Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword 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: Sid Meier's Civilization IV, which made by the same studio, Firaxis Games.
- Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword is tagged Strategy, Turn-Based Strategy, 4X, Turn-Based, Historical, Singleplayer, Multiplayer, Moddable 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.
- 1 are free to download, so you can test the resemblance yourself at no cost.
- 7 are from the same studio: Sid Meier's Civilization IV, Sid Meier's Civilization V, Sid Meier's Civilization III Complete, Civilization IV: Warlords, Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization, Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth, Sid Meier's Civilization VII.
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
Sid Meier's Civilization IV
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Firaxis Games; both historical and strategy; shares 10 player tags including Strategy, Turn-Based Strategy and Turn-Based; released around the same time (2006).
With over 6 million units sold and unprecedented critical acclaim from fans and press around the world, Sid Meier's Civilization is recognized as one of the greatest PC game franchises of all-time. Now, Sid Meier and Firaxis Games will take this incredibly fun and addictive game to new heights by adding new ways to play and win, new...
Sid Meier's Civilization IV at a glance Released 2006 Studio Firaxis Games Player sentiment 95% positive of 57 Price $19.99 StrategyTurn-Based StrategyTurn-Based4XHistoricalModdableClassicGrand Strategy
- 2
Sid Meier's Civilization V
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Firaxis Games; both historical and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Turn-Based Strategy, Strategy and Turn-Based; released around the same time (2010).
Create, discover, and download new player-created maps, scenarios, interfaces, and more!
Sid Meier's Civilization V at a glance Released 2010 Studio Firaxis Games Player sentiment 96% positive of 210,613 Price $29.99 Turn-Based StrategyStrategyTurn-BasedHistorical4XGrand StrategyReplay ValueModdable
- 3
Sid Meier's Civilization III Complete
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Firaxis Games; both historical and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, Turn-Based Strategy and Turn-Based; released around the same time (2006).
Sid Meier's Civilization III: Complete, the latest offering in the Sid Meier's Civilization III franchise, provides gaming fans with Sid Meier's Civilization III, the highly-addictive journey of discovery.
Sid Meier's Civilization III Complete at a glance Released 2006 Studio Firaxis Games Player sentiment 89% positive of 7,789 Price $4.99 StrategyTurn-Based StrategyTurn-BasedClassic4XHistoricalReplay ValueGrand Strategy
- 4
Civilization IV: Warlords
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Firaxis Games; both historical and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Turn-Based and 4X; released around the same time (2007).
Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Warlords is the first expansion pack for the award-winning game that has become an instant world-wide hit. Paying homage to some of history's greatest military leaders, the expansion delivers six unique and interesting scenarios, giving players the chance to change the course of history with the help of their...
Civilization IV: Warlords at a glance Released 2007 Studio Firaxis Games Player sentiment 90% positive of 549 Price $4.99 StrategyTurn-Based4XTurn-Based StrategyHistoricalGrand StrategyLocal Multiplayer
- 5
Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Firaxis Games; both historical and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Turn-Based Strategy and Turn-Based; released around the same time (2008).
Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization is the third offering in the award winning Civilization IV series. A re-imagining of the classic Colonization game Sid Meier created in 1994, Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization is a total conversion of the Civilization IV engine into a game experience in which players will lead a European...
Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization at a glance Released 2008 Studio Firaxis Games Player sentiment 87% positive of 1,574 Price $19.99 StrategyTurn-Based StrategyTurn-Based4XHistoricalModdableGrand Strategy
- 6
Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, Historical and Turn-Based Strategy; released around the same time (2006).
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 StrategyHistoricalTurn-Based StrategyGrand StrategyModdableTurn-BasedClassic4X
- 7
Rome: Total War - Collection
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, Historical and Turn-Based Strategy; released around the same time (2007).
Control and conquer the greatest empire ever known to man.
Rome: Total War - Collection at a glance Released 2007 Studio CREATIVE ASSEMBLY Player sentiment 95% positive of 16,717 Price Not listed StrategyHistoricalTurn-Based StrategyGrand StrategyClassicTurn-BasedModdable4X
- 8
Total War: NAPOLEON – Definitive Edition
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Historical and Grand Strategy; released around the same time (2010).
Complete your Total War collection with this Definitive Edition of Total War: NAPOLEON, which includes all DLC and feature updates since the game’s release
Total War: NAPOLEON – Definitive Edition at a glance Released 2010 Studio CREATIVE ASSEMBLY Player sentiment 92% positive of 27,543 Price $24.99 StrategyHistoricalGrand StrategyTurn-Based StrategyTurn-BasedModdableClassic
- 9
Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Firaxis Games; both strategy; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Turn-Based Strategy and 4X.
Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth is a new science-fiction-themed entry into the award winning Civilization series. As part of an expedition sent to find a home beyond Earth, lead your people into a new frontier, explore and colonize an alien planet and create a new civilization in space.
Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth at a glance Released 2014 Studio Firaxis Games Player sentiment 61% positive of 23,140 Price $39.99 StrategyTurn-Based Strategy4XTurn-BasedGrand StrategyReplay ValueModdable
- 10
Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Historical and Turn-Based Strategy.
Emperor Edition is the definitive edition of ROME II, featuring an improved politics system, overhauled building chains, rebalanced battles and improved visuals in both campaign and battleEmperor Edition contains all free feature updates since its release in 2013, which includes bug fixes, balancing, Twitch.
Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition at a glance Released 2013 Studio CREATIVE ASSEMBLY Player sentiment 88% positive of 88,148 Price $59.99 StrategyHistoricalTurn-Based StrategyGrand StrategyTurn-BasedModdableEducation
- 11
Total War: EMPIRE – Definitive Edition
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 6 player tags including Strategy, Historical and Grand Strategy; released around the same time (2009).
Command the seas, control the land, forge a new nation, and conquer the globe.
Total War: EMPIRE – Definitive Edition at a glance Released 2009 Studio CREATIVE ASSEMBLY Player sentiment 91% positive of 38,055 Price $24.99 StrategyHistoricalGrand StrategyTurn-Based StrategyTurn-BasedClassic
- 12
Sid Meier's Civilization VII
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Firaxis Games; both historical and strategy; shares 5 player tags including Grand Strategy, Historical and 4X.
Lead empires that evolve or endure through the Ages. Build something you believe in with Sid Meier's Civilization® VII.
Sid Meier's Civilization VII at a glance Released 2025 Studio Firaxis Games Player sentiment 48% positive of 58,602 Price $49.99 Grand StrategyHistorical4XStrategyTurn-Based Strategy
- 13
Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 6 player tags including Strategy, Grand Strategy and Historical.
Build a soviet republic from an impoverished country into a rich industrial superpower in a city builder with intricate production chains and a fully simulated global economy. Manage the lives of your citizens from education to work and party loyalty to criminal activity.
Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic at a glance Released 2024 Studio 3Division Player sentiment 91% positive of 27,164 Price $9.99 StrategyGrand StrategyHistorical4XModdableReplay Value
- 14
Europa Universalis IV
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 6 player tags including Grand Strategy, Strategy and Historical.
Rule your land and dominate the world with unparalleled freedom, depth and historical accuracy. Write a new history of the world and build an empire for the ages.
Europa Universalis IV at a glance Released 2013 Studio Development Studio Player sentiment 88% positive of 137,275 Price $49.99 Grand StrategyStrategyHistorical4XReplay ValueModdable
- 15
Battle Brothers
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 6 player tags including Strategy, Turn-Based Strategy and Replay Value.
Lead a mercenary company in this tactical RPG set in a medieval fantasy world. Chase fame and fortune as you choose where to go, who to recruit, which contracts to pursue, and how to train and equip your men in a procedurally generated open world campaign.
Battle Brothers at a glance Released 2017 Studio Overhype Studios Player sentiment 88% positive of 28,671 Price $8.99 StrategyTurn-Based StrategyReplay ValueModdableTurn-BasedHistorical
- 16
Total War: ROME REMASTERED
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 6 player tags including Strategy, Grand Strategy and Turn-Based Strategy.
Total War: ROME REMASTERED lets you relive the legacy that defined the award-winning strategy game series. Remastered to 4K with multiple improvements to visuals as well as refinements to gameplay, it’s time to revisit a true classic. Not everyone gets a second chance to conquer the Roman Empire.
Total War: ROME REMASTERED at a glance Released 2021 Studio Creative Assembly Player sentiment 77% positive of 13,722 Price $29.99 StrategyGrand StrategyTurn-Based Strategy4XHistoricalClassic
- 17
HUMANKIND
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 6 player tags including Strategy, Turn-Based Strategy and 4X.
Rewrite history by shaping a civilization as unique as you are. Combine 60 cultures from the Ancient Era to the Modern Age to lead your empire to victory. Build thriving cities, outsmart rivals in epic battles, spread your influence and leave your mark on HUMANKIND™.
HUMANKIND at a glance Released 2021 Studio AMPLITUDE Studios Player sentiment 69% positive of 28,708 Price $4.99 StrategyTurn-Based Strategy4XHistoricalGrand StrategyTurn-Based
- 18
Europa Universalis III
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 5 player tags including Grand Strategy, Strategy and Historical; released around the same time (2007).
Europa Universalis III Complete includes the original Europa Universalis III as well as the expansions In Nomine and Napoleons Ambition Europa Universalis III delves deeply into the areas of exploration, trade, warfare and diplomacy.
Europa Universalis III at a glance Released 2007 Studio Development Studio Player sentiment 83% positive of 2,001 Price $14.99 Grand StrategyStrategyHistorical4XModdable
- 19
Age of Wonders III
Why it matched: both strategy; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Turn-Based Strategy and 4X.
Age of Wonders III is the long anticipated sequel to the award-winning strategy series. Delivering a unique mix of Empire Building, Role Playing and Warfare, Age of Wonders III offers the ultimate in turn-based fantasy strategy for veterans of the series and new players alike!
Age of Wonders III at a glance Released 2014 Studio Triumph Studios Player sentiment 80% positive of 12,811 Price $29.99 StrategyTurn-Based Strategy4XTurn-BasedGrand StrategyClassicModdable
- 20
ROMANCE OF THE THREE KINGDOMS XIV
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 6 player tags including Grand Strategy, Turn-Based Strategy and Strategy.
Triumph over the land, take charge of the fate of China! Conquer territories and fly your colors!
ROMANCE OF THE THREE KINGDOMS XIV at a glance Released 2020 Studio KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD. Player sentiment 63% positive of 15,932 Price $59.99 Grand StrategyTurn-Based StrategyStrategyHistoricalReplay ValueTurn-Based
- 21
Crusader Kings II
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 5 player tags including Grand Strategy, Strategy and Historical.
Explore one of the defining periods in world history in an experience crafted by the masters of Grand Strategy.
Crusader Kings II at a glance Released 2012 Studio Development Studio Player sentiment 91% positive of 73,903 Price Free Grand StrategyStrategyHistoricalReplay ValueModdable
- 22
Crusader Kings III
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 5 player tags including Strategy, Grand Strategy and Historical.
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 StrategyGrand StrategyHistorical4XModdable
- 23
Age of History II
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 5 player tags including Strategy, Historical and Grand Strategy.
Age of History II is a grand strategy wargame that is simple to learn yet hard to master.Your objective is to use military tactics and cunning diplomacy to either unify the world, or conquer it.Will the world bleed out or bow before you? The choice is yours..
Age of History II at a glance Released 2018 Studio Łukasz Jakowski Player sentiment 90% positive of 49,963 Price $5.99 StrategyHistoricalGrand StrategyTurn-Based StrategyTurn-Based
- 24
Manor Lords
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 5 player tags including Strategy, Historical and Grand Strategy.
Manor Lords is a medieval strategy game featuring in-depth city building, large-scale tactical battles, and complex economic and social simulations. Rule your lands as a medieval lord – the seasons pass, the weather changes, and cities rise and fall.
Manor Lords at a glance Released 2024 Studio Slavic Magic Player sentiment 84% positive of 90,905 Price $25.99 StrategyHistoricalGrand StrategyModdable4X
Common questions
What game is most like Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword?
Sid Meier's Civilization IV, on the evidence we have. It made by the same studio, Firaxis Games. 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 Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword" 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 Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword. 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 Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword do?
Sid Meier's Civilization IV, Sid Meier's Civilization V, Sid Meier's Civilization III Complete, Civilization IV: Warlords, Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization, Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth, Sid Meier's Civilization VII are also from Firaxis Games, 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.