What is the best game similar to Z?

The closest game to Z is Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds, scoring 78/100 on our similarity scale. They share 6 gameplay attributes, including real-time strategy, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.

What are the top games like Z?

The three closest games to Z are: 1. Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds (78/100, 6 shared attributes) 2. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Dark Crusade (73/100, 6 shared attributes) 3. Total Annihilation (71/100, 5 shared attributes). All share Z's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 6 dimensions.

Is Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Dark Crusade similar to Z?

Yes, very much so — Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Dark Crusade scores 73/100 similarity to Z. They share 6 attributes, including real-time strategy and single-player focus. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.

What RTS games are similar to Z?

The best RTS games similar to Z are Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Dark Crusade, Total Annihilation and Star Wars: Empire at War. All share the RTS genre alongside other key Z attributes like real-time strategy, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay.

How is similarity to Z calculated?

We compare Z against every game in our catalog using 6 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Z experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.

50 Games like Z that you should try

Games like Z · Find similar →

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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.

Few titles capture what makes Z unique: real-time strategy, melee combat and setting scifi. After measuring 6 attributes across over 6,700 games, these are the 50 most faithful alternatives. Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Dark Crusade and Total Annihilation top the ranking, with Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds at number one (78/100).

iRank74/ 100

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GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

Top games similar to Z

50 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Z. Each one has been evaluated across 6 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.

#1Star Wars: Galactic BattlegroundsClosest overall match

iRank91

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerMeleeSci-FiIsometric

Steam👍 91%· 4.6K

Year 2001Dev LucasArtsOn PC · Mac

✓ Same family of real-time strategy games: real-time strategy, melee combat and setting scifi

≠ Its own twist: deep simulation, base building and visual 2d

Released 5 years after Z.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Setting100Visuals87

Details →

Steam

#2Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Dark CrusadeClosest on visuals

iRank90

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerMeleeSci-FiIsometric

Steam👍 96%· 9.4KRAWG👍 88%· 319MC87IGDB84· 3

Year 2006Dev Relic Entertainment · SEGAPlaytime ~2hOn PC

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, melee combat and setting scifi

≠ Stands apart with dark, oppressive atmosphere, combat tactical and historical setting

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Dark Crusade is a second expansion pack to Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War developed by Relic Entertainment. The plot of the game revolves around the battle for the planet Kronus. Seven races fight for the colony. This Crusade can only result in the victory of one of the armies and total devastation of all others.

Released 10 years after Z.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Setting81Combat62

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerSci-FiIsometricNarrative

Steam👍 97%· 3.7K

Year 1997Dev Cavedog Entertainment · GT Interactive SoftwareOn PC · Mac

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, setting scifi and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: strong narrative focus, while skipping melee combat

Genre100Game mode100Setting100Visuals100

Details →

Steam

#4Star Wars: Empire at War

iRank90

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerMeleeSci-FiIsometric

Steam👍 98%· 42KIGDB73· 2

Year 2006Dev Petroglyph Games · LucasArtsOn PC · Mac

✓ Fits the real-time strategy games cluster, with real-time strategy, melee combat and setting scifi

≠ Stands apart with turn-based strategy, combat tactical and setting space

Where it drifts furthest from Z: setting.

Released 10 years after Z.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Combat54Setting47

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerSci-FiIsometric

IGDB86· 9

Year 2013Dev Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No.4 · Nintendo

✓ Fits the real-time strategy games cluster, with real-time strategy, setting scifi and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, while skipping melee combat

Released 17 years after Z.

Genre100Game mode100Setting100Visuals100

Details →

Nintendo

#6Impossible Creatures Steam Edition

iRank82

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerMeleeSci-FiIsometric

Steam👍 96%· 1.8KRAWG👍 75%· 32MC72IGDB73· 3

Year 2003Dev THQ NordicPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Fits the real-time strategy games cluster, with real-time strategy, melee combat and setting scifi

≠ Where it differs: brings deep simulation, combat tactical and historical setting

Update NotesPatch 3 not only brough more bug fixes but adds Workshop support to Impossible Creatures. Together with the great possibilities of the SDK (even with full C++ support) and the mod tools now the highest level of mod support comes with IC.

Where it drifts furthest from Z: setting.

Released 7 years after Z.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Combat63Setting48

Details →

Steam GOG

#7Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness

iRank93

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerMeleeIsometricFantasy

IGDB93· 1

Year 1995Dev Blizzard Entertainment · Electronic Arts VictorOn PC · Mac

✓ Same family of real-time strategy games: real-time strategy, melee combat and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with fantasy world, loot and gear systems and skill tree progression, while skipping setting scifi

Where it drifts furthest from Z: setting.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Visuals100Setting0

Details →

#8Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2

iRank90

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerSci-FiIsometricFantasy

IGDB90· 1

Year 2000Dev Westwood Pacific · Electronic ArtsOn PC

✓ Same family of real-time strategy games: real-time strategy, setting scifi and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: fantasy world and historical setting, while skipping melee combat

Where it drifts furthest from Z: setting.

Released 4 years after Z.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Setting48

Details →

#9Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II

iRank86

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerMeleeSci-FiIsometric

Steam👍 88%· 14KIGDB81· 5

Year 2009Dev Relic Entertainment · Feral InteractiveOn Linux · PC · Mac

✓ Same family of real-time strategy games: real-time strategy, melee combat and setting scifi

≠ Its own twist: dark, oppressive atmosphere, combat magic and combat tactical

Where it drifts furthest from Z: combat.

Released 13 years after Z.

Genre100Setting100Visuals100Game mode70Combat40

Details →

Steam

#10Pikmin 2

iRank83

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerSci-FiIsometricCo-op

IGDB87· 2OC78· 23

Year 2004Dev Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development · Nintendo

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, setting scifi and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling and co op, while skipping melee combat

Released 8 years after Z.

Genre100Setting100Visuals100Game mode71

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerSci-FiIsometricCo-op

Steam👍 89%· 3.1KIGDB76· 3

Year 2007Dev Hellbent Games · THQOn PC

✓ Fits the real-time strategy games cluster, with real-time strategy, setting scifi and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings deep simulation, setting space and co op, while skipping melee combat

Released 11 years after Z.

Genre100Visuals100Game mode70Setting66

Details →

Steam GOG

#12Medieval II: Total War

iRank94

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerMeleeIsometricTactical

Steam👍 96%· 36KIGDB90· 3

Year 2006Dev The Creative Assembly · SegaOn Linux · PC · Mac

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, melee combat and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings deep simulation, turn-based strategy and combat tactical, while skipping setting scifi

Where it drifts furthest from Z: setting and combat.

Released 10 years after Z.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Combat29Setting0

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerMeleeIsometricTactical

Steam👍 95%· 17KIGDB91· 3

Year 2004Dev The Creative Assembly · SegaOn Android · PC · iOS

✓ Both are real-time strategy games — sharing real-time strategy, melee combat and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: turn-based strategy, deep simulation and combat tactical, while skipping setting scifi

Where it drifts furthest from Z: setting and combat.

Released 8 years after Z.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Combat29Setting0

Details →

Steam

#14Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 - Uprising

iRank72

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerMeleeSci-FiIsometric

Steam👍 83%· 5.7KRAWG👍 69%· 242MC64IGDB60· 1

Year 2009Dev Electronic Arts Los Angeles · Electronic ArtsPlaytime ~1hOn PC

✓ Fits the real-time strategy games cluster, with real-time strategy, melee combat and setting scifi

≠ Stands apart with strong narrative focus, combat tactical and setting anime

An expansion to Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 that can be played without the original game. Uprising features additional campaigns for three factions: the Allies, the Soviets, and the Empire of the Rising Sun.

Where it drifts furthest from Z: setting.

Released 13 years after Z.

Genre100Visuals100Game mode75Combat62Setting34

GenreStrategySubgenreRTS

SoloMultiplayerMeleeIsometricTactical

Steam👍 89%· 1.2KIGDB90· 1

Year 2000Dev The Creative Assembly · SegaOn PC

✓ Same family of real-time strategy games: real-time strategy, melee combat and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings turn-based strategy, combat tactical and ranged combat, while skipping setting scifi

Where it drifts furthest from Z: setting and combat.

Released 4 years after Z.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Combat40Setting0

Details →

Steam

Complete list of Z alternatives

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Z, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.

Napoleon: Total War

RTS · Turn-Based Strat

Theme Hospital

RTS · Simulation

Homeworld

RTS · Adventure

StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void

RTS

StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm

RTS

Anno 2070

RTS · Simulation

Command & Conquer: Generals

RTS

Medieval: Total War

RTS · Turn-Based Strat

Halo Wars 2

RTS

Majesty Gold HD

RTS · Simulation

Stronghold 2

RTS · Simulation

Startopia

RTS · Simulation

RollerCoaster Tycoon 2

RTS · Simulation

Age of Mythology

RTS

Dune 2000

RTS

Europa Universalis III

RTS · Turn-Based Strat

World in Conflict

RTS

Command & Conquer

RTS

Command & Conquer: Red Alert

RTS

Grand Ages: Rome

RTS · Simulation

Dawn of Discovery

RTS · Simulation

Company of Heroes - Legacy Edition

RTS

Age of Mythology: Extended Edition

RTS · Simulation

Offworld Trading Company

RTS · Simulation

Knights and Merchants

RTS · Simulation

Tropico 6

RTS · Simulation

The Guild II

RTS · Simulation

Frostpunk

RTS · Simulation

Pikmin

RTS · Adventure

Warcraft: Orcs & Humans

RTS

The Guild II Renaissance

RTS · Simulation

Stonehearth

RTS · Simulation

Sunless Sea

RTS · Survival

Imagine Earth

RTS · Simulation

Anno 1602: Creation of a New World

RTS · Simulation

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Rankings in the same genre

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Z?: The closest game to Z is Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds, scoring 78/100 on our similarity scale. They share 6 gameplay attributes, including real-time strategy, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Z?: The three closest games to Z are: 1. Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds (78/100, 6 shared attributes) 2. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Dark Crusade (73/100, 6 shared attributes) 3. Total Annihilation (71/100, 5 shared attributes). All share Z's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 6 dimensions.
Is Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Dark Crusade similar to Z?: Yes, very much so — Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Dark Crusade scores 73/100 similarity to Z. They share 6 attributes, including real-time strategy and single-player focus. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What RTS games are similar to Z?: The best RTS games similar to Z are Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Dark Crusade, Total Annihilation and Star Wars: Empire at War. All share the RTS genre alongside other key Z attributes like real-time strategy, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay.
How is similarity to Z calculated?: We compare Z against every game in our catalog using 6 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Z experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.