Games like Hard West 2: Why Ikariam is worth a look
If you enjoy Hard West 2 – the turn-based strategy, planning each move, building a formidable squad – then Ikariam is worth checking out. It's a different genre (building strategy rather than Western tactics), but it appeals to players who like to think strategically, manage resources and plan long-term. And the best part: Ikariam runs directly in your browser, is free to play and requires no installation.
What makes Hard West 2 special
Hard West 2 was developed by Ice Code Games and published by Good Shepherd Entertainment on 4 August 2022. According to the Steam description, the game takes you into the "dark heart of the American West", where you command a supernatural gang and must conquer a mysterious ghost train.
- Genre: Action, Role-playing, Strategy
- Game mode: Single-player
- Gameplay: turn-based strategy game in the Wild West
- Features: Steam achievements, trading cards, Steam Cloud, family library
- Tone: dark, supernatural, tactical
If you value a narrative-rich solo campaign with clever tricks and big guns, you're in good hands here.
What Ikariam offers
Ikariam is a building and strategy game set in an ancient-inspired world that runs entirely in your browser. Instead of a linear campaign, the focus is on developing an island civilisation, economy, research and diplomacy.
Research as the core of progress
A central element is the research system, which also covers economic priorities. With collected research points, you can gradually unlock new possibilities.
- Preservation – 12 research points
- Pulley – 24 research points
- Prosperity – 112 research points
- Wine Culture – 336 research points
- Geometry – 2,236 research points (prerequisite for Architecture)
- Architecture – 3,672 research points (enables the construction of architecture offices)
- Culinary Specialities – 10,764 research points (enables training of chefs in the barracks)
- Bureaucracy – 106,560 research points
- Utopia – 241,200 research points
- Future of Economics – from 532,800 research points, with ten further levels for long-term players
Special units and buildings
The "Culinary Specialities" research allows training of chefs in the barracks – units that, according to the description, boost morale and care for the wounded. With "Architecture", architecture offices can be built that save marble when constructing buildings.
Pirate fortress and privateering
Privateering expeditions can be launched via the pirate fortress. The expansion level determines duration, crew and range. Short voyages are regarded as the most effective according to the wiki – a 2:30-minute voyage brings approximately 0.76 privateer points per second, whilst a 16-hour voyage achieves only about 0.12 points per second.
Sea chart archive and naval units
The sea chart archive can be expanded in many stages and significantly reduces travel times between islands – with 50 islands and level 35, players save up to 6h 53m 48s according to the wiki. For naval battles there are units like the Balloon Carrier, a floating fortress with balloons that requires prerequisites such as War Shipyard level 7 and a Floating Base.
How Ikariam differs from Hard West 2
Both games are strategy – but they take different approaches. This overview helps with comparison:
- Game focus: Hard West 2 is, according to Steam, a turn-based tactical game with a single-player campaign. Ikariam is a building strategy game where economy, research and seafaring play central roles.
- Setting: Hard West 2 is set in a dark, supernatural Wild West. Ikariam is inspired by antiquity (islands, marble, architecture, pirate fortress).
- Platform: Hard West 2 is available on Steam and requires installation. Ikariam runs directly in your browser with no download.
- Pricing model: Hard West 2 is paid according to Steam. Ikariam is free-to-play.
- Game mode: Hard West 2 is a single-player experience. Ikariam is designed for multiplayer interaction (other players' islands, privateering, alliances).
If you're looking exclusively for turn-based combat, you'll find more of what makes Hard West 2 special in that game. However, if you're looking for a long-term building and strategy game to play casually in your browser, Ikariam offers a different but similarly strategic approach.
Comparison at a glance
| Criteria | Hard West 2 | Ikariam |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Steam (Download/Installation) | Browser, instantly playable |
| Free-to-play | No | Yes |
| Setting | Wild West, supernatural | Ancient island world |
| Genre | Action, Role-playing, Strategy (turn-based) | Building and strategy game |
| Game mode | Single-player | Multiplayer (islands, privateering) |
| Release | 4 August 2022 | Ongoing live service in browser |
FAQ
Is Ikariam like Hard West 2?
No, not in the strict sense. Hard West 2 is, according to Steam, a turn-based tactical game in the Wild West with a single-player focus. Ikariam is a building strategy game with an ancient setting in the browser. What both have in common is the strategic approach – if you enjoy planning and thinking long-term, you can enjoy both.
What does Ikariam cost?
Ikariam is free-to-play and can be played directly in your browser. No installation is required.
What can I research in Ikariam?
In the economics section there is, among other things, Preservation, Pulley, Prosperity, Wine Culture, Geometry, Architecture, Culinary Specialities, Bureaucracy, Utopia and ten levels of "Future of Economics" for long-term players. Research unlocks new buildings (e.g. architecture office) or units (e.g. chefs).
Are there other browser strategy games?
Yes. If you prefer a medieval setting, you can also take a look at Kingsage, a medieval strategy game in the browser.
Fancy strategy in the browser?
Ikariam doesn't replace Hard West 2 – it complements it. If you fancy a long-term building project between turn-based Western battles that you can open in your browser at any time, Ikariam is worth a try. Start for free, build your own island, research, trade and go privateering – all without installation.