10 Top Strategy Games with Excellent Economic Systems

Highlights

Not all grand strategy games have dynamic economic systems, but specific titles like Terra Invicta offer exciting approaches to resource management.

In games such as Crusader Kings 3, the careful balance between taxes and expenses can have far-reaching effects, influencing a ruler's reputation and the stability of their territories. Similarly, games like Stellaris and Victoria 3 offer immersive economies that encompass both tangible and abstract resources, allowing players to make economic choices that can shape the destiny of an entire civilization.

Some grand strategy games like Civilization and Europa Universalis allow gamers to build their dream territory, but for those who prefer number-crunching options, there are better options. Strategy games become more thrilling when victory conditions go beyond just fighting wars and it's much more satisfying to outsmart enemies in financial battles.

Unfortunately, not all grand strategy games offer a dynamic way of engaging opponents in an economic warfare. Luckily, certain titles in the genre have found exciting ways to approach economic systems, which encourage players to prioritize strategic resource management.

10 Terra Invicta

In Terra Invicta, players take on the role of secret factions in the face of an alien invasion. Despite being in its early access phase, Terra Invicta offers a straightforward approach to grand strategy economics. The game's economic system revolves around factions utilizing their influence over nations to achieve three main goals: defending Earth, achieving interstellar domination, and pursuing their secret objectives.

To achieve these goals, factions must exert Control Points over nations. This can be done by investing in different Priorities such as Economy, Knowledge, and Nuclear Weapons, which represent the faction's capabilities across various fronts. However, players must carefully manage their areas as more productive nations carry a higher risk of unrest, while smaller nations offer fewer capabilities but greater flexibility.

9 Crusader Kings 3

Crusader Kings 3

Platform(s) PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PCReleased September 1, 2020Developer(s) Paradox InteractiveGenre(s) RPG, Grand Strategy

The nation-building aspects of Crusader Kings 3 extend beyond basic economies, as the game simulates the Middle Ages. While a region's expenses mainly revolve around Domain and Vassal Taxes, these taxes are crucial for a player's survival over generations. Players must effectively manage their tax-based income to support policies and gameplay strategies, such as diplomacy, warfare, and subterfuge, without these features backfiring against them.

This delicate balance is what makes the otherwise straightforward economy of Crusader Kings 3 challenging to handle. Even a small increase in taxes to sustain a nation can turn a ruler into a tyrant, risking rebellion in territories and provoking vassals to plot against them. Furthermore, the sentiments of both positive and negative impact can extend to a player's heirs, meaning even a slight economic change can have long-term consequences in the game.

8 Hearts Of Iron 4

Hearts of Iron 4

Platform(s) PCReleased June 6, 2016Developer(s) Paradox Development StudioGenre(s) Grand Strategy

In contrast to other grand strategy titles, Hearts of Iron 4 places a stronger emphasis on the wargame aspect of the simulation genre thanks to its World War 2 setting. The gameplay not only focuses on strategic combat, but also includes elements such as production, political interests, diplomacy, and espionage that had an impact on the war effort. Although not perfect in theory, Hearts of Iron 4 offers one of the most historically accurate wartime economies that a war game can offer.

In addition to determining the effectiveness of military tactics, factories also need to be protected and maintained to ensure the nation is properly supplied. Technological research, established laws, and diplomatic efforts all influence a nation's ability to produce effectively. Mismanagement of production could lead to a nation's downfall in Hearts of Iron 4, making it a crucial factor in military success.

7 Distant Worlds 2

Distant Worlds 2, the long-awaited sequel to Distant Worlds (2010), offers familiar space 4X gameplay mechanics with significant enhancements to its praised automation system. With Distant Worlds 2, players can delegate various aspects of their galactic empire to AI, including planetary management, technology advancement, and space combat.

While players have the option to control or automate their civilization's economic status, their actions in this area solely affect the game's Private Economy or civilian financial matters. Therefore, players must venture beyond mere space trading and strike a balance between providing resources for civilians to spend and addressing the potential corruption within densely populated planets. Additionally, the automation feature in Distant Worlds 2 caters to newcomers in the realm of grand strategy economics, allowing them to selectively automate specific economic aspects and learn the game's systems at their own pace.

6 Civilization 6

Civilization 6

Platform(s) PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, Android, iOSReleased October 21, 2016Developer(s) Firaxis GamesGenre(s) Strategy

The latest installment in the Civilization series, Civilization 6, offers a more engaging economic experience. Its streamlined yet flexible ruleset makes it feel like an upgrade from Civ 4 rather than Civ 5. The management of resources such as Gold, Food, and Production has been enhanced thanks to the introduction of Trade Routes, specialized city Districts, and various nation modifications through Civics, Diplomacy, Espionage, and Governments.

While the economy in Civilization 6 does not directly mimic a real market, it still involves resource management in the interactions between civilizations. This simplified approach can serve as a foundation for players to understand and appreciate the complex economics found in other grand strategy games. As a result, Civilization 6 is highly recommended for those interested in the economic aspect of gaming.

5 Stellaris

Stellaris

Platform(s) PC, PS4, Xbox OneReleased May 9, 2016Developer(s) Paradox Development StudioGenre(s) 4X, Grand Strategy

Stellaris gameplay begins with players taking control of a single planet and its surrounding resource centers. As they explore the galaxy and establish colonies, the focus shifts towards managing the economy. The straightforward economy system revolves around Pops, who perform specific Jobs to produce Resources. These Resources are then used to fulfill various needs within the game.

What sets Stellaris apart is the division of Resources into Material and Abstract variants. This allows planets to specialize in providing Resources that can be used for tangible production, such as structures and ships, or for more conceptual benefits like political Influence or accelerating Research. By offering a straightforward list of consumables, players can better understand and utilize the planet's resources in their gameplay.

4 Imperator: Rome

Similar to the brief and impressive reign of the Roman Empire, Imperator: Rome covers a time period from 304 BCE to 27 BCE. Players are able to choose any nation to develop, from the Iberian Peninsula to India, with a focus on the interplay between colony annexation, diplomacy, and trade routes. The game's economy is a delicate balancing act between Income and Expenses, where each decision has the potential to greatly impact the empire's functionality.

For example, deficits in wages for mercenaries can lead to disloyalty among their ranks. Additionally, laws passed can affect the amount of taxes that cities are able to provide to players. Diplomatic limitations can also hinder the establishment of trade routes. This unique approach to economics in Imperator: Rome makes it accessible to new players, as it spans from the micro-level to the macro-level of empire management.

3 Total War: Three Kingdoms

Total War: Three Kingdoms

Platform(s) PCReleased May 23, 2019Developer(s) Creative AssemblyGenre(s) Strategy, Tactical

In the tumultuous era of the Three Kingdoms, Total War: Three Kingdoms presents players with the challenge of unifying China through one of its twelve major factions. In addition to the usual tasks of resource management and warfare, gameplay in Total War: Three Kingdoms places particular emphasis on siege battles and duels between generals. It also involves the construction and maintenance of social connections. This focus on social relations extends to the game's economy.

In addition to the traditional balance between income and expenses, a faction's economy is influenced by the province's relationship with neighboring regions. This is represented by trade influence, marketplaces, and trade shares. Similarly, players must also address internal unrest by managing the political advancements of their retainers, as well as the wealth controlled by family estates.

2 Victoria 3

Victoria 3

Platform(s) PCReleased October 25, 2022Developer(s) Paradox Development StudioGenre(s) Strategy

In the Victorian Era, Victoria 3 immerses players in the role of governing a country from 1836 to 1936, navigating its various advancements. Rather than seeking global dominance, Victoria 3 emphasizes the importance of careful planning, as the emergence of factions such as the Communist Party or the Free Trade Party can potentially destabilize even the most tightly-knit nations.

This political focus is intricately tied to the game's economic system, which takes the form of a simulated market featuring buy/sell orders and constantly fluctuating prices. In addition to nation-specific markets, Victoria 3 allows players to engage in trade through trade routes, multinational markets, or their own customs unions. The key to surviving and thriving in Victoria 3 throughout the century lies in effectively managing economies, whether it involves relying on specific exports, leveraging subject nations, or being at the forefront of technological developments.

1 Europa Universalis 4

Europa Universalis 4

Platform(s) PCReleased August 13, 2013Developer(s) Paradox Development StudioGenre(s) Strategy

Europa Universalis 4, one of Paradox Interactive's games, allows players to have complete control over the destiny of a nation from the Late Middle Ages to the Early Modern Era. The game takes place between 1444 and 1821, offering players the opportunity to shape a nation's history in various ways.

Europa Universalis 4 features a user-friendly interface, where a nation's economy is condensed into a single tab that displays Income and Expenses. Despite this simplicity, the depth of the economy system becomes evident as every decision made by the player affects available resources. Players must carefully manage components such as taxes, nation maintenance, subsidies, colonial efforts, and missionary expenditures in order to maintain financial stability.