Strategy games are a very popular genre in the industry, but it isn't the most valuable in the eyes of publishers who want to sell millions of copies in no time. This is why AAA gaming doesn't really venture into this genre all that often anymore.
8 Best Grand Strategy Games That Get Better As You Play
The deeper players get into these grand strategy titles, the more fun and satisfying they become.
This is why any strategy game from a major studio with a ton of funding receives a ton of attention. These AAA experiences can be downright magical if everything is executed to a T, with some of these titles continuing to make waves in the industry to this day.
Age Of Mythology
The Mythological Spin On The Traditional AoE Gameplay Was A Massive Success
Age of Mythology
- Released
- October 30, 2002
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy, Tactical
Age of Mythology took the AoE foundation and added a mythological twist to it that was nothing short of a major success. Worshipping the gods from one of many civilizations and altering their playstyle on the fly ensured that Age of Mythology would leave a lasting impression on players.
It helps that the story-driven campaign is genuinely riveting and does a great job of letting players complete objectives and overwhelm their foes. Age of Mythology: Retold serves as the best way to get into this classic title and will channel a player's nostalgia in the first few minutes.
Total War: Warhammer 2
Easily The Best Game Of The Total War: Warhammer Trilogy
Total War: Warhammer 2
- Released
- September 28, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy
For a series that was focused on historical scenarios, fans didn't know what to expect when Total War and Warhammer decided to collaborate. Thankfully, the first game was a homerun, and the sequel is arguably one of the best Total War games ever made.
Warhammer 2 polishes the concepts from the first game and lets players enjoy a grand time as they command huge armies to lay waste to their foes in style. The sheer amount of love this game has for the Warhammer franchise means that fans will have plenty to occupy their time.
Sid Meier's Civilization 6
Another Excellent Entry In This Celebrated 4X Turn-Based Strategy Series
Sid Meier's Civilization 6
- Released
- October 21, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ for Everyone 10+: Drug Reference, Language, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- Strategy
Civilization 7 had a bit of a rocky launch, but fans have full faith that updates and expansions will help the newest entry in the series gain some traction. Until then, they can always check out the feature-rich Civilization 6 to tide them over.
8 Grand Strategy Games With The Steepest Learning Curves, Ranked
Some grand strategy games are so complex that they can take weeks to master or even understand.
It helps that Sid Meier's Civilization 6 is the very peak of this series and lets fans enjoy a fun and tantalizing gameplay loop from start to end. This 4X strategy game is quirky and challenging at the same time, letting players control one of several renowned world leaders and trying to help their nation secure a dominant victory at all costs.
Crusader Kings 3
One Of The Most Engaging Grand Strategy Games Made By Paradox
Crusader Kings 3
- Released
- September 1, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teens: Drug Reference, Language, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Grand Strategy
Paradox did a great job of making Crusader Kings 3 as approachable to beginners as possible. The tutorial explains most of the basic concepts, and the improvements made to the game's presentation ensure that Crusader Kings 3 will be unputdownable for fans.
Players can take on the role of a ruler from various regions in the game as they try to establish their dominance by any means necessary. Forming alliances, waging wars, carving out a legacy, and engaging with the content present in the title's numerous expansions ensure that players can wring out a ton of hours from a single playthrough of Crusader Kings 3.
Warcraft 3: Reign Of Chaos
A Legendary RTS Game That Needs No Introduction
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos
- Released
- July 3, 2002
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy
Before Blizzard (along with Activision) lost the faith of fans with their poor modern offerings, they were wowing them by placing a ton of emphasis on the RTS genre. Starcraft and its sequel are two great games in their own right, but Warcraft 3 is the very peak of Blizzard's RTS games.
The incredible storytelling in Warcraft 3 makes the single-player campaign more epic than it has any right to be, especially in the expansions. That's to say nothing of the tantalizing multiplayer matchups where players must be at the very top of their game to secure victory.
Europa Universalis 4
Fans Can't Get Enough Of This Captivating Grand Strategy Title
Europa Universalis 4
- Released
- August 13, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Drug Reference, Mild Language, Mild Sexual Themes, Mild Violence
- Genre(s)
- Strategy
Grand strategy games have a charm of their own, and no one does it better than Paradox Interactive. Their stranglehold over this genre is impeccable, and the fact that Europa Universalis 4 continues to be so popular despite being active for more than a decade is proof enough of this.
7 Best Strategy Games From The 2000s That Need Remakes
During the 2000s, there were many amazing strategy games that would benefit from being remade and brought into the modern era.
Colonizing territories and trying to emerge as a superpower with the dawn of the modern age is a huge part of what makes Europa Universalis 4 so special. Players can lose hours upon hours in this title and its expansions, and fans can't wait to get into the groove once again with the launch of Europa Universalis 5.
Age Of Empires 2: The Age Of Kings
The Legacy Of The Best AoE Game Is Unmatched
Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition
- Released
- November 14, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy
To this day, Age of Empires 2 continues to dominate the RTS scene. It speaks volumes about how tightly designed and engaging this game is that it hasn't lost its allure for decades.
AoE 2 is still receiving so much content that it's genuinely mind-boggling. Fans can't believe just how feature-rich this game is, to the point where players who haven't touched it for a while can get into it only to have their minds blown by the sheer amount of content that has been added since they last played it.
Stellaris
Paradox's First Ever Foray Into A Fictional Universe Was A Resounding Success
Stellaris
- Released
- May 9, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Violent References, Mild Language
- Genre(s)
- 4X, Grand Strategy
Fans wondered whether Paradox Interactive would be able to hit the nail on the head with a grand strategy game set in a sci-fi universe. These complaints were put to bed when they saw firsthand what Stellaris brought to the table.
Despite some unpopular updates and Paradox's DLC assembly line, Stellaris has largely been unputdownable ever since it graced fans with its presence. It's one of the best sci-fi strategy games players can check out, with a surprising emphasis on role-playing, making it quite comparable to Crusader Kings 3.
8 Best Grand Strategy Games You've Probably Never Heard of, Ranked
These grand strategy games offer great fun, but you probably haven't heard of them. Genre veterans are sure to have a great time with these titles.