Grand Strategy games offers some of the most immersive and complex titles in PC gaming
One of the many benefits of PC gaming is that the genre of games we can play is greatly expanded due to both the lower barriers to entry and the added dexterity of having a mouse and keyboard instead of just a controller. I think a prime example of this is the strategy and more specifically Grand Strategy genre. The focus on high level decision making and taking the time to think out every choice requires a format that consoles just don’t have. It would be like trying to play football on a chessboard. That being said I think we should be thankful that such games exist and add to a rich variety of genres.
Now before we present our top 12 Grand Strategy games I think it behooves us to define what a Grand Strategy game is. In short, a Grand Strategy game puts players in control over every major aspect of the faction they play as. And usually this sets the main interface as a map of the world instead of the battlefield to distinguish it from real-time strategy. So without further delay, here are our top 12 Grand Strategy games for PC.
12. Knights of Honor
The oldest title on our list, Knights of Honor nonetheless still manages to impress with its blend of high level strategy on a map spanning all of Europe and the Mediterranean and low level real time strategy. With numerous mechanics to keep you busy from economics to religion, your quest to become Emperor of Europe will be a unique and exciting challenge.
Knights of Honor combines the isometric layout of a real time strategy game with the large scale decision making of a Grand Strategy game
11. Stellaris
Moving away from their traditional realm of historical-based Grand Strategy, Paradox’s Stellaris sets grand strategy in space as players take control of a customizable species, colonize space, ultimately and play for interplanetary dominance using many of the traditional methods Grand Strategy games are known for (economic, diplomacy, military, etc.) Stellaris also implements various events and crises to prevent a late game problem of frustrating domination by one faction.
Stellaris brings Grand Strategy into space
10. Total War: Warhammer
A bold move for the Total War series to move away from a historical setting into fantasy, and even bolder is setting it in the famous Warhammer universe. In Total War: Warhammer , the player choses a faction, conducts diplomacy, trade, and economic development on a large, world map, and then conducts battles in real time on a separate battlefield phase.
Total War: Warhammer blends the classic rpg with the turn-based strategy game
9. Galactic Civilizations III
Set in the far future, Galactic Civilizations III sees the player start out with only one planet to control and then expand through diplomacy, colonization and war. In a massive galaxy with enormous factions vying for power using both peaceful and military means, Galactic Civilizations III will put you in them idle of an interstellar war of total domination.
Galactic Civilizations III allows players to customize ships in their space fleets
8. Crusader Kings 2
Crusader Kings 2, the medieval installment in Paradox’s line of Historical Grand Strategy games, takes a different and more realistic approach to the genre when it comes to the period it is set in. Rather than taking control of a state and all of its resources, you play as an individual noble, be they a minor vassal or a king. You control the dynasty, not the state and attempts to forge a massive, sprawling empire is nearly impossible (as it was historically) as you will need to approval of your vassals at every turn. What may seem like a frustration is also what makes CK 2 unique, the focus is all on family and dynastic politics, wars are between families and your task is to lead your family to greatness.
Crusader Kings II gives players a game emphasizing dynastic, familial politics
7. Hearts of Iron IV
Paradox’s WW2 era Grand Strategy series has come a long way and the fourth installment exemplifies the technical advances. The Clausewitz engine has shown its adaptability and utility ten years after it was first used in Europa Universalis III. Hearts of Iron IV adds numerous new game mechanics and a dynamic map to further immerse yourself in this fight for victory.
Look at this map, I mean look at it and tell me you don’t feel like playing this
6. Age of Wonders III
Set in a high fantasy world of Elves , Humans, Dwarves, and other races, Age of Wonders III is a turned based 4x strategy came where the player leads his or her empire to greatness through colonization, development, diplomacy, and war. Similar to the total war series, Age of wonders III separates combat and the rest of the game into two phases. However, unlike the Total War series Age of Wonders uses turned based, hexagonal combat.
Age of Wonders III offers a unique grand strategy experience with its hexagonal based, fantasy combat
5. Civilization 6
The latest installment in the Civilization franchise, I think the best way to describe Civilization VI is that it’s Civilization V with all the problems resolved and really good new mechanics implemented. empire-wide happiness is replaced with individual cities’ needs, unstacked cities and districts help you specialize your cities’ focus (production, culture, science, etc.) Culture is now part of a tech tree alongside science, wonder movies are back, and it’s all narrated by Sean Bean, what more could you ask for? In addition, the game seems complete upon release, not needing the large expansions Civ V needed.
Civilization VI allows players to specialize their cities production through districts
4. Medieval 2: Total War
Another Total War installment, Medieval 2: Total war is a turned based grand strategy game giving you command over various nations in Medieval Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. While certainly not as focused on realism or accuracy as something like Crusader Kings II, Medieval 2: Total War makes up for this by giving you command over armies in a battle mode. Essentially the game is split into two parts, the world map where you make strategic decisions, build buildings and units and conduct diplomacy and then the real time battles where you command your army. And I can tell you, the combat in this game is fantastically fun.
Medieval 2: Total War gives players both the large scale decision making on a world map and the ability to command your armies on the battlefield
3. Victoria: Revolutions
One of my absolute favorites, Victoria Revolutions, is set from 1836 to 1936, the Industrial Revolution to the Great Depression. Once again you can play as any nation on earth and have command of its economy, politics, diplomacy, research and military. For me at least, what I enjoy most about Victoria is the micromanagement. In the game you can assign various segments of the population to various classes such as soldiers, farmers, and workers and as you industrialize, you increasingly find yourself checking every single province to make sure it’s as efficiently run as possible.
Victoria Revolutions gives the player command of any nation in the world during the Industrial period
2. Darkest Hour: a Hearts of Iron Game
Originally a fan mod for Hearts of Iron II offering a more accurate map and much more realistic and tweaked mechanics, Darkest Hour is easily one of my favorite games of all time, while it was difficult to pick either Victoria Revolutions or Darkest Hour for the number two slot, I think Darkest Hour just edges out ahead. Following in the Paradox tradition, Darkest Hour puts you in command of any country in the world in the period between 1936 and 1964. The primary emphasis is of course on World War Two. Each Paradox game has a unique emphasis pertinent to the time period the game is set in, with Crusader Kings it’s on dynastic relations, with Europa Universalis its diplomacy, with Victoria its Economics, and with Darkest Hour, and the other Hearts of Iron games, its military. Almost every resource, technology, and interface of the game is focused on the military and war.
Also following in the Paradox tradition, while there is a difficulty setting, the real difficulty is in the country you decide to play as. Ranging from super easy nations like the US and the Soviet Union to the arguably most fun challenges of Japan and Germany, you can also roll the dice as Uruguay and Belgium.
Darkest Hour provides a very robust and realistic WW2 strategy experience
1. Europa Universalis IV
At the top of our list is Paradox's, Europa Universalis IV. This game grants you control over every single state, no matter how small and obscure from around the world between 1444 and 1820. You have control over the diplomatic actions, economic development, religious policies, military, etc. of your nation as you lead it through the Renaissance and the enlightenment period. And considering the scope of the game and focus on historical realism means that playing as Ming dynasty China, the Aztecs, and England, you might as well be playing three different games.
It is a game that is absolutely worth the time investment to learn how it works, however the one major problem with EU IV is that the dlc which adds mechanics to the game is just about the worst example of bad dlc policy I’ve ever seen with how numerous and expensive they are and the fact that Paradox locked effectively half the game mechanics behind a paywall that costs more than the base game. So if you have the money and interest, wait for a sale and pick up this masterpiece.
Europa Universalis IV, is the current king of Grand Strategy games
So there you have it, our list of the top 12 best Grand Strategy Games. While Paradox is far and away the leader in this genre creating some of my personal favorite games, other titles have also made their mark and entire players with rigorous and in-depth strategy gaming.
I suppose to wrap this up I can say the two things that make me such an avid Grand Strategy fan is both the historical focus (me being a history major) and the high level and comprehensive level of detail and control these games give me. And it’s this control, the ability to make all the decisions of my state and forging my own destiny that makes me love these games, their essence and I hope gamers not familiar or put off by this genre will give it a chance.
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