Strategy Games That Let You Control the British Empire

The British Empire is hailed as one of the largest and most impactful empires in humanity’s history, especially with historical events it participated in that ushered some of the most pivotal ideologies and concepts to grace mankind. While the British Empire still makes strides today as the United Kingdom, strategy and grand strategy titles allow players to experience the former’s glory days.

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By  John Cunningham

However, while certain strategy games let players use England or the United Kingdom at the onset, certain titles allow players to take part in the country’s earliest days - particularly during its height as the British Empire. With this in mind, just which games let players use the British Empire, and exactly just how do they function in their respective titles?

8 Civilization 6

Take The British Empire's Strengths To The Beginning Of Mankind

With Civilization 6 played as a grand strategy game across Eras, playing as the English will begin as early as the Neolithic British Isles for their Ancient Era (4000 BC to 1000 BC) up to the near future of the United Kingdom in their Future Era (2020 to 2050). In turn, the more “symbolic” take on the English Civilization in the Sid Meier title is reflected in its capacity to become a powerful cultural presence for a Cultural Victory (British Museum) or an industrial powerhouse for resource domination (Workshop of the World) depending on the expansion.

Likewise, their Sea Dog and Royal Navy Dockyard emphasize much faster exploration and naval domination in Civ 6 gameplay. Depending on the Leader, players may get free units on the first city colonized per continent (Victoria, Age of Empire), more production in cities (Victoria, Age of Steam), using Great Works to colonize other cities (Eleanor of Aquitaine), and more efficient trading (Elizabeth I).

7 Medieval 2: Total War

Use King Henry III To Ensure The Kingdom's Survival

Whereas the first Medieval: Total War has a campaign that spanned the early to late medieval periods (1087 to 1321), the indirect sequel Medieval 2: Total War lasts much longer with a 1080 to 1530 timeline. Starting as England in 1080 will give players with defensive stability and decent ranged units like the Sherwood archers that can be upgraded into stronger gunpowder units in the endgame. However, England has yet to secure the British Empire, having to fight France, Scotland, and Denmark on top of improving the British Isles.

The Kingdoms expansion to Medieval 2 gives players control of the Kingdom of Britannia in 1258 AD, wherein King Henry III of England has to ensure the kingdom’s survival with potential enemies from Wales, Scotland, Norway, and even Ireland. While the game won’t see players make progress towards the height of the British Empire, the game ensures players can at least secure its stability.

6 Crusader Kings 3

Become Alfred The Great And Create Britannia

Every Crusader Kings 3 run ending in 1453 means players would miss the opportunity of seeing the British Empire begin its ascendancy in the early 1500s. However, players of Crusader Kings 3 do have the opportunity to ensure England is powerful enough to begin its expansion after their playthrough, especially when players manage to create the Empire of Britannia as Alfred the Great.

Doing so means starting the game in 867 as the successor to the current Petty-King of Wessex, his brother Æthelred I, who will likely die in 871. Upon assuming kingship, Alfred needs to save East Anglia and work his way to Britannia’s requirements: holding two de jure Kingdom titles and 73 de jure Counties, as well as paying 1,000 Gold. Becoming the emperor of Britannia will grant players 500 Prestige.

5 Age Of Empires 3

Fast-Track The Ascent Of The British Empire

The Age feature of Age of Empires 3 once again allows factions to jump across historical eras. Serving as a direct sequel to AOE 2, gameplay in AOE 3 takes players from the discovery of the New World in the 1500s to the beginning of colonial times around 1850. From the point of view of the British Civilization, their Age of Empires 3 gameplay begins shortly after the unification of AOE 2’s Britons and Celts into the House of Stewart.

As a reflection of the British’s ascension into the powerful British Empire across the centuries, their AOE 3 faction boasts a straightforward playstyle in the RTS. Their Settler creation speed can help the British jumpstart their economy much faster than others, while their Musketeers are one of the game’s best heavy infantry units. Likewise, being able to upgrade them into the powerful Royal Guard cements the British’s endgame prowess.

4 Europa Universalis 4

Begin Dominating The Age Of Discovery

The British Empire begins as a powerhouse in Europa Universalis 4, especially since the grand strategy game’s premise will attempt to secure the Crown’s global influence throughout the Late Middle Ages to the Early Modern Era. As the country management sim begins gameplay in 1444, the British Empire has just entered the Treaty of Tours with France to avoid war.

Beginning as England, the British Empire in EU4 begins at a favorable position, with the sea-separated British Isles requiring would-be conquerors to use transport options inaccessible in the early game. Meanwhile, England’s control over the end trade node of the English Channel gives early access to resources. Given England’s rich history, EU4 is chock-full of events that influence playthroughs, with the War of the Roses and the English Civil War being potential tragedies depending on choices. England is the favored route of uniting the British Isles to form Great Britain, although it’s also possible (but more difficult) using Scotland and Wales.

3 Empire: Total War

Witness The Birth Of Great Britain

Having just been branded as the Kingdom of Great Britain, the Empire: Total War faction begins in 1700 just years before the Treaty of Union in 1706 unites England, Wales, and Scotland into the aforementioned state. The campaign will last until either 1750 or 1799, the latter of which being just a few years before the Acts of Union 1800 that would merge the Kingdom of Ireland with Great Britain to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

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As an Empire: Total War faction, Great Britain begins as a nigh-impenetrable island nation with a strong fleet. However, its position would be challenged early by Spain and France who may declare early wars. Moreover, the historic war for American independence would take place when Great Britain’s territories in the Americas were contested by the Iroquois Confederacy, the Cherokee Nations, and the Huron Confederacy.

2 Napoleon: Total War

Try To Outwit Napoleon Bonaparte

While half of Napoleon: Total War challenges players to replicate Napoleon’s strokes of tactical brilliance in the Napoleonic Era of 1805 to 1815, Great Britain gets a chance to shine as early as the Egyptian Campaign. Here, they pose a direct threat to France courtesy of strong infantry and artillery as well as a lethal naval fleet.

While the larger Europe Campaign will see Great Britain off to a great start with its powerful fleet, its poor economy means the faction has to seize its accessible trade nodes as soon as possible. Moreover, Great Britain needs to watch out for French and Spanish expansion to ensure they don’t overtake naval control. The Peninsular Campaign will put Great Britain under the control of Gibraltar as well as a strong army, giving them the opportunity to expand against France at the onset.

1 Victoria 3

Witness The World's First Industrial Nation

Taking place in the Victorian Era, the 1836 to 1936 timeline of Victoria 3 will see some of the largest developments in the Industrial Revolution to date. Great Britain begins its Victoria 3 gameplay as the world’s first industrial nation, although the Hanoverian Succession after King William IV’s death and the eventual Opium Wars will be some of the kingdom’s largest issues to face in the game.

As with other grand strategy games featuring Great Britain, the island kingdom faces possible threats from Austria, France, Russia, and perhaps even China. With the game focusing largely on appeasing populations with various agendas, effective Great Britain plays require a focus on addressing discrimination, developing a manageable economy for both trade and colonization and keeping areas such as the British East India Company in check.

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