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Making History: The Second World War similar games & best alternatives

Making History: The Second World War

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Linux • 2018

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Quick resume

Choose a nation and prepare for the greatest conflict in human history, World War II. Build your military and industrial power, form alliances and race to achieve the advanced technologies that will bring total victory in this global-wide turn-based Grand Strategy struggle.

Global score

78/100

Genres

Indie, Simulator, Strategy

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    Pros

    • Deep and complex micromanagement
    • Robust scenario editor and modding
    • Historical and alternate history depth
    • Active developer support and updates
    • Many playable nations and strategic options

    Cons

    • Steep learning curve and poor tutorial/manual
    • Bugs and crashes especially late game
    • Clunky and outdated ui
    • Performance issues and memory errors
    • Limited multiplayer and social features

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

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      "Players have extensive freedom to direct their own actions, choose nations, strategies, and diplomatic or military approaches."

      Capsule for Europa Universalis IV Europa Universalis IV

      "Players have extensive control over nation management, production, diplomacy, and military strategy with many options and freedom to direct their own actions."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      4

      "The game offers complex management of resources, economy, military, and diplomacy, requiring skill and strategic thinking to succeed."

      Capsule for Making History: The Great War Making History: The Great War

      "The game involves complex micromanagement, balancing economy, production, and military, requiring skill and strategic thinking."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      1

      "Mostly single-player focused with some multiplayer modes; competition exists but is not the primary motivation."

      Capsule for Order of Battle: World War II Order of Battle: World War II

      "Mostly single-player focused with AI opponents; multiplayer exists but is limited and buggy, so competition is not a strong motivator."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      4

      "Many reviews mention long play sessions, deep engagement, and difficulty to put down despite bugs and crashes."

      Capsule for 7,62 High Calibre 7,62 High Calibre

      "Many reviews mention long play sessions, deep engagement, and habitual return to the game despite bugs."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      0

      "Limited local multiplayer mentioned but no strong emphasis on cooperative gameplay."

      Capsule for Deep the Game Deep the Game

      "Limited evidence of cooperative gameplay; mostly single-player or competitive multiplayer with little emphasis on teamwork."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      4

      "Strong modding support, scenario editor, and freedom to create alternate histories and custom nations."

      Capsule for Making History II: The War of the World Making History II: The War of the World

      "Robust scenario editor, modding support, and ability to create alternate history and custom nations encourage creative play."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      2

      "Players can dominate others through strategic superiority, but no strong evidence of toxic or authoritarian social behavior."

      Capsule for Space Empires V Space Empires V

      "Players often seek to dominate the world map and control other nations, but no strong evidence of social domination or toxic behavior."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "Players use the game to immerse themselves in alternate history and complex strategic challenges, escaping real life."

      Capsule for Hearts of Iron III Hearts of Iron III

      "Players use the game to immerse themselves in alternate history and complex world management, escaping real life."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -3

      "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or pressure."

      Capsule for Marathon Marathon

      "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or pressure."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      3

      "Players explore different production chains, military strategies, and diplomatic options, experimenting with game mechanics."

      Capsule for KAISERPUNK KAISERPUNK

      "Players explore different nations, strategies, and alternate history scenarios, experimenting with game mechanics."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      1

      "Some exploration of mechanics and combinations, but limited map or environment exploration."

      Capsule for Bioprototype Bioprototype

      "Some exploration of alternate history and scenario possibilities, but limited physical map exploration."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      2

      "Customization of nations and flags allows some self-expression, though limited cosmetic options."

      Capsule for Dummynation Dummynation

      "Customization of nations, creation of vassals, and modding allow some self-expression, though limited cosmetic options."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      1

      "Primarily a historical simulation with some alternate history elements, blending realism with imaginative scenarios."

      Capsule for Hearts of Iron IV Hearts of Iron IV

      "Based on historical events with some alternate history elements; mostly realistic but allows rewriting history."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      0

      "Limited social interaction; multiplayer exists but is not a core focus."

      Capsule for Sacred Gold Sacred Gold

      "Limited social community interaction; some multiplayer groups exist but not a major focus."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      4

      "Players learn complex economic and political systems, improving skills over time."

      Capsule for Tropico 6 Tropico 6

      "Players learn complex systems of economy, diplomacy, and warfare, improving skills over time."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

      "No physical activity involved; sedentary gameplay."

      Capsule for Broken Reality Broken Reality

      "No physical activity involved; sedentary gameplay."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires sustained attention and micromanagement; not suited for idle or casual background play."

      Capsule for Knights and Merchants Knights and Merchants

      "Requires sustained attention and micromanagement; not suited for idle or casual background play."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      -5

      "No evidence of close social or emotional relationships formed through gameplay."

      Capsule for GORN GORN

      "No evidence of close social or emotional relationships formed through gameplay."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      3

      "Players lead nations and armies, making strategic decisions and managing resources."

      Capsule for Arsenal of Democracy: A Hearts of Iron Game Arsenal of Democracy: A Hearts of Iron Game

      "Players lead nations and armies, making strategic decisions and managing resources."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      4

      "Strong emphasis on accumulating resources, technology, military units, and territorial control."

      Capsule for Supreme Ruler 1936 Supreme Ruler 1936

      "Strong emphasis on accumulating resources, technology, and military power to progress and conquer."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      -1

      "Game is challenging and can cause frustration; some find it relaxing but many report tension and difficulty."

      Capsule for Gun Rocket Gun Rocket

      "Some find the game relaxing and immersive, but others mention frustration due to bugs and complexity."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      1

      "Visuals and sound are functional but not highly stimulating; focus is on strategic depth rather than sensory excitement."

      Capsule for Making History: The Great War Making History: The Great War

      "Visual and auditory elements are functional but not highly stimulating; focus is on strategic depth."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      0

      "No strong emphasis on social recognition or popularity within the game."

      Capsule for The Sims™ 3 The Sims™ 3

      "Little emphasis on social recognition or popularity within the game."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      3

      "Historical and alternate history scenarios provide narrative context and immersion."

      Capsule for Supreme Ruler Ultimate Supreme Ruler Ultimate

      "Historical and alternate history event chains provide narrative immersion and flavor."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      5

      "Core gameplay revolves around deep strategic planning, problem solving, and tactical decision making."

      Capsule for Into the Breach Into the Breach

      "Core gameplay revolves around deep strategic planning, problem solving, and decision making."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      1

      "Some suspense in combat and exploration, but overall a controlled and calm experience."

      Capsule for The Orville - Interactive Fan Experience The Orville - Interactive Fan Experience

      "Some suspense from warfare and diplomacy, but overall a controlled and turn-based experience."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      2

      "Generally considered good value for fans of the genre, especially at sale prices."

      Capsule for ETHER VAPOR Remaster ETHER VAPOR Remaster

      "Generally considered good value for fans of the genre, though some mention bugs and lack of polish."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      3

      "Combat and destruction are central gameplay elements, though presented in a realistic and strategic manner."

      Capsule for Gary Grigsby's War in the East 2 Gary Grigsby's War in the East 2

      "Combat and destruction are central to gameplay, though presented in a strategic and abstract manner."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      3

      "Players must manage resources and military to avoid defeat and maintain nation stability."

      Capsule for Making History: The Calm & the Storm Making History: The Calm & the Storm

      "Players must manage resources and military to avoid defeat and maintain their nation’s survival."

    Analysis

    Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Fellowship, Domination, Status. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Story. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Intimacy, Fellowship.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • 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.

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 30/04/2026