Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

33 Simulation games like Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition that you should try

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We filtered the 50 games similar to Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition down to the 33 that fit the “Simulation” category. Total War: Shogun 2, Stronghold 3 Gold and Stonehearth top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition.

iRank88/ 100

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GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

Tags

SoloMultiplayer

Year 2019Dev Forgotten Empires

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Quick answer

Within the “Simulation” category, the closest game to Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is Total War: Shogun 2 — scoring 97/100 on our similarity scale. Stronghold 3 Gold and Stonehearth follow close behind.

#1Total War: Shogun 297 #2Stronghold 3 Gold96 #3Stonehearth96 #4Tropico 694 #5Europa Universalis IV93

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The best simulation games like Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

33 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition. Each one has been evaluated across 12 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#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

#2Stronghold 3 Gold

96

Stronghold 3 Gold

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalRangedHistoricalMedievalBase BuildingManagementIsometric

Steam👍 33%· 4.8KRAWG👍 28%· 50IGDB52· 3

Year 2012Dev FireFly StudiosPlaytime ~4hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

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

≠ Where it differs: brings sandbox freedom, sandbox world and open world exploration

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

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

#5Europa 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

#6Age 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

#7Company of Heroes 2

93

Company of Heroes 2

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalHistoricalIsometric

Steam👍 79%· 113KRAWG👍 50%· 872MC80IGDB78· 11

Year 2013Dev Feral Interactive · SEGAPlaytime ~4hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Nearly identical: real-time strategy, deep simulation and combat tactical.

≠ Missing: ranged combat.

#8Age 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

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

#10The Guild II Renaissance

91

The Guild II Renaissance

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerMedievalHistoricalBase BuildingManagement

Steam👍 83%· 4.0KRAWG👍 67%· 84MC56

Year 2010Dev Runeforge Games Studio · THQ NordicPlaytime ~2hOn PC

✓ Same family of real-time strategy games: real-time strategy, deep simulation and setting medieval

≠ Where it differs: brings deep RPG systems, sandbox freedom and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping combat tactical

#11Medieval 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

91

Anno 2070

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opBase BuildingManagementIsometric

Steam👍 61%· 13KRAWG👍 71%· 157MC83IGDB75· 1

Year 2011Dev Blue Byte · Ubisoft EntertainmentPlaytime ~11hOn PC

✓ 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

#13The Guild II

91

The Guild II

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerHistoricalMedievalIsometric

IGDB68· 2

Year 2008Dev Trine Game Studios · JoWooD ProductionsPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Fits the real-time strategy games cluster, with real-time strategy, deep simulation and historical setting

≠ Stands apart with deep RPG systems, sandbox freedom and sandbox world, while skipping combat tactical

#14Supreme Commander

91

Supreme Commander

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opBase BuildingIsometric

Steam👍 89%· 3.1KIGDB76· 3

Year 2007Dev Hellbent Games · THQOn PC

✓ Fits the real-time strategy games cluster, with real-time strategy, deep simulation and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings setting scifi and setting space, while skipping combat tactical

91

DETOUR

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opRangedIsometric

Steam👍 61%· 1.8KRAWG👍 3%· 62

Year 2011Dev Sandswept Studios · Epic Quest GamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC

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

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, vibe casual and visual 2d, while skipping combat tactical

Complete list of simulation games like Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.

Stronghold 2

Stronghold 2

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Dawn of Discovery

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Grand Ages: Rome

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East India Company

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Football Club Simulator - FCS #21

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Majesty Gold HD

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Victoria II

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Commander: Conquest of the Americas

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Mitos.is: The Game

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Theme Hospital

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