Take a journey through time as we explore some of the best historical strategy games ever created! Welcome to WatchMojo and today we're counting down our picks for the best games that let you command legions, build civilizations, and rewrite history.
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00:00Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the greatest strategy games
00:11that give you control over history.
00:22Number 20 Imperator Realm In 2019, Paradox released Imperator Realm,
00:34a grand strategy game that lets you play through the age of antiquity.
00:38Unfortunately, it suffered from a poor release, causing many to abandon the game quickly.
00:43There have been major updates since, and with great efforts from the modding community,
00:47this is now regarded as one of Paradox's greatest games.
00:50It pulls features from their other most popular games, like The Economy from Victoria 2, The
00:55Warfare of Europa Universalis IV, and The Human Mechanics of Crusader Kings.
01:01These all come together wonderfully in what many consider to now be the greatest antiquity
01:05simulator.
01:06If you haven't given this one a try, it's certainly worth coming back to more than five
01:10years after release.
01:12Number 19 Hearts of Iron 3 Released way back in 2009 by Paradox, this
01:23is one of the most comprehensive World War II grand strategy games ever made.
01:27Players can take control of any nation in the world, and guide them through one of the
01:31largest wars in history.
01:33Every single aspect of the nation is at the player's fingertips, from the production and
01:37research to politics and diplomacy.
01:40Be warned before getting into this one, it's probably the most complex game ever developed
01:45by Paradox.
01:46This provides an unparalleled level of strategy.
01:49However, to many players, it's just too intimidating.
01:52But once you've pushed through the early hours, you'll be rewarded with one of the most satisfying
01:56strategies ever made.
02:02Number 18 Old World Now for our first 4X game on the list, it's
02:12Mohawk Games' Old War.
02:14Released in 2021 and designed by the lead designer of Civilization IV, it's an ancient
02:19era strategy with a unique focus on dynasty expansion.
02:23Unlike the Civilization franchise, instead of playing as an immortal ruler, your leaders
02:28will grow old and die, forcing you to groom a strong heir and ensure the succession is
02:32safe.
02:33Another unique feature is the order system, where actions are a resource which gives you
02:38only a limited quantity of decisions each turn.
02:41Old World is a breath of fresh air for the genre, and is a must-play for long-time fans
02:45of the genre.
02:52Number 17 Victoria 3 Now for Paradox's newest title, the Victorian
03:01economic simulator, Victoria 3.
03:04This game received an overwhelmingly negative reception at release, but has received improvement
03:09since.
03:10It allows you to take complete control over a nation in the 19th century and guide them
03:14through the industrial revolution and the age of imperialism.
03:18It features a deep economic simulation, which forces players to balance the needs of their
03:22nation's varied population, such as the capitalists and the workers.
03:26Unfortunately, the military aspect of the game leaves a lot to be desired, but if all
03:31you care about is economy and diplomacy, this is the game for you.
03:38Number 16 Crusader Kings 3 2020 saw the release of the third installment
03:48in Paradox's Crusader Kings franchise, which was met with largely positive reviews.
03:53It's a grand strategy game focused on managing a dynasty in the Middle Ages.
03:57This results in players taking on the role of many different characters over centuries,
04:02and you're constantly having to groom their heirs and manage your vassals.
04:05This makes for some hilarious situations and has some of the best character stories
04:09out of any strategy game.
04:11Unfortunately, the game still hasn't received as much love and support as its predecessor,
04:16and as a result, your actions feel less impactful and lacks in flavor.
04:20But hopefully with enough time, it'll become the best in the series.
04:29Number 15 Age of Empires III Ensemble Studios released this gem of real-time
04:40strategy way back in 2005, which transports players into the centuries-long colonial era.
04:46You can choose from a plethora of interesting civilizations, such as the British Empire
04:50or the Ottoman Empire, giving players the freedom to explore and conquer the New World.
04:55It features a unique home city mechanic where your colonies can call upon the home nation
04:59for aid, which can come in the form of reinforcements and resources.
05:03This is one of the most well-rounded RTS games and lets you manage all aspects of your colony,
05:08from warfare to economy.
05:10As such, this is one of the most beloved entries in the series with close to infinite replayability.
05:22Number 14 Anno 1404 Related Designs released Anno 1404 in 2009,
05:36and it immediately became a cherished gem in the franchise.
05:39Not only is it a city builder, but it's also an economic simulator that dabbles in RTS.
05:44Throughout the game, players will establish a colonial city during the Renaissance period
05:48and will then have to manage their resources and economy to meet their population's demands.
05:53If done successfully, your colony will thrive and blossom into an industrial powerhouse.
05:58It's been more than 15 years since its release, and many players still come back to this stunningly
06:02immersive strategy.
06:08Number 13 Total War Attila Creative Assembly released this masterpiece
06:22in 2015, and it's become the defining strategy game set during the migration period.
06:27You can choose to play as either the Roman Empire in its most turbulent years, barbarian
06:32tribes or, more excitingly, the Huns, led by the renowned Attila.
06:37Two developers have attempted to recreate this period given to its tumultuous nature.
06:41However, this game portrays it magnificently.
06:44Cities are constantly threatened by invasion, famine, and internal strife, meaning players
06:49will always have a lot on their plate.
06:51It features unique migration mechanics, reflecting the movement of people during this era, all
06:56while Attila the Hun wreaks havoc across Europe.
07:00This is a standout in the Total War series and the only game to truly capture Rome's
07:07fall.
07:10Number 12 Rise of Nations Most real-time strategy games tend to focus
07:18on a specific period in history, such as the Middle Ages or the Ancient World.
07:23Where Rise of Nations differs, however, is that it lets you battle it out in every era
07:28you can imagine, all in the same match.
07:30In Rise, if you don't eat up territory or advance technologically fast enough, you could
07:35find yourself trying to use spears and arrows against tanks and biplanes.
07:40Created by game designer Brian Reynolds, who had previously worked on the Civilization
07:43series, Rise had a lot more depth in its economy and diplomacy systems than other RTSs at the
07:49time, including a focus on expanding your borders so your units don't take attrition
07:53on enemy soil.
08:00Number 11 Medieval 2 Total War Another Marvel strategy, Medieval 2 was released
08:10in 2006 to critical acclaim.
08:12It lets players wage warfare and immerse themselves in Europe's Middle Ages.
08:16You'll be divided between epic real-time battles and a fascinating grand strategy campaign,
08:22where you manage whichever unique kingdom or empire you've chosen.
08:26Other features include the Crusades and the Jihads, masterfully replicating the religious
08:30strife the Middle Ages faced.
08:32The real-time battles are where the game truly shines, giving players the chance to engage
08:37in giant sieges and stunning field engagements.
08:40This game will forever be a fan favorite, boasting a plethora of mechanics that still
08:44don't feel dated.
08:50Number 10 Anno 1800 The Industrial Revolution was one of the most
08:59impactful periods of history, and Ubisoft's Anno 1800 wonderfully recreates it.
09:05Players take charge of a city and are tasked with turning it into a thriving industrial
09:09metropolis.
09:10This is considered by many to be the pinnacle of the franchise, due to its beautiful blend
09:15of history and engaging gameplay.
09:17The game's mechanics focus on balancing the needs of different population types, as
09:21is standard in an Anno game, but 1800 has some of the most intricate and rewarding production
09:27line mechanics in any game.
09:29This is a shining jewel of strategy, which combines city building with industrialization
09:33to a marvelous degree.
09:40Number 9 Civilization VI This is the most commercially successful entry
09:50in one of strategy's oldest franchises, developed by Firaxis Games and released in
09:552016.
09:56Eight years on, and it still holds up remarkably.
10:00Like all Civilization games, you play as a historical figure and are tasked with leading
10:04their civilization throughout all of human history.
10:07Another major strength on this entry is the addition of specialized districts, which adds
10:11a lot of strategic depth to empire building rather than in prior entries where each city
10:16could do everything.
10:17It also possesses a vibrant art style, which combines with intricate mechanics to make
10:22it endlessly replayable.
10:28Number 8 Total War Three Kingdoms Arguably the best Total War game since Rome
10:39Total War, Three Kingdoms is set during one of the most fascinating periods of history.
10:45Players can take the role of multiple legendary warlords, and then embark on a struggle to
10:49unite China during the 3rd century's tumultuous Three Kingdoms period.
10:54Notable characters include Zhao Zhao, Sun Jian, and of course, the popular Liu Bei.
10:59The focus on characters is more prominent than in any other game in the franchise, making
11:04character management crucial to victory.
11:06Of course, the stunning real-time battles Total War is known for are still here, making
11:11for one of the most well-rounded strategy games of all time.
11:20Number 7 Company of Heroes While there are plenty of first-person shooters
11:30that let you get into the grit and mayhem of World War II, there are significantly fewer
11:34games that let you take control of the action from a top-down perspective and belt out orders
11:39like General Patton.
11:40But that's okay, because we have the Company of Heroes series to help us get our fix of
11:45tight tactical combat and historically accurate World War II-era strategy.
11:49In addition to taking control of infantry battalions and tank divisions, Company of
11:54Heroes also let players call in airstrikes, lay down artillery bombardment, and capture
11:59strategic points like machine gun emplacements and double-A guns.
12:08Number 6 Victoria 2 Released back in 2010, Victoria 2 is still
12:20to be topped as the greatest Victorian economic simulator of all time.
12:24More than 200 states are available to play, and you can manipulate their industry, political
12:29ideology, military, diplomacy, and navy.
12:33This is one of the most deep strategies ever released, and it can be extremely rewarding
12:37to guide your nation through the 19th century, industrializing the whole way.
12:41Whether you want to make a liberal Russia, freeform serfdom, or a Brazilian socialist
12:46utopia, this game allows all of that and more.
12:50The modding community has also created some amazing overhauls, which means it can still
12:54feel fresh almost 15 years after its release.
12:58Number 5 Age of Empires II The Age of Kings
13:13The second game in the beloved Age of Empires series, Age of Empires II flashed things forward
13:18a few hundred years from the original game's Bronze Age setting to medieval times.
13:22Featuring a plethora of new units from around the world, including mounted knights, Aztec
13:27jaguar warriors, and even katana-wielding samurai, each faction had a unique flavor
13:32that made for some spectacular engagements on the field of honor.
13:36Age of Kings also had wide variety in its single-player campaigns that let you follow
13:40in the footsteps of famous historical figures like Joan of Arc and Genghis Khan, to less
13:45well-known warriors like El Cid and Frederick Barbossa.
13:48Heck, the tutorial even lets you play as Braveheart himself, William Wallace.
13:58Number 4 Civilization V
14:07Sid Meier's Civilization games pioneered the 4X genre of games by giving players options
14:13to win beyond just crushing all opposition.
14:15Explore, expand, exploit, or yes, even exterminate as you see fit with your choice of civilization
14:22and leader.
14:23While Civilization IV was one of the deepest games in the series, V both simplifies and
14:28innovates the formula pioneered by its predecessors to create one of the most refined strategy
14:33experiences ever made.
14:34It even changed the ground the series stood on by replacing the traditional squad grid
14:38with a hexagonal one.
14:40With a total of 43 civilizations, including the ones from DLC and expansion packs, few
14:45games offer as much choice, flexibility, and fun as Civilization V.
14:51Number 3 Rome Total War
14:59Ah Rome, home of the Vatican, Fountain of Trevi, and birthplace to one of history's
15:04single most successful empires.
15:06In Rome Total War, the third game in the Total War franchise, players got the chance to take
15:11control of one of the Republic's feuding families and lead their indefatigable legions
15:15to glory against barbarians, Carthaginians, Greeks, and anyone else fool enough to question
15:21the might of Rome.
15:22Alternatively, you could choose to take control of one of those unique barbarian, Greek, or
15:27Near Eastern factions and make the Eternal City a footnote in world history.
15:37Number 2 Crusader Kings II
15:45If there's one thing that the fantasy genre has taught us, it's that destroying your
15:49enemies with guile and manipulation can be just as satisfying as running them through
15:53with a sword.
15:54Crusader Kings II is a 4X game from Paradox Interactive that lets you unleash your inner
15:59Lannister as you guide the destiny of a medieval dynasty using treachery, assassination, and
16:05even diplomacy to become the most powerful family in the realm.
16:08However, before you can get around to poisoning nobles and seducing siblings for the sake
16:13of political advancement, you have to make it over Crusader Kings II's punishing difficulty
16:18curve and impenetrable menus.
16:20But if you're willing to put in the work, no other game makes it feel so good to be
16:24bad.
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16:41Number 1 Europa Universalis IV
16:51One of the deepest grand strategy games out there, Europa Universalis IV makes civilization
16:56look like Clash of Clans.
16:58Whether you want to rule the world with your crushing military might, shrewd diplomacy,
17:02or economic acumen, Europa Universalis IV gives you the tools to make any path to victory
17:08the right one.
17:09Also unlike the Civilization series, Europa Universalis IV takes place in real time.
17:15So if you're the sort who likes to spend your sweet time admiring the vast dominion
17:19of your realm, you might want to hotkey the pause button.
17:22While complex, the game is much more inviting than its predecessors with smart design decisions
17:27that will let you tweak every aspect of your empire without getting bogged down in too
17:31many menus.
17:32Number 2 Elysium
17:40Were any of your favorite historical strategies missed?
17:42Or maybe one set in the distant future which you enjoy?
17:45Drop us a comment letting us know!