Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Hearts of Iron IV (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Hearts of Iron IV 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: Imperator: Rome, which made by the same studio, Paradox Development Studio.
- Hearts of Iron IV is tagged Strategy, World War II, Grand Strategy, War, Historical, Military, Alternate History, Multiplayer 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.
- 1 are from the same studio: Imperator: Rome.
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
Imperator: Rome
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Paradox Development Studio; both open world, war, historical and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, Grand Strategy and Simulation; released around the same time (2019).
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 StrategySimulationHistoricalWarReal-Time with PauseSandboxAlternate History
- 2
Victoria II
Why it matched: both war, historical and strategy; shares 11 player tags including Grand Strategy, Strategy and Historical; published by the same company.
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 StrategyStrategyHistoricalSimulationReal-Time with PauseMilitaryWarSandbox
- 3
Call of War: World War 2
Why it matched: both war, historical and strategy; shares 11 player tags including Strategy, World War II 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 StrategyWorld War IIWarGrand StrategyMilitarySimulationTacticalHistorical
- 4
Hearts of Iron III
Why it matched: both war, historical and strategy; shares 11 player tags including Grand Strategy, Strategy and World War II; published by the same company.
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 StrategyStrategyWorld War IIHistoricalSimulationMilitaryReal-Time with PauseWar
- 5
Age of History II
Why it matched: both open world, war, historical and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Strategy, Historical and War; released around the same time (2018).
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 StrategyHistoricalWarGrand StrategySimulationSandboxWorld War IIDiplomacy
- 6
Europa Universalis IV
Why it matched: both war, historical and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Grand Strategy, Strategy and Historical; published by the same company; 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 StrategyStrategyHistoricalSimulationAlternate HistoryMilitaryDiplomacySandbox
- 7
Iron Front: Digital War Edition
Why it matched: both open world, war, historical and strategy; shares 8 player tags including World War II, War and Military; released around the same time (2012).
Command your own troops, man authentic weaponry and take to the sky in deadly warplanes.
Iron Front: Digital War Edition at a glance Released 2012 Studio X1 Software Player sentiment 59% positive of 869 Price $14.99 World War IIWarMilitarySimulationTacticalStrategyHistoricalSandbox
- 8
Europa Universalis III
Why it matched: both war, historical and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Grand Strategy, Strategy and Historical; published by the same company.
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 StrategyStrategyHistoricalReal-Time with PauseSandboxSimulationRTSWar
- 9
Age of Empires III (2007)
Why it matched: both open world, war, historical and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, RTS and Historical; released around the same time (2012).
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 StrategyRTSHistoricalWarSimulationMilitaryReal-Time with Pause
- 10
Crusader Kings III
Why it matched: both war, historical and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, Grand Strategy and Simulation; published by the same company; 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 StrategyGrand StrategySimulationHistoricalSandboxRTSWarReal-Time with Pause
- 11
Total War: THREE KINGDOMS
Why it matched: both war, historical and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Strategy, Historical and War; released around the same time (2019).
Unite Ancient China under your rule through a thrilling blend of turn-based empire building and real-time battles. Use the Guanxi System and diplomacy to forge alliances, and build powerful armies with hundreds of unique infantry, cavalry and war machine units.
Total War: THREE KINGDOMS at a glance Released 2019 Studio CREATIVE ASSEMBLY Player sentiment 82% positive of 93,602 Price $39.99 StrategyHistoricalWarGrand StrategyRTSMilitaryTacticalSimulation
- 12
Company of Heroes 2
Why it matched: both war, historical and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Strategy, World War II and RTS; released around the same time (2013).
Experience the ultimate WWII RTS platform with COH2 and its standalone expansions. This package includes the base game, which you can then upgrade by purchasing The Western Front Armies, Ardennes Assault and/or The British Forces. More info in the "About This Game" section below.
Company of Heroes 2 at a glance Released 2013 Studio Relic Entertainment Player sentiment 79% positive of 113,085 Price $19.99 StrategyWorld War IIRTSTacticalWarHistoricalMilitaryReal-Time with Pause
- 13
ROMANCE OF THE THREE KINGDOMS XIV
Why it matched: both war, historical and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Military, Diplomacy and War; released around the same time (2020).
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 MilitaryDiplomacyWarGrand StrategyStrategyHistoricalAlternate HistorySimulation
- 14
Victoria 3
Why it matched: both war, historical and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Grand Strategy, Historical and Strategy; published by the same company.
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 StrategyHistoricalStrategyDiplomacySimulationAlternate HistoryReal-Time with PauseSandbox
- 15
Men of War: Assault Squad 2
Why it matched: both war, historical and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, World War II and War; released around the same time (2014).
Men of War: Assault Squad 2 expands the real-time tactics series with new skirmish missions, massive multiplayer battles, enhanced visuals, improved AI, and full Direct Control. Command five factions across 65 maps, 250 vehicles, and 200 soldiers in one of the most detailed WWII RTS experiences.
Men of War: Assault Squad 2 at a glance Released 2014 Studio Digitalmindsoft Player sentiment 91% positive of 46,631 Price $29.99 StrategyWorld War IIWarRTSSimulationTacticalMilitaryHistorical
- 16
Sid Meier's Civilization VII
Why it matched: both war, historical and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Grand Strategy, Historical and Diplomacy.
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 StrategyHistoricalDiplomacyMilitarySimulationWarStrategyTactical
- 17
Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition
Why it matched: both war, historical and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Strategy, Historical and Grand Strategy.
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 StrategyHistoricalGrand StrategyWarRTSTacticalMilitarySimulation
- 18
Total War: ATTILA
Why it matched: both open world, war, historical and strategy; shares 7 player tags including Strategy, Historical and War; released around the same time (2015).
Against a darkening background of famine, disease and war, a new power is rising in the great steppes of the East. With a million horsemen at his back, the ultimate warrior king approaches, and his sights are set on Rome… The next instalment in the multi award-winning PC series that combines turn-based strategy with real-time tactics,...
Total War: ATTILA at a glance Released 2015 Studio CREATIVE ASSEMBLY Player sentiment 82% positive of 37,686 Price $44.99 StrategyHistoricalWarGrand StrategyRTSTacticalSimulation
- 19
Day of Infamy
Why it matched: both open world, war, historical and strategy; shares 7 player tags including World War II, War and Military; released around the same time (2017).
Experience close-quarters battles in iconic WWII settings. Defend the line, storm the beach, torch the enemy, or use a radio to call in fire support. Day of Infamy is a teamwork-oriented shooter that will keep you on your toes and coming back for more with its diverse game modes and authentic arsenal.
Day of Infamy at a glance Released 2017 Studio New World Interactive Player sentiment 82% positive of 22,100 Price $14.99 World War IIWarMilitaryTacticalStrategyHistoricalSimulation
- 20
Wargame: European Escalation
Why it matched: both war, historical and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, RTS and Military; released around the same time (2012).
The New Fatal Error DLC includes a new 5-mission Operation and touch-screen controls.
Wargame: European Escalation at a glance Released 2012 Studio Eugen Systems Player sentiment 78% positive of 3,402 Price $9.99 StrategyRTSMilitarySimulationAlternate HistoryWarTacticalHistorical
- 21
Men of War: Assault Squad
Why it matched: both war, historical and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Strategy, World War II and War.
Men of War: Assault Squad delivers a deeply tactical WWII experience, blending large-scale strategy with intense, hands-on combat. Fight across multiple fronts – from European countryside to Pacific jungles and command every unit and every bullet on the battlefield.
Men of War: Assault Squad at a glance Released 2011 Studio Digitalmindsoft Player sentiment 87% positive of 5,176 Price $9.99 StrategyWorld War IIWarTacticalRTSMilitaryHistoricalSimulation
- 22
Squad 44
Why it matched: both open world, war, historical and strategy; shares 7 player tags including World War II, Simulation and Military; released around the same time (2018).
Team up and join the frontline in Squad 44, the most authentic tactical WW2 shooter. Experience ruthless realism with an immense arsenal of faithfully recreated weapons and vehicles across massive WW2 battlefields.
Squad 44 at a glance Released 2018 Studio Offworld Player sentiment 74% positive of 25,436 Price $19.99 World War IISimulationMilitaryWarStrategyHistoricalTactical
- 23
Heroes & Generals
Why it matched: both open world, war, historical and strategy; shares 7 player tags including World War II, War and Strategy; released around the same time (2016).
Shoot, blow sh!t up, fly or bark orders in the ultimate Free-to-Play, large scale, multiplayer, shooter experience. Thousands of players in multiple battles fighting one massive war of nations. The first to capture 15 cities takes the glory.
Heroes & Generals at a glance Released 2016 Studio TLM Partners Player sentiment 68% positive of 141,628 Price Not listed World War IIWarStrategyTacticalHistoricalSimulationRTS
- 24
Battle Brothers
Why it matched: both open world, war, historical and strategy; shares 6 player tags including Strategy, War and Sandbox; released around the same time (2017).
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 StrategyWarSandboxTacticalSimulationHistorical
Common questions
What game is most like Hearts of Iron IV?
Imperator: Rome, on the evidence we have. It made by the same studio, Paradox 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 Hearts of Iron IV" 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 Hearts of Iron IV. 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 Hearts of Iron IV do?
Imperator: Rome is also from Paradox Development Studio, and appears 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.