The real-time strategy game genre has become more diverse than ever, with titles that go from managing a survivor camp in the middle of World War II to fighting for survival in frozen lands. Among the numerous options, there is also the grand strategy game subgenre that, as you might expect, is reserved for games with the most engaging conflict. One of the main references to these titles is Hearts of Iron IV.

It is far from being the most played game type in world history, but it definitely gathers a lot of fans. If you are one of the games that love real-time tactical battles and managing troops in conflicts, this is the perfect list for you.

We will show you the best games, like Hearts of Iron IV, you can play right now. We will also cover different platforms to ensure you find the best option, whether playing on PC or console.

Even though Hearts of Iron IV is the largest grand strategy game in terms of scale, it’s not the only reason it’s the first title that comes to mind when discussing good strategy games. Hearts of Iron IV lets you precisely control all the aspects of your country and its assault squad, featuring gameplay mechanics never seen in similar games. 

From the number of troops to the tactics used for invading other nations, the game redefines real-time strategy by letting you decide every aspect of your expansion, from the first steps of your country to world domination.

Another highlight of HoI IV is the number of customization options available for your game, whether when it comes to the laws of your country or the personalization rules when creating a new game session. With this, it is natural for people to start looking for similar titles to the game. If you’re one of them, this is the perfect article for you. And if you never tried Hearts of Iron 4, you can find a Steam CD key at RoyalCDKeys for a special price.

Now it’s time to see some of the best grand strategy titles similar to Hearts of Iron IV you can play right now. We will cover different themes and platforms to ensure you find the perfect game for you.

Whether you’re looking for a world war-themed game like HoI or a title with a space environment and large-scale alien invasion, there is always something to catch your attention. Here are the best options for real-time strategy game titles:

• Release Date: September, 2020

• Developer: Paradox Interactive

• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS

Another big name in the real-time strategy genre is Crusader Kings, and the third title from the saga gathers the best aspects of the previous games to create the definitive experience. Crusader Kings 3 has a depth of gameplay mechanics not often seen in other video games, which might result in a high learning curve. But if you can dedicate some time to learning the mechanics, it can become one of the best titles for playing alone or online.

If you’re new to the franchise, it is highly recommended that you try the single-player campaign before playing against real people. The game lets you choose between three royal families to start your kingdom.

You have multiple options for expanding your empire, whether through diplomacy or direct combat, allowing you to decide the best strategy freely. You can control numerous aspects of your kingdom and your troops and soldiers that you send to the battle.

Each of the three kingdoms has distinct characteristics directly impacting the gameplay and your plans to conquer victory.

Although the environment and historical events of CK 3 and HoI 4 are different, they share some similarities. It is a perfect title if that’s what you’re looking for.

Get Crusader Kings 3 Steam CD key on RoyalCDKeys.

• Release Date: May, 2016

• Developer: Paradox Interactive

• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Linux, macOS, and Microsoft Windows

Going from a medieval great war to a different period, there is the fantastic space adventure of Stellaris. This RTS allows you to explore much more than just our solar system, letting you create colonies and expand almost anywhere in the universe.

It is one of the main similar games to HoI IV for a series of reasons, and one of the main ones is its difficulty. Stellaris’ gameplay complexity is not often seen in other games of the genre and might have one of the most complex learning curves on this list. But once you understand the basics, it is a fun game with hundreds or maybe thousands of hours of content.

Each run is different and can result in different consequences, even though you use the same strategy. The game has numerous features that add depth to the gameplay and increase immersion, such as a law creation system to put order in your colony and a spaceship management menu dedicated to developing technologies to explore a new world or find new galaxies.

Each combat against players can last several hours, so you must be prepared for long gameplay sessions to achieve victory. Since it’s a futuristic title, there are several mechanics and equipment options you don’t see in other titles of the genre.

One great example of that is space traveling. You can use the development menu to research ways to make traveling between countries more efficient. The development tab is not restricted only to spaceship equipment. You can also develop parts to build the supreme weapon against your enemies, for example.

If you like space-themed adventures, it is definitely a must-try. The title features dozens of DLCs that expand the title’s content even more, so it is a great idea if you want to spend as much time as possible on the game.

Get Stellaris Steam CD key on RoyalCDKeys.

• Release Date: August, 2020

• Developer: Creative Assembly

• Platforms: Linux, macOS, and Microsoft Windows

If large-scale combat is what attracted you to the strategy game Hearts of Iron IV, this is the perfect alternative for you. TWS: Troy features some of the most insane combat events ever seen in video games of the genre, with more than a thousand enemies attacking the same objective.

Each game of the Total War series usually has a well-defined theme, which is no exception. As you might expect from the title, this one occurs during the Trojan invasions, and you can find numerous historical figures during your gameplay. From Aquiles to King Menelaus, each one can become a valuable ally to your journey or a mortal enemy.

It is also considered a grand strategy game, and this is reflected directly in multiple aspects of the gameplay. From the combat that can last more than days to game sessions that look endless, everything has bigger proportions than in other usual games, making it the perfect title if you can spend this time playing it.

The game has numerous paths a session can take, from diplomacy and new technology development to direct combat with chaos and destruction wherever you go. Making history is everyone’s dream, but you must ensure you have what’s necessary.

The gameplay takes place in the mythical bronze-age Greece. At this time, there were a lot of conflicts not only against other nations but also internally throughout the country. Don’t trust anyone, and make sure to ally with powerful figures to increase your chances of winning this war. 

If you like Greek settings and mythological stories, it is a must-have in your library. Command vast amounts of soldiers on the battlefield and bring glory to Greece in this thriving title.

Get Total War Saga: Troy Steam CD key on RoyalCDKeys.

• Release Date: September, 2013

• Developer: AGEod

• Platforms: Microsoft Windows and macOS

AGEOD’s games always showed how simpler graphics and gameplay don’t necessarily mean worse titles. Their second title from the American Civil War saga is one of the best proofs. 

Even though the gameplay looks much simpler in terms of animation and overall graphics, the game has a depth of complexity and a number of possibilities as big as the previously mentioned titles.

As you might expect, the game takes place in the middle of the American Civil War, and the main focus of the studio is to represent historical facts with as much accuracy as possible. The simpler graphics also have positive impacts. Thanks to that, it has one of the most intuitive and clean HUDs among the options, different from games like CK, where every corner you look at is full of menus and information.

In this game, you’re the political and military leader of a nation, with the main objective to conquer victory over the other regions that are trying to take control of the USA.

As you might expect from a grand strategy title, there are several ways to conquer victory: wage war and total domination or allying with other powerful nations for a better chance of surviving the war. In this game’s system, each turn is equivalent to two weeks in the game, so keep this in mind when choosing the best strategy and course of action to take.

If you like the civil war setting and games that want to reproduce historical facts with as much accuracy as possible, don’t miss this one. It is a great game to play online, and the number of possibilities makes it great for playing several times.

• Release Date: August, 2013

• Developer: Paradox Interactive

• Platforms: Linux, macOS, and Microsoft Windows

It is impossible to talk about games like HoI IV without mentioning Europa Universalis. The franchise's fourth title is considered the best by most players, and there are numerous reasons for that.

EU IV is one of the largest real-time strategy games not only in terms of map size but also when it comes to the volume of mechanics and customization features. Everything can be personalized when creating your game session, from rules to special mods.

The game allows you to begin your empire and create your military base wherever you want. Whether in a city in North Africa or the extreme south of the USA, the game allows you to start anywhere, but you need to consider different aspects to make a successful strategy. Several factors impact your army’s development and country’s influence, like the countries you make borders with and the commercial routes you can make to trade items. 

Depending on the country you choose with, you’ll have a lot of seas and oceans around you, which allow you to create strong marine strategies. This is just one of the many variables that will be considered when creating your empire.

Like Stellaris and most games on this list, it can be challenging at the beginning, with lots of mechanics and features to learn. But once you understand them, it can be extremely rewarding, and the game can definitely become one of your favorites.

Get Europa Universalis IV Steam CD key on RoyalCDKeys.

• Release Date: June, 2019

• Developer: Eugen Systems

• Platforms: Microsoft Windows

If you like Hearts of Iron IV because of its World War II setting, this title might be exactly what you want. Steel Division 2 puts you on the eastern front of the battlefield in a period between World War II and the Cold War.

The game focuses heavily on Bellic conflicts, and you have numerous vehicles at your disposal to help in confrontations, from tanks to airplanes. It is one of the largest games in terms of the number of soldiers on the battlefield. You can easily control over a thousand army members at a time, creating enormous conflicts like never before in another real-time strategy game.

In the game, you control a general responsible for managing resources on the battlefield and the operations of the headquarters and its structure. It also has a depth of mechanics, as expected for a game of this type, which results in numerous possibilities of how you can conquer victory.

Another detail that makes this game so enjoyable for a long time is that it features more than 25 different maps to play and multiple game modes to diversify the gameplay. Along with single-player and PvP multiplayer, the title also supports co-op. So, if you want to conquer the battlefield with your friends, this is your go-to option.

Get Steel Division 2 Steam CD key on RoyalCDKeys.

The real-time strategy genre is full of incredible titles, and Hearts of Iron IV is definitely one of them. The game gathers elements from older brothers and gives its own twist, making it a must-play for RTS and war games enthusiasts.

But along with it, there are several other titles that can be as good as HoI IV. Whether managing a space colony or a castle invasion during the Dark Ages, there are numerous different experiences regarding the grand strategy game style. We showed you some of the most famous ones, but there are countless others you can play and enjoy alone or against other players.

Now, it’s time for you to choose your next real-time strategy game to play. The items listed above and many others are available at RoyalCDKeys for a considerably lower price. This way, you get to enjoy every title you want and still save money.