Summary
For years,Europa Universalis 4has captivated fans of the grand strategy genre with its historical immersion and rich game systems, particularly its economics and diplomacy. Released byParadox Interactivein 2013 and receiving 16 expansions since,Europa Universalis 4has earned itself a spot on the list ofgreatest grand strategy gamesever made, maintaining a loyal fanbase that pulls out their wallets every time a new DLC drops (though often not without complaint).
For enthusiasts of the genre searching for games of similar depth or just a fresh experience, look no further. Here are some of thebest games likeEuropa Universalis 4.
Updated on Jul 04, 2025, by Ritwik Mitra:Paradox Interactive is considered by many to be the king of the 4X strategy genre. At a glance, all their games may seem a bit too similar for their own good, but that’s precisely where the magic happens. Despite these supposed similarities, each game features a unique gameplay loop and fun organic storytelling that helps them stand out as excellent strategy games in their own right. Europa Universalis 4 is a great example of the same, letting players form a powerful empire of their own, starting out from the Late Middle Ages all the way to the end of the Napoleonic Era. Players who want to check out more titles in the same vein will be spoiled for choice in this regard.
Hearts of Iron 4is one of the most engrossing military grand strategy games ever made. Controlling one of the many powers during World War 2 and figuring out the best offensives possible to take out their enemies makes for a riveting time that players can’t get enough of.
The learning curve for this game is steep, but fans are rewarded for sticking with it by enjoying what is easily one of the most fascinating and immersive grand strategy games set in a historic time. Learning the best tactics to optimize the effectiveness of their warfare and securing strategic landmarks makes for a great time.
Creative Assembly has garnered a massive fanbase with itsTotal Wargames, letting players live out the lives of rulers across different periods of history as they engage in massive battles and attempt to establish a dominant empire. However, most people felt like they plateaued when it came to attracting new fans to the gameplay loop they offered.
Their response to this was to acquire the rights to theWarhammerfranchise and release three incredible strategy games set in a genre they’d never tackled before. BothWarhammerandTotal Warfans were more than pleased to see this fresh direction for the IPs they loved, andWarhammer 3continued this trend of excellence despite a few controversies that were put to bed after fans rightfully pointed out this incorrect direction that the company was taking with the franchise.
It’s a shame that more people aren’t aware of the 4X games made by Amplitude Studios. Sure, they may have their fair share of caveats, but the games always boast a high level of quality and have attracted their fair share of fans. BothEndless SpaceandEndless Legendare great examples of how to make riveting grand strategy games that are perfect for fans of the genre.
Endless Space 2continues this trend of excellence, using its period of Early Access to incorporate fan feedback and release a video game that fans absolutely adored. The game’s learning curve is steep, as most people would’ve assumed already. However, what follows is a rich, satisfying gaming experience that fans of this niche genre will have a great time with.
Developed byParadox Interactive,Imperator: Romehad a troubled release, with many players disappointed in what they saw as shallow “mana-based” mechanics. A new lead developer was brought in, and over the following months, numerous updates were released that sought to bring the title more in line with what fans of the studio have come to expect from their grand strategy IPs.
Development was officially concluded after the release of the 2.0 update, withParadoxunable to attract enough players to make it financially viable to continue. This is unfortunate because the game, as of the 2.0 update, is a trueParadoxtitle and feels like a modernEuropa Universalisgame set in the Classical world. Those players who are curious about the current state of the game should definitely check out theInvictusmod found in the Steam Workshop, as those behind the mod have sought to continue the game’s development in a way that feels true toParadoxas a game developer, and have added a ton of new flavor to the title.
AnotherParadox Interactivetitle, and another that had a difficult release,Victoria 3is still in regular development and has come a long way over the past years. Those players who are fans ofEuropa Universalis 4’sdiplomacy and negotiation mechanicswill find themselves right at home, with the “Diplomatic Play” system being a major upgrade from its predecessor.
Players should be aware, however, thatVictoria 3’s warfare system is still woefully subpar, with complaints about this system being by far the most common reason for the game’s negative reviews on Steam. But whatVictoria 3lacks in combat, it makes up for in economics and politics, with players able to sink many hours into tweaking their laws and economies to bring about more stable and legitimate governments. For all its flaws, this game has impressive systems that fans of the genre can easily get lost in.
The last in theTotal Warseries set in a more modern time period,Napoleonsought to fix the mistakes of its immediate predecessor,Empire, and in that, it succeeded. One of the most highly regarded games in the series, it gives players a unique narrative-driven campaign based around the life of Napoleon, as well as a plethora of historical battles with names that will be familiar to fans of military history.
With impressive visuals in and out of combat and attention to detail that will excite fans of the period,Total War: Napoleonshould be checked out by those who arefans of or curious about the eraor theTotal Warseries.
One ofParadox Interactive’s most popular titles, and with a multiplayer scene perhaps only second to that ofHearts of Iron 4,Stellarishas a well-deserved reputation among fans of the grand strategy genre for its nearly endless replayability and impressive mechanics. Fans of the great power diplomacy ofEuropa Universalis 4or theVictoriaseries will feel themselves right at home, with power blocs emerging by the mid-game and diplomacy becoming a necessity for all but the most powerful and militaristic factions.
There is plenty of opportunity to fine-tune the economies of planets as well, though not to the degree as theVictoriaseries. Where the game really shines is in the vast differences in playstyle between the many different types of species and governing systems, giving players near-total freedom in the way their desired species plays.
Age of History 2invites players to lead their nations across various historical epochs, shaping the world as they go. The game offers an expansive historical scope, allowing players to engage in diplomacy, warfare, and empire-building across vast sweeps of time.
The game is similar toEuropa Universalis 4in its systems; however,Age of History 2offers a far more streamlined and approachable design, making it an easy way forthose inexperienced in grand strategy gamesto get into the genre. With an unbeatable price, this title is worth a look by any strategy or history fan.
Though still in early access,Terra Invictahas already claimed for itself a loyal fanbase and acquires more players every update.Terra Invictais founded on the premise that aliens are invading Earth, but they are not the only enemy. Players don’t choose nations in this game but different shadowy factions lurking in the background, each with a unique outlook on how to deal with the looming alien threat.
These factions will struggle against each other for much of the game, all while the alien threat looms ever closer. Fans of sci-fi settings will want to give this title a look, as it has one of the most realistic and grounded space-based settings of any grand strategy game currently available and has the mechanical depth to back it up.
A classic of the grand strategy genre, theCivilizationseries has captivated players for decades with its once-innovative turn-based gameplayspanning all of human history. The game allows players to achieve victory by pursuing a variety of different playstyles, allowing for replayability beyond simply choosing different factions to guide through the ages.
Civilization 6has brought many new mechanics and systems over the years through DLCs, adding now-essential elements such as the “World Congress” and “Diplomatic Victories” to the series.WithCivilization 7well into its development, there’s never been a better time to explore this classic series.
