The legendary Total War series was created by Creative Assembly in the 2000s. At that time, players were enchanted by turn-based and resource management, as well as real-time tactical battles. However, after the passing years, many players started looking for games like Total War due to the obsolescence of the game.
Considering that the legendary Total War series is pushing the top with games such as Medieval: Total War and Rome, players do not expect an easy quest. However, after researching, we have found many games similar to Total War in terms of strategy, war, history, diplomacy, and country management. In the end, we have listed the eight best games from different game series that have left their mark in recent years. If you’re ready, let’s get started and take a quick look at our list.
1. Civilization VI
- Release Date: 21 Oct, 2016
- Developer: Firaxis Games, Aspyr
- Platforms: Windows, MACos, Linux, IOS, Andorid, Nintendo, Playstation, Xbox Series
- Genre: Strategy, Turn-Based, 4X, Simülation, City Builder, Tactical
We would like to introduce you to a legendary strategy game from 1991 to 2016. Frankly, most of those who have played the Total War series probably already dominate the CIV series. However, for those who don’t know, the series has almost ramped up with Civilization VI, which debuted in 2016. Imagine a game with plenty of war and diplomacy where you can rule different countries on the world map. While deciding how to run your dream state, you also have to survive against powerful enemies.
In the game, you have the chance to get ahead of other civilizations by researching new cities, new units, and new technologies. At the same time, you have the opportunity to form a strong alliance by doing all kinds of trade with allied states. As a result, there are many different ways to lead your country to victory. You can use military force, cultural interaction, or your powerful technology.
2. Knights of Honor II: Sovereign
- Release Date: 6 Dec, 2022
- Developer: Black Sea Games
- Platforms: Windows
- Genre: Real-time strategy, Medieval, RTS, Historical
Are you ready to guide your kingdom as you navigate the dark lands of the middle ages? Restore Europe to power with real-time grand strategy elements on the world map. It is a very innovative production with diplomacy, espionage, city management, and Age of Empires-like war mechanics.
In fact, “Knights of Honor”, the first production of the game, was released by Creative Assembly in 2004. However, it was forgotten because it could not compete with games like Age of Empires at that time. However, with Knights of Honor 2 in 2023, the series started to ramp up again.
3. Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord
- Release Date: 25 Oct, 2022
- Developer: TaleWorlds
- Platforms: Playstation, Xbox, Windows
- Genre: Mediaval, Strategy, Open World, RPG, Simulation
Welcome to Calradia, where civil war and chaos reign. Calradia is a fantastic continent that has witnessed many empires and states. From the first moment you start the game on this continent, you can be a fallen noble, a beggar, a merchant’s son, or an ancient warrior. Your goal is to establish your own union and your own kingdom to bring the peace it deserves to the continent of Calradia.
To achieve this, you must earn gold, fight battles and make new allies. The game has two different gameplay, both in the form of TPS and on the map. There are also many specific details, such as the day cycle in the game. In your Calradian adventure, which you start as a person, you have the chance to become a great commander who can command armies of thousands.
You can even establish your own dynasty by marrying and re-create a noble family. Everything in the game progresses according to your pleasure. Will you be a cruel king or a compassionate noble? It’s up to you!
4. Crusader Kings III
- Release Date: 1 September 2020
- Developer: Paradox Interactive
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Xbox, Playstation
- Genre: Mediaval, Grand strategy, role-playing
We are here again with a medieval story in our games like Total War list. Paradox, the developer company known as the ancestor of grand strategy games, has been a master in its business for many years. Paradox has its signatures in many well-established series such as Europa Universalis, Victoria, Hearts of Iron, and Crusader Kings.
Crusader Kings 3 is the last sequel of the series in 2020. In Europe and the Middle East, where overlords rule, religious wars are almost fueled. On top of that, Europe, which is dealing with the plague epidemic, is barely breathing. You can rule any state, vassal, or count on the world map. You can develop your cities, produce soldiers and conquer new places.
The only thing you need to know here is that the battles are usually carried out with simulation. If you right-click on the enemy’s area with the mouse, your armies will advance and fight. So you shouldn’t expect a Mount & Blade-style combat mechanic. Instead, there are very detailed diplomacy, family relations, and state management style gameplay mechanics.
5. Steel Division 2
- Release Date: June 20, 2019
- Developer: Eugen Systems
- Platforms: Windows
- Genre: Real-time strategy
Our Games like Total War list now include a very historical 2nd World War simulation game. Steel Division 2 is the sequel to the series developed by Eugen System. It’s quite similar to Total War in terms of combat mechanics, though not unlike the other games on our list. With thousands of soldiers, planes, and tanks at your disposal, you embark on a journey toward the eastern front. If you like war atmospheres with extremely realistic mechanics, Steel Division 2 will definitely appeal to you.
Bonus: Warno
We have prepared another small bonus game for those who love Steel Division 2 but can’t want a second world war. Warno is a modern third-world war simulator developed by Eugen Systems on October 20, 2022. It’s time to turn the cold war into a real war in Warno, where you command hundreds or even thousands of different units in a brutal war.
If you are curious about the destruction of modern tanks, warplanes, armored vehicles, and helicopters in the last era of wars, we definitely recommend you try Warno. However, it is worth saying that the game is in early access.
6. Europa Universalis IV
- Release Date: 13 August 2013
- Developer: Paradox Interactive
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
- Genre: Grand strategy, Historical, Simulation, Economy, Military, Education, Management
We are here with EU4, the legendary series of Paradox, which is still played by thousands of people, even after decades. EU4 is a grand strategy simulation game that covers the Renaissance era, and you can rule states all over the world.
For example, you can lead a tribe in America and establish a sovereign society in America by establishing a federation before the colonial states come. Or you can get rich by choosing a state like Florence, which deals with banking in Italy, and finance the wars in Europe.
The game mainly features diplomacy, culture, history, war, and country management mechanics. You have the right to have a say in the religion of the country you play in, the mode of production, the management style, and all the details you can think of. You’re in charge of everything, from taxes to the vassals who run your lands. So how exactly are you going to run your country? In peace or with blood and destruction?
7. Hearts of Iron IV
- Release Date: 6 June 2016
- Developer: Paradox Interactive
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
- Genre: Grand Strategy, World War 2, Historical, Military, Alternate History, Simulation, Tactical, RTS
While the dates show 1936, it is the time for the second world war with Hearts of Iron IV, another Paradox production. In Hoi4, where you can manage states all over the world, the main adventure can change the fate of the second world war.
By standing on the side of the Allied forces, you can destroy the Germans before they get stronger. Or you can eliminate the Allies by choosing the Germans with the Axis Powers. Unlike EU4, Hoi4 is purely combat oriented. Factories and buildings are all built to support your war. When creating an army, you need to produce it in factories, from the clothes the soldiers wear to the weapons and bullets.
At the same time, you need to develop your army in every field by making various productions while building your air fleet or navy. Also, no matter how many armies you produce, the war is not won at the table. Setting tactics and strategies on the frontline will speed up or slow down your army’s advance. In conclusion, if you think you are a good tactician, we wish you success in your attempt to invade the Soviets.
Hoi4’s gameplay scenario starts in 1936, as we just mentioned, and can progress to a maximum of 1952. Since the second world war ended in 1945, you have to make all your calculations according to this date. As the great war is approaching, you must determine the ministers, commanders, and political ideology of the country you rule and enter into an all-out struggle. If you do not survive, you will have to live a captive life under the influence of sovereign states.
8. Victoria 3
- Release Date: 25 Oct, 2022
- Developer: Paradox Interactive
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
- Genre: Grandy Strategy, Economy, Historical, Simulation, Management, Diplomacy, Political
At the end of our Games like Total War list is Paradox production, Victoria 3. In Victoria 3, which was released on October 25, 2022, we go back decades to the first world war. You will control any state in the world where ideas such as communism, fascism, and human rights are slowly spreading.
To control the state means to rule it in all areas. Everything from the buildings to the product you produce, from the trade you make to your military presence, is under your control. You can establish good relations with neighboring countries and develop your trade, or you can seize the mineral resources of those countries with an expansionist policy.
However, everything is not so uniform, of course. For example, you have established a coal mine, and if that coal mine collapses, union supporters begin to attract attention. As a result, communist or socialist parties that you do not support in your country become popular and begin to threaten your power. It is entirely up to you to decide which party will be in power and to administer the laws that those parties will pass. However, if the decisions you make anger the parties or communities that oppose you, you run the risk of civil war.
The second important point is the economy. You can create an unshakable economy in your country with the productions you will make and the steps you will take. Or you can drag your people into a serious economic collapse with the wrong steps. The game is played on the world map as we are used to from the classic paradox games. And as we just mentioned, you can choose the country you want and start the game.
Bonus: Total War: PHARAOH
Before we conclude our Games like Total War review, we would like to talk about one more bonus content. The Total War team, which has been interested in the Warhammer series for a long time, has finally announced that they are developing a new historical game.
In the game, which is expected to be released in October 2023, we are going on a journey to Ancient Egypt at the peak of its power. If you are ready to embark on an impressive battle against the invading forces of Ancient Egypt, this new game of total war may be just for you.
