- #1 Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition
97% matchVery Positive92% of 10,644 reviews2025
Dev: Firefly Studios
Windows
Median: 12.8 hrsMean: 32.3 hrs≥1hr: 88%
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 13.6%, Real Time Tactics 11.2%, Colony Sim 11%, RTS 7.3%, Tower Defense 6.7%
Why You'll Like It: This is the definitive version of the fan-favorite sequel, offering refined mechanics and the classic desert warfare experience.
- #2 Manor Lords
96% matchVery Positive84% of 87,232 reviews2024
Dev: Slavic MagicPub: Hooded Horse
Windows
Median: 9.4 hrsMean: 22.1 hrs≥1hr: 89%
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 23.6%, Base Building 12.8%, Historical 12.6%, Medieval 12.6%, Colony Sim 7.7%
Why You'll Like It: This game perfectly captures the intersection of organic medieval city-building and tactical real-time combat.
- #3 Going Medieval
95% matchVery Positive89% of 20,881 reviews2026
Dev: Foxy VoxelPub: Mythwright
Windows
Median: 7.9 hrsMean: 31.6 hrs≥1hr: 83%
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: City Builder 22.2%, Colony Sim 21.3%, Economy 13.3%, Base Building 12.5%, Historical 11.7%
Why You'll Like It: It offers a deep focus on vertical castle construction and colony management in a survival-heavy medieval setting.
- #4 Stronghold HD (2012)
96% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 10,310 reviews2013
Dev: Firefly Studios
Windows
Median: 3.0 hrsMean: 18.4 hrs≥1hr: 81%
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: City Builder 12.7%, Colony Sim 11.5%, Real Time Tactics 11%, RTS 8.2%, Tower Defense 7.5%
Why You'll Like It: The original game that started it all, essential for those wanting to experience the classic campaign and mechanics.
- #5 Farthest Frontier
94% matchVery Positive86% of 24,477 reviews2025
Dev: Crate Entertainment
Windows
Median: 9.9 hrsMean: 26.9 hrs≥1hr: 85%
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 18.7%, Colony Sim 14.2%, Building 10.9%, RTS 10.9%, Economy 9.5%
Why You'll Like It: This title provides a challenging medieval city-builder experience with a strong emphasis on resource management and survival against the elements.
- #6 Stronghold Crusader HD (2012)
94% matchOverwhelmingly Positive98% of 20,852 reviews2013
Dev: Firefly Studios
Windows
Median: 3.1 hrsMean: 16.1 hrs≥1hr: 77%
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: City Builder 15%, Colony Sim 13.4%, Real Time Tactics 12.7%, Medieval 8.1%, Base Building 7.8%
Why You'll Like It: The classic desert-themed expansion that introduced iconic AI opponents and faster-paced skirmish gameplay.
- #7 Kingdoms and Castles
93% matchVery Positive94% of 31,097 reviews2017
Dev: Lion Shield, LLC
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 6.1 hrsMean: 16.1 hrs≥1hr: 88%
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: City Builder 24.2%, Colony Sim 19%, Medieval 9.7%, Building 6.8%, Resource Management 6.7%
Why You'll Like It: This game offers a more stylized approach to castle defense and city-building that emphasizes structural integrity against dragon attacks.
- #8 Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
92% matchVery Positive95% of 178,065 reviews2019
Dev: World's EdgePub: Xbox Game Studios
Windows · Mac
Median: 10.9 hrsMean: 87.5 hrs≥1hr: 92%
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 24.8%, RTS 21.7%, Strategy 11.7%, Base Building 11.6%, Historical 9.1%
Why You'll Like It: A classic RTS that shares the same medieval aesthetic and base-building focus as the Stronghold series.
- #9 Foundation
91% matchVery Positive86% of 23,739 reviews2025
Dev: Polymorph Games
Windows
Median: 11.0 hrsMean: 26.6 hrs≥1hr: 89%
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 31.9%, Medieval 10.9%, Colony Sim 8.4%, Economy 7.7%, Sandbox 6.5%
Why You'll Like It: It features a grid-less building system that allows for organic, realistic medieval town development.
- #10 Becastled
90% matchVery Positive82% of 5,534 reviews2025
Dev: Mana Potion Studios
Windows
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 6.9 hrs≥1hr: 81%
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 22.2%, Base Building 16.3%, Colony Sim 15.1%, RTS 12.6%, Medieval 10.3%
Why You'll Like It: A charming and focused castle-defense game where you must build and protect your fortress from waves of enemies.
- #11 Stronghold 2: Steam Edition
91% matchVery Positive89% of 5,627 reviews2017
Dev: Firefly Studios
Windows
Median: 3.4 hrsMean: 18.6 hrs≥1hr: 82%
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: City Builder 15.3%, Colony Sim 12.9%, Real Time Tactics 12.2%, RTS 8.6%, Economy 7.8%
Why You'll Like It: This sequel introduces more complex social management and internal castle mechanics like crime and sanitation.
- #12 Anno 1404 - History Edition
89% matchVery Positive82% of 3,505 reviews2020
Dev: Ubisoft MainzPub: Ubisoft
Windows
Median: 3.2 hrsMean: 31.2 hrs≥1hr: 64%
Relive the captivating gameplay of a true city-building classic with Anno® 1404 History Edition.
Why similar: City Builder 36.3%, Colony Sim 15.8%, Building 13.6%, Strategy 10.2%, Medieval 5.3%
Why You'll Like It: It excels at complex supply chain management and city-building within a beautiful historical setting.
- #13 The Settlers® : Heritage of Kings - History Edition
89% matchVery Positive84% of 826 reviews2019
Dev: Ubisoft Blue BytePub: Ubisoft
Windows
Median: 2.3 hrsMean: 67.1 hrs≥1hr: 67%
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 36.4%, City Builder 26.1%, RTS 15.7%, Medieval 10.9%, Strategy 10.8%
Why You'll Like It: A classic RTS that blends traditional building mechanics with hero-led combat and medieval exploration.
- #14 Ostriv
87% matchOverwhelmingly Positive95% of 7,467 reviews2020
Dev: yevhen8
Windows
Median: 9.0 hrsMean: 36.6 hrs≥1hr: 87%
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: City Builder 22%, Colony Sim 16%, Historical 9.5%, Base Building 8.9%, Economy 8.5%
Why You'll Like It: This game provides a highly realistic and detailed simulation of 18th-century Ukrainian town building.
- #15 Stronghold: Warlords
88% matchMixed65% of 5,254 reviews2021
Dev: Firefly Studios
Windows
Median: 3.8 hrsMean: 9.5 hrs≥1hr: 85%
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: City Builder 15%, Colony Sim 12.4%, Real Time Tactics 11.9%, RTS 7.9%, Economy 7.4%
Why You'll Like It: It introduces unique AI 'Warlord' mechanics that add a new layer of diplomacy and control to the traditional Stronghold formula.
- #16 Banished
86% matchVery Positive90% of 43,119 reviews2014
Dev: Shining Rock Software LLC
Windows
Median: 7.8 hrsMean: 27.0 hrs≥1hr: 78%
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: City Builder 33.9%, Colony Sim 29%, Medieval 6.4%, Strategy 6.3%, Sandbox 5.8%
Why You'll Like It: The gold standard for medieval colony survival, focusing on the harsh realities of managing a population through changing seasons.
- #17 Northgard: Definitive Edition
86% matchVery Positive85% of 68,241 reviews2018
Dev: Shiro Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 5.9 hrsMean: 28.9 hrs≥1hr: 88%
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 27.1%, RTS 18.3%, Colony Sim 13.1%, Economy 8.4%, Base Building 8.3%
Why You'll Like It: An RTS with strong colony-management elements set in a harsh, Viking-inspired environment.
- #18 Lords and Villeins
85% matchMostly Positive71% of 966 reviews2022
Dev: Honestly GamesPub: Fulqrum Publishing
Windows
Median: 1.2 hrsMean: 15.4 hrs≥1hr: 54%
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: City Builder 20.5%, Colony Sim 20.4%, Medieval 10.2%, Economy 9%, Building 8.3%
Why You'll Like It: A unique colony-sim that focuses on the feudal hierarchy and managing the lives of individual families in your settlement.
- #19 Pharaoh™: A New Era
84% matchMostly Positive75% of 5,206 reviews2023
Dev: Triskell InteractivePub: Dotemu
Windows
Median: 4.1 hrsMean: 12.6 hrs≥1hr: 85%
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 26.1%, Colony Sim 17.9%, Economy 11.3%, Building 10.2%, Historical 10.1%
Why You'll Like It: A faithful remake of the classic city-builder that emphasizes monument construction and complex resource logistics.
- #20 Knights of Honor II: Sovereign
83% matchMostly Positive77% of 6,572 reviews2022
Dev: Black Sea GamesPub: THQ Nordic
Windows
Median: 3.4 hrsMean: 13.1 hrs≥1hr: 85%
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: RTS 25.8%, Medieval 23.3%, Strategy 17.5%, Historical 12.7%, City Builder 7.1%
Why You'll Like It: This game combines grand strategy with real-time tactical battles, perfect for those who want a wider scope of medieval conquest.
- #21 Stronghold Legends: Steam Edition
84% matchVery Positive88% of 2,656 reviews2016
Dev: Firefly Studios
Windows
Median: 3.1 hrsMean: 9.1 hrs≥1hr: 86%
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: City Builder 14.6%, Colony Sim 12.5%, Real Time Tactics 12.4%, Economy 7.6%, RTS 7.5%
Why You'll Like It: A spin-off that adds fantasy elements and legendary heroes to the traditional Stronghold castle-building gameplay.
- #22 Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition
81% matchVery Positive86% of 92,769 reviews2021
Dev: World's EdgePub: Xbox Game Studios
Windows
Median: 14.3 hrsMean: 76.8 hrs≥1hr: 94%
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: RTS 22.5%, City Builder 18.1%, Base Building 14.3%, Medieval 10.6%, Strategy 10.6%
Why You'll Like It: A modern RTS that brings high-fidelity visuals and refined base-building mechanics to the medieval genre.
- #23 Cossacks 3
82% matchVery Positive82% of 15,892 reviews2016
Dev: GSC Game World
Windows · Linux
Median: 6.5 hrsMean: 50.6 hrs≥1hr: 90%
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: RTS 17.3%, City Builder 17.3%, Historical 11%, Base Building 10.8%, Economy 9.7%
Why You'll Like It: Offers massive-scale historical warfare with a focus on resource management and large army compositions.
- #24 Rise of Nations: Extended Edition
82% matchVery Positive95% of 15,654 reviews2014
Dev: SkyBox LabsPub: Xbox Game Studios
Windows
Median: 5.7 hrsMean: 18.2 hrs≥1hr: 90%
Rise of Nations is back! Play the updated classic with full Steamworks integration and enhanced features!
Why similar: RTS 36.9%, Strategy 18%, Historical 14.9%, City Builder 10.6%, Base Building 6.3%
Why You'll Like It: A broad-scope RTS that captures the feeling of building a civilization from the ground up through various historical eras.
- #25 Nebuchadnezzar
79% matchMostly Positive79% of 1,804 reviews2021
Dev: Nepos GamesPub: Astra Logical
Windows · Linux
Median: 4.3 hrsMean: 7.4 hrs≥1hr: 90%
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: City Builder 23.5%, Economy 11.4%, Colony Sim 10%, RTS 9.9%, Building 9%
Why You'll Like It: A classic isometric city-builder that focuses on the construction of ancient monuments and complex production chains.
- #26 Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition
78% matchVery Positive86% of 53,444 reviews2020
Dev: World's EdgePub: Xbox Game Studios
Windows
Median: 4.7 hrsMean: 43.9 hrs≥1hr: 79%
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition offers players a trial of this historical single & multiplayer RTS experience. *Note: To unlock all features of the game please see the “Base Game” product.
Why similar: City Builder 23.2%, RTS 22.1%, Base Building 18.3%, Strategy 11.5%, Historical 11%
Why You'll Like It: Provides a more colonial-era focus on base-building and RTS combat with deep economic systems.
- #27 Stronghold Kingdoms
81% matchMixed64% of 9,522 reviews2012
Dev: Firefly Studios
Windows
Median: 1.3 hrsMean: 85.4 hrs≥1hr: 56%
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 16.3%, Colony Sim 12.1%, Medieval 10.3%, Real Time Tactics 10.1%, RTS 10%
Why You'll Like It: An MMO take on the series that focuses on long-term territorial control and player-driven politics.
- #28 Kingdoms Reborn
78% matchVery Positive91% of 9,605 reviews2020
Dev: Earthshine
Windows
Median: 10.0 hrsMean: 24.2 hrs≥1hr: 87%
A city builder with simulated citizens, set in a procedurally-generated world map. Grow your kingdom through the eras from a tiny medieval hamlet into a prosperous global empire! Cooperate or compete in real-time with your friends in multiplayer mode.
Why similar: City Builder 29.4%, Colony Sim 17.3%, Base Building 10%, Economy 8%, Medieval 7%
Why You'll Like It: A multiplayer-focused city-builder that allows you to manage your own settlement while competing or cooperating with others.
- #29 Age of Empires: Definitive Edition
77% matchVery Positive84% of 15,340 reviews2019
Dev: World's EdgePub: Xbox Game Studios
Windows
Median: 4.7 hrsMean: 17.6 hrs≥1hr: 83%
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: RTS 24.4%, City Builder 23.9%, Base Building 13.7%, Strategy 13.6%, Historical 12.5%
- #30 Stronghold 3 Gold
80% matchMostly Negative33% of 4,785 reviews2012
Dev: Firefly Studios
Windows
Median: 3.4 hrsMean: 6.3 hrs≥1hr: 86%
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 25.8%, RTS 13%, Medieval 12.9%, Strategy 12.3%, Historical 5.8%
Why You'll Like It: While controversial, it remains part of the series and features updated physics-based siege mechanics.
- #31 Stronghold Crusader 2
77% matchMostly Positive72% of 17,899 reviews2014
Dev: Firefly Studios
Windows
Median: 3.5 hrsMean: 15.0 hrs≥1hr: 87%
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 25.2%, RTS 16.9%, Medieval 15.2%, Strategy 13.5%, Historical 6.4%
- #32 Grand Ages: Medieval
79% matchMixed48% of 1,971 reviews2015
Dev: Gaming Minds StudiosPub: Kalypso Media Digital
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 4.8 hrsMean: 8.3 hrs≥1hr: 92%
Rise from the humble role of a simple mayor governing a small settlement and rule over all of Europe.
Why similar: City Builder 18.7%, Medieval 16%, RTS 14.9%, Economy 13.8%, Strategy 11.7%
Why You'll Like It: Focuses heavily on trade, economic expansion, and controlling vast territories across medieval Europe.
- #33 Anno 1503 History Edition
76% matchMostly Positive74% of 119 reviews2024
Dev: Ubisoft MainzPub: Ubisoft
Windows
Experience the classic gameplay of 1503 A.D.: The New World, optimized for current computers with resolutions up to 4K.
Why similar: City Builder 22.8%, Colony Sim 20.5%, RTS 14.2%, Economy 8.6%, Historical 7.5%
- #34 Anno 1602 History Edition
75% matchMostly Positive78% of 258 reviews2024
Dev: Ubisoft MainzPub: Ubisoft
Windows
Median: 48 minMean: 6.7 hrs≥1hr: 49%
Relive the beginnings of the Anno® series with Anno® 1602 History Edition, updated and optimized for current computers.
Why similar: City Builder 22.7%, Colony Sim 20.6%, RTS 14.2%, Economy 8.6%, Historical 7.5%
- #35 Anno 1701 History Edition
75% matchVery Positive86% of 208 reviews2024
Dev: Ubisoft MainzPub: Ubisoft
Windows
Rediscover the classic gameplay of 1701 A.D. and its expansion The Sunken Dragon in Anno® 1701 History Edition.
Why similar: City Builder 23%, Colony Sim 20.3%, RTS 14.2%, Economy 8.6%, Historical 7.4%
- #36 Anno 117: Pax Romana
73% matchMixed70% of 11,936 reviews2025
Dev: Ubisoft MainzPub: Ubisoft
Windows
Median: 13.8 hrsMean: 25.7 hrs≥1hr: 94%
Shape the Roman Empire in this genre-defining strategic builder game. Build cities while expanding your influence through Roman provinces. Govern using your economic prowess, diplomatic skills, or military might.
Why similar: City Builder 26.7%, RTS 14.5%, Economy 12.3%, Sandbox 9.8%, Building 9.7%
- #37 The Settlers® : Rise of an Empire - History Edition
76% matchMostly Positive76% of 743 reviews2019
Dev: Ubisoft Blue BytePub: Ubisoft
Windows
Median: 2.6 hrsMean: 17.5 hrs≥1hr: 67%
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 44.7%, Strategy 19%, Medieval 17.1%, RTS 15.3%, Multiplayer 3.9%
- #38 Age of Mythology: Retold
73% matchVery Positive90% of 22,435 reviews2024
Dev: World's EdgePub: Xbox Game Studios
Windows
Median: 10.8 hrsMean: 38.7 hrs≥1hr: 85%
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: RTS 36%, Base Building 26.5%, Resource Management 17.4%, Strategy 13.1%, Multiplayer 6.9%
- #39 Norland
72% matchVery Positive82% of 9,913 reviews2024
Dev: Long JauntPub: Hooded Horse
Windows
Median: 6.5 hrsMean: 18.0 hrs≥1hr: 84%
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: City Builder 16.8%, Colony Sim 15.4%, Economy 9.2%, Base Building 9.1%, Medieval 8.9%
- #40 Open The Gates!
74% matchMostly Positive75% of 77 reviews2022
Dev: Robin van der Horst
Windows
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: City Builder 18.1%, Real Time Tactics 16.6%, RTS 15.1%, Base Building 11.3%, Building 8.8%
- #41 Townsmen - A Kingdom Rebuilt
74% matchMostly Positive71% of 1,364 reviews2019
Dev: HandyGames
Windows
Median: 6.3 hrsMean: 14.5 hrs≥1hr: 87%
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: Colony Sim 28.5%, City Builder 23.2%, Strategy 10.1%, Medieval 8.6%, Economy 6%
- #42 Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era
70% matchVery Positive89% of 16,795 reviews2026
Dev: UnfrozenPub: Hooded Horse
Windows
Median: 5.9 hrsMean: 15.1 hrs≥1hr: 83%
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era is the official prequel hailing back to the origins of the genre-defining, critically acclaimed series of turn-based strategy games. Raise grand armies and wield devastating spells to overcome your foes in both solo and multiplayer.
Why similar: Historical 25.6%, Economy 22.5%, Sandbox 21.2%, Strategy 14%, Multiplayer 8.8%
- #43 Diplomacy is Not an Option
71% matchVery Positive85% of 11,951 reviews2024
Dev: Door 407
Windows
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 9.9 hrs≥1hr: 81%
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 20.9%, Historical 13.3%, Medieval 13.2%, Base Building 12.3%, RTS 9.6%
- #44 Knights of Honor
73% matchVery Positive93% of 2,370 reviews2009
Dev: Black Sea Studios LtdPub: Paradox Interactive
Windows
Median: 1.9 hrsMean: 14.8 hrs≥1hr: 59%
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 32.1%, RTS 26.2%, Strategy 23.6%, Historical 16.1%, Multiplayer 2.1%
- #45 Kingdom Two Crowns
71% matchVery Positive90% of 38,241 reviews2018
Dev: Stumpy🐙SquidPub: Raw Fury
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 6.5 hrsMean: 18.9 hrs≥1hr: 92%
Gather coins, build defenses and reclaim your fallen Kingdom. Explore and uncover secrets, unlock new technologies and protect your crown versus waves of Greed monsters that come at night. Kingdom is a solo or co-op micro-strategy and tower defense game set in an atmospheric pixel world.
Why similar: City Builder 22.1%, Tower Defense 17.6%, Colony Sim 16.8%, Medieval 10.4%, Base Building 10.3%
- #46 Anno 1800
71% matchVery Positive81% of 31,402 reviews2019
Dev: Ubisoft MainzPub: Ubisoft
Windows
Median: 9.8 hrsMean: 39.9 hrs≥1hr: 89%
Anno 1800™ – Lead the Industrial Revolution! Welcome to the dawn of the Industrial Age. The path you choose will define your world. Are you an innovator or an exploiter? A conqueror or a liberator? How the world remembers your name is up to you.
Why similar: City Builder 41%, Economy 15.1%, Strategy 8.7%, RTS 7.4%, Resource Management 6.1%
- #47 Heroes® of Might & Magic® III - HD Edition
72% matchMostly Positive80% of 24,560 reviews2015
Dev: DotemuPub: Ubisoft Entertainment
Windows
Median: 6.3 hrsMean: 35.0 hrs≥1hr: 78%
The most popular Heroes® title of all time is back in HD! Fifteen years later, rediscover the epic tale of Queen Catherine Ironfist, as she re-embarks on her critically acclaimed quest to unite her ravaged homeland and re-conquer the kingdom of Erathia.
Why similar: Strategy 65.8%, Multiplayer 21.7%, Atmospheric 12.5%
- #48 Against the Storm
68% matchVery Positive95% of 35,994 reviews2023
Dev: Eremite GamesPub: Hooded Horse
Windows
Median: 5.5 hrsMean: 28.3 hrs≥1hr: 84%
A dark fantasy city builder where you must rebuild civilization in the face of apocalyptic rains. As the Queen’s Viceroy, lead humans, beavers, lizards, foxes, and harpies to reclaim the wilderness and secure a future for civilization's last survivors.
Why similar: City Builder 16.9%, Colony Sim 14.9%, Economy 9.3%, Base Building 9.1%, Medieval 8.9%
- #49 Lords of Solgrund
70% matchMostly Positive79% of 68 reviews2024
Dev: Sillylas
Windows
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 18.9%, RTS 11.6%, Economy 10.9%, Medieval 9.2%, Base Building 9.2%
- #50 Age of Darkness: Final Stand
67% matchMostly Positive75% of 10,488 reviews2025
Dev: PlaySide
Windows
Median: 5.5 hrsMean: 13.8 hrs≥1hr: 84%
Age of Darkness: Final Stand is a dark fantasy survival RTS where you must illuminate, build and defend humanity’s last bastion against hordes of Nightmares. Set in the remnants of a kingdom consumed by a deadly fog, you decide. Will you hide in the light? Or take back your world.
Why similar: RTS 19.6%, Tower Defense 18%, Base Building 15%, Medieval 13.8%, Building 11.8%
- #51 Lessaria: Fantasy Kingdom Sim
67% matchMostly Positive79% of 2,861 reviews2025
Dev: Rockbee TeamPub: Polden Publishing
Windows
Median: 5.6 hrsMean: 9.4 hrs≥1hr: 85%
Lessaria is an RTS inspired by Majesty 👑 where you guide heroes with indirect control. Play through the campaign or relax in sandbox mode as you build your magical kingdom.
Why similar: City Builder 22.4%, Colony Sim 20.4%, RTS 16%, Tower Defense 13.6%, Medieval 9.9%
- #52 Patron
69% matchMostly Positive72% of 3,163 reviews2021
Dev: Overseer Games
Windows
Median: 3.4 hrsMean: 6.6 hrs≥1hr: 81%
Patron is a survival city builder with a unique social dynamics system. Gather and produce resources, build your fledgling village into a prosperous city and navigate the intricate social tensions before they reach boiling point.
Why similar: City Builder 23.7%, Colony Sim 20.9%, Economy 8.2%, Medieval 7.9%, Base Building 6.9%
- #53 The Settlers® 7 : History Edition
70% matchMixed63% of 1,006 reviews2019
Dev: Ubisoft Blue BytePub: Ubisoft
Windows
Median: 1.4 hrsMean: 10.4 hrs≥1hr: 57%
Let yourself be enchanted by the new world of Settlers with this modernized History Edition – in the midst of green forests and lush meadows, it will bustle again. You alone hold the fate of your kingdom in your hands. Which strategy will you choose?
Why similar: City Builder 50.9%, Medieval 17.4%, Strategy 16.6%, RTS 15.1%
- #54 Hearthlands
69% matchVery Positive82% of 414 reviews2017
Dev: Four White Cats
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 1.4 hrsMean: 7.1 hrs≥1hr: 58%
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: City Builder 24.7%, Colony Sim 18.9%, RTS 11.5%, Medieval 9.4%, Isometric 7.1%
- #55 Besiege
66% matchOverwhelmingly Positive95% of 52,398 reviews2020
Dev: Spiderling Studios
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.4 hrsMean: 19.1 hrs≥1hr: 71%
Besiege is a physics building game about constructing medieval machines to annihilate armies, obliterate castles and overcome challenging obstacles. Conquer the campaign or skirmish with friends in Multiplayer!
Why similar: Medieval 27%, Building 23.7%, Sandbox 22.7%, Strategy 11.2%, Simulation 7.8%
- #56 Knights and Merchants
69% matchVery Positive85% of 4,937 reviews2013
Dev: Topware Interactive
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.5 hrsMean: 5.7 hrs≥1hr: 72%
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 39.6%, Colony Sim 16.3%, City Builder 15.1%, RTS 9.9%, Medieval 9%
- #57 Age of Empires II (Retired)
67% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 102,570 reviews2013
Dev: Skybox LabsPub: Xbox Game Studios
Windows
Median: 9.1 hrsMean: 48.0 hrs≥1hr: 92%
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 28.2%, Medieval 14.2%, City Builder 13.7%, Strategy 12.8%, Historical 9.9%
- #58 Blacksmith Master
65% matchVery Positive84% of 2,580 reviews2025
Dev: Untitled StudioPub: Hooded Horse
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 6.0 hrsMean: 12.5 hrs≥1hr: 91%
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: City Builder 17.9%, Colony Sim 16.2%, Economy 10.1%, Base Building 9.7%, Medieval 9.6%
- #59 Feudal Baron: King's Land
68% matchMixed42% of 85 reviews2024
Dev: Sim Farm S.A.
Windows
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: City Builder 25.4%, RTS 16.3%, Medieval 12.4%, Base Building 11.2%, Resource Management 9.3%
- #60 First Feudal
68% matchMostly Positive76% of 634 reviews2021
Dev: Harpoon Games
Windows
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 11.7 hrs≥1hr: 81%
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 20.4%, City Builder 18.1%, Base Building 11.6%, Medieval 10.7%, Building 9.7%