The Ultimate Guide to Master Grand Strategy Games and Diplomacy

Highlights

Grand strategy games offer a diverse range of sub-genres and indie titles for players to choose from, whether they prefer historical accuracy or fantasy worlds.

Diplomacy plays a pivotal role in grand strategy games, where certain titles even provide the option to achieve victory without resorting to war. Renowned games like Space Empires, Knights of Honor, and Victoria offer players captivating gameplay, intricate mechanics, and the chance to assert dominance through both military actions and diplomatic negotiations.

The grand strategy genre, beloved and popular among PC players, is now rapidly expanding into console gaming. With its vast range of sub-genres and indie titles, players can explore everything from ancient history to fantasy worlds and the future of space. Within these complex games, players assume positions of power and engage in battles against rival nations, all in the pursuit of establishing dominance over territory.

What sets grand strategy apart from normal turn-based strategy games is its inclusion of a multitude of additional mechanics beyond warfare. These mechanics include trade, negotiation, and the occurrence of world events over time. Diplomacy plays a crucial role in creating an immersive strategy experience, with some titles even allowing players to complete the game without ever declaring war.

10 Space Empires (Series)

Originating in 1993, Space Empires was among the pioneering space-based grand strategy games, incorporating elements of diplomacy, research, trade, and warfare. Regrettably, the series is unlikely to make a comeback anytime soon, as its developers Malfador Machinations, who have not released a game since 2014, are no longer operational.

Spanning the 90s and early 2000s, Space Empires garnered a devoted and passionate following with a total of five titles. Although the pixelated graphics and user interface may appear outdated by today's standards, it is highly doubtful that players would have experienced something akin to Stellaris without the groundbreaking influence of Space Empires.

9 Knights Of Honor (Series)

Knights of Honor and its sequel, Knights of Honor 2: Sovereign, released in 2022, are often overlooked games developed by Black Sea Games. Set in medieval Europe, players assume the role of a King and must effectively govern their Kingdom in all aspects, including warfare, economics, and diplomacy.

Although the sequel offers more intricate mechanics, especially in the realm of diplomacy, there remains a significant number of players who consider the original game to be superior. In Knights of Honor, players have the opportunity to transform their kingdom into a formidable empire. While it may not reach the same level of grandeur as Crusader Kings, it provides a unique combination of immersive combat and strategic elements, offering a satisfying balance between Crusader Kings and the Total War series.

8 Dune: Spice Wars

As an early access game, Dune: Spice Wars offers an immersive and intricate strategy experience. With continuous updates introducing new factions, mechanics, and improvements, fans of the Frank Herbert book series will be drawn to the opportunity to shape the lore of Arrakis. Although diplomacy may not be the game's strongest aspect, the combination of construction, combat, exploration, and strategic elements in Dune: Spice Wars creates a fulfilling gaming experience. Anticipated for release in September 2023, fans eagerly await the launch to discover the additional features that the developers may unveil.

7 Victoria (Series)

The Victoria series, developed by Paradox Interactive, is widely considered to be one of their most intricate and multifaceted game franchises. Spanning three installments from 2010 to 2022, each subsequent release has shown significant advancements compared to its predecessor. Set in the Victorian Era, players have the freedom to choose from various nations and navigate their way through the game by either engaging in peaceful negotiations or conducting violent conquests.

This game boasts an array of highly complex mechanics that players must grasp and keep in mind, which may discourage newcomers to the genre. However, seasoned players are likely to find this game to be one of the finest examples of diplomatic strategy available in the market.

6 Sid Meier's Civilization (Series)

Sid Meier's Civilization is a renowned franchise in the strategy genre, and Civ 5 is often hailed as one of the greatest strategy games ever. In this game, players take control of iconic civilizations from history and guide them through various eras on randomly generated maps.

Although Civilization may not offer the same level of realism and historical accuracy as other games in the genre, its turn-based gameplay is addictively engaging, leading many players to spend countless hours on each installment. Diplomacy plays a vital role in the game, catering to players who enjoy negotiations, treaties, and forming alliances.

5 Hearts Of Iron (Series)

The Hearts of Iron series, developed by Paradox Interactive, offers a unique perspective on the strategy of World War 2. Covering the entire globe, players have the opportunity to control various nations, ranging from significant powers like Great Britain and the Soviet Union to smaller nations such as Peru and Finland.

Over the course of four entries released between 2002 and 2016, each game has shown significant improvements, with Hearts of Iron 4 still maintaining a strong and dedicated player base even seven years after its initial launch. Diplomacy plays a crucial role in successfully navigating these extensive campaigns, and the intricate mechanics of the series contribute to an impressive gaming experience.

4 Total War (Series)

Creative Assembly's Total War series is renowned for its historical accuracy, expansive campaigns, and strategic management of real-time combat. With recent additions such as A Total War Saga: Troy and the Total War: Warhammer series, the franchise offers a diverse range of experiences for players.

The campaigns in these games offer intricate diplomacy systems, allowing players to engage in trade, espionage, alliances, and treaties. These elements are seamlessly integrated into beautifully depicted locations and units. For those seeking historically authentic gameplay, Total War: Rome 2 and Shogun 2 provide immersive experiences set in some of the world's most captivating empires and historical eras.

3 Europa Universalis (Series)

The Europa Universalis series, developed by Paradox Interactive, has been captivating gamers since its inception in 2000. With four titles released up to 2013, the series immerses players in the turbulent Age of Discovery, as they take on the role of nations and navigate through significant historical events.

Renowned for its exceptional diplomacy gameplay, Europa Universalis offers players the opportunity to engage in extensive negotiations and strategic planning with neighboring nations. Whether they decide to shape the destiny of Japan, France, or even the United States, players have the freedom to forge their own unique historical path, albeit sometimes with the need for additional DLCs.

2 Stellaris

Stellaris by Paradox Interactive is a highly ambitious strategy game that puts players in command of an entire species, challenging them to expand their civilization across the vastness of the universe. This immersive experience allows players to control and engage with a multitude of diverse species, ensuring that each playthrough is unique and distinct.

Featuring intricate diplomacy mechanics and fascinating political dynamics, Stellaris offers players a wide range of possibilities, from peaceful coexistence with extraterrestrial life forms to ruthless planetary exterminations. Although certain races and diplomatic features require additional DLC payments, the base game itself offers ample content to keep players entertained.

1 Crusader Kings (Series)

The Crusader Kings series offers an unparalleled and captivating experience in the realm of diplomacy and interactions among various factions. With the incredibly successful release of the latest installment CK3, the franchise is guaranteed to maintain its popularity for years to come.

In this game, players assume the role of a medieval dynasty that spans multiple generations, while navigating a vast map that includes Europe, Africa, and Asia. From romantic encounters to heinous acts of murder, and even embarking on holy crusades, each playthrough creates a intricate storyline through procedurally generated events and activities.