Summary
- Customize civilizations in Humankind to feel like a god by developing powerful control and weaponry.
- Create a complex fantasy city in Songs Of Syx; expand the kingdom and fend off challengers.
- In Shadows of Forbidden Gods, become a fallen god and bring forth the apocalypse to feel godlike.
Becoming like a god in video games is arguably one of the greatest feelings of all, no matter what genre of game the player is enjoying. While an RPG may make a player feel god-like by making their attacks powerful and increasing their defense, grand strategy titles are another genre of games where a player can feel like a god.
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While some grand strategy games put players in the literal position of a god, other titles instead have the player controlling various leaders from history or creating their own. As players grow their armies and cities in these grand strategy games, they will likely become an unstoppable force, making them feel closer to a god than ever. These are some of the best grand strategy games for feeling like a god, ranked not only by their overall critic score, but also by how godlike a player can become.
8 Humankind
Rewrite History To Shape A Unique Civilization
Humankind
- Released
- August 17, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Alcohol Reference, Mild Language, Mild Violence
- Developer(s)
- Amplitude Studios
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Turn-Based Strategy
Starting off strong, Humankind is an interesting grand strategy title that already makes players feel like a god due to their being able to sculpt their civilization into whatever culture they wish. By mixing and matching parts of actual culture from history, players can create their own little civilization of people that they can push to progress over many years.
Besides being able to customize their culture in such a way, players can develop their civilization further in Humankind until they have discovered more powerful ways of control. Although war isn't always the answer in a grand strategy title like Humankind, having such deadly weaponry can make the player feel like a god compared to the less developed civilizations that may be surrounding them.
7 Songs Of Syx
Control A Complex Fantasy City
Songs Of Syx
- Released
- September 21, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Gamatron AB
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- City Builder
Songs of Syx is mostly considered a city builder title. However, the game is far more complex than this original set genre lets on. Players may not establish multiple different kingdoms around a map, but focus instead on a singular colony that they will expand over in-game decades.
Players aren't alone in Songs of Syx, as the grand strategy of the game comes from players also needing to manage various towns, castles, lumber camps and much more to help their kingdom expand further until they become like a god, able to control or defeat the surrounding kingdoms that may come to them either for battle, trade, or alliances. That's only on the surface of Songs of Syx, with plenty of other features that will give players all the power they want.
6 Shadows Of Forbidden Gods
As A Fallen God, Bring Forth The Apocalypse
Shadows of Forbidden Gods
- Released
- November 1, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Strategy
Although many grand strategy games allow the player to feel like a god, there are only a few that have players being a literal god. Shadows of Forbidden Gods is a hidden gem that deserves plenty more attention from players who are looking for a strategy title with a twist.
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In this interesting title, players start their life as a fallen god with the strategy of bribing guards and infiltrating minor farming towns. As players gain more power, these nefarious schemes will grow with them, such as making dukes turn on kings to cause battles as they fight against the forces of good to bring forth the apocalypse.
5 Age Of Wonders 4
A Fantasy Realm Of The Player's Design
Age Of Wonders 4
- Released
- May 2, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Triumph Studios
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Turn-Based Strategy
Like Songs of Syx, Ages of Wonders 4 isn't entirely considered a grand strategy game. However, this 4X title does implement plenty of the mechanics of a grand strategy title that sees it perfectly fit with the others, especially for players who are looking for games that leave them feeling like a god.
In this fantasy title, feeling like a god starts early, as players can create the empire of their dreams. Players first get to create their followers by combining all sorts of bodily forms, social traits, and arcane powers. Players can then buff their followers through magical tomes that will see the player in control of physically evolving their people, giving them a power unlike any other in Age of Wonders 4.
4 Stellaris
Become A God To Even Those In Space
Stellaris
- Released
- May 9, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Violent References, Mild Language
- Developer(s)
- Paradox Development Studio
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- Genre(s)
- 4X, Grand Strategy
Although many players may deem that they are only playing as the space government in Stellaris, depending on the race of people the player chooses to start their reign of terror of the universe with, can actually change how players perceive the world around them and how they interact with it.
Similar to Age of Wonders, players start feeling like a god before they even begin Stellaris, as they can randomize their custom species that they can sculpt to be incredibly powerful with their own ideologies that will see their people look up to the player as a god. As players evolve their space colony and improve their weaponry, eventually, the player can become an unstoppable tyrant.
3 Total War: Warhammer 3
Unleash The Inner Demon In War While Building An Empire
Total War: Warhammer 3
- Released
- February 17, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Creative Assembly
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, Tactical
Total War: Warhammer 3 is an interesting grand strategy title, as the gameplay can be split into two halves. On the one hand, the player has the power to build up their massive army from one of the seven races available to players who are familiar with the Warhammer franchise. These battles can be chaotic, with the player controlling their units like an overlord as well as creating their own Daemon Prince that suits their playstyle.
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If this doesn't make players feel like a god, then building the empire of their dreams also has the chance to bring the player to godhood. The choices the player makes in Total War: Warhammer 3 are sure to not only make two playthroughs of the grand strategy title feel different but also provide them with the means of complete control over everything.
2 Sid Meier's Civilization 6
Players Can Become Unstoppable With Enough Effort
Sid Meier's Civilization 6
- Released
- October 21, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
Although Sid Meier's Civilization 6 may not be entirely a grand strategy title, with the game only sharing mechanics with the genre, the game still deserves a mention for being one of the best strategy games for feeling like a god. In Civilization 6, players can choose from a wide variety of historical leaders to be the leader of their new civilization.
While players can enjoy this strategy title with others, playing Civilization 6 single-player is one of the best ways to feel like a god. As players expand their empire across the map, they will also unlock the potential to evolve their technology. Depending on how quickly a player can do this, they may find themselves easily crushing surrounding civilizations like the god they are.
1 Crusader Kings 3
Many Kings Were Second To God In Their Rule
Crusader Kings 3
- Released
- September 1, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teens: Drug Reference, Language, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Paradox Interactive
- Platform(s)
- PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Grand Strategy
Unsurprisingly, out of all the grand strategy games available, by far, one of the best for feeling like a god while playing is Crusader Kings 3. While this game attempts to be as historically accurate as possible, which comes with its own challenges, as players can take on the role of a king, they are practically second to god.
This allows players in Crusader Kings 3 to make multiple horrendous choices for their kingdom while also attempting to expand their control. However, it is important to note that even though the player may feel like a god, they should be careful, as their advisors could always be plotting to end their reign of chaos.
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