GAMERS DECIDE - age of wonders iii

Age of Wonders III

aswin_rajeev25 — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 17:46:50 +0000

Players can start building an empire from scratch and rule them with the 6 available races – Sorcerer, Rogue, Theocrat, Warlord, Archdruid, and Dreadnought. Choose your allies carefully and research for new skills and weapons to add to your arsenal and build an empire of your dreams.

The highly anticipated sequel to the award-winning series, Age of Wonders III builds upon the critically acclaimed franchise. Bringing together empire building, warfare and role playing at the same time, the game excels in its niche.

Year Released:

2014

Genre:

Role-Playing Game

Strategy

Platform:

PC-Games

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System Requirements:

OS: Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.4 Ghz or AMD Phenom X4 9900 @ 2.6 Ghz
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Graphics: nVidia Geforce 460 1GB or AMD Radeon HD 6850 1GB
DirectX: Version 9.0c
Network: Broadband Internet connection
Storage: 10 GB available space
Sound Card: DirectX 9 Compatible
Additional Notes: A 1920x1080 screen resolution.

Releasing status:

Rating:

7.8/10

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Developer:

Triumph Studios

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Latest Rank:

Average Vote:

50.00

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Epic Strategy

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age of wonders iii

Age of Wonders III - Golden Realms

aswin_rajeev25 — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 17:06:01 +0000

Golden Realms is the first expansion of Age of Wonders III, an empire building strategy game. Control the Halfling race as they settle in a distant land filled with treasures and dangers never seen before.

Golden Realms features the Hafling Race, exotic new map locations, over 20 new units, new magic items and much more. The new features are introduced in random maps, new scenarios and a new story campaign.

Year Released:

2014

Genre:

Role-Playing Game

Strategy

Platform:

PC-Games

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System Requirements:

OS: Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.4 Ghz or AMD Phenom X4 9900 @ 2.6 Ghz
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Graphics: nVidia Geforce 460 1GB or AMD Radeon HD 6850 1GB
DirectX: Version 9.0c
Network: Broadband Internet connection
Storage: 10 GB available space
Sound Card: DirectX 9 Compatible
Additional Notes: A 1920x1080 screen resolution.

Releasing status:

Rating:

0/10

Rate and Review PC Games:

Developer:

Triumph Studios

Popularity Rank:

Best Game Rank:

Latest Rank:

Average Vote:

50.00

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Theme:

Epic Strategy

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11 Best Fantasy War Games To Play in 2015

MichaelLogarta — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 22:57:58 +0000

Experience magic, monsters, and mayhem in the best fantasy war games you can play in 2015!

Sometimes, all a war game needs is a little magic. Like, spells-that-can-turn-you-inside-out kind of magic. Or fire-breathing dragons that can turn soldiers into armies of burnt matchsticks.

You have to admit, fantasy does bring spice to war gaming. Listed here, then, are the 11 Best Fantasy War Games to Play in 2015 – fantasy games set in medieval worlds filled with elves, orcs, demons, and all those things that’ll make the Tolkien in you smile.

11. Warlock: Master of the Arcane

Love Civilization but feel the series doesn’t have enough vampires, pointy ears, and fireballs? You’ll have a blast with Warlock: Master of the Arcane.

This 4X turn-based strategy has you assuming the role of a Great Mage (each representing human, undead, monster races) as they lead their civilization to victory. You explore and expand your empire in the starting land of Ardania. Eventually, however, you’ll be able to travel between dimensions called the Underworlds, giving you access to new areas.

As expected, various elements come into play, like economy, diplomacy, religion, more. Magic can be researched, giving you a host of powerful spells with which to turn your rivals’ armies into dust. Heroes level up, equip special items, and embark on quests. And, true to the genre, there is more than one way to win the game.

Few fantasy games are this addicting!

10. King’s Bounty: Dark Side

It’s good to be bad in King’s Bounty: Dark Side.

After being driven from their homes and families by annoying do-gooders, Orc warrior Baghyr, Demoness paladin Neoleene, and the vampire mage Daert come together to exact revenge on their persecutors. Now allies, they gather what’s left of their armies to reclaim what they have lost.

A heady combination of strategy and RPG, you’ll be exploring the world of Teana and completing quests as one of these dark heroes. Of course, you’ve got your loyal troops to command in combat. Like your enemies well-done? Roast them alive with your dragon. Those pesky elves bothering you with their puny arrows? Send over your ogre to pound them into a bloody pulp. Each hero also has a unique battle companion that’s fueled by rage, not to mention you’ve got hundreds of spells and abilities to learn, artifacts to discover, and more.

The forces of Light won’t know what hit ‘em. One of the best fantasy war games you can play right now!

9. Eador: Masters of the Broken World

You’ve got to love Eador: Masters of the Broken World. Seriously, how many fantasy games have you playing as a demigod with the fate of entire worlds in their hands?

A magical cataclysm sunders the universe, Eador, setting countless shards adrift in the void. Each shard is a unique world populated by various forms of life. Now, as one of the many immortal Masters, you’ll be fighting your fellow gods for control of the universe.

Attacking shards plays a huge role in the game. Doing so transports you to the world, where’ll you have to muster your forces against its inhabitants to conquer it. This is where the empire-building elements come in, which includes exploration, hero recruitment, economy development, and more. Armies go head-to-head in tactical, turn-based combat.

Additionally, you can communicate with the other Masters as you plan your conquest, and snatch technologies from defeated Masters.

One of the best fantasy war games you can play right now!

8. Might & Magic Heroes VI

The long-running Heroes of Might and Magic series has given us some of the best fantasy war games over the years, and we’re glad to announce Might & Magic Heroes VI lives up to expectations.

The game is set in Thallan, a world rich in magic and diverse cultures that worship dragon gods. It’s also the focal point of an enduring war between the Angels and the Faceless. Five playable factions exist, each with their own special units and attributes. For example, you can chill your enemies with frightening undead creatures as Necropolis, or join Stronghold and overwhelm the opposition with a stampede of beasts such as Centaurs and Cyclopses.

Gameplay is a mix of turn-based strategy and RPG, with you controlling heroes and armies as they explore the world, conquer cities, discover artifacts, cast devastating magic spells, and more. You can also either affiliate yourself with “Tears,” if you prefer diplomatic solutions to problems, or “Blood,” if you simply love the smell of burning villages and charred flesh.

A list of excellent fantasy games would be incomplete without Might & Magic Heroes VI!

7. Sorcerer King

You had one job.

Now the world is on the brink of destruction, as the Sorcerer King readies the Spell of Making to transform himself into a god and annihilate everything you hold dear. Because nothing tickles fantasy super villains pink quite like the apocalypse.

Part RPG, part strategy, Sorcerer King puts you in the shoes of the sovereign of one of the few unconquered cities. Reclaiming the world entails exploration, questing, alliances, and the slaughter of all manner of evil.

You hero needs all the help he can get to survive the battles ahead. Thankfully, the crafting system has you following recipes to build powerful weapons and armor, while enchanting allows you to enhance them with special attributes. You’ve also got armies at your beck and call, magic spells to learn, and more.

And oh, the guys behind Galactic Civilizations made this game, so it’s definitely worth playing!

6. Fallen Enchantress: Legendary Heroes

Also from the studio behind Galactic Civilizations comes Fallen Enchantress: Legendary Heroes – one of the best fantasy war games we’ve played.

Like other turn-based strategy games, you’ve got an empire to expand and maintain, armies to manage, alliances to make and break, and a huge world filled with secrets to unravel. But as a stand-alone expansion of Elemental: Fallen Enchantress, Legendary Heroes’ main draw is its heroes. Depending on your chosen faction’s Fame (which grows with every successful exploit), you can attract a variety of unique champions to your cause, such as undead necromancers, specters, trolls, and golems.

Both your faction leader and heroes can level up RPG-style, while there are tons of magical abilities to learn and monsters to slay. And this is just to name a few of the game’s many features.

Defeat the Fallen Enchantress and save the world in one of our favorite fantasy games!

5. The Banner Saga

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past couple of years, you’ve probably heard of The Banner Saga.

This notoriously difficult, Viking-inspired tactical RPG has you journeying vast, frozen lands in a caravan – a small, wandering force of humans and horned giants called varl sent to fight the savage Dredge. All the choices you make along the way, from the friendships you make to the battles you pick, have significant impacts on the story’s evolution.

More than 25 playable and upgradeable characters, categorized into 7 unique classes, will join you on your quest. Some of them will make it to the end; some will not. And you’ll have to live with the consequences of your actions, as you don’t have the option to reload earlier game states after being defeated in battle. This makes the choices not only more difficult, but also more meaningful.

With memorable characters, innovative gameplay, a compelling story, and gorgeously hand-drawn visuals and animations, The Banner Saga is one of the best fantasy war games in existence.

4. Age of Wonders III

We can’t have a list of the best fantasy war games without including 4X turn-based strategy Age of Wonders III.

In addition to the six races to choose from (humans, high elves, dwarves, draconians, goblins, and orcs), you also choose your leader’s class, which gives you access to special skills. For example, as the Rogue, you’ll be using underhanded tactics such as manipulation and stealth both in warfare and diplomacy. On the other hand, with machines, tanks, and gunpowder in your arsenal, the Dreadnought brings steampunk to the table. As leaders partake in quests and defeat rivals, they revolve, RPG-style.

It’s not all murder and mayhem, however; you’ve also got to manage your cities and your citizens, as well as explore the world and discover secrets.

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.

It’s one of the most engaging fantasy games you can play in 2015 – and it’s gorgeous to look at, too!

3. Total War: Warhammer

Since the dawn of the new millennium, Total War has been giving us some of the greatest strategy war games in the industry. The common denominator of these games is that they all have historical basis – from Attila and his nomadic hordes to feudal Japan’s samurais and ninjas.

But that is all about to change in their upcoming Total War: Warhammer.

The latest entry in the franchise will be set in the dark, Tolkienesque Warhammer universe, where fantasy races such as elves and lizardmen are locked in constant battle. At launch, the game will feature four playable factions: the technology-focused human Empire, the Orcish Greenskins, the Dwarfs, and the Vampire Counts.

Like other Total War games, Warhammer will combine titanic real-time battles with turn-based empire-building campaigns. Unlike the others, there will be magic, and monsters such as dragons and giants.

We simply can’t wait for what will likely be one of the best fantasy war games ever made!

2. Kingdom Wars II: Battles

Not enough fantasy games have zombie invasions written into their scripts. Leave it to Kingdom Wars II: Battles to bring the undead hordes to your doorstep in one of the best fantasy war games today.

The game combines real-time strategy, city-building, and zombie survival. They even managed to throw in a card game system in there!

The amazing thing is, it works. The large scale battles are intense and gory. Siege combat has your armies scaling walls with siege towers and ladders, bombarding walls with trebuchets, and ramming gates with battering rams, while you can defend your own stronghold with deadly defensive structures and fiendish traps. A complex crafting system lets you create new items and even cards, while there are numerous technologies to research. The three playable races (Humans, Elves, and Orcs) have distinctive traits, with numerous crafting opportunities and technologies unique to each of them.

Innovative and enormous in scope, this is one of the best fantasy war games you can play in 2015!

1. Endless Legend

Fantasy games don’t get much better than Endless Legend, a 4X turn-based strategy game set in the mystical land of Auriga.

As the overseer of one of eight factions, it’s your job to change the fate of a world on the verge of collapse. These factions are as unique as they are diverse.

Ever wanted to be part of an army of spectral knights? Join the Broken Lords. A fan of creepy-crawly freaks? The plague-spreading Necrophages are for you. Then you’ve got the nomadic Roving Clans, the forest-dwelling Wild Walkers, and the fanatical cult of mechanical monstrosities called the Cult of the Eternal End.

The vast, explorable world 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 the cities you’ve created or invaded, as well as prepare for Seasons, which drastically alter the climate and, consequently, the abilities of your units. You can win by eliminating all enemies, discovering all scientific technologies, becoming the economic power of the lands or the most diplomatic of factions, and more.

Truly one of the best fantasy war games of our time.

And thus another list comes to a close. So, dear readers: want do you think are the best fantasy war games to play in 2015? Tell is in the comments section below!

Or do you prefer your medieval war games more realistic? If so, check out our 11 Best Medieval War Games To Play in 2015 list.

If you like your war games a little more modern, there’s 10 Best Military Strategy Games to Play in 2015 to read.

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Top 10 Games Like Total War, Ranked Good To Best

Rage_More — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 17:02:11 +0000

Like the Total War series? Then look no further!

Waiting for Total War: Warhammer can be exhausting. Believe us, we know. Here is a list of similar titles to keep you amused while you brace yourself for the upcoming release.

10. Imperial Glory (2005)

A glimpse of the gameplay you can expect

Developer: Pyro Studios, Robosoft Technologies

Genre: Real-time tactics

Army setup is taken straight from another series

Taking place during the Napoleonic Wars, Imperial glory lets you pick one of the five major players of the period and reshape history the way you want.

The game lets you choose from one of five countries (Austria-Hungary, France, Great Britain, Russia, Prussia) and proceed to contest the other four for resources and territory. Each conquerable province produces a set amount of each resource, so holding on to as many as you can is advised. The naval combat is an interesting yet complex feature that takes some getting used to, but becomes very fulfilling later on.

Fans of the time period, as well as those of the genre, would do well to try this title, at least until the next Total War arrives.

9. The King’s Crusade (2010)

Special attention has been put into details

Developer: NeocoreGames

Genre: Real-time strategy, role-playing

This is sure to end unwell

Taking the role of either Richard the Lionheart or the Sultan Saladin, this game lets you play out the Third Crusade in all its horrors.

Aside from the strategic turn-based experience we all know and love, king’s Crusade places special focus on the real-time combat component. Adding significant tactical depth is the ability to fine tune your units in-between missions, as well as their ability to level up from good combat performance. Mission variety is impressive, and you'll be given multiple objectives before every rollout. Eliminating the enemy, sieges, and defensive battles of attrition are merely some of the many things you will have the honor of doing.

All in all, The King’s Crusade is a consistently fun and detailed strategy game that we can easily recommend to fans of the genre.

8. Eador: Masters of the Broken World (2013)

Make the shards your own

Developer: Snowbird Game Studios

Genre: Fantasy strategy game

Eador’s combat is reminiscent of the Heroes series

The world has been destroyed, blasted into inhabited shards that float through space, and it is up to you to claim them and put everything back together.

When starting a new game, you get to pick one of several randomly generated shards from which you start the game. Then, you may start your conquest, beginning from those nearest to you. As is the norm, you recruit heroes, items to equip them with, and units that make up their army. By building up your Stronghold, you gain access to upgrades and higher level units, like in the Heroes series.

Although the game is mercilessly difficult, the randomized nature of each individual game, along with a huge number of units and diverse heroes, make Eador an engaging and replayable experience.

7. King Arthur: The Roleplaying Game (2009)

Dragons, ogres and giant spiders

Developer: NeocoreGames

Genre: Real-time tactics

The mother of all one-sided battles

Take the role of the eponymous King Arthur, in this original take on the famous legend. Human and inhuman enemies alike stand against you in your quest to expand the kingdom, and your success depends solely on your tactical abilities.

As in the Total War series, the game is played from the large strategic map where you make the big decisions that are usually resolved on the real-time battlefield. Your morality and choice of religion are important, and make a significant impact on what kind of forces you can field. For instance, the kind of endgame units you can field is directly dependent on whether you are a Christian or an adherent of the so-called “Old Faith”.

All in all, a thoroughly satisfying title that offers a more fantastic alternative to a genre that’s bogged down by realism.

6. Mount & Blade: Warband (2010)

This series lets you lead the offense yourself

Developer: TaleWorlds Entertainment

Genre: Action RPG, Strategy, Simulation

You’ll feel powerful even as a mere human

After picking one of the game’s six factions and creating your Warlord, you are released into the game’s sandbox world with the goal of conquering everything.

Being the only action game on this list, Warband alternates between an overhead map of the game’s world, and a third-person tactical action game where you take the fight to the enemy yourself, backed by your men (whom you can command while you fight). As you advance through battles, your character becomes more powerful, which helps to make the game very addictive.

This being an independent title, there are slight technical rough spots, but as far as pure gameplay goes, Warband is pure gold.

5. Star Wars: Empire At War (2006)

Familiar gameplay in an even more familiar universe

Developer: Petroglyph Games

Genre: Real-time strategy

A Star Wars strategy game that’s actually good? Yes, please!

Choose between the Rebel Alliance and Galactic Empire and go to war for domination over the galaxy far, far away.

As is the custom, you move your forces over a large over-map, and engage in real-time combat when you encounter opposition. The scale of the game is massive due to it being set in space, and the tactical battles are sufficiently epic. Granted, the title loses a lot in the diplomacy department due to having only two opposed factions, but the setting and space battles are there to make up for it.

Fans of Star Wars, as well as those who love the characteristic game genre, will find no fault in Empire at War.

4. Crusader Kings 2 (2012)

An accurate illustration of what you can expect

Developer: Paradox Development Studio

Genre: Grand strategy

The game is unbelievably complex

Take control of a medieval dynasty, and lead it through some 400 years of alternate history. The game has no set goal or story, instead providing the played with semi-randomized fun.

Everything in Crusader Kings 2 has so many layers, variants and variables that it’s amazing that they even thought about it. For instance, besides managing your economic, military and religious standing, you also need to be mindful of political marriages and assassinations. Finding a good spouse for your heir can make or break an alliance, while a negative trait you’ve introduced into your dynasty’s genetics can haunt your descendants for centuries.

If you enjoy the strategic aspect of the genre and can live without playing out the battles yourself, then Crusader Kings 2 is possibly the best thing you will ever play.

3. Age of Wonders 3 (2014)

It’s more than worth the long wait

Developer: Triumph Studios

Genre: Turn-based strategy

The word “Epic” doesn’t even begin to describe it

Age of Wonders 3 calls you out to explore and conquer an enchanting fantasy world where bitterness between humans and elves is about to escalate into a full scale war.

The latest title in the series lets you customize your Leader by choosing between six races and classes (the expansions added more), which significantly alters not just the way you play but also what units you can field. The leader, as well as the heroes you recruit, can become more powerful through experience points. Diplomacy plays a large part in AoW3, and you can assimilate neutral settlements instead of conquering them, gaining access to their units, but allowing your culture and alignment to come under their influence.

Indeed, the complexity, addictiveness and all-around beauty that this game has to offer make it truly wondrous.

2. Europa Universalis IV (2013)

EUIV is the most exciting map-based game ever made

Developer: Paradox Development Studio

Genre: Grand strategy

Prepare to see a whole lot of this – and ask for more

Europa Universalis lets you decide the fate of a country throughout the Early modern period, in a highly complex and customizable 4x experience.

Like Crusader Kings II. this game is actually a sandbox map of the world from which you are free to decide and control whatever it is that you want to do. EUIV has no set goal, although the game will end if you are completely conquered. Crushing the world through military might, becoming an economic/religious/trade superpower, or just enjoying the privilege of managing a country, are all viable options for enjoyment.

It could be considered difficult to recommend a game that looks like a map all the time, but Europa Universalis IV offers so much complexity, replayability and options that it breaks the mold. Give it a shot, unless you really hate geography.

1. Civilization V (2010)

Civ V is the most thoroughly fun game in the series thus far

Developer: Firaxis Games

Genre: Turn-based strategy

A border skirmish is about to go downhill

Lead a nation from prehistoric to modern times and beyond in the freshest take on the 4X genre in recent memory.

There are several ways to win the game, from being the highest ranking nation after the time runs out, to complete military conquest of the randomly generated map. In a major innovation from the previous games, Civ V is divided into hexagons instead of cubes, which radically improves one’s ability to maneuver around the map. Stockpiling units in an effort to win through sheer force has become less effective, making smart tactical choices more important than ever. Of course, the inevitable diplomacy is still here, and the AI opponents are more unpredictable than ever.

Everything you’ve ever loved about the series is present in Civilization V, unless you were an spying or religious fanatic, in which case I recommend getting the expansion. Regardless of your minor gameplay preferences though, you owe it to yourself to play this masterpiece.

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10 Best Strategy War Games To Play in 2015

MichaelLogarta — Thu, 28 May 2015 19:27:36 +0000

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.

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!

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This means war!

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