GAMERS DECIDE - Age of Wonders 3

[Top 15] Best Grand Strategy Games (Ranked Fun To Most Fun!)

Accadacca — Sun, 01 May 2022 12:43:54 +0000

There are so many games in the Strategy genre. But these are the Top 15 Best Grand Strategy Games!

Grand Strategy Games are places where you can let your mind be free. You do not have paths you have to follow, or quest lines you have to listen to. You just engage yourself on an adventure to lead your nation or people towards great goals that you set and achieve by yourself. These are the best and fan-favorite Top 15 Best Grand Strategy Games:

15. Field of Glory: Empires

Field of Glory: Empires Trailer

This grand strategy game is very wide in terms of gameplay. You get to experience a whole variety of nations and tribes, each one different than the other. You get to see little villages raise from huts to strong and steady empires ready to go on continental conquests. But at the same time, you see these empires getting crushed and destroyed by others.

Can you conquer everything with Sparta?!

So go on ahead and embark yourself on this Classical age journey and build your dream empire. Go on and do a world conquest and master the battle system. Also, you can invite your friends to humiliate them in multiplayer gameplay too.

14. Age of Wonders 3

Age of Wonders 3 - Gameplay Trailer

If you want to go a step away from the historical genres, and far from the well-known geographical nations, well Age of Wonders 3 is the game for you. Join in this fantasy land where roleplaying, warfare, and empire-building is so much rewarding. The world is vast and very rich with lore and stories, you can explore them all. You will build your empire through the fun complex system and fight legendary heroes in movie-like battles while leveling up your characters.

See how gods can crash mortals into dust

Join this amazing turn-based strategy to see your small fantasy land grow into the biggest thing that everyone fears and admires. Level up your legendary heroes to have the biggest of battles. Multiplayer experience is a whole different thing, very very enjoyable to make plans with your friends.

13. Supreme Ruler Ultimate

Supreme Ruler Ultimate - Trailer

Do not let these older games fool you when it comes to gameplay. Just like the others before, Supreme Ruler Ultimate is a rich grand strategy experience that you will remember. You can rule a nation through World War 2, to the Cold War, to the modern age, and even future years! The sandbox campaigns are so much fun. You need to become the supreme ruler through a lot of various activities. The battles and wars are a joy!

Will you be the Supreme Leader of the world?!

Do you think you have what it needs to be the supreme ruler of the world? Do you want people to whisper your name in awe before they go to sleep? Well, you can roleplay all of that in this amazing grand strategy game. See your borders grow bigger and bigger until they can’t grow no more.

12. Age of History 2

Age of History 2 - Trailer

This grand strategy game seems so distant to a lot of people, but for a very stupid reason. When I first played it, it seemed complex. But once you get the hang of it, it becomes so easygoing and rewarding. Your objective is to use your cunning diplomacy and brilliant military tactics to crush your opponents. It is amazing to see how your nation goes through all the pages from history, to today. The wars and the combat system are a blast. It is highly customizable too.

Paint everything in your color

So you have the freedom of choice. The choice of whether the world will bleed or bow in front of you. Create the mightiest of armies, and talk with your enemies to make them enemies of your other enemies. You can do it all when it comes to war here.

11. Fantasy General 2

Fantasy General 2 - Trailer

Jump out ahead from the history train and let’s go inside a fantasy world too. Sometimes fantasy worlds are much more fun than real life. That’s the case with Fantasy General. The story and factions are so rich in history and lore, that it makes you feel like you are in a breathing and living world. This is a re-imagination of a 90s strategy game, so you know it’s about to be good. You choose a clan, or a kingdom, build your fantasy troops and army and embark on conquests and adventures. It is so rewarding to see your heroes level up with each battle.

The silence before the storm

So have your hero have the most kills in every battle. Look at him grow and become a better leader and warrior after every minute. Build your army and crush every enemy’s walls to conquer them! Decide the fate of the world, because it is on the front step of total destruction.

10. Phoenix Point

Phoenix Point - Trailer

If you are looking for something similar to X-COM but on a grand strategy and global level? Phoenix Point is the game for you then. You are fighting foes throughout the world on very tactical mini maps. The Ai is extremely smart, and it learns your strategies after every battle. There is tons of content if you're interested in a world that is attacked by aliens. You level up your characters and see them become better and better until you find that anti-virus.

Plan your tactics before hitting your enemies head first

So go on ahead and build your dream team! Make the bestest of the best group and make them so tough, that even mars like creatures are gonna run away when they see them. Discover whole new enemies and find a cure for the virus spreading throughout the world.

9. Europa Universalis 4

Europa Universalis 4 - 8th Anniversary Trailer

Europa Universalis 4 is an absolute masterpiece. I have put it to number 9 because of how complex it can get, and sometimes you forget that it is a grand strategy game. You are in very big periods of transition. Guns are being explored, new continents are discovered, and new nations are being born. Your job is to select one from the smallest tribes, to the papacy, and see it grow into a country that you’ve dreamed of living in. The choices and styles are unending.

What will you conquer first?!

So go on ahead and form the Kingdom of God with the pope. Take control of Napoleon himself and guide the revolution to crush feudalism everywhere. Discover new continents and slaughter or help the tribes there to live. If you can imagine it? Probably you can do it in Europa Universalis 4.

8. Victoria 2

Victoria 2 - Trailer

Victoria 2 is something else. You can’t go more in-depth about a grand strategy than here. I mean, you are controlling what your soldiers will eat in battle. It can be so distant for some people because of its complexity. But have no fear. It might take a while, but then it might just become your favorite grand strategy game because of what it has to offer. You are playing a nation in the post-Napoleonic wars until the First World War ends. You can modify, and directly influence the world with just a click. Victoria 2 is a masterpiece of making you feel like a grand strategist, because everything you do, matters.

Who’ll get to Africa first - wins.

Do you think you have what it takes to embark on a world conquest in these 100 years of gameplay? Well, while doing so, you have to control every single thing in your land. And I mean everything. This historical masterpiece is a must-play for any grand strategy lover.

7. Endless Space 2

Endless Space 2 - Trailer

Well, let’s get away from this boring old Earth and go into the big unknown - space! In Endless Space 2, you will find yourself saying one more turn every once in a while. There is an endless universe, at your fingertips ready to explore. Will you conquer it all and build the biggest empire? You will have to find out about the Endless gods that roam the universe and become their leader and conqueror.

How does it feel to own half of the galaxy?

So go on ahead and build the biggest of empires. Create the grandest of fleets and fuel them up to go on a journey to discover the universe. Lead your civilization and modify how your battleships will look while destroying planets and enemies.

6. Total War: Three Kingdoms

Total War: Three Kingdoms - Trailer

A Total War game set in the Chinese mythology with the beautiful Chinese landscapes around? Sign me up. This beautiful creation of a grand strategy game will leave you speechless of how one game can be just beautiful to look at. You control a part of China with its leaders. You directly control the leader and get to level up, gear him up and modify how he looks. Everyone knows the Total War setting, so it is the same way here. It works much better in practice, you feel like you have a lot more options, and seeing those leaders battle it out in the middle of the battlefield is very unique.

Archers are the most satisfying

So go on ahead and spread your borders around your neighbors. Make your emperor the strongest of them all, and armor him and upgrade his skills like it is a Sims game. Build the biggest archer army, to make the ground turn black from the arrows fired upon your enemies.

5. Total war: Warhammer 3

Total War: Warhammer 3 - Trailer

Total War Warhammer was a blast. Can you imagine it even better than before?? Well, that’s why you have to try out the 3rd edition. It upgrades a lot of the old elements and makes it feel like a brand new experience. The armies that you build are much bigger and scarier. This grand strategy game is a masterpiece if you are not that much into the whole history scenarios. You can really change and influence a lot with your gameplay that can be different in every single take. The lore and history of the Warhammer franchise are what make it special to me and a lot of others. It is absolutely beautiful. The multiplayer experience is superb too.

Will you crush these gates with cannons, catapults, or giants?

So go on ahead and be an Orc like you’ve always wanted. Take your weapons and crush those pesky humans across the land. Become the Chaos itself and spread destruction and death everywhere. Build your dream fantasy empire and make sure it stands strong because a mighty world-ending wave is on its way!

4. Crusader Kings 3

Crusader Kings 3 - Trailer

Leading a boring everyday life that is so repetitive? Well, how about going deep inside the bestest of best roleplay grand strategy experience ever. That is Crusader Kings for you. Crusader Kings 2 is also superb, but the new visual improvements make you even more immersed. You get to choose to play as any living landowner in the middle ages. How you decide this person to be, is entirely up to you. Will it be a paranoid craven or the strongest brave Viking, well just go on ahead and go crazy. Everything can change your gameplay experience making Crusader Kings 3 the best roleplay game on this list.

You will really feel like you are in the Middle Ages

So go on ahead and build the wealthiest republic while practicing dark arts in your free time. Rebuild the Roman Empire with a brand new religion and culture that you make however you want it to be. Make your personal guard with Vikings and hun archers at the same time. Live a different life, and get ready to lose countless hours in this beautiful creation of a grand strategy game.

3. Civilization 6

Civilization 6 - Trailer

You know how you start as a mighty empire and take on a quest to conquer the world. Well in Civilization 6, you actually build it from scratch. Literally. You start as nomads at the beginning of time and decide how your civilization will be like, grow up, and improve. You are the master of everything in your land and world. You can be aggressive, diplomat, warmonger, trader, religion starter, and spreader… You can really do it all. It is amazing to see how much you can grow your land to become, and every single game is different than the other. Even if you try you can not make the same scenarios twice. It is simply amazing. Civilization 6 multiplayer experience is where you can lie to your friends and backstab them like you’ve always wanted to!

Seeing your cities expand is the most beautiful thing in the world

So go on ahead and grow your little tiny tent forest hut into a nuclear warhead leader of the world. Decide whether it is best to destroy the world in order for you to rule it. Build your own civilization all from scratch. Believe me, once you start playing this, your whole dictionary of words will evolve around these 3 words - One More Turn.

2. Stellaris

Stellaris - Five year Anniversary Trailer

Have you sometimes wondered what it must be like to own and control a galaxy empire like in Star Wars? Wonder no more, and try Stellaris. It can scare away people for sure, but it shouldn’t. It might look complex and grim, but believe me, try it out just once. Give it a while, and space will be your favorite subject to talk about with your friends. You build your empire and develop your species in any way you want. You get to physically see your battles like in space movies. Spread across the galaxy, and decide whether you want to destroy planets, or see them prosper and grow. You can do it all.

Being the leader of the universe has never been so much fun!

So go on ahead and destroy a whole set of species just because they tried to steal a percentage of a trade route from you. Create the grandest of space fleet and sing yourself Star Wars theme songs while you fly across the galaxy and explore every inch of it. The options and choices for being a strategy space leader here are endless.

1. Hearts of Iron 4

Hearts of Iron 4 - 5th Anniversary Trailer

You must have seen at least one World War 2 movie or played at least one game from the same years. Well, what do you think happens before that grand saving mission? In Hearts of Iron 4, you get to see and decide every single detail of World War 2. You can play as Nazi Germany and decide that killing and starting a war is not necessary, and transform it into a peace-loving nation. You will learn a whole lot, and the scenarios and options on how to wage war are really infinite. I can't stress it enough, this is the best of grand strategy games because of how many solutions you have for everything. You will look out for your army, infrastructure, navy, airforce, land, and every single thing to prepare for war. Multiplayer is the bread and butter.

Where will you use your nukes first?!

So go on ahead and become the best World War 2 leader. Will you spread fascism, communism, or democracy throughout the world? Whatever it is you do and wish to do in a world war game, here you can do it. Prepare yourself to experience being a grand strategy leader to a whole new level. Don’t forget, if you can’t conquer some land, just nuke it until it gives up. Good luck!

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The 17 Best 4X Games To Play on PC

khrone — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 22:14:47 +0000

Explore, Expand, Exploit and Exterminate

We all need a break once in a while from the gray everydays. Sitting in your comfy chair, sipping the beverage of your choice, what better way to spend your free time than deciding the fate of entire civilizations.Yes, that's exactly what you do in a 4X game, be it in space as a warmongering alien race, or as a king protecting his vast kingdom. Your goal is to bring your nation to prosperity, often at the cost of others.

Let's look at the 17 best 4X games that you can play today.

17) Star Ruler 2

Star Ruler 2 Official trailer

As far as space 4X games go, this one is special, recommended especially if you are a veteran of the genre. You start out simple enough, like any other space 4X, with a single planet, a custom race, floating in the vast nothingness of space. However, you soon discover that this is unlike any other 4x game. First of all, It's possible to explore multiple galaxies, a dream of many sci-fi fans.

Also unlike other games where each planet is a self-contained world, here planets can only grow if they get resources from other planets in a complex web of imports/exports.Similar to the economics, the diplomacy is as unique if not more. Where in other games races interact through a simple system of menus like some weird socially awkward shut-ins; here each race gets a seat in a galactic parliament and vote on issues, like in Mass effect or Star Wars.

Battles can get out of hand.

16) Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion

Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion HD trailer

If you are tired of the slow paced scheming of a traditional 4X, this one is up you alley. Sins of a Solar Empire combines the best parts of a RTS and a 4x game into a fast, straightforward, action packed game.The player can choose between six well balanced factions each with a different tech tree and ships. Visually, it's one of the best on the market, watching a wing of bombers flying through the battle as a gargantuan capital ship casts it's shadow on them is glorious. The replay value is huge as the modding scene is big with a list of amazing mods for the game. A must have for multiplayer matches as the fast paced nature of the game complements it nicely.

Sometimes you just have to fly to you inescapeable doom for cool pictures.

15) Master of Orion 2: Battle at Antares

Master of Orion 2 Gameplay video

Master of Orion 2 is the World of Warcraft of the 4X games. After it came out, it defined the whole genre and spawned a ton of copy cats. Has all the classic marks of a 4x game, customization, interesting races, tactical battles and fun events.The 2d art provides a visual style that still maintains it's charm after many years. The mechanics of the game are as creative as the art with interesting playable races like trans-dimensional underwater mini-cthulhus, or the repulsive rock like lifeforms.The endgame provides an interesting challenge in the form of the Antares, a hyper-advanced race from another dimension that occasionally invades real space.

Spoiler alert: purple wins

14) Civilization 5

Civilization 5 Gameplay trailer

When somebody hears 4X, the most likely thing that is going to appear in their mind is Civilization, the flagship franchise of the genre. The gateway drug to 4x games, Civ is easy to learn but provides enough depth that even the veteran players are learning new things.The player can take the role of real historical civilizations and lead their people through the ages. This sense of realizing history helps new players and keeps old time fans. The nature of the game makes for amusing scenarios; if you ever wanted to send thousands of knights against German panzers, this is the game for you.

Yes, the famous Great Wall of Ethiopia.

13) Civilization 4

Civilization 4 gameplay trailer

We cannot talk about Civ 4 without comparing it to Civ 5. The comparison between the two games are like the comparison between vanilla and chocolate ice cream - it depends entirely on the person.

What Civ 4 may lack on the visual and (also subjective) combat side of things, it makes up for in endgame content and the modding community. If you are a Civ 5 veteran playing Civ 4 for the first time, nuking away happily you quickly discover that it is possible to trigger climate change and turn the planet into a dusty wasteland, changing the game into a post-apocaliptic nightmare.

Thanks to the many mods the fans offer, it is also possible to turn the game into a high fantasy world, or play as stone age caveman and enchanced future humans, the limit is only how many turns you have the time for.

When there are more roads than trees and cities combined.

12) Age of Wonders 3

Age of Wonders 3 trailer

An interesting mix of Heroes Of Might And Magic and Civilization, Aow 3 offers a unique combination of RPG and 4X. You take on the role of a custom hero who leads a race of fantasy creatures on a journey to conquest. The different classes and races offer a different playstyle for each playthrough, increasing the replay value. Unlike many other 4x, Aow 3 has multiple fully fleshed singleplayer campaigns.

As you make your way through the randomly generated(or hand crafted campaign) maps, you terraform the surrounding lands to fit the demograpfics of the different races that inhabit your empire; be it faires, or dragons. So if advanced and fun tactical combat, an abundance of playstyles and races interests you; you might want to pick this one up.

Just your reagular fantasy city.

11) Endless Legend

Endless Legend Dust to Dust trailer

As far as art style is concerned, this game wins by a landslide. But it wouldn't be on the list if it was only the visuals. The different factions each offer a wildly different playstyle, and this asymmetry is what makes the game.You can play as the industry focused, rock worshipping humans who came with a spaceship, or a crazy cult-like faction of ancient robots and slaves who are not allowed to have more than one city; and we haven't even talked about the dragon like reptilians whose role is a peacekeeping faction who are able to force diplomatic actions on other races. This is just three of the many interesting races.

With each passing turn, the air gets colder around your subjects, trees loose their leaves and the chilling winds bite into your skin as winter arrives, as the game boasts an interesting season mechanic where summer and winter changes the landscape and as the game progresses each summer is shorter while the winters become more severe and the planet turns inhospitable.

A game too pretty not to like.

10) A.I War: Fleet Command

AI War: Fleet Command 8.0 Trailer

If you are looking for a smart, unique, and strategic game, this one is for you. If you can look past the jarring visuals and steep learning curve, you'll find an extremely interesting game.

Unlike most other games, you start this game where a typical 4x game has ended, and you lost. Humanity made an artificial intelligence which revolted and wiped out most life from the galaxy, not just humans, but other races as well. The few pockets of resistance that survived are too insignificant for the A.I who has turned it's gaze onto other galaxies.

You play as the last remnants of the human race. From the beginning the game makes it clear that you have no chance against the A.I. The only way to survive is to stay under the radar. Your task is simple, kill the A.I and retake the galaxy by playing mind games with the A.I so that you can stand against it's might, easy right?

Yes, Those are all ships.

9) Imperium Galactica 2

Official Imperium Galactica 2 Launch Trailer

One of the most ambitious 4x games of the of the 90s, Imperium Galactica 2 offers you an experience that is unique even today.Unlike most 4x games, you can actually visit the surface of the planets and build cities or invade rival colonies and destroy them in fully fleshed 3D ground combat.The combat/galaxy map is also in full 3D, and even though the game is old, the combat visuals still hold up to this day, that combined with the amazing Bafta awarded soundtrack it is worth a try.

Base building, ground combat, a rare treat.

8) Galactic Civilizations 2

Galactic Civilizations 2 gameplay

Galciv 2 is considered a classic 4x game with exceptional A.I and loads of content. Did you ever want to build a ship that looks like a pyramid or a floating temple? Thanks to the detailed ship customization, you can make truly unique ships.

Unlike other turn-based 4x games here, everything is on one huge map, no instanced solar system/planets. This gives the player the feeling of an open galaxy even though it's 2D.

The combat itself is automatic and the ships will make choices based on how you built them, but they are fully 3D. You can customize a race or pick one of the premade ones with traditional roles like the industry focused race, or the science aliens.

The awkward moment when you realize, you don't know which star is yours.

7) Endless Space

Endless Space trailer

So you want a 4X game with great visuals, fun gameplay and interesting sci-fi concepts but also something that's simple and clean? Endless Space is the game for you then.

The game offers highly unique and different races, like the Horatio who are a faction of clones, or the Harmony, a primordial flock of sentient crystals.

The combat, while not as interactive as some other 4X games, is a treat to the eyes, huge intricate alien ships floating through space, firing volleys at each other. Each battling side has a set of cards that they can use to alter the battle.

If you want to get into the space 4x genre, be sure to pick this one up.

You don't need funcionality if you look badass.

6) Dominions 4: Thrones of Ascension

Dominions 4 gameplay trailer

Giant monolithic gods, underwater cannibal races, armies of mages and monsters clashing, a fantasy fan's wet dream.

If you ever wanted to play as a god, you are in the right place, while the game has a really steep learning curve and basic U.I, if you get past the rough rockhard cover, you find a soft delicious stuffing.

The game allows you to customize a unique god and choose a fantasy race to lead. Each race has a different theme and associated mechanics, but far the most interesting part of the game is the level at which you can manage your empire/armies. The battle is played out real-time, but you have to plan out the movements of your soldiers(or weird monsters) in advance.

If you are the type of person that can put up with rough games to find the rare gems, take a look at this one.

Better start conquering soon.

5) Sword of the Stars 1

Sword of the Stars Complete Collection Release Trailer

One of the most all around solid space 4X game on the market right now. The game to pick up if you want to have a good, simple space 4x experience where every aspect of the game is good.

Each race has a different FTL travel method, making them feel unique. The ship customization allows for sneaky tactics like bio-ships with the ability to virus bomb a planet, or destroyers disguised as trade ships.

Playing this game is a lot like eating a really good sandwich, you always find something new in it to enjoy.

One of the many interesting random events.

4) Space Empires 4

Space Empires 4 Let's play video

An old classic, only play it if you can tolerate clunky U.I. A great bridge between the more hardcore titles and a classic 4x game. Some features are surprisingly complex, like the different resources or customization, while others are more of the same ordinary 4x, like the tactical combat, or diplomacy.

While the combat is top-down view and looks basic with arcade-like sounds, thanks to the amazingly detailed ship building, has a surprising amount of depth with different sub systems and weapons.

Lots of buttons to press and get confused by.

3) Europa Universalis 4

Europa Universalis IV - Video Developer Diary: Exploration

The creme of the crop when it comes to realistic 4x games. If you ever wanted to play as a historical country in the context of actual history, play this. Just pick any nation on the face of the earth, make some goals and try to survive the coming centuries.

You begin the game at the start of the renaissance and play until the early 1800s as you wage wars, plot schemes and colonize and exploit the new world. There is nothing more fun than making some small change in the political landscape of the world and seeing what kind of alternate history will happen.

Uniting the North American native tribes and repelling the European nations, rebuilding Rome and disbanding the Papacy, you can do all of this and more in this history simulator.

Seems legit.

2) Distant Worlds:Universe

Distant Worlds trailer

While it may look like this is another low-budget 4x game, riding the high waves of the genre, this is far from the truth. Distant Worlds offer, in many cases the ultimate space 4x experience right now.

At the start of the game, you pick a starting galaxy, where you can even change the age of the races there which can affect a great many things gameplay wise. An old galaxy with many small races starting out, scavenging the carcass of precursor empires, or a young, lively place full of powerful nations, your choice.

The most interesting part of the game is the economics wich will leave you wanting for similar mechanics once you got back to other games. Every celestial body has a chance of producing a resource (out of the many present in the game, like a LOT), each does something different.

Every ship has an inventory which they use to haul goods across the galaxy working for different trading companies, making the universe a place that feels alive, and where even small choices change the game in ways you cannot foresee. Highly recommended.

It is a big universe out there.

1) Stellaris

Stellaris gameplay trailer

If Distant Worlds is the game to play when it comes to economics, Stellaris is the same, for the lovers of diplomacy.

Randomized races where two playthroughs are never the same. Huge amounts of interesting events, from extra-dimensional invasion, to A.i rebellion, the replay value of the game is big.

In many ways, the game has standard space 4x features, the different interactions between the races are unique. For the lovers of Star Trek and Mass Effect, it is possible to form federations, change the domestic policy of your empire. If you wanted to a xenophobic slaver race, go ahead just change a few laws. The options are truly amazing.

Ringworlds should be a selling pont in sci-fi games.

Through the ages, up in space, or in some mithical land, you can lead many types of civilization, just pick one from the list and go. The limits are the stars.