13 Sandbox games like Europa Universalis IV that you should try

Games like Europa Universalis IV · Find similar →

We filtered the 50 games similar to Europa Universalis IV down to the 13 that fit the “Sandbox” category. Victoria II, Europa Universalis III and Stellaris top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Europa Universalis IV.

iRank86/ 100

Did you find what you were looking for?

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

The best sandbox games like Europa Universalis IV

13 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Europa Universalis IV. Each one has been evaluated across 15 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.

#1Victoria II

iRank87

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerTacticalSandbox WorldHistoricalManagement

Steam👍 92%· 20KIGDB76· 1

Year 2010Dev Paradox InteractiveOn Linux · PC · Mac

✓ Nearly identical: real-time strategy, turn-based strategy and deep simulation.

≠ Missing: open world exploration.

Details →

Steam

#2Europa Universalis III

iRank79

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerSandbox WorldHistoricalIsometric

Steam👍 83%· 2.0KIGDB70· 1

Year 2007Dev Paradox InteractiveOn PC · Mac

✓ Nearly identical: real-time strategy, turn-based strategy and sandbox freedom.

≠ Missing: open world exploration.

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerTacticalSandbox WorldHistoricalManagementIsometric

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 strong narrative focus, procedural generation and setting space, while skipping open world exploration

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opSandbox WorldOpen WorldHistoricalMedievalFantasyManagementIsometric

Steam👍 75%· 13KRAWG👍 60%· 30

Year 2015Dev Radiant EntertainmentPlaytime ~6hOn PC

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Where it differs: brings survival mechanics, deep RPG systems and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping turn-based strategy

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalSandbox WorldOpen WorldHistoricalFantasyMedievalManagementIsometric

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 sandbox freedom

≠ Where it differs: brings ranged combat, base building and exploration and discovery, while skipping turn-based strategy

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opSandbox WorldManagementIsometric

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 sandbox freedom

≠ Its own twist: strong narrative focus, base building and visual topdown, while skipping turn-based strategy

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#7Stronghold 2: Steam Edition

iRank81

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerTacticalSandbox WorldOpen WorldMedievalHistoricalManagementIsometric

Steam👍 89%· 5.6KRAWG👍 68%· 40

Year 2005Dev FireFly Studios · 2K GamesOn PC

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Where it differs: brings base building, exploration and discovery and visual topdown, while skipping turn-based strategy

Details →

Steam

#8The Guild II Renaissance

iRank72

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerSandbox WorldOpen WorldMedievalHistoricalManagement

Steam👍 83%· 4.0KRAWG👍 67%· 84MC56

Year 2010Dev Runeforge Games Studio · THQ NordicPlaytime ~2hOn PC

✓ Same family of real-time strategy games: real-time strategy, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Where it differs: brings deep RPG systems, cozy, relaxing feel and base building, while skipping turn-based strategy

Details →

Steam GOG

#9Plague Inc: Evolved

iRank87

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalSandbox WorldIsometric

Steam👍 94%· 62KRAWG👍 86%· 667MC80IGDB80· 3

Year 2015Dev Ndemic CreationsPlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the real-time strategy games cluster, with real-time strategy, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Where it differs: brings survival mechanics, vibe casual and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping turn-based strategy

Details →

Steam Xbox PS

#10Anno 2070

iRank70

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opSandbox WorldManagementIsometric

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 sandbox freedom

≠ Its own twist: strong narrative focus, setting scifi and base building, while skipping turn-based strategy

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerSandbox WorldHistoricalMedievalIsometric

IGDB68· 2

Year 2008Dev Trine Game Studios · JoWooD ProductionsPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Fits the real-time strategy games cluster, with real-time strategy, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Stands apart with deep RPG systems and visual third person, while skipping turn-based strategy

Details →

Steam

#12RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

iRank80

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerSandbox WorldManagementIsometric

Steam👍 90%· 5.8KIGDB60· 1

Year 2002Dev Chris Sawyer Productions · InfogramesOn PC

✓ Same family of real-time strategy games: real-time strategy, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Stands apart with vibe casual and visual pixel, while skipping turn-based strategy

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerTacticalSandbox WorldOpen WorldMedievalHistoricalManagementIsometric

Steam👍 89%· 5.6KIGDB70· 3

Year 2005Dev Firefly Studios · 2K GamesOn PC

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Its own twist: melee combat, ranged combat and base building, while skipping turn-based strategy

Details →

Steam

Explore games similar to Europa Universalis IV by category

Rankings in the same genre

Best RTS Games Best Strategy Games