Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

59 Games like Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition that you should try

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Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is hard to replace: few games combine real-time strategy, combat tactical and historical setting in quite the same way. We analyzed over 2,000 titles across 12 gameplay attributes and found 59 genuine alternatives — not generic genre suggestions. Total War: Shogun 2, Europa Universalis IV and Medieval II: Total War lead the list, with Total War: Shogun 2 reaching a 97/100 similarity score. Every game here is ranked by how closely it replicates what makes Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition special.

iRank88/ 100

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GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

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SoloMultiplayer

Year 2019Dev Forgotten Empires

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Quick answer

The closest game to Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is Total War: Shogun 2 — scoring 97/100 on our similarity scale. Europa Universalis IV and Medieval II: Total War follow close behind.

#1Total War: Shogun 297 #2Europa Universalis IV93 #3Medieval II: Total War91 #4Age of Mythology: Extended Edition93 #5Tropico 694

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Games like Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

59 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

#1Total War: Shogun 2

97

Total War: Shogun 2

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalRangedHistoricalMedievalIsometric

Steam👍 92%· 67KIGDB88· 4

Year 2011Dev The Creative Assembly · SegaOn Linux · PC · Mac

✓ Same family of real-time strategy games: real-time strategy, deep simulation and combat tactical

≠ Stands apart with turn-based strategy, while skipping base building

#2Europa Universalis IV

93

Europa Universalis IV

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalHistoricalMedievalManagementIsometric

Steam👍 88%· 136KRAWG👍 83%· 396MC87IGDB85· 2

Year 2013Dev Paradox Development Studio · Paradox InteractivePlaytime ~6hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Fits the real-time strategy games cluster, with real-time strategy, deep simulation and combat tactical

≠ Where it differs: brings turn-based strategy, sandbox freedom and sandbox world, while skipping ranged combat

#3Medieval II: Total War

91

Medieval II: Total War

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerTacticalRangedMedievalHistoricalIsometric

Steam👍 96%· 36KIGDB90· 3

Year 2006Dev The Creative Assembly · SegaOn Linux · PC · Mac

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, deep simulation and combat tactical

≠ Where it differs: brings turn-based strategy and melee combat, while skipping co op

#4Age of Mythology: Extended Edition

93

Age of Mythology: Extended Edition

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opHistoricalIsometric

Steam👍 93%· 36KIGDB69· 2

Year 2014Dev Ensemble Studios · Microsoft StudiosOn PC

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, deep simulation and historical setting

≠ Stands apart with setting mythology and fantasy world, while skipping combat tactical

94

Tropico 6

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opBase BuildingManagementIsometric

Steam👍 88%· 29KIGDB77· 8OC79· 85

Year 2019Dev Limbic Entertainment · Kalypso MediaOn Xbox · PS4 · Linux

✓ Same family of real-time strategy games: real-time strategy, deep simulation and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: sandbox freedom, strong narrative focus and sandbox world, while skipping combat tactical

#6Rise of Nations

91

Rise of Nations

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerTacticalRangedHistoricalMedievalIsometric

IGDB92· 3

Year 2003Dev Big Huge Games · Microsoft Game StudiosOn PC · Mac

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, combat tactical and ranged combat

≠ Stands apart with fantasy world, while skipping deep simulation

#7Empire: Total War

91

Empire: Total War

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalHistoricalIsometric

Steam👍 91%· 38KIGDB90· 6

Year 2009Dev The Creative Assembly · SegaOn Linux · Android · PC

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, combat tactical and historical setting

≠ Its own twist: turn-based strategy, melee combat and fantasy world, while skipping deep simulation

#8Total War: THREE KINGDOMS

93

Total War: THREE KINGDOMS

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalHistoricalIsometric

Steam👍 82%· 93KRAWG👍 78%· 169MC85IGDB82· 6OC85· 70

Year 2019Dev Feral Interactive · SEGAPlaytime ~10hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, combat tactical and historical setting

≠ Stands apart with turn-based strategy, while skipping deep simulation

96

Stonehearth

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opHistoricalMedievalBase BuildingManagementIsometric

Steam👍 75%· 13KRAWG👍 60%· 30

Year 2015Dev Radiant EntertainmentPlaytime ~6hOn PC

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, deep simulation and historical setting

≠ Where it differs: brings sandbox freedom, survival mechanics and deep RPG systems, while skipping combat tactical

#10Rome: Total War

90

Rome: Total War

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerTacticalRangedHistoricalIsometric

Steam👍 95%· 17KIGDB91· 3

Year 2004Dev The Creative Assembly · SegaOn Android · PC · iOS

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, deep simulation and combat tactical

≠ Its own twist: turn-based strategy and melee combat, while skipping setting medieval

#11Total War: Attila

93

Total War: Attila

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalHistoricalMedievalIsometric

Steam👍 82%· 37KIGDB77· 10OC79· 47

Year 2015Dev The Creative Assembly · SegaOn Linux · PC · Mac

✓ Same family of real-time strategy games: real-time strategy, combat tactical and historical setting

≠ Stands apart with turn-based strategy, strong narrative focus and melee combat, while skipping deep simulation

#12Total War: WARHAMMER II

91

Total War: WARHAMMER II

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalHistoricalIsometric

Steam👍 93%· 121KRAWG👍 90%· 251MC86IGDB88· 8OC86· 64

Year 2017Dev Creative Assembly · SEGAPlaytime ~14hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Same family of real-time strategy games: real-time strategy, combat tactical and historical setting

≠ Stands apart with turn-based strategy, dark, oppressive atmosphere and melee combat, while skipping deep simulation

92

Men of War

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalHistorical

Steam👍 90%· 3.8KRAWG👍 74%· 70MC80IGDB80· 2

Year 2009Dev Best Way · 1C CompanyPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Fits the real-time strategy games cluster, with real-time strategy, deep simulation and combat tactical

≠ Stands apart with melee combat and visual third person, while skipping ranged combat

#14Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition

92

Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalHistoricalMedievalBase BuildingManagementIsometric

Steam👍 85%· 53KRAWG👍 74%· 106MC75IGDB81· 4OC83· 100

Year 2020Dev Forgotten Empires · Xbox Game StudiosPlaytime ~3hOn PC

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, deep simulation and combat tactical

≠ Stands apart with PvP competition, online features and visual 3d, while skipping ranged combat

#15World in Conflict

89

World in Conflict

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerTacticalIsometric

IGDB94· 2

Year 2007Dev Massive Entertainment · Sierra EntertainmentOn PC

✓ Nearly identical: real-time strategy, combat tactical and single-player focus.

≠ Missing: deep simulation.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition?: The closest game to Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is Total War: Shogun 2, scoring 97/100 on our similarity scale. They share 10 gameplay attributes, including real-time strategy, deep simulation and single-player focus. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition?: The three closest games to Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition are: 1. Total War: Shogun 2 (97/100, 10 shared attributes) 2. Europa Universalis IV (93/100, 10 shared attributes) 3. Medieval II: Total War (91/100, 9 shared attributes). All share Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 59 candidates across 12 dimensions.
Is Europa Universalis IV similar to Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition?: Yes, very much so — Europa Universalis IV scores 93/100 similarity to Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition. They share 10 attributes, including real-time strategy and deep simulation. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What RTS games are similar to Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition?: The best RTS games similar to Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition are Total War: Shogun 2, Europa Universalis IV, Medieval II: Total War and Age of Mythology: Extended Edition. All share the RTS genre alongside other key Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition attributes like real-time strategy, deep simulation and single-player focus.
How is similarity to Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition calculated?: We compare Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition against every game in our catalog using 12 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.