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Squirrel's Pick Squirrel's PickThe best game on this page. If you only try one, try this. Closest Match Closest MatchThe most similar game to the anchor, by what players say.
Master of Magic Classic
PC
ClassicFantasyTurn-Based
$5.99 ~78.8 hr median no co-op 97.2% of 756
The Squirrel's verdictThis is the original 1994 game via DOSBox, with a launcher offering the original release, final patch, or the community-modded Caster of Magic build. Same hex-based empire building, spell research, and wizard AI trading the remake reworked. No modern UI, no multiplayer, 640x480 graphics — it runs stable and plays as remembered rather than reimagined.
Not for you if you want modern UI conveniences, multiplayer, or updated graphics rather than the original DOS-era interface and resolution.
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Hidden Gem Hidden GemLoved by the players who found it, but still under the radar. Budget Pick Budget PickThe best game here for the least money.
Lords of Magic: Special Edition
PC
RPGDwarfClassic
$4.99 ~29.2 hr median no co-op 92.2% of 551
The Squirrel's verdictLords of Magic is a 1990s Sierra release built around picking one of seven religions, fielding hero-and-army stacks, and surviving a death-cult conquest campaign. There is no hand-holding, no modern QOL, and no hex grid — combat runs in a realtime-ish mode and the interface reflects its era. Reviewers confirm the difficulty is genuine and the save-scumming loop is baked in. Rated Very Positive at 92.2% across 29.2 median hours.
Not for you if you can't approach a late-1990s interface without nostalgia, or expect modern conveniences and hex-grid tactical combat.
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Age of Wonders Shadow Magic
PC
RPGTurn-Based StrategyFantasy
$9.99 ~37.7 hr median no co-op 89.4% of 643
The Squirrel's verdictRace and unit variety is Shadow Magic's signature: multiple distinct factions with asymmetric abilities, tactical hex combat, and wizard-led armies on a turn-based map. Community patches keep it current, and it runs stably on modern hardware. HoMM veterans in particular call it a direct fit. Median playtime is 37.7 hours; no co-op.
Not for you if you want a deep wizard spellbook and mana economy at the center of play rather than unit and race diversity.
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4XRPGFantasy
$24.99 ~130.9 hr median no co-op complexity: heavy 86.1% of 339
The Squirrel's verdictDeity Empires shares Master of Magic's turn-based empire building, wizard-led factions, spellcasting, and hex-based tactical combat, adding a roguelike dungeon-crawling layer and heavier customization. Released 2018, Very Positive on Steam, median playtime 130.9 hours, no co-op, PC only. Built for players who want the same systems taken deeper rather than remade.
Not for you if you want offline play without periodic Steam reconnection, or find dense, unhurried turn-based systems tedious rather than absorbing.
5
Age of Wonders II: The Wizard's Throne
PC
RPGFantasyTurn-Based Strategy
$9.99 ~24 hr median no co-op 83.4% of 403
The Squirrel's verdictAge of Wonders II delivers hex-based wizard-led empire building with strong AI opponents, a hero system, and a full campaign — the same core design as Master of Magic. Released in 2010, it plays stably with no bugs blocking saves or progress. Reviewers flag AI omniscience as a playstyle constraint and note some crash issues with zooming, but the 24-hour median and Very Positive rating hold.
Not for you if you need modern production values or can't tolerate AI that has full map vision from the start.
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City BuilderColony SimEconomy
$22.99 ~38.6 hr median no co-op complexity: moderate 74.9% of 5k
The Squirrel's verdictPharaoh: A New Era is a city-building logistics game centered on irrigation networks, walker systems, and monument construction in ancient Egypt. Army battles resolve automatically with no player input. Reviews note skipped mechanical details and army control complaints, but the core city-planning loop runs to a median of 38.6 hours. Players who prefer managing supply chains and population needs over faction warfare will find the familiar structure here.
Not for you if you want empire management, wizard combat, or any turn-based strategic layer rather than city logistics and automated battles.
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City BuilderComedyViolent
$29.99 ~15.8 hr median no co-op complexity: moderate 76.7% of 765
The Squirrel's verdictConstructor is a city-building sabotage sim where players manage tenants, sabotage rivals, and control housing plots in real time — no hex maps, no wizards, no empire building. At a median of 15.8 hours it runs shorter and more arcade-paced than Master of Magic's turn-based systems. Players who enjoy classic city management with a dark humor tone and don't need multiplayer will find the post-patch version a faithful tribute to the 1997 original.
Not for you if you want turn-based 4X empire building, spellcasting, or hex-based combat rather than real-time city sabotage.
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4XFantasyTurn-Based Strategy
Strong Mods Strong ModsA deep, active modding scene extends it past its base content.
$29.99 ~34.6 hr median no co-op complexity: moderate 73% of 482
The Squirrel's verdictElemental: Reforged compiles three prior Elemental titles into one package built around hex-based empire building, spellcasting wizards, heroes, and city management — the same design pillars as Master of Magic. It adds custom unit construction and hero advancement systems. Steam rating sits at Mostly Positive at 73.0%, with reviews split between bug complaints and praise for the depth of its turn-based systems at a median of 34.6 hours.
Not for you if you expect a polished, bug-free release rather than a compiled trilogy that reviewers still flag for crashes and broken UI elements.