Games Like Total War: EMPIRE – Definitive Edition

Complete your Total War collection with this Definitive Edition of Total War: NAPOLEON, which includes all DLC and feature updates since the game’s release

Why similar: Historical 24.5%, Strategy 17.3%, Grand Strategy 16.9% ★, Military 8.6%, War 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: It is Empire’s closest sibling, refining the same musket-and-cannon warfare, naval combat, and campaign structure into a more focused Napoleonic package.

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: Historical 19.8%, Grand Strategy 18.4% ★, Strategy 18%, Turn-Based Strategy 8.5%, War 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: If you like Empire’s classic-era Total War pacing and sandbox campaign feel, this is one of the nearest matches despite its medieval setting.

Emperor Edition is the definitive edition of ROME II, featuring an improved politics system, overhauled building chains, rebalanced battles and improved visuals in both campaign and battleEmperor Edition contains all free feature updates since its release in 2013, which includes bug fixes, balancing, Twitch.

Why similar: Strategy 21.8%, Historical 21.7%, Grand Strategy 21.3% ★, Turn-Based Strategy 9.9%, War 6.9%

Why You'll Like It: It keeps the same large-scale province management, empire building, and real-time battlefield spectacle, just shifted to the ancient world.

Experience the dramatic conflict of samurai culture and modern weaponry between the Imperial throne and the last Shogunate in 19th century Japan.

Why similar: Strategy 32.5%, Historical 25%, Grand Strategy 12% ★, RTS 9.8%, Turn-Based Strategy 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: This is one of the best Total War games for rifle volleys, artillery duels, naval support, and modernization-era battles that feel very close to Empire’s gunpowder combat.

Against a darkening background of famine, disease and war, a new power is rising in the great steppes of the East. With a million horsemen at his back, the ultimate warrior king approaches, and his sights are set on Rome… The next instalment in the multi award-winning PC series that combines turn-based strategy with real-time tactics,...

Why similar: Historical 23.5%, Grand Strategy 19.4% ★, Strategy 17.7%, War 12%, Turn-Based Strategy 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: This offers a heavier strategic layer and brutal historical warfare while preserving the familiar Total War campaign-and-battle loop Empire fans know.

Total War: THREE KINGDOMS is the first in the award-winning series to recreate epic conflict across ancient China. Combining a gripping turn-based campaign of empire-building & conquest with stunning real-time battles, THREE KINGDOMS redefines the series in an age of heroes & legends.

Why similar: Historical 25.3%, Strategy 16.4%, Grand Strategy 15.8% ★, War 11.2%, Military 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: It adds deeper diplomacy and character politics to the same core formula of map conquest and large real-time battles.

Total War: ROME REMASTERED lets you relive the legacy that defined the award-winning strategy game series. Remastered to 4K with multiple improvements to visuals as well as refinements to gameplay, it’s time to revisit a true classic. Not everyone gets a second chance to conquer the Roman Empire.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 27.1% ★, Historical 17.6%, Strategy 15.3%, Turn-Based Strategy 10.2%, RTS 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: This modernized version of classic Rome preserves the same straightforward strategic pacing and tactical combat that make older Total War games feel like Empire’s peers.

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

Why similar: Grand Strategy 27.8% ★, Strategy 20%, Historical 18.5%, RTS 10.6%, Turn-Based Strategy 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: It is a modern historical Total War with robust campaign systems and tactical battles, making it one of the better recent alternatives for Empire players.

From the multi-award-winning strategy series, A Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia combines huge real-time battles with engrossing turn-based campaign, set at a critical flashpoint in history. Anglo-Saxons, Gaelic clans and Viking settlers clash for control. What Kingdom will you build?

Why similar: Historical 25.7%, Strategy 18.3%, Grand Strategy 16.7% ★, RTS 10.1%, Turn-Based Strategy 9.7%

Why You'll Like It: Its focused historical campaign, settlement management, and real-time battles make it a strong fit if you want more grounded Total War strategy.

Take command of the Union or the Confederacy. Prepare your nation for war, recruit and organize great armies and fleets under legendary commanders like Grant, Lee, Jackson or Farragut, plan cunning maneuvers on an epic campaign map and defeat your enemies in real-time battles!

Why similar: Strategy 27%, Historical 26.9%, Grand Strategy 22.6% ★, War 10.2%, RTS 9.4%

Why You'll Like It: Its combination of strategic nation management and detailed real-time Civil War battles scratches a similar grand-command itch in a later gunpowder era.

It is a time of war in Europe. Driven by new ideas of Enlightenment, the hearts of men and women across the continent are inflamed with dreams of freedom and glory. This is the moment for a military genius to forge himself a name to be remembered throughout all eternity. This is your moment.

Why similar: Strategy 31.6%, Historical 30.6%, RTS 15.8%, Turn-Based Strategy 11%, War 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: It is one of the closest non-Total War games to Empire, pairing a turn-based grand campaign with real-time 18th-century land and naval battles.

Ultimate Admiral: Age of Sail is a tactical wargame from the creators of the Ultimate General series set amidst the epic naval campaigns in the period of the American Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.

Why similar: Strategy 41.6%, Historical 30.2%, Naval 15% ★, RTS 7.3%, War 5.3%

Why You'll Like It: This is one of the best non-Total War matches for Empire thanks to its age-of-sail setting, naval warfare, and tactical land battles built around line infantry and morale.

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 38.4% ★, Historical 24.7%, Strategy 13.9%, Military 10.5%, War 5.8%

Why You'll Like It: For players who loved Empire’s nation-building, trade, and great-power politics, this offers deep 19th-century grand strategy with colonial competition and diplomacy.

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 33.5% ★, Historical 29.1%, Military 20.2%, Strategy 14.4%, Multiplayer 2.4%

Why You'll Like It: It nails the world-map empire management side of Empire with colonization, trade networks, warfare, and early modern statecraft on a global scale.

Ultimate General: Civil War is a tactical real time strategy war-game. Experience the bloodiest period of U.S. history - the American Civil War of 1861-1865.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 23.5% ★, Historical 16.8%, War 12.5%, Military 10.3%, Strategy 10.2%

Why You'll Like It: If Empire’s line infantry tactics and artillery duels were your favorite part, this delivers some of the strongest historical gunpowder battles on Steam.

In Total War: PHARAOH, the newest entry in the award-winning grand strategy series, immerse yourself in ancient Egypt at the zenith of its power and experience the dramatic events that threaten its destruction.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 26.8% ★, Historical 15.6%, Strategy 12.8%, War 12%, RTS 11.8%

Why You'll Like It: Though narrower than Dynasties, it still offers the same historical Total War mix of campaign management and tactical battles.

A Tactical Battle Simulator that allows you to command thousands of soldiers as a Union or Confederate General. The game features the most accurately created map, a non-linear battle campaign, complex morale, innovative control mechanics and smart AI.

Why similar: Historical 34.5%, Strategy 23.8%, RTS 13%, Military 10.1%, War 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: While it lacks a full empire layer, its focus on formations, morale, terrain, and historical command captures the tactical side of Empire very well.

Inspired by The Iliad and brought to life through the award-winning strategy game series, A Total War Saga: TROY brings a blend of grand, turn-based empire management and spectacular real-time battles to the heart of the Trojan War.

Why similar: Historical 23.7%, Grand Strategy 20% ★, Strategy 15.8%, War 12.6%, RTS 11.3%

Why You'll Like It: It retains the familiar Total War structure of province control, army maneuvering, and real-time clashes, even if the setting is much less grounded than Empire’s.

American Revolution is a sandbox strategy game featuring the epic historical period during the rebellion of the American colonies against the British Empire.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 27.1% ★, Historical 20.2%, Military 15.4%, Strategy 11.1%, RTS 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: It mixes strategic campaigning with real-time battles in an era of muskets and emerging nations that should strongly appeal to Empire fans.

Europa Universalis III Complete includes the original Europa Universalis III as well as the expansions In Nomine and Napoleons Ambition Europa Universalis III delves deeply into the areas of exploration, trade, warfare and diplomacy.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 45.3% ★, Historical 30.3%, Strategy 19%, War 2.1%, RTS 1.8%

Why You'll Like It: Its older design and early modern global scope make it feel especially compatible with Empire’s era and grand-strategy sensibilities.

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 37.4% ★, Historical 29.9%, Military 14.7%, Strategy 13.9%, Multiplayer 3.4%

Why You'll Like It: This emphasizes economics, diplomacy, industrialization, and imperial competition in the century after Empire, making it a natural follow-up for grand-strategy-minded players.

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: Strategy 23.6%, Military 21.9%, Historical 21.3%, RTS 15.9%, War 12%

Why You'll Like It: Its colonial-age setting, naval action, and gunpowder combat make it a strong thematic match even without the grand campaign layer.

MEDIEVAL: Total War™ - Collection Edition is the compilation of the critically-acclaimed Medieval: Total War and its official expansion pack - Viking Invasion.

Why similar: Strategy 33.7%, Historical 25.8%, Grand Strategy 14.9% ★, Turn-Based Strategy 9.4%, RTS 7.2%

Why You'll Like It: This foundational Total War game shares Empire’s broad strategic map play and battle-driven conquest, just in a much older and rougher form.

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: Grand Strategy 37.4% ★, Strategy 27%, Historical 18.5%, RTS 13.9%, Multiplayer 2.7%

Why You'll Like It: Its kingdom management, warfare, diplomacy, and map-level army movement make it a good fit if you want another accessible grand-strategy conquest game.

Hearts of Iron III lets you play the most engaging conflict in world history, World War 2, on all fronts as any country and through multiple different scenarios. Guide your nation to glory between 1936 and 1948 and wage war, conduct diplomacy and build your industry in the most detailed World War 2 game ever made.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 38.3% ★, Historical 22%, Strategy 16.2%, Military 12.5%, War 5.7%

Why You'll Like It: Although set much later, it still appeals to Empire players who enjoy large-scale historical war planning, logistics, and world-map strategy.

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: Historical 30.6%, Strategy 25.4%, War 18.4%, RTS 17.8%, Multiplayer 6%

Why You'll Like It: This delivers huge musket-era armies, artillery, and economy-driven historical warfare that echoes Empire’s battlefield theme from a pure RTS angle.

The forces of Lustria await your command. Choose your Legendary Lord, expand your armies, forge alliances in a strategic turn-based campaign, and unleash the might of your monstrous forces in fast-paced real-time battles.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 27.3% ★, Strategy 23.9%, RTS 12.3%, Turn-Based Strategy 12%, War 11.1%

The Old World is yours to command. Lead Legendary Lords in a combination of turn-based campaign and magically charged, strategic real-time battles, and decide the fate of your chosen race in a fight against Chaos.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 33.5% ★, Strategy 23.9%, RTS 14.3%, Turn-Based Strategy 13.7%, Tactical 8%

“he Who Fears Being Conquered Is Sure Of Defeat.”The war-game March of the Eagles focuses on the dramatic conflicts of Europe during 1805 to 1820. Explore one of the defining periods in European history with this experience crafted by the masters of Grand Strategy, Paradox Development Studio.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 42.1% ★, Strategy 30.7%, Historical 27.2%

Why You'll Like It: This focuses tightly on Napoleonic-era diplomacy, coalitions, and conquest, making it a good pick if Empire’s timeframe is what you want most.

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 41.8% ★, Historical 26.8%, Strategy 23.9%, War 4.8%, Multiplayer 2.1%

The cataclysmic conclusion to the Total War: WARHAMMER trilogy is here. Rally your forces and step into the Realm of Chaos, a dimension of mind-bending horror where the very fate of the world will be decided. Will you conquer your Daemons… or command them?

Why similar: Grand Strategy 30.8% ★, Strategy 17.2%, Turn-Based Strategy 13.4%, RTS 13.2%, War 11.7%

Rome: Total War - Alexander is the second official expansion pack to Rome: Total War. An entirely new campaign map that stretches from Macedonia to Greece and into the heart of the ancient Persian Empire New campaign game that tasks players with matching the exploits of Alexander the Great as he swept across Central Asia and dominated...

Why similar: Strategy 31.9%, Historical 23.9%, Grand Strategy 17.4% ★, RTS 11.8%, Turn-Based Strategy 7.5%

Pride of Nations is a turn-based historical strategy game set in the colonial era of the 19th century, where the player takes control of a country and guides it through industrialization, military conquest, and colonization.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 32.2% ★, Strategy 24.8%, Historical 22.5%, Turn-Based Strategy 9.3%, Turn-Based 7.1%

Why You'll Like It: Its detailed 19th-century focus on colonialism, naval power, trade, and global politics strongly overlaps with the strategic side of Empire.

Field of Glory: Empires is a grand strategy game in which you will have to move in an intricate and living tapestry of nations and tribes, each one with their distinctive culture.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 21.3% ★, Historical 17.8%, Strategy 15.9%, Military 11.7%, War 8.8%

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 35% ★, Historical 30.2%, Strategy 15.2%, War 15.1%, Multiplayer 3.8%

Old World is a revolutionary new historical strategy game where you lead your dynasty over generations of rule against rival kings and queens. Wage massive wars, manage your court, and build a dynasty — or watch your empire crumble to dust. What legacy will you leave behind?

Why similar: Grand Strategy 22.1% ★, Historical 19.2%, Military 13.4%, War 10.5%, Strategy 10%

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: Strategy 21.8%, Historical 21.2%, Grand Strategy 19.7% ★, Turn-Based Strategy 14.8%, War 7.8%

Take command in Europe's greatest 18th-century war. Equip & customize regiments, manage supplies, and engage in brutal real-time battles across procedural campaigns. Resources and replacements are scarce, and keeping your best men alive may matter more than any single victory.

Why similar: Historical 25.9%, Military 20.6%, War 14.2%, Strategy 13.6%, RTS 11.6%

Medieval II: Total War Kingdoms is the official expansion to last year's award-winning Medieval II: Total War, presenting players with all-new territories to explore, troops to command, and enemies to conquer.

Why similar: Strategy 25.8%, Grand Strategy 24.7% ★, Historical 24.2%, RTS 6.4%, Turn-Based Strategy 5.5%

Turn based 4X strategy game, recreating the civilizations of ancient China. Develop your land, build great cities, raise huge armies and fight epic battles, with hundreds of soldiers fighting right on the game map. Advance your technologies, culture and religion to create one of mankind’s biggest empires.

Why similar: Historical 23.9%, Strategy 17.7%, Grand Strategy 17.2% ★, Military 15.7%, Turn-Based 7.9%

The Great War: Western Front is the definitive WW1 strategy game. Play a deciding role in history with this real-time tactical experience as you take charge in the iconic Western Front from 1914 to 1919. Pick your faction and lead your forces to victory.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 18.3% ★, Historical 17.2%, Strategy 16%, Military 12.4%, RTS 10.4%

AGEod goes back to the Napoleonic era and delivers the most detailed and comprehensive strategy game ever created about a time of struggle and conquest that forged modern Europe.

Why similar: Strategy 25.5%, Historical 22.4%, Grand Strategy 17.8% ★, Military 17.2%, Turn-Based Strategy 7.7%

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

Why similar: Strategy 37.7%, RTS 22.5%, Historical 21.7%, War 11.2%, Multiplayer 5.9%

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

Why similar: Strategy 30.4%, Historical 23.7%, RTS 21.9%, War 10%, Classic 6.3% ★

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: Grand Strategy 28.9% ★, Strategy 27.8%, Historical 17.9%, RTS 10.8%, War 9.2%

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: Strategy 31.3%, RTS 22.8%, Grand Strategy 14.6% ★, War 11%, Tactical 7.7%

Countryballs at War is a grand strategy wargame that combines turn-based empire building with real-time battles. Lead any countryball nation, expand your territory through conquest or diplomacy, and rise as the ultimate superpower.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 28.4% ★, Strategy 19.4%, Historical 13.2%, Military 12.5%, Turn-Based Strategy 11.3%

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

Why similar: Grand Strategy 60.4% ★, Historical 22%, Strategy 13.2%, RTS 1.8%, Multiplayer 1.7%

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

Why similar: Turn-Based Strategy 23.9%, Historical 22.7%, Strategy 22.4%, Grand Strategy 12.4% ★, Turn-Based 9%

Become a Daimyo of the Warring States period of Japanese history in NOBUNAGA'S AMBITION, a historical simulation game of conquest and domination. It is the 30th anniversary of this series and this current release, NOBUNAGA'S AMBITION: Sphere of Influence, is the crown of the series.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 23.6% ★, Historical 21.5%, Military 13.3%, Strategy 11.3%, War 10.8%

Men of War: Assault Squad delivers a deeply tactical WWII experience, blending large-scale strategy with intense, hands-on combat. Fight across multiple fronts – from European countryside to Pacific jungles and command every unit and every bullet on the battlefield.

Why similar: Strategy 26.1%, Military 18.4%, War 14.3%, Historical 12.9%, RTS 11.2%

The ultimate wargame set in the age of Pike and Shot is back. You are now in full charge of your nation’s armies, throughout a long campaign in the struggle for dominance.

Why similar: Historical 34.4%, Strategy 30.5%, Turn-Based Strategy 12.6%, Turn-Based 10.3%, Tactical 5.1%

Conquer Warring States Japan under one banner

Why similar: Grand Strategy 27.7% ★, Historical 23.9%, Military 12.6%, RTS 11.6%, Strategy 11.4%

In American Conquest, Players set sail from Europe to discover new world and conquer its innumerable riches.

Why similar: Strategy 40%, Historical 37.7%, RTS 21.7%, Singleplayer 0.6%

SHOGUN: Total War™ is the first, original title in a 15 year series of award-winning strategy games. This Collection Edition also includes the Mongol Invasion Expansion Pack.

Why similar: Strategy 42.1%, Historical 25.2%, Grand Strategy 12.8% ★, Turn-Based Strategy 5.7%, War 5.2%

Lead your country through the Victorian age, expand your empire as you go head to head with the great powers of the world.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 29.5% ★, Military 17.5%, Strategy 14.2%, War 14.1%, Historical 9.5%

Experience the ultimate WWII RTS platform with COH2 and its standalone expansions. This package includes the base game, which you can then upgrade by purchasing The Western Front Armies, Ardennes Assault and/or The British Forces. More info in the "About This Game" section below.

Why similar: Strategy 58%, RTS 11.1%, Historical 10%, Military 8%, War 5.8%