10 Sandbox games like Hearts of Iron III that you should try

Games like Hearts of Iron III · Find similar →

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 Hearts of Iron III down to the 10 that fit the “Sandbox” category. Europa Universalis IV, Victoria II and Europa Universalis III top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Hearts of Iron III.

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The best sandbox games like Hearts of Iron III

10 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

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SoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalSandbox WorldHistoricalIsometric

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 open world exploration, ranged combat and fantasy world, 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.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly negative, against mostly positive for Hearts of Iron III.

Released 3 years after Hearts of Iron III.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Combat78World76Setting59

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Steam

#5Stronghold 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

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

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Steam

#7Plague 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