The Age of Empires franchise is a titan of the RTS genre. A mark of an excellent game is one that players feel they can't put down. Age of Empires certainly fits the bill in that regard. The series' influence is such that many other games over the years have taken inspiration from the vaunted franchise. For fans who can't get enough of Age of Empires, plenty of alternatives populate the market.

These games focus on city-building, RTS combat, grand strategy, or a combination of all three. AoE fans will be more than satisfied with the wealth of games that have taken inspiration from this series time and time again. This has allowed a wealth of RTS games that have built upon the series' basics while adding unique spins of their own to keep players interested in the long run. While some games are clearly inspired by Age of Empires, others do their own thing with varying levels of success. Both types of strategy games are worthwhile for players who want to either stick to something familiar or try something new and interesting.

Updated on March 20, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: Age of Empires is a legendary RTS game that needs no introduction. The captivating gameplay loop is something that fans have loved for years, with the popularity of Age of Empires 2 compelling Microsoft to provide regular updates to the game even now. Along with this, the announcement of a new Age of Empires game was met with adulation from the masses, who couldn't wait to see a modern take on this form of gameplay. While some people felt that the fourth game tried too hard to emulate the success of the second without adding anything new to the formula, it's still a brilliant game that most fans will enjoy to bits. Players who love Age of Empires will have a great time with other titles in the same vein if they're seeking out a similar experience.

21 Total War: Warhammer

A Fantasy-Themed Total War Game That Is A Blast To Play Through

Given the historical focus of most Total War games, it's easy to see why fans were pleasantly surprised to see the studio take a crack at a Total War game set in a fictional universe. To make things even better, Total War: Warhammer was one of the best games released by Creative Assembly, with this collaboration being a massive hit.

Not only is this one of the best Total War games of all time, but it's arguably the best Warhammer game of all time too. The focus on politics and warfare makes this title a bit more complex than Age of Empires but something that strategy fans will feel right at home with after a point.

20 Europa Universalis 4

Turn A Nation Into A Superpower By The End Of The Napoleonic Era

Paradox Entertainment is known as the king of the grand strategy genre, releasing a wealth of games in this department that have all been pretty fun for fans of complex political sims. Europa Universalis 4 is a game where players must become a superpower by any means necessary, combining diplomacy, warfare, and economic superiority in one engaging bundle.

The title has a steep learning curve, but most players won't mind putting in the effort to enjoy a ridiculously detailed grand strategy game where every playthrough is different. Age of Empires fans need to do some homework before getting into this title, but the effort is a worthwhile one that will lead to players enjoying one of the most impressive grand strategy games ever made.

19 Halo Wars

A RTS Spinoff Of One Of The Greatest Sci-Fi FPS Franchises Of All Time

The Halo series is one of the most popular FPS franchises of all time, even if some people felt like the latest release, Halo Infinite, did not live up to the high standards set by the series. Still, the single-player campaign was a highlight, with its open-world integrations being fairly seamless.

Given how popular Halo is, it's no surprise that the series has enjoyed its fair share of spinoffs. One such title is Halo Wars, an RTS-themed game where players must tackle a wealth of missions as they build bases and use their powerful units to take out enemies with a fair bit of preparation. The strategy elements of this title may ring a bit hollow for players, but Halo Wars more than makes up for it with stellar cinematics, a fun story, and an excellent interpretation of the Halo universe that adds some much-needed credence to this IP.

18 Warcraft 3

One Of The Richest, Most Imaginative Settings Ever Devised For An RTS

There's a reason why so many fans were enraged to see the state in which Warcraft 3: Reforged was launched. Not only did it prevent people from enjoying a version of the game that is clearly superior to Reforged, but it also feels like a lazy release from a developer that hasn't been at its best right now.

Even after all the concessions that players need to make, Warcraft 3 still stands strong as one of the best RTS games ever made. The game is dripping in atmosphere, lore, and story, which is a rarity for most games in the genre.

17 Frostpunk

A Hardcore City Adventure Set In A Nuclear Winter

Age of Empires is a game that players with varied skill sets can enjoy. Some people love these titles for how easy they are, while others love the challenge of higher difficulties. For the latter, Frostpunk is a perfect fit that mixes elements of simulation, survival, and story-heavy gameplay to make for a fun time.

Trying to survive during the age of an eternal winter is easier said than done, and players need to be smart about how they build their settlement and tackle certain problems if they don't want to face endless trials and tribulations every step of the way. It requires a fair bit of thought, but players who manage to understand how this game works will go through its many challenging scenarios without too many problems.

16 Sid Meier’s Civilization 6

A Beloved 4X Strategy Game That's Easy To Get Into

Civilization is a popular grand strategy series that makes for one of the most unique and approachable games in the genre. Each and every title in the series allows players to control a leader of a popular real-world civilization, starting from ancient times before transforming their utopia into something truly special.

Civilization 6 is the latest entry in the genre that has served as a marked improvement in every department. It's one of the few grand strategy games that doesn't seem too intimidating from the get-go, allowing players to slowly ease themselves into the mechanics before attempting a playthrough at higher difficulties — just like Age of Empires!

15 Empire Earth

Age Of Empires On Steroids

Players who enjoy the gameplay loop of Age of Empires will love what Empire Earth brings to the table. This title is essentially AoE on steroids, letting players start from the very beginning of human life before reaching modern times and eventually reaching the future as well! It's easily one of the most ambitious RTS titles that went all out with the level of progress that players could achieve and enjoy in the game.

It helped that the campaign of this game was pretty great too, covering both historic and fictional scenarios to make for a spectacular experience. There aren't many RTS games that boast an excellent story, making Empire Earth pretty unique and a title that fans of classic RTS games should definitely not miss out on.

14 Age Of Mythology

A Mythological Take On Classic AoE Gameplay

Perhaps the most obvious alternative to Age of Empires is Age of Mythology, a spinoff title developed by the same studio as the mainline games. Ditching the historical settings in favor of fantastical ones, Age of Mythology takes place in a world populated with legendary creatures, monsters, and gods.

Gameplay-wise, fans of AOE will feel right at home with this title. Players will still select their civilization, build their base, recruit troops, and battle enemy forces. When in the mood for some fantasy action, it's hard to go wrong with Age of Mythology.

13 Company Of Heroes

An RTS Title Set During World War 2

When discussing stellar RTS titles, the Company of Heroes franchise deserves to be on the list. Although the series is lighter on resource collection and base building compared to Age of Empires, the Company of Heroes series delivers pulse-pounding action that's satisfying to behold.

The first Company of Heroes revolves around the Allied invasion of France. Company of Heroes 2 focuses on the savagery of the Eastern Front. Both games offer a wide array of fun scenarios that don't get old very quickly. Best of all, the next entry, Company of Heroes 3, is slated to be released sometime in 2022.

12 Stronghold 2

A Fun Game Focused On Base Building And Management

• Released: April 18, 2005
• Developers: Firefly Studios
• Platforms: PC

If fans are itching for more medieval action after playing Age of Empires 2, then Stronghold 2 is a worthy choice. Players who enjoy the base-building aspect of AOE will find plenty to occupy their time in Stronghold 2.

As a manor lord, fans possess a lot of freedom regarding how they want to build their estates. Providing sufficient protection for one's subjects, however, also plays a major role in the game. Players need to jumpstart their economy while simultaneously erecting defenses and military units in much the same manner as the AOE series.

11 Medieval 2: Total War

A Great Combination Of Massive Real-Time Battles And Turn-Based Strategy

Medieval action and intrigue aren't limited to just RTS titles. The grand strategy genre is also well-endowed with plenty of popular titles to occupy fans' time. Even though it's rather dated at this point, Medieval 2: Total War is still worth recommending, especially to Age of Empires fans.

Medieval 2 is often cited as one of the greatest Total War games of the franchise. Instead of building cities and armies in real-time like in AOE, players will build their empires in a turn-based fashion on the campaign map. Battles are more in-depth in Total War, so players looking to test their tactical skills will get more of a challenge. Plus, there are still plenty of great mods available for Medieval 2 that keep the game fresh and exciting.

10 The Lord Of The Rings: The Battle For Middle-earth 2

An RTS Gameplay Set In The LotR Universe

The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth 2 represents a match made in heaven between the lore of Tolkien's universe and AOE's gameplay. Veterans of AOE will find very little to misunderstand when launching the Battle for Middle-earth 2 for the first time.

Players need to erect resource-generating structures, military production buildings, and defenses to achieve victory in a scenario. The game also utilizes a rock-paper-scissors combat mechanic that should be very familiar to AOE fans. It would be a real shame to overlook this RTS gem.

9 Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds

A Star Wars Game Pretty Identical To Age Of Empires

In a similar vein to Age of Mythology, Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds is a spinoff title from the mainline AOE games. Galactic Battlegrounds plays in an almost identical manner to Age of Empires 2, which isn't a bad thing by any stretch.

Fans can play as the Empire, the Rebel Alliance, the Trade Federation, the Gungans, and the Wookiees. The Clone Campaigns expansion pack also added the Republic and the Confederacy as playable civilizations. For gamers who want their AOE action to take place in the Star Wars universe, look no further than Galactic Battlegrounds.

8 Crusader Kings 3

One Of The Most Approachable Paradox Interactive Grand Strategy Games Around

Players who enjoy the depth and freedom that AOE games provide should certainly check out games developed by Paradox. In particular, Crusader Kings 3 is a medieval romp that shouldn't be missed. The level of detail inherent in CK 3's gameplay will likely appeal to AOE fans.

The sense of accomplishment that comes from leading a dynasty to greatness in CK 3 isn't that different from achieving a victory in AOE. History buffs will no doubt appreciate unpeeling all the layers that compose both of these historical epics.

7 Anno 1800

An RTS Game Set In The Industrial Age

Anno 1800 is a natural choice for history buffs and lovers of AOE. Once again, fans who enjoy the satisfaction of creating something from nothing in AOE will be delighted with Anno 1800. Set during the Industrial Age of the 19th century, players can bask in the freedom of constructing a thriving city from scratch.

Like any great city-builder, fans must be cognizant of a variety of factors when planning their city. Trade routes must be established, factories constructed, and citizens kept happy. For those who enjoy games with sandboxes and an eye for detail, Anno 1800 is perfect for whiling away the hours.

6 Cossacks: European Wars

One Of The Most Epic Battles In An RTS Game

• Released: November 30, 2000
• Developers: GSC Game World
• Platforms: PC

Sticking with the theme of history, this blast from the past certainly deserves a spot on the list. In many respects, Cossacks: European Wars plays very similarly to AOE. Players have to collect a variety of natural resources to fuel their economies and build their military forces.

Nevertheless, one area where Cossacks: European Wars stands out is through its ability to portray grand, sweeping battles. Combat encounters in AOE look puny by comparison. Battle scenes are breathtaking, giving players a real sense of what it's like to command thousands of troops in the heat of war.

5 Steel Division 2

A World War 2 RTS Game

Steel Division 2 is yet another RTS set during World War 2 that AOE players looking for more battlefield strategy may find interesting. Unlike the first Company of Heroes and Steel Division games, which are set on the Western Front, Steel Division 2 takes place in the East during Operation Bagration.

Fans can plan their strategies in a turn-based manner and fight battles in real time. Tons of troop types, tanks, artillery, planes, and more are available for both the Axis and Allies. There are also quite a few DLC packs, so players won't run out of content anytime soon.

4 0 A.D.

An Ambitious Game That Started Out As An Age Of Empires Mod

• Released: July 26, 2017
• Developers: Wildfire Games
• Platforms: PC

Players who enjoy being immersed in the ancient world should definitely check out 0 A.D. Interestingly, 0 A.D. originally started as a total conversion mod for Age of Empires 2. Since then, it's expanded into a fully-fledged game of its own. It's still under development by Wildfire Games as a free and open-source title.

The RTS gameplay of 0 A.D. takes its cue from the AOE series. Taking place from 500 B.C. to 1 B.C., players can choose from one of several ancient civilizations and lead it to glory through careful economic development and military growth.

3 Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3

A Unique RTS Game Set In The Near-Future

If the AOE franchise is a bit too dry or serious, the Command & Conquer series is a fun and wacky alternative. Specifically, Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 is a prime choice. Instead of history or high fantasy, this particular title leans heavily into science fiction.

The familiar formula of resource collection, base building, and combat that AoE players understand is present. Units, technologies, and structures are all given futuristic characteristics. Memorable performances from big-name actors, such as Tim Curry, George Takei, and Jonathan Pryce, among others, make this game hard to forget.

2 Shadow Tactics: Blades Of The Shogun

A Fun Strategy Game Set In Ancient Japan

Rather than lead massive armies across sprawling battlefields like many of the other games on this list, Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun is a smaller-scale affair. Fans of the popular Commandos series will find themselves right at home with this game, as will longtime players of AOE.

Set in the age of Feudal Japan, players command a small squad, carrying out various missions ranging from assassination to intelligence gathering. Each squad member has a specialized ability that makes them more useful at performing specific tasks. If fans ever get tired of fighting huge battles, Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun offers a fun reprieve.