Foundation

36 Games with a historical setting like Foundation that you should try

Games like Foundation · Find similar →

More about this game →

Ranking compiled by Lluis Enric Mayans, Founder & Head of ContentUpdated May 19, 2026How this is calculatedOrdered by an attribute-similarity model, not editorial opinion.

Filter by:Historical×← Back to home

We filtered the 50 games similar to Foundation down to the 36 that fit the “Historical” category. Stronghold 2, Stronghold 2: Steam Edition and Stronghold 3 Gold top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Foundation.

iRank78/ 100

Did you find what you were looking for?

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

Tags

RelaxingNarrativeSolo

Year 2025Dev Polymorph Games

Stores

Steam ↗GOG ↗

Quick answer

Within the “Historical” category, the closest game to Foundation is Stronghold 2 — scoring 79/100 on our similarity scale. Stronghold 2: Steam Edition and Stronghold 3 Gold follow close behind.

#1Stronghold 279 #2Stronghold 2: Steam Edition79 #3Stronghold 3 Gold77 #4Europa Universalis IV69 #5The Guild II66

🗳️

Help us build the best rankings

Community powered

Vote on each result below — good match or not. Every vote directly shapes how we rank similar games for everyone.

The best games with a historical setting like Foundation

36 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Foundation. 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.

#1Stronghold 2Closest overall match

79

Stronghold 2

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldMedievalHistoricalBase BuildingManagementExplorationIsometric

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: combat tactical, melee combat and ranged combat, while skipping survival mechanics

It predates Foundation by 20 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Setting100World100Progression100Visuals65Game mode55

#2Stronghold 2: Steam Edition

79

Stronghold 2: Steam Edition

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldMedievalHistoricalBase BuildingManagementExplorationIsometric

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 combat tactical, multiplayer gameplay and visual topdown, while skipping survival mechanics

Stronghold 2 is a real time strategy computer game released in April 2005 in which the player develops a stronghold in the middle ages. It is the sequel to Stronghold, released in 2001, also by Firefly Studios.

It predates Foundation by 20 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Setting100World100Progression100Visuals65Game mode55

#3Stronghold 3 GoldClosest on visuals

77

Stronghold 3 Gold

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldHistoricalMedievalBase BuildingManagementExplorationIsometric

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 combat tactical, ranged combat and fantasy world, while skipping survival mechanics

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 Foundation: game mode.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly negative, against very positive for Foundation.

It predates Foundation by 13 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100World100Progression100Visuals100Setting88Game mode49

#4Europa Universalis IV

69

Europa Universalis IV

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldOpen WorldHistoricalMedievalManagementIsometric

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 sandbox freedom

≠ Where it differs: brings turn-based strategy, combat tactical and fantasy world, while skipping survival mechanics

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 Foundation: game mode.

It predates Foundation by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100World100Visuals100Setting88Progression50Game mode34

66

The Guild II

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox 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, multiplayer gameplay and visual third person, while skipping survival mechanics

A life simulation where you control a dynasty through various professions.

It predates Foundation by 17 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Setting100World86Visuals71Game mode55

#6East India Company

59

East India Company

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloHistoricalMedievalManagementBase BuildingExploration

Steam👍 52%· 205MC67

Year 2009Dev Nitro GamesPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, deep simulation and historical setting

≠ Its own twist: turn-based strategy, adventure storytelling and combat tactical, while skipping sandbox freedom

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.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against very positive for Foundation.

It predates Foundation by 16 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Progression100Setting90Game mode55

#7Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

57

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloHistoricalMedievalBase BuildingManagementIsometric

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 historical setting

≠ Stands apart with combat tactical, ranged combat and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping sandbox freedom

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 Foundation: game mode.

Genre100Setting100Visuals100Progression94Game mode34

#8Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition

56

Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloHistoricalMedievalBase BuildingManagementIsometric

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 historical setting

≠ Stands apart with combat tactical, multiplayer gameplay and co op, while skipping sandbox freedom

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 Foundation: game mode.

Genre100Setting100Progression94Visuals83Game mode27

#9The Settlers III

56

The Settlers III

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloHistoricalMedievalManagementIsometric

Year 1998Dev Blue Byte SoftwareOn PC

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

≠ Stands apart with combat tactical, setting mythology and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping sandbox freedom

Where it drifts furthest from Foundation: progression.

It predates Foundation by 27 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Visuals100Setting81Game mode55Progression30

#10Medieval II: Total War

54

Medieval II: Total War

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMedievalHistoricalIsometricMultiplayer

Steam👍 96%· 36KIGDB90· 3

Year 2006Dev The Creative Assembly · SegaOn Linux · PC · Mac

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, deep simulation and setting medieval

≠ Where it differs: brings turn-based strategy, combat tactical and melee combat, while skipping sandbox freedom

It predates Foundation by 19 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Setting100Visuals100Game mode54

#11Total War: Shogun 2

52

Total War: Shogun 2

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloHistoricalMedievalIsometricMultiplayer

Steam👍 92%· 67KIGDB88· 4

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

✓ Same family of real-time strategy games: real-time strategy, deep simulation and historical setting

≠ Stands apart with turn-based strategy, combat tactical and ranged combat, while skipping sandbox freedom

Where it drifts furthest from Foundation: game mode.

It predates Foundation by 14 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Setting100Visuals100Game mode35

#12Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings

46

Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloHistoricalMedievalIsometricMultiplayer

IGDB80· 3

Year 1999Dev Ensemble Studios · KonamiOn PC · Mac

✓ Fits the real-time strategy games cluster, with real-time strategy, historical setting and setting medieval

≠ Stands apart with combat tactical, ranged combat and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping deep simulation

It predates Foundation by 26 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Setting100Visuals100Game mode55

#13Medieval: Total War

46

Medieval: Total War

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloHistoricalMedievalIsometricMultiplayer

Steam👍 71%· 2.4KIGDB90· 1

Year 2002Dev The Creative Assembly · ActivisionOn PC

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, historical setting and setting medieval

≠ Its own twist: turn-based strategy, melee combat and combat tactical, while skipping deep simulation

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against very positive for Foundation.

It predates Foundation by 23 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Visuals100Setting87Game mode56

#14Rise of Nations

46

Rise of Nations

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloHistoricalMedievalIsometricMultiplayer

IGDB92· 3

Year 2003Dev Big Huge Games · Microsoft Game StudiosOn PC · Mac

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, historical setting and setting medieval

≠ Stands apart with combat tactical, ranged combat and fantasy world, while skipping deep simulation

It predates Foundation by 22 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Visuals100Setting86Game mode55

#15Empire Earth

46

Empire Earth

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloHistoricalMedievalIsometricMultiplayer

Year 2001Dev Stainless Steel Studios · Sierra EntertainmentOn PC

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, historical setting and setting medieval

≠ Stands apart with combat tactical, ranged combat and setting scifi, while skipping deep simulation

It predates Foundation by 24 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Visuals100Setting85Game mode55

Complete list of games with a historical setting like Foundation

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Foundation, 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.

Explore games similar to Foundation by category

Rankings in the same genre

Best RTS Games Best Strategy Games