Strategy Games That Let You Control the Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman Empire is recognizable in the annals of history as one of the most prosperous empires in Europe, with figures such as Suleiman the Magnificent and the capital of Constantinople being commonly associated with the nation. While the power of the Ottoman Empire steadily declined until its full dissolution after World War 1, fans of history can relive the Ottoman Empire’s rise, height, and even fall in certain strategy games.

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By  John Cunningham

Depending on the player’s chosen title, the Ottoman Empire may begin as a burgeoning nation about to begin its expansion, or as an empire that had just reached its golden age and is looking to cement its position as a global power. Moreover, specific games allow players to experience some of the Ottoman Empire’s notable characteristics and achievements, simulating how it could potentially look should the Ottomans change its course in history.

8 Civilization 6

Use Unique Traits Of The Ottoman Empire To Create A Civilization From Scratch

As opposed to other grand strategy games that focus on a specific period, the Ottomans in Civilization 6 makes a more symbolic appearance as players can take them from their origins in the Ancient Era (4000 BC to 1000 BC) up to a potential Future Era (2020 to 2050) that defies the Empire’s dissolution in real life. In their appearance in the Gathering Storm DLC, the Ottomans have access to the Great Turkish Bombard that facilitates much faster production of more efficient siege units on top of bonuses when conquering cities.

7 Field Of Glory 2: Medieval - Sublime Porte

Play Decisive Battles That Will Transform The Osmanli Beylik Into The Ottoman Empire

Compared to other strategy games where base building is as important as unit management, Field of Glory 2: Medieval takes players straight to the fight in the turn-based strategy title. Set across the medieval times, the original Field of Glory 2: Medieval simulates historic battles across 1040 AD to 1270 AD, with the Field of Glory 2: Medieval - Sublime Porte expansion adding the Ottoman Empire and both their allies and enemies from the Middle East and beyond.

The Ottoman Turkish battles in Sublime Porte took place between 1299 to 1500 AD, covering the initial expansion of Osman I’s Osmanli beylik into the burgeoning Ottoman Empire. The game’s battles would help players witness simulations of the Empire’s expansion across the Balkans, the conquest of Constantinople, decisive conflicts against the Timurid Empire, and the height of the Ottomans throughout the 15th and 16th centuries.

Players of Ottomans also see unique victory strategies depending on their chosen Leader. As the Grand Vizier (Kanuni Suleiman), players get access to the extremely cheap but powerful Janissary and the combat-boosting Ibrahim the Grand Vizier. Meanwhile, Suleiman the Magnificent trades potent offense with a much faster generation of Culture and Science Points, paving the way for victory conditions using either of those metrics.

6 Age Of Empires 4

Use Notable Technologies, War Developments In The RTS's Depiction Of Golden Age Ottomans

As the Ottoman Civilization in Age of Empires 4, the game’s Ages take the faction from its beginning as a town in Anatolia to eras such as the founding of the empire, its victory against the Byzantine Empire, and its golden age under the rule of Suleiman the Magnificent. While the Ottoman Empire lasted for much longer in real life, the Age of Empires game meeting its last era around the Imperial Age fits this historical endpoint.

Gamers can appoint Viziers to the Imperial Council that unlock unique technologies, while the Military School can potentially ensure units have reduced production costs. Combined with their powerful Great Bombard, the Ottomans can facilitate overwhelming military power when coupled with the right approach to both production and economy.

5 Crusader Kings 3

Prepare The Seljuk Empire As The Ottoman's Predecessors With Older Forms of Diplomacy, Warfare

The timeline of Crusader Kings 3 spanning from 867 or 1066 until 1453 means players won’t see the Ottoman Empire at its apex, and instead may encounter its predecessor, the Seljuk Empire. From a historical standpoint, Seljuk Suleyman I of the Great Seljuk Empire was handed parts of Anatolia that he seceded to form the Sultanate of Rum. Without player intervention, the powerful Beylik of Karaman would put an end to the Sultanate, with one of the emirate remnants led by Osman I eventually founding the Ottoman Empire.

Unfortunately for a player’s Crusader Kings 3 gameplay with the region, Osman I only became the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire in 1299, which is halfway through the game. Players hoping to recreate the Ottomans’ splendor may begin as a Seljuk establish the Sultanate of Rum and then set Konstantiniyye (Constantinople) as the capital.

4 Europa Universalis 4

Enjoy Ottomans At The Height Of Their Expansion With Buffs To Diplomacy, Economy, Military

While Europa Universalis 4 always ends on a rather uneventful note on January 1, 1821, its beginning on November 11, 1444, is a historic day for the Ottomans. After defeating the Hungarians and the Poles at the Battle of Varna, players begin the game as a young Mehmed II eager to transform the burgeoning state into an empire. Should players succeed in defeating conquering Constantinople in 1453, Mehmed II will officially become Mehmed the Conqueror and claim the Byzantine Empire for the Ottoman Empire.

Considering the Ottomans had a rather generous starting point in Europa Universalis 4, the accessible faction can easily become one of the world’s strongest powers with the right moves. Players possess a Harem that ensures access to an heir, special subject states called Eyalets, and Janissaries as a potent military force. Relevant disasters of note include Janissary coups, the Eyalet rebellion, plots of the Harem, and internal power struggles.

3 Empire: Total War

Grow The Ottoman Empire's Struggling Economy To Survive Against A Rising Russia

Taking place in one of the more tumultuous times in history, Empire: Total War lets players take control of the Ottoman Empire from 1701 until the campaign’s end in 1799. This would see the Ottomans just past their peak under Sultan Mehmed IV in 1683. Despite starting Empire: Total War with control over a sizable territory with the Greek Peninsula and much of the Mediterranean coast, players need to switch things up to secure victory against Pirates and Russia that are against them.

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Mixing up ministers and establishing trade with Great Britain, Poland-Lithuania, Sweden, and Prussia could significantly help with the Ottomans’ poor starting economy. Maintaining current alliances with protectorates the Barbary States and the Crimean Khanate can secure trade protections and defense against Russian expansion, respectively. Moreover, the Ottoman war strategy switches things up with a focus on artillery and skirmishers compared to traditional army and naval warfare as European states.

2 Napoleon: Total War

Fight Against Napoleon With Sizeable Army, Territory But Poor Tech And Economy

Despite taking place throughout Napoleon’s toughest campaigns between 1805 and 1812, Napoleon: Total War showcases how established nations like the Ottoman Empire will attempt to thrive in a new world where the likes of Bonaparte want to try to upend the status quo. At this point in history, the Ottoman Empire was dealing with the violent first half of the Serbian Revolution between 1804 to 1817 at the time of the Eastern Question that already confronted the Empire with its socio-political instability.

Such an internal conflict is seen in Napoleon: Total War, where the Ottoman Empire’s vast territories and vast army-fielding capabilities are met with substandard units and a lackluster starting economy. However, players may be able to turn this around once they take advantage of its immunity to diplomatic effects when taking territory, its units having large stamina and heat resistance, and its starting lands being able to generate a better economy with the right management.

1 Victoria 3

Use Sizable Territory Amid Widespread Debuffs To Stop A Declining Ottoman Empire From Collapsing

Set in the eponymous Victorian Era, Victoria 3 shows the Ottoman Empire at the beginning of its decline throughout its 1836 to 1936 timeline. Since the height of the Ottoman Empire in the 1600s to 1700s, its troubled institutions, defeats by Austria and Russia, as well as the independence of Egypt and Greece had transformed the Great Power into the Sick Man of Europe. Given how history would dissolve the Ottoman Empire in 1922 after World War I, it’s also possible to rename it to Turkey in Victoria 3 should it stop being a monarchy.

The Ottomans begin their Victoria 3 gameplay at a disadvantage as one of the most lagging nations in terms of technology and economy, with its current large but manageable status being the only hope in succeeding its Tanzimat, or period of modernization. Succeeding in its efforts would trigger the “Tanzimat: The Reorganization” event while failing would activate the ominous “The Dead Man of Europe” event.

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