28 Simulation 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.

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We filtered the 50 games similar to Empire of the Ants down to the 28 that fit the “Simulation” category. Commander: Conquest of the Americas, East India Company and Europa Universalis IV top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Empire of the Ants.

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The best simulation games like Empire of the Ants

28 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.

#1Commander: 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

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Steam

#3Europa Universalis IV

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

#4StellarisClosest on tone

iRank82

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

#5Total 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

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Steam

#6Dawn of DiscoveryClosest on progression

iRank72

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerFantasyBase BuildingManagement

IGDB72· 2

Year 2009Dev Related Designs · Ubisoft EntertainmentPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Nintendo

✓ Same family of real-time strategy games: real-time strategy, deep simulation and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: historical setting and visual isometric, 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.

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.

Genre100Progression100Game mode48Setting38Visuals0

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

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Steam

#8Offworld Trading Company

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

#9Age of Empires IV: Anniversary EditionClosest on game mode

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

#10Anno 2070Closest on setting

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

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Steam Epic

#11Tropico 6

iRank83

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

#12Command & 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-opTacticalFantasyBase BuildingManagement

Steam👍 33%· 4.8KRAWG👍 28%· 50IGDB52· 3

Year 2012Dev FireFly StudiosPlaytime ~4hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

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

≠ Where it differs: brings sandbox freedom, sandbox world and open world exploration, while skipping turn-based strategy

Stronghold 3: Gold is the long-awaited third installment in the award winning castle-building series. Set 10 years after the original, the Wolf it seems, has cheated death and during his painful recovery he’s become even more bitter and twisted. Now he seeks revenge.

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

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

It predates Empire of the Ants by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Progression95Combat72Game mode71Setting28Visuals0

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Steam

#14Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

iRank88

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalBase BuildingManagement

Steam👍 95%· 178KRAWG👍 88%· 307MC85IGDB78· 3

Year 2019Dev Forgotten Empires · Microsoft StudiosPlaytime ~5hOn PC · Xbox

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

≠ Stands apart with ranged combat, historical setting and setting medieval, while skipping turn-based strategy

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition celebrates the 20th anniversary of one of the most popular strategy games ever with stunning 4K Ultra HD graphics, a new and fully remastered soundtrack, and brand-new content, “The Last Khans” with 3 new campaigns and 4 new civilizations.

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

Genre100Progression100Game mode75Combat74Setting0Visuals0

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opSci-FiBase Building

Steam👍 89%· 3.1KIGDB76· 3

Year 2007Dev Hellbent Games · THQOn PC

✓ Fits the real-time strategy games cluster, with real-time strategy, deep simulation and setting scifi

≠ Where it differs: brings setting space and visual isometric, while skipping turn-based strategy

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

It predates Empire of the Ants by 17 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode75Progression68Setting58Visuals0

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Steam GOG

Complete list of simulation games like Empire of the Ants

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.