Diplomacy is Not an Option: Shareware similar games & best alternatives

Diplomacy is Not an Option: Shareware - diplomacy-is-not-an-option-shareware_1.avif
Diplomacy is Not an Option: Shareware - diplomacy-is-not-an-option-shareware_2.avif
Diplomacy is Not an Option: Shareware - diplomacy-is-not-an-option-shareware_3.avif
Diplomacy is Not an Option: Shareware - diplomacy-is-not-an-option-shareware_4.avif
Diplomacy is Not an Option: Shareware - diplomacy-is-not-an-option-shareware_5.avif
Diplomacy is Not an Option: Shareware - diplomacy-is-not-an-option-shareware_6.avif

Diplomacy is Not an Option: Shareware

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2025

Should you play it?

Diplomacy is Not an Option: Shareware is a free prequel to the original game. In a medieval fantasy world, you are to build settlements, raise huge armies, and defend against massive hordes of enemies. Learn how Ironbrow clan shaped the world's map the first time - if you survive, that is.

What works
  • Free and substantial demo content
  • Challenging and engaging strategic gameplay
  • Combination of city-building and tower defense
  • Large-scale battles with many units
  • Humorous and atmospheric presentation
Things to keep in mind
  • Steep learning curve and high difficulty
  • Limited campaign length in demo
  • No multiplayer or cooperative modes
  • Some optimization issues and lag in large battles
  • Repetitive resource gathering and limited tactical variety

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • FTL: Faster Than Light

  • Vestaria Saga I: War of the Scions

  • Territory: Farming and Warfare

  • Vivid Knight

  • Commander Quest

  • Rogue State Revolution

  • They Are Billions

  • Xenonauts

  • Nexus - The Jupiter Incident
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Rogue State Revolution

  • Shardpunk

  • Warlords Under Siege
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Strategy

    Age of Empires II (Retired)
  • Survival

    TDS - Tower Defense Strategy
  • Competence

    Kohan II: Kings of War

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).

Diplomacy is Not an Option: Shareware: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Violence, Survival, Fellowship, Cooperation. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Leadership. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Expression, Relaxation.

Why this game works

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

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    3

    "Players have freedom to build bases, choose unit compositions, and decide strategies, though within RTS constraints."

    Capsule for The Hive The Hive

    "Players have freedom to plan base layout, resource management, and army tactics, but within RTS genre constraints."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    4

    "The game challenges players with tactical and strategic depth, requiring skillful management of resources, positioning, and army composition."

    Capsule for Kohan II: Kings of War Kohan II: Kings of War

    "Game challenges players with complex resource and army management, requiring skillful strategic planning and execution."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -3

    "Focus is on single-player campaign and survival modes without multiplayer or ranked competition."

    Capsule for Alien Shooter 2: Reloaded Alien Shooter 2: Reloaded

    "Focus is on single-player campaign and endless survival mode without direct player-vs-player competition."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    4

    "Players report long sessions, replayability via endless mode, and high engagement."

    Capsule for Captain Wayne - Vacation Desperation Captain Wayne - Vacation Desperation

    "Players report long sessions, repeated attempts, and high engagement especially in endless mode."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -4

    "Gameplay centers on individual base defense and micromanagement; no multiplayer or cooperative modes present."

    Capsule for MarZ: Tactical Base Defense MarZ: Tactical Base Defense

    "Gameplay centers on individual management and defense; no multiplayer or cooperative modes currently."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players can customize base layout and defenses, but within preset structures and limited modification."

    Capsule for Battle Islands Battle Islands

    "Players can customize base layouts and experiment with different defensive strategies, but within predefined structures."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -4

    "No evidence of exerting control over other players; interactions are with AI enemies only."

    Capsule for Roombo: First Blood Roombo: First Blood

    "No evidence of exerting control over other players; interactions are with AI enemies only."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players use the game as a distraction and stress relief, enjoying immersive strategic challenges."

    Capsule for Terrorhedron Tower Defense Terrorhedron Tower Defense

    "Players use the game as an intense distraction and stress relief through strategic challenge and immersion."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Engagement is driven by intrinsic interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or external pressure."

    Capsule for MONSTER HUNTER RISE MONSTER HUNTER RISE

    "Engagement is driven by intrinsic interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players try different strategies, units, and builds to find effective tactics against various enemies."

    Capsule for Battlecruisers Battlecruisers

    "Players try different strategies, unit compositions, and base designs to overcome waves of enemies."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    2

    "Some exploration of maps and strategic terrain is involved, but mostly familiar RTS environments."

    Capsule for Cossacks: Art of War Cossacks: Art of War

    "Some map exploration and scouting is involved, but mostly within known RTS map boundaries."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -2

    "Limited character or environment customization; focus is on gameplay rather than self-expression."

    Capsule for [Chilla's Art] The Closing Shift | 閉店事件 [Chilla's Art] The Closing Shift | 閉店事件

    "Limited character or environment customization; focus is on strategic gameplay rather than self-expression."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    3

    "Fantasy elements like magic, mythical enemies, and medieval setting provide imaginative fiction experience."

    Capsule for Castle Craft Castle Craft

    "Medieval fantasy setting with orcs, undead, and orbital laser abilities adds imaginative elements."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -4

    "Minimal social interaction; primarily a solo experience without community or group identity focus."

    Capsule for Kingdom Rush Origins - Tower Defense Kingdom Rush Origins - Tower Defense

    "Minimal social interaction; primarily a solo experience without community or group identity focus."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players develop skills and knowledge over time; learning curve is steep but rewarding."

    Capsule for Xsyon - Prelude Xsyon - Prelude

    "Players develop skills and knowledge of game mechanics over time; learning curve noted as steep but rewarding."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Typical sedentary gameplay without physical activity or health-related features."

    Capsule for The Great Rebellion The Great Rebellion

    "Typical sedentary gameplay without physical activity or health-related features."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

    "Requires constant attention and active management; not suited for casual or background play."

    Capsule for Factorio Factorio

    "Requires constant attention and active management; not suited for background or casual play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of close social relationships or emotional sharing within the game."

    Capsule for Backpack Battles Backpack Battles

    "No evidence of close social relationships or emotional sharing within the game."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    3

    "Players lead and manage their own armies and bases, making strategic decisions and directing units."

    Capsule for Here Comes The Swarm Here Comes The Swarm

    "Players lead and manage their own kingdom and army, making strategic decisions and directing units."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Game features resource management, crafting, and character progression through upgrades and achievements."

    Capsule for Maurice: In The Predator's Nest Maurice: In The Predator's Nest

    "Game features resource gathering, building upgrades, and unlocking new units and technologies."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    -2

    "Game is intense and challenging, causing frustration and tension rather than relaxation or flow."

    Capsule for 64.0 64.0

    "Game is challenging and intense, causing tension and frustration rather than relaxation."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Visual and auditory effects create an exciting and immersive atmosphere with intense combat."

    Capsule for The Red Solstice The Red Solstice

    "Visuals and sound effects create an exciting and immersive atmosphere with large-scale battles."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -4

    "No social status or recognition systems; focus is on individual gameplay experience."

    Capsule for Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew

    "No social status or recognition systems; focus is on individual gameplay experience."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    2

    "There is a light narrative and lore, but gameplay is mostly focused on mechanics and strategy."

    Capsule for GemCraft - Frostborn Wrath GemCraft - Frostborn Wrath

    "Includes a light narrative with cutscenes and lore, but gameplay emphasis is on strategy rather than story."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    5

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

    Capsule for Age of Empires II (Retired) Age of Empires II (Retired)

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

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    4

    "High tension from one-hit deaths and challenging enemy waves creates suspense and excitement."

    Capsule for Starr Mazer: DSP Starr Mazer: DSP

    "High tension from waves of enemies and survival challenges creates suspense and excitement."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Free demo with good quality content provides strong perceived value; players motivated to buy full game."

    Capsule for Unsolved Case Unsolved Case

    "Free demo provides substantial content and a good introduction to the full game, seen as good value."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    4

    "Combat and destruction are central, with large scale battles and sieges featuring melee and ranged units."

    Capsule for A Total War Saga: TROY A Total War Saga: TROY

    "Combat and destruction are central, with large battles and enemy hordes attacking the player."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    5

    "Strong survival element requiring players to defend against waves and avoid failure."

    Capsule for TDS - Tower Defense Strategy TDS - Tower Defense Strategy

    "Strong survival element as players must defend against continuous enemy waves and manage scarce resources."

Last update: 10/07/2026