Age of Empires is a series of historical real-time strategy games that allow you to lead a civilization, build an empire and conquer the world. Developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft, the franchise has seen multiple releases over the years, each one expanding upon the complexity and depth of gameplay. Set within an era ranging from the Stone Age to the Iron Age, or from the fall of Rome to the Middle Ages in later installments, players are tasked with gathering resources, building infrastructures, training armies, and ultimately defeating their enemies through force or diplomacy. The intriguing blend of history, strategy, and real-time combat has catapulted Age of Empires into being one of the most iconic videogames in the genre.
If you're a fan of Age of Empires, you'll find a plethora of similar games that offer equally exciting and strategic experiences. Ranging from the civilization-spanning epochs of the Civilization series to the gritty, historical detail of games like Total War, you're sure to find something that will capture your imagination. But these represent just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what the genre holds. There are ample other titles that offer imaginative twists, incredible depth of gameplay options, and in-depth storyline that would indulge any strategy game-lover alike. As we delve deeper into the world of strategy games ...
25. Civilization V
If you enjoyed the strategic thinking and resource management of Age of Empires, then Civilization V is sure to be an exciting venture for you. Much like AoE, Civilization V sets you at the beginning of human history, and requires you to build and guide your civ towards supremacy, through various means such as culture, science, diplomacy, or all-out war. The game offers flexible gameplay mechanics that would allow you to manage your empire with a mix of strategy and diplomacy. Both games encourage strategic depth, careful resource management, and intricate city building and offer a historical feel that makes the gameplay immersive and educational.
What makes Civilization V strikingly similar to Age of Empires is the epic battles that can ensue, as you manage your armies and technologies to overcome your opponents. However, in Civilization V, the combat strategies have a board game-like tactical depth that can lead to fun territorial chess matches with opponents. Also, similar to Age of Empires, Civilization V is turn-based, so each decision has weight and timing is key, which adds to the overall sense of strategy and management that you love in AoE. Discovering new technologies, building world wonders, delegating with city-states and rival civilizations, all give the same thrill as Age of Empires but on a global scale!
Civilization V is available on PC via platforms like Steam, and it's typically priced around $30 USD.
24. Starcraft II
If you loved Age of Empires, chances are you'll be drawn to Starcraft II. Both games share a core aspect: Real-Time Strategy (RTS) gameplay. Just like in Age of Empires, in Starcraft II you'll need to gather resources, build your base, train your warriors, and guide them to battle against enemy factions. You'll find appealing the elaborate strategies you'll have to employ, the tactical control on a macro and micro-level, and the need for real-time decision making. What sets Starcraft II apart, however, is its futuristic setting, spread across different celestial bodies, and three distinct species with unique units and abilities for you to master.
Moreover, the lore surrounding Starcraft II is rich and engaging. While Age of Empires led you through some of history's most well-known civilizations, Starcraft II introduces you to a science-fiction world filled with political intrigue, massive galactic warfare, and complex character relationships. Starcraft II consists of three installments, each focusing on a different species - the human Terrans, the bug-like Zerg, and the technologically advanced Protoss. This kind of narrative is layered into battles and campaigns, enhancing the RTS gameplay with a compelling storyline that keeps you hooked.
Starcraft II is available on PC and Mac, typically priced around $19.99 USD.
23. Command & Conquer: Red Alert
Command & Conquer: Red Alert is like Age of Empires in a way that it's another highly engaging strategy game. Just like Age of Empires, Red Alert involves a lot of base-building, resource management, and strategic unit placement. For example, you can construct different types of buildings that produce different types of units, and you'll have to strategically decide what buildings and units to construct based on the resources you have and the enemies you're fighting against. This aspect of the game might remind you of choosing whether to build a castle or advance to the next age in Age of Empires, where careful decision-making is essential.
Combat in Red Alert, like Age of Empires, is not just about building an army and sending them off to the enemy base. It's strategic and based around controlling the map and employing unique tactics. You've to decide whether to launch a direct assault, defend your base, or attempt a sneak attack. Similar to Age of Empires, these versatile strategies keep the gameplay interesting and tactical. Moreover, Red Alert also features a story-driven single-player campaign—just like Age of Empires—with alternative versions of history centred around World War II, involving global powers like the Allies and the Soviets which make it an amazing alternative.
Command & Conquer: Red Alert is available on the PC platform, typically priced around $20 USD.
22. Rise of Nations
If you enjoyed Age of Empires, you'll definitely love Rise of Nations! Much like Age of Empires, Rise of Nations is a fabulous real-time strategy game that propels you through historical eras to build and expand an empire. You get to conduct diplomacy, trade, and warfare, just as you do in Age of Empires, but Rise of Nations adds a unique twist with its "national borders" mechanic that gives a strategic layer to territorial expansion and defense.
Both games offer an immersive historical setting, fantastic visual graphics and thrilling game play dynamics. They also share a similar tech tree where you advance from era to era, upgrading your civilization's capabilities along the way. However, Rise of Nations further delivers with its impressive scope, spanning over 6000 years of history, offering 18 different civilizations to choose from, each with their unique special abilities. It's a broader sweep of history with more gameplay variety while keeping the core strategy elements you loved in Age of Empires.
Rise of Nations is available on platforms such as PC, and it's typically priced around $19.99 USD.
21. Empire Earth
If you're a fan of Age of Empires, then you're going to love Empire Earth. This real-time strategy game definitely takes a page out of 'Age of Empire's' book but refines the concept in many interesting ways. It's like Age of Empires on steroids. Instead of four ages, here you have fourteen epochs which span across the entire human history and even future. You start in the prehistoric age and advance all the way to the nano age where technology has reached its peak. Wings on soldiers don't power them in the skies, but spy satellites are sent up there! The variety of units, structures, wonders, and technologies you can explore is unparalleled.
The depth of gameplay in Empire Earth is immense, you'd never encounter two identical battles. This game prides itself on offering sophisticated combat strategies. It isn't all about quantity; quality equally matters. Warrior strength, morale, experience, terrain, formation, everything factors into battles. The game dynamically changes with the epoch you are in, from the way of resource gathering to offensive and defensive structures. You'll be captivated as you travel through time, transitioning your civilization from epoch to epoch, changing strategies with changing times much like Age of Empires, but with added complexity and length.
Empire Earth is available on Windows PC, typically priced around $20 USD.
20. Total War: Rome II
In terms of similarities to Age of Empires, Total War: Rome II certainly has a lot to offer. Both games thrive on a solid blend of real-time strategy and big-picture empire building. As in Age of Empires, in Total War: Rome II, you'll assume the role of a mighty civilization and you'll be required to manage your empire's economy, technological development, diplomacy and military conquests, which offers an in-depth strategy experience. Just as Age of Empires lets you delve into history and control powerful empires, the politically intricacies and powerful factions of ancient Rome are at your fingertips in Rome II.
The game also showcases massive, spectacularly detailed battlegrounds as Age of Empires does but Total War: Rome II takes it a step further. The battles are a visual treat for strategy fans, with thousands of soldiers clashing on the field, and you can see everything from the formations of your troops to the sweat on their brows. You command these battles from a top-down perspective, and like Age of Empires, you’ll have to consider factors like terrain, weather, and the morale of your troops. The unique blend of turn-based strategy on the campaign map and real-time strategy on the battlefield makes Total War: Rome II a perfect recommendation for any Age of Empires enthusiast.
Total War: Rome II is available on Windows PCs via Steam and the physical retail market, typically priced around $59.99 USD.
19. Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos is very similar to Age of Empires in numerous ways and will definitely tickle your interest if you're a fan of the latter. The most striking resemblance lies in their fundamental gameplay mechanics. Just as you devote your time in Age of Empires to harvesting resources, building your empire, researching new technologies, and training your armies, you follow the same pattern in WarCraft III. Even the battles bear a familiar resemblance as positioning, timing, and a good measure of strategy play significant roles in their outcomes.
However, what sets WarCraft III apart and would pique your interest is its captivating storyline and fantasy setting, notable even while having those Age of Empires vibes. You follow the narratives of four different factions, each with its unique units, buildings, and abilities. In essence, they bootstrapped Age of Empires to a fantasy world filled with humans, elves, orcs, and the undead. On top of that, WarCraft III introduces hero units to the RTS genre. These powerful units, capable of gaining levels, acquiring items, and casting spells, add an additional layer of strategy and excitement to the gameplay.
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos is available on PC and is typically priced around $15 USD.
18. Stronghold Crusader
Stronghold Crusader bears a striking resemblance to Age of Empires in several exciting ways, making it an excellent choice if you're a fan of the latter. Just like Age of Empires, it is a strategy game with its roots firmly in historical context, taking you to the historical Crusades in the Middle East. The core of the gameplay, just like in AoE, involves managing resources, building your stronghold, growing your army, and vanquishing enemy forces. The game takes the micro-management aspect of AoE, and raises the stakes, introducing unique gameplay mechanics like managing the happiness of your population or maintaining adequate food supplies.
Also, both games reward strategic planning; the terrain and the position of your stronghold are key strategic factors, much like in AoE. Stronghold Crusader also boasts a variety of units, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, to strategize and experiment with, similar to AoE’s diverse armies. The visuals may be somewhat more rustic, but it shares AoE's approach to immersive world-building and engaging gameplay. Moreover, Stronghold Crusader also includes multiplayer modes, so you can test your stratagems against friends or online opponents, just like you relished in Age of Empires. It’s an engrossing blend of both warfare and economic strategy, a combination that's sure to capture your interest.
Stronghold Crusader is available on Windows PC, typically priced around $10 USD.
17. Company of Heroes
Company of Heroes much like Age of Empires, centers around strategy and resource management, but it does so with an incredibly engaging twist set in the backdrop of World War II. It's as if you've taken the best parts of Age of Empires, dressed it up in a WWII attire and ramped up the intensity with epic battles and real-time strategy tactics. There's an amazing depth to the gameplay, thanks to meaningful strategic choices, base building elements, unit count management and the thrill of controlling troops on a dynamic battlefield. It shares similarities with Age of Empires' innovative approach but adds enough features to feel fresh and invigorating.
As with Age of Empires, the single-player campaign of Company of Heroes is rich with historical context, along with a multiplayer mode that's absolutely enthralling. Much like your favorite features from Age of Empires, the game involves a ton of strategy where positioning, planning and quick decisions can be the determiner of victory or defeat. There's a wonderful blend of large-scale strategy and real-time tactics that should feel familiar, but also unique enough to really draw you in. It's like a love letter to fans of Age of Empires, but told through the lens of a World War II epic saga.
Company of Heroes is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, and iOS platforms, typically priced around $20 USD.
16. Anno 1800
Both Anno 1800 and Age of Empires are real-time strategy games with an emphasis on building and expanding your civilization. The core mechanics are similar in that you gather resources, construct buildings, and manage your population. Both games require strategic thinking as you plan out your town layouts and manage resources to keep your population happy and productive. If you enjoyed the economic aspect of Age of Empires, where you had to balance resource gathering with city-building and military expansion, you will have a great time with Anno 1800 as it takes this to a much deeper level.
Where Anno 1800 shines is in its setting, which is right smack in the heart of the industrial revolution. This leads to a different type of progression from Age of Empires, since instead of progressing through several ages, you're mainly focused on industrialization and expanding your cities. Still, the experience is comparable as you're faced with challenges that push you to adapt your strategies, such as managing trade routes, satisfying your citizen’s needs, dealing with other factions, and much more. It may seem a bit daunting at first, but as a fan of Age of Empires, I'm sure you'll find Anno 1800 both familiar and refreshing.
Anno 1800 is available on Windows PC, typically priced around $60 USD.
15. Black & White 2
Black & White 2, much like Age of Empires, is a real-time strategy game that merges elements of city-building and resource management. Both games dial up the challenge by having you face off against rival civilizations, where strategic mastery and understanding your environment is critical to victory. Black & White 2 does take the concept further though, where moral choices shape the game world and your civilization's identity—whether you inspire faith or fear in your citizens is in your hands, quite like a role of a deity, which is an intriguing twist to traditional strategy games.
Notably, the key similarity between Black & White 2 and Age of Empires is the need to carefully balance resource gathering, constructing buildings, and managing your civilization's growth and defense. This dynamic creates a continuously rewarding gameplay loop that will surely resonate with fans of Age of Empires. However, Black & White 2 introduces additional elements of micromanagement into the mix such as the citizen's desires and your civilization's alignment leaning towards good or evil. It's that depth and moral complexity that sets Black & White 2 apart and which fans of Age of Empires would find engrossing.
Black & White 2 is available on Windows, typically priced around $20 USD.
14. Dawn of War
If you love Age of Empires, I think you'll really enjoy Dawn of War. It shares numerous hallmarks with Age of Empires, especially the strategic depth. Much like Age of Empires, Dawn of War is also a real-time strategy game, where the key to victory lies in successfully managing your resources, constructing a base, and building an army capable of conquering your enemies. As with Age of Empires, the battles have a large scale, with dozens, sometimes hundreds of units squaring off against each other on detailed and expansive maps.
But that's not where the similarities end. Just as you remember from Age of Empires, each civilization in Dawn of War is unique, boasting differences in their playstyle based on their lore, design, and unit types, ensuring that each game you play provides a fresh and novel experience. Additionally, like Age of Empires, Dawn of War also has a strong emphasis on technology progression and army micromanagement that adds an extra layer of depth to the gameplay. All of this combined with the Warhammer 40,000 universe, gives Dawn of War its own distinct flavor while still providing some familiar mechanics and strategies for Age of Empires players.
Dawn of War is available on Steam and other PC game platforms, typically priced around $35 USD.
13. Age of Mythology
Age of Mythology is a brillant spin-off from the creators of Age of Empires, Ensemble Studios. Like Age of Empires, it's a real-time strategy game where you're in control of an entire civilization, but Age of Mythology brings a unique pantheon-themed twist to the traditional RTS. This game incorporates mythology, so you're not just battling with your troops; you're calling upon the powers of gods and mythological creatures. If you loved the strategic gameplay of Age of Empires, you will really appreciate this added layer of supernatural strategy. Imagine combining the strategic depth you know and love from Age of Empires with the cool addition of mythical beasts and godly powers.
While Age of Empires had players advance through historical periods, Age of Mythology revolves around three civilizations: the Greek, Egyptian, and Norse - each having their own unique gods, mythological creatures, and heroes. But don't worry, the award-winning combination of resource management, careful planning, and real battles still lies at the core of the game, very much like Age of Empires. It's the same strategic gameplay you enjoyed before, but enriched with these enchanting mythical elements. It's a game that achieves the perfect blend of familiarity and freshness, taking the captivating world of Age of Empires to a whole new thrilling level.
Age of Mythology is available on PC, typically priced around $30 USD.
12. Cossacks 3
If you're a fan of the Age of Empires series, I'd whole-heartedly recommend giving Cossacks 3 a try. The game falls into the same real-time strategy genre, and just like in AoE, you get to build and manage your town, develop an economy, lead your army, and conquer enemies. It shares that perfect blend of strategy and simulation where resource management and military tactics go hand-in-hand. Plus, similar to the historical setting in Age of Empires, Cossacks 3 throws you into 17th and 18th century Europe, inviting you to partake in some of history's most significant battles.
Another fantastic similarity is the diversity of playable nations. Cossacks 3, just like AoE, doesn't stop at one or two – it gives you 12 fully unique nations to command, including France, England, Russia and Ukraine, adding a lot of replayability. Each nation has its own architectural style and special units, mirroring the cultural variety present in Age of Empires. Additionally, the graphics of the game have been significantly upgraded from the previous titles in the Cossacks series, making it look and feel very similar in aesthetics to the Age of Empires.
Cossacks 3 is available on PC, typically priced around $20 USD.
11. Total War: Shogun 2
Total War: Shogun 2, like Age of Empires, is a strategy game that emphasises the micromanagement of resources, infrastructure, and war units, and features periods of calm build-ups interrupted by intense combat. Both games challenge players to build and manage an empire, successfully juggling resource production, military dominance, and political strategy to outmaneuver and conquer rival nations. The action in Shogun 2 unfolds on both a real-time battle map, where you’ll manoeuver your armies in devastating conflicts, and a turn-based campaign map where you’ll manage the economic, political, and military growth of your realm. This level of strategic depth, sophisticated AI, coupled with detailed historical accuracy, is something that Age of Empires fans will find engaging and familiar.
What sets Total War: Shogun 2 apart, and what Age of Empires fans might appreciate, is its unique setting. Shogun 2 transports players to feudal Japan, a time of warring clans, brave samurai, and stealthy ninja. Players can embody one of several distinct, historically accurate Japanese clans, each with unique strengths, weaknesses, and special units. The game also features naval combat - a facet absent from Age of Empires - where strategic planning is equally important. Add to this the game's meticulously rendered landscapes, richly detailed units, and atmospheric original soundtrack, Shogun 2 provides an immersive and culturally distinct experience with satisfying tactical depth that can be a refreshing change from the more Western-focused narratives of Age of Empires.
Total War: Shogun 2 is available on PC, typically priced around $29.99 USD.
10. Banished
If you loved Age of Empires, then you'll definitely find interest in Banished. Both games carry similarity in their fascinating city-building elements. Age of Empires is renowned for its blend of strategy, resource management, and intricate combat mechanisms, and Banished doesn't disappoint in these aspects. It may not have the warfare element as Age of Empires, but it makes up for it with its intense focus on careful resource management, population control and infrastructural development, leading to a captivating gaming experience.
The charm of Banish lies in its complex economic and survival elements. Just like in Age of Empires, you'll need to gather resources, build your settlement, and make sure your population is provided for. The level of strategy and planning required in Banished is incredibly engaging, with the game demanding a careful balance between consumption and preservation. The stunning graphics and immersion in Banish truly captures the essence of maintaining a thriving settlement and this level of depth is something that any Age of Empires fan would appreciate.
Banished is available on Steam and GOG, typically priced around $18.99 USD.
9. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III, just like Age of Empires, is a real-time strategy game that draws you into its universe through emergent storytelling and captivating gameplay. As such, it mirrors Age of Empires’ focus on strategic planning, resource management, and conflict resolution between factions; working towards building a strong base, developing and perfecting your army, and conquering enemy territories being the primary objectives. Players in Dawn of War III will therefore find familiar grounds for Age of Empires where players need to manage resources respectively, choose and train army divisions strategically, and chart out tactical expansion plans.
Moreover, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III, like Age of Empires, strives to be faithful to its source material: in this case, the Warhammer 40K universe. The game intricately weaves this majestic lore into battles and campaigns, giving you a sense of depth and immersion that Age of Empires fans find appealing. In addition, you'll appreciate the game's unit diversity and technological progression, allowing you to explore different strategies and play styles in each game. Whether you lead the Barbaric Orks, the Elite Eldar, or the Sentient machine Space Marines, Dawn of War III guarantees you a challenging and rewarding gameplay experience, recalling that classical Age of Empires feel.
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III is available on Microsoft Windows, typically priced around $40 USD.
8. Medieval II: Total War
Medieval II: Total War has some intriguing aspects that make it similar to Age of Empires. One commonality is the Real-time strategy (RTS) genre they both fit into. Just as in Age of Empires, you plan your moves and build your armies in real-time rather than taking turns. Both games involve the management of your economy and the direction of large-scale battalions with an overarching strategic narrative, immersing you in grand-scale warfare. The primary difference is the time period and geographical context: Age of Empires is set during the Stone Age to the Iron Age, while Medieval II: Total War is set in the Middle Ages in Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas.
The same feeling of satisfaction that comes from developing your civilization from the ground up, similar to Age of Empires, is ingrained features in Medieval II: Total War. The game offers you to upgrade your cities, ensuring economic growth, and allows strategic placement of military structures that improve your chances on the battlefield. Additionally, the diplomatic decisions you make can influence your relation with other kingdoms, offering an added element of strategy beyond just warfare. Despite these similarities, Medieval II: Total War guarantees a different experience as it brings you into the medieval world with its unique blend of strategic and tactical gameplay.
Medieval II: Total War is available on PC, typically priced around $25 USD.
7. Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun
If you enjoyed the strategy and depth of Age of Empires, Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun is likely to pique your interest. This storied game is also a real-time strategy one just like Age of Empires, and it focuses on military conquest. In fact, you could say it's even more focused on combat, given that it's set in a futuristic dystopian era where powerful factions vie for dominance. As in Age of Empires, you must manage resources and expand your base, but in Tiberian Sun, the staples of energy and warfare — Tiberium and power — carry extra weight.
Just like Age of Empires, Tiberian Sun allows for both single-player campaigns and multiplayer battles. The single-player campaign boasts a compelling narrative that keeps you invested, much like the historical contexts presented in Age of Empires. In multiplayer, Tiberian Sun provides a similar thrill to that you might have found in pitting your historical civilization against others in Age of Empires. Various factions with different strengths, weaknesses, and quirks give you plenty to strategize and experiment with.
Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun is available on Windows, typically priced around $10 USD.
6. Battle Realms
When it comes to games that share similarities with Age of Empires, Battle Realms instantly comes to mind. Much like Age of Empires, it is a real-time strategy game where you start with a small number of units and are expected to gather resources, construct buildings, research technologies and transform your humble hamlet into a thriving civilisation. Both games place emphasis on resources management and strategic positioning, emphasizing sound economic strategies as much as tactical military maneuvers. But Battle Realms sets itself apart with a unique system where your peasants, your basic units, can be trained to become any of the game's multitude of warriors, which gives an interesting twist to the game's dynamics.
Furthermore, Battle Realms' engaging story is presented through elaborate cut-scenes and in-game events, ensuring you're never at a loss for what to do next. You're going to love the atmosphere and vibrancy of each match, thanks to the game's beautiful 3D graphics and environments, where different weather patterns and landscapes enhance the intensity of the battle. Add to this the orient-inspired theme and you have a package that stands head and shoulders above the normal historical or fantasy settings you see in most RTS games, like Age of Empires. While Age of Empires gives you the satisfaction of winning with strategic planning and patience, Battle Realms steps it up a notch by involving you in the intense story of the four clans.
Battle Realms is available on PC, typically priced around $9.99 USD.
5. Tropico 6
Both Age of Empires and Tropico 6 are centered around the core mechanic of city-building. They offer you the immersive experience of building, managing, and expanding civilizations. Just as in Age of Empires, Tropico 6 provides an in-depth economic system where you need to balance resource production and consumption, create infrastructure, employ citizens, and manage trade deals. You will also orchestrate grand political strategies to ensure your leaders remain in power.
Another striking similarity is that both games offer significant strategic depth beneath their city-building layers. In Age of Empires, this comes in form of military strategy and in Tropico 6, it's political maneuvering. The latter introduces the captivating aspect of keeping various local and international factions satisfied, balancing conflicting demands, and dealing with political adversaries - akin to Age of Empires’ combating opponents. Plus, another parallel lies in their timeline aspects; just as Age of Empires allows you to navigate the various ages of human history, Tropico 6 takes you through different historical eras, each presenting unique challenges and opportunities.
Tropico 6 is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, typically priced around $50 USD.
4. Sid Meier’s Civilization VI
One of the exciting features about Sid Meier’s Civilization VI, like Age of Empres, is its fluid, expansive gameplay focused on empire-building. In Civilization VI, you begin with a band of settlers in 4000 B.C. and guide them through the centuries, discovering new technologies, expanding borders, and building cities - much like the growth and expansion mechanics you've enjoyed in Age of Empres. The game equally offers the same blend of strategic combat and confrontation, allowing players to command troops on a grand scale, wage wars, conduct diplomacy, and discover new civilizations.
Furthermore, both games celebrate historical accuracy and take you on a journey through the ages, presenting a realistic and educative view of world history. However, in comparison to Age of Empires, the progression is somewhat different hitting on future technological eras such as the Atomic and Information era in Civilization VI, extending the scope of your historical journey. Sid Meier’s Civilization VI also prides itself on its diverse range of playable civilizations, leaders, and unique units–you'll enjoy the same kind of diversity and cultural strength in the gameplay that you loved in Age of Empires.
Sid Meier’s Civilization VI is available on PC, Mac, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, typically priced around $60 USD.
3. Total War: Warhammer II
Like Age of Empires, Total War: Warhammer II is a thrilling real-time strategy game that will keep you at the edge of your seat with its immersive gameplay. Both games share the characteristic of allowing you to control an entire civilization or empire, making strategic decisions that shape the course of history. You get to gather resources, build and upgrade your bases, and train various units. However, Total War: Warhammer II takes it a step further by allowing a grand-scale tactical warfare where you can see and control each unit in your army on the battlefield, you get to watch your infantry charge against your enemy or your archers raining down arrows from a distance, a truly panoramic spectacle to behold.
Another enjoyable shared aspect is the extensive lore that builds the universe within the game. Age of Empires indulges you in historical events, while Total War: Warhammer II throws you in a high fantasy world with various factions such as Elves, Lizardmen, Skaven, or Tomb Kings. Each faction has a distinct narrative, unique units, and different playstyles. This not only enhances replayability but also guarantees a fresh new experience with each play. So, if you're a fan of RTS games with a history or lore-rich world, Total War: Warhammer II will be a fantastic addition to your game library.
Total War: Warhammer II is available in PC platforms, typically priced around $60 USD.
2. The Settlers 7: Paths to a Kingdom
If you've enjoyed the strategic depth and historic context of Age of Empires, then The Settlers 7: Paths to a Kingdom will be a delightful extension of those gaming experiences. The two games share a strong emphasis on resource management, building structures, and developing technology to advance your civilization. This is beautifully encapsulated through a detailed economy system that mimics real-world scarcity and abundance. Each game provides challenging scenarios requiring strategic foresight to ensure your people's survival and victory over enemies.
Similar to Age of Empires, you can expect engaging multiplayer features in The Settlers 7 where you can compete or cooperate with other players, introducing a significant level of human unpredictability to your strategies. Furthermore, The Settlers 7 offers the traditional RTS military conquest path, while also providing trade and technology paths for more peaceful gameplay. The flexible strategies and multiple paths to victory in The Settlers 7 goes some way to echo the complexity and diversity of societal development that you have come to love in Age of Empires.
The Settlers 7: Paths to a Kingdom is available on Microsoft Windows and MacOS, typically priced around $30 USD.
1. Europa Universalis IV
Europa Universalis IV (EU IV) shares many elements with Age of Empires, and should tickle your fancy if you're looking for a similar strategy experience. Similar to Age of Empires, EU IV places you in charge of a nation with the mission to navigate the tricky waters of politics, warfare, and economics in pursuit of global dominance. You wouldn't miss the thrill of real-time war strategies, with wide scope from battling on land and sea to sieging enemy fortresses. However, EU IV expands the scope of gameplay beyond warfare, adding depth with complex political, economic, and diplomatic systems.
This game transports you into a historical epoch and brings the diversity of global civilizations straight on your table. Like Age of Empires, EU IV offers a myriad of civilizations to pick from, each with its unique advantages, challenges, and play styles. The historical setting is immersive, loaded with an accurate representation of cultures, rulers, religions, and events from the late medieval to early modern period. The exciting part is that, although it's historically rooted, you can reshape history within the game's bounds. Imagine leading Castile to colonize the Far East or form the Roman Empire as the Ottoman Turks, that's the kind of alternate histories that's possible in EU IV.
Europa Universalis IV is available on Windows, MacOS, and Linux platforms, typically priced around $40 USD.
You've reached the end! Check out the home page for more informative articles on your favorite games.