Games like Expeditions: Rome – why Ikariam is worth a look
You've finished playing Expeditions: Rome or are currently playing it and looking for more games with an ancient setting? Then Ikariam could be an interesting alternative for in between. Ikariam is a building and strategy game in the browser, set in an ancient-inspired world with islands, resources and research – no download required, play directly in your browser and free to play.
Important to note upfront: Ikariam is not a role-playing game and not a turn-based tactics title like Expeditions: Rome. However, it appeals to players who enjoy the ancient setting, economic development and long-term progression.
What makes Expeditions: Rome special
Expeditions: Rome was released on 20 January 2022, developed by Logic Artists and published by THQ Nordic. According to the Steam description, it is a turn-based role-playing game with strategy elements.
- Genres: Role-playing game, Strategy
- Game mode: Single-player
- Features: Steam achievements, full controller support, Steam trading cards, Steam Cloud, Family Library
- Core experience: You fight alongside your entourage of Praetorians, command your legion and make important decisions that influence your path through Roman history.
The focus is therefore on a narrative single-player campaign with turn-based combat and decision-making.
What Ikariam offers
Ikariam is a browser building game with an ancient setting, where you settle islands, harvest resources, conduct research and expand your economy and military.
Research as long-term motivation
In the Economy research area, numerous levels are available – from early preservation and pulleys to architecture, bureaucracy and multi-level "Future of Economy". Examples from the research tree:
- Preservation (12 research points)
- Prosperity (112)
- Architecture (3,672) – Requirements: Geometry and Polytheism, allows construction of architectural offices
- Culinary Specialities (10,764) – enables training of chefs in the barracks
- Utopia (241,200) and further "Future of Economy" levels up to level 10
Seafaring, piracy and fleets
Ikariam also offers maritime content. In the pirate fortress you can launch privateering expeditions – at the start one expedition brings 115 privateer points and 40 gold. The upgrade level of the fortress determines the number of expeditions, crew size and range. According to the source: the shorter a journey, the higher the yield per unit time.
For naval units there is, among others, the Balloon Carrier, a floating fortress with balloons. Requirements are war dock level 7 and a floating base. A sea chart archive is also researchable and reduces travel times across 35 levels – with 50 islands this adds up to several hours of time savings per level.
Where Ikariam differs from Expeditions: Rome
Both games share the ancient setting, but are conceptually very different. A few factual differences:
- Platform: Expeditions: Rome runs as a download title via Steam. Ikariam runs directly in your browser – no installation required.
- Pricing model: Expeditions: Rome is not a free-to-play title according to Steam data. Ikariam is free to play in the browser.
- Game mode: Expeditions: Rome is designed as a single-player role-playing game. Ikariam is a building/strategy game where your world continues to progress permanently.
- Game focus: In Expeditions: Rome you personally command your Praetorians and make decisions for Rome. In Ikariam the emphasis is on city building, research, economy, seafaring and military development.
So if you're primarily looking for the turn-based combat and role-playing experience of Expeditions: Rome, you won't find that 1:1 in Ikariam. However, if you like the ancient world as a backdrop and enjoy building long-term, you can use Ikariam in parallel as a more relaxed browser title.
Comparison at a glance
| Expeditions: Rome | Ikariam | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Steam (Download) | Browser |
| Free-to-play | No | Yes, free to play |
| Setting | Roman antiquity | Ancient-inspired island world |
| Genre | Role-playing game, Strategy (turn-based) | Building/Strategy game with research & seafaring |
| Game mode | Single-player | Persistent browser world |
FAQ
Is Ikariam a clone of Expeditions: Rome?
No. Expeditions: Rome is a turn-based role-playing game with strategy elements and story decisions. Ikariam is a browser building game with research, economy and seafaring. The connection is the ancient setting, not the game principle.
What does Ikariam cost?
Ikariam can be started and played in the browser for free.
Do I need to install anything?
No. Ikariam runs directly in your browser, you don't need a download. Expeditions: Rome, on the other hand, is a classic Steam title with installation.
Are there other browser alternatives?
If you're generally interested in browser strategy games, you can also check out Kingsage – a medieval strategy game in the browser. In terms of setting, Ikariam remains closer to antiquity, which appeals to Expeditions: Rome fans.
Fancy building the ancient world yourself?
Expeditions: Rome remains what it is: a narrative-driven turn-based role-playing game. If you want an ancient setting in the browser in between sessions, without installation and without a purchase price, you can simply try Ikariam – create an account, settle an island, conduct research and gradually build your own economy.