Citadels

21 Games with a historical setting like Citadels that you should try

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Ranking compiled by Lluis Enric Mayans, Founder & Head of ContentUpdated May 19, 2026How this is calculatedOrdered by an attribute-similarity model, not editorial opinion.

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We filtered the 50 games similar to Citadels down to the 21 that fit the “Historical” category. Stronghold, Stronghold Crusader and Stronghold HD (2012) top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Citadels.

iRank17/ 100

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GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

Tags

NarrativeSolo

Year 2013Dev Games Distillery

Stores

Quick answer

Within the “Historical” category, the closest game to Citadels is Stronghold — scoring 59/100 on our similarity scale. Stronghold Crusader and Stronghold HD (2012) follow close behind.

#1Stronghold59 #2Stronghold Crusader56 #3Stronghold HD (2012)56 #4Defenders of Ardania47 #5Rock of Ages43

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The best games with a historical setting like Citadels

21 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Citadels. Each one has been evaluated across 14 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.

#1StrongholdClosest on genre

59

Stronghold

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalMeleeNarrativeMedievalHistoricalBase BuildingManagementIsometric

Steam👍 96%· 10K

Year 2001Dev Firefly Studios · Take-Two InteractiveOn PC · Mac

✓ Both are tower defense games — sharing deep simulation, real-time strategy and tower defense planning

≠ Its own twist: sandbox freedom, sandbox world and open world exploration, while skipping visual novel storytelling

Where it drifts furthest from Citadels: world.

It predates Citadels by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Tone100Progression92Setting90Combat79Visuals77

#2Stronghold CrusaderClosest on progression

56

Stronghold Crusader

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalMeleeHistoricalMedievalBase BuildingManagementIsometric

Steam👍 98%· 21KIGDB80· 1

Year 2002Dev Firefly Studios · Take-Two InteractiveOn PC

✓ Both are tower defense games — sharing deep simulation, real-time strategy and tower defense planning

≠ Its own twist: sandbox freedom, sandbox world and ranged combat, while skipping visual novel storytelling

Where it drifts furthest from Citadels: world.

It predates Citadels by 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Progression100Setting90Combat83Visuals80Game mode55

#3Stronghold HD (2012)

56

Stronghold HD (2012)

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalNarrativeMedievalHistoricalBase BuildingManagementIsometric

Steam👍 96%· 10KRAWG👍 82%· 310MC81

Year 2012Dev FireFly StudiosPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Same family of tower defense games: deep simulation, real-time strategy and tower defense planning

≠ Stands apart with sandbox freedom, sandbox world and open world exploration, while skipping visual novel storytelling

Stronghold is a real-time strategy game, the first installment in Firefly Studio’s Stronghold series. Gameplay### The game takes place in Medieval Brittan of XI century.

Where it drifts furthest from Citadels: world.

Genre100Tone100Progression92Setting89Visuals77Combat68

#4Defenders of ArdaniaClosest on visuals

47

Defenders of Ardania

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloHistoricalMedievalIsometricMultiplayer

Steam👍 35%· 122MC58IGDB56· 4

Year 2012Dev Most Wanted Entertainment · Deep SilverPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Xbox

✓ Fits the tower defense games cluster, with tower defense planning, real-time strategy and historical setting

≠ Where it differs: brings combat magic, fantasy world and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping deep simulation

Defenders of Ardania (DoA) is a next-generation tower defense game set in the rich fantasy world of Majesty, but with a twist.

Where it drifts furthest from Citadels: combat.

Genre100Visuals100Setting85Game mode55Combat0

#5Rock of AgesClosest on setting

43

Rock of Ages

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloMeleeHistoricalMedievalBase BuildingIsometric

Steam👍 92%· 4.0KRAWG👍 66%· 209MC74IGDB75· 5

Year 2011Dev ACE Team · Atlus USAPlaytime ~2hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the tower defense games cluster, with tower defense planning, melee combat and historical setting

≠ Stands apart with racing gameplay, vibe casual and offline, while skipping real-time strategy

Rock of Ages is a game which resembles a racing game, a Tower Defence and a platformer at the same time. It was developed by ACE Team. The game is loosely based on the myth of Sisyphus.

Where it drifts furthest from Citadels: tone and game mode.

Genre100Setting100Combat74Visuals71Progression62Game mode20

#6Kingdom: ClassicClosest on game mode

42

Kingdom: Classic

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloNarrativeHistoricalMedievalBase BuildingManagement

Steam👍 91%· 23KIGDB70· 2

Year 2015Dev Licorice · Raw FuryOn Linux · PC · Mac

✓ Same family of tower defense games: deep simulation, tower defense planning and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, survival mechanics and deep RPG systems, while skipping real-time strategy

Where it drifts furthest from Citadels: combat and world.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Setting85Tone51Combat0

41

Castle Story

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloHistoricalMedievalBase BuildingIsometric

Steam👍 65%· 11KRAWG👍 59%· 27

Year 2012Dev Sauropod StudioPlaytime ~3hOn PC · iOS · Android

✓ Both are tower defense games — sharing deep simulation, real-time strategy and tower defense planning

≠ Stands apart with sandbox freedom, survival mechanics and adventure storytelling, while skipping visual novel storytelling

An epic adventure awaits you in Castle Story, a strategy game where you command friendly creatures called Bricktrons. Have them explore, carve, dig and gather resources from vast, spectacular floating islands, reshaping the voxel-based world to your desire!

Where it drifts furthest from Citadels: combat and world.

Genre100Setting100Visuals100Progression58Game mode34Combat0

#8MASSIVE CHALICE

30

MASSIVE CHALICE

GenreStrategySubgenreGrand Strategy

SoloTacticalMeleeHistoricalMedievalManagement

Steam👍 72%· 1.9KRAWG👍 36%· 131MC73IGDB70· 3OC74· 32

Year 2015Dev Double Fine ProductionsPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Xbox · Apple Macintosh

✓ If you enjoyed Citadels, expect deep simulation, combat tactical and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: turn-based strategy, adventure storytelling and roguelike runs, while skipping real-time strategy

Massive Chalice is a fantasy turn-based tactical game in the vein of XCOM. ###Plot The player assumes the role of an immortal leader in a fantasy kingdom. A dark power called Cadence repeatedly attacks the kingdom, corrupting everything it touches.

Where it drifts furthest from Citadels: progression.

Game mode100Setting85Combat79Genre50Progression47

#9Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium WarsClosest overall match

72

Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloMeleeTacticalNarrativeHistoricalBase BuildingIsometric

Steam👍 90%· 9.2KRAWG👍 83%· 225MC85IGDB85· 4

Year 2007Dev Electronic Arts Los Angeles · Electronic ArtsPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Xbox

✓ Same family of tower defense games: real-time strategy, deep simulation and tower defense planning

≠ Its own twist: setting scifi, post-apocalyptic world and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping visual novel storytelling

Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars is a real-time strategy game developed by EA Los Angeles. It is the third game in the Tiberium sub-series and continues the plot of Tiberian Sun. ###Plot The year is 2047, 17 years after the events of the Firestorm Expansion pack.

Where it drifts furthest from Citadels: setting.

Genre100Combat100Tone100Visuals100Progression69Game mode54

#10Anomaly: Warzone Earth

56

Anomaly: Warzone Earth

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloMeleeHistoricalIsometricSci-Fi

Steam👍 87%· 4.7KRAWG👍 45%· 226MC80IGDB85· 5

Year 2011Dev 11 Bit Studios · Microsoft StudiosPlaytime ~2hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are tower defense games — sharing real-time strategy, tower defense planning and melee combat

≠ Where it differs: brings setting scifi and fantasy world, while skipping deep simulation

Anomaly: Warzone Earth is a real-time strategy based on tower defense genre principles. However, instead of protecting your base from waves of enemies, in this game, you try to break into aliens' facilities. The story is set in the near future when an alien spacecraft falls on Earth.

Where it drifts furthest from Citadels: setting.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Combat70Setting40

56

Robowars

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalMeleeHistoricalIsometric

Steam👍 46%· 290

Year 2014Dev N-Game Studios · KissPlaytime ~3hOn PC

✓ Same family of tower defense games: tower defense planning, real-time strategy and combat tactical

≠ Where it differs: brings card game strategy, setting scifi and setting cyberpunk, while skipping deep simulation

In the near future, mankind has opened the way to the stars – made possible through the use of droids, able to operate in the hostile environment of the deep space. However, both spaceships and droids are dependent on ‘Neonium’ for their power.

Where it drifts furthest from Citadels: setting and visuals.

Genre100Combat100Game mode47Visuals39Setting34

#12iBomber Defense Pacific

55

iBomber Defense Pacific

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalMeleeHistoricalCasual

Steam👍 83%· 593RAWG👍 19%· 42

Year 2012Dev Cobra MobilePlaytime ~1hOn PC · iOS · Apple Macintosh

✓ Both are tower defense games — sharing tower defense planning, real-time strategy and combat tactical

≠ Stands apart with turn-based strategy, vibe casual and punishing difficulty, while skipping deep simulation

iBomber Defense Pacific is the sequel to the original iBomber Defense. It is the second part in this tower defense series designed for mobile devices. ###Premise The game is set during the World War II. Unlike the original game, the sequel shifts its attention to the Pacific Theatre.

Where it drifts furthest from Citadels: tone and visuals.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Setting62Tone0Visuals0

51

Bad North

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalMeleeHistoricalIsometric

Steam👍 93%· 14KIGDB67· 2OC71· 29

Year 2018Dev Plausible Concept · Raw FuryOn PS4 · PC · Mac

✓ Same family of tower defense games: deep simulation, real-time strategy and tower defense planning

≠ Its own twist: turn-based strategy, puzzle design and adventure storytelling, while skipping visual novel storytelling

Where it drifts furthest from Citadels: tone and world.

Released 5 years after Citadels.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Visuals100Setting60Tone0

#14Plants vs. Zombies 2: It's About Time

45

Plants vs. Zombies 2: It's About Time

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalHistoricalMultiplayerDark

IGDB80· 1

Year 2013Dev PopCap Games · Electronic ArtsOn Android · iOS

✓ Fits the tower defense games cluster, with real-time strategy, tower defense planning and combat tactical

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, survival mechanics and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping deep simulation

Where it drifts furthest from Citadels: tone and visuals.

Genre100Combat70Game mode55Setting38Tone0Visuals0

#15Go Home Dinosaurs!

42

Go Home Dinosaurs!

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloHistoricalIsometricCasualCozy

Steam👍 87%· 623MC79

Year 2013Dev Fire Hose GamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · iOS

✓ Fits the tower defense games cluster, with tower defense planning, historical setting and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, vibe casual and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping real-time strategy

Todd Rex wants steak. Todd Rex wants YOUR steak. Are you gonna let him take it? No way! Go Home, Dinosaurs! Prevent hordes of marauding Dinos from crashing your party in the world’s premier BBQ defense simulator! Unlock powerful towers that act like little weaponized puzzle pieces.

Where it drifts furthest from Citadels: tone and setting.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Setting49Tone0

Complete list of games with a historical setting like Citadels

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Citadels, 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.

Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive

Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive

RTS

Pharaoh

Pharaoh

RTS · Simulation

Caesar III

Caesar III

Simulation

Sid Meier's Colonization (Classic)

Sid Meier's Colonization (Classic)

Simulation · Adventure

CivCity: Rome

CivCity: Rome

Simulation

Sid Meier's Civilization

Sid Meier's Civilization

Turn-Based Strat

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Rankings in the same genre

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