If you’re one of the many that have fallen in love with the latest Total War game, then you’ll likely be on the hunt for more games like Total War: Warhammer 3. There’s just something glorious about sinking your teeth into a deep strategy game that other genres can’t always replicate, and while you could just keep playing Total War: Warhammer 3, sometimes you’re going to want a bit of variety.
The easy answer here would be to recommend a game like Total War: Three Kingdoms, which is also an incredible entry in the series, but we’re not going to do that, even though we sort of just have by mentioning it. Anyway, if you’re looking for your next hit of strategy gaming, then here are the best games like Total War: Warhammer 3.
The best games like Total War: Warhammer 3
Now, games like this don’t come along very often, so we’re keeping this list down to a very trim five entries. While none of these replicates the joys of Total War: Warhammer 3, we feel as though they capture the essence of the series pretty well. That means you’ll get the same feeling of being a damn genius when you win, along with feeling as though you’re a waste of DNA when you lose. You’re still good though, don’t beat yourself up, it’s just a game.
Crusader Kings 3
If what you love about Total War: Warhammer 3 is decision making, then boy howdy (is that a phrase?) do we have a recommendation for you. Crusader Kings 3 is the pinnacle of a series renowned for allowing players to make a staggering number of choices, and it delivers on every front.
Rather than playing as any one character, you take control of an array of different characters as they make their way through history. Your job is to try and guide your bloodline through the political landscapes of the Middle Ages as the world constantly challenges you with new problems to overcome, backstabbing vassals to avoid, and the innately enticing pursuit of expanding your domain.
Age of Wonders: Planetfall
If you’re keen to get stuck into a sci-fi game as opposed to the more fantasy or historical settings of many strategy games, then Age of Wonders: Planetfall is the game you’re looking for. It takes the 4X genre and plonks it in space, with your main role being to explore different planets as one of a selection of alien races, all of whom have their own way of playing and their own objectives.
Age of Wonders does the thing where it bombards you with tutorial boxes upon beginning the game, but as long as you’re happy to do a bit of reading and play around a bit, you’ll find yourself deep into an incredibly cool sci-fi strategy game.
Civilization VI
Ah Civilization VI, what a gem you are. While Civ VI is a little less combat-intensive than Total War: Warhammer 3, it still captures the breadth of choices that helps to make the series so special. You get to choose your faction and then build them up from the ancient stone age all the way up to the modern age and beyond, and you’ll be in charge every step of the way.
This one wins extra points for being one of the greatest games in history in the “just one more turn” genre that’ll have you accidentally losing an entire weekend to a single game. This is especially true if you’re playing with a group of mates, but hey, at least you’re dragging them all down with you.
Age of Empires IV
Real-time battles are a big part of the appeal of Total War: Warhammer 3, and if that’s the main part of what makes the game so enjoyable for you, then you should probably grab Age of Empires IV. We’re pretty sure the series needs no introduction, but just in case, this is one of the best real-time strategy series of all time, and the latest entry is a high point for sure.
You have to guide an empire (get it) through time as they rise from a little group of guys into being a world-dominating force. You’ll have to keep on top of a lot of things to come out on top in Age of Empire IV, but that’s probably exactly what you want from a strategy game, so we’ll not hear any complaints from you.
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War
You thought there wouldn’t be another Warhammer game on the list, didn’t you? Well there is, we did it people, everyone can go home now and have a nap. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War is, let’s be honest, kind of old, but that doesn’t stop it from being a huge amount of fun. Your role is to guide one of the four different races through an array of battles to help them accomplish their goals.
You do this by tactically pushing your army of units through real-time battles against the other factions in brutal over-the-top battles and probably while laughing maniacally or something. Despite being old enough to vote in the UK, it looks pretty good all things considered, and the multiplayer modes are still a blast to play through as well.
