5 RTS games like Hearts of Iron IV that you should try

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We filtered the 50 games similar to Hearts of Iron IV down to the 5 that fit the “RTS” category. Stronghold Kingdoms, RimWorld and Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Hearts of Iron IV.

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GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

The best rTS games like Hearts of Iron IV

5 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Hearts of Iron IV. Each one has been evaluated across 17 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 Kingdoms

iRank51

GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

MultiplayerSoloCo-opPvPTacticalOpen WorldSandbox WorldHistoricalExplorationIsometric

Steam👍 64%· 9.5KRAWG👍 12%· 74MC75

Year 2011Dev FireFly StudiosPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Fits the turn-based CRPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, deep simulation and real-time strategy

≠ Where it differs: brings setting medieval, online features and base building, while skipping competitive edge

GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

SoloTacticalSandbox WorldOpen WorldHistoricalExplorationIsometric

Steam👍 98%· 239KRAWG👍 87%· 620MC87IGDB75· 2OC86· 11

Year 2016Dev Ludeon StudiosPlaytime ~19hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Fits the turn-based CRPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, deep simulation and real-time strategy

≠ Stands apart with survival mechanics, procedural generation and setting scifi, while skipping competitive edge

Details →

Steam GOG

#3Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition

iRank83

GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

SoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalHistoricalIsometric

Steam👍 87%· 87KRAWG👍 81%· 238MC76

Year 2013Dev Creative Assembly · SEGAPlaytime ~15hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Both are turn-based CRPGs — sharing deep RPG systems, turn-based strategy and real-time strategy

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

GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

SoloMultiplayerCo-opPvPTacticalHistoricalExplorationIsometric

Steam👍 85%· 68KIGDB81· 4OC79· 21

Year 2018Dev Shiro Games · PlaydigiousOn PS4 · Linux · Android

✓ Fits the turn-based CRPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, deep simulation and real-time strategy

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, survival mechanics and punishing difficulty, while skipping sandbox freedom

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#5DEFCON

iRank77

GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG

Co-opPvPSoloMultiplayerTacticalOpen WorldHistoricalIsometric

Steam👍 87%· 4.3KRAWG👍 51%· 176MC84IGDB85· 2

Year 2006Dev Introversion SoftwarePlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Fits the turn-based CRPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, deep simulation and real-time strategy

≠ Stands apart with punishing difficulty, strong narrative focus and online features, while skipping sandbox freedom

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Steam GOG

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