Summary
- Some lesser-known grand strategy games have depth and complexity, providing challenging gameplay.
- Titles like Alea Jacta Est and Imperiums: Greek Wars offer ancient settings, intricate mechanics, and historical accuracy.
- These underrated strategy games require patience to master the gameplay and enjoy them.
Allowing players to live their power fantasies of empire building, world domination, and influencing global politics, the grand strategy genre often encourages player freedom. The genre is generally dominated by Paradox Interactive with their juggernaut series like Hearts of Iron and Crusader Kings, but there are plenty of other developers creating excellent entries in the genre.
8 Best Paradox Strategy Games, Ranked
Paradox is known for making some incredible games, and these titles are some of the best ones they've made.
There are many reasons why such great games remain relatively unknown, whether they are polarizing or have slightly underwhelming review scores, a lack of substantial coverage and poor sales, or possibly even their initial release coinciding with a much more popular game. Here are some of the best lesser-known and forgotten grand strategy games, ranked based on a combination of their overall quality and general popularity with those who are aware of them.
8 Pride of Nations
Complex Challenge Set Prior to the World Wars
Pride of Nations
- Released
- June 7, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ageod
- Publisher(s)
- Slitherine Ltd.
- Genre(s)
- Simulation, Strategy
- Platform(s)
- Windows
Set during the late 19th century and leading into the early 20th century, Pride of Nations features eight of the great powers of the time as playable nations. Everything is highly detailed, from the complex world economy to the deep and strategic military building, as players navigate their country through industrialization, colonization, and conflict with rivals.
Developed by Ageod and backed by grand strategy specialists Paradox Interactive as publishers, Pride of Nations never reached the heights of their other titles. Some reviewers found the challenge and complexity to be insurmountable barriers, but others who persevered enjoyed the highly detailed and historically accurate depiction of the tumultuous time period.
7 Imperiums: Greek Wars
Manage Your Corner of the World and Become the Ruler of Ancient Greece
- Platform: PC
- Released: March 19, 2020
- Developer: Kube Games
- Genre: Grand strategy, 4X
A grand strategy set in Ancient Greece, Imperiums: Greek Wars mixes the history and politics of the Greco-Persian world with the mythology and heroic tales of the time. Choosing one of 30 playable factions, ranging from city-states within the Hellenic world to crumbling empires on its outskirts, the game begins in 359BC and sees each region vying for control of the known world.
Some players find the economy and military tactics to be quite complicated, but they are sophisticated and engaging for those with the patience to learn. There is a surprising amount of depth to AI-controlled characters, from their carefully considered trades to their views on rivals committing war crimes, and they will punish any poor choices made by the player.
6 Civil War 2
Manage a Nation During the Civil War With High Detail and Historical Accuracy
- Platform: PC
- Released: September 17, 2013
- Developer: AGEod
- Genre: Grand strategy
Set during the American Civil War and featuring a highly detailed map of the USA, plus parts of Mexico and the Caribbean, Civil War 2 is often praised for its historical accuracy. There are various scenarios to take on and test the skills of any master strategist, though the main appeal is the Grand Campaign, where players pick a side and attempt to win the war.
9 Games Set During The American Civil War
Although not as popular as other war games, these titles set during America's Civil War stand out from the crowd.
The map is split into over 3000 different regions with rivers and climate being somewhat integral to success. There are also over 400 leaders and more than 1000 different units during the conflict, but even the most careful planning can be undone by scripted historical events that must be managed effectively.
5 Kaiserpunk
Manage Complex Supply Chains in an Alternate 20th Century
Kaiserpunk
- Released
- March 21, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Overseer Games
- Publisher(s)
- Overseer Games, Elda Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- City Builder, Strategy, Management, Simulation, War & Military
- Platform(s)
- PC
Set during the period spanning 1918 to 1950 in an alternate history where World War One never ended, Kaiserpunk blends city-building with grand strategy. Building and managing complex supply lines can be overwhelming at first, but those who gain a thorough understanding of the gameplay mechanics find it incredibly rewarding.
There are over one hundred regions that can be engaged with, either through diplomatic means or warfare, with players finding ways to exploit or even incorporate neighboring areas into their own sphere of influence, though they must be careful to avoid unrest and uprisings. Perhaps Kaiserpunk flew under the radar slightly due to the proximity of its release to the launch of Civ VII, but those who played it at the time found Kaiserpunk edifying.
4 Revival: Recolonization
Oversee the Rebirth of the Post-Apocalyptic Planet
- Platforms: PC, Xbox Series, Xbox One
- Released: April 11, 2024
- Developer: HeroCraft
- Genre: Grand strategy, 4X
After a brutal catastrophe that almost caused the extinction of humankind, it’s time to rebuild the Earth in Revival: Recolonization. Players are tasked with terraforming their section of the planet and protecting their survivors as humanity seeks to flourish, but rival factions, aggressive animals, and uncontrollable automatons may present a threat and initiate combat.
Random events present issues, such as irregular climate activity, zombie outbreaks, or bans on the use of certain weapons, so success is often based on quick adaptation. Some surprises can be exploited, however, such as finding powerful items from the days before the near-extinction event. The only real gripe for many is the lack of multiplayer.
3 Alea Jacta Est
The Die is Cast
- Platform: PC
- Released: September 27, 2012
- Developer: AGEod
- Genre: Grand strategy, turn-based strategy
Appropriately taking its name from the famous Julius Caesar quote as he crossed the Rubicon River, Alea Jacta Est allows players to relive and replay some of the most significant Roman civil wars. Across five campaigns, there are hundreds of renowned leaders, events, and units from Roman history, covering over 2800 regions in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
The 27 Best Games For Fans Of Roman History
Roman history is fraught with video game potential, a fact that these titles clearly take advantage of.
Not only must players develop and sustain their armies during these intense conflicts, but they also must ensure that civilian life remains harmonious and maintain trade with friendly neighbors. The depth of gameplay mechanics and relative complexity of Alea Jacta Est may be off-putting for some, but mastering it can be incredibly rewarding.
2 Dominions 6 - Rise of the Pantokrator
Achieve Godhood and Become the Pantokrator
- Platform: PC
- Released: January 17, 2024
- Developer: Illwinter Game Design
- Genre: 4X, grand strategy, God simulation
Set in a fantasy world inspired by various mythologies, fantasy and horror literature, plus the history and culture of many nations, Dominions 6 – Rise of the Pantokrator features a diverse cast of leaders to choose from. Players manage a loyal kingdom as one of the many Pretender Gods, each vying for ultimate superiority to become the new Pantokrator.
These Pretender Gods can be anything ranging from a powerful tree or a Lovecraftian monstrosity to something akin to a Norse deity. Their vast array of powers and spells are based on their chosen dominion, and powerful technologies can give them an extra edge in battle. There are no flashy graphics here, and gameplay can be quite demanding to truly grasp, but it’s a deeply enriching experience for veteran strategists.
1 Star Dynasties
Build a Legacy That Lasts for Generations
- Platform: PC
- Released: May 14, 2020
- Developer: Pawley Games
- Genre: Grand strategy, RPG
Often described as Crusader Kings in space, Star Dynasties sets the task of building an empire across multiple planets and star systems that carries on through the generations. As one of the surviving remnants of humanity after the destruction of Earth, players control their interstellar kingdom with the goal of expanding and forging alliances to become the dominant power.
Each generation can differ from the last, just as with any dynasty, and all can fall victim to the deep political intrigue, or thrive on it. Procedural generation makes Star Dynasties highly replayable as players craft their own storylines in this grand space opera with plenty of diverse characters. The fates of entire colonies can be sealed by one key decision.
10 Best 4X Strategy Games Ever, Ranked
Throughout the years, many 4X strategy games have been released, but the following have earned their spot in the genre's hall of fame.