DEFCON

47 Games like DEFCON that you should try

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DEFCON is hard to replace: few games combine deep RPG systems, punishing difficulty and open world exploration in quite the same way. We analyzed over 2,000 titles across 18 gameplay attributes and found 47 genuine alternatives — not generic genre suggestions. Horizon's Gate, Northgard and Wargroove lead the list, with Horizon's Gate reaching a 95/100 similarity score. Every game here is ranked by how closely it replicates what makes DEFCON special.

iRank77/ 100

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GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

Tags

HardcoreNarrativeCo-opPvP

Year 2006Dev Introversion Software

Stores

Steam ↗GOG ↗

Quick answer

The closest game to DEFCON is Horizon's Gate — scoring 95/100 on our similarity scale. Northgard and Wargroove follow close behind.

#1Horizon's Gate95 #2Northgard95 #3Wargroove93 #4Divinity: Original Sin II86 #5Divinity: Original Sin 286

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Games like DEFCON

47 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

#1Horizon's Gate

95

iRank95

Horizon's Gate

GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

TacticalOpen WorldTop-Down2DExploration

Steam👍 95%· 1.2K

Year 2020Dev Rad CodexPlaytime ~2hOn PC

✓ Fits the turn-based CRPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, turn-based strategy and open world exploration

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, exploration and discovery and skill tree progression, while skipping deep simulation

95

iRank83

Northgard

GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

SoloMultiplayerCo-opPvPTacticalHardcoreNarrativeHistoricalManagementIsometric

Steam👍 85%· 68KIGDB81· 4OC79· 21

Year 2018Dev Shiro Games · PlaydigiousOn PS4 · Linux · Android

✓ Fits the turn-based CRPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, deep simulation and real-time strategy

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, survival mechanics and fantasy world, while skipping open world exploration

93

iRank84

Wargroove

GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

SoloMultiplayerCo-opOnlinePvPTacticalIsometric2D

Steam👍 83%· 5.2KIGDB85· 9OC83· 89

Year 2019Dev Chucklefish GamesOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Both are turn-based CRPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, turn-based strategy and combat tactical

≠ Stands apart with fantasy world, offline and visual pixel, while skipping deep simulation

Steam PS Nintendo

#4Divinity: Original Sin II

86

iRank94

Divinity: Original Sin II

GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

Co-opPvPSoloMultiplayerTacticalNarrativeIsometric

Steam👍 96%· 203KIGDB91· 13

Year 2017Dev Larian StudiosOn PC · iOS · Mac

✓ Fits the turn-based CRPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, turn-based strategy and strong narrative focus

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, fantasy world and offline, while skipping deep simulation

#5Divinity: Original Sin 2

86

iRank94

Divinity: Original Sin 2

GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

Co-opPvPSoloMultiplayerTacticalNarrativeIsometric

Steam👍 96%· 203KRAWG👍 92%· 593MC94IGDB91· 13OC93· 80

Year 2018Dev Larian Studios · Bandai Namco EntertainmentPlaytime ~10hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the turn-based CRPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, turn-based strategy and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, fantasy world and offline, while skipping deep simulation

#6Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition

88

iRank83

Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition

GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

SoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalHistoricalIsometric

Steam👍 87%· 87KRAWG👍 81%· 238MC76

Year 2013Dev Creative Assembly · SEGAPlaytime ~15hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Both are turn-based CRPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, turn-based strategy and real-time strategy

≠ Its own twist: ranged combat and base building, while skipping punishing difficulty

87

iRank86

Wasteland 3

GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

Co-opSoloMultiplayerOnlineTacticalNarrativeOpen WorldIsometric

Steam👍 85%· 22KIGDB87· 9OC86· 114

Year 2020Dev inXile EntertainmentOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Fits the turn-based CRPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, turn-based strategy and strong narrative focus

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, survival mechanics and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping deep simulation

#8Hearts of Iron IV

86

iRank85

Hearts of Iron IV

GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

SoloMultiplayerCo-opPvPTacticalOpen WorldHistoricalIsometric

Steam👍 90%· 365KRAWG👍 83%· 381MC83IGDB84· 6OC83· 22

Year 2016Dev Paradox Development Studio · Paradox InteractivePlaytime ~8hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Both are turn-based CRPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, deep simulation and real-time strategy

≠ Its own twist: sandbox freedom, competitive edge and sandbox world, while skipping punishing difficulty

#9Stronghold Kingdoms

95

iRank51

Stronghold Kingdoms

GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

MultiplayerSoloCo-opOnlinePvPTacticalOpen WorldHistoricalIsometric

Steam👍 64%· 9.5KRAWG👍 12%· 74MC75

Year 2011Dev FireFly StudiosPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Fits the turn-based CRPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, deep simulation and real-time strategy

≠ Where it differs: brings sandbox freedom, sandbox world and setting medieval, while skipping punishing difficulty

#10For the King

87

iRank82

For the King

GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

Co-opMultiplayerOnlineSoloTacticalOpen WorldIsometric2D

Steam👍 88%· 43KIGDB76· 3OC75· 22

Year 2018Dev IronOak Games · Curve DigitalOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Both are turn-based CRPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, turn-based strategy and open world exploration

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, roguelike runs and card game strategy, while skipping deep simulation

87

iRank79

Armello

GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

PvPSoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalNarrative2DIsometric

Steam👍 82%· 16KIGDB73· 6OC79· 59

Year 2015Dev League of GeeksOn PS4 · Linux · Android

✓ Fits the turn-based CRPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, turn-based strategy and deep simulation

≠ Where it differs: brings card game strategy, adventure storytelling and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping real-time strategy

Steam PS Nintendo

#12Spice&Wolf VR2

92

iRank52

Spice&Wolf VR2

GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

SoloPvPMultiplayerTacticalHardcoreNarrativeHistorical

Steam👍 65%· 1.4KRAWG👍 26%· 28MC59

Year 2014Dev HeroCraftPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the turn-based CRPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, turn-based strategy and punishing difficulty

≠ Stands apart with card game strategy, roguelike runs and setting scifi, while skipping deep simulation

#13Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest

83

iRank88

Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest

GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

SoloMultiplayerTacticalNarrativeHardcoreIsometric

IGDB90· 2OC86· 65

Year 2015Dev Nintendo SPD · Nintendo

✓ Fits the turn-based CRPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, turn-based strategy and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: roguelike runs, fantasy world and base building, while skipping deep simulation

#14Tactical Breach Wizards

81

iRank92

Tactical Breach Wizards

GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

SoloTacticalNarrativeHistoricalIsometric

Steam👍 98%· 12KIGDB84· 3OC87· 21

Dev Suspicious DevelopmentsPlaytime ~6hOn PC

✓ Same family of turn-based CRPGs: deep RPG systems, turn-based strategy and strong narrative focus

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, adventure storytelling and fantasy world, while skipping deep simulation

#15Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle

83

iRank84

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle

GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

SoloCo-opTacticalIsometricFantasy

IGDB83· 19OC85· 124

Year 2017Dev Ubisoft Milan · Ubisoft EntertainmentOn Switch

✓ Same family of turn-based CRPGs: deep RPG systems, turn-based strategy and combat tactical

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, adventure storytelling and fantasy world, while skipping deep simulation

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to DEFCON?: The closest game to DEFCON is Horizon's Gate, scoring 95/100 on our similarity scale. They share 6 gameplay attributes, including deep RPG systems, turn-based strategy and combat tactical. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like DEFCON?: The three closest games to DEFCON are: 1. Horizon's Gate (95/100, 6 shared attributes) 2. Northgard (95/100, 14 shared attributes) 3. Wargroove (93/100, 10 shared attributes). All share DEFCON's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 47 candidates across 18 dimensions.
Is Northgard similar to DEFCON?: Yes, very much so — Northgard scores 95/100 similarity to DEFCON. They share 14 attributes, including deep RPG systems and deep simulation. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What RPG games are similar to DEFCON?: The best RPG games similar to DEFCON are Horizon's Gate, Northgard, Wargroove and Divinity: Original Sin II. All share the RPG genre alongside other key DEFCON attributes like deep RPG systems, turn-based strategy and combat tactical.
How is similarity to DEFCON calculated?: We compare DEFCON against every game in our catalog using 18 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 DEFCON experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.