The unique blend of historical simulation, strategy, and role-playing in Crusader Kings leaves its fans wondering if another video game offers a similar experience. Let’s investigate!

Welcome to Gate to Adventure on G2A.com – the only place where your strategic purchases result in the best strategy games! Like Crusader Kings, the game that conquers the world with its unpredictable gameplay, personalized role-playing, and challenging choice-making. Is this a one-of-a-kind title? Well, many games share similar features!

GameReleaseGenreDeveloper
Total War Three Kingdoms Royal Edition 2020-09-24 Strategy The Creative Assembly
Knights Of Honor II Sovereign 2022-12-06 Strategy Black Sea Games
Old World 2022-05-19 Strategy Mohawk Games
Star Dynasties 2021-03-16 Strategy Pawley Games
Europa Universalis IV 2013-08-13 Economy Paradox Development Studio
Hearts Of Iron IV 2016-06-06 Simulation Paradox Development Studio
Imperator Rome Deluxe Edition 2019-04-25 Simulation Paradox Development Studio
Nobunagas Ambition Sphere Of Influence 2015-09-01 Strategy KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD.
Suzerain 2020-12-04 Strategy Torpor Games
Manor Lords 2024-04-26 Strategy Slavic Magic
Stellaris 2016-05-09 Strategy Paradox Development Studio
Sid Meiers Civilization VI 2016-10-20 Economy Aspyr (Mac, Linux)
Anno 1404 History Edition 2020-06-25 Strategy Ubisoft Blue Byte
Romance Of The Three Kingdoms XIV 2020-01-15 Simulation Koei Tecmo

Old World

Release date:2022-05-19
Genre:Strategy
Developer:Mohawk Games

Released in 2022, Old World perfectly utilizes proven solutions from CK3 and Sid Meier’s Civilization IV!

In this title, one turn means one entire year in the game world, so prepare your strategy well to transform a humble kingdom into a thriving empire. Like in CK3, you will be responsible for relationships within the dynasty, but most mechanics are similar to those in the Civilization series. It’s a perfect recommendation for fans of both looking for fresh alternatives in the 4X strategy genre.

Key features
  • Grow your empire across centuries and generations
  • Explore a massive map packed with exciting possibilities
  • Meet unique personalities and complete all 10 Ambitions
  • Play solo or multiplayer

Anno 1404

Release date:2020-06-25
Genre:Strategy
Developer:Ubisoft Blue Byte

Travel to 15th-century Asia to establish a modest settlement and turn it into a prosperous colony. Its story campaign resembles that of Crusader Kings!

Play this unique mix of city-builder and real-time strategy to lose yourself in creating a new colony on the Asian coast. Design production chains, engage in diplomacy, trade to conquer new territories, and evolve as the society of your dreams. Thanks to various game modes, you can conveniently tailor this addictive gameplay to your needs.

Key features
  • Create a prosperous colony on the Asian coast
  • Interact with local sultans
  • Design production chains and trade
  • Choose from exciting game modes for single-player fun

Europa Universalis IV

Release date:2013-08-13
Genre:Economy
Developer:Paradox Development Studio

Since Crusader Kings is the Europa Universalis spin-off made by the same developers, you can expect a relatively similar experience.

Unlike Crusader Kings, this video game offers the micromanagement of an entire nation instead of just a dynasty. This historically realistic grand strategy allows you to play as the leader of one of the available countries, tasked with achieving the title of the most powerful ruler. It’s the best recommendation for players seeking highly complex strategy mechanics.

Key features
  • Control one of the available nations to dominate the world
  • Form alliances and wage epic wars
  • Unlock progressively better ships, buildings, and technologies
  • Play solo or in multiplayer for up to 32 players

Star Dynasties

Release date:2021-03-16
Genre:Stratety
Developer:Pawley Games

It’s like Crusader Kings but in space!

Travel to the 22nd century to discover a galaxy reliving a new Dark Age. As the leader of one of the factions, you’ll develop it within the feudal society to achieve the title of the greatest ruler. Play in turn-based mode, forge relationships, experience procedurally generated events, and battle to ensure the endless evolution of your colony.

Key features
  • Develop a dynasty in the space Dark Age
  • Forge diplomatic alliances or fight
  • Enjoy a highly replayable experience packed with procedurally generated events
  • Use spies to learn more about your rivals

Total War series

Release date:2022-02-17
Genre:RTS
Developer:Creative Assembly

Initiated by 2000’s Shogun: Total War, the TW series offers a highly engaging turn-based and real-time strategy for those craving a more combat-oriented experience in games like Crusader Kings.

Manage chosen side in epic, historically inspired battles to emerge as the sole winner. Enjoy realistic unit appearances, authentic combat tactics, changing weather, and unpredictable events. In this game, your choices really matter, and you can see how in both single and multiplayer!

Key features
  • Develop cities in turn-based mode and fight in real-time
  • Enjoy random natural disasters
  • Have fun with realistic units and military tactics
  • Play solo or in multiplayer

Romance of the Three Kingdoms Series

Release date:2020-01-15
Genre:Simulation
Developer:Koei Tecmo

It’s a strategy classic based on The Story of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong. Wage epic wars during the Han Dynasty in China!

Since 1985, this strategy series has evolved from low specs titles to impressive installations involving realistic battlefields and authentic battle tactics. Like Crusader Kings, it features micromanagement but on an empire-wide scale. It is a must-play for players desiring complex combat mechanics!

Key features
  • Become the leader of one of the available factions and fight to unite all regions
  • Use the terrain layout to your advantage on the battlefield
  • Make the best use of your characters’ skills
  • Engage in diplomacy and develop your stats

Hearts of Iron 4

Release date:2016-06-06
Genre:Simulation
Developer:Paradox Development Studio

As another Europa Universalis spin-off, HoI IV takes players to the turbulent times of World War II to let them alter the familiar course of history.

Participate in highly realistic events of World War II to lead one of the available countries to ultimate victory. Unlock national goals, make challenging political choices, and choose your ideology to change the future as we know it today. It’s like Crusader Kings but incredibly challenging!

Key features
  • Change the course of history during World War II
  • Unlock national goals
  • Fight using authentic units and weaponry
  • Play solo or in multiplayer for up to 32 players

Nobunaga’s Ambition: Spheres of Influence

Release date:2015-09-01
Genre:Strategy
Developer:KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD.

It is the fourteenth installation in one of the greatest Japanese strategy game series set in feudal Japan. What makes it similar to CK? You will use diplomacy to keep your people loyal!

Start a clan, trade with neighboring factions, and design a road network to prepare yourself for upcoming battles. In this game, everything depends on your diplomatic skills and the consequences of your choices. We sincerely recommend this title to anyone who prefers more diplomatic opportunities than games like Total War have to offer.

Key features
  • Become the first Japanese Shogun
  • Take care of economic, diplomatic, and military factors
  • Enjoy highly detailed visuals
  • Discover the multitude of possible strategies at your fingertips

Suzerain

Release date:2020-12-04
Genre:Strategy
Developer:Torpor Games

Have you ever dreamed of becoming the president of a fallen country? In this game, you can!

Your country finds itself in an unimaginably grave economic crisis, your neighbor wants to destroy you, and the political situation leaves a lot to be desired. Your name is Anton Rayne, and your job is to restore the remnants of a once-prosperous nation to its former glory. That, however, will be more than difficult to achieve.

Key features
  • Make choices to decide your country’s future
  • Meet unique personalities and fulfill your people’s needs
  • Become part of a touching story
  • See several alternative endings

Conclusion

This list is packed with tactical opportunities, memorable characters, challenging choices, and replayability that many CK players dream of. Playing one title is fun, but considering games similar to Crusader Kings may lead you to that one feature that makes you so passionate about video games. Just give them a shot!