17 Sandbox games like Stronghold HD (2012) that you should try

The resemblance to Stronghold HD (2012) is about as close as this list gets: they line up on genre, game mode and tone. The common ground extends to a medieval setting and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is combat: melee combat.

It shares the essentials of what Stronghold HD (2012) does: a sandbox world, tactical combat and historical setting. To that it adds 2D presentation and single-player focus. Its own ground is melee combat.

Of everything here, this is the nearest thing to Stronghold HD (2012) — the two agree on genre, tone and world. Both also lean on multiplayer gameplay and base building.

Genre puts it alongside Stronghold HD (2012), and so does a sandbox world, historical setting and single-player focus. To that it adds base building and an isometric view. They part company on combat and progression: this one brings magic-based combat and crafting mechanics.

Genre puts it alongside Stronghold HD (2012), and so does a sandbox world, tactical combat and single-player focus. To that it adds an isometric view. They part company on tone and setting: this one brings punishing difficulty and a sci-fi setting.

Shelved next to Stronghold HD (2012) for good reason: a sandbox world, fantasy world and single-player focus. To that it adds base building and 2D presentation. They part company on tone and visuals: this one brings a casual, approachable feel.

It comes from the same genre as Stronghold HD (2012) and shares strong narrative focus, open world exploration and fantasy world. To that it adds single-player focus and base building. They part company on setting and visuals: this one brings a casual, approachable feel and pixel art.

Genre puts it alongside Stronghold HD (2012), and so does a sandbox world, tactical combat and single-player focus. The common ground extends to an isometric view. Where the two diverge is tone and game mode: a casual, approachable feel and co-op play.

It comes from the same genre as Stronghold HD (2012) and shares a sandbox world, fantasy world and single-player focus. To that it adds base building and 2D presentation. They part company on setting and visuals: this one brings pixel art.

On paper it is what Stronghold HD (2012) is — a sandbox world, tactical combat and single-player focus — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. The common ground extends to an isometric view. Where the two diverge is tone and setting: dark, oppressive atmosphere and procedural generation.

Genre puts it alongside Stronghold HD (2012), and so does exploration and discovery, open world exploration, and multiplayer gameplay. Where the two diverge is combat and tone: dark, oppressive atmosphere and ranged combat.

What brings it close to Stronghold HD (2012) is real-time strategy, a sandbox world and tactical combat, and the two track each other on combat, game mode and world. To that it adds a medieval setting and single-player focus. They part company on genre and visuals: this one brings a top-down view.

The thread back to Stronghold HD (2012) runs through deep simulation, strong narrative focus and a sandbox world. The common ground extends to an isometric view and tactical combat. Where the two diverge is progression and genre: deep RPG systems and cozy, relaxing feel.

If Stronghold HD (2012) worked for you because of real-time strategy, a sandbox world and tactical combat, the same is here. The common ground extends to historical setting and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is genre: ranged combat and co-op play.

What brings it close to Stronghold HD (2012) is real-time strategy, a sandbox world and tactical combat, and the two track each other on game mode, world and progression. Both also lean on a medieval setting and single-player focus. The distance is in genre and visuals — its own ground is melee combat and a top-down view.