Games Like Through the Darkest of Times

You have five days to save your husband, who has just been arrested by the Gestapo. Investigate, explore and form allegiances in this story-rich RPG-lite. Who will you trust?

Why similar: World War II 43.5% ★, Historical 23.5%, Emotional 9.6%, Multiple Endings 7.7%, Adventure 7%

Why You'll Like It: This game captures the same spirit of quiet, dangerous resistance in occupied territory during World War II.

In This War Of Mine you do not play as an elite soldier, rather a group of civilians trying to survive in a besieged city; struggling with lack of food, medicine and constant danger from snipers and hostile scavengers. The game provides an experience of war seen from an entirely new angle.

Why similar: Strategy 19.7%, Simulation 15%, Choices Matter 13.7%, Management 11.5%, Resource Management 10.2%

Why You'll Like It: It shares the core focus on civilian survival and the heavy moral toll of living through a devastating war.

Assume the role of President Anton Rayne and guide the nation of Sordland. Amidst brewing international conflicts, need for reform, deep-seated corruption, and economic recession, you must make the decisions in this political drama. How will you lead?

Why similar: Choices Matter 16.4%, Visual Novel 13.5%, Multiple Endings 13.3%, Point & Click 12.8%, Simulation 10.2%

Why You'll Like It: This political simulation excels at presenting complex narrative choices that impact the fate of a nation.

Adopt Karin or Klaus in this dark, story-driven parenting game. Help your child cope with the effects of hatred and bullying. Balance resources to meet their needs. Based on the true stories of the Lebensborn children, you’ll make difficult choices that will impact your child’s life forever.

Why similar: World War II 24.9% ★, Historical 17.2%, Choices Matter 8.9%, Emotional 8.5%, Simulation 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: It focuses on the emotional and historical aftermath of war, emphasizing the struggle to protect a vulnerable individual in a hostile society.

As a judge of the Revolutionary Tribunal, preside over complicated cases of ordinary citizens, dangerous criminals, and enemies of the revolution in revolutionary Paris. Make judgments, plot political intrigue, and try to not lose your own head!

Why similar: Historical 25.6%, Strategy 14.3%, Simulation 13.5%, Choices Matter 12.3%, Point & Click 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a deep historical simulation where your choices in the courtroom and the streets determine the survival of your family and your cause.

Congratulations. The October labor lottery is complete. Your name was pulled. For immediate placement, report to the Ministry of Admission at Grestin Border Checkpoint. An apartment will be provided for you and your family in East Grestin. Expect a Class-8 dwelling.

Why similar: Simulation 25.6%, Point & Click 15.9%, Indie 15.7%, Multiple Endings 11.2%, Strategy 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: It masterfully forces players to make difficult moral choices while working within the constraints of a dystopian bureaucracy.

Frostpunk is the first society survival game. As the ruler of the last city on Earth, it is your duty to manage both its citizens and infrastructure. What decisions will you make to ensure your society's survival? What will you do when pushed to breaking point? Who will you become in the process?

Why similar: Strategy 33.8%, Resource Management 23.1%, Management 11.7%, Simulation 11.7%, Choices Matter 9.4%

Why You'll Like It: It combines intense resource management with the constant pressure of making ethical compromises to ensure societal survival.

Attentat 1942 is a historically-accurate adventure about World War 2. Face moral dilemmas and existential struggles as you uncover the troubled past of your family.

Why similar: World War II 37.1% ★, Historical 20.6%, Emotional 8.4%, Multiple Endings 6.7%, Story Rich 5.9%

Why You'll Like It: This title provides a deeply researched, historical perspective on life under Nazi occupation through an interactive narrative.

You’re a state-installed landlord in a totalitarian country. Place listening devices, steal and sneak into your tenants’ apartments. Use what you uncovered to report anyone capable of plotting against the state. You MUST! But WILL you?

Why similar: Strategy 15.8%, Choices Matter 13.6%, Simulation 13.4%, Multiple Endings 9.8%, Dark 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: It places you in a position of surveillance and moral conflict within a totalitarian state, mirroring the oppressive atmosphere of the seed game.

You didn’t ask to lead this expedition, but here you are. Stuck in the ice, Captain missing, miles from civilisation. Someone has to take charge. Manage your meagre resources, balance safety and morale, make the hard calls, and head in the only direction you can - through The Pale Beyond.

Why similar: Strategy 16.1%, Simulation 15%, Choices Matter 13.9%, Resource Management 13.1%, Emotional 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: It emphasizes the weight of leadership and the difficult choices required to keep a group alive in a desperate, isolated environment.

A narrative-driven hardcore RPG set in a gritty world ruled by real but unrelenting gods. Set out on a challenging lifetime journey, where every choice has a price and entails consequences. Will you become an inquisitor, a judge, or conspire against the old order? Dare to decide!

Why similar: Choices Matter 32%, Story Rich 13.4%, Visual Novel 10.2%, Strategy 10.1%, Simulation 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: This narrative-heavy RPG forces you to navigate a rigid, oppressive class system where every choice has long-term consequences.

Broken Lines is a story-driven tactical RPG set in an alternate-history version of WWII. Lead a squad of soldiers and face the horrors of war. In the included expansion, 'The Dead and the Drunk', guide your troops through fights against both the living and the undead.

Why similar: World War II 39.5% ★, Historical 24.5%, Strategy 13.8%, Choices Matter 11.2%, Multiple Endings 9.2%

Why You'll Like It: It blends tactical combat with a strong narrative focus on soldiers struggling with the moral dilemmas of war.

Big Brother has arrived - and it’s you. Investigate the lives of citizens to find those responsible for a series of terror attacks. Information from the internet, personal communications and private files are all accessible to you. But, be warned, the information you supply will have consequences.

Why similar: Simulation 45.9%, Choices Matter 40.4%, Political Sim 2.8% ★, Story Rich 2.3%, Multiple Endings 1.6%

Why You'll Like It: This game explores the ethics of surveillance and state power, forcing you to decide how to use information against citizens.

A new political Party has won a landslide in the General Election, and for some reason the editor at the news station you work at has done a runner. Now it’s up to you, the Janitor, to take over the editing booth in this tumultuous time - will you help the government, or stand in their way?

Why similar: Simulation 15.5%, Management 14.5%, Choices Matter 14.3%, Multiple Endings 11.2%, Adventure 9.8%

Why You'll Like It: It uses a unique media-management mechanic to explore the dangers of propaganda and political control in a dystopian setting.

Take charge of a WW1 field hospital on the Western Front, and make all the decisions necessary to help the soldiers recover and to support the war effort. In this narrative management game, you are the last bastion of humanity.

Why similar: Historical 29.3%, Strategy 19%, Management 17.2%, Choices Matter 14.3%, Multiple Endings 12.1%

Why You'll Like It: This management sim highlights the logistical and ethical challenges of saving lives on the front lines of World War we.

You are an intern at the central ministry of a totalitarian state with your whole career ahead of you. Work your way up the ladder by scheming against employees, spying on your boss, and completing paperwork. Or do you turn against the state and expose corruption. The choice is still yours to make!

Why similar: Strategy 16.8%, Simulation 13.8%, Choices Matter 13.3%, Multiple Endings 9.3%, Dark 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: It expands on the original's dystopian themes by placing you inside the heart of the state's administrative machine.

These are troubling times, Your Grace. The petitioners’ petty matters exceed our limited resources, to say nothing of the war. A careful balance must be struck. Your throne awaits.

Why similar: Historical 19%, Choices Matter 13.8%, Strategy 12.8%, Management 12.1%, Simulation 10.7%

Why You'll Like It: It balances kingdom management with the personal, often heartbreaking choices required to support your family and people.

In an uninhabitable Siberian wilderness, in a wake of October Revolution, a group of passengers survives the mysterious catastrophe of Trans-Siberian railway train. They must endure in a harsh ice-clad climate until rescue arrives. Facing many dangers, their own weaknesses and, their own prejudice.

Why similar: Historical 20.8%, Strategy 14.2%, Simulation 12.7%, Management 10.8%, Choices Matter 10.2%

Why You'll Like It: This survival game focuses on managing a diverse group of people with conflicting ideologies during a historical crisis.

1979 Revolution: Black Friday is a choice driven, narrative game that brings players into the brooding world of a nation on the verge of collapse. Play as Reza, an aspiring photojournalist, and make life and death decisions as you survive the gritty streets of Iran in the late 1970’s.

Why similar: Historical 31.1%, Choices Matter 19.2%, Adventure 12.2%, Indie 9%, Multiple Endings 8.6%

Why You'll Like It: It is a historical narrative game that captures the tension and danger of participating in a political uprising.

In the unique world of this political simulator, you travel to Europe, 1932-1935, to become the party leader in one of the following countries: Germany, France, or England. You have a real chance to become the winner of WWII even before it begins...

Why similar: Strategy 35%, Simulation 31.8%, Historical 12.8%, Indie 12%, Management 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: It focuses on the political mechanics of the 1930s, requiring you to manage a party and navigate the rise of extremism.

Use the radio to give commands to the soldiers on the battlefield. Keep track of the situation based on their voice reports only. Lead US platoons to clash with Vietcong in a realistic, innovative approach to the RTS genre. Make hard choices in a narrative driven experience, and face the outcome.

Why similar: Historical 30.4%, Simulation 24%, Strategy 20.9%, Management 18.4%, 2D 4.4%

Why You'll Like It: It provides a unique, atmospheric war management experience where you must make decisions based on limited information.

Don’t let the Soviet Union collapse, and fall in the darkness of history or lead the Union by a new path – democracy and free market! But before you decide something, think – wouldn’t it cause more harm than good?

Why similar: Strategy 36.1%, Historical 15.7%, Political Sim 11% ★, Simulation 9.5%, Management 7.7%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a complex political simulation where you must balance the survival of the Soviet Union against internal and external threats.

For the People is a mix of a political management sim and a visual novel, putting players in the shoes of an idealistic young state official tasked with shaping the future of a communist factory town. Will the party provide for the people, or are the people just cogs in its machine?..

Why similar: Strategy 14.5%, Management 12.2%, Choices Matter 11.5%, Simulation 11.4%, Multiple Endings 9.2%

Why You'll Like It: It puts you in the role of a mayor who must navigate political corruption and the needs of the populace.

Immigration Enforcement Case #112: You are under arrest. Unless your friends can cross a broken America, retrieve your identifying documents and stay out of trouble... this is the end of the American dream for you.

Why similar: Simulation 24.1%, Dark 12.2%, Emotional 11.6%, Choices Matter 10.7%, Indie 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: It uses a management-heavy gameplay loop to depict a dystopian alternate-history version of the United States.

This Is the President is a political thriller. You are the newly elected leader with a shady background. It is up to you to abuse the position of the most powerful man in the world to escape justice for past crimes – even if that pitches the country into utter chaos.

Why similar: Strategy 33.6%, Management 19.6%, Adventure 16.7%, Visual Novel 14.5%, Political Sim 9.3% ★

Why You'll Like It: It combines political strategy with a narrative about using power to escape the consequences of your past actions.

Award-winning adventure where you control the news and its impact on society, your friends and career. Different choices lead to unique combinations of endings. Share your story with the community, and see what the players before you did.

Why similar: Choices Matter 15.5%, Simulation 14.4%, Point & Click 12.4%, Multiple Endings 11.9%, Visual Novel 10.5%

Why You'll Like It: It explores how your editorial choices influence public opinion and the political stability of a dystopian society.

In this 2D, short narrative-based game, you assume the role of the Grim Reaper... on an office job. Your job is to decide which people are going to live or die. The consequences of your choices are yours to bear, while the mystery of your incarnation awaits revelation!

Why similar: Simulation 16.4%, Strategy 16.2%, Choices Matter 15.3%, Point & Click 11.8%, Multiple Endings 11.1%

Why You'll Like It: It uses a simple management interface to explore profound questions about life, death, and the morality of your actions.

Germany, 1956. The war is over, but justice is not served. Former Nazis walk free, while their victims lie in unmarked graves. As a prosecutor, you'll unearth long-buried evidence, confront witnesses and hunt down perpetrators. Will you have the courage to bring these "ordinary men" to court?

Why similar: Historical 40.4%, Simulation 21.1%, Adventure 14.2%, Atmospheric 8.3%, Choices Matter 6.5%

«Undying Symphony» tells a story about challenges that Leningrad people faced during the Siege and shows us one of the most tragic episodes of Leningrad history

Why similar: World War II 43.8% ★, Historical 20.9%, Multiple Endings 7.7%, Story Rich 5.9%, Adventure 4.9%

Bury me, my Love tells the story of Syrian refugee Nour and her husband Majd, as Nour undertakes a perilous journey to safety in Europe.

Why similar: Simulation 42.4%, Adventure 23.4%, Indie 18.4%, Visual Novel 7.9%, Story Rich 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: It is an emotionally charged narrative game about a refugee's journey, emphasizing the importance of communication and difficult choices.

Crisis in the Kremlin is a global real-time political strategy about the Socialist world in its final decade. Shape the fate of the world as you manage economy, foreign relations, and domestic policy. Engage with countries across the globe, using diplomacy or even proxy wars to expand your reach.

Why similar: Historical 27.5%, Strategy 18.9%, Simulation 17%, Multiple Endings 8.4%, Management 7.7%

Global strategy game about secret societies. You’ll lead the Brotherhood - an organization that juggles the whole world. The key feature of the game is the manipulation of powers. Instead of giving direct orders, the Brotherhood provokes countries into doing what the Brothers want.

Why similar: Historical 28.1%, Strategy 24.3%, Simulation 19.9%, Choices Matter 13.6%, Political Sim 6.6% ★

Why You'll Like It: This grand strategy game focuses on the behind-the-scenes political maneuvering required to control the world's destiny.

The Occupation is a fixed-time, investigative thriller set in North West England on Saturday 24th October, 1987.

Why similar: Choices Matter 32.5%, Adventure 22.2%, Story Rich 19%, Indie 16.3%, Atmospheric 7.5%

Why You'll Like It: This investigative thriller captures the tension of uncovering political conspiracies in a surveillance-heavy environment.

You are the Social Democratic Party of Germany in 1928. Can you stop the Nazis from taking power?

Why similar: Strategy 26.2%, Simulation 24.7%, Historical 21.3%, Multiple Endings 7.1%, Choices Matter 6.6%

You are local mafia kingpin, Jeffrey Koch. Your empire in New Kandinski is in total chaos because an unknown Mastermind has decided to take your place. And they’ve planted a sleeper Mole inside your operation. It’s time to act, but you need to act smart.

Why similar: Strategy 22.8%, Simulation 20.4%, Choices Matter 11.8%, Adventure 9.1%, Story Rich 7.5%

England, 1940. The Luftwaffe is preparing for the invasion of Britain and the RAF need every man to stop it. They need you. Join the ground crews as they struggle to keep the aircraft flying. Repair engine, patch bullet holes, rearm machine guns and more.

Why similar: World War II 36.5% ★, Simulation 22.4%, Historical 12.1%, Strategy 6.9%, Management 6.6%

Project Wunderwaffe will take you back into the realities of World War II, the end of which seems to be near. Germany is now just a shadow of its power. Your order is to build a secret military base and construct weapons of unprecedented power. Will you be capable of turning the tide of war?

Why similar: World War II 40.9% ★, Historical 15.9%, Strategy 14.1%, Management 10.9%, Simulation 8.5%

Turn-based kingdom management simulator focused on decision-making. Will you survive and lead the kingdom to prosperity, or die in agony? The throne awaits.

Why similar: Historical 25.9%, Choices Matter 16.5%, Simulation 14.4%, Management 13.9%, Multiple Endings 11.8%

A Beholder series spin-off. Become a conductor of the Determination Bringer train: monitor passengers, report incidents, and carry out important Ministry assignments — whose level of secrecy depends only on your loyalty. And remember: mission success is very important to you!

Why similar: Strategy 12.7%, Simulation 11.5%, Choices Matter 11.1%, Management 9.7%, Point & Click 8.4%

Become the King in a story-driven 8-bit style game, where choice matters. And try not to die instantly...

Why similar: Historical 17.5%, Management 13.5%, Simulation 13.3%, Strategy 13.2%, Choices Matter 11.4%

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: World War II 43.5% ★, Strategy 22.8%, Simulation 15.5%, Historical 13.6%, Indie 4.1%

Become the overseer and shape the fate of those who come knocking at the door. Each decision you make, whether it is to let in a stranger, to use your resources on something, or to risk the safety of the bunker.

Why similar: Simulation 17.7%, Choices Matter 17%, Strategy 14%, Multiple Endings 11.3%, Resource Management 10.6%

This is a narrative role-playing game telling the story of a crown prince of the Blessed Arknian Empire. You possess great power, but are also burdened by duty. Can you change the world and stay true to yourself? Every decision comes with a cost.

Why similar: Choices Matter 26.7%, Multiple Endings 17.4%, Visual Novel 13.6%, Story Rich 11.1%, Point & Click 9.8%

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: World War II 50.5% ★, Strategy 22.2%, Historical 19.6%, Simulation 7.7%

is a grand strategy game that takes place in 1992-2004. You take lead of your own Party in the face of the total devastation of one of the fictional post-Soviet states in Europe. Try to realize your (or someone else's) political dreams in the shaky arena of this dilapidated situation.

Why similar: Historical 28.6%, Strategy 18.7%, Simulation 14.7%, Choices Matter 13.3%, Multiple Endings 9.9%

The Light in the Darkness tells the story of a working-class family of Polish Jews in France during the Holocaust. It is the first videogame to portray the Holocaust, releasing free for educational purposes.

Why similar: World War II 56.5% ★, Adventure 15.4%, Emotional 14.1%, Education 6.9%, Indie 5.9%

Become the Dictator of Gradnar! Rule the nation, choose between democracy and tyranny, wage wars with a unique card-based mechanic, and expand your empire. A political dystopia packed with satire and humor!

Why similar: Strategy 24.2%, Simulation 23.5%, Choices Matter 18.7%, Visual Novel 11.4%, Resource Management 11.1%

Svoboda 1945: Liberation is a unique adventure game featuring dialogues with real actors. Talk to witnesses of the chaotic aftermath of World War 2 and discover the secret history of your own family in a captivating story about reconciliation with the dark past.

Why similar: World War II 32.6% ★, Historical 17.5%, Emotional 9.1%, Choices Matter 8.6%, Multiple Endings 5.9%

A tactical turn-based strategy game inspired by events and stories of forgotten and unsung heroes of WW2. Unique and new-to-genre features offer immersion and deeper protagonists to lead and care for. Lead the resistance against the Axis Forces.

Why similar: World War II 43.8% ★, Historical 27.6%, Strategy 20.6%, Atmospheric 4.4%, Indie 2.8%

Survive the Blackout is a narrative survival game set in a dark post-apocalyptic world. Choose Your Own Adventure gameplay, squad-level management, exploration, scavenging, and difficult moral choices. A modern-day tribute to The Oregon Trail.

Why similar: Strategy 21.3%, Simulation 18.2%, Choices Matter 11.1%, Adventure 10.7%, Indie 9.1%

You are subordinate to the deranged dictator and must plan his doomed invasion in this text-based RPG / Visual Novel. Navigate the shark-filled waters of the Great Leader's presidential cabinet, try to save your family, and survive the purges in a world of power-hungry leaders and nuclear warfare.

Why similar: Historical 24.6%, Choices Matter 11.7%, Adventure 10.4%, Dark 9.5%, Resource Management 9.5%

Lead your people to glory and write a new chapter of history in Realpolitiks II, a real-time grand strategy game where you lead any contemporary nation in an attempt to secure world dominance.

Why similar: Strategy 43.2%, Simulation 35.8%, Indie 14%, Political Sim 6.6% ★, Singleplayer 0.5%

Three Kingdoms of Shadows blends dark political intrigue with occult folklore. As Liu Bei, raised to rule Xuzhou as a pliable puppet, enact decrees, manage resources, and outmaneuver the factions behind your rise. Follow history—or pursue optional mysteries to unlock a path no chronicle recorded.

Why similar: Historical 26.6%, Strategy 21.1%, Simulation 13.3%, Visual Novel 12.5%, Political Sim 8% ★

All Quiet in the Trenches is a narrative turn-based strategy RPG set in World War I. Get to know your soldiers, take care of their needs and lead them in battle, trying to strike a precarious balance between the ambitions of your superiors and the survival of your men.

Why similar: Historical 20.9%, Strategy 19.2%, Choices Matter 15%, Simulation 13%, Management 8.6%

Get ready to take part in the world war! It depends only on your choice who you will be - a winner or a loser! It's time to press the red button!

Why similar: World War II 39.3% ★, Strategy 21.3%, Historical 19.3%, Atmospheric 5.9%, Multiple Endings 5%

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 38.9% ★, Historical 18.2%, Strategy 13.6%, Simulation 11.7%, Management 7.7%

ArmaCulture is an indie factory-builder RPG set in the midst of a bitter, industrialized war between two nations in a fictional world similar to our own. The game combines illustrated character art with stylized pixel art to create a unique and dark historic atmosphere.

Why similar: World War II 39.8% ★, Strategy 16.9%, Choices Matter 12.1%, Historical 7.4%, Visual Novel 7%

Partisans 1941 is a real-time tactics game with stealth elements, set on the eastern front of WW II. As an army commander behind enemy lines you gather a group of Partisans to wage guerilla warfare against the German occupants.

Why similar: World War II 56.3% ★, Strategy 23%, Historical 13.6%, Indie 3.5%, Atmospheric 2.6%

44 BC. Caesar, the dictator of Rome, discovers that the threat of conspiracy comes from the people closest to him. Can you resist the impending danger and rewrite history?

Why similar: Historical 30.9%, Strategy 20.6%, Simulation 18.8%, Choices Matter 14.9%, Atmospheric 9.2%

A dark and satirical management sim, where you take control of a recycling factory with a twist: it recycles humans. Your job is to decide who gets to escape our dying planet in a cozy spaceship and who sacrifices their blood, sweat and tears for humanity. Literally.

Why similar: Strategy 13.2%, Management 11.9%, Choices Matter 11.2%, Multiple Endings 10.6%, Simulation 10.3%