Games like Crusader Kings II
If you like Crusader Kings II (grand strategy, medieval and free), these 10 games are similar in what you do and how you play. They go from most to least similar.
Crusader Kings III
- In common: long sessions and management
When you have a whole afternoon and fancy intrigue and plans spanning generations.
Stellaris
- In common: long sessions and management
- Difference: more exploring
When you have hours and want to write your own space opera.
Sid Meier's Civilization® IV
- In common: long sessions and management
- Difference: less story
When you can give it a few afternoons: one review says a game can be finished in under ten hours.
Sid Meier's Civilization V
- In common: long sessions and management
- Difference: less story
When you have a long afternoon ahead and fancy planning unhurriedly, turn by turn.
Sid Meier's Civilization VI
- In common: long sessions and management
- Difference: less story
When you have a whole afternoon and want to plan for the long term. Turn-based, at your own pace, no pressure.
RimWorld
- In common: long sessions and management
- Difference: more building
When you have a long afternoon and fancy managing: each session writes a new chapter for your colony.
Against the Storm
- In common: management and thinking
- Difference: more building
When you want to build and manage without committing to a weeks-long game: each settlement is one session.
Football Manager 2024
- In common: long sessions and management
- Difference: less story
When you have time and fancy managing: one season keeps you hooked for weeks.
Star Wars: Empire at War - Gold Pack
- In common: long sessions and thinking
- Difference: less progression
When you have a long afternoon and fancy moving entire Star Wars fleets with calm planning.
XCOM 2
- In common: thinking and long sessions
When you feel like thinking and have an hour or two: each mission is a small tactical drama.
How we pick them
We compare the tags the Steam community gives each game with our own classification: what you do (action, story, building…), the difficulty, how long sessions last and whether you play alone or with others. Nobody pays to appear.
About Crusader Kings II
You steer a medieval dynasty through to 1453: you marry off your children with inheritance in mind, keep an eye on vassals with plans of their own and declare wars on a legal pretext. Die without an heir of your bloodline and the game is over.
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