Summary
The grand strategy genre is full of incredible games that will keep players busy for a long time. In fact, players who become enamored by these games and embark on several unique challenge runs can easily clock in upwards of a hundred hours (if not more).
It’s a testament to the sheer amount of content in these games that this statement rings true for most grand strategy titles that fans can get their hands on. A combination of content, a skill ceiling, and the overall fun factor dictates how many hours players can invest in their favorite games, and for those looking to sink countless hours into the realm of grand strategy gaming, here are the best titles to check out.
The featured grand strategy games will be ranked based on their overall quality.
Victoria 3is a great grand strategy gamedespite its missteps. Fans lamented the lack of content back when this game launched, but this perception has been somewhat overturned with time, courtesy of the many content packs and updates for this title.
As things stand, helping a nation achieve prosperity and power in the Victorian era is a huge part of what makesVictoria 3special. Through countless hours, players will love governing different nations, either adhering to historical developments or carving a path of their own.
Civilization 7hasn’t enjoyed the strongest release, but most fans know that this is just a precursor of the things to come. After all, the game is bound to receive several updates and expansions that give players endless things to mess around with.
This ensures that players will be encouraged to come back to this game and sink in a ton of hours into it once again. By the timeCivilization 7kicks it into high gear, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that most players will have already clocked in more than a hundred hours of playtime.
Total War: Romeis one of the best grand strategy games that fans of the genre can get their hands on, which made the development of a sequel a no-brainer. At launch, fans deridedRome 2for feeling somewhat lacking compared to past titles in the genre, but it didn’t take long for the game to turn its reputation around.
Bugs were patched out, content was added in, and more and more people found an excuse to get into this title. Eventually,Total War: Rome 2became one of themost successful titles in theTotal Warseriesthat fans could spend countless hours on without getting bored.
WhileHearts of Iron 4may be easier to get into, the reliance on RNG can be so frustrating for some players that they’ll drop this title well before reaching the hundred-hour mark. In contrast,Hearts of Iron 3gives players greater control over the strategies that were being followed during World War II.
Onceplayers get over the steep learning curve,Hearts of Iron 3will keep them glued to their screens for hours on end. Helping either the Allied or Axis Powers achieve important victories during a time of strife is a huge part of what makes this game so special.
Players who want to check out a complex grand strategy game that lets them facilitate the entry into the modern era for most nations will love whatEuropa Universalis 4brings to the table. Fans tend to adore how great it feels to eitherhelp a large nation retain its poweror change the trajectory of smaller powers and turn them into something special.
Europa Universalis 4allows for a great deal of fun because of how sound and engaging the core gameplay loop is. Transforming nations into powerhouses makes for a great time, ensuring that players can comfortably spend countless hours enjoying the process.
Fans who were pleading forTotal Warto explore fantasy IPs were glad to see their tie-up with theWarhammerfranchise. The first game that was born from this collaboration was amazing in its own way, but it’s the sequel that knocked most fans off their feet.
Warhammer 2is one ofthe greatest fantasy-themed grand strategy gamesaround, where players will love establishing their dominance in action-packed campaigns. Strategizing in massive battles and helping settlements become grander than ever is a huge part of what makesTotal War: Warhammer 2an addictive experience, ensuring that countless hours can be lost while playing.
Despite looking quite intimidating,Stellarisis perhapsthe most beginner-friendly Paradox Interactive gamethat fans can get their hands on. This was the first time that the studio decided to tackle something original instead of taking notes from the past, leading to a refreshing experience that many gamers can’t get enough of to this day.
Even with some contentious updates splitting fans down the middle, players will likely be surprised at how quickly time flies by in this game. Establishing trade routes, strengthening alliances, and waging intergalactic war is incredibly riveting and feels fresh even after fans have sunk hundreds of hours into the experience.
1Crusader Kings 3
A Surprisingly Accessible And Riveting Grand Strategy Game
Crusader Kings 3is one of the most successful Paradox Interactive games by a country mile. This grand strategy masterpiece makes it easier than ever before forbeginners to get into this experiencebefore throwing them into the deep end.
Players can enjoy easier rules over powerful nations before deciding to challenge themselves in later runs. Every playthrough is a joyride for the ages and will likely result in countless players ending up wondering how they managed to play the game for six hours when they promised that they would get up after an hour or two.
