The Battle of Polytopia similar games & best alternatives

The Battle of Polytopia

Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS • 2020

Should you play it?

Welcome to the unique, turn-based strategy game set in the strange, flat world of the Square. Lead one of 16 distinct civilizations to victory by expanding your empire, researching technologies, and ultimately become ruler of the world! Play in single-player or multiplayer mode for up to 16 players.

What works
  • Simple yet deep strategy gameplay
  • Highly replayable with many tribes and modes
  • Accessible for new and experienced players
  • Active developer support and community
  • Cross-platform availability (mobile and pc)
Things to keep in mind
  • Multiplayer matchmaking can be slow or limited
  • Some dlc tribes behind paywall
  • No campaign or strong narrative
  • Limited late-game content and complexity
  • No cross-save between mobile and pc

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • UpGun

  • Project Winter

  • BROKE PROTOCOL

  • DEPLOYMENT

  • Starblast

  • Puzzle Pirates: Dark Seas

  • Executive Assault 2

  • Boring Man - Online Tactical Stickman Combat

  • Planetary Annihilation: TITANS

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Arcanists

  • Worbital

  • Nexus 5X

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Strategy

    DEFCON

  • Autonomy

    Circle Empires Rivals

  • Competence

    Creatures of Aether

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).

The Battle of Polytopia: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Fellowship, Status, Cooperation. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Relaxation. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Story, Value.

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 can freely choose leaders, strategies, game modes, and play styles with many options and customization."

    Capsule for Circle Empires Rivals Circle Empires Rivals

    "Players freely choose tribes, strategies, map sizes, and game modes with many customization options."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    4

    "Game is easy to learn but hard to master, with strategic depth and skillful decision-making praised by players."

    Capsule for Creatures of Aether Creatures of Aether

    "Game is easy to learn but hard to master, with strategic depth and skillful play rewarded."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    3

    "Includes multiplayer with ranked modes and leaderboards; players compete for territory and victory conditions."

    Capsule for Northgard: Definitive Edition Northgard: Definitive Edition

    "Includes multiplayer with ranked modes and leaderboards; players enjoy competing against others."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    4

    "Highly addictive gameplay with long sessions and replayability; players report spending many hours and returning repeatedly."

    Capsule for Sid Meier's Colonization (Classic) Sid Meier's Colonization (Classic)

    "Highly replayable with many hours played by users; addictive gameplay encourages long-term engagement."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    1

    "Some multiplayer modes support team play, but most gameplay focuses on individual control and objectives."

    Capsule for Ashes of the Singularity: Escalation Ashes of the Singularity: Escalation

    "Some multiplayer modes support team play, but mostly players focus on individual conquest."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Customization options and map variety allow some creative expression, though gameplay mostly follows preset modes and structures."

    Capsule for Goofy Gorillas Goofy Gorillas

    "Custom maps and tribe choices allow some creative expression, but gameplay follows structured 4X mechanics."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    2

    "Competitive multiplayer involves exerting superiority, but interactions emphasize strategy over domination."

    Capsule for STAR WARS™ Rebellion STAR WARS™ Rebellion

    "Competitive multiplayer and conquest focus encourage exerting superiority over opponents."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    3

    "Players use the game as a fun distraction and stress relief with casual and competitive play."

    Capsule for Mitos.is: The Game Mitos.is: The Game

    "Players use the game as a relaxing distraction and stress relief with casual and competitive play."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and enjoyment, not obligation."

    Capsule for Garry's Mod Garry's Mod

    "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and enjoyment, not obligation."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players explore different tactics, weapons, and strategies; maps and scenarios encourage trying new approaches."

    Capsule for Zero Hour Zero Hour

    "Players explore different tribes, strategies, and map settings to find new approaches."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    2

    "Procedurally generated maps and random challenges encourage some discovery and adaptation."

    Capsule for Overcrowd: A Commute 'Em Up Overcrowd: A Commute 'Em Up

    "Procedurally generated maps and random elements encourage discovery within each game."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    1

    "Some avatar and environment customization possible; mostly standardized presentation."

    Capsule for Racket: Nx Racket: Nx

    "Some avatar and tribe customization, but mostly standardized visual presentation."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    2

    "While grounded in a realistic farming setting, the game includes fantasy elements like magic, monsters, and mythical events."

    Capsule for Stardew Valley Stardew Valley

    "Includes fantasy elements like dragons and magical tribes, though grounded in strategy gameplay."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    3

    "Active community and multiplayer foster social connection and shared identity."

    Capsule for Storm Chasers Storm Chasers

    "Active community and multiplayer foster social connections and group identity."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop skills and improve over time; some learning curve and mastery."

    Capsule for Impact Point Impact Point

    "Players develop strategic skills and knowledge over time, improving mastery."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity components."

    Capsule for Return of the Obra Dinn Return of the Obra Dinn

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity components."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention during turns; not suited for idle or background play."

    Capsule for Worms Ultimate Mayhem Worms Ultimate Mayhem

    "Requires focused turns and attention; not designed for background or idle play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    1

    "Some social interaction in multiplayer but limited emotional or close relationship building."

    Capsule for Northgard: Definitive Edition Northgard: Definitive Edition

    "Some social interaction in multiplayer but limited emotional or close relationship building."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    2

    "Players lead their city and armies, making strategic decisions and managing resources."

    Capsule for Citadelum Citadelum

    "Players lead their tribes and armies, making strategic decisions and managing resources."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Players accumulate technologies, resources, colonies, and ship upgrades, progressing their empire over time."

    Capsule for Interstellar Space: Genesis Interstellar Space: Genesis

    "Players accumulate technologies, units, and upgrades to grow their empire."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    3

    "Many players find the game relaxing and a good way to unwind, balancing challenge and flow."

    Capsule for Axon TD: Uprising - Tower Defense Axon TD: Uprising - Tower Defense

    "Many players find the game relaxing and a good way to unwind with balanced challenge."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    1

    "Visuals and audio are pleasant but not highly stimulating; focus is on strategy."

    Capsule for Dead In Bermuda Dead In Bermuda

    "Visuals and audio are pleasant but not highly stimulating; focus is on strategy."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    2

    "Leaderboards and multiplayer rankings provide some social recognition."

    Capsule for Gas Guzzlers Extreme Gas Guzzlers Extreme

    "Leaderboards and multiplayer rankings provide social recognition."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    -4

    "Minimal narrative or lore; gameplay is context-free and focused on strategy rather than story."

    Capsule for Control Craft 3 Control Craft 3

    "Minimal narrative or lore; gameplay is context-free and focused on strategy."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    5

    "Core gameplay revolves around deep strategic planning, timing, and tactical decision-making."

    Capsule for DEFCON DEFCON

    "Core gameplay revolves around deep strategic planning and tactical decision making."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    2

    "Competitive matches create moments of suspense and excitement."

    Capsule for Crashphalt Crashphalt

    "Competitive matches and close games provide suspense and excitement."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    1

    "Generally considered a good value by fans, though some feel the price is high for a mobile port."

    Capsule for Steven Universe: Unleash the Light Steven Universe: Unleash the Light

    "Generally considered good value, though some feel price is high for a mobile port."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    3

    "Combat and conquest are central, with battles, sieges, and destruction of enemy forces."

    Capsule for Lords of the Realm II Lords of the Realm II

    "Combat and conquest are central, with battles and unit destruction."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    3

    "Players must manage resources, defend territories, and avoid defeat to survive and expand."

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

    "Players must defend and expand their tribes to avoid defeat and survive."

Last update: 01/06/2026