5 Simulation games like Sid Meier's Pirates! that you should try

Shelved next to Sid Meier's Pirates! for good reason: open world exploration, melee combat and historical setting. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and an isometric view. They part company on combat and setting: this one brings tactical combat and a medieval setting.

Of everything here, this is the nearest thing to Sid Meier's Pirates! — the two agree on genre, combat and game mode. Both also lean on 2D presentation and player trading. The distance is in setting — its own ground is a space setting.

Same family as Sid Meier's Pirates!: a sandbox world, melee combat and single-player focus. The common ground extends to 2D presentation and resource management. Where the two diverge is setting and progression: fantasy world and crafting mechanics.

What brings it close to Sid Meier's Pirates! is open world exploration, melee combat and single-player focus, and the two track each other on genre, combat and game mode. Both also lean on exploration and discovery, and an isometric view. What it adds of its own: dark, oppressive atmosphere.

Genre puts it alongside Sid Meier's Pirates!, and so does melee combat, historical setting and single-player focus. The common ground extends to an isometric view. Where the two diverge is combat and visuals: tactical combat.