Games Like Stronghold Crusader HD (2012)

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: City Builder 15.2%, Colony Sim 13.2%, Real Time Tactics 12.7%, Medieval 8.1%, Base Building 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: This modern remake provides the most polished version of the classic castle-building and siege mechanics that defined the series.

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: City Builder 13.5%, Colony Sim 13.3%, Real Time Tactics 11.5%, War 8.6%, Medieval 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: This is the ultimate modern update to the seed game, offering improved visuals and quality-of-life features while retaining the original gameplay.

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: City Builder 23.3%, Base Building 16.2%, Medieval 14.2%, Colony Sim 9.7%, Historical 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: It offers an incredibly detailed approach to medieval city-building and tactical combat that feels like a spiritual successor to the Stronghold experience.

42 Civilizations, 229 Campaign Missions, Singleplayer, Co-Op, Multiplayer, In-Game Editor, Mods, Cross-play...It is good to be the king.

Why similar: City Builder 25.2%, Base Building 15.5%, RTS 14.6%, Strategy 11.7%, Medieval 10.3%

Why You'll Like It: The gold standard for medieval real-time strategy, featuring deep base-building and massive tactical battles.

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: Colony Sim 20%, City Builder 19.9%, Base Building 9.5%, Building 8%, Medieval 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: A charming yet challenging game that focuses heavily on the architectural and defensive aspects of building a castle.

Diplomacy is Not an Option is a strategy game set in a medieval fantasy world. Build your town and defenses, raise huge armies and fight against massive hordes of enemies. How long can you survive?

Why similar: Colony Sim 22.2%, Base Building 13.5%, Medieval 12.7%, Military 10.4%, War 9%

Why You'll Like It: This game perfectly captures the frantic, wave-based defense gameplay found in the skirmish modes of the seed game.

Build a castle by day and defend it by night. Becastled blends cozy city-building with challenging tower defense strategy. Lead the Sun Kingdom’s last stand against the Moon Beasts and end the ancient conflict between light and darkness!

Why similar: City Builder 16.8%, Base Building 16.6%, Colony Sim 14.8%, Military 9.7%, War 9.3%

Why You'll Like It: It centers entirely on the core Stronghold loop of building a fortified base and defending it against incoming armies.

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: Colony Sim 11.9%, City Builder 11.1%, Real Time Tactics 9.5%, Military 8.6%, Real-Time 8.5% ★

Why You'll Like It: It introduces more complex economic and social management systems to the classic castle-building formula.

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: Colony Sim 19.8%, City Builder 16%, Real Time Tactics 14.1%, Base Building 11.9%, Sandbox 8.6%

Why You'll Like It: This colony sim allows for complex, multi-story castle construction and management in a medieval setting.

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: Colony Sim 12.1%, City Builder 11%, Real Time Tactics 10.1%, Military 8%, Real-Time 7.8% ★

Why You'll Like It: This entry adds fantasy units and heroes to the traditional castle-building mechanics for a unique twist.

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: Medieval 23.5%, War 17.4%, Strategy 12.8%, Military 11.3%, Historical 10.9%

Why You'll Like It: It combines grand strategy with tactical siege battles that mirror the scale and intensity of medieval warfare.

Celebrating its first year of delighting millions of global players, the award-winning and best-selling strategy franchise continues with Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition, putting you at the center of even more epic historical battles that shaped the world.

Why similar: Base Building 17.6%, City Builder 16.7%, War 16.6%, RTS 13.7%, Medieval 11.3%

Why You'll Like It: A modern take on the classic medieval RTS formula with high-fidelity graphics and engaging siege mechanics.

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

Why similar: City Builder 31.3%, Medieval 12.4%, Colony Sim 10.6%, Building 7.8%, Sandbox 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: A grid-less medieval city-builder that emphasizes organic growth and complex production chains.

Cossacks 3 is the return of RTS classics. Obtain resources, build cities and research technologies while taking command of great armies, crushing enemies in grand historical warfares on land and sea!

Why similar: War 18.3%, City Builder 18%, Base Building 14.8%, RTS 12%, Strategy 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: A classic RTS that focuses on large-scale military engagements and complex economic logistics.

Ancestors Legacy is a squad-based real time strategy with a strong focus on tactics. Inspired by medieval European history, it brings to life four different nations and their conflicts, usually solved by war.

Why similar: Medieval 20.5%, Real-Time 18.8% ★, RTS 15.1%, War 13.2%, Strategy 12.5%

Why You'll Like It: A squad-based RTS that focuses on tactical medieval combat and environmental awareness.

Northgard: Definitive Edition is a critically acclaimed real-time strategy game based on Norse mythology. Lead your clan, uncover the secrets of a mysterious newfound continent and defeat your enemies to conquer the Throne!

Why similar: City Builder 24.8%, Colony Sim 15.3%, RTS 11.1%, Base Building 10%, War 10%

Why You'll Like It: An RTS that emphasizes resource management and base expansion in a harsh, unforgiving environment.

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: Medieval 30.7%, Strategy 19.6%, RTS 19.5%, Historical 10.4%, City Builder 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: It provides a deep grand strategy experience with a focus on medieval governance and military command.

Rise of Nations is back! Play the updated classic with full Steamworks integration and enhanced features!

Why similar: RTS 23.3%, Strategy 16.8%, War 15.7%, Historical 10%, City Builder 10%

Why You'll Like It: It blends traditional RTS base-building with historical progression across multiple eras.

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

Why similar: City Builder 33.8%, Colony Sim 18.8%, Building 16.2%, Strategy 9.3%, Management 6.4%

Why You'll Like It: While more focused on trade, its deep supply chain management is essential for players who enjoy the economy of Stronghold.

Protect and guide your people as you forge a town from untamed wilderness at the edge of the known world. Harvest raw materials, hunt, fish and farm to survive. Produce crafted items to trade, consume, equip and fight with as you battle for your survival against the elements and outside threats.

Why similar: City Builder 18.2%, Colony Sim 17.5%, Building 13.2%, Base Building 10.5%, Medieval 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: A challenging city-builder that requires careful management of resources and defenses to survive the wilderness.

With this modernized History Edition dive into the diversified mix of enthralling build-up matches and exciting real-time fights. Manifold landscapes await to be explored and populated. Includes the main game plus the two expansions.

Why similar: Colony Sim 43.9%, City Builder 24.5%, Medieval 11.9%, Strategy 9.9%, RTS 9.8%

Why You'll Like It: A classic medieval RTS that emphasizes building efficient production chains and defensive structures.

Besiege Great Khans, Imperial warlords and Shōgun commanders in Stronghold: Warlords, the latest 'castle sim' from Firefly Studios. Command AI warlords across the battlefield as you build a castle economy and new gunpowder-fuelled siege engines!

Why similar: Colony Sim 11.9%, City Builder 11.2%, Real Time Tactics 9.6%, Military 8.6%, Real-Time 7.8% ★

Why You'll Like It: This entry introduces eastern-themed castle building and a unique diplomacy system for managing AI lords.

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 42.7%, Real Time Tactics 33.7%, RTS 23.6%

Why You'll Like It: A purely tactical RTS that focuses on unit formations, terrain, and strategic positioning.

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

Why similar: Colony Sim 24.4%, City Builder 21.5%, Building 8.8%, RTS 8.8%, War 6.6%

Why You'll Like It: It provides a refined economic management experience with a focus on city expansion and trade routes.

Play as mythological Gods and smite your enemies in this award-winning, mythological Real-Time Strategy classic given new life. Wage war across timeless campaigns, fierce skirmishes, and god-powered multiplayer modes.

Why similar: Base Building 41%, RTS 27.9%, Resource Management 16.4%, Strategy 14.7%

Why You'll Like It: It offers the classic RTS base-building experience with a mythological twist and unique unit abilities.

A massively multiplayer grand strategy game, Stronghold Kingdoms is about forging alliances, political mind games, city-building and castle sieges with thousands of other players!

Why similar: City Builder 12.7%, Colony Sim 12.2%, Real-Time 10.7% ★, Medieval 9.3%, War 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: A massively multiplayer take on the series that focuses on long-term territory control and economic cooperation.

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: City Builder 27.4%, Medieval 15.8%, Strategy 12.8%, RTS 9.1%, Base Building 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: It continues the series with a focus on 3D physics-based destruction and updated siege mechanics.

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: City Builder 18%, Real Time Tactics 15%, Base Building 13.3%, Medieval 12%, War 11.6%

Why You'll Like It: It blends grand strategy with real-time siege combat, allowing for a deep strategic experience.

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: City Builder 20.9%, War 14.8%, Base Building 13.1%, Medieval 11.9%, Isometric 7.7%

Why You'll Like It: This game focuses on the gritty, desperate reality of surviving within a castle during a long-term siege.

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: Medieval 31.2%, Strategy 19.4%, War 18.3%, RTS 14.6%, Historical 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: The original grand strategy classic that remains a staple for fans of medieval political and military management.

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: Colony Sim 15.5%, City Builder 13.4%, Real Time Tactics 12.5%, Base Building 8.9%, Medieval 8.1%

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: City Builder 23.1%, Base Building 17.5%, RTS 16%, Strategy 13%, Real-Time 9% ★

Age of Empires II has been re-imagined in high definition. With the release of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, this product will not be updated further.

Why similar: RTS 19.5%, Medieval 17.3%, City Builder 14.3%, Strategy 13.1%, Base Building 12.2%

Lead powerful civilizations across the globe, master strategies and tactics, and relive history in co op battles—now remastered in stunning 4K and modernized gameplay.

Why similar: Base Building 18.8%, City Builder 17.9%, Military 17.6%, War 12.7%, RTS 11.3%

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: City Builder 28.3%, Medieval 19.8%, Strategy 14.9%, RTS 12.6%, Building 7.5%

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

Why similar: Colony Sim 24.5%, City Builder 21.3%, Building 8.8%, RTS 8.8%, War 6.6%

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: Military 14.1%, City Builder 14.1%, Real Time Tactics 14.1%, Base Building 11.7%, War 11.2%

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

Why similar: Colony Sim 24.6%, City Builder 21.2%, RTS 8.8%, Building 8.8%, War 6.5%

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: City Builder 21.8%, Sandbox 13.6%, Real Time Tactics 12.6%, Base Building 12.6%, Medieval 11.5%

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: City Builder 47.9%, Medieval 21.3%, Strategy 19.9%, RTS 10.9%

Mandate Order is a Warring States war city-builder set in ancient China. Build a stronghold, manage industries and logistics, recruit scholars from the Hundred Schools of Thought, raise armies, and command real-time tactical battles with thousands of soldiers.

Why similar: City Builder 17.9%, Military 13.6%, Base Building 10.5%, Building 9.5%, Medieval 7.9%

Settlements Rising is a medieval city building and colony management game. It offers a lively colony experience with simulated villagers, dozens of professions and resources, natural disasters, and raids, while providing full control over the colony through trade, production chains and datas.

Why similar: Colony Sim 22.7%, City Builder 20.6%, Medieval 9.6%, Base Building 9.3%, Building 8.9%

KNIGHTS and MERCHANTS recreates the era of the Middle Ages. Apart from the purely fictitious geography of our world, all game elements and scenes are based on the Anglo-Saxon period, 1200 A.D. And we haven't used imaginary elements like fabled creatures, either. The player takes on the role of an ordinary captain in the Palace Guard.

Why similar: Strategy 38.9%, Colony Sim 21.1%, City Builder 15.2%, Medieval 10.6%, RTS 6.6%

It's 1347, the time of the Hundred Years' War. In this historical grand strategy and RTS hybrid you play as one of 200 minor lords across medieval Europe, Africa or Middle East. Rise up to take over your Kingdom and be crowned, then fight to preserve your empire as Black Death descends on Europe.

Why similar: Colony Sim 13.7%, City Builder 12.7%, Real Time Tactics 10.8%, Military 9.4%, Medieval 8%

Cossacks: The Art of War continues the history of the great battles of XVII–XVIII centuries

Why similar: Real-Time 36% ★, Base Building 19.5%, RTS 16.9%, Historical 10.5%, Strategy 7.7%

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: Colony Sim 22.7%, City Builder 15.6%, Base Building 13.3%, Medieval 10.7%, Building 10.7%

New Real Time Strategy Game based on medieval times, where you will control powerful factions and empires, with large-scale epic battles, asymmetric civilizations, unit customization system with RPG elements, dynamic AI, 8K support and much more.

Why similar: City Builder 29%, Real Time Tactics 24.5%, Medieval 15%, RTS 13.9%, Historical 9.5%

The High Definition edition of Majesty Gold contains main game, the Northern Expansion Pack as well as 2 new quests and several other graphics and gameplay updates.Majesty is a Real-time strategy game with indirect control – your heroes have a will of their own!

Why similar: Strategy 24.2%, Base Building 21.9%, RTS 11.9%, City Builder 9.8%, Simulation 8.8%

Diplomacy is Not an Option: Shareware is a free prequel to the original game. In a medieval fantasy world, you are to build settlements, raise huge armies, and defend against massive hordes of enemies. Learn how Ironbrow clan shaped the world's map the first time - if you survive, that is.

Why similar: Colony Sim 20.3%, City Builder 17.6%, Base Building 10.8%, Building 8.2%, Medieval 7.7%

Lords of Solgrund combines elements of real time strategy, city building and other unique additions. The game features detailed animations, complex gameplay systems inspired by the early middle ages and elements of fantasy.

Why similar: City Builder 18.8%, Base Building 12.1%, Building 11%, Medieval 10.7%, Sandbox 10.1%

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: Medieval 21.3%, War 15.9%, Historical 11.7%, Strategy 11.3%, Sandbox 11.3%

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: City Builder 25%, Colony Sim 22%, Building 12.5%, Economy 6.9%, Historical 6.8%

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: Medieval 29.8%, Strategy 18.3%, Sandbox 14.6%, Economy 12.5%, Simulation 9%

Sudden Strike is back! The beloved Real Time Strategy series returns, this time with bigger battlefields, more units, better graphics, new scenarios and legendary commanders – making Sudden Strike 4 more tactical and realistic than ever before!

Why similar: Real Time Tactics 24.7%, War 17.4%, Real-Time 13.8% ★, RTS 13.1%, Strategy 10.7%

Return to the bloody battlefields of World War II in this epic sequel. Blitzkrieg 2 returns you to the gritty realism of WWII battles while pushing your focus into new, strategic opportunities during global war!

Why similar: Military 22.8%, War 20.6%, RTS 18%, Real Time Tactics 17.1%, Strategy 13.7%

Eyes of War is a real-time strategy game set in the medieval era, offering both single-player and multiplayer experiences where you can control every unit in character mode. Build your castle, lead your army, and dominate the map. Eyes of War invites you to epic battles of the medieval era!

Why similar: City Builder 15.8%, Real Time Tactics 12.4%, Base Building 12.2%, Military 12%, RTS 11.8%

Men of War: Assault Squad 2 expands the real-time tactics series with new skirmish missions, massive multiplayer battles, enhanced visuals, improved AI, and full Direct Control. Command five factions across 65 maps, 250 vehicles, and 200 soldiers in one of the most detailed WWII RTS experiences.

Why similar: War 24.6%, Military 21.3%, Real Time Tactics 17.6%, RTS 14%, Strategy 13.9%

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: City Builder 19.2%, Military 13.1%, Building 10.4%, Medieval 9.8%, RTS 9.7%

The cult heavy metal fantasy action-strategy gem comes to PC in HD. Lead your armies from the front lines, giving strategic orders to your forces while wading into hack n’ slash action battle. Crush your foes across four campaigns, and spend the spoils of war on upgrading your forces.

Why similar: Real Time Tactics 29.2%, War 21%, Medieval 19.2%, RTS 17.2%, Strategy 9.7%