12 Sandbox games like Stellaris that you should try

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We filtered the 50 games similar to Stellaris down to the 12 that fit the “Sandbox” category. Victoria II, Europa Universalis III and Europa Universalis IV top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Stellaris.

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The best sandbox games like Stellaris

12 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Stellaris. Each one has been evaluated across 16 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.

#1Victoria II

iRank87

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerTacticalSandbox WorldHistoricalManagement

Steam👍 92%· 20KIGDB76· 1

Year 2010Dev Paradox InteractiveOn Linux · PC · Mac

✓ Nearly identical: real-time strategy, turn-based strategy and deep simulation.

≠ Missing: strong narrative focus.

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Steam

#2Europa 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: strong narrative focus.

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Steam

#3Europa Universalis IV

iRank86

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerTacticalSandbox WorldHistoricalManagementIsometric

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 strong narrative focus

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerSandbox WorldHistoricalIsometric

IGDB68· 2

Year 2008Dev Trine Game Studios · JoWooD ProductionsPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Fits the real-time strategy games cluster, with real-time strategy, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Stands apart with deep RPG systems, setting medieval and visual third person, while skipping turn-based strategy

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Steam

#5Stronghold 2: Steam Edition

iRank81

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerTacticalSandbox WorldHistoricalManagementExplorationIsometric

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

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerNarrativeSandbox WorldManagementIsometric

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: co op, base building and visual topdown, while skipping turn-based strategy

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerNarrativeSandbox WorldSci-FiExplorationManagementIsometric

Steam👍 61%· 13KRAWG👍 71%· 157MC83IGDB75· 1

Year 2011Dev Blue Byte · Ubisoft EntertainmentPlaytime ~11hOn PC

✓ Same family of real-time strategy games: real-time strategy, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Its own twist: co op and base building, while skipping turn-based strategy

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Steam Epic

#8RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

iRank80

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerSandbox WorldManagementIsometric

Steam👍 90%· 5.8KIGDB60· 1

Year 2002Dev Chris Sawyer Productions · InfogramesOn PC

✓ Same family of real-time strategy games: real-time strategy, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Stands apart with vibe casual and visual pixel, while skipping turn-based strategy

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerTacticalSandbox WorldHistoricalManagementExplorationIsometric

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

Details →

Steam

#10Maia

iRank44

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloProceduralSandbox WorldSci-FiSpaceManagement

Steam👍 44%· 1.1K

Year 2013Dev Simon Roth · Machine StudiosPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Where it differs: brings survival mechanics, base building and crafting mechanics, while skipping turn-based strategy

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerTacticalSandbox WorldHistoricalManagementExplorationIsometric

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

Details →

Steam

#12Tropico 4

iRank80

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloSandbox WorldManagementIsometricBase Building

Steam👍 92%· 13KRAWG👍 67%· 511MC78IGDB74· 4

Year 2011Dev Feral Interactive · Kalypso MediaPlaytime ~4hOn PC · Xbox · Apple Macintosh

✓ Fits the real-time strategy games cluster, with real-time strategy, deep simulation and sandbox freedom

≠ Where it differs: brings base building, while skipping turn-based strategy

Details →

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