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DEFCON

15 Games with a historical setting like DEFCON that you should try

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We filtered the 48 games similar to DEFCON down to the 15 that fit the “Historical” category. Stronghold Kingdoms, Northgard and Hearts of Iron IV top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to DEFCON.

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GenreRPGSubgenreCRPGSub-subgenreTurn-Based CRPG
Tags
HardcoreNarrativeCo-opPvP
Year 2006Dev Introversion Software

Quick answer

Within the “Historical” category, the closest game to DEFCON is Stronghold Kingdoms — scoring 93/100 on our similarity scale. Northgard and Hearts of Iron IV follow close behind.

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The best games with a historical setting like DEFCON

15 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to DEFCON. Each one has been evaluated across 18 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

1

Stronghold Kingdoms

93
NGL51
Stronghold Kingdoms
Closest overall match
RPGCRPGTurn-Based CRPG
MultiplayerSoloCo-opOnlinePvPTacticalOpen WorldHistoricalIsometric
Year 2011Dev FireFly StudiosPlaytime ~1hOn PC

Same family as DEFCON: open world exploration, tactical combat and historical setting. Both also lean on co-op play and an isometric view. The distance is in progression and visuals — its own ground is exploration and discovery, and a medieval setting.

Released 5 years after DEFCON.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100World74Setting66Visuals47
2

Northgard

92
NGL83
Northgard
Closest on tone
RPGCRPGTurn-Based CRPG
SoloMultiplayerCo-opPvPTacticalHardcoreNarrativeHistoricalManagementIsometric
Year 2018Dev Shiro Games · PlaydigiousOn PS4 · Linux · Android

It comes from the same genre as DEFCON and shares punishing difficulty, tactical combat and historical setting. To that it adds single-player focus and resource management. They part company on visuals and progression: this one brings base building.

Released 12 years after DEFCON.

Genre100Combat100Tone100Game mode82Setting74Progression48
3

Hearts of Iron IV

83
NGL85
Hearts of Iron IV
Closest on setting
RPGCRPGTurn-Based CRPG
SoloMultiplayerCo-opPvPTacticalOpen WorldHistoricalIsometric
Year 2016Dev Paradox Development Studio · Paradox InteractivePlaytime ~8hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

On paper it is what DEFCON is — open world exploration, tactical combat and historical setting — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. Both also lean on PvP competition and an isometric view. The distance is in tone and progression — its own ground is exploration and discovery, and competitive edge.

Released 10 years after DEFCON.

Genre100Setting100Combat94Game mode81World72Visuals46
4

Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition

76
NGL83
Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition
RPGCRPGTurn-Based CRPG
SoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalHistoricalIsometric
Year 2013Dev Creative Assembly · SEGAPlaytime ~15hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

On paper it is what DEFCON is — tactical combat, historical setting and single-player focus — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. Both also lean on an isometric view. The distance is in progression and visuals — its own ground is base building.

Released 7 years after DEFCON.

Genre100Setting100Combat76Game mode59Visuals46Progression0
5

RimWorld

69
NGL88
RimWorld
Closest on visuals
RPGCRPGTurn-Based CRPG
SoloTacticalOpen WorldHistoricalManagementIsometric2D
Year 2016Dev Ludeon StudiosPlaytime ~19hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

The genre is the same as DEFCON’s, and with it open world exploration, tactical combat and historical setting. Both also lean on 2D presentation and single-player focus. The distance is in game mode and world — its own ground is a sandbox world and a sci-fi setting.

Released 10 years after DEFCON.

Genre100Combat100Visuals67Setting54Progression49World43
6

Spice&Wolf VR2

66
NGL52
Spice&Wolf VR2
RPGCRPGTurn-Based CRPG
SoloPvPMultiplayerTacticalHardcoreNarrativeHistorical
Year 2014Dev HeroCraftPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

It comes from the same genre as DEFCON and shares punishing difficulty, tactical combat and historical setting. The common ground extends to PvP competition. Where the two diverge is visuals and game mode: 3D presentation.

Released 8 years after DEFCON.

Genre100Combat100Tone100Setting73Game mode64Visuals0
7

The Banner Saga

61
NGL84
The Banner Saga
RPGCRPGTurn-Based CRPG
SoloMultiplayerTacticalNarrativeHistorical2D
Year 2014Dev Versus EvilPlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS · Xbox

Same family as DEFCON: strong narrative focus, tactical combat and historical setting. To that it adds 2D presentation and single-player focus. They part company on game mode and visuals: this one brings fantasy world.

Released 8 years after DEFCON.

Genre100Combat81Tone51Setting45Visuals41Game mode36
8

Fire Emblem Heroes

60
NGL75
Fire Emblem Heroes
RPGCRPGTurn-Based CRPG
SoloMultiplayerTacticalHistoricalIsometric
Year 2017Dev Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development · NintendoOn Android · iOS

Genre puts it alongside DEFCON, and so does tactical combat, historical setting and single-player focus. Both also lean on an isometric view. The distance is in game mode and visuals — its own ground is fantasy world.

Released 11 years after DEFCON.

Genre100Combat79Setting59Visuals46Game mode36
9

The Banner Saga 3

57
NGL82
The Banner Saga 3
RPGCRPGTurn-Based CRPG
SoloTacticalNarrativeHistoricalIsometric
Year 2018Dev Stoic · Versus EvilOn PS4 · Android · PC

Same family as DEFCON: strong narrative focus, tactical combat and historical setting. Both also lean on single-player focus and an isometric view. The distance is in game mode and visuals — its own ground is fantasy world.

Released 12 years after DEFCON.

Genre100Combat100Setting57Tone54Visuals46Game mode15
10

Might & Magic: Heroes VI

54
NGL58
Might & Magic: Heroes VI
RPGCRPGTurn-Based CRPG
SoloMultiplayerTacticalHistoricalIsometric
Year 2011Dev Black Hole Entertainment · Ubisoft EntertainmentOn PC

Genre puts it alongside DEFCON, and so does tactical combat, historical setting and single-player focus. To that it adds an isometric view. They part company on progression and game mode: this one brings exploration and discovery, and fantasy world.

Released 5 years after DEFCON.

Genre100Combat100Setting57Visuals46Game mode37Progression0
11

The Age of Decadence

54
NGL74
The Age of Decadence
Closest on world
RPGCRPGTurn-Based CRPG
SoloTacticalNarrativeHardcoreOpen WorldHistoricalIsometric
Year 2015Dev Iron Tower StudioPlaytime ~4hOn PC

Genre puts it alongside DEFCON, and so does strong narrative focus, open world exploration and tactical combat. To that it adds historical setting and single-player focus. They part company on progression and game mode: this one brings stealth mechanics and post-apocalyptic world.

Released 9 years after DEFCON.

Genre100World100Tone86Combat63Visuals48Setting46
12

West of Loathing

52
NGL90
West of Loathing
RPGCRPGTurn-Based CRPG
SoloTacticalNarrativeOpen WorldHistorical2D
Year 2017Dev AsymmetricPlaytime ~4hOn PC · iOS · Android

Genre puts it alongside DEFCON, and so does strong narrative focus, open world exploration and tactical combat. To that it adds historical setting and single-player focus. They part company on progression and game mode: this one brings exploration and discovery.

Released 11 years after DEFCON.

Genre100Setting100World100Combat78Tone53Visuals41
13

Defender's Quest: Valley of the Forgotten (DX edition)

51
NGL90
Defender's Quest: Valley of the Forgotten (DX edition)
RPGCRPGTurn-Based CRPG
SoloTacticalNarrativeHistoricalIsometric2D
Year 2012Dev Level Up LabsOn PC · PS · Xbox

Same family as DEFCON: strong narrative focus, tactical combat and historical setting. The common ground extends to 2D presentation and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is game mode and setting: dark, oppressive atmosphere and fantasy world.

Released 6 years after DEFCON.

Genre100Combat100Visuals57Tone41Setting39Game mode15
14

Tactical Breach Wizards

50
NGL92
Tactical Breach Wizards
RPGCRPGTurn-Based CRPG
SoloTacticalNarrativeHistoricalIsometric
Dev Suspicious DevelopmentsPlaytime ~6hOn PC

On paper it is what DEFCON is — strong narrative focus, tactical combat and historical setting — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. To that it adds an isometric view and single-player focus. They part company on game mode and visuals: this one brings fantasy world.

Genre100Combat100Tone59Setting59Visuals47Game mode16
15

Shadowhand: RPG Card Game

49
NGL76
Shadowhand: RPG Card Game
RPGCRPGTurn-Based CRPG
SoloTacticalNarrativeHistorical2D
Dev Grey Alien Games · Positech GamesPlaytime ~4hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

It comes from the same genre as DEFCON and shares strong narrative focus, tactical combat and historical setting. The common ground extends to single-player focus and 2D presentation. Where the two diverge is progression and game mode: a casual, approachable feel and skill tree progression.

Genre100Combat100Setting80Visuals41Tone29Game mode15

More similar-games lists to keep going

Found one on the list you already love? Open its own list: the games that play most like it, ranked, with the reason for each.

Explore games similar to DEFCON by category

If DEFCON left you wanting more, this is where you narrow it down. Was it the simulation or the RTS that hooked you? There is a list of just that. And if you play on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox and Mobile, filter by platform and skip the games you could not play anyway.

Rankings in the same genre

Sometimes what you want is not a DEFCON look-alike but simply the best Turn-Based CRPGs there are. That is what these rankings are for: no comparison to anything, just the highest-rated games. And if you feel like widening the net, the RPG Games ranking is a good way to run into something you were not expecting.