What is the best game similar to Empire of the Ants?

The closest game to Empire of the Ants is Offworld Trading Company, scoring 73/100 on our similarity scale. They share 11 gameplay attributes, including real-time strategy, deep simulation and single-player focus. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.

What are the top games like Empire of the Ants?

The three closest games to Empire of the Ants are: 1. Offworld Trading Company (73/100, 11 shared attributes) 2. Europa Universalis IV (69/100, 9 shared attributes) 3. Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition (69/100, 10 shared attributes). All share Empire of the Ants's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 16 dimensions.

Is Europa Universalis IV similar to Empire of the Ants?

Yes — Europa Universalis IV scores 69/100 similarity to Empire of the Ants. They share 9 attributes, including real-time strategy and deep simulation. There are some notable differences in pacing or mechanics.

What RTS games are similar to Empire of the Ants?

The best RTS games similar to Empire of the Ants are Offworld Trading Company, Europa Universalis IV, Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition and Commander: Conquest of the Americas. All share the RTS genre alongside other key Empire of the Ants attributes like real-time strategy, deep simulation and single-player focus.

How is similarity to Empire of the Ants calculated?

We compare Empire of the Ants against every game in our catalog using 16 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 Empire of the Ants experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.

50 Games like Empire of the Ants 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.

If Empire of the Ants left you wanting more, this list of 50 similar games is for you. Each one shares part of its essence — real-time strategy, strong narrative focus and combat tactical — and is ranked by a similarity score computed across 16 attributes. Offworld Trading Company comes closest (73/100).

iRank76/ 100

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GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

Top games similar to Empire of the Ants

50 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Empire of the Ants. Each one has been evaluated across 16 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.

#1Offworld Trading CompanyClosest on genre

iRank76

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opPvPNarrativeSci-FiManagementBase Building3D

Steam👍 77%· 5.7KRAWG👍 58%· 122MC78IGDB89· 3OC81· 21

Year 2016Dev Mohawk Games · Stardock EntertainmentPlaytime ~4hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, deep simulation and strong narrative focus

≠ Stands apart with survival mechanics, setting space and online features, while skipping turn-based strategy

In the sci-fi game Offworld Trading Company, the player can lead an interplanetary corporation in a futuristic trade war for control of Mars. ###Gameplay The game mixes resource mining and construction used in real-time strategies with a stronger economic element.

It predates Empire of the Ants by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Tone100Game mode89Progression87Visuals59Setting54

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Steam GOG Epic

#2Europa Universalis IVClosest on combat

iRank86

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalFantasyManagement

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 turn-based strategy

≠ Where it differs: brings sandbox freedom, sandbox world and open world exploration, while skipping adventure storytelling

Europa Universalis IV is a global strategy game developed by Paradox Interactive. It is the fifth game in the series, not counting the add-ons. ###Gameplay The game can take place at any time starting from the late Middle Age to the Napolean Wars era.

Where it drifts furthest from Empire of the Ants: visuals and setting.

It predates Empire of the Ants by 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode75Progression68Setting27Visuals0

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Steam GOG Epic

#3Age of Empires IV: Anniversary EditionClosest on progression

iRank80

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opPvPTacticalBase BuildingManagement3D

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 historical setting, setting medieval and online features, while skipping turn-based strategy

Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition completes the celebration of one of the most beloved real-time strategy franchises in definitive form with enhanced features and modernized gameplay.

Where it drifts furthest from Empire of the Ants: setting and visuals.

Genre100Combat100Progression100Game mode96Visuals44Setting0

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Steam Xbox

#4Commander: Conquest of the AmericasClosest overall match

iRank57

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerTacticalFantasyManagementBase Building

Steam👍 52%· 188MC68

Year 2010Dev Nitro GamesPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, deep simulation and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: historical setting, exploration and discovery and social trading, while skipping strong narrative focus

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 Empire of the Ants: setting and game mode.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against mostly positive for Empire of the Ants.

It predates Empire of the Ants by 14 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Progression88Game mode47Setting32

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerTacticalFantasyManagementBase Building

Steam👍 52%· 205MC67

Year 2009Dev Nitro GamesPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, deep simulation and turn-based strategy

≠ Its own twist: historical setting, setting medieval and exploration and discovery, while skipping strong narrative focus

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 Empire of the Ants: setting and game mode.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against mostly positive for Empire of the Ants.

It predates Empire of the Ants by 15 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Progression87Game mode48Setting23

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerTacticalNarrativeSci-FiManagement

Steam👍 86%· 194KRAWG👍 84%· 693MC78IGDB79· 11OC81· 42

Year 2016Dev Paradox Development Studio · Paradox InteractivePlaytime ~10hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Same family of real-time strategy games: real-time strategy, deep simulation and turn-based strategy

≠ Stands apart with sandbox freedom, sandbox world and procedural generation, while skipping adventure storytelling

Nova Edition Stellaris Nova Edition includes:Digital Original SoundtrackThe Stellaris soundtrack delivers two and a half hours of original music, including bonus tracks and alternate versions not included in the game.

Where it drifts furthest from Empire of the Ants: visuals and setting.

It predates Empire of the Ants by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Tone100Game mode49Progression45Setting41

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Steam GOG

#7Total War: WARHAMMER III

iRank78

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opPvPTacticalNarrativeFantasy

Steam👍 70%· 143KRAWG👍 79%· 68MC85IGDB78· 3OC86· 72

Year 2022Dev Creative Assembly · SEGAPlaytime ~17hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Fits the real-time strategy games cluster, with real-time strategy, turn-based strategy and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: dark, oppressive atmosphere, melee combat and historical setting, while skipping adventure storytelling

Far beyond the world and its petty wars there exists a dimension of pure, malevolent magic: The Realm of Chaos. It is a terrible place, incomprehensible to the mortal mind. It whispers promises of power, but to behold it is to be seduced by it. To relinquish your soul to it. To become it.

Where it drifts furthest from Empire of the Ants: visuals and setting.

Genre100Game mode94Combat79Tone57Setting41Visuals0

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opNarrativeBase BuildingManagement

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 strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: sandbox freedom, sandbox world and visual isometric, while skipping turn-based strategy

Where it drifts furthest from Empire of the Ants: visuals.

Genre100Tone100Progression100Game mode75Visuals0

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Steam GOG Epic

#9Total War: Shogun 2

iRank91

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalRanged

Steam👍 92%· 67KIGDB88· 4

Year 2011Dev The Creative Assembly · SegaOn Linux · PC · Mac

✓ Same family of real-time strategy games: real-time strategy, turn-based strategy and deep simulation

≠ Stands apart with ranged combat, historical setting and setting medieval, while skipping adventure storytelling

Where it drifts furthest from Empire of the Ants: setting and visuals.

It predates Empire of the Ants by 13 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat76Game mode74Setting0Visuals0

Details →

Steam

#10The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth IIClosest on game mode

iRank81

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opPvPTacticalFantasy

IGDB81· 6

Year 2006Dev EA Los Angeles · Electronic ArtsOn PC

✓ Same family of real-time strategy games: real-time strategy, turn-based strategy and combat tactical

≠ Stands apart with combat magic, melee combat and ranged combat, while skipping adventure storytelling

Where it drifts furthest from Empire of the Ants: visuals and combat.

It predates Empire of the Ants by 18 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Setting53Combat49Visuals0

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#11Anno 2070

iRank70

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opNarrativeSci-FiBase BuildingManagement

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 strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: sandbox freedom, sandbox world and exploration and discovery, while skipping turn-based strategy

This is the fifth game in a series of Anno games. The game genre remains unchanged - this is a real-time strategy with a variety of elements from other genres included in it: from the city construction and management simulator to submarine battles.

Where it drifts furthest from Empire of the Ants: visuals.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against mostly positive for Empire of the Ants.

It predates Empire of the Ants by 13 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Tone100Progression92Setting75Game mode74Visuals0

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalNarrativeFantasy

Steam👍 82%· 37KIGDB77· 10OC79· 47

Year 2015Dev The Creative Assembly · SegaOn Linux · PC · Mac

✓ Same family of real-time strategy games: real-time strategy, turn-based strategy and strong narrative focus

≠ Stands apart with melee combat, historical setting and setting medieval, while skipping adventure storytelling

Where it drifts furthest from Empire of the Ants: visuals and setting.

It predates Empire of the Ants by 9 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Tone100Combat92Game mode75Setting32Visuals0

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Steam GOG

#13Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3

iRank82

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalSci-FiFantasyBase Building

Steam👍 85%· 16KIGDB75· 4

Year 2008Dev EA Los Angeles · Electronic ArtsOn PlayStation 3 · PC · Mac

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

≠ Stands apart with melee combat, historical setting and online features, while skipping turn-based strategy

Where it drifts furthest from Empire of the Ants: visuals.

It predates Empire of the Ants by 16 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Setting75Progression75Game mode62Combat60Visuals0

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalFantasy

Steam👍 91%· 38KIGDB90· 6

Year 2009Dev The Creative Assembly · SegaOn Linux · Android · PC

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, turn-based strategy and combat tactical

≠ Its own twist: melee combat, historical setting and visual isometric, while skipping adventure storytelling

Where it drifts furthest from Empire of the Ants: visuals and setting.

It predates Empire of the Ants by 15 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat84Game mode74Setting36Visuals0

Details →

Steam

#15Victoria II

iRank87

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerTacticalManagementSandbox World

Steam👍 92%· 20KIGDB76· 1

Year 2010Dev Paradox InteractiveOn Linux · PC · Mac

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, turn-based strategy and deep simulation

≠ Stands apart with sandbox freedom, sandbox world and historical setting, while skipping adventure storytelling

Where it drifts furthest from Empire of the Ants: setting and game mode.

It predates Empire of the Ants by 14 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Progression63Game mode49Setting0

Details →

Steam

Complete list of Empire of the Ants alternatives

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Empire of the Ants, 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.

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

RTS · Simulation

Supreme Commander

RTS · Simulation

Dawn of Discovery

RTS · Simulation

Halo Wars

RTS

Men of War

RTS · Simulation

Impossible Creatures Steam Edition

RTS · Simulation

Pikmin 2

RTS · Adventure

Ironclad Tactics

RTS · Deck Builder

Total War: WARHAMMER II

RTS · Turn-Based Strat

Homeworld

RTS · Adventure

Age of Mythology: Extended Edition

RTS · Simulation

Total War: THREE KINGDOMS

RTS · Turn-Based Strat

Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 - Uprising

RTS

Majesty Gold HD

RTS · Simulation

StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty

RTS

Star Wars: Empire at War

RTS · Turn-Based Strat

Napoleon: Total War

RTS · Turn-Based Strat

Stronghold 2: Steam Edition

RTS · Simulation

Company of Heroes 2

RTS · Simulation

Football Club Simulator - FCS #21

RTS · Sports

Pikmin 3

RTS · Adventure

The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth

RTS

Command & Conquer: Generals

RTS

Total Annihilation

RTS

Stronghold 3 Gold

RTS · Simulation

Mitos.is: The Game

RTS · Simulation

Grand Ages: Rome

RTS · Simulation

StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm

RTS

StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void

RTS

World in Conflict

RTS

Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2

RTS

Theme Hospital

RTS · Simulation

Halo Wars 2

RTS

Command & Conquer

RTS

Rise of Nations

RTS

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Rankings in the same genre

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Empire of the Ants?: The closest game to Empire of the Ants is Offworld Trading Company, scoring 73/100 on our similarity scale. They share 11 gameplay attributes, including real-time strategy, deep simulation and single-player focus. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Empire of the Ants?: The three closest games to Empire of the Ants are: 1. Offworld Trading Company (73/100, 11 shared attributes) 2. Europa Universalis IV (69/100, 9 shared attributes) 3. Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition (69/100, 10 shared attributes). All share Empire of the Ants's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 16 dimensions.
Is Europa Universalis IV similar to Empire of the Ants?: Yes — Europa Universalis IV scores 69/100 similarity to Empire of the Ants. They share 9 attributes, including real-time strategy and deep simulation. There are some notable differences in pacing or mechanics.
What RTS games are similar to Empire of the Ants?: The best RTS games similar to Empire of the Ants are Offworld Trading Company, Europa Universalis IV, Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition and Commander: Conquest of the Americas. All share the RTS genre alongside other key Empire of the Ants attributes like real-time strategy, deep simulation and single-player focus.
How is similarity to Empire of the Ants calculated?: We compare Empire of the Ants against every game in our catalog using 16 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 Empire of the Ants experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.