Summary
- Grand strategy games focus on turn-based gameplay, historical settings, and micromanaging factions.
- Popular titles include Rome: Total War, Humankind, Age of Empires 3, Europa Universalis 4, Civilization 6, Stellaris, and Crusader Kings 3.
- These games offer exceptional gaming experiences with historical accuracy, deep strategy, and diverse settings, ranging from the Roman Empire to space exploration.
Grand strategy games are a subgenre of the overall strategy genre. They typically feature turn-based gameplay, although not all do. Most grand strategy games require the player to micromanage all aspects of their chosen faction, although games do offer limited automation of some features.
Unsurprisingly, specific periods of human history are often used as a backdrop for these games, such as the Middle Ages. However, other titles take the player into space, or some other fantastic setting. Regardless of setting, Mac owners have access to a rich library of great grand strategy games for them to play, with many of the top titles being completely cross-platform.
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7 Rome: Total War
Representing The Total War Franchise
Rome: Total War
Once the Roman Empire is under your command, don't lay down your sword just yet - the Barbarians are coming.
Fight alongside or against history's greatest leaders such as Julius Caesar, Spartacus, and Hannibal to expand or destroy the Roman Empire.
Lay siege against the Romans as Attila the Hun, fearful Saxons, or other savage factions using signature weapons and abilities.
Command warrior-tested legions in cinematic epic battles with thousands of soldiers on-screen at once.
A century-spanning campaign charges players with strategically managing the economic, civil, religious and military arms of their empire.
- Released
- September 22, 2004
- Developer(s)
- Creative Assembly
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, Tactical
There are so many great strategy games for the Mac that come from the Total War franchise, that it's hard to choose just one to present here. However, Rome: Total War was chosen as it is one of the earlier releases, and has great, yet less complex gameplay than later titles.
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Set in the early stages of the Roman Empire, the player takes on the role of the head of a Roman family, or one of the non-Roman opposing factions. This is a turn-based game, with the player issuing commands to all of their units and holdings at each turn. The game attempts to be historically accurate, making it a great choice for history buffs to play.
6 Humankind
Guide Humankind Through The Ages
Humankind
- Released
- August 17, 2021
- Developer(s)
- Amplitude Studios
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Turn-Based Strategy
Humankind is a modern take on the grand strategy game genre. With stunning graphics and a slick UI, it offers an exceptional gaming experience. The player is tasked with guiding their chosen civilization from the Neolithic age to the modern age.
As a turn-based game, the player has plenty of time to think about their moves, and this is vital to do well. Diplomacy, combat, research, and even espionage all need to be monitored and controlled closely. The narrative is excellent, and the scripted historical events add to the immersion.
5 Age Of Empires 3
Combining Grand Strategy With Real-Time Combat
Age of Empires 3
- Released
- October 18, 2005
- Developer(s)
- Ensemble Studios
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Strategy
This game successfully blurs the boundaries of two genres. With its roots in RTS combat, it features a deep strategic layer on top, which the player will use to advance the affairs of their chosen faction. The player can choose to stick to single-player mode, or battle online against others.
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Set in the colonial era, the player takes on the role of the leader of one of a number of factions in Europe. Exploration, resource management, and expansion are hugely important in this game, but it is military might that will win the day.
4 Europa Universalis 4
Historical Grand Strategy
Europa Universalis 4
- Released
- August 13, 2013
- Developer(s)
- Paradox Development Studio
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Strategy
As one would expect from a game from the Paradox stable, Europa Universalis 4 is an exceptionally well-crafted grand strategy game. The game is based on a historically accurate simulation of the late Middle Ages. This sets the scene for the player to take control of a faction, and lead it to victory.
Politics, cultural development, technological advancement, and military reach are all important factors in this game. The map is very detailed, demonstrating quite well how certain historical events from human history were directly impacted by geography. Overall, this is a deep game that will take concentration to master.
3 Civilization 6
The Most Up-to-Date Civ Game
Sid Meier's Civilization 6
Sid Meier's Civilization 6 is the latest title in the franchise, and brings a lot of new features to the table. This includes some long-asked-for quality of life improvements, such as city unstacking, which enables the player to spread large cities across multiple map tiles. There is also a very active modding community for the game.
There are many different paths to victory in Civ 6, with some civilizations more suited to certain end-game goals. Depending on which civilization the player chooses to control, they will need to match their goals with the specialties of the chosen civilization to have the best chance of victory. Civilization 6 is on this list because few franchises have had such an impact on the grand strategy genre as this one.
2 Stellaris
Space-Based Grand Strategy
Stellaris
- Released
- May 9, 2016
- Developer(s)
- Paradox Development Studio
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- Genre(s)
- 4X, Grand Strategy
The Stellaris base game has plenty of replayability. Furthermore, this title has 21 DLC available at the time of writing, many of which had heaps of new features and challenges to the game. Stellaris makes this list for one simple reason: it offers so much value.
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What sets Stellaris apart from similar space strategy games is the clever way that short, story-driven quests and missions are integrated into the strategy gameplay. Add to this the fun implementation of real-time combat, and it is easy to see why Stellaris has been so successful for so long.
1 Crusader Kings 3
Build A Dynasty
Crusader Kings 3
- Released
- September 1, 2020
- Developer(s)
- Paradox Interactive
- Platform(s)
- PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Grand Strategy
Crusader Kings 3 does grand strategy a little differently. The overall goal is to build a thriving, multigenerational dynasty that can survive the test of time, and achieve a win scenario. Taking control of a noble house, the player must use a toolset including politics, warfare, espionage, and trade, to advance their dynasty.
There are significant role-playing aspects to Crusader Kings 3 as well, as the player can shape their own dynasty in any way they see fit. Marriages must be arranged, heirs raised and trained, allies made, and enemies defeated. Anyone who likes deep, complex strategy gameplay will love Crusader Kings 3.
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