What is the best game similar to Hearts of Iron III?

The closest game to Hearts of Iron III is Europa Universalis IV, scoring 89/100 on our similarity scale. They share 11 gameplay attributes, including real-time strategy, deep simulation and turn-based strategy. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.

What are the top games like Hearts of Iron III?

The three closest games to Hearts of Iron III are: 1. Europa Universalis IV (89/100, 11 shared attributes) 2. Victoria II (81/100, 9 shared attributes) 3. Europa Universalis III (79/100, 9 shared attributes). All share Hearts of Iron III's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 12 dimensions.

Is Victoria II similar to Hearts of Iron III?

Yes, very much so — Victoria II scores 81/100 similarity to Hearts of Iron III. They share 9 attributes, including real-time strategy and turn-based strategy. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.

What RTS games are similar to Hearts of Iron III?

The best RTS games similar to Hearts of Iron III are Europa Universalis IV, Victoria II, Europa Universalis III and Total War: Shogun 2. All share the RTS genre alongside other key Hearts of Iron III attributes like real-time strategy, deep simulation and turn-based strategy.

How is similarity to Hearts of Iron III calculated?

We compare Hearts of Iron III against every game in our catalog using 12 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 Hearts of Iron III experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.

50 Games like Hearts of Iron III 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.

Few titles capture what makes Hearts of Iron III unique: real-time strategy, punishing difficulty and sandbox world. After measuring 12 attributes across over 6,700 games, these are the 50 most faithful alternatives. Europa Universalis IV, Victoria II and Europa Universalis III top the ranking, with Europa Universalis IV at number one (89/100).

iRank80/ 100

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GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

Top games similar to Hearts of Iron III

50 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Hearts of Iron III. Each one has been evaluated across 12 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.

#1Europa Universalis IVClosest overall match

iRank86

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalSandbox WorldHistoricalIsometric

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 open world exploration, fantasy world and setting medieval, while skipping punishing difficulty

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.

Released 4 years after Hearts of Iron III.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Visuals100Setting69World64

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Steam GOG Epic

#2Victoria IIClosest on setting

iRank87

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerTacticalSandbox WorldHistorical

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 resource management, while skipping punishing difficulty

Same studio: Paradox Interactive.

Genre100Combat100Setting100World100Game mode73

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Steam

#3Europa 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: punishing difficulty.

Same studio: Paradox Interactive.

Genre100Setting100World100Visuals100Game mode73

Details →

Steam

#4Total War: Shogun 2

iRank91

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalHistoricalIsometric

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 and setting medieval, while skipping sandbox freedom

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Combat80Setting77

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerTacticalHistoricalIsometric

Steam👍 95%· 17KIGDB91· 3

Year 2004Dev The Creative Assembly · SegaOn Android · PC · iOS

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

≠ Its own twist: melee combat and ranged combat, while skipping sandbox freedom

Genre100Setting100Visuals100Game mode73Combat72

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Steam

#6Plague 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

Plague Inc: Evolved is a biological simulation/strategy game developed by Ndemic Creations. In Plague Inc: Evolved the player controls a disease, that infects patient zero in a selected country.

Where it drifts furthest from Hearts of Iron III: tone and setting.

Released 6 years after Hearts of Iron III.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100World100Visuals100Tone0

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Steam Xbox PS

#7Stronghold 2: Steam Edition

iRank81

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerTacticalSandbox WorldHistoricalIsometric

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 open world exploration, setting medieval and base building, while skipping turn-based strategy

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.

Genre100Combat100World79Game mode72Visuals65Setting60

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Steam

#8Medieval II: Total War

iRank94

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerTacticalHistoricalIsometric

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 turn-based strategy

≠ Where it differs: brings melee combat, ranged combat and setting medieval, while skipping sandbox freedom

Genre100Visuals100Game mode73Combat72Setting62

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalHistoricalIsometric

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 and fantasy world, while skipping deep simulation

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Combat87Setting80

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerTacticalSandbox WorldHistoricalIsometric

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: open world exploration, melee combat and ranged combat, while skipping turn-based strategy

Genre100World79Combat73Game mode72Visuals65Setting60

Details →

Steam

#11Total War: THREE KINGDOMS

iRank82

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalHistoricalIsometric

Steam👍 82%· 93KRAWG👍 78%· 169MC85IGDB82· 6OC85· 70

Year 2019Dev Feral Interactive · SEGAPlaytime ~10hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Nearly identical: real-time strategy, turn-based strategy and combat tactical.

≠ Missing: deep simulation.

The year is 190CE. China is in turmoil. The Han Dynasty crumbles before the child-emperor. He is but a figurehead; a mere puppet for the tyrant warlord Dong Zhuo. It is a brutal and oppressive regime, and as Dong Zhuo’s power grows, the empire slips further into the cauldron of anarchy.

Released 10 years after Hearts of Iron III.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Setting100Visuals100

Details →

Steam GOG

#12Tropico 6

iRank83

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opSandbox WorldIsometric

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 resource management, while skipping turn-based strategy

Where it drifts furthest from Hearts of Iron III: tone.

Released 10 years after Hearts of Iron III.

Genre100Game mode100World100Visuals82Tone0

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Steam GOG Epic

#13Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

iRank88

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalHistoricalIsometric

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, setting medieval and base building, 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.

Released 10 years after Hearts of Iron III.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Combat79Setting79

Details →

Steam

#14Stonehearth

iRank69

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opSandbox WorldHistoricalIsometric

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

Stonehearth is a game about exploration and survival in an epic fantasy setting. Your job is to help a small group of settlers survive and carve out a place for themselves in a hostile land.

Where it drifts furthest from Hearts of Iron III: tone.

Released 6 years after Hearts of Iron III.

Genre100Game mode100World82Setting73Visuals71Tone0

Details →

Steam

#15Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition

iRank80

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalHistoricalIsometric

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 setting medieval, PvP competition 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.

Released 11 years after Hearts of Iron III.

Genre100Combat100Setting89Game mode87Visuals83

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Steam Xbox

Complete list of Hearts of Iron III alternatives

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Hearts of Iron III, 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.

Company of Heroes 2

RTS · Simulation

Stronghold 3 Gold

RTS · Simulation

Men of War

RTS · Simulation

The Guild II

RTS · Simulation

Total War: WARHAMMER II

RTS · Turn-Based Strat

Age of Mythology: Extended Edition

RTS · Simulation

Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3

RTS · Simulation

Total War: Attila

RTS · Turn-Based Strat

Napoleon: Total War

RTS · Turn-Based Strat

Commander: Conquest of the Americas

RTS · Simulation

Star Wars: Empire at War

RTS · Turn-Based Strat

Shogun: Total War

RTS · Turn-Based Strat

East India Company

RTS · Simulation

Supreme Commander

RTS · Simulation

Impossible Creatures Steam Edition

RTS · Simulation

Medieval: Total War

RTS · Turn-Based Strat

Ironclad Tactics

RTS · Deck Builder

StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty

RTS

Grand Ages: Rome

RTS · Simulation

Dawn of Discovery

RTS · Simulation

Theme Hospital

RTS · Simulation

World in Conflict

RTS

Rise of Nations

RTS

The Settlers III

RTS · Simulation

Majesty Gold HD

RTS · Simulation

Command & Conquer: Red Alert

RTS

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

RTS

Cossacks: European Wars

RTS

Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings

RTS

Pikmin 2

RTS · Adventure

Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2

RTS

Anno 1602: Creation of a New World

RTS · Simulation

Halo Wars

RTS

Homeworld

RTS · Adventure

Mitos.is: The Game

RTS · Simulation

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Hearts of Iron III?: The closest game to Hearts of Iron III is Europa Universalis IV, scoring 89/100 on our similarity scale. They share 11 gameplay attributes, including real-time strategy, deep simulation and turn-based strategy. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Hearts of Iron III?: The three closest games to Hearts of Iron III are: 1. Europa Universalis IV (89/100, 11 shared attributes) 2. Victoria II (81/100, 9 shared attributes) 3. Europa Universalis III (79/100, 9 shared attributes). All share Hearts of Iron III's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 12 dimensions.
Is Victoria II similar to Hearts of Iron III?: Yes, very much so — Victoria II scores 81/100 similarity to Hearts of Iron III. They share 9 attributes, including real-time strategy and turn-based strategy. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What RTS games are similar to Hearts of Iron III?: The best RTS games similar to Hearts of Iron III are Europa Universalis IV, Victoria II, Europa Universalis III and Total War: Shogun 2. All share the RTS genre alongside other key Hearts of Iron III attributes like real-time strategy, deep simulation and turn-based strategy.
How is similarity to Hearts of Iron III calculated?: We compare Hearts of Iron III against every game in our catalog using 12 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 Hearts of Iron III experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.