Summary
- Grand strategy games offer addictive experiences with managing economies, waging wars, and forming alliances.
- Players can enjoy mastering complex gameplay loops and becoming superpowers in historical or fictional settings.
- Games like Victoria 3, Endless Legend, and Stellaris provide engaging experiences with diverse factions and in-depth gameplay.
Grand strategy games are meant to be addictive experiences that players can enjoy for hours on end. Managing economies, waging wars, and forming alliances are just a few of the many ways fans can lose themselves in these massive titles without even realizing how much time is passing in the real world.
Once players get past the initial learning curve, mastering these games makes for a great time as players do everything in their power to become a superpower. From grand strategy games set during real-world time periods to ones that delve into the realm of fiction, these games are a blast to play as players become enamored with their gameplay loops.
8 Best Strategy Games That Reward Teamwork, Ranked
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Victoria 3
Overcame A Rocky Launch To Become A Great Game
Victoria 3
- Released
- October 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Mild Violence, Partial Nudity, Use of Drugs
- Genre(s)
- Strategy
Victoria 3 had a difficult launch, with fans lamenting the lack of content in this title. Thankfully, like most other Paradox Interactive games, it took a few years and many updates to let fans enjoy a ton of things to do in this title, which takes place during the Victorian Era.
Helping a nation's economy prosper, forming alliances, dealing with potential wars, and interacting with the many gameplay pillars of this title never ceases to be engaging. Players fascinated by this historical era will love reshaping the world in their image in Victoria 3.
Endless Legend
Diverse Factions And Civ-esque Gameplay
Endless Legend
- Released
- September 18, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- 4X, Strategy
Endless Legend is perfect for players who want to enjoy a game like Civilization with a fantasy twist. The unique factions of this title ensure that every playthrough feels different. With a whopping fourteen factions to choose from, players will never get bored with this amazing grand strategy game. Hopefully, Endless Legend 2 will continue this title's legacy and draw more eyes toward the franchise.
Hearts Of Iron 3
Arguably More Complex And Engaging Than Its Successor
Hearts of Iron III
- Released
- August 7, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E 10+ // Mild Violence
- Genre(s)
- Strategy
While Hearts of Iron 4 may be the more modern experience, giving out loose tactical instructions and relying on the AI to secure a victory can make for a frustrating affair. This is why players loved Hearts of Iron 3, since it gave players more control over the developments on the battlefield.
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Getting into this title can be challenging, but players who don't mind the learning curve will eventually grow to love the tactical brilliance of Hearts of Iron 3. Ensuring that history isn't altered in World War 2 or trying to change the course of history are both fun ways to play this military grand strategy game.
Total War: Warhammer 2
Arguably The Best Total War Game Ever Made
Total War: Warhammer 2
- Released
- September 28, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy
The Total War games have always been focused on real-world scenarios, which is why the collaboration with Warhammer came as a pleasant surprise to fans. The first game showed a ton of promise that was more than fulfilled in Total War: Warhammer 2.
Players will find it hard to tear themselves away from the screen as they get invested in the game's excellent battles and fun grand strategy elements. The fact that most people consider Total War: Warhammer 2 to be one of the series' best games speaks volumes when it comes to the excellence of this video game.
Europa Universalis 4
Riveting Gameplay Will Keep Players Occupied For Hours On End
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
To this day, there's something about Europa Universalis 4 that makes it impossible for gamers to put down. The geopolitical conflicts are incredible to play around with as the world transitions to modern times and several superpowers stake their claim.
Colonizing territories, managing the nation's economy, and engaging in the tactful art of diplomacy are all a huge part of what makes Europa Universalis 4 so special. Players will see the hours fly by as they control the nation of their choice and help it become more dominant than ever.
Stellaris
This Sci-fi Grand Strategy Game Is A Blast To Play
Stellaris
- Released
- May 9, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Violent References, Mild Language
- Genre(s)
- 4X, Grand Strategy
Stellaris was the first time Paradox Interactive developed a grand strategy game in a fictional world. The sci-fi trappings of this game, coupled with some surprisingly fun role-playing elements, ensure that this game of intergalactic dominance will be a blast for fans to engage with.
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Some grand strategy games are so complex that they can take weeks to master or even understand.
Slowly learning the ropes via a well-structured beginning is way easier than fans would assume and makes Stellaris one of the best beginner-friendly grand strategy games. As things start becoming more complex, players should have the patience and knowledge needed to move past the game's challenging moments.
Sid Meier's Civilization 6
It Will Take A While For Civilization 7 To Match This Title's Quality
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
Civilization 7 has experienced a rough launch, and it will likely take a while for this game to reach the same heights as its predecessors. Even if players may be disappointed right now, they can still return to Civilization 6 to enjoy this series at its very best.
The sheer amount of content in this game is impressive, allowing players to control different leaders and turn their nation into a superpower everyone will fear. The immense variety of difficulty options ensures that players can ease themselves into the experience before they decide to truly challenge themselves.
Crusader Kings 3
Role-Playing Elements Make This Game Riveting
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
Crusader Kings 3 burst onto the scene as one of the best and most approachable grand strategy games in the genre. A huge reason for this stems from a great tutorial and ingenious tooltips to give players the information drip they need to understand how this game works.
What really helps Crusader Kings 3 shine is its excellent role-playing, which has no business being so engaging. Players must make decisions in line with their character's personality or risk Stress buildup, which can lead to severe negative repercussions later down the line.
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