23 Tactical games like Gnomes 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 Gnomes down to the 23 that fit the “Tactical” category. Bad North, Plants vs. Zombies and Thronefall top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Gnomes.

iRank95/ 100

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GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

The best tactical games like Gnomes

23 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Gnomes. Each one has been evaluated across 20 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.

#1Bad NorthClosest overall match

iRank81

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalCozyProceduralIsometric

Steam👍 93%· 14KIGDB67· 2OC71· 29

Year 2018Dev Plausible Concept · Raw FuryOn PS4 · PC · Mac

✓ Same family of tower defense games: turn-based strategy, deep simulation and tower defense planning

≠ Its own twist: real-time strategy, puzzle design and adventure storytelling, while skipping sandbox freedom

Where it drifts furthest from Gnomes: setting and tone.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Gnomes.

Genre100Game mode100Combat79World76Visuals57Tone38

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Steam GOG Epic

#2Plants vs. ZombiesClosest on combat

iRank91

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalDarkCasualCozy

Steam👍 98%· 152KRAWG👍 93%· 733MC87IGDB80· 1

Year 2010Dev PopCap Games · Electronic ArtsPlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the tower defense games cluster, with tower defense planning, deep simulation and survival mechanics

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, real-time strategy and horror setting, while skipping turn-based strategy

This is a casual tower defense game from the PopCap Games studio. The main characters are homeowners who, with the help of plants, protect their garden from the invasion of zombies. The game was ported to all kinds of consoles, including mobile platforms. In Plants vs.

Where it drifts furthest from Gnomes: setting and visuals.

It predates Gnomes by 15 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Tone76Setting0Visuals0

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalFantasyBase BuildingIsometric

Steam👍 96%· 23KRAWG👍 85%· 37OC86· 9

Year 2023Dev GrizzlyGamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Nintendo

✓ Fits the tower defense games cluster, with tower defense planning, deep simulation and survival mechanics

≠ Stands apart with fighting mechanics, melee combat and setting medieval, while skipping turn-based strategy

Get involved! About the GameA strategy game without all the headache? We got you covered. Saddle the horses! See your kingdom come to life, fight gripping battles to defend it and still be done in time for lunch.

Where it drifts furthest from Gnomes: visuals and setting.

Genre100Game mode100Combat78Progression69Setting48Visuals47

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Steam

#4Stronghold HD (2012)

iRank88

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalNarrativeSandbox WorldFantasyBase BuildingManagementIsometric

Steam👍 96%· 10KRAWG👍 82%· 310MC81

Year 2012Dev FireFly StudiosPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Same family of tower defense games: deep simulation, sandbox freedom and tower defense planning

≠ Stands apart with real-time strategy, open world exploration and setting medieval, while skipping turn-based strategy

Stronghold is a real-time strategy game, the first installment in Firefly Studio’s Stronghold series. Gameplay### The game takes place in Medieval Brittan of XI century.

Where it drifts furthest from Gnomes: tone and setting.

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

Genre100Combat100Progression93Game mode55World51Visuals50

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Steam GOG

#5Stronghold CrusaderClosest on progression

iRank92

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalSandbox WorldFantasyBase BuildingManagementIsometric

Steam👍 98%· 21KIGDB80· 1

Year 2002Dev Firefly Studios · Take-Two InteractiveOn PC

✓ Both are tower defense games — sharing deep simulation, sandbox freedom and tower defense planning

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

Where it drifts furthest from Gnomes: setting.

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

Genre100Progression100Combat72World58Game mode55Visuals51

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Steam

#6Bloons TD 6Closest on tone

iRank91

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalCasualHardcoreCozySandbox WorldManagementIsometric

Steam👍 97%· 386KRAWG👍 81%· 208

Year 2018Dev Ninja KiwiPlaytime ~8hOn PC · iOS · Android

✓ Fits the tower defense games cluster, with tower defense planning, sandbox freedom and survival mechanics

≠ Stands apart with combat magic, ranged combat and melee combat, while skipping turn-based strategy

The Bloons are back and better than ever! Get ready for a massive 3D tower defense game designed to give you hours and hours of the best strategy gaming available.

Where it drifts furthest from Gnomes: game mode and visuals.

Genre100Tone78Combat59Progression49World46Visuals43

1/1 agree it's a good matchDetails →

Steam Epic itch.io

#7Stronghold

iRank96

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalNarrativeSandbox WorldFantasyBase BuildingManagementIsometric

Steam👍 96%· 10K

Year 2001Dev Firefly Studios · Take-Two InteractiveOn PC · Mac

✓ Both are tower defense games — sharing deep simulation, sandbox freedom and tower defense planning

≠ Its own twist: real-time strategy, open world exploration and melee combat, while skipping turn-based strategy

Where it drifts furthest from Gnomes: tone and setting.

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

Genre100Progression93Combat66Game mode55World51Visuals50

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Steam

#8Gratuitous Space Battles

iRank58

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalHardcoreSandbox WorldIsometric

Steam👍 70%· 877RAWG👍 24%· 42MC72IGDB65· 2

Year 2009Dev Positech GamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Same family of tower defense games: deep simulation, turn-based strategy and sandbox freedom

≠ Stands apart with real-time strategy, melee combat and setting scifi, while skipping roguelike runs

Gratuitous Space Battles is a mix of real-time strategy and tactics of Tower Defense, altogether featuring a science-fiction setting of space warfare.

Where it drifts furthest from Gnomes: setting and tone.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Gnomes.

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

Genre100Combat80Game mode54World54Visuals33Tone29

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalCasualSandbox WorldIsometric

Steam👍 95%· 12K

Year 2011Dev Ninja KiwiOn PS4 · Android · PC

✓ Both are tower defense games — sharing tower defense planning, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Where it differs: brings melee combat, multiplayer gameplay and co op, while skipping turn-based strategy

Where it drifts furthest from Gnomes: game mode and tone.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Gnomes.

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

Genre100Combat83Visuals53World40Tone31Game mode29

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Steam PS Nintendo

#10iBomber Defense Pacific

iRank57

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalCasualHardcoreMelee

Steam👍 83%· 593RAWG👍 19%· 42

Year 2012Dev Cobra MobilePlaytime ~1hOn PC · iOS · Apple Macintosh

✓ Both are tower defense games — sharing tower defense planning, turn-based strategy and vibe casual

≠ Stands apart with real-time strategy, melee combat and historical setting, while skipping roguelike runs

iBomber Defense Pacific is the sequel to the original iBomber Defense. It is the second part in this tower defense series designed for mobile devices. ###Premise The game is set during the World War II. Unlike the original game, the sequel shifts its attention to the Pacific Theatre.

Where it drifts furthest from Gnomes: setting and visuals.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Gnomes.

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

Genre100Game mode100Combat82Tone62Setting0Visuals0

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Steam

#11Defense Grid: The Awakening

iRank82

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalIsometricSci-Fi

Steam👍 96%· 5.3KRAWG👍 59%· 106MC81IGDB86· 2

Year 2008Dev Hidden Path EntertainmentPlaytime ~4hOn PC · Xbox · Apple Macintosh

✓ Fits the tower defense games cluster, with tower defense planning, deep simulation and combat tactical

≠ Stands apart with real-time strategy and setting scifi, while skipping turn-based strategy

###Microsoft’s tower defence The game is one in the genre of tower defense, developed by Hidden Path Entertainment for PC and Xbox 360. Later it was ported to the Mac, and for other consoles in 2013.

Where it drifts furthest from Gnomes: setting.

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

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Visuals57Setting0

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Steam Epic

#12Atom Zombie SmasherClosest on world

iRank70

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalDarkCasualProceduralSandbox WorldIsometric

Steam👍 90%· 2.1KRAWG👍 36%· 101MC75

Year 2011Dev Blendo GamesPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Both are tower defense games — sharing tower defense planning, sandbox freedom and dark, oppressive atmosphere

≠ Where it differs: brings real-time strategy, melee combat and horror setting, while skipping turn-based strategy

The game is a real-time strategy from the independent studio Blendo Games. The main task is to save as many people as possible from the advancing horde of zombies.

Where it drifts furthest from Gnomes: setting and game mode.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Gnomes.

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

Genre100World100Combat75Tone52Visuals37Game mode24

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Steam

#13Prime World: DefendersClosest on setting

iRank65

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalCasualFantasy

Steam👍 76%· 1.1KRAWG👍 54%· 50MC58

Year 2013Dev Nival Interactive · NivalPlaytime ~5hOn PC · iOS · Android

✓ Same family of tower defense games: tower defense planning, vibe casual and combat tactical

≠ Where it differs: brings deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and card game strategy, while skipping turn-based strategy

Just UpdatedNival officially announces that long awaited sequel of Prime World: Defenders is now available on iOS and Android! Prime World: Defenders 2 - new TD strategy game in the legendary Prime World series with unique combination of the tower defense and collectible card game!

Where it drifts furthest from Gnomes: tone.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Gnomes.

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

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Setting100Tone39

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalCasualIsometric

Steam👍 66%· 344RAWG👍 56%· 41

Year 2008Dev SUBATOMIC STUDIOS · Subatomic StudiosPlaytime ~1hOn PC · PS · iOS

✓ Nearly identical: tower defense planning, vibe casual and combat tactical.

≠ Missing: turn-based strategy.

Fieldrunners is now available on Steam! Download it now to play the hit tower defense game critics and fans have been raving about. Descend into the world of Fieldrunners, the most anticipated and visually stunning game in tower defense history!

Where it drifts furthest from Gnomes: tone.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against overwhelmingly positive for Gnomes.

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

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Visuals57Tone37

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Steam PS

#15Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars

iRank86

GenreStrategySubgenreTower Defense

SoloTacticalNarrativeBase BuildingIsometric

Steam👍 90%· 9.2KRAWG👍 83%· 225MC85IGDB85· 4

Year 2007Dev Electronic Arts Los Angeles · Electronic ArtsPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Xbox

✓ Same family of tower defense games: deep simulation, tower defense planning and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: real-time strategy, melee combat and setting scifi, while skipping turn-based strategy

Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars is a real-time strategy game developed by EA Los Angeles. It is the third game in the Tiberium sub-series and continues the plot of Tiberian Sun. ###Plot The year is 2047, 17 years after the events of the Firestorm Expansion pack.

Where it drifts furthest from Gnomes: setting and tone.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Gnomes.

It predates Gnomes by 18 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Progression67Combat66Visuals57Game mode54Tone17

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Steam Xbox

Complete list of tactical games like Gnomes

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