38 Simulation games like Crusader Kings III that you should try

It shares the essentials of what Crusader Kings III does: turn-based strategy, a sandbox world and historical setting. Both also lean on multiplayer gameplay and an isometric view. What it adds of its own: fantasy world and free-to-play access.

Same family as Crusader Kings III: deep simulation, a sandbox world and single-player focus. To that it adds resource management and an isometric view. They part company on setting and progression: this one brings fantasy world and base building.

It comes from the same genre as Crusader Kings III and shares deep simulation, strong narrative focus and a sandbox world. To that it adds single-player focus and resource management. They part company on setting and visuals: this one brings dark, oppressive atmosphere and post-apocalyptic world.

The genre is the same as Crusader Kings III’s, and with it deep simulation, a sandbox world and single-player focus. Both also lean on resource management and an isometric view. The distance is in combat and setting — its own ground is open world exploration and stealth mechanics.

What carries over from Crusader Kings III is real-time strategy, strong narrative focus and a sandbox world. Both also lean on tactical combat and historical setting. The distance is in setting and tone — its own ground is exploration and discovery, and a space setting.

With Crusader Kings III it shares real-time strategy, a sandbox world and tactical combat. To that it adds single-player focus and resource management. They part company on genre: this one brings open world exploration and fantasy world.

The common ground with Crusader Kings III is structural: real-time strategy, a sandbox world and tactical combat. The common ground extends to historical setting and single-player focus. Where they diverge is genre and setting.

Its point of contact with Crusader Kings III is real-time strategy, cozy, relaxing feel and a sandbox world. The common ground extends to resource management and a medieval setting. Where the two diverge is progression and genre: base building.

What it holds in common with Crusader Kings III is shape: real-time strategy, a sandbox world and historical setting. The common ground extends to single-player focus and an isometric view. Where the two diverge is genre: a third-person camera.

The common ground with Crusader Kings III is structural: real-time strategy, a sandbox world and historical setting. To that it adds single-player focus and an isometric view. They part company on genre and setting.

The genre is the same as Crusader Kings III’s, and with it turn-based strategy, cozy, relaxing feel and a sandbox world. Both also lean on single-player focus and an isometric view. The distance is in setting and visuals — its own ground is procedural generation and horror setting.

It comes from the same genre as Crusader Kings III and shares deep simulation, tactical combat and historical setting. To that it adds single-player focus and resource management. They part company on progression and game mode: this one brings magic-based combat and crafting mechanics.

On paper it is what Crusader Kings III is — deep simulation, strong narrative focus and a sandbox world — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. To that it adds tactical combat. They part company on setting and visuals: this one brings an anime aesthetic and 2D presentation.

Genre puts it alongside Crusader Kings III, and so does deep simulation, a sandbox world and tactical combat. The common ground extends to single-player focus and resource management. Where the two diverge is tone and visuals: a casual, approachable feel and fantasy world.

The genre is the same as Crusader Kings III’s, and with it deep simulation, strong narrative focus and tactical combat. To that it adds historical setting and single-player focus. They part company on world and visuals: this one brings open world exploration and 2D presentation.