Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Crusader Kings II (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Crusader Kings II 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: Victoria II, which made by the same studio, Development Studio.
- Crusader Kings II is tagged Grand Strategy, Strategy, Medieval, Historical, Political Sim, Simulation, RPG, Sandbox 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.
- 6 are from the same studio: Victoria II, Crusader Kings III, Europa Universalis III, Victoria 3, Europa Universalis IV, Hearts of Iron III.
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
Victoria II
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Development Studio; both historical and strategy; shares 12 player tags including Grand Strategy, Strategy and Historical; released around the same time (2010).
Carefully guide your nation from the era of absolute monarchies in the early 19th century, through expansion and colonization, to finally become a truly great power by the dawn of the 20th century. Victoria II is a grand strategy game played during the colonial era of the 19th century, where the player takes control of a country, guiding...
Victoria II at a glance Released 2010 Studio Development Studio Player sentiment 92% positive of 20,016 Price $19.99 Grand StrategyStrategyHistoricalPolitical SimPoliticsSimulationReal-Time with PauseSandbox
- 2
Crusader Kings III
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Development Studio; both historical and strategy; shares 12 player tags including Strategy, Medieval and Grand Strategy.
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 StrategyMedievalGrand StrategySimulationRPGHistoricalCharacter CustomizationSandbox
- 3
Europa Universalis III
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Development Studio; both historical and strategy; shares 12 player tags including Grand Strategy, Strategy and Historical.
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 StrategyStrategyHistoricalPolitical SimReal-Time with PausePoliticalSandboxSimulation
- 4
Victoria 3
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Development Studio; both historical and strategy; shares 12 player tags including Grand Strategy, Historical and Political Sim.
Paradox Development Studio invites you to build your ideal society in the tumult of the exciting and transformative 19th century. Balance the competing interests in your society and earn your place in the sun in Victoria 3, one of the most anticipated games in Paradox’s history.
Victoria 3 at a glance Released 2022 Studio Development Studio Player sentiment 70% positive of 60,969 Price $49.99 Grand StrategyHistoricalPolitical SimStrategyPoliticsDiplomacySimulationModdable
- 5
Europa Universalis IV
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Development Studio; both historical and strategy; shares 10 player tags including Grand Strategy, Strategy and Historical; released around the same time (2013).
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 StrategyStrategyHistoricalSimulationDiplomacyReplay ValueSandboxPolitical
- 6
Hearts of Iron III
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Development Studio; both historical and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Grand Strategy, Strategy and Historical; released around the same time (2009).
Hearts of Iron III lets you play the most engaging conflict in world history, World War 2, on all fronts as any country and through multiple different scenarios. Guide your nation to glory between 1936 and 1948 and wage war, conduct diplomacy and build your industry in the most detailed World War 2 game ever made.
Hearts of Iron III at a glance Released 2009 Studio Development Studio Player sentiment 76% positive of 6,081 Price $9.99 Grand StrategyStrategyHistoricalSimulationReal-Time with PauseSandboxRTSGreat Soundtrack
- 7
Imperator: Rome
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 10 player tags including Strategy, Grand Strategy and Simulation; published by the same company.
Dominate the classical Mediterranean in Imperator: Rome, a grand strategy game from Paradox Interactive. Navigate the dangerous waters of politics and diplomacy as you build up your provinces and conquer foreign lands. Now available with special content and the digital artbook.
Imperator: Rome at a glance Released 2019 Studio Paradox Development Studio Player sentiment 66% positive of 26,891 Price $39.99 StrategyGrand StrategySimulationHistoricalPolitical SimPoliticalPoliticsModdable
- 8
Hearts of Iron IV
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, Grand Strategy and Historical; published by the same company; released around the same time (2016).
Victory is at your fingertips! Your ability to lead your nation is your supreme weapon, the strategy game Hearts of Iron IV lets you take command of any nation in World War II; the most engaging conflict in world history.
Hearts of Iron IV at a glance Released 2016 Studio Paradox Development Studio Player sentiment 90% positive of 375,658 Price $49.99 StrategyGrand StrategyHistoricalSimulationReal-Time with PauseRTSDiplomacySandbox
- 9
Mount & Blade
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 9 player tags including RPG, Medieval and Strategy; released around the same time (2008).
Calradia is a land at war, offering great riches and even greater dangers to adventurers and mercenaries that flock to shed their blood on its soil. With courage and a strong sword, an unknown stranger can make a name as a warrior. Free-form sand-box gameplay.
Mount & Blade at a glance Released 2008 Studio TaleWorlds Player sentiment 92% positive of 6,718 Price $9.99 RPGMedievalStrategySandboxModdableHistoricalCharacter CustomizationSimulation
- 10
Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 9 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 StrategyMedievalHistoricalGrand StrategyRTSModdableSimulationSandbox
- 11
Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Strategy, Simulation and Sandbox.
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 StrategySimulationSandboxGrand StrategyHistoricalModdableRTSReplay Value
- 12
Age of History II
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 9 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 StrategyPolitical SimSimulationSandboxPoliticalDiplomacy
- 13
Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Medieval, Strategy and RPG.
A strategy/action RPG. Create a character, engage in diplomacy, craft, trade and conquer new lands in a vast medieval sandbox. Raise armies to lead into battle and command and fight alongside your troops in massive real-time battles using a deep but intuitive skill-based combat system.
Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord at a glance Released 2020 Studio TaleWorlds Player sentiment 88% positive of 296,754 Price $49.99 MedievalStrategyRPGSandboxCharacter CustomizationSimulationModdableHistorical
- 14
Battle Brothers
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Strategy, RPG and Medieval.
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 StrategyRPGMedievalCharacter CustomizationSandboxSimulationReplay ValueModdable
- 15
Manor Lords
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Strategy, Simulation and Historical.
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 StrategySimulationHistoricalMedievalGrand StrategySandboxModdableRTS
- 16
Sid Meier's Civilization V
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, Historical and Grand Strategy; 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 StrategyHistoricalGrand StrategyReplay ValueDiplomacyModdableSimulationGreat Soundtrack
- 17
Mount & Blade: Warband
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Medieval, RPG and Strategy; published by the same company; released around the same time (2010).
In a land torn asunder by incessant warfare, it is time to assemble your own band of hardened warriors and enter the fray. Lead your men into battle, expand your realm, and claim the ultimate prize: the throne of Calradia!
Mount & Blade: Warband at a glance Released 2010 Studio TaleWorlds Player sentiment 98% positive of 172,005 Price $19.99 MedievalRPGStrategySandboxModdableHistoricalSimulation
- 18
Mount & Blade: With Fire & Sword
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 8 player tags including RPG, Medieval and Strategy; released around the same time (2011).
The standalone expansion for Mount & Blade! With Fire & Sword builds and expands upon the highly regarded combat system from Mount & Blade: Warband. Firearms have been introduced to the battlefield.
Mount & Blade: With Fire & Sword at a glance Released 2011 Studio TaleWorlds Entertainment Player sentiment 88% positive of 14,037 Price $9.99 RPGMedievalStrategyHistoricalSandboxCharacter CustomizationModdableSimulation
- 19
Blood of Steel
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 8 player tags including RPG, Medieval and Free to Play.
"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 RPGMedievalFree to PlayStrategySandboxHistoricalRTSGrand Strategy
- 20
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 StrategyRTSSimulationGreat SoundtrackModdable
- 21
ROMANCE OF THE THREE KINGDOMS XIV
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Diplomacy, Grand Strategy and Character Customization.
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 DiplomacyGrand StrategyCharacter CustomizationStrategyHistoricalSimulationReplay ValueRPG
- 22
Tropico 4
Why it matched: both strategy; shares 8 player tags including Simulation, Strategy and Sandbox; released around the same time (2011).
The world is changing and Tropico is moving with the times - geographical powers rise and fall and the world market is dominated by new players with new demands and offers - and you, as El Presidente, face a whole new set of challenges.
Tropico 4 at a glance Released 2011 Studio Haemimont Games Player sentiment 92% positive of 12,737 Price $14.99 SimulationStrategySandboxGreat SoundtrackReal-Time with PausePoliticsPoliticalRTS
- 23
Rome: Total War - Collection
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Historical and RTS.
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 StrategyHistoricalRTSGrand StrategyGreat SoundtrackModdableSimulation
- 24
Sid Meier's Civilization IV
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Historical and Moddable.
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 StrategyHistoricalModdableGrand StrategyReplay ValueSimulationGreat Soundtrack
Common questions
What game is most like Crusader Kings II?
Victoria II, on the evidence we have. It made by the same studio, Development Studio. 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 Crusader Kings II" 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 Crusader Kings II. 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 Crusader Kings II do?
Victoria II, Crusader Kings III, Europa Universalis III, Victoria 3, Europa Universalis IV, Hearts of Iron III are also from Development Studio, 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.