The drums of war are pounding in these excellent strategy war games!
Global conflict is something we all dread. But when it comes to games, there’s little that’s as exciting as war that envelops entire worlds in violence.
We previously made a list of the military strategy games that explored the nitty-gritty of what it means to be a general on the battlefield, commanding companies of troops against smaller forces. This new list, however, focuses on war on a grander scale – on battles that involve entire nations or even worlds.
Like the aforementioned article on military games, this one will also move away from the real-time strategy genre. And so let’s begin this list of the 10 Best Strategy War Games To Play in 2015 with entry # 10…
10. Tropico 5
This beautiful coastal city is yours to develop or ruin
In Tropico 5, you are El Presidente. Tasked with governing the island nation of Tropico, you must guide its progress, as well as its people, through the evolving times. There are historical events to survive – and to exploit – such as World War II and the Cold War. And you must do all this while fending off rival factions and governments.
Who ever said being supreme leader was easy? Thankfully, the new dynasty feature means you can expand your family, with each of your brood possessing skills that will help your efforts. One of them can even become president!
It’s a game about management and construction amidst conflict and change. A fun a deeply involving strategy game!
9. Age of Wonders III
Wait a minute... is that Minas Tirith??
Here’s a turn-based strategy war game set in a fantasy world.
You choose from six races: humans, high elves, dwarves, draconians, goblins, and orcs. You then select a leader, who evolves as the game progresses, RPG-style. After that, it’s all about the exploration of the world map; expansion through conquest or diplomacy; exploitation of resources, opportunities, and the abilities of your forces; and extermination of rival powers.
The campaign’s story centers on the perspectives of the human Commonwealth Empire, who believe in the eradication of the old ways and who want to assimilate the entire world under their rule; and the Court of the High Elves, who wish to marshal the ancient races in opposition to the Empire’s expansionist ambitions.
One of the most attractive, engaging strategy war games out there!
8. Distant Worlds: Universe
Put a ring on it
Not too big on swords and sorcery? Then why not check out Distant Worlds: Universe – a grand strategy war game set in the vastness of the cosmos?
There are galaxies to explore, each with several hundred star systems, thousands upon thousands of planets and moons, and other space phenomena such as supernovae, black holes, gas clouds, and asteroid fields. Not to mention you’ll soon find yourself dealing with aliens, from entire empires and smaller alien colonies to pirates, traders, and even monsters. Yes, space monsters.
You’ll be in charge of guiding your civilization to the stars and beyond – by researching technologies such as the warp drive, managing your economy, engaging in politics and diplomacy, and, of course, going to war. The gameplay occurs in real-time, but can be paused, giving you much-needed time to think your strategies through.
Its mind-boggling sense of scale, coupled with its intriguing 4X-based gameplay, makes Distant Worlds: Universe one of the best strategy war games available today.
7. Total War: Attila
Can't hind behind those walls forever
Set in 395 AD, Total War: Attila traces the rise to power of one of history’s most fearsome figures: Attila of the Huns.
As the latest Total War game, Attila boasts improvements to the series’ A.I., graphics, storytelling, and sound design, and even brings back a feature first introduced in Rome: Total War: the Horde faction.
The Huns and several other factions begin the game as Hordes. Because Hordes are nomadic, they don't start with a capital or province. This gives them enhanced mobility, and a variety of other perks. For instance, they don’t have to worry about sanitation. They also gain a majority of their profits from sacking and pillaging settlements, and from tributes from certain states. This forces them to keep moving from region to region, to find new settlements to raid. Playing a Horde faction is a drastically different experience from the usual stationary faction, making Attila an excellent change of pace from earlier titles.
True to the violent era in which the game is set, Attila is steeped in an apocalyptic miasma, complete with inclement weather and gloomy lighting – making it one of the best strategy war games you can play in 2015.
6. Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth
A beautiful, green planet. I hope mankind doesn't ruin it
The esteemed Civilization series goes interstellar with Beyond Earth, a turn-based strategy game set on an alien planet.
600 years from now, humanity has messed up Earth, so we send the brave and the bold on a mission to find new worlds to inhabit. We do find one, but as soon as we land on it do we begin to bicker amongst each other again. Some things never change.
You oversee the growth of one of several factions, which are hypothetical alliances such as the Pan-Asian Cooperative, the American Reclamation Corporation, and the People’s African Union. Maneuvering your units over a map composed of hexagonal tiles, you then explore your new world, expand your territory, and deal with rival factions. Similar to previous Civilization titles, you’ve also got technology to research and upgrade, cities to build, and a host of other things to do.
Beyond Earth’s unique contribution to the series is the Affinity system. These are philosophies you can develop, which then affect your technological advancement and even unlock special units. For example, Supremacy prioritizes technology above all, rewarding you with specialized units you can use on the battlefield, while Harmony is all about co-existing with your new home, allowing you to domesticate indigenous life forms.
Thanks to its enthralling setting and new gameplay systems, Beyond Earth is one of the best strategy war games today.
5. Endless Legend
Our giant is bigger than yours!
We return to high fantasy with Endless Legend, another 4X turn-based strategy game.
As the overseer of one of eight factions, it’s your job to change the fate of your dying world, Auriga.
The factions include the ghostly knights, the Broken Lords; the plague-spreading, insectoid Necrophages; and the wise race of ancient dragons, the Drakken.
The map is split into hexagonal tiles, over which you move your armies. But it’s not all about warfare; you’ll also have to micromanage your cities, as well as prepare for Seasons, which drastically alter the climate and, consequently, the abilities of your units.
One of the most stylish, well-executed strategy war games on this list!
4. Europa Universalis IV
We've got some conquering to do!
Europa Universalis IV is a grand strategy game that embroils the entire globe in conflict.
The timeline starts on November 11, 1444 and ends on January 2, 1821. You can select to play as the sovereign of any country that existed within this period, then attempt to take over the world – while dealing with historical events including the Discovery of the New World, the French Revolution, and the Protestant Reformation.
The entirety of our planet, divided into provinces, is represented in the game. Conquering all will require a balance of economy, diplomacy, and military. Of course, you can achieve victory via any route – if you wish, you can win chiefly through warfare. Just remember that a country without allies will end up the target of all.
Religion also plays a role in the game. For example, conversions allow you to convert provinces. Catholicism gives you control of the Pope, whose influence can gift you a variety of rewards. On the other side of the coin, there’s technology, which can be upgraded to give you more powerful military units.
A great game to play if you’re one for world domination!
3. Crusader Kings II
It's a geography lesson, only with more blood and backstabbing
This grand strategy game focuses on the historical bloodbath that is the Middle Ages.
In Crusader Kings II, you’re charged with leading a dynasty to supremacy from 1066 to 1454. Achieving victory involves acquiring the most prestige points within the time limit, an effort that entails war, assassinations, political marriages, alliances, sound economy and population management, city-building, and more.
Because dynasty plays such a key role in the game, you’ll be able to sire children. Offspring inherit the skills, religion, and culture of their parents. With this in mind, players can arrange marriages in such a way that couples produce offspring boasting enhanced attributes – thereby improving your chances of winning the game.
Of course there are other systems at play which can drastically influence the flow of your game, including tax laws, gender laws, religion, intrigue, and others. It’s incredibly complex, and one of the most satisfying strategy war games in existence.
2. Total War: Shogun 2
Blood and steel
Set during the bloody Ashikaga Shogunate, Total War: Shogun 2 has you assuming the role of the general and leader of one of nine clans.
Each clan has a specialty, such as the Chosokabe clan’s exceptional bowmen, the Mori clan’s superior navy, and the Uesugi’s dedication to Buddhism, which enables them to recruit the game’s best warrior monks.
As exhilarating as watching hordes of samurai cut each other down like they’re made of butter, war is not always waged on the battlefield. Special agents, such as geishas and ninjas to act as spies and assassins, are just as useful at getting the job done.
Like all Total War games, the campaign mode lets players maneuver their armies across the map, and manage the economy and other empire-building activities. So far, the formula has worked, and in Shogun 2, it’s at its best.
1. Sid Meier’s Civilization V
Just... one more... turn!!!
The Civilization series from the renowned Sid Meier reaches the zenith of quality with Civilization V.
Like most titles on this list, Civilization V focuses on exploration, expansion, exploitation, and extermination. You select one of the many races culled from throughout history, from Rome to America, and get to meet historical luminaries including Gandhi, Queen Elizabeth, and Alexander the Great.
Starting with a single settlement in the dawn of time, you expand your territory by conquering neighboring cities or founding new ones. And as the centuries progress, you’ll find that there are many alliances to be made, technologies to research, cultural marvels to build, and, of course, wars to be waged.
Aside from world domination via military conquest, you can win the game by being the first to send a vessel to space, acquiring other civilizations’ support in the United Nations, or completing a special project called Utopia.
It’s epic, beautiful, mentally challenging, and takes the “just-one-more-turn” addiction to new heights. Civilization V exemplifies the best that strategy war games can offer, winning itself spot # 1 on this list.
So what do you think, fellow PC gamers? Do you agree with this list? What strategy war games have you played, and which of them do you think deserve a spot on this list? Let us know in the comments section!
