Highlights

Europa Universalis 4

is a highly acclaimed grand strategy game known for its historical immersion and rich game systems, particularly economics and diplomacy.

Imperator: Rome

, developed by Paradox Interactive, initially had a troubled release but has since improved with updates and a dedicated mod that continues development in the true Paradox style.

Victoria 3

Europa Universalis 4, developed by Paradox Interactive, excels in its economics and politics systems, while its combat system has faced criticism. As an ongoing project, it continues to evolve. Having been released in 2013 and enriched with 16 expansions, Europa Universalis 4 has become a beloved grand strategy game among enthusiasts, renowned for its historical immersion and intricate gameplay mechanics. Its dedicated fanbase eagerly supports the game by purchasing new DLCs, albeit sometimes accompanied by grievances.

10 Imperator: Rome

Looking for games that offer similar depth or a new gaming experience? Look no further! We have compiled a list of ten titles that are definitely worth considering if you are a fan of Europa Universalis 4.

Developed by Paradox Interactive, Imperator: Rome initially received negative feedback due to its shallow "mana-based" mechanics. However, a new lead developer was brought in and subsequent updates were released to align the game more closely with the expectations of the studio's fans who enjoy grand strategy IPs.

Unfortunately, despite these efforts, Paradox was unable to attract enough players to sustain the game financially, leading to the official conclusion of its development after the 2.0 update. It is disappointing, as the game has truly evolved into a Paradox title, resembling a modern Europa Universalis game set in the Classical world.

For those interested in exploring the current state of the game, the Invictus mod in the Steam Workshop is highly recommended. The modders have diligently continued the game's development in a manner authentic to Paradox as a game developer, incorporating a wealth of new features and enhancements.

9 Victoria 3

Victoria 3

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

Victoria 3, another title by Paradox Interactive, has faced challenges during its release. However, it has made significant progress over the years of its development. Fans of the diplomacy and negotiation mechanics in Europa Universalis 4 will feel right at home with Victoria 3's upgraded "Diplomatic Play" system.

It is important to note that the warfare system in Victoria 3 still has room for improvement. Many negative reviews on Steam cite complaints about this aspect. However, the game compensates for this weakness with its strong emphasis on economics and politics. Players can invest countless hours into fine-tuning their laws and economies to establish stable and legitimate governments. Despite its flaws, Victoria 3 offers impressive systems that genre enthusiasts can easily immerse themselves in.

8 Total War: Napoleon

Total War: Napoleon, the latest installment in the series, takes players to a more modern era. With the aim to rectify the shortcomings of its predecessor Empire, this game successfully delivers. It is widely praised for its immersive narrative-driven campaign centered around the notorious Napoleon, offering a plethora of historically significant battles that will captivate military history enthusiasts. Boasting stunning visuals both in and out of combat, Total War: Napoleon is a must-try for fans of the era or those curious about the Total War franchise.

7 Stellaris

Stellaris

Platform(s) PC, PS4, Xbox OneReleased May 9, 2016Developer(s) Paradox Development Studio

Stellaris, one of Paradox Interactive's most beloved titles, is renowned among fans of the grand strategy genre for its limitless replayability and impressive mechanics. With a multiplayer community rivaling that of Hearts of Iron 4, the game offers a familiar experience to enthusiasts of Europa Universalis 4 and the Victoria series, where diplomatic prowess and power blocs shape gameplay.

While not as intricate as the Victoria series, Stellaris allows players ample opportunities to optimize planetary economies. However, the true highlight lies in the vast variety of species and governing systems, offering players unparalleled freedom in shaping their desired gameplay experience.

6 Age Of History 2

Age of History 2 encourages players to guide their nations through different historical eras, influencing the world as they progress. This game provides a broad historical backdrop, enabling players to partake in diplomacy, warfare, and the construction of empires during extensive time periods.

While Age of History 2 shares similarities with Europa Universalis 4 in terms of gameplay systems, it distinguishes itself with a more streamlined and user-friendly design. This makes it an excellent entry point for individuals who are new to grand strategy games, allowing them to easily immerse themselves in the genre. With its unbeatable price, this title is a must-see for strategy enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

5 Terra Invicta

Despite being in early access, Terra Invicta has garnered a dedicated fanbase and continues to attract more players with each update. The game revolves around the concept of an alien invasion on Earth, but it adds a twist by introducing shadowy factions with their own unique approaches to tackling the impending threat. Instead of choosing nations, players align themselves with these factions, all of which engage in intense power struggles while the alien menace grows ever closer. Fans of sci-fi settings will be captivated by Terra Invicta's highly immersive space-based environment, which stands out for its realistic and well-grounded portrayal. Additionally, the game offers significant depth in its gameplay mechanics.

4 Field Of Glory: Empires

Field of Glory: Empires stands alone on the list as it requires players to not only purchase a few DLCs, but an entirely separate game, in order to fully enjoy its offerings. Despite this peculiar approach, Field of Glory: Empires essentially offers a more intricate and mechanically diverse Total War campaign experience, without the actual battles.

Nonetheless, for players who already own Field of Glory 2, they can engage in the battles within this turn-based tactical war game, as the two titles seamlessly complement each other, resulting in a completely fresh experience. Fans of both grand strategy games and tabletop-style war games should definitely explore these titles in conjunction.

3 Dune: Spice Wars

Following the conclusion of its early access phase, Dune: Spice Wars has launched its 1.0 version to widespread acclaim. The primary criticism from fans, however, revolves around the absence of the promised story-driven campaign in this release.

Nevertheless, the game compensates for this by offering a distinctive setting and impeccably refined gameplay mechanics. Players will engage in navigating intricate political dynamics among the major factions, diligently managing their spice-based economies, and grappling with challenging decisions regarding the allocation of limited resources. As a result, this title stands as an immersive and gratifying 4X game, brimming with potential for future development.

2 Civilization 6

Civilization 6

Franchise CivilizationPlatform(s) PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, Android, iOSReleased October 21, 2016Developer(s) Firaxis Games

The Civilization series, a staple in the grand strategy genre, has been captivating players for decades with its innovative turn-based gameplay that spans the entirety of human history. Players can achieve victory through various playstyles, ensuring replayability beyond just choosing different factions to guide through the ages. With the introduction of DLCs, Civilization 6 has introduced new mechanics and systems, including the crucial "World Congress" and "Diplomatic Victories". As Civilization 7 is currently being developed, now is the perfect opportunity to discover and delve into this timeless series.

1 Crusader Kings 3

Crusader Kings 3

Franchise Crusader KingsPlatform(s) PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PCReleased September 1, 2020Developer(s) Paradox Interactive

Crusader Kings 3 provides a grand strategy experience that sets itself apart from nation-centric games, placing emphasis on controlling a dynasty. With a strong focus on lineage and relationships, this title offers a level of depth and complexity reminiscent of Europa Universalis 4, while maintaining its distinct gameplay. By immersing players in medieval politics and family dynamics, Crusader Kings 3 delivers an engaging and historically authentic grand strategy experience.