10 Best Strategy Games Like Europa Universalis

If there is ever anything you want to change in the history of humankind, Europa Universalis gives you the chance to do so. It’s like playing god, with the ability to make your own decisions on how you want the next four decades of human history to unfold. 

The latest Europa Universalis IV challenges you to build an empire you’re proud of. You can choose any nation in the world and lead it through four centuries from the late Middle Ages to the Napoleonic era, with the sole aim of dominating the world.

If you’ve played it already, though, we’ve rounded up the best strategy games like Europa Universalis that are the best alternatives on the market. 

10. Romans: Age of Caesar

Imagine a collapsed Rome, or rather a blank canvas, and then rebuild the city in your own image. That’s Romans: Age of Caesar in a nutshell, a game about building cities through gathering resources, setting up trade routes, and defending your home against barbarian attacks. 

You can play Romans with friends, working together in co-op mode of up to 16 players. It makes the tasks ahead easier to manage, as well as build the most powerful empire you can dream of. 

9. Anno 1800

Anno 1800 is probably just as famous as Europa Universalis, with nearly identical playthroughs. Though I’d argue the Anno series has more experience in the genre, given their demonstrated prowess in the entries so far. 

You’ll enter the 19th century as a prospective leader of a booming empire. At your disposal are all of the resources and technologies you might need. You must use these to establish a thriving dominant force in a chosen field, whether industrialization or innovation, while practicing diplomacy and dominating neighboring nations in thrilling war.

8. Dune: Spice Wars

Whoever controls spice rules the Dune universe. But mining spice isn’t for the faint of heart. Sandstorms can sweep your people into oblivion. Meanwhile, you have sandworms to keep an eye out for. 

Just as thrilling as the Dune books and film, Dune: Spice Wars aims to capture the same. You explore the desert on Arrakis, waging war against all who oppose your rule. 

7. XCOM: Enemy Unknown

You can perhaps try out a more far-fetched strategy game called XCOM: Enemy Unknown. It features an alien invasion, which a secret paramilitary organization has to go up against. 

At first, you need to gather and manage resources. You can unlock more powerful technologies and organize your units to employ the best combat tactics and strategies. 

6. Crusader Kings III

Games like Europa Universalis are about leaving a legacy behind, just like Crusader Kings III. It takes place in the Middle Ages, where you claim land and expand your dynasty. 

You aren’t just stuck to one character, often evolving your lineage with lots of historical characters you can control. Moreover, the characters can interact dynamically, featuring secret love affairs, betrayals, and more interpersonal themes.

5. Stellaris

If you’re looking for a strategy game that offers a different setting to Europa Universalis, you can consider Stellaris. It takes you to space, challenging you to rule among the stars. 

On your exploration ventures, you’ll discover lots of species you can recruit into your galactic empire, forge alliances with, conquer, and colonize, among other fun activities. You’ll be sending out ships to survey and conquer their planets. 

Meanwhile, you have to fortify your base, constructing ships and space stations equipped for research and discovery. Space is at your disposal in Stellaris, and it’s up to you to optimize the treasures and wonders that await. 

4. Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition

In the Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition, you gain access to different civilizations across history. Each civilization has an engaging campaign that is brimming with units to control, buildings to construct, single-player missions to beat, and more. 

The goal is to gradually build and expand your reach until you become a dominating empire ruling over neighboring nations. You can build and command armies into war. Or practice diplomacy. It’s all up to you.

For more content, feel free to tag friends along for the ride. You can all choose different civilizations that each provide unique challenges. As you advance through Central and Eastern Europe, you’ll test your military strategy and economic prowess against one another, innovating your tools and resources to overwhelm your opponents. 

3. Knights of Honor

In Knights of Honor, you’re a King seeking control over Europe. You’re responsible for choosing your royal court, then proceeding to preside over your people however you see fit. Soon, your playthrough grows more complex, involving trading to amass riches, conquering neighboring nations for power, and ensuring your people are well taken care of. 

At any point, your enemies can attack. So, you need to build a strong army that can defend your kingdom while being ready to invade the enemy at any moment. These battles take place in thrilling, action-packed RTS combat, culminating in a well-rounded strategy experience like Europa Universalis.

2. Supremacy: 1914

You can play Supremacy 1914 on your browser or console. Either way, you’ll enjoy a real-time strategy World War I game that leaves no stone unturned. In your playthrough, you’ll choose a nation and strive toward becoming the one true superpower. 

You’ll need to conquer provinces, advancing further into enemy territory. Researching powerful secret weapons will come in handy, as will forging strategic alliances to effectively win World War I. 

1. Total War: Warhammer III

The world of Total War: Warhammer III is so massive that it can easily overwhelm you. Not to mention its legions of monsters that take everything to beat. Yet, the horde system is so good. Battles are consistently exhilarating; you’ll hardly grow tired of commanding your army to war.

Seven races. Hundreds of units. What will you choose? Both magic and combat sync to create kinetic-infused fights on a grand scale. Through it all, the fate of the world lies in your survival and victory.