SEED GAME#7525 BGG all-time

The First Tsar: Ivan the Terrible(2023)

★ 7.2 BGG2–4 playersWeight 3.08
Area Majority / InfluenceArea MovementEnd Game Bonuses

Games like The First Tsar: Ivan the Terrible

Looking for games like The First Tsar: Ivan the Terrible? It's a strategy game with real decisions on every turn — built on the tension of claiming the best spots before anyone else can and the constant fight to control more of the board than your rivals. This page rounds up 12 of the closest alternatives, scored on mechanical overlap with the original (45%), complexity match (35%), and player-count fit (20%), then weighted by BoardGameGeek community ratings so every pick is one players genuinely rate. The strongest matches come first; the further down you go, the more a game trades exact overlap for a fresh take on the same core appeal.

How ISO scores this list:Mechanic overlap 45%·Complexity proximity 35%·Player-count fit 20%·BGG quality multiplier applied

12 recommendations · scored by ISO

Key Market(2010)

★ 7.32–4 playersWeight 3.5
ISO Match
69/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 3 more

Area Majority / InfluenceArea MovementHand Management

The White Castle Duel(2025)

★ 7.92 playersWeight 2.9
ISO Match
68/100

Shares End Game Bonuses + 2 more

Action DraftingEnd Game BonusesIncome

Nippon: Zaibatsu(2026)

★ 8.61–4 players60 minWeight 3.6
ISO Match
65/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 3 more

Area Majority / InfluenceContractsEnd Game Bonuses

Paris(2020)

★ 7.22–4 players90 minWeight 2.8
ISO Match
64/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 3 more

Area Majority / InfluenceEnd Game BonusesHand Management

Beyond the Sun(2020)

★ 7.92–4 players60 minWeight 3.1
ISO Match
64/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 3 more

Area Majority / InfluenceContractsEnd Game Bonuses

Key Market (Second Edition)(2019)

★ 7.32–4 playersWeight 3.4
ISO Match
64/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 2 more

Area Majority / InfluenceArea MovementHand Management

Feya's Swamp(2025)

★ 7.62–4 playersWeight 3.1
ISO Match
63/100

Shares Area Movement + 3 more

Area MovementEnd Game BonusesHexagon Grid

Small Samurai Empires(2020)

★ 7.52–4 playersWeight 2.8
ISO Match
63/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 2 more

Action QueueArea Majority / InfluenceArea Movement

The White Castle(2023)

★ 8.01–4 players80 minWeight 3.0
ISO Match
63/100

Shares Area Movement + 3 more

Action DraftingArea MovementDice Rolling

The Pursuit of Happiness(2015)

★ 7.21–4 players60 minWeight 2.6
ISO Match
62/100

Shares End Game Bonuses + 2 more

End Game BonusesIncomeOpen Drafting

Pest(2024)

★ 7.31–5 playersWeight 3.3
ISO Match
62/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 3 more

Action PointsArea Majority / InfluenceArea Movement

Architects of the West Kingdom(2018)

★ 7.71–5 players60 minWeight 2.8
ISO Match
61/100

Shares Area Movement + 3 more

Area MovementContractsEnd Game Bonuses

As an Amazon Associate, ISO earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability vary; ISO never displays prices. Affiliate links are marked rel="sponsored" per FTC guidelines.

IS

Get picks tuned to your shelf

This list is built from community data. Sign in to ISO and log what you own — your personal feed factors in your complexity preferences, play history, and the games already on your shelf.

Get personalized recommendations →

Free · no credit card · 2-minute setup

More recommendation lists