14 Simulation games like DEFCON that you should try

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

On paper it is what DEFCON is — strong narrative focus, tactical combat and PvP competition — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. The common ground extends to 2D presentation. Where the two diverge is setting and tone: dark, oppressive atmosphere and fantasy world.

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.

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.

It comes from the same genre as DEFCON and shares strong narrative focus, open world exploration and tactical combat. Both also lean on single-player focus and resource management. The distance is in game mode and visuals — its own ground is a casual, approachable feel and procedural generation.

Shelved next to DEFCON for good reason: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and tactical combat. The common ground extends to single-player focus and an isometric view. Where the two diverge is setting and progression: procedural generation and a sci-fi setting.

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.

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

Shelved next to DEFCON for good reason: tactical combat, single-player focus and an isometric view. Where the two diverge is progression and game mode: loot and gear systems.

Shelved next to DEFCON for good reason: tactical combat, single-player focus and an isometric view. They part company on setting and progression: this one brings fantasy world and base building.