Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Stronghold: Definitive Edition (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Stronghold: 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: Stronghold Crusader HD (2012), which made by the same studio, Firefly Studios.
- Stronghold: Definitive Edition is tagged City Builder, Strategy, Real Time Tactics, Medieval, Sandbox, Building, Colony Sim, RTS 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.
- 2 are from the same studio: Stronghold Crusader HD (2012), Stronghold Crusader 2.
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
Stronghold Crusader HD (2012)
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Firefly Studios; both historical and strategy; shares 16 player tags including City Builder, Real Time Tactics 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 City BuilderReal Time TacticsMedievalColony SimBuildingBase-BuildingStrategySandbox
- 2
Stronghold Crusader 2
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Firefly Studios; both open world, historical, atmospheric and strategy; shares 10 player tags including Strategy, Medieval and City Builder.
Stronghold Crusader 2 is the long awaited sequel to the original castle sim. After 12 years Stronghold returns to the desert with a new 3D engine and powerful Havok Physics. Crusader 2 recaptures the original game’s addictive, fast-paced gameplay and authentic castle simulation.
Stronghold Crusader 2 at a glance Released 2014 Studio Firefly Studios Player sentiment 72% positive of 18,080 Price $3.99 StrategyMedievalCity BuilderRTSSimulationHistoricalBuildingResource Management
- 3
Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic
Why it matched: both open world, historical and strategy; shares 11 player tags including Strategy, Simulation and City Builder; released around the same time (2024).
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 StrategySimulationCity BuilderBase-BuildingBuildingSandboxColony SimResource Management
- 4
Foundation
Why it matched: both open world, atmospheric and strategy; shares 11 player tags including City Builder, Simulation and Medieval; released around the same time (2025).
Foundation is a grid-less, laidback medieval city-building game with a focus on organic development, monument construction and resource management.
Foundation at a glance Released 2025 Studio Polymorph Games Player sentiment 87% positive of 24,163 Price $23.44 City BuilderSimulationMedievalStrategySandboxResource ManagementEconomyBuilding
- 5
Manor Lords
Why it matched: both open world, historical and strategy; shares 11 player tags including Strategy, City Builder and Simulation; released around the same time (2024).
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 StrategyCity BuilderSimulationHistoricalBase-BuildingMedievalBuildingResource Management
- 6
Dawn of Man
Why it matched: both open world, historical and strategy; shares 9 player tags including City Builder, Colony Sim and Strategy; released around the same time (2019).
Command a settlement of ancient humans, guide them through the ages in their struggle for survival. Hunt, gather, craft tools, fight, research new techs and face the challenges the environment will throw at you.
Dawn of Man at a glance Released 2019 Studio Madruga Works Player sentiment 87% positive of 17,830 Price $12.49 City BuilderColony SimStrategySimulationHistoricalSandboxEconomyRTS
- 7
Kingdoms and Castles
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 11 player tags including City Builder, Colony Sim and Strategy.
Kingdoms and Castles is a city-building simulation game about growing a kingdom from a tiny hamlet to a sprawling city and imposing castle. Make trade agreements, alliance, and war with neighboring AI controlled kingdoms. Each villager and resource is individually simulated.
Kingdoms and Castles at a glance Released 2017 Studio Lion Shield, LLC Player sentiment 94% positive of 31,404 Price $19.99 City BuilderColony SimStrategyMedievalBuildingSimulationSandboxResource Management
- 8
Against the Storm
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 10 player tags including Strategy, City Builder and Simulation; released around the same time (2023).
A dark fantasy city builder where you must rebuild civilization in the face of apocalyptic rains. As the Queen’s Viceroy, lead humans, beavers, lizards, foxes, and harpies to reclaim the wilderness and secure a future for civilization's last survivors.
Against the Storm at a glance Released 2023 Studio Eremite Games Player sentiment 94% positive of 37,338 Price $8.99 StrategyCity BuilderSimulationBase-BuildingColony SimBuildingResource ManagementSandbox
- 9
Farthest Frontier
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 10 player tags including Historical, Medieval and City Builder; released around the same time (2025).
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-BuildingBuilding
- 10
Planetbase
Why it matched: both open world, atmospheric and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Colony Sim, City Builder and Base-Building.
Guide a group of space settlers trying to establish a base on a remote planet. Grow food, collect energy, mine resources, survive disasters and build a self-sufficient colony in a harsh and unforgiving environment.
Planetbase at a glance Released 2015 Studio Madruga Works Player sentiment 80% positive of 10,438 Price $7.49 Colony SimCity BuilderBase-BuildingStrategySimulationResource ManagementBuildingSandbox
- 11
Jurassic World Evolution 2
Why it matched: both open world, atmospheric and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Building, Simulation and Sandbox; released around the same time (2021).
Jurassic World Evolution 2 is the much-anticipated sequel to Frontier’s highly successful Jurassic World Evolution. This bold new era in the Jurassic World Evolution game franchise builds upon the ground-breaking and immersive 2018 management simulation.
Jurassic World Evolution 2 at a glance Released 2021 Studio Frontier Developments Player sentiment 90% positive of 47,023 Price $59.99 BuildingSimulationSandboxStrategyCity BuilderEconomyResource ManagementBase-Building
- 12
Dwarf Fortress
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Colony Sim, Strategy and Simulation; released around the same time (2022).
Build a fortress and try to help your dwarves survive against a deeply generated world. Keep your dwarves happy, grow their community and beware of digging too deeply. The deepest, most intricate simulation of a world that's ever been created.
Dwarf Fortress at a glance Released 2022 Studio Bay 12 Games Player sentiment 95% positive of 31,446 Price $29.99 Colony SimStrategySimulationBase-BuildingCity BuilderSandboxBuildingResource Management
- 13
Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition
Why it matched: both open world, historical and strategy; shares 8 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-BuildingResource ManagementMedievalCity BuilderHistoricalIsometric
- 14
Age of Empires III (2007)
Why it matched: both open world, historical and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, RTS and Base-Building.
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 BuilderSimulationBuilding
- 15
Anno 1800
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 9 player tags including City Builder, Strategy and Simulation; released around the same time (2019).
Anno 1800™ – Lead the Industrial Revolution! Welcome to the dawn of the Industrial Age. The path you choose will define your world. Are you an innovator or an exploiter? A conqueror or a liberator? How the world remembers your name is up to you.
Anno 1800 at a glance Released 2019 Studio Ubisoft Mainz Player sentiment 81% positive of 32,232 Price $59.99 City BuilderStrategySimulationEconomyResource ManagementSandboxRTSHistorical
- 16
Prison Architect
Why it matched: both strategy; shares 11 player tags including Simulation, Building and Sandbox.
Only the world’s most ruthless Warden can contain the world’s most ruthless inmates. Design and develop your personalized penitentiary in Prison Architect.
Prison Architect at a glance Released 2015 Studio Introversion Software Player sentiment 89% positive of 73,744 Price $5.99 SimulationBuildingSandboxBase-BuildingColony SimStrategyCity Builder2D
- 17
IXION
Why it matched: both atmospheric and strategy; shares 9 player tags including City Builder, Strategy and Resource Management; released around the same time (2022).
IXION is an unrelenting, city-building odyssey across the stars. As Administrator of the Tiqqun, DOLOS’ prototype space station, you are tasked with balancing preservation and exploration as you manage infrastructure, resources and crew. Can you keep the flame of humanity alight in the cold dark?
IXION at a glance Released 2022 Studio Bulwark Studios Player sentiment 79% positive of 17,614 Price $10.49 City BuilderStrategyResource ManagementColony SimBase-BuildingBuildingSimulationEconomy
- 18
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
Why it matched: both historical and strategy; shares 9 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 ManagementIsometric
- 19
Tropico 4
Why it matched: both atmospheric and strategy; shares 9 player tags including City Builder, Simulation and Strategy.
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 City BuilderSimulationStrategySandboxEconomyBuildingResource ManagementFunny
- 20
Kingdom: Classic
Why it matched: both atmospheric and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Strategy, Simulation and Base-Building.
Kingdom is a 2D sidescrolling strategy/resource management hybrid with a minimalist feel wrapped in a beautiful, modern pixel art aesthetic.
Kingdom: Classic at a glance Released 2015 Studio Noio Player sentiment 91% positive of 22,707 Price Free StrategySimulationBase-BuildingBuilding2DResource ManagementCity BuilderColony Sim
- 21
Craft The World
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Colony Sim, Building and Sandbox.
Craft The World is a unique sandbox strategy game, the mix of Dungeon Keeper, Terraria and Dwarf Fortress. Explore a random generated world populated by dangerous creatures, build a dwarf fortress, gather resources, and craft all the items, weapons, and armor you need.
Craft The World at a glance Released 2014 Studio Dekovir Entertainment Player sentiment 88% positive of 17,058 Price $18.99 Colony SimBuildingSandboxStrategySimulationCity Builder2DResource Management
- 22
Cossacks 3
Why it matched: both open world, historical and strategy; shares 8 player tags including Strategy, RTS and Historical.
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 StrategyRTSHistoricalResource ManagementBase-BuildingCity BuilderIsometricEconomy
- 23
Surviving Mars
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 9 player tags including Colony Sim, City Builder and Strategy.
There will be challenges to overcome. Execute your strategy and improve your colony’s chances of survival while unlocking the mysteries of this alien world. Are you ready? Mars is waiting for you.
Surviving Mars at a glance Released 2018 Studio Haemimont Games Player sentiment 80% positive of 28,730 Price Not listed Colony SimCity BuilderStrategyBase-BuildingSimulationResource ManagementBuildingSandbox
- 24
Anno 2205
Why it matched: both open world and strategy; shares 9 player tags including City Builder, Strategy and Simulation.
In Anno 2205™, you join humankind‘s next step into the future with the promise to build a better tomorrow. You conquer Earth, establishing rich, bustling cities and grand industrial complexes, but to secure the prosperity of your people, you must travel into space.
Anno 2205 at a glance Released 2015 Studio Blue Byte Player sentiment 70% positive of 6,335 Price $39.99 City BuilderStrategySimulationEconomyResource ManagementRTSBuildingSandbox
Common questions
What game is most like Stronghold: Definitive Edition?
Stronghold Crusader HD (2012), on the evidence we have. It made by the same studio, Firefly Studios. 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 Stronghold: 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 Stronghold: 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 Stronghold: Definitive Edition do?
Stronghold Crusader HD (2012), Stronghold Crusader 2 are also from Firefly Studios, 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.