4 Games like Hearts of Iron III on Xbox 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 4 that fit the “Xbox” category. Plague Inc: Evolved, Tropico 6 and Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Hearts of Iron III.

iRank80/ 100

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GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

The best games like Hearts of Iron III on Xbox

4 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.

#1Plague Inc: EvolvedClosest overall match

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

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

#3Age of Empires II: Definitive EditionClosest on setting

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