Conquering the world one nation at a time can get lonely once there's nothing else to conquer. To spice things up, players can always bring a friend to their grand strategy campaign so that once all AI enemies are defeated, it's time to betray and wage war with each other. That's just one possibility, of course, there's always the more peaceful co-existence route.
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In any case, co-op multiplayer in grand strategy games or even hybrid 4X-grand strategy games is always fun-filled power struggles. Having a friend in tow lets players cover their empire's weak spots. While most grand strategy games have some rather basic implementations of co-op or multiplayer, the following titles shake up the formula with their themes and overall structure.
Updated on February 6, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: Grand strategy games are a lot of fun to play through. These titles make it a point to let players control massive empires and kingdoms as they help these regions flourish, either with the help or at the expense of others. Most people argue that these experiences are better enjoyed in solitude, but a lot of games in this genre have multiplayer capabilities and are all the more enjoyable as a result. Competitive experiences are fun, but there's something to be said about two or more players colluding their efforts to work in harmony that makes them such tantalizing prospects.
14 Victoria 3
Economical Superiority And Expansion Is Way More Manageable If Players Are Cooperating
Victoria 3
- Released
- October 25, 2022
- Developer(s)
- Paradox Development Studio
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Strategy
Paradox is considered to be the king of the grand strategy genre, with the vast majority of their games being pretty engaging in their own way. While the launch of Victoria 3 may not have been the best, it's still a great game to enjoy with a friend.
The mechanics governing a nation's economy are pretty deep and one of the best parts of this game. The other gameplay pillars of Victoria 3 need to be fleshed out, but players who collude and bolster their respective nations' economies will boss the AI in no time.
13 Sins Of A Solar Empire: Rebellion
A Space Strategy Game Where Players Can Collude To Establish Their Superiority
Sins of a Solar Empire
- Released
- February 4, 2008
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Developer
- Ironclad Games
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy, Tactical
This space RTS is one of the best games in its genre and one that features a pretty steep learning curve. Players will have to play and lose a few times before understanding how Sins of a Solar Empire works, which is why co-op is such a useful inclusion here.
Players can easily grasp the mechanics of this game if they play with a veteran. Even if both players aren't well-versed in how this game works, a few playthroughs where they team up are all it takes for Sins of a Solar Empire to show why it continues to enjoy the love and adoration of a dedicated fanbase.
12 Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance
A Great RTS With Complex Strategic Decisions To Make, With Some Co-op Goodness Added To The Mix
Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance
Most people would assume that a game with complex strategies and a decent learning curve would be hard to get into, but this isn't even remotely the case. In fact, Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance is considered by many to be one of the best macro RTS games fans can sink their teeth in.
The inclusion of co-op makes this strategy game way more engaging to play through. Fans of unique RTS games with compelling gameplay loops and the inclusion of multiplayer will be more than happy with what this title has to offer.
11 Europa Universalis 4
A Brilliant 4X Strategy Game Where Players Are Encouraged To Colonize, Trade, And Expand
Europa Universalis 4
- Released
- August 13, 2013
- Developer(s)
- Paradox Development Studio
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Strategy
Europa Universalis 4 is one of the many excellent grand strategy games by Paradox Interactive, a company known for developing some of the greatest games in this genre. The game takes place around a time when the world was entering the modern age, meaning that players will have their hands full trying to be as diplomatic as possible while colonizing areas and making their trade routes as profitable as possible.
There's a lot of work that goes into learning the ropes in Europa Universalis 4, but players who finally get a hang of how to play this game will find the hours pass by like nothing! If the gameplay wasn't as engaging as is, then players can start a session with a few friends and engage in some heartfelt diplomacy, with players working with each other to harmonize the activity in their nations and hopefully working together against a common enemy.
10 Civilization 6
An Accessible Grand Strategy Game Where Players Can Collude In Multiplayer Games To Let Both Nations Flourish
Sid Meier's Civilization 6
The Civilization series is one of the most popular and accessible grand strategy games around. The scope of these games is massive, with players starting from the very start of humanity's development before slowly researching the best technologies while making their country as massive and imposing as possible.
The combination of classic grand strategy elements along with a fair bit of quirkiness is what has made Civilization such a beloved series, with the sixth entry continuing the trend of excellence that this franchise is known for. Players can engage in a session of Civilization 6 with their friends, forming alliances to help each other and take out any country overzealous enough to wage war for no indiscernible reason.
9 Airships: Conquer The Skies
Constructing Airships To Battle Against Opponents Is Even More Fun With Friends
Airships: Conquer The Skies
- Released
- August 16, 2018
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Developer
- David Stark
- Genre(s)
- Grand Strategy
It's quite hard to classify Airships: Conquer the Skies into just one genre since it's an amalgam of multiple. There's a layer of grand strategy in it via the campaign map and part of the core gameplay also includes customizing steampunk airships and commandeering them into a tactical and strategic battle.
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For this very reason, Airships: Conquer the Skies has a more dynamic and thrilling multiplayer mode. Duking it out with the AI with the help of friends or fighting them head-on in airship engineering showdowns is always a delight and a nice break from all the management.
8 Old World
A Fun Take On Grand Strategy Gameplay With A Fun Multiplayer Component
Old World
- Released
- May 18, 2022
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Developer
- Mohawk Games
- Genre(s)
- Grand Strategy
Old World is a hybrid 4X and Grand Strategy game that's most similar to Civilization games. The scale is definitely there and it can qualify as a grand strategy game. There's also a comprehensive multiplayer component, similar to Civilization games.
However, unlike in Civilization games, Old World's multiplayer makes players work with each other to actively improve their opinions with each other instead of just locking them as default teams. There are also play-by-email or cloud games in Old World's multiplayer component for those who prefer that.
7 Total War: Three Kingdoms
Another Brilliant Entry In The Total War Series Where Players Can Team Up In Lucrative Alliances To Aid Each Other
Total War: Three Kingdoms
- Released
- May 23, 2019
- Developer(s)
- Creative Assembly
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, Tactical
There are other historical Total War titles that also have a smooth implementation of co-op, such as Shogun 2, but Three Kingdoms gets extra points for the added drama. The Romance mode is an interesting semi-fantasy twist to the campaign that practically turns the generals into superheroes.
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Players can also intermarry their generals and lords to forge better alliances and create more heirs or future lords. Romance campaigns in Total War: Three Kingdoms thus get an added layer of family tree intrigue and dynamics similar to games like Crusader Kings (more on that one later).
6 Total War: Warhammer 3
The Fantasy Take On Total War Is A Blast With Friends, Who Can Either Team Up Or Fight Against Each Other
Total War: Warhammer 3
- Released
- February 17, 2022
- Developer(s)
- Creative Assembly
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, Tactical
For the most complex and multi-layered Total War experience to date, there's no more robust option than Total War: Warhammer 3. It's a culmination of all the previous Total War: Warhammer games as well as the mechanics of the historical Total War titles in a grand Thunderdome where dozens of races battle it out for supremacy.
There's no shortage of choices here, and it can get rather dizzying. That's all the more reason to bring a friend for a co-op Immortal Empires campaign. The asymmetrical nature of the combat ensures some rather busted army compositions from co-op partners never before seen in a Total War title or any grand strategy game, for that matter.
5 Crusader Kings 3
An Accessible Grand Strategy Games With A Multiplayer Component That Lets Players Form Lucrative Alliances
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
If mobilizing armies and micromanaging them is too chaotic or tedious, then perhaps a different kind of drama awaits players in Crusader Kings 3. This latest entry in the Crusader Kings series focuses on courtroom and family tree drama— a perfect game to play after watching House of the Dragon or Game of Thrones.
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Like its predecessors, Crusader Kings 3 is primarily a dynasty simulator where players manage and develop their dynasties until the in-game year 1453. Players can then select government types, marriage arrangements, and political edicts to shape their territories. Or if they're petty, they can have their characters commit infidelity by sleeping with their co-op partner's character's spouses.