5 RTS games like Populous 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 Populous down to the 5 that fit the “RTS” category. War for the Overworld, Total War: Warhammer and Divinity: Dragon Commander top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Populous.

iRank81/ 100

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GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreIsometric ARPG

The best rTS games like Populous

5 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Populous. Each one has been evaluated across 11 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.

#1War for the OverworldClosest overall match

iRank68

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreIsometric ARPG

SoloMultiplayerMagicSandbox WorldFantasyIsometric

Steam👍 86%· 8.0KRAWG👍 48%· 70MC65IGDB60· 1OC69· 10

Year 2015Dev Brightrock GamesPlaytime ~5hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Fits the isometric Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Its own twist: co op, exploration and discovery and loot and gear systems, while skipping turn-based strategy

Celebrating Two Years of WFTO! Underlord Edition Purchase the Underlord Edition to receive these additional features:Sovereign Dungeon Theme In War for the Overworld, each and every Underlord is their own unique being. A dungeon is a direct reflection of an Underlord’s presence and individuality.

Released 26 years after Populous.

Genre100Combat100Setting100World100Game mode71Visuals69

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Steam GOG

#2Total War: WarhammerClosest on visuals

iRank82

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreIsometric ARPG

SoloMultiplayerMagicFantasyIsometric

Steam👍 78%· 52KIGDB85· 23OC86· 66

Year 2016Dev The Creative Assembly · Feral InteractiveOn Linux · PC · Mac

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

≠ Its own twist: dark, oppressive atmosphere, strong narrative focus and combat tactical, while skipping deep simulation

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against very positive for Populous.

Released 27 years after Populous.

Genre100Visuals100Game mode70Setting64Combat52

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Steam Epic

#3Divinity: Dragon CommanderClosest on game mode

iRank67

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreIsometric ARPG

SoloMultiplayerFantasyIsometricMelee

Steam👍 74%· 2.5KRAWG👍 44%· 107MC76IGDB75· 2

Year 2013Dev Larian StudiosPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

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

≠ Stands apart with dark, oppressive atmosphere, strong narrative focus and melee combat, while skipping deep simulation

You are the Dragon Commander. Your mission it is to reunite a broken empire and become the new emperor. Success depends entirely on your ability to efficiently rule your empire, build invincible armies and lead them to victory.

Where it drifts furthest from Populous: combat.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against very positive for Populous.

Released 24 years after Populous.

Genre100Game mode100Setting76Visuals73Combat0

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Steam GOG

#4SpellForce: The Order of Dawn

iRank83