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Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword

30 Games with a fantasy setting like Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword that you should try

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Ranking compiled by Lluis Enric Mayans, Founder & Head of ContentHow this is calculatedOrdered by an attribute-similarity model, not editorial opinion.

We filtered the 49 games similar to Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword down to the 30 that fit the “Fantasy” category. Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization, Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI and Sid Meier's Civilization® V top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword.

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GenreStrategySubgenreGrand Strategy
Tags
SoloMultiplayer
Year 2007Dev Firaxis
Stores

Quick answer

Within the “Fantasy” category, the closest game to Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword is Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization — scoring 84/100 on our similarity scale. Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI and Sid Meier's Civilization® V follow close behind.

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The best games with a fantasy setting like Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword

30 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword. Each one has been evaluated across 8 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.

Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization
StrategyGrand Strategy
SoloMultiplayerHistoricalFantasyBase BuildingIsometric
Steam👍 87%· 1.5KRAWG👍 69%· 163MC83IGDB77· 3
Year 2008Dev Aspyr Media · 2K GamesPlaytime ~1hOn PC · iOS · Apple Macintosh

✓ If you enjoyed Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword, expect turn-based strategy, deep simulation and historical setting

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling

Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization is a remake of the famous turn-based strategy game Sid Meier's Colonization which was released in 1994. The game was totally remade with the Civilization IV engine.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword.

Genre100Game mode100Setting100Progression100Visuals100
Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI
StrategyGrand Strategy
SoloMultiplayerHistoricalFantasyBase BuildingIsometric
Steam👍 86%· 374KRAWG👍 88%· 1.4KMC88IGDB87· 20OC89· 95
Year 2016Dev Aspyr Media · 2K GamesPlaytime ~15hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Like Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword, it's known for deep simulation, turn-based strategy and historical setting

≠ Its own twist: combat tactical and resource management

The sixth installment in Sid Meier’s Civilization series.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword.

Released 9 years after Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword.

Genre100Game mode100Setting100Visuals100Progression81
Sid Meier's Civilization® V
StrategyGrand Strategy
SoloMultiplayerHistoricalFantasyBase BuildingIsometric
Steam👍 96%· 209KRAWG👍 91%· 2.0KMC90IGDB87· 5
Year 2010Dev Aspyr Media · 2K GamesPlaytime ~27hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ If you enjoyed Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword, expect turn-based strategy, deep simulation and historical setting

≠ Its own twist: combat tactical, ranged combat and setting scifi

Real-time strategy genre has always been about domination over your opponent, and Civilization in general expanded on the concept. Civilization 5 allows players to pick one of the 43 civilizations available in, including DLCs and the expansions.

Where it drifts furthest from Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword: progression.

Released 3 years after Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword.

Genre100Visuals100Game mode93Setting70Progression47
Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution
StrategyGrand Strategy
SoloMultiplayerFantasyHistoricalIsometric
IGDB81· 8
Year 2008Dev Firaxis Games · 2K GamesOn PlayStation 3

✓ If you enjoyed Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword, expect deep simulation, turn-based strategy and fantasy world

≠ Stands apart with combat tactical, while skipping base building

Civilization compressed for consoles: games finish in a couple of hours, the tech tree is trimmed hard, and turns are fast enough to play with a controller comfortably. That compression is the trade — the diplomacy and economic layers are thin, and anyone coming from the PC entries will find the strategic ceiling low.

Genre100Game mode100Setting100Visuals100
Crusader Kings II
StrategyGrand Strategy
MultiplayerSoloHistoricalFantasyIsometric
Steam👍 91%· 74KRAWG👍 64%· 755MC82IGDB84· 2
Year 2012Dev Paradox Development Studio · Paradox InteractivePlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ If you enjoyed Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword, expect turn-based strategy, deep simulation and historical setting

≠ Stands apart with deep RPG systems, sandbox freedom and sandbox world, while skipping base building

Crusader Kings II is a global RTS which takes place in the Middle Ages of Europe. The players will govern a house of nobility of that time, and ensure that its heritage will last for centuries.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword.

Released 5 years after Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Setting75
Sid Meier's Colonization (Classic)
StrategyGrand Strategy
SoloHistoricalFantasyBase BuildingIsometric
Steam👍 96%· 1.1K
Year 2014Dev MicroProse Software · Nightdive StudiosPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Like Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword, it's known for deep simulation, turn-based strategy and historical setting

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, resource management and visual pixel, while skipping multiplayer gameplay

Special OfferOfficially Licensed Sid Meier's Colonization T-Shirts are available on Amazon! About the GameThe Tradition of Civilization Continues The New World lies before you with all its peril, promise and infinite possibility. Your colonists anxiously follow you to shore.

Released 7 years after Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword.

Genre100Setting100Visuals86Progression77Game mode54
Ultimate Arena
StrategyGrand Strategy
SoloFantasyHistoricalIsometricTactical
Steam👍 80%· 992RAWG👍 14%· 21
Year 2016Dev TriverskePlaytime ~4hOn PC · Linux

✓ Like Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword, it's known for turn-based strategy, deep simulation and fantasy world

≠ Where it differs: brings sandbox freedom, horror tension and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping multiplayer gameplay

Many will enter, one will win. It has taken a few millennia for the art of the arena to be perfected, but we've finally done it. Ultimate Arena puts you in charge of the greatest battle royale, the one that you pick who fights and the conditions they fight under. Take charge by setting up landmines, deploying care packages, and initiating arena events.

Where it drifts furthest from Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword: visuals.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword.

Released 9 years after Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword.

Genre100Setting73Game mode54Visuals47
MASSIVE CHALICE
StrategyGrand Strategy
SoloFantasyHistoricalTacticalMagic
Steam👍 72%· 1.9KRAWG👍 36%· 131MC73IGDB70· 3OC74· 32
Year 2015Dev Double Fine ProductionsPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Xbox · Apple Macintosh

✓ If you enjoyed Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword, expect deep simulation, turn-based strategy and fantasy world

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, roguelike runs and deep RPG systems, while skipping multiplayer gameplay

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 Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword: progression.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword.

Released 8 years after Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword.

Genre100Setting82Game mode54Progression0
Commander: Conquest of the Americas
StrategyRTS
SoloMultiplayerHistoricalFantasyBase Building
Steam👍 52%· 188MC68
Year 2010Dev Nitro GamesPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Shared with Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword: deep simulation, turn-based strategy and historical setting

≠ Its own twist: real-time strategy, adventure storytelling and combat tactical, while skipping visual isometric

Combining elements from both trading and strategy games, Commander: Conquest of the Americas will appeal to a wide range of players. Players take charge of one of the many European powers aiming to conquer the New World.

Where it drifts furthest from Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword: progression.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against overwhelmingly positive for Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword.

Released 3 years after Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword.

Game mode100Setting100Genre50Progression48
East India Company
StrategyRTS
SoloMultiplayerHistoricalFantasyBase Building
Steam👍 52%· 205MC67
Year 2009Dev Nitro GamesPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Shared with Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword: deep simulation, turn-based strategy and historical setting

≠ Its own twist: real-time strategy, adventure storytelling and combat tactical, while skipping visual isometric

In East India Company, players will enjoy building the World's most powerful trading empire & engaging in vigorous battles in both single player & multiplayer modes, all within a breathtaking cinematic game environment.

Where it drifts furthest from Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword: progression.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against overwhelmingly positive for Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword.

Game mode100Setting70Genre50Progression48
Grand Ages: Rome
StrategyRTS
SoloMultiplayerHistoricalFantasyBase BuildingIsometric
Steam👍 75%· 807MC72IGDB70· 1
Year 2009Dev Haemimont Games · Kalypso MediaPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Shared with Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword: deep simulation, historical setting and fantasy world

≠ Stands apart with real-time strategy and visual first person, while skipping turn-based strategy

Raise massive armies, embark on epic campaigns to expand the Empire, and take control of the known world! Engage in grand-scale city building and create magnificent cities with creativity and control like never before.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword.

Game mode100Setting100Progression100Visuals67Genre50
Dawn of Discovery
StrategyRTS
SoloMultiplayerFantasyHistoricalBase BuildingIsometric
IGDB72· 2
Year 2009Dev Related Designs · Ubisoft EntertainmentPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Nintendo

✓ Like Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword, it's known for deep simulation, fantasy world and historical setting

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

There are many unmet needs within the king’s empire - fulfill them, while both expanding and sustaining the vast society. Dawn of Discovery takes place in the year 1404, when King George’s land is suffering from severe droughts and brutal famine.

Game mode100Setting100Visuals100Progression65Genre50
Impossible Creatures Steam Edition
StrategyRTS
SoloMultiplayerHistoricalFantasyBase BuildingIsometric
Steam👍 96%· 1.8KRAWG👍 75%· 32MC72IGDB73· 3
Year 2003Dev THQ NordicPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ If you enjoyed Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword, expect deep simulation, historical setting and fantasy world

≠ Where it differs: brings real-time strategy, melee combat and combat tactical, while skipping turn-based strategy

Update NotesPatch 3 not only brough more bug fixes but adds Workshop support to Impossible Creatures. Together with the great possibilities of the SDK (even with full C++ support) and the mod tools now the highest level of mod support comes with IC.

Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Setting80Genre50
Majesty 2
StrategyRTS
SoloMultiplayerFantasyHistoricalBase BuildingIsometric
Steam👍 69%· 1.3KRAWG👍 73%· 63MC72IGDB50· 2
Year 2009Dev 1C:InoCo · Paradox InteractivePlaytime ~2hOn PC

✓ Shared with Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword: deep simulation, fantasy world and historical setting

≠ Where it differs: brings real-time strategy, punishing difficulty and combat magic, while skipping turn-based strategy

In the world of Majesty, you are the ruler of the kingdom Ardania. At your service are your loyal and somewhat obnoxious subordinates, who have their own minds about how things should be done.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against overwhelmingly positive for Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword.

Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Setting67Genre50
Stronghold Crusader
StrategyTower Defense
SoloMultiplayerHistoricalFantasyBase BuildingIsometric
Steam👍 98%· 21KIGDB80· 1
Year 2002Dev Firefly Studios · Take-Two InteractiveOn PC

✓ Shared with Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword: deep simulation, historical setting and fantasy world

≠ Its own twist: sandbox freedom, real-time strategy and tower defense planning, while skipping turn-based strategy

Game mode100Visuals80Progression74Setting66Genre50

Complete list of games with a fantasy setting like Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword

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