, bringing all the exciting tactical turn-based combat and in-depth empire building of its predecessors to space in an all-new, sci-fi setting.

Why similar: 4X 44.6% ★, Space 15.9%, Sci-fi 11.9%, Strategy 11.5%, Futuristic 5.9%

Why You'll Like It: It provides faction-rich sci-fi 4X expansion, technological development, colonization, diplomacy, and tactical battles for players who enjoy Stellaris's empire customization.

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: Grand Strategy 42.8%, Real-Time with Pause 13% ★, Strategy 11.4%, Diplomacy 9.9% ★, Military 9.5%

Why You'll Like It: It offers Paradox's signature real-time-with-pause strategic planning through national development, production, diplomacy, research, and global war.

The Pegasus Expedition is a story-driven sci-fi grand strategy game set in a key moment for humankind’s survival. Facing an overwhelming threat at home, humanity sends expeditions to the Pegasus Galaxy in a desperate attempt to find a refuge for the population of Earth.

Why similar: 4X 24.9% ★, Grand Strategy 22.5%, Space 13.2%, Diplomacy 11.9% ★, Sci-fi 6.8%

Why You'll Like It: Its narrative-heavy campaign blends galactic conquest, resource management, diplomacy, and tactical decisions in a darker science-fiction setting.

A sci-fi colony sim driven by an intelligent AI storyteller. Generates stories by simulating psychology, ecology, gunplay, melee combat, climate, biomes, diplomacy, interpersonal relationships, art, medicine, trade, and more.

Why similar: Moddable 23.1%, Sandbox 20.6%, Sci-fi 16.4%, Strategy 10.8%, Management 9.7%

Why You'll Like It: Its emergent colony stories, procedural events, faction relations, population needs, and sandbox management echo Stellaris on an intimate planetary scale.

Warhammer 40,000: Gladius – Relics of War brings you to a world of terror and violence. Four factions will engage in a brutal war for dominance over the planet’s resources. In the first turn-based 4X strategy game set in Warhammer 40,000 you will lead one of four unique factions.

Why similar: 4X 48.2% ★, Grand Strategy 19.6%, Strategy 11.7%, Sci-fi 8.4%, Multiplayer 4.5%

Why You'll Like It: This combat-focused sci-fi 4X offers distinct factions, city development, research, expansion, and relentless warfare on an alien world.

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 34.3%, 4X 32.3% ★, Diplomacy 17.4% ★, Strategy 6.7%, Simulation 5.3%

Alliance of the Sacred Suns is a sci-fi grand-strategy RPG that begins with your coronation as the head of an interstellar Empire, and ends with your demise. Manage feuding noble houses and the schemes of would-be usurpers as you try to revive the glory of an Empire on the brink of collapse.

Why similar: 4X 23.2% ★, Grand Strategy 19.8%, Space 12.8%, Moddable 7.6%, Sandbox 6.7%

Why You'll Like It: This ambitious space grand strategy focuses on governing a dynastic interstellar empire through politics, exploration, colonization, economics, and war.

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 42.8% ★, Grand Strategy 30%, Strategy 13.3%, Multiplayer 5.3%, Management 4.1%

Why You'll Like It: This historical 4X emphasizes adaptable civilization identity, territory growth, city development, diplomacy, and layered strategic decision-making across long campaigns.

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

Why similar: Grand Strategy 66.9%, Strategy 6.6%, Real-Time with Pause 5.9% ★, Sandbox 5.7%, Diplomacy 5.3% ★

Experience the epic space strategy games that redefined the RTS genre. Control your fleet and build an armada across more than 30 single-player missions. Choose unit types, fleet formations and flight tactics for each strategic situation.

Why similar: Space 44.8%, Sci-fi 15.2%, Strategy 12.3%, Great Soundtrack 8.9%, Moddable 5.4%

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 47.8%, Real-Time with Pause 14.1% ★, Strategy 7.8%, Diplomacy 5.9% ★, Sandbox 5.3%

Take control of your own starship and blaze your trail in an ever-changing galaxy. Master the arts of combat, mining and trade or venture out into the unknown across a 1:1 scale universe.

Why similar: Space 44.7%, Sci-fi 16.9%, Sandbox 10.5%, Exploration 10.5%, Simulation 7.7%

Build the most efficient intergalactic factory in space simulation strategy game Dyson Sphere Program! Harness the power of stars, collect resources, plan and design production lines and develop your interstellar factory from a small space workshop to a galaxy-wide industrial empire.

Why similar: Space 43.8%, Sandbox 17.3%, Sci-fi 15.1%, Management 8.2%, Simulation 8%

No Man's Sky is a game about exploration and survival in an infinite procedurally generated universe.

Why similar: Space 39.1%, Sci-fi 15.7%, Sandbox 14.5%, Exploration 11.7%, Procedural Generation 7.2%

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 59.1%, Strategy 15.2%, Simulation 7.8%, Management 3.8%, Real-Time with Pause 3.6% ★

In this Grand Strategy game, you take control of the Solar System's Great Powers in 2092 and weather the storm of change as you navigate the uncertain waters of the future. Control the greatest military forces in the world and wage wars on an epic scale: outer space is yours to conquer!

Why similar: Grand Strategy 24.1%, 4X 23.1% ★, Space 13.8%, Real-Time with Pause 10.8% ★, Sci-fi 7.1%

Command or corrupt an entire galaxy in the definitive Star Wars strategy collection. It is a time of galactic civil war. Will you take up the reins of the Rebellion, assume control of the Empire, or rule the Star Wars Underworld?

Why similar: Space 25.2%, Grand Strategy 14.4%, Moddable 13.5%, Strategy 13.5%, Sci-fi 11.9%

This "spaceship simulation roguelike-like" allows you to take your ship and crew on an adventure through a randomly generated galaxy filled with glory and bitter defeat.

Why similar: Space 40.8%, Real-Time with Pause 20.7% ★, Sci-fi 17%, Strategy 11.2%, Procedural Generation 4.9%

Lead your people to victory on an ever-evolving world in this strategy game featuring asymmetric factions led by powerful heroes. Build your empire, wield political influence, and raise grand armies to wage war in a race to uncover dark secrets buried within the planet.

Why similar: 4X 26.3% ★, Grand Strategy 23.3%, Diplomacy 11.9% ★, Moddable 8.8%, Sandbox 7.6%

Build and command a fleet of starships and travel between planets as you explore, build, negotiate, and fight to preserve your vision for humanity.

Why similar: Space 44.7%, 4X 20.6% ★, Sci-fi 17%, Strategy 16.7%, Singleplayer 1%

Rule a fantasy realm of your own design! Explore new magical realms in Age of Wonders’ signature blend of 4X strategy and turn-based tactical combat. Control a faction that grows and changes as you expand your empire with each turn!

Why similar: 4X 38% ★, Grand Strategy 29.8%, Moddable 10.6%, Strategy 7.2%, Exploration 5.2%

Take command of a vast interstellar empire and safeguard your species from total extinction in a procedurally generated 3D galaxy (with the option to flatten it) from 1 System to 10,000+! Prove your species' ingenuity through a deep and intricate combat system where anything (from individual components on ships to the stars themselves)...

Why similar: 4X 39.6% ★, Space 22.4%, Grand Strategy 16.6%, Strategy 11.7%, Sci-fi 6.6%

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

Why similar: 4X 37.8% ★, Grand Strategy 20.5%, Strategy 16.7%, Diplomacy 7.6% ★, Multiplayer 6.9%

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: Grand Strategy 30%, Real-Time with Pause 19.5% ★, Diplomacy 15.3% ★, Sandbox 10.7%, Military 8.5%

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 57% ★, Strategy 16.1%, Grand Strategy 10.5%, Sci-fi 4.6%, Great Soundtrack 4.2%

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: 4X 34.7% ★, Grand Strategy 29.1%, Diplomacy 13.1% ★, Strategy 6.3%, Military 6%

Massive scale 4X-RTS set in space. Control hundreds of planets, manipulate galactic politics, research numerous advanced technologies, and command thousands of units and hundreds of planets in your quest for galactic dominance.

Why similar: 4X 48.4% ★, Space 27.6%, Sci-fi 12.6%, Strategy 11.4%

As a space bear, human or any other race, venture forth into the galaxy, create custom ships, conquer new worlds, build new colonies and defend your very existence against those who would take what is yours.

Why similar: 4X 53.1% ★, Space 25.4%, Strategy 11.9%, Sci-fi 9.3%, Singleplayer 0.3%

StarDrive 2 is an exciting and evolutionary step forward for the StarDrive franchise. In this eagerly anticipated sequel, the core mechanics have evolved to incorporate a turn-based strategic layer, featuring spectacular realtime battles.

Why similar: 4X 41.7% ★, Space 25.7%, Strategy 16.2%, Sci-fi 13.1%, Management 3.1%

Get the complete GalCiv II saga including Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords, the expansion pack Dark Avatar, and the newest expansion pack Twilight of the Arnor!

Why similar: 4X 38.8% ★, Grand Strategy 33.9%, Strategy 6.6%, Space 4.5%, Diplomacy 4.5% ★

A 4X real-time strategy game from the developers of the critically acclaimed Northgard. Set in Frank Herbert’s groundbreaking Dune universe, you must lead your faction and battle for control and dominance over the harsh desert planet of Arrakis.

Why similar: 4X 29.4% ★, Grand Strategy 25.3%, Diplomacy 13.6% ★, Sci-fi 10.9%, Management 6.8%

Pandora: First Contact is a science fiction 4X turn-based strategy game on a planetary scale. Our Earth has been exhausted and colonial attempts on other planetary bodies have been in vain. Finally, after decades of exploration, an interstellar probe has brought promise of a new world.

Why similar: 4X 57.6% ★, Strategy 13.3%, Sci-fi 12%, Space 8.8%, Simulation 4.6%

A sci-fi turn-based 4X strategy game where you lead the fate of one of several factions divided between three races. Explore new worlds and new star systems filled with exciting secrets as well as dangers. Build cities, expand your influence and fight great battles on land and in space.

Why similar: 4X 27.4% ★, Grand Strategy 22%, Space 12.6%, Diplomacy 9.3% ★, Sci-fi 7.3%

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

Why similar: 4X 31.7% ★, Grand Strategy 30.4%, Diplomacy 15.4% ★, Military 7.9%, Strategy 5.6%

Rebel Galaxy is a swashbuckling space adventure, with action-packed combat, exploration, discovery, trade, and “negotiation” with the outlandish denizens at the edge of the known universe.

Why similar: Space 54.6%, Sci-fi 16.5%, Great Soundtrack 10.2%, Sandbox 7.9%, Simulation 4%

A large-scale 4X strategy game with indirect control and a focus on simulating a space empire. Capture systems, develop your economy and logistics, call up hundreds of powerful fleets and watch them incinerate enemies of the Solar Empire.

Why similar: 4X 28.7% ★, Grand Strategy 25.9%, Space 16.4%, Sci-fi 7.7%, Strategy 5.6%