Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition on things players said about it rather than on our opinion of what feels alike. Each entry shows what it matched on, so you can throw out the ones matching on the part you did not care about.
The short version
- Closest match: Age of Empires III, which both war, historical, story-rich and strategy.
- Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition is tagged Strategy, Base-Building, RTS, Multiplayer, Military, City Builder, Historical, War by Steam players. Those tags are what the matching runs on.
- 24 games qualify, each with at least fifty player reviews behind its sentiment figure.
- 4 are free to download, so you can test the resemblance yourself at no cost.
- 5 are from the same studio: Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition, Age of Empires: Definitive Edition, Age of Mythology: Retold, Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, Age of Empires II (Retired).
How these were matched
Steam tags carry the most weight, because players apply them and they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Souls-like, Atmospheric and Cozy exist as tags and as nothing else, which is exactly the vocabulary this question needs. Formal genres count for less, themes and a shared studio for more.
Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are thrown out before matching. Nearly everything is tagged Singleplayer, so matching on it is matching on nothing. That cutoff is computed from the catalogue rather than fixed, so it moves as the catalogue grows.
All 24, closest first
- 1
Age of Empires III
Why it matched: both war, historical, story-rich and strategy; shares 17 player tags including Strategy, Base-Building and RTS; published by the same company.
Lead powerful civilizations across the globe, master strategies and tactics, and relive history in co op battles—now remastered in stunning 4K and modernized gameplay.
Age of Empires III at a glance Released 2005 Studio Robot Entertainment Player sentiment 86% positive of 54,758 Price $34.99 StrategyBase-BuildingRTSMilitaryCity BuilderHistoricalWarFree to Play
- 2
Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition
Why it matched: made by the same studio, World's Edge; both war, historical and strategy; shares 11 player tags including Strategy, RTS and Base-Building; released around the same time (2021).
Celebrating its first year of delighting millions of global players, the award-winning and best-selling strategy franchise continues with Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition, putting you at the center of even more epic historical battles that shaped the world.
Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition at a glance Released 2021 Studio World's Edge Player sentiment 86% positive of 95,393 Price $39.99 StrategyRTSBase-BuildingWarResource ManagementMedievalCity BuilderHistorical
- 3
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition
Why it matched: made by the same studio, World's Edge; both war, historical, story-rich and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, RTS and Base-Building; released around the same time (2019).
Age of Empires, the pivotal real-time strategy game that launched a 20-year legacy returns with modernized gameplay, all-new 4K visuals, 8-person multiplayer battles and a host of other new features. Welcome back to history.
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition at a glance Released 2019 Studio World's Edge Player sentiment 84% positive of 15,619 Price $19.99 StrategyRTSBase-BuildingCity BuilderHistoricalMedievalStory RichWar
- 4
Age of Mythology: Retold
Why it matched: made by the same studio, World's Edge; both story-rich and strategy; shares 10 player tags including Strategy, 3D and RTS; released around the same time (2024).
Play as mythological Gods and smite your enemies in this award-winning, mythological Real-Time Strategy classic given new life. Wage war across timeless campaigns, fierce skirmishes, and god-powered multiplayer modes.
Age of Mythology: Retold at a glance Released 2024 Studio World's Edge Player sentiment 90% positive of 23,418 Price $29.99 Strategy3DRTSStory RichBase-BuildingResource ManagementLevel EditorModdable
- 5
Age of Empires
Why it matched: both war, historical, story-rich and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, RTS and Base-Building; published by the same company.
Age of Empires, the pivotal real-time strategy game that launched a 20-year legacy returns with modernized gameplay, all-new 4K visuals, 8-person multiplayer battles and a host of other new features. Welcome back to history.
Age of Empires at a glance Released 1997 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 84% positive of 15,616 Price $19.99 StrategyRTSBase-BuildingCity BuilderHistoricalMedievalStory RichWar
- 6
Age of Empires III (2007)
Why it matched: both war, historical and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Strategy, RTS and Base-Building; published by the same company.
Microsoft Studios brings you three epic Age of Empires III games in one monumental collection for the first time.
Age of Empires III (2007) at a glance Released 2012 Studio Ensemble Studios Player sentiment 91% positive of 32,254 Price Not listed StrategyRTSBase-BuildingHistoricalResource ManagementCity BuilderWarMilitary
- 7
Call to Arms - Gates of Hell: Ostfront
Why it matched: both war, historical and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Historical, Strategy and RTS; released around the same time (2021).
Call to Arms - Gates of Hell is a realistic RTS/ RTT game that offers endless replay value. Command all types of troops in historical singleplayer, dynamic campaign, PvP and PvE battles. Are you ready for some serious immersion in World War 2?
Call to Arms - Gates of Hell: Ostfront at a glance Released 2021 Studio Barbedwire Studios Player sentiment 85% positive of 33,894 Price $34.99 HistoricalStrategyRTSWarModdableMilitaryPvPOnline Co-Op
- 8
War Selection
Why it matched: both war, historical and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Strategy, Base-Building and Free to Play; released around the same time (2019).
War Selection is a compelling RTS game featuring base building, resource extraction and warfare. Evolve from a stone age tribe to a distinct industrial nation with unique game mechanics and battle for supremacy with dozens of players on a unique procedurally generated map.
War Selection at a glance Released 2019 Studio Glyph Worlds Player sentiment 85% positive of 23,534 Price Free StrategyBase-BuildingFree to PlayRTSMilitaryWarOnline Co-OpPvP
- 9
Company of Heroes
Why it matched: both war, historical, story-rich and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, RTS and War.
Delivering a visceral WWII gaming experience, Company of Heroes redefines RTS by bringing the sacrifice of heroic soldiers, war-ravaged environments, and dynamic battlefields to life. Please visit the "Company of Heroes - Legacy Edition" page for additional user reviews.
Company of Heroes at a glance Released 2006 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 94% positive of 18,707 Price $14.99 StrategyRTSWarMilitaryHistoricalBase-BuildingModdableStory Rich
- 10
Cossacks 3
Why it matched: both war, historical and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Strategy, RTS and War; released around the same time (2016).
Cossacks 3 is the return of RTS classics. Obtain resources, build cities and research technologies while taking command of great armies, crushing enemies in grand historical warfares on land and sea!
Cossacks 3 at a glance Released 2016 Studio GSC Game World Player sentiment 82% positive of 16,136 Price $19.99 StrategyRTSWarHistoricalResource ManagementBase-BuildingPvP3D
- 11
Stronghold Crusader HD (2012)
Why it matched: both war, historical and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Military, City Builder and Medieval.
The highly anticipated sequel to the best-selling Stronghold, Stronghold Crusader HD throws you into historic battles and castle sieges from the Crusades with fiendish AI opponents, new units, 4 historical campaigns and over 100 unique skirmish missions.
Stronghold Crusader HD (2012) at a glance Released 2013 Studio Firefly Studios Player sentiment 97% positive of 21,059 Price $1.99 MilitaryCity BuilderMedievalWarBase-BuildingStrategyResource ManagementRTS
- 12
Blood of Steel
Why it matched: both war, historical and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Medieval, Free to Play and Strategy; released around the same time (2020).
"Blood of Steel" is a fair competitive multiplayer online game. You will ride into a battlefield where thousands clash, employing unique four-directional slashing maneuvers and strategic formations to defeat your opponents, experiencing the charm of warfare in the age of cold weapons!
Blood of Steel at a glance Released 2020 Studio YC Games Player sentiment 75% positive of 6,901 Price Free MedievalFree to PlayStrategyWarPvPHistoricalRTSOnline Co-Op
- 13
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
Why it matched: made by the same studio, World's Edge; both historical and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, RTS and City Builder; released around the same time (2019).
42 Civilizations, 229 Campaign Missions, Singleplayer, Co-Op, Multiplayer, In-Game Editor, Mods, Cross-play...It is good to be the king.
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition at a glance Released 2019 Studio World's Edge Player sentiment 95% positive of 181,889 Price $34.99 StrategyRTSCity BuilderBase-BuildingHistoricalMedievalResource Management
- 14
Crusader Kings III
Why it matched: both war, historical, story-rich and strategy; shares 6 player tags including Strategy, Medieval and Historical; released around the same time (2020).
Love, fight, scheme, and claim greatness. Determine your noble house’s legacy in the sprawling grand strategy of Crusader Kings III. Death is only the beginning as you guide your dynasty’s bloodline in the rich and larger-than-life simulation of the Middle Ages.
Crusader Kings III at a glance Released 2020 Studio Development Studio Player sentiment 90% positive of 143,235 Price $49.99 StrategyMedievalHistoricalRTSWarModdable
- 15
Halo Wars
Why it matched: both war, story-rich and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, RTS and Base-Building; published by the same company.
Halo Wars: Definitive Edition is an enhanced version of the real-time strategy classic, Halo Wars, updated to run natively on PC. Halo Wars: Definitive Edition includes improved graphics, new achievements and all of the DLC created for the landmark real-time strategy game.
Halo Wars at a glance Released 2009 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 91% positive of 9,517 Price $19.99 StrategyRTSBase-BuildingWarMilitaryOnline Co-OpStory Rich
- 16
Farthest Frontier
Why it matched: both war, historical and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Historical, Medieval and City Builder.
Protect and guide your people as you forge a town from untamed wilderness at the edge of the known world. Harvest raw materials, hunt, fish and farm to survive. Produce crafted items to trade, consume, equip and fight with as you battle for your survival against the elements and outside threats.
Farthest Frontier at a glance Released 2025 Studio Crate Entertainment Player sentiment 86% positive of 25,411 Price $34.99 HistoricalMedievalCity BuilderResource ManagementRTSStrategyBase-BuildingWar
- 17
Tribal Wars
Why it matched: both war, historical and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, Base-Building and Resource Management.
Compete in hardcore PvP strategy in persistent game worlds where real time resource and troop management in coordination with other players is required to expand your kingdom from one village to hundreds as you conquer the map in this winner takes all medieval contest.
Tribal Wars at a glance Released 2003 Studio InnoGames Player sentiment 71% positive of 840 Price Free StrategyBase-BuildingResource ManagementPvPMedievalMilitaryFree to PlayHistorical
- 18
Company of Heroes 3
Why it matched: both war, historical, story-rich and strategy; shares 6 player tags including Strategy, RTS and PvP; released around the same time (2023).
Company of Heroes 3 combines heart-pounding combat with deeper strategic choices in a stunning Mediterranean theatre of war. In Company of Heroes 3, every battle tells a story...what's yours?
Company of Heroes 3 at a glance Released 2023 Studio Relic Entertainment Player sentiment 57% positive of 40,052 Price $59.99 StrategyRTSPvPHistoricalMilitaryWar
- 19
Age of Empires II (Retired)
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Skybox Labs; both historical and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, RTS and Medieval.
Age of Empires II has been re-imagined in high definition. With the release of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, this product will not be updated further.
Age of Empires II (Retired) at a glance Released 2013 Studio Skybox Labs Player sentiment 96% positive of 102,820 Price $19.99 StrategyRTSMedievalHistoricalBase-BuildingCity BuilderResource Management
- 20
Ancestors Legacy
Why it matched: both war, historical and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Medieval and RTS; released around the same time (2018).
Ancestors Legacy is a squad-based real time strategy with a strong focus on tactics. Inspired by medieval European history, it brings to life four different nations and their conflicts, usually solved by war.
Ancestors Legacy at a glance Released 2018 Studio Destructive Creations Player sentiment 79% positive of 8,645 Price $6.99 StrategyMedievalRTSHistoricalWarBase-BuildingCity Builder
- 21
Call of War: World War 2
Why it matched: both war, historical and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Free to Play and War; released around the same time (2017).
Take over the control of one of the mighty nations during the times of World War 2 in this persisting long-term strategy game. Conquer provinces, forge alliances and build up your economy in real-time. Research top secret weapons of World War 2 and become the one true superpower!
Call of War: World War 2 at a glance Released 2017 Studio Bytro Labs GmbH Player sentiment 71% positive of 6,372 Price Free StrategyFree to PlayWarMilitaryHistoricalRTSPvP
- 22
Kingdom Heroes 8
Why it matched: both war, historical and strategy; shares 7 player tags including RTS, War and Historical; released around the same time (2021).
The " Kingdom Heroes" series is a classic horizontal battle single-player game developed by Userjoy, which has been released seven generations since 1998. The latest sequel, " Kingdom Heroes 8", will feature a new look and exciting battles, interpreting the magnificent era of the Three Kingdoms.
Kingdom Heroes 8 at a glance Released 2021 Studio USERJOY Technology Co.,Ltd. Player sentiment 54% positive of 14,707 Price $29.99 RTSWarHistoricalStrategyCity Builder3DCombat
- 23
Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition
Why it matched: both war, historical and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Medieval and Historical.
Spanning the most turbulent era in Western history, your quest for territory and power takes you through Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and even onto the shores of the New World.
Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition at a glance Released 2006 Studio CREATIVE ASSEMBLY Player sentiment 96% positive of 36,357 Price $24.99 StrategyMedievalHistoricalWarRTSModdableMilitary
- 24
Northgard: Definitive Edition
Why it matched: both war and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, City Builder and RTS; released around the same time (2018).
Northgard: Definitive Edition is a critically acclaimed real-time strategy game based on Norse mythology. Lead your clan, uncover the secrets of a mysterious newfound continent and defeat your enemies to conquer the Throne!
Northgard: Definitive Edition at a glance Released 2018 Studio Shiro Games Player sentiment 85% positive of 68,673 Price $34.99 StrategyCity BuilderRTSBase-BuildingWarPvPModdableResource Management
Common questions
What game is most like Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition?
Age of Empires III, on the evidence we have. It both war, historical, story-rich and strategy. That is a statement about overlap, not a promise you will like it as much: two games can share every tag and still feel different to play.
How is "similar to Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition" decided?
By overlap on the tags Steam players applied to each game, the formal genres, the themes both sit in, and whether the same studio made them. Tags carry the most weight because players write them, so they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are ignored: matching on "Singleplayer" is matching on nothing. Every entry below shows exactly what it matched on.
Are these ranked by quality?
No. They are ordered by how much they overlap with Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition. Where two games overlap equally, the better received one goes first, but that only moves a game a place or two. Each entry shows its own player sentiment so you can weigh that separately.
What else did the makers of Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition do?
Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition, Age of Empires: Definitive Edition, Age of Mythology: Retold, Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, Age of Empires II (Retired) are also from World's Edge, and appear in the list below for that reason as well as on tag overlap.
Do you get paid for these recommendations?
No. The order is computed from tag and genre overlap and nothing else. No placement here can be bought, and a game appearing high on this page is a statement about resemblance rather than an endorsement.