Summary
- Stellaris offers procedurally generated galaxies and exciting battles with great DLCs.
- Total War: Warhammer 3 combines turn-based and real-time tactics with diverse factions.
- Crusader Kings 3 provides detailed Middle Ages strategy with 4x detailed map and mods for an enhanced experience.
Strategy games are extremely entertaining, as they not only challenge players to think about their every move, but also present them with tons of different factions with various abilities that they can take advantage of. Many strategy games are extremely unforgiving, whereas others are a lot more lenient for a less challenging experience.
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Strategy games can be simple to play right out of the box, or they can have very steep learning curves. In any case, it’s undeniable that they’re extremely entertaining and allow for a lot of exploration and discovery in regards to how they can be played. Here are some of the best grand strategy games with the most freedom.
7 Stellaris
A Galactic Experience With Exciting Battles
Stellaris
- Released
- May 9, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Violent References, Mild Language
- Genre(s)
- 4X, Grand Strategy
- Procedurally generated galaxies and maps
- Many great DLCs are available
Stellaris has many real-time, 4X, and grand strategy elements that make it an outstanding title. Another great thing about it is that the maps available are procedurally generated in a galaxy that’s ever-changing. This means that no two experiences are exactly the same, making it very interesting.
Over the years, the developers of this game have released many great Stellaris DLCs that complement the experience that the base game provides and elevate it to a whole new level. All in all, while it’s not the best game on the list, Stellaris is great fun and should be played by anyone who loves the strategy genre.
6 Total War: Warhammer 3
The Perfect Combination Between A Turn-Based And Real-Time Experience
Total War: Warhammer 3
- Released
- February 17, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, Tactical
- AI-controlled factions
- Turn-based and real-time strategy tactics
The Total War franchise has been around for a very long time, and throughout the years, many amazing titles have been released in it. Total War: Warhammer 3 is a great example, as it features turn-based strategy with real-time tactics, similar to what’s available in other games in the series.
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With all the factions and interesting legendary Lords available in Total War: Warhammer 3, it’s hard to make a case against this game and how fun it is to play. Especially with all the freedom at players’ disposal.
5 Hearts Of Iron 4
An Exciting World War 2 Adventure
Hearts of Iron 4
- Released
- June 6, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+
- Genre(s)
- Grand Strategy
- Interesting World War 2 setting
- Various DLCs
As the sequel to the 2009 title Hearts of Iron 3, Hearts of Iron 4 does everything its franchise has already mastered and implements a few elements of its own that greatly elevate the experience.
Revolving around World War 2, players can take on the role of any nation in the 1936 or 1939 start dates in either single or multiplayer campaigns. Every nation has ground, naval and aerial forces, giving players tons of freedom regarding how they can and want to play the game as they devise their strategies. Hearts of Iron 4 also has some great DLCs that greatly complement the experience greatly.
4 Total War: Three Kingdoms
A Grand-Scale Title Set In An Interesting Historical Period
Total War: Three Kingdoms
- Released
- May 23, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Violence
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, Tactical
- Set in the Three Kingdoms period
- Lots of options for players to tailor their experience
The Total War franchise spans a large variety of different titles. Some are great, some not so much. However, it's safe to say that Total War: Three Kingdoms is among the top contenders of the list thanks to the game mechanics it has to offer and the compelling narrative that it presents to players.
With turn-based strategy and real-time tactics elements. This title is set in the Three Kingdoms period between 220 and 280 AD. Total War: Three Kingdoms gives players lots of options regarding how they can play, offering considerable variety.
3 Crusader Kings 3
Strategy And Enormous Battles 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
- The map is four times more detailed than that of Crusader Kings 2
- Players can pick a specific time period to start
Set in the Middle Ages, Crusader Kings 3 offers players tons of different grand strategy elements that are always entertaining for fans of the genre. Like earlier titles in this series, Crusader Kings 3 is a simulator where players begin as a character in either 867, 1066 or 1178.
Another great aspect about this title is that its map is about four times more detailed than its predecessor’s, which gives players a lot more clarity to plan their strategies and a ton more freedom to execute their maneuvers. Crusader Kings 3 also has a few great total conversion mods that players can take advantage of to elevate their experience to a new level.
2 Europa Universalis 4
World Domination, One Strategy At A Time
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
- Easy options for beginners
- Players can establish world dominance in many ways
Europa Universalis 4 is one of the greatest games in its genre as it not only includes different bookmarked starting dates known as scenarios in its world state, but it also has an interactive map of Earth that players can explore and have fun with.
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There are many ways for players to conquer the world, either through military might, becoming a colonial superpower, or establishing trade dominance through control of the most important trade routes in the game. These options provide players with substantial control and freedom to enjoy the game as they please. There are many countries in Europa Universalis 4 that are great for beginners, so anyone at any level can have a piece of the action.
1 Sid Meier's Civilization 4
An Outstanding Title In A Longstanding Franchise
Sid Meier's Civilization 4
- Released
- October 25, 2005
- ESRB
- e
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, Tactical
- Players must complete 5 main objectives
- 4X empire-building models
Civilization 4 is a title within a much larger franchise that has been around for a few decades at the time of writing this article. This game uses 4X empire-building models for turn-based strategy gameplay that is always entertaining and can provide exactly what players who love this genre are looking for.
There are five main objectives in the game: conquering all civilizations, controlling a majority of the game's world, building and sending sleeper ships to Alpha Centauri, increasing the culture ratings of players’ societies, and winning a “World Leader” popularity contest hosted by the United Nations. The game is still very popular. So much so, that a few years ago, a designer of the game was making a brand-new game inspired by it.
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