The Best Grand-strategy Games

Update : Cataclismo added at rank #44.
1

Victoria 3 (2022)

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74
Review score
Logo of Victoria 3 Screenshot of Victoria 3 Screenshot of Victoria 3 Screenshot of Victoria 3

PC Windows Linux Mac OS

Take over as leader of one of the 200 nations with a centralized industry, back to the 19th and early 20th centuries, it's your job to improve the lives of your citizenry, manage their economy, and keep them happy. Politics plays a huge part in this game and you must form relationships with other countries to succeed.

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What we like:
  • Nested tooltips provide detailed information on concepts
  • Excellent GUI
  • Lots of events
  • Detailed population groups with their own needs
  • Deep economic system
What could be improved:
  • War mechanic not so great

  • grand-strategy
  • political
  • economy
  • politics
  • simulation
  • historical
  • military
  • war
  • strategy
  • diplomacy

2

Hearts of Iron IV (2016)

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89
Review score
Logo of Hearts of Iron IV Screenshot of Hearts of Iron IV Screenshot of Hearts of Iron IV Screenshot of Hearts of Iron IV

PC Windows Linux Mac OS

Control your own nation during World War II and dominate the planet in Hearts of Iron IV. With intricate military simulations, choose any nation and build your industrial and technological power to achieve glory, either playing solo or competing online. The game is both immersive and challenging, with engaging visuals that bring the experience to life.


What we like:
  • Historical accuracy
  • Mod community
  • Rewarding strategic gameplay
What could be improved:
  • DLC locks parts of the game
  • Overly complicated mechanics
  • Limited AI orders

  • grand-strategy
  • strategy
  • historical
  • war
  • world-war-2
  • military
  • naval
  • economy
  • real-time
  • political
  • tactical
  • grand
  • tanks
  • simulation
  • alternate

3

Stellaris (2016)

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88
Review score
Logo of Stellaris Screenshot of Stellaris Screenshot of Stellaris Screenshot of Stellaris

PC Windows IOS iPhone Android Playstation 4 Xbox One Linux Mac OS

Explore a galaxy full of wonders in this sci-fi grand strategy game from Paradox Development Studios. Interact with diverse alien races, discover strange new worlds with unexpected events and expand the reach of your empire. Each new adventure holds almost limitless possibilities.


  • grand-strategy
  • empire
  • 4x
  • strategy
  • sci-fi
  • resource
  • space
  • exploration
  • real-time
  • politics
  • war
  • construction
  • military
  • political

4

Crusader Kings III (2020)

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84
Review score
Logo of Crusader Kings III Screenshot of Crusader Kings III Screenshot of Crusader Kings III Screenshot of Crusader Kings III

PC Windows Xbox Series X Playstation 5 Linux Mac OS

Crusader Kings III immerses you in the world of medieval politics and dynasties, letting you choose a noble house and lead them to greatness. With a vast and beautifully detailed medieval map to explore, you will encounter a host of historical characters, make life-altering decisions, and forge your dynasty's legacy. The game's unique and colorful characters, wide range of playstyles, and limitless paths to follow make it an exciting and rewarding experience for those who love grand strategy games.

Buy

What we like:
  • Immersive gameplay and world-building
  • Wide range of options for playstyle and objectives
  • Beautiful graphics and top-notch soundtrack
  • Unique and colorful characters with varied abilities and traits
  • Legacy system adds depth and longevity to gameplay
What could be improved:
  • Overpriced DLCs that do not add much to gameplay
  • Slow pace of gameplay and battles
  • Uncanny 3D models
  • Lack of region differentiation

  • strategy
  • grand-strategy
  • medieval
  • simulation
  • rpg
  • historical
  • war
  • empire
  • politics
  • military
  • grand
  • political
  • martial

5

UFC 5 (2023)

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96
Review score
Logo of UFC 5 Screenshot of UFC 5 Screenshot of UFC 5 Screenshot of UFC 5

Android Xbox One

EA SPORTS™ UFC® 5 is as real as it gets. Powered by Frostbite engine’s advanced rendering capabilities. All-new authentic damage system brings intensity and strategy of a fight to life. New Transition-Based Submissions make grappling feel more fluid and realistic.


  • turn-based
  • strategy
  • card
  • diplomacy
  • rpg
  • grand-strategy
  • wargame
  • japanese
  • immersive
  • 4x
  • sport
  • military
  • tactical
  • cooperative

6

Airships: Conquer the Skies (2018)

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93
Review score
Logo of Airships: Conquer the Skies Screenshot of Airships: Conquer the Skies Screenshot of Airships: Conquer the Skies Screenshot of Airships: Conquer the Skies

Linux PC Windows Mac OS

Construct mighty steampunk airships and fly them into battle, waging war and conquering the skies!


  • grand-strategy
  • real-time
  • naval
  • steampunk
  • strategy
  • i
  • wargame
  • 4x
  • authentic
  • pvp
  • data-driven
  • cooperative
  • mech
  • combat
  • tanks

7

Knights of Honor II: Sovereign (2022)

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78
Review score
Logo of Knights of Honor II: Sovereign Screenshot of Knights of Honor II: Sovereign Screenshot of Knights of Honor II: Sovereign Screenshot of Knights of Honor II: Sovereign

PC Windows

Knights of Honor II: Sovereign is a real-time grand strategy game set in medieval Europe, developed by Black Sea Games and published by THQ Nordic. Players can choose to start their playthrough in either 1110, 1224, or 1360 AD from a range of different European and African kingdoms. It features a suite of competing interests to manage across your empire - mercantile, religious, peasantry, diplomacy and military - with each having their own priorities and influencing your reputation.


What we like:
  • Real-Time Control map for warfare
  • Realistic visuals
  • Soothing soundtrack
  • Accessible interface
  • Plenty of strategic depth
What could be improved:
  • Game is complicated for beginners
  • RTS mini-game shallow compared to other games in genre
  • Limited items included with purchase

  • grand-strategy
  • real-time
  • strategy
  • medieval
  • battle
  • empire
  • simulation
  • war
  • military

8

Europa Universalis IV (2013)

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85
Review score
Logo of Europa Universalis IV Screenshot of Europa Universalis IV Screenshot of Europa Universalis IV Screenshot of Europa Universalis IV

PC Windows Linux Mac OS

Europa Universalis IV is a grand strategy game that allows you to lead any significant nation on Earth from 1444 to 1821. Experience war, politics, scientific advances, and the discovery of the New World in a visually stunning world map. The game is accessible to newcomers without sacrificing depth and breadth that existing fans of the series love, and there is a lot going on, but the interface is excellent and easy to use. With different paths to glory, the game also offers a new Trade system, and an improved AI, making grand strategy accessible to all.


What we like:
  • Deep and accessible gameplay
  • Visually stunning
  • Different paths to glory
  • New Trade system
  • Improved AI.
What could be improved:
  • Complexe
  • Rough edges
  • Lack of multiplayer options.

  • strategy
  • grand-strategy
  • historical
  • military
  • empire
  • simulation
  • economy
  • political
  • war
  • grand
  • real-time
  • naval
  • politics
  • trading

9

Nobunaga's Ambition: Awakening (2023)

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67
Review score
Logo of Nobunaga's Ambition: Awakening Screenshot of Nobunaga's Ambition: Awakening Screenshot of Nobunaga's Ambition: Awakening Screenshot of Nobunaga's Ambition: Awakening

Nintendo Switch PC Windows Playstation 4

Conquer Warring States Japan under one banner!


  • historical
  • grand-strategy
  • real-time
  • wargame
  • strategy
  • tactical
  • simulation
  • immersive
  • military
  • alternate

10

Police Simulator - Cops Duty (2024)

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92
Review score
Logo of Police Simulator - Cops Duty Screenshot of Police Simulator - Cops Duty Screenshot of Police Simulator - Cops Duty Screenshot of Police Simulator - Cops Duty

Mac OS PC Windows Android

Get your adrenaline pumping with the CHASE DOWN. Respond to a high-speed chase involving a rogue vehicle on a relentless rampage. Get behind the wheel of your squad car, chase down the criminal with tactical precision and professional driving skills. Boost your accuracy and master your weapon.


  • diplomacy
  • grand-strategy
  • turn-based
  • wargame
  • immersive
  • 4x
  • strategy
  • military
  • character
  • tactical
  • cooperative
  • simulation
  • card
  • historical
  • real-time

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