Total War: EMPIRE – Definitive Edition similar games & best alternatives

Total War: EMPIRE – Definitive Edition

Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux, Android, iOS • 2009

Should you play it?

Command the seas, control the land, forge a new nation, and conquer the globe.

What works
  • Large and detailed world map
  • Deep strategic and tactical gameplay
  • Immersive naval and land battles
  • Extensive modding community
  • Long replayability and campaign depth
Things to keep in mind
  • Ai can be unintelligent or frustrating
  • Some bugs and technical issues
  • Limited faction variety without mods
  • Diplomacy system sometimes illogical
  • Steep learning curve for new players

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • X-COM: Apocalypse

  • Medieval II: Total War™ Kingdoms

  • Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition

  • Dune: Spice Wars

  • Age of Wonders III

  • ENDLESS™ Space - Definitive Edition

  • Total Annihilation

  • Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword

  • Stronghold 2: Steam Edition
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Age of Wonders II: The Wizard's Throne

  • Civilization IV®: Warlords

  • Seven Kingdoms 2 HD
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Continuation

    XCOM® 2
  • Progression

    Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Strategy

    Imperial Glory

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).

Total War: EMPIRE – Definitive Edition: 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, Leadership. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Intimacy.

Why this game works

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

  • Autonomy

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    "Players have significant control over strategic decisions, unit research, and diplomacy, allowing personal freedom in gameplay."

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  • Competence

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    "The game challenges players with complex strategic and tactical decisions, including managing resources, combat, and diplomacy, rewarding skillful play."

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    "The game challenges players with complex strategy, tactical battles, and management of multiple systems, rewarding skill and planning."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    3

    "Includes multiplayer modes and leaderboards, but many players also enjoy single-player at their own pace without direct competition."

    Capsule for Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword

    "Includes multiplayer battles and leaderboards, but many players focus on single-player campaigns without direct competition."

  • Continuation

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    "High replayability with long campaigns, mod support, and expansions encourage habitual and extended play sessions."

    Capsule for XCOM® 2 XCOM® 2

    "Highly replayable with long campaigns and extensive content encouraging habitual and extended play sessions."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    2

    "Some cooperative multiplayer modes and alliances exist, but much gameplay is focused on individual empire management."

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    "Some multiplayer modes support teamwork and alliances, but much gameplay is focused on individual empire management."

  • Creativity

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    "Players can customize armies, choose strategies, and mod the game extensively, allowing creative approaches to gameplay."

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

    "Players customize strategies, build empires, and mod the game extensively, enabling creative approaches."

  • Domination

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    "Players seek superiority via conquest and dominance; some reports of trash talk and power struggles."

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    "Players often aim to dominate others through conquest and power, with some multiplayer trash talk reported."

  • Escapism

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    "Provides immersive historical and alternate history scenarios that allow players to escape real life through strategic gameplay."

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    "Provides immersive historical fantasy allowing players to escape reality through alternate history and grand strategy."

  • Expectation

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    -3

    "Players engage voluntarily out of passion and interest rather than obligation or pressure."

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    "Players generally engage voluntarily out of interest and passion rather than obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

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    "Encourages trying different factions, strategies, and game settings, fostering exploration of game mechanics."

    Capsule for Imperiums: Greek Wars Imperiums: Greek Wars

    "Encourages trying different factions, strategies, and mods, fostering exploration of game mechanics."

  • Exploration

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    "Large maps with multiple countries and cities encourage discovery and exploration"

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    "Large world map with multiple theaters and hidden opportunities invites discovery and exploration."

  • Expression

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    "Customization through mods and faction choices allows some self-expression, though limited in base game."

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    "Some avatar and faction customization possible; mods enhance self-expression but base game is limited."

  • Fantasy

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    "Alternate history setting with exaggerated patriotic themes and stylized combat."

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    "Historical setting with some imaginative alternate history elements, but grounded in realistic 18th-century warfare."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    2

    "Community and multiplayer exist but most players focus on solo campaigns; some social connection present."

    Capsule for Total War: WARHAMMER Total War: WARHAMMER

    "Community and multiplayer exist, but many players focus on solo campaigns with limited social interaction."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players develop skills in tactics, resource management, and strategic thinking; learning curve noted in reviews."

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    "Players develop skills in strategy, diplomacy, and management, with learning curves noted in reviews."

  • Health

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    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with long sessions and no physical activity involved."

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    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with long sessions and no physical activity involved."

  • Idle

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    -3

    "Requires focused attention during battles and campaigns; not suited for casual or background play."

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    "Requires sustained attention and focus during campaigns and battles; not suited for casual or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

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    "Social interactions are mostly surface-level or competitive; no emphasis on close personal relationships."

    Capsule for Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition

    "Social interactions are mostly surface-level or competitive; no emphasis on close relationships or emotional sharing."

  • Leadership

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    4

    "Players lead armies and manage empires, making strategic decisions and guiding their forces."

    Capsule for Master of Magic Classic Master of Magic Classic

    "Players lead armies, manage empires, and make strategic decisions, embodying leadership roles."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

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    "Strong emphasis on accumulating power, technology, territory, and resources over time."

    Capsule for Europa Universalis III Complete Europa Universalis III Complete

    "Strong emphasis on accumulating territories, technologies, and military power over time."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

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    "Some players find the game relaxing and immersive, but others note frustration from bugs and complexity."

    Capsule for Sea Power : Naval Combat in the Missile Age Sea Power : Naval Combat in the Missile Age

    "Some players find the game immersive and satisfying, but others note frustration from AI and bugs causing tension."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

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    "Visual and auditory elements are pleasant but not highly stimulating; focus is on strategic gameplay."

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    "Visual and auditory elements are engaging for a strategy game, with epic battles and naval combat."

  • Status

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    "Recognition mainly through community sharing and multiplayer, but not a primary motivation."

    Capsule for From the Depths From the Depths

    "Recognition mainly within the community and multiplayer; not a primary motivation for most players."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    3

    "Includes historical campaigns and narrative elements, though story is secondary to simulation and player-driven experience."

    Capsule for Silent Hunter®: Wolves of the Pacific U-Boat Missions Silent Hunter®: Wolves of the Pacific U-Boat Missions

    "Includes historical campaigns and narrative elements, but much gameplay is open-ended and player-driven."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

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    "Core gameplay revolves around strategic planning, resource management, diplomacy, and tactical combat."

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  • Thrill

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    "Players experience suspense and excitement from battles, sieges, and unpredictable AI aggression."

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  • Value

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    "Offers extensive content, replayability, and modding at a reasonable price, considered good value by players."

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    "Offers extensive content and replayability, considered good value especially with mods and definitive edition."

  • Violence

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    "Combat and warfare are central, with large-scale battles and destruction."

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    "Combat and destruction are central, with large-scale battles and realistic warfare."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

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    "Players must manage threats and resources to avoid defeat and maintain their empire."

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    "Players must manage threats, resources, and diplomacy to avoid defeat and maintain empire stability."

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Last update: 01/06/2026