Summary
Grand strategy gamesgenerally share many common similarities. They all tend to pit the player against other factions, countries, or another form of adversary. The action generally takes place on a large map, showing faction boundaries and allowing the player to plan their ongoing strategic moves.
Most grand strategy games include geopolitical gameplay features. Depending on the setting of the game, these gameplay systems can be the main focus of the game, or simple additions that offer little in the way of utility. However, some games have implemented deep, meaningfulpolitical mechanicsthat set them apart from others.
Why Play Crusader Kings III?
The third installment in theCrusader Kingsfranchise is arguably the best one so far, even though quite a few well-known features from the previous two games have been changed. The player controls an initial character with the goal of protecting andnurturing their dynasty. When the original character dies, the player takes control of their heir.
Geopolitics are front and center stage inCrusader Kings III. Forging alliances, undertakingcross-border espionage, declaring war, and initiating trade deals all carry weight in this game. IfCrusader Kings IIIhas one failing, it is that the interplay of these political systems means the game has a steep learning curve.
Why Play Civilization 6?
The current evolution of theCivilizationfranchise is set to become a classic that new grand strategy games will need to face off against. This much-beloved series of games wrote the rulebook for strategy games in many ways.
Geopolitics inCivilization VIare a little different from other games. Before the player can begin wielding political tools against their enemies, they must first progress through the evolution of political systems and governments. There are three tiers, and only the higher tiers have access to the full range of geopolitical options.
Why Play Stellaris?
Since its release,Stellarishas received regular updates and additional DLC, all of which have refined the way that politics work in the game. Key to the political landscape inStellarisis how the player decides to set up their empire initially. Will they be a democracy or a dictatorship? Xenophobic oralien-friendly? Will empire borders be open or closed?
Depending on empire choices at the start of the game, a range of political options are available, including espionage, trade deals, research agreements, and, of course, war. The game also has a well-rounded vassal system.
A Complex Political Landscape To Overcome
Why Play Sins Of A Solar Empire: Rebellion?
One of the older games in theSins of a Solar Empirefranchise,Rebellion,is admired by strategy game players for its deep political systems. This is mainly due to the main challenges that the game presents, in the form of the player needing to successfully rebel against the opposite faction (depending on which faction the player chooses).
The game takes place in a divided solar system. It places the Trader Emergency Coalition in direct conflict with the Vasari Empire and adds a further political twist by having these factions split internally as well. Altogether, this creates a complex political landscape.Sins Of A Solar Empire: Rebellionwill take intelligence,a strong sense of logic, and perseverance to complete a playthrough and come out on top.
Why Play Tropico 6?
TheTropicoseries does grand strategy a little differently. Indeed, these games often play more like a real-time strategy game than a grand strategy game.
Tropico 6refines and extends the previous five offerings in the series. Although this gamefocuses more on resource management and building, it does have excellent geopolitical systems in place. The player has to deal with both external politics in the form of foreign powers and internal politics in the form of home factions. How the player handles political relationships will have an impact on whether they win the next local election or not.
Why Play Victoria 3?
As the name suggests, this game takes place in the Victorian era, between 1836 and 1901. This grand strategy game puts the primary focus directly on geopolitical gameplay features. The player can choose from any one of 100 countries to control at the start of the game.
The gameplay revolves around expanding the size and influence of the player’s country and minimizing the growth of other countries. This is done almost entirely through political mechanics. Trade, espionage, bribery, and simple, fast talk are all viable options, with war being something of a last resort.
Sometimes Quirky But Always Fun
Why Play Democracy 4?
The fourth installment in the quirkyDemocracyfranchise made this list because it is so different from other strategy games. For a start, it was made by a small indie development team, rather than an established AAA developer. This shows in the game design, as it does away with the complexity of many other strategy games to simplify political systems. As such, this is a great game for new aficionados of the grand strategy genre.
Instead of an ongoing, complex political landscape that the player has to exploit to win,Democracy 4breaks politics down into what it terms “situations.” These are bite-sized political problems and challenges that the player must solve and overcome.
Why Play Total War: Three Kingdoms?
Part grand strategy game, part battle simulator,Total War: Three Kingdomsfollows a similar approach to gameplay as most otherTotal Wargames. In Three Kingdoms, the player choosesone of 12 factions, and has the goal of unifying China to win the game.
Politics plays a big part in the gameplay ofTotal War: Three Kingdoms. However, it must be said that the game tends to force political confrontations into a war state, as pitched battles are a very big part of the game’s attraction.
