14 Simulation games like DEFCON that you should try

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We filtered the 48 games similar to DEFCON down to the 14 that fit the “Simulation” category. Stronghold Kingdoms, Northgard and Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to DEFCON.

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GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

The best simulation games like DEFCON

14 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to DEFCON. Each one has been evaluated across 18 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.

#1Stronghold Kingdoms

iRank51

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

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

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#3Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition

iRank83

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

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

GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

SoloTacticalOpen WorldHistoricalManagementIsometric2D

Steam👍 98%· 239KRAWG👍 87%· 620MC87IGDB75· 2OC86· 11

Year 2016Dev Ludeon StudiosPlaytime ~19hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

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

≠ Stands apart with survival mechanics, sandbox freedom and sandbox world, while skipping punishing difficulty

Details →

Steam GOG

#6Armello

iRank79

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

GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

SoloMultiplayerTacticalHistoricalIsometric

IGDB75· 8

Year 2017Dev Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development · NintendoOn Android · iOS

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

≠ Its own twist: ranged combat, fantasy world and setting medieval, while skipping real-time strategy

Details →

Nintendo

#8Jagged Alliance: Crossfire

iRank61

GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

SoloTacticalIsometricLootSkill Tree

Steam👍 61%· 332MC63IGDB60· 1

Year 2012Dev Coreplay · THQ NordicPlaytime ~1hOn PC

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

≠ Stands apart with loot and gear systems and skill tree progression, while skipping real-time strategy

GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

SoloMultiplayerTacticalNarrativeHistorical2D

Steam👍 89%· 16KRAWG👍 82%· 741MC81IGDB82· 14OC81· 99

Year 2014Dev Versus EvilPlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS · Xbox

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

≠ Its own twist: ranged combat, fantasy world and setting mythology, while skipping real-time strategy

GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

SoloTacticalNarrativeHistoricalIsometric

Steam👍 79%· 3.0KIGDB87· 9OC84· 70

Year 2018Dev Stoic · Versus EvilOn PS4 · Android · PC

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

≠ Its own twist: fantasy world and setting medieval, while skipping real-time strategy

GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

SoloTacticalManagementIsometric2D

Steam👍 93%· 4.6KRAWG👍 66%· 95MC75IGDB72· 7OC76· 29

Year 2015Dev BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America · BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment USPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · Xbox

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

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, fantasy world and visual pixel, while skipping real-time strategy

GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

SoloTacticalNarrativeOpen WorldManagement2D

Steam👍 94%· 6.0KIGDB90· 1OC89· 22

Year 2025Dev YCJY GamesPlaytime ~4hOn PC

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

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, roguelike runs and vibe casual, while skipping real-time strategy

GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

SoloTacticalNarrativeHardcoreOpen WorldIsometric

Steam👍 95%· 12KRAWG👍 83%· 46IGDB94· 1OC90· 11

Year 2015Dev Freehold Games · Kitfox GamesPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

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

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

GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

SoloTacticalIsometricFantasyBase Building

IGDB85· 11OC85· 48

Year 2013Dev Silicon Studio · Nintendo

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

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, fantasy world and base building, while skipping real-time strategy

Details →

Nintendo

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