13 Games Like Civilization That Let You Build Empires Your Way

There’s something endlessly satisfying about watching your small settlement grow into a world-dominating empire — and Civilization has perfected that feeling for decades. But if you’re craving new ways to shape societies, manage grand strategies, or simply guide humanity’s destiny in your own style, there are plenty of other games that scratch that same strategic itch.

These titles invite you to explore, expand, and evolve — each offering a fresh take on empire-building, decision-making, and creative strategy.

Humankind

Amplitude’s answer to Civilization puts your creative spin on history, letting you blend cultural identities as your empire evolves. Every decision — from city placement to diplomacy — shapes a civilization that feels uniquely yours.

Old World

Created by a former Civilization IV designer, Old World focuses on family dynasties, politics, and generational rule. It’s as much about managing people as it is about expanding territory, offering a deeply personal take on empire strategy.

Millennia

One of the newest entries in the genre, Millennia lets players rewrite history through alternate timelines and cultural evolutions. It’s Civilization’s grand scale reimagined — every age offers new mechanics and unique paths to progress.

Songs of Syx

A massive city-builder with grand-strategy elements, Songs of Syx lets you grow from a tiny village into a sprawling metropolis with thousands of inhabitants. The deeper you go, the more complex and rewarding your empire’s inner workings become.

Galactic Civilizations IV

If you’ve ever wanted to take Civilization’s formula into space, this is the series to try. It focuses on exploration, diplomacy, and ideology among alien races, offering endless replayability and a vast strategic canvas.

Age of Wonders 4

Blending empire-building with fantasy magic, Age of Wonders 4 lets you design custom races and lead them through procedurally generated worlds. It’s the same strategic joy as Civilization — but with spellcasting and dragons.

Endless Legend II

A beautiful, story-driven 4X game that weaves lore into every decision you make. Its factions play dramatically differently, rewarding players who love Civilization’s depth but want more personality and narrative flair.

Terra Invicta

From the creators of XCOM’s Long War mod, this deep strategy sim takes place on Earth and beyond, where humanity unites (or divides) in response to an alien arrival. It turns global politics into a thrilling, long-term empire-building challenge.

Stellaris

Paradox’s space grand-strategy game offers a living galaxy full of politics, exploration, and evolving species. Its flexibility and mod support make it a playground for anyone who loves Civilization’s open-ended empire stories.

Frostpunk 2

While darker in tone, Frostpunk 2 channels the same decision-making and moral weight that makes Civilization so engaging. You’re not just managing resources — you’re defining what humanity becomes after the end of the world.

Distant Worlds 2

A complex but rewarding space 4X sim where automation lets you decide how hands-on you want to be. Whether you manage every trade ship or let AI handle the details, your empire always reflects your personal leadership style.

Victoria 3

Set in the 19th century, Victoria 3 shifts focus from conquest to social and economic systems. Instead of waging war, you might find yourself reforming governments, balancing industries, and shaping ideology — all hallmarks of a thinking player’s empire.

Knights of Honor II: Sovereign

This medieval grand strategy title focuses on ruling a living, breathing world where diplomacy, religion, and war intertwine. It strikes a great balance between accessibility and depth — letting you shape your empire through careful alliances or sheer conquest, all in real time.