Hex of Steel similar games & best alternatives

Hex of Steel

PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux, Mac • 2020

Should you play it?

Hex of Steel is a refreshing WWII wargame covering all fronts featuring a certain amount of original mechanics. Fight in solo against finally a decent AI throughout Europe, Africa or the Pacific, or against a friend in the cross-platform PBEM or real time multiplayer. Coop is also an option!

What works
  • Extensive modding and customization tools
  • Large, varied scenarios and campaigns
  • Active and responsive developer
  • Smooth gameplay with challenging ai
  • Good value for price with frequent updates
Things to keep in mind
  • No unit stacking can slow gameplay
  • Ai has some quirks and occasional exploits
  • Graphics are functional but not flashy
  • Some players find pacing slow on large maps
  • Limited multiplayer modes currently

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Battle Fleet 2

  • Arsenal of Democracy: A Hearts of Iron Game

  • Europa Universalis V

  • Steel Division 2

  • ZEPHON

  • Call to Arms - Gates of Hell: Ostfront

  • Strategic Command WWII: World at War

  • Radio General

  • Sid Meier's Civilization® IV

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Battle Fleet 2

  • Strategic Command WWII: World at War

  • Strategic Command: World War I

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Continuation

    Age of Wonders Shadow Magic

  • Creativity

    Rusted Warfare - RTS

  • Strategy

    REDCON

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

Hex of Steel: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Fellowship, Status, Cooperation. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Story. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Fantasy, Domination.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players have high freedom to create and customize units, maps, and battles with minimal constraints."

    Capsule for Animal Revolt Battle Simulator Animal Revolt Battle Simulator

    "Players have freedom to customize units, create maps and scenarios, and choose various settings and strategies."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    4

    "The game offers challenging AI, complex mechanics, and requires skillful management and tactical battle control, rewarding player effectiveness."

    Capsule for Medieval: Total War™ - Collection Medieval: Total War™ - Collection

    "Game offers challenging AI, complex tactical and strategic decisions, and rewards skillful play."

  • Competition

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    2

    "Includes multiplayer modes and leaderboards, but many players focus on single-player or casual play."

    Capsule for Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition

    "Includes multiplayer modes and leaderboards, but many players focus on single-player or cooperative play."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    5

    "Highly addictive with long campaigns, random maps, and mod support encouraging extended play and habitual engagement."

    Capsule for Age of Wonders Shadow Magic Age of Wonders Shadow Magic

    "Highly addictive with large maps, campaigns, and continuous updates encouraging long-term engagement."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    3

    "Supports cooperative multiplayer and community-created content, encouraging teamwork and shared experiences."

    Capsule for A Hat in Time A Hat in Time

    "Supports multiplayer cooperative modes and community modding, fostering collaboration."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    5

    "Extensive modding support and map editors allow players to create and modify content extensively."

    Capsule for Rusted Warfare - RTS Rusted Warfare - RTS

    "Extensive modding tools, map and mission editors allow players to create and modify content freely."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -2

    "Gameplay focuses on balanced competition and fun rather than exerting superiority or trash talk."

    Capsule for Kopanito All-Stars Soccer Kopanito All-Stars Soccer

    "Gameplay emphasizes balanced interactions and strategic planning rather than dominance or trash talk."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players use the game as an immersive historical simulation and distraction, escaping into deep strategic gameplay."

    Capsule for Civil War II Civil War II

    "Players use the game as a deep strategic distraction and immersive historical simulation."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and passion for wargaming and history, not obligation."

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    "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and passion for wargames, not obligation."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    4

    "Encourages trying new strategies, alternate histories, and modding."

    Capsule for Arsenal of Democracy: A Hearts of Iron Game Arsenal of Democracy: A Hearts of Iron Game

    "Encourages trying new strategies, modding, and exploring different scenarios and settings."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Large maps and campaign modes encourage discovery of new areas and strategic possibilities."

    Capsule for Total War: WARHAMMER III Total War: WARHAMMER III

    "Large maps and scenario variety promote discovery of new tactical and strategic possibilities."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    4

    "Customization of units and scenarios allows for self-expression and personalization."

    Capsule for Ultimate Epic Battle Simulator Ultimate Epic Battle Simulator

    "Customization of units, maps, and scenarios allows personal expression within the game."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    -3

    "Game focuses on historical WWII realism rather than imaginative fiction; realistic units and scenarios."

    Capsule for Codename: Panzers, Phase Two Codename: Panzers, Phase Two

    "Focuses on historical WWII settings with realistic units and scenarios rather than fictional fantasy."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    3

    "Active community and multiplayer modes foster a sense of belonging and shared interest among players."

    Capsule for Super Mega Baseball 3 Super Mega Baseball 3

    "Active community and multiplayer modes foster a sense of belonging and shared interest."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players develop skills, knowledge, and character power through progression and modding."

    Capsule for Warframe Warframe

    "Players develop strategic skills and knowledge through gameplay and modding."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Typical sedentary computer gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    Capsule for Stronghold: Definitive Edition Stronghold: Definitive Edition

    "Typical sedentary computer gameplay with no physical activity involved."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

    "Requires focused attention and strategic thinking; not suitable for passive or background play."

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    "Requires focused attention and strategic thinking, not suitable for passive or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    1

    "Some social interaction through multiplayer and community, but limited emotional closeness described."

    Capsule for Lakeview Cabin 2 Lakeview Cabin 2

    "Some social interaction through multiplayer and community but limited emotional closeness."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    3

    "Players lead armies and make strategic decisions, exercising leadership over their forces."

    Capsule for Age of Wonders Age of Wonders

    "Players command armies and make strategic decisions, exercising leadership roles."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Players accumulate units, upgrades, and abilities progressively through campaigns and multiplayer."

    Capsule for Command & Conquer™ Red Alert™ 3 Command & Conquer™ Red Alert™ 3

    "Players accumulate units, upgrades, and campaign progress over time."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    2

    "While challenging, the game can induce flow and immersion that some find relaxing."

    Capsule for Total War: SHOGUN 2 Total War: SHOGUN 2

    "While challenging, the game can provide flow and immersion that some find relaxing."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    1

    "Visuals and sound are pleasant but not highly stimulating or intense."

    Capsule for Electrician Simulator Electrician Simulator

    "Visuals and sound are functional and pleasant but not highly stimulating or intense."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    1

    "Some recognition within community and multiplayer, but not a major focus."

    Capsule for Planet S Planet S

    "Some recognition within community and multiplayer but not a major focus."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    3

    "Campaigns and historical scenarios provide narrative immersion and context to gameplay."

    Capsule for Rise of Nations: Extended Edition Rise of Nations: Extended Edition

    "Campaigns and scenarios provide narrative context and historical immersion."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    5

    "Core gameplay revolves around deep tactical and strategic planning and problem solving."

    Capsule for REDCON REDCON

    "Core gameplay revolves around deep strategic and tactical planning and problem solving."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    2

    "Fast-paced battles and challenging AI create moments of suspense and excitement."

    Capsule for Planets Under Attack Planets Under Attack

    "Tense battles and AI challenge provide moments of suspense and excitement."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    5

    "Players report excellent value for money due to frequent free updates and abundant content."

    Capsule for Hot Dogs, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades Hot Dogs, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades

    "Players report excellent value for money with extensive content and free updates."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    3

    "Combat and destruction are central gameplay elements consistent with WWII military conflict."

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    "Combat and destruction are central gameplay elements consistent with WWII wargames."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    3

    "Players must manage resources and avoid unit losses to survive battles and campaigns."

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    "Players must manage resources and avoid unit losses to succeed in campaigns."

Last update: 01/06/2026