Emily Irish

5 Spectacular Strategy Games Like Total War: A Guide to the Very Best Alternatives

Are you an avid Total War fan looking for a change of scenery? Luckily, plenty of awesome strategy games out there will give you the same fun, immersive experience you've come to expect from it. Here is our guide to five of the best strategy games like Total War, which you can check out today.

Real Warfare 2: Northern Crusades

It is a great strategy game that takes place in the Middle Ages in Eastern Europe. You take control of an army and traverse a map filled with settlements and forests before loading into a separate real-time tactical map to take part in army clashes for the glory of Rome and Sigmar. This game definitely has a classic feel, and it still has some bugs that need to be fixed, but it’s available on Steam for a great price. 

Age of Wonders: Planetfall

It is a unique 4X game that puts a new twist on some familiar concepts. It's set after the collapse of a galaxy-spanning empire, with players taking the role of survivors who have to rebuild their civilization on a newly discovered planet. Planetfall boasts a dynamic map divided into sectors, each one containing a variety of secrets and interesting dungeon-like areas that you can explore. There's a turn-based tactical layer where you'll be able to fight out your battles, but it's still an incredibly immersive and engaging experience. 

Field of Glory: Empires

If you're looking for something that reminds you of classic Total War, then Field of Glory: Empires is the game for you. This grand strategy wargame is set in the ancient world, with players able to take control of famous groups such as Rome, Carthage, and Parthia. There isn't a built-in tactical battle engine, but you can combine it with another Slitherine game – Field of Glory II – to get the full Total War-like experience. 

Hegemony III: Clash of the Ancients

It is a much more indie game than the others on this list, but its unique take on ancient warfare keeps you hooked for hours. It's set in the Italian peninsula before the rise of Rome, and you can choose to play as Rome or any other faction available. It's a wargame at heart, with the main focus being to ensure you have enough food to feed your citizens and armies in winter. Everything is real-time, and you fight it out on the campaign map without loading it into a separate tactical battle interface. 

Company of Heroes 3

It isn't released, but it's already making waves thanks to its innovative turn-based campaign layer. This entry in the series takes place during WW2 in the Mediterranean, and you'll need to move your armies to take over towns, build supply lines, and defeat enemies. It's a great twist on a long-running franchise, and the pre-alpha has already been very promising. 

Conclusion

Whether you're looking for something similar to Total War or a great strategy game in general, any of the above titles should do the trick. They all have their own unique twist on the classic real-time strategy, and they all have something to offer, even the most die-hard Total War fans. So, what are you waiting for?