The Total War series has been around for years now. Ever since the first game in the series, Shogun: Total War was released back in 2000 the series has been part of my life.
Not by choice I might add. Back then this style of game was my idea of a nightmare, but it was something my dad got super into and as he was not the most computer literate person on the planet he would “request” hey help with our family PC so he could play it.
Most recently the Total War series has teamed up with Warhammer and I must admit these are games that I have really enjoyed.
Anyway as a treat for my dad and for you other guys who love strategy games or who are like me and who grew to love strategy games. I have for you some fun games that I feel are similar to Total War so if you like that, give these a try.
Napoleon: Total War
Ok so yes technically, this is part of the Total War series, but I think this game here deserves special attention. What I think is really cool about Napoleon: Total War is the way that it is so story driven.
Now, of course, you are playing through actual historical events here, but the different missions are tied together quite well and as a result, it makes the decisions that you are making feel more intense.
One other thing that needs special attention here are the visuals. Most people when they first saw this were blown away at how good a strategy game could look.
Actually, I would bet that many people were drawn to this at first because of the hype over how good the visuals are.
Now granted, Napoleon: Total War does not reinvent the wheel as far as the Total War formula goes, but I would say that if you are going to play one of the older Total War games that this one here is the one that you want to play.
Europa Universalis IV
I think that Europa Universalis IV offers a similar gameplay experience to what the Total War series does, but this one here feels a little more intense.
The idea is what you would expect, you take control of a nation and then it is up to you in order to make sure your nation and its people thrive. Of course, this is easier said than done and deciding what kind of ruler you want to be is a huge part of the fun.
You need to make trade deals, be diplomatic, worry about food and of course if things go south you need to be ready for war. You can try and be a peaceful nation that makes buddies with more powerful nations who will have you back.
Or you can just say “forget this!” and you then just try to take what you want through force.
What makes Europa Universalis IV so much fun is just how addictive it is. Like any of the Total War games, you will find yourself sitting down with the intent to play for just a few minutes, but then before you know it an hour has passed and your wife is yelling at you.
Sid Meier’s Civilization® V
You cannot talk about games that are like Total War and not have at least one game from the Civilization series.
Civilization V takes everything that is great about this series and makes it better than ever. I would say that if you are new to these types of games, that Civilization V is a great place to start.
As you would expect this is real-time strategy and there is a lot for you to do here. You need to make take your civilization and start of back when Fred Flintstone was hanging out with Barney Rubble and take them all the way to the space age.
The scope here is truly phenomenal and the hook that keeps you playing is that you never know what the next leap in technology is going to allow you to do.
While it is a real-time strategy game, Civilization V is the kind of game that is fun no matter what kind of gamer you are.
Battlefleet Gothic: Armada
In a just world, we would be playing Battlefleet Gothic: Armada, but as that has been delayed until next year you can still have fun with the first game.
Part of the Warhammer universe, Battlefleet Gothic: Armada is perfect if you like the idea of the Total War games, but want a sci-fi setting.
The story is pretty cool in that you get to pick from a series of different factions who all want control over this part of space.
There is quite a lot of depth here in terms of how you have control over every ship in your fleet.
What I think makes this game super fun though is the combat. When you get it just right you feel unstoppable, but if you plan things wrong…… you are in big trouble!
If you love sci-fi and strategy games, Battlefleet Gothic: Armada is the perfect blend of both.
I will say that this is very in depth so please take note of that going in.
Wargame: Red Dragon
One thing that will really get me invested in a strategy game is a solid story and premise and that is what Wargame: Red Dragon has. Set in the 90’s the Western world needs to come together to stop the threat that is coming from the communist bloc.
This had me sold right away and I can tell you it is a lot of fun.
It may sound a little intimidating that you are in control of 17 different nations, but it really does make you feel like every one of your decisions matters.
What really separates this from many of the other strategy games on this list is all the awesome vehicles that you have at your disposal. You will have a blast finding the right one for the right job.
I would not say that Wargame: Red Dragon is ideal for a person new to this style of game. However, if you are looking for games that are like Total War, I think you are going to have a lot of fun with this.
Imperial Glory
Ok so this is a game from 2005 so you cannot expect next-generation graphics.
However, I feel that Imperial Glory is a game that is well worth playing if you are looking for a real-time strategy game that feels more like the older games from the Total War series.
The idea behind Imperial Glory is that Europe is in chaos and a leader needs to rise to make sure his (or hers) nation is the one that thrives.
You have a ton of different ways you can play this game, but I think it is those intense land and sea battles that have kept this so popular over the last decade and a half!
It may not be the most obvious choice, but if you want something a little more “old school” you need to check out Imperial Glory.
Field of Glory II
The first thing worth noting about Field Of Glory II is that it received rave reviews when it was released in 2017. It was one of those games that the majority of real-time strategy fans had a ton of fun with.
The rise of Rome is such an interesting time in human history and now you can pull the strings. It very much as a Total War feeling to it, especially the Rome games.
You can follow history or you can rewrite it! With small and huge battles, Field Of Glory is a very addictive game and one that most who play love it.
If you want a modern gaming experience and one that is based on actual history, Field Of Glory II is a game that you are going to have a lot of fun with.
Mount and Blade (Wild Card)
Ok so hear me out on this one. Mount and Blade at first glance is a weird game to say is like Total War. However, I do feel that this is a game that those who like RTS games will really enjoy.
This is a sandbox style game and you have a lot of choice in the way that you play it. You can just ride around on horseback, hacking and slashing as you go. Or you can get a bit more strategic be the guy who runs a part of the world with a whole town or castle at your disposal.
Again this is a little out there, but I do feel there are enough strategic elements in Mount and Blade that make this a game you will enjoy.
Games like Total War on Android/IOS
If you are more of a mobile gamer than a PC gamer. Or if you just want to have a fun strategy game like Total War to play on your lunch break at work or while you are on the toilet, these are two games worth checking out.
Dawn of Titans (Android/IOS)
The scope of Dawn of Titans is what separates it from other strategy games. No doubt you are used to controlling armies if you are used to Total War. Well, Dawn of Titans does that, but you also get to control these huge Titans that can dish out some real damage.
You need to take control of the enemies lands, make your armies bigger and more dangerous and you better be ready to fight because combat is mainly what Dawn of Titans is all about. One thing I like about this game is that while there are Microtransactions, you can play and enjoy the game without spending a penny.
Dawn of Titans really is a blast and it is worth downloading, you will be amazed at how great it looks and how addictive it is.
DomiNations (Android/IOS)
Last, but by no means least we have DomiNations. This is an MMO style game so you will be playing against other people, not just the AI.
I think this is a huge part as to why DomiNations has blown up and become so popular with strategy fans all over the world.
This is one of those games that goes from the stone age to the space race and that is something that I have always personally had a lot of fun with.
The civilization that you decide to lead actually shapes the gameplay as all eight of them has their own strengths and weaknesses.
You can have a lot of fun with DomiNations, but please be warned that they are always adding new stuff that costs real money into the game which can give you and other players an edge.
Still, download it and have some fun and if you feel like spending some money, great. If not you can move on and try something else.
So there you have it a great bunch of games that are like Total War. So what one is most like Total War and the most fun? Well, this, of course, is subjective, but if I had to suggest just one of these games for you to play it would be Civilization V. I legit have never come across an RTS fan that has played this who did not have a great time with it.