Summary
- Grand strategy games offer endless possibilities through warfare, economy, and diplomacy.
- Games like The Battle of Polytopia have unique tribes and different victory conditions.
- Rise Of Nations allows expansion through territory control with 18 unique civilizations.
Grand strategy games are really fun and have lots to offer to those who love the genre. Players can sink hundreds of hours into grand strategy games, as they offer limitless possibilities, and often, different ways to resolve conflicts either through warfare, economic approaches, and even diplomacy.
8 Best Grand Strategy Games On PC To Play Right Now, Ranked
The grand strategy genre can be daunting, but for PC players looking to jump in, these games are a great introduction and a perfect re-entry point.
Most grand strategy games offer a lot of freedom and let players decide which pathway they wanna take during their gameplay. Others might not be as complex, but still offer multiple factions, territories and nations to take advantage of and craft an unforgettable experience. Here are some of the best grand strategy games that don’t have complicated game mechanics.
6 The Battle of Polytopia
Fighting Against The Clock Or Defeating Other Tribes Is Very Entertaining
- Platform(s): Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, macOS, Linux, Microsoft Windows
- Released: February 09, 2016
- Developer(s): Midjiwan AB
- Genre(s): Strategy Video Game, Simulation Video Game
- Each tribe has a unique ability.
- Every tribe shares the same technology tree
The Battle of Polytopia is a grand strategy game with 4X and turn-based elements that offers lots of things to players who want to play it on the multiple platforms available. There are many different tribes and each one starts with a unique ability and a shared technology tree.
The Battle of Polytopia features two main game modes, one that is limited to 30 minutes and requires players to get the highest possible score, and another that requires them to defeat all other tribes in combat to obtain victory. Although The Battle of Polytopia isn't a grand strategy game with a steep learning curve, it's still real fun to play.
5 Europa Universalis 4
Conquering The World Through Warfare, Diplomacy, And Trade Control
Europa Universalis 4
- Released
- August 13, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Drug Reference, Mild Language, Mild Sexual Themes, Mild Violence
- Genre(s)
- Strategy
- Players must lead their nation into the early 19th century
- Borders and nations make the game very interesting
In Europa Universalis 4 players start out in the Late Middle Ages and must lead their nation up to the early modern period in the early 19th century. Some of the activities players can engage in during their campaign are trade, diplomacy, colonization, warfare, and administration.
Crusader Kings 3: 27 Tips For Newcomers To Grand Strategy Games
Crusader Kings 3 can be an intimidating title for newcomers. Here are some things to know for gamers who don't usually play grand strategy games.
There are also different bookmarked starting dates referred to as scenarios, as well as borders and historical events that simulate those set in real-life periods. This title has an extensive modding community, so players interested in that should check out the 26 best mods for Europa Universalis 4.
4 Civilization 6
A Great Installment In A Longstanding Franchise
Sid Meier's Civilization 6
- Released
- October 21, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ for Everyone 10+: Drug Reference, Language, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- Strategy
- The game starts in 4000 B.C., and ends in 2050 A.D.
- Players must evolve their civilization little by little
Sid Meier's Civilization franchise has been a staple for strategy and grand strategy games for several years at the time of writing this article. Like previous installments in the franchise, Civilization 6 tasks players with developing a civilization from an early settlement through various eras in order to become a world power.
Although most of the game takes place in the past, it ends in the year 2050 AD, so it could be considered one of the best grand strategy games set in the modern era, even if only partially.
3 Rise Of Nations: Extended Edition
A Well-Crafted Title With Territory Expansion As The Main Goal
Rise of Nations: Extended Edition
- Released
- June 12, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood and Gore, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy
- 18 different civilizations
- Players must expand their territories
Like many other titles in its genre, Rise of Nations’ gameplay is centered around the concept of gaining and expanding territory. Players can expand their territory by building cities and forts, as well as taking advantage of a complex technology tree and the gathering of resources.
As opposed to other games, Rise of Nations allows players to use any nation during any age, even if in the real world, those nations or civilizations had already been eradicated long ago. There's a total of 18 different civilizations, each one with 4 to 8 unique traits that players can use to their advantage. Many grand strategy games have outstanding economy systems, and while that in Rise of Nations might not be as complex in comparison, it’s still a great game mechanic.
2 Crusader Kings 3
Dynasty Expansion And Conquest In The Middle Ages
Crusader Kings 3
- Released
- September 1, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teens: Drug Reference, Language, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Grand Strategy
- Players can choose different starting dates
- Five main government types
Set in the Middle Ages, Crusader Kings 3 is the sequel to the 2004 game, Crusader Kings and the 2012 title Crusader Kings 2. Combining elements of the grand strategy genre and the Dynasty simulator concept, players can start this game out either in 867, 1066 or 1178 A.D.
5 Best Grand Strategy Games For Low-End PCs
Grand strategy games offer countless hours of content and often unlimited replayability. Here are the best ones that can be played on low-end PCs.
One of the most interesting things about Crusader Kings 3 is that it not only relies on an economy system, as religion and culture are also both important aspects of the game. There are also five main government types in Crusader Kings 3: feudal, tribal, clan, nomad, and administrative. Each one has unique traits that players can use to their advantage.
1 Rome: Total War
An Outstanding Title In A Longstanding Franchise
Rome: Total War
- Released
- September 22, 2004
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Teen // Violence
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, Tactical
- The campaign goes from 270 BC to 14 AD
- Players can control settlements and cities
Rome: Total War starts in the year 270 BC and ends in 14 AD, which was one of the greatest periods of the Roman Empire. Combat mechanics are split between turn-based combat and real-time tactical battles, which makes this game a great experience for lovers of the genre.
Rome: Total War’s map covers most of Europe, North Africa and the Near East and players get to control groups of soldiers to use them in battle and combat enemy forces. Controlling new territory comes in the form of capturing and holding settlements in said territories, and it’s also possible to conquer larger cities.