Top 5 Darkest Grand Strategy Games: A Ranking

Grand strategy games are immensely popular in PC gaming due to their intricate mechanics and strategic depth. These games typically involve players maneuvering units across expansive maps, commanding entire nations, and making consequential decisions with each passing turn.

However, many grand strategy games adopt historical themes, which inherently carry a somber tone. Despite this, they often strike a balance and avoid delving too deeply into this darkness. It can be challenging to find a grand strategy game that embraces dark themes and mechanics, but the titles listed below offer excellent options, with a range of experiences that vary from accessible high strategy to one of the Total War franchise's most distinctively grim offerings.

Special Mention: Solium Infernum

Solium Infernum

Platform(s) PCDeveloper(s) League of Geeks

Despite being unreleased, Solium Infernum currently offers a solid demo on Steam. This game is actually a reimagining of the original cult-classic strategy game from 2009, making it a worthwhile find for those interested.

In Solium Infernum, players are tasked with engaging in a large-scale war to conquer territories in Hell. The game showcases a visually captivating dark fantasy aesthetic, featuring a unique and striking color palette. While Solium Infernum may not delve deep into dark mechanics, its overall themes and aesthetic serve as an exemplary representation of dark fantasy in video games. Moreover, the game's setting stands out among the saturated fantasy strategy genre, making it all the more noteworthy.

5. Plague Inc: Evolved

Plague Inc: Evolved

Platform(s) Android, iOS, PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox OneReleased February 18, 2016Developer Ndemic Creations

Although Plague Inc: Evolved may not fully encompass the grand strategy genre, it does incorporate numerous high-strategy elements that will undoubtedly captivate fans of such games. Additionally, its dark theme is undeniable.

Plague Inc: Evolved allows players to assume control of various horrifying diseases with the objective of spreading a global plague and impeding its cure. Furthermore, the game serves as a simulation, striving to authentically depict how the world would react to a devastating pandemic. Moreover, the game offers an array of exceptional mods.

4. Armageddon Empires

Armageddon Empires

Platform(s) PCReleased July 16, 2007Developer Cryptic Comet

The mechanics of 4X games and tabletop games, specifically deck-building and card-playing mechanics, are combined in this 2007 grand strategy. While this design was relatively innovative at the time, it has gained popularity in recent indie games like Slay The Spire.

Set in a dark, post-apocalyptic world, Armageddon Empires stands out with its permanent death mechanics. Players are completely dependent on their deck, and if they run out of cards, the game ends. Additionally, once a player's hero is laid down and gets killed, they remain dead for the entire game.

While this may sound restrictive to the extent of causing frustration and deviating considerably from the principles of typical grand strategy games, Armageddon Empires balances its unconventional mechanics with rapid gameplay and surprisingly brief matches. Interestingly, this characteristic ultimately makes Armageddon Empires an incredibly approachable grand strategy game.

3. Shadows Of Forbidden Gods

Shadows of Forbidden Gods

Platform(s): PC

Release Date: November 1, 2021

Developer: Bobby Two Hands

Step into the role of a Dark Elder God in this gripping dark fantasy strategy game, as you strive to unleash an apocalypse by orchestrating famine, plague, ice ages, and other calamitous phenomena. Shadows Of Forbidden Gods offers an array of playable Dark Gods, each possessing their own distinctive gameplay styles.

Although Shadows Of Forbidden Gods may appear intimidating with its plethora of UI elements and minimalist graphics, it is actually a relatively approachable game when compared to the complex 4X grand strategy games published by Paradox. Additionally, Shadows Of Forbidden Gods offers a shorter gameplay experience in comparison to the majority of grand strategy games.

2. Total War: ATTILA

Total War: Attila

Released on February 17, 2015, Total War: PHARAOH, developed by Creative Assembly, is a PC game that has established itself as a prominent player in the grand strategy genre. The game seamlessly blends expansive strategic gameplay with intense real-time combat, making it a delightful experience for players with each new installment.

However, despite the abundance of titles within the Total War franchise, Total War: ATTILA stands out as truly unique. Set during the tumultuous period known as the Dark Ages, Total War: ATTILA immerses players in a world characterized by harsh environments and unforgiving living conditions, where difficult decisions must be made to ensure the survival of their people. With its dark and challenging setting, Total War: ATTILA offers a refreshing and demanding gameplay experience.

1. DEFCON

DEFCON

DEFCON, released on September 29, 2006 for PC, is a game created by Introversion Software, known for their work on popular titles like Prison Architect. Although it leans more towards real-time strategy (RTS) rather than grand strategy, DEFCON's immersive global strategic gameplay and chilling theme make it a compelling choice for players who appreciate a straightforward gaming experience.

DEFCON is a high-intensity strategy game where players engage in a massive nuclear conflict, aiming to annihilate the population of all opposing nations. This game revolves around a delicate balance between offense and defense, as being too aggressive can reveal the player's vulnerable position. Therefore, a solid defensive strategy is vital for achieving victory in DEFCON.