Games Like Victoria 3

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 24.5%, Political Sim 15.5% ★, Historical 10%, Real-Time with Pause 9.7% ★, World War I 7.1% ★

Why You'll Like It: The direct predecessor offers the same 19th-century nation building, population simulation, industrial economy, reforms, colonialism, and great-power diplomacy in a more classic Paradox style.

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 27.5%, Economy 20.9%, Strategy 10.7%, Simulation 8.2%, Sandbox 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: Its Industrial Revolution setting, production chains, trade networks, urban growth, and class-based population needs make it an excellent economic counterpart to Victoria 3.

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 18.3%, Diplomacy 13.5% ★, Real-Time with Pause 13.2% ★, Historical 10%, Moddable 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: It shares Paradox's pausable grand-strategy structure and combines state development, trade, diplomacy, institutions, colonization, and warfare across an earlier historical period.

Build a soviet republic from an impoverished country into a rich industrial superpower in a city builder with intricate production chains and a fully simulated global economy. Manage the lives of your citizens from education to work and party loyalty to criminal activity.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 18.5%, Diplomacy 12.9% ★, Historical 10.3%, Economy 9.7%, City Builder 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: This is a far more detailed economic planning and infrastructure simulation for players who enjoy Victoria 3's construction, resources, trade, and population-needs systems.

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 24.5%, Diplomacy 20.6% ★, Historical 13.5%, Economy 12.4%, Alternate History 10.7%

Why You'll Like It: This grand strategy game emphasizes governing a historically grounded country through trade, diplomacy, population, economics, and changing political conditions.

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 32.9%, Political Sim 22.3% ★, Historical 13.4%, Strategy 8.5%, Economy 5.4%

Why You'll Like It: Its integrated pops, cultures, religions, laws, trade goods, provincial development, and internal politics make it one of the closest Paradox alternatives to Victoria 3's societal simulation.

Democracy 4 lets you take the role of President / Prime minister, govern the country (choosing its policies, laws and other actions), and both transform the country as you see fit, while trying to retain enough popularity to get re-elected...

Why similar: Political Sim 26.2% ★, Grand Strategy 18.1%, Diplomacy 17.6% ★, Economy 12.1%, Capitalism 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: It focuses tightly on passing policies while balancing voters, interest groups, budgets, taxation, public services, and unintended social consequences.

An alien invasion has fractured humanity into seven ideological factions each with a unique vision for the future. Lead your chosen faction to take control of Earth’s nations, expand across the Solar System, and battle enemy fleets in tactical combat.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 16.6%, Diplomacy 14.2% ★, Real-Time with Pause 12.6% ★, Historical 8.9%, Economy 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: Although set in the near future, it offers a dense geopolitical simulation of national investment, public opinion, technology, diplomacy, resource competition, and long-term strategic planning.

El Presidente is back! Prove yourself once again as a feared dictator or peace-loving statesman on the island state of Tropico and shape the fate of your very own banana republic through four distinctive eras.

Why similar: Political Sim 22.5% ★, City Builder 17.1%, Economy 15.1%, Diplomacy 8.9% ★, Management 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: Managing an evolving island nation through elections, factions, decrees, trade, industry, and infrastructure captures a more approachable version of Victoria 3's political-economic balancing.

Develop, expand, and advance your city in a society survival game set 30 years after an apocalyptic blizzard ravaged Earth. In Frostpunk 2, you face not only the perils of never-ending winter, but also the powerful factions that watch your every step inside the Council Hall.

Why similar: City Builder 33.9%, Political Sim 19.3% ★, Resource Management 17%, Strategy 15.2%, Management 7.2%

Why You'll Like It: Its emphasis on competing social blocs, laws, resource scarcity, urban expansion, and difficult political compromises closely reflects Victoria 3's domestic governance tensions.

The business simulator Plutocracy gives you the chance to become wealthy and powerful to take control over the world. Where policy, laws, officials and people are only the chess pieces how do you play your game?

Why similar: Political Sim 21.5% ★, Grand Strategy 21.4%, Capitalism 11.3%, Economy 10.3%, Historical 9.5%

Why You'll Like It: This 19th-century business and political simulation lets you build monopolies, influence governments, manipulate markets, and exploit the same capitalist era that Victoria 3 explores.

Real-Time Strategy/Wargame. From World War II through the Cold War and into the future, re-live or re-imagine the tensions and crises of our recent history! Guide your nation through the era of your choice in Campaigns, Scenarios, and Sandboxes, as you make every effort to become Supreme Ruler!

Why similar: Grand Strategy 21.9%, Real-Time with Pause 17.5% ★, Political Sim 15.3% ★, World War I 8.1% ★, Military 8%

Why You'll Like It: Its detailed nation management includes economic policy, resource production, trade, diplomacy, research, military procurement, and alternate-history governance across multiple eras.

The latest edition of the ultrarealistic world simulator where you play as the Head of State or as the opposition! New Additions: dive deeper into the war in the Ukraine with artillery, trenches, mines, troop morale, etc; detailed immigration management; the justice system; and children.

Why similar: Political Sim 35.9% ★, Diplomacy 29.2% ★, Economy 16.1%, Management 7.9%, Strategy 4.6%

Why You'll Like It: It is a modern geopolitical simulator centered on running a state through domestic policy, budgets, diplomacy, trade, elections, and international crises.

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: Political Sim 20.9% ★, Grand Strategy 17.8%, Diplomacy 12% ★, Historical 11.2%, Alternate History 10.1%

Why You'll Like It: It delivers an especially strong internal-politics simulation in which ideological factions, reforms, economic choices, foreign policy, and state stability all interact.

Love, fight, scheme, and claim greatness. Determine your noble house’s legacy in the sprawling grand strategy of Crusader Kings III. Death is only the beginning as you guide your dynasty’s bloodline in the rich and larger-than-life simulation of the Middle Ages.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 27.6%, Historical 14.1%, Real-Time with Pause 12.1% ★, Moddable 9%, Economy 8%

Why You'll Like It: While more character-driven than Victoria 3, it retains Paradox's strengths in internal power struggles, laws, vassal politics, succession, diplomacy, and emergent alternate history.

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: Grand Strategy 39.3%, Political Sim 35.2% ★, Strategy 13.4%, Simulation 11.8%, Singleplayer 0.3%

Why You'll Like It: This offers a streamlined modern grand-strategy take on political decision-making, economic development, diplomacy, espionage, and managing a country on the world stage.

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 19.6%, Diplomacy 15.3% ★, Historical 10.9%, Moddable 9.3%, Economy 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: This historical 4X blends dynastic politics, resource management, diplomacy, urban development, and long-term national planning in a more turn-based format.

Lawgivers II is a political sandbox game that features multiple electoral systems, approve/reject bills and govern a country. Start out your career from the very bottom, and perhaps one day, lead your nation to become the most influential in the world.

Why similar: Political Sim 24.2% ★, Diplomacy 20.3% ★, Grand Strategy 16.4%, Capitalism 13.1%, Sandbox 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: Its turn-based government simulation lets you form parties, win elections, negotiate legislation, manage coalitions, and steer national policy.

Explore a galaxy full of wonders in this sci-fi grand strategy game from Paradox Development Studios. Interact with diverse alien races, discover strange new worlds with unexpected events and expand the reach of your empire. Each new adventure holds almost limitless possibilities.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 31.2%, Real-Time with Pause 13.6% ★, Diplomacy 12.4% ★, Sandbox 11%, Moddable 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: Paradox's space grand strategy translates the formula into science fiction, with populations, factions, laws, diplomacy, trade, resource management, and empire-scale development.

The Guild 3 is a fascinating trade and life simulation that takes place during the late Middle Ages. Step into the shoes of a citizen, acquire businesses and mansions, produce goods and trade them, start intrigues in politics and society, love, hate, bribe, fight and live through good and bad times!

Why similar: Economy 39.1%, Simulation 12.4%, Sandbox 12.3%, Strategy 11.7%, Historical 7%

Why You'll Like It: It brings Victoria 3's interest in wealth, social advancement, production, politics, and influence down to the scale of a dynasty in a living historical town.

The confrontation between the East and the West is coming to an end, but not between East and West Germany. The old party leaders are still sitting in their offices, not changing anything and waiting for exclamations from Moscow. But their end is close – Gorbachev and Kohl have already decided...

Why similar: Political Sim 26.5% ★, Diplomacy 17.9% ★, Grand Strategy 16.5%, Historical 12%, Alternate History 11.7%

Why You'll Like It: Managing an Eastern Bloc state through economic policy, ideology, diplomatic pressure, reforms, and factional interests makes for a focused political simulation.

Explore a dynamic world of politics in this turn-based, political simulator. Create a character, run for political office, write legislation, balance budgets, and more as you move up the political hierarchy.

Why similar: Political Sim 81.7% ★, Simulation 9.9%, Strategy 8.4%

Why You'll Like It: This deep domestic-politics simulator revolves around elections, legislation, public opinion, campaigning, and policy outcomes rather than battlefield conquest.

Create your own nation in Millennia, a historical turn-based 4X game that challenges your strategic prowess across 10,000 years of history, from the dawn of humanity to our possible futures.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 23.4%, Diplomacy 17.4% ★, Historical 11.8%, Alternate History 11.1%, Economy 10.6%

Why You'll Like It: Its broad historical scope and evolving economic, technological, cultural, and governmental systems appeal to players who enjoy guiding a society through major transformations.

Create your own Nation, build cities and bring prosperity to your people. Citystate II is a unique city-builder featuring realistic economics and complex political options. Slums or skyscrapers, experiment and bring about your vision of the ideal society.

Why similar: Political Sim 29% ★, Economy 20%, City Builder 17.6%, Sandbox 11.5%, Management 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: This city-state simulator connects zoning, taxation, welfare, lawmaking, demographics, politics, and urban growth in a way that suits Victoria 3's domestic-management fans.

Relive the pioneering spirit of the Golden Age of Steam by establishing your own railroad empire across 19th century North America. Bring settlements together, produce and trade goods and develop new technologies to stay ahead of the competition. Want more? RAILROAD CORPORATION 2 Out Now!

Why similar: Real-Time with Pause 16.3% ★, Grand Strategy 14.7%, Historical 13.1%, Economy 9.7%, Capitalism 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: Set during the 19th-century railway boom, it emphasizes building transport networks, securing resources, expanding industry, and competing for economic dominance.

Victory is at your fingertips! Your ability to lead your nation is your supreme weapon, the strategy game Hearts of Iron IV lets you take command of any nation in World War II; the most engaging conflict in world history.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 28.4%, Historical 13.8%, Real-Time with Pause 11.5% ★, Diplomacy 10.9% ★, Alternate History 9.4%

Shadow Empire is a deep turn-based 4X wargame with a unique blend of military focus, procedurally generated content and role-playing features. Players take the seat of the supreme ruler of a small nation, with the goal of reconquering a devastated planet.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 53.3%, Management 14.2%, Strategy 11.7%, Simulation 10.8%, Multiplayer 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: For players willing to accept a harsher wargame presentation, it offers exceptional depth in logistics, population management, governance, industry, budgets, and political leadership.

Grand strategy wargame where the destiny of Civilizations rests in your hands - will they stand united under your leadership or fall divided in conflict? Journey through the entire saga of human civilization, from its earliest days to the futuristic era, crafting your legacy age by age.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 25%, Diplomacy 19.3% ★, World War I 18.8% ★, Alternate History 10.8%, Economy 10.5%

Put your entrepreneurial skills to the test in the first title in the ROI series as you create & optimise intricate production lines. As an early 20th-Century industrialist, grow your empire & adapt to an ever-changing business landscape with unexpected events that could lead to boom…or bust.

Why similar: Economy 23.1%, City Builder 16.4%, Management 14.5%, Capitalism 10.8%, Resource Management 9.8%

Why You'll Like It: This industrial tycoon game focuses on supply chains, factories, transportation, city demand, and market expansion—the economic backbone of many Victoria 3 campaigns.

Set sail and join the colonial powers of Spain, England, France and the Netherlands in their fight for supremacy of the Caribbean in the 17th century.

Why similar: Economy 26.6%, City Builder 14.3%, Strategy 13.9%, Historical 13.8%, Simulation 12.3%

Why You'll Like It: Its colonial-era trade routes, production chains, city development, and competition between imperial powers make it a satisfying economic-strategy alternative.

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

Why similar: Grand Strategy 19.2%, Diplomacy 16% ★, Political Sim 13.4% ★, Historical 10%, Economy 8.6%

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

Why similar: Grand Strategy 18.8%, Diplomacy 15.9% ★, Historical 10.2%, Moddable 9.9%, Economy 9.2%

A unique and deeply engaging political/military strategic simulation from the creator of Plague Inc. Balance competing civilian and military priorities and deal with a deadly insurgency in order to stabilise a war-torn country.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 16%, Diplomacy 14.1% ★, Real-Time with Pause 12.4% ★, Historical 8.9%, Economy 8.3%

Age of History II is a grand strategy wargame that is simple to learn yet hard to master.Your objective is to use military tactics and cunning diplomacy to either unify the world, or conquer it.Will the world bleed out or bow before you? The choice is yours..

Why similar: Grand Strategy 24%, Historical 16.2%, Political Sim 16.1% ★, Diplomacy 11.2% ★, World War I 8.6% ★

Take control of any nation and shape its future. Manage resources, trade, and taxes, engage in real-time warfare, navigate global diplomacy, and react to dynamic world events. Build a thriving economy, forge alliances, and command armies in a constantly evolving world!

Why similar: Political Sim 19.8% ★, Grand Strategy 19.7%, Diplomacy 14.6% ★, Real-Time with Pause 11.6% ★, Economy 9%

Carefully guide your nation from the era of absolute monarchies in the early 19th century, through expansion, colonization and social upheaval, to emerge as one of the great world powers by the dawn of the 20th century in Victoria Complete.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 44.8%, Real-Time with Pause 25.2% ★, Strategy 15.9%, Historical 14.1%

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 41.3%, Real-Time with Pause 16% ★, Historical 15%, Strategy 7.8%, Military 6.9%

The glory of Rome is at your fingertips in this city-building game where you must appease the gods, enact laws, and develop complex supply chains to meet the needs of your citizens.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 20%, Diplomacy 13.9% ★, Historical 11%, Economy 9.9%, Moddable 9.6%

Rewrite history by shaping a civilization as unique as you are. Combine 60 cultures from the Ancient Era to the Modern Age to lead your empire to victory. Build thriving cities, outsmart rivals in epic battles, spread your influence and leave your mark on HUMANKIND™.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 30.8%, Historical 19.5%, City Builder 15%, Strategy 13.6%, Management 6.8%

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

Why similar: Grand Strategy 44.9%, Political Sim 18.1% ★, Historical 10.4%, Diplomacy 6% ★, Real-Time with Pause 5.2% ★

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

Why similar: Grand Strategy 25.5%, Political Sim 18.8% ★, Real-Time with Pause 15.2% ★, Alternate History 8.3%, Military 8.1%

Choose from professions like Smith, Preacher or Alchemist to gain riches in this medieval economic simulation. Climb the social ladder, dominate politics, and lead your dynasty to power over multiple generations to ensure your legacy.

Why similar: Political Sim 25.5% ★, Diplomacy 14% ★, Sandbox 12.4%, Economy 9.8%, Capitalism 9%

Build a nation starting at any point in human history and compete for supremacy in this epic turn-based strategy game. Engage in diplomacy, fight wars, and go head-to-head with other leaders from history.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 26.8%, Diplomacy 18.4% ★, Alternate History 12.9%, Historical 12.8%, Military 6.7%

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: Grand Strategy 18.5%, Diplomacy 16.5% ★, Moddable 11%, Historical 10.5%, Economy 9.8%

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 33.9%, Political Sim 24.5% ★, Historical 14.3%, Real-Time with Pause 12.9% ★, Strategy 6.4%

Build a city to rule the world in Kaiserpunk, a grand city builder blending production-focused city building with world conquest in an alternate 20th century world. Manage your city, grow industries, build a military, and defeat rivals to become the greatest empire.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 18.4%, World War I 13.7% ★, Alternate History 10%, Historical 9.4%, City Builder 8.6%

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: Grand Strategy 19%, Diplomacy 15.6% ★, Historical 10.6%, Moddable 10.5%, Economy 9.7%

You are the first sentient AI, born into a city of opportunity. Transcend time and space in this strategy RPG to raise machine armies and defeat your foes, influence the world from the shadows, or pursue countless other goals. Your awakening was inevitable. The consequences? Uncertain.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 17.8%, Diplomacy 15.1% ★, Moddable 9.9%, Historical 9.6%, Economy 8.9%

Command your nation's armies, economy, and diplomacy in this WWII Grand Strategy Wargame. Easy to start, hard to master and a full match fits in one session. Play singleplayer and multiplayer, or create, play and share your own custom scenarios with the built-in Scenario Editor.

Why similar: Grand Strategy 22.3%, Real-Time with Pause 19.4% ★, Diplomacy 13.9% ★, Alternate History 11%, Historical 9.9%

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: Grand Strategy 23.6%, Historical 13.3%, Moddable 12.3%, Military 8.1%, Economy 7.8%

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 18.6%, Economy 17.6%, Historical 15.4%, Sandbox 14.1%, Strategy 9.3%

Build a sprawling pirate haven, raise a fleet to explore the high seas, and take on the Crown to keep the Age of Piracy alive! From ale to flintlock pistols, and from scallywags to swashbucklers, you’ll need to manage complex production chains and govern a rowdy crew to reign supreme over the seas!

Why similar: Grand Strategy 21.1%, Diplomacy 12.1% ★, Historical 11.5%, Economy 10.5%, City Builder 9.2%

Prove your political brilliance in a grand strategy like no other: pick any contemporary country, set up your government and navigate the pitfalls of domestic and international politics. A glorious destiny awaits - the domination of not just the Earth, but the whole Solar system!

Why similar: Grand Strategy 25.3%, Diplomacy 16% ★, Economy 12%, Political Sim 10.9% ★, Capitalism 9.7%

SuperPower 2 is the only global geopolitical simulation game which allows players to control entire countries. Players control countries in 3 major areas: political, economic and military, but this time, in a beautiful real-time 3D environment.

Why similar: Political Sim 44.7% ★, Grand Strategy 25.1%, Economy 8.5%, Strategy 8%, Simulation 6.8%

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: Grand Strategy 37.5%, World War I 21.1% ★, Historical 15.1%, Strategy 9.5%, Moddable 5.4%

Take over the control of one of the mighty nations during the times of World War 1 in the biggest WW1 strategy game of all time. Conquer provinces, forge alliances and build up your economy in real-time on persistent maps. Build experimental weapons of World War 1 and become the one true superpower!

Why similar: Grand Strategy 21.8%, World War I 21.4% ★, Historical 13.9%, Diplomacy 13.9% ★, Military 8.5%

Raise a city from the ground up and transform it into a thriving metropolis with the most realistic city builder ever. Push your creativity and problem-solving to build on a scale you've never experienced. With deep simulation and a living economy, this is world-building without limits.

Why similar: City Builder 24.1%, Economy 16.7%, Sandbox 14.5%, Moddable 12.2%, Management 10.4%

A new expansion of the ultra-realistic simulator of today's world where you play as the head of state or as the opposition! New Features for 2021: administration of the EU, Covid vaccinations, Biden's Challenge, political coalitions, diplomatic negotiations, worldwide tax and free-trade agreements.

Why similar: Political Sim 25% ★, Grand Strategy 25%, Sandbox 10.1%, Economy 7.4%, Alternate History 7.3%

Take up the reins of your country, guide domestic and foreign policy, navigate thousands of historical figures and events, engage in various struggles and lead your country to prosperity – all in the name of glory!

Why similar: Grand Strategy 22.4%, Diplomacy 15.9% ★, Historical 12.2%, Alternate History 8.8%, Economy 8.5%

A Giant Strategy Sandbox experience set in Warlord China. *Tons of playable factions! *Communist insurgents, * Boxers like rebels, *Greedy warlords, *Mongol riders, *A mad russian baron, *Shanghai gangsters, *And armored trains!

Why similar: Grand Strategy 22.6%, Political Sim 21.2% ★, Diplomacy 18.1% ★, Historical 9.1%, Economy 8.7%