Best Grand Strategy Games?

[Zoetermeer]

I'm looking for good grand strategy/empire-building games/wargames...I realize this is a broad topic, but I'm not really looking for any specific era/time period. I'm just looking for something with reasonably good graphics (games like AACW and Europa Universalis are about on par with what I would consider "good").

Here's a list of games like this I already have:

Europa Universalis III
AACW
Operational Art of War III (not really grand strategy)

That's all I can think of for now. I've been considering Hearts of Iron II lately, but can't pull the trigger just yet. I tried playing version 1, and it felt a little too much like "Europa Universalis circa 1940".

Any good ideas? Thanks all!

[WallysWorld]

Making History: The Calm and the Storm is a very good World War 2 grand strategy game especially after the patch was released. It's a lot less complex than HOI and the graphics are better. I enjoy playing it.

Making History: The Calm and the Storm

[Ashbery76]

Civ4,Space Empires5.

[Zoetermeer]

For some reason I never really like Civilization - seemed almost too formulaic or oversimplified to me. It's not really very "historical" - you can have multiple civilizations from different eras and locations on the board at the same time. It just seemed like a big game of Command & Conquer, except base-building is a little more complicated and you can have diplomatic relations with other empires. Way too shallow in my opinion.

Which brings me to the question: why is it that some of the more popular "game" sites (IGN, Gamespot) have such a love affair with Civilization? One would think from the reviews that Civilization 4 is the second coming. I stopped playing after about an hour - it really seemed like more of the same, and not very interesting. To each their own, I guess.

[Anguille]

Good games:

Historical:
Knights of Honor
Spartan
Chariots of War
Shogun and Medieval TW
Crusader Kings
Commander: Europe at war (newly released)

Fiction:
Galactic Civilization
Space Empires IV

[Ashbery76]

I liked Knights of Honour and was very disapointed to hear the devs are just making a normal RTS for their next game.

[Anguille]

I liked Knights of Honour and was very disapointed to hear the devs are just making a normal RTS for their next game.

I would also have prefered a sequel...probably their next game but that's going to be in a while...

About their coming game, if we should believe what they say, it's going to be rather different from the usual RTS.

[arsan]

On the "wargames" department...

Panther games Airborne Assault series from from Matrixgames
There are two, with a third on the making:
Highway to the Reich
Conquest of the Aegean
Battles from the Bulge (on the making)
They are great fun, innovative, unique, ultrarealistic and "micromanagement free"... And the AI is superb!

Also the Combat Mission Series is a clasic. Best tactic ww2 wargame IMHO.

On the strategic level (non historic) i love:
Galactic Civilizations 2
Age of Wonders2 : Shadow Magic (greta fun on 2D!)

From paradox, EU II is still my favorite and HOI2 DD it's also very good.
But the AI is weak on both.
Cheers!

[Pocus]

I liked Knights of Honour and was very disapointed to hear the devs are just making a normal RTS for their next game.

Triumph Studios anyone? leure:

[Zoetermeer]

On the "wargames" department...
From paradox, EU II is still my favorite and HOI2 DD it's also very good.
But the AI is weak on both.
Cheers!

AI was weak on EU III also (at least in version 1.2). As Brandenburg/Germany, I conquered all of Europe without ever declaring war on anyone, because weak nations are so suicidal.

But with 1.3 the AI seemed to get much better...

So is HOI 2 a lot better than the first one?

[Primasprit]

[...]Also the Combat Mission Series is a clasic. Best tactic ww2 wargame IMHO.[...]

I started to play this some days ago and lost the second tutorial mission about 5 times... and I am still waiting for my first triumph (Yes, I am really bad.).
Nevertheless it's a great game series!

[arsan]

AI was weak on EU III also (at least in version 1.2). As Brandenburg/Germany, I conquered all of Europe without ever declaring war on anyone, because weak nations are so suicidal.

But with 1.3 the AI seemed to get much better...

So is HOI 2 a lot better than the first one?

Hi
I haven´t tried EU3 for real.
For me a paradox game and specially an EU game is all about historical events.
EU3 has no events and little history inside for what i have read... hope somebody makes a good mod with lot of events. I have heard there is already some...
And... talking about EU3... that "map-thing" they have created is the ugliest thing i have ever seen
To a game like EU3, a 3D map adds absolutely nothing and is bad for performance.
If i was them i would be ashamed by the beautiful maps Ageod makes.

About HOI, i never played Hoi1 as much as EU and EU2 or HOI2.
HOI2 has a less convoluted tech tree and some differences on the combat system. But is kind of similar i think. Maybe a little easier to get into.
On the bad side, with HOI2 Paradox was really lazy: no different graphics for units, no multiple resolution support, bugs that are only fixed on expansion packs...
I have lost all my respect and appreciation for Paradox as a company

Just my 2 cents.
Cheers!

[arsan]

I started to play this some days ago and lost the second tutorial mission about 5 times... and I am still waiting for my first triumph (Yes, I am really bad.).
Nevertheless it's a great game series!

Primasprit
Wich one are you playing?? CCBO, CMBB, or CMAK??
If you find you like them, check the hundreds of graphics mods on the net.
The 3D graphics of CM are rather old and bad looking, but modders make incredible things with tanks and vehicles skins
Even the Shermans can look sexy!
Its like and addiction! Soon you would need 12 different graphic packs for your Tiger or Panther tanks...

Pocus
You are right! leure: leure:
Please somebody make an Age of Wonders 3 with good AI and some little visual enhancements i i will be happy forever!!

CHeers!!

[Zoetermeer]

Anyway, what about grand strategy games?

[Castel]

I really like Civilization 4.

Yeah, i know, it's not a wargame, but anyway, that's a game i really like to play and, well, that's the more important.

Galactic civilization 2 and Rome Total War and are cool too.

[Primasprit]

Anyway, what about grand strategy games?

I think there are not that much available, most of them are already mentioned.
The ones I own:

Crusader Kings: My favorite Paradox Game. I like the role-playing aspect of that game due to all the traits of the ruler, the 'family building' and the events. A fun game but it has also flaws. It really needs a part 2, since it has a great potential.

Victoria: If you really like micromanagement that is the game for you. I am not a fan of that.

EU: I played EU2 a while and liked it. I own EU3 since release but sadly the new map is so... so... I just couldn't stand to play it.

HOI1/2: Both really good games, HOI2(DD) definitively an improvement.

CIV: A classic. A lot of mods available, especially for part 4. I played 1,2,3 own also 4 but never played it much. Not because it's bad but I simply have much more games than time... leure:

GalCiv2: I would dare to claim that it is the best 4x space strategy game available at the moment. I would really like to try Space Empires 5 too but from all what I read there are still a lot of bugs and a poor AI.

Other great "grand strategy games": Master of Magic, Colonization, Master of Orion 2.

Edit: Of course not to forget Great Invasions! Graphic and interface could be better but the game itself is very interesting. However I have to admit that I didn't played it long enough yet to really understand everything...

[Primasprit]

[...] I have lost all my respect and appreciation for Paradox as a company

Why? Because they release Beta versions?
Actually I am happy that Paradox exists. Their games are unique and I like them. But I am also patient enough to wait for 1.3 till I try to play their games...

[Primasprit]

Primasprit
Wich one are you playing?? CCBO, CMBB, or CMAK??
If you find you like them, check the hundreds of graphics mods on the net.
The 3D graphics of CM are rather old and bad looking, but modders make incredible things with tanks and vehicles skins
Even the Shermans can look sexy!
Its like and addiction! Soon you would need 12 different graphic packs for your Tiger or Panther tanks...

I own them all, but started with CMBB.
Technically not up to date but sufficient. Very impressive game. Great amount of detail, challenging (for me at least as I have absolutely no idea about tactics ) and when I read the long posts in the battlefront forum about all the things which are possible in the game I am always astonished.
I did not install any graphic mod yet, but will take a look for them. I there some kind of "standard package" everyone should install?

Cheers
Norbert

[Queeg]

Crusader Kings
Victoria
Imperialism II

[arsan]

I own them all, but started with CMBB.
Technically not up to date but sufficient. Very impressive game. Great amount of detail, challenging (for me at least as I have absolutely no idea about tactics ) and when I read the long posts in the battlefront forum about all the things which are possible in the game I am always astonished.
I did not install any graphic mod yet, but will take a look for them. I there some kind of "standard package" everyone should install?

Cheers
Norbert

Hi again!
I am a little outdated about CM mods because it has been about two years without playing much this series (too much games, too little time... leure: )
But i think this are good places to look:

http://www.combatmission.com/cmmos/cmmos.asp
It is a page with CMMOS downloads. CMMOS is a separate programe (free) who loads and unloads hundreds of modded skins thorough an interface instead of having to copy /paste files. Most convenient
Most of the mods have two versions: one for CMMOS and one for direct install

For direct install mods i think this is the best place is (it used to be at least!)
http://www.cmmods.com/
You have to register to download.

About paradox...
I don't mind they sell me games on beta stage, its alfa releases the ones that worry me
Now, seriously, its not the bugs and patches... there games are complex and unfortunately, bugs happens...
But what i don't like at all is paradox attitude since some years on
It seems to me than they are getting prepotent and lazy at the same time. A bad mix.
But as you said, the paradox kind of game has been my favorite from years. I think i have spent more hours playing Paradox games than all the rest added up.

Cheers!

[Adlertag]

Civ IV with Mod Fall from Heaven ( fire ) is very good.

I was disappointed by GalCiv 2 , the only real fun is at the beginning with the rush for colonies, after that all is done. Tech research is only a stacking of bonuses and the 3D ships design system is a joke. Furthermore, if you want to have a good eye on your empire, you have to zoom out and therefore you lose all benefits of your famous ships designs...

EU III is amusing but with the same "wasting" about 3D display ( ie useless).

Space Empire V , with patch 1.35 and the balance mod begins to be playable...

[Primasprit]

http://www.combatmission.com/cmmos/cmmos.asp
It is a page with CMMOS downloads. CMMOS is a separate programe (free) who loads and unloads hundreds of modded skins thorough an interface instead of having to copy /paste files. Most convenient
Most of the mods have two versions: one for CMMOS and one for direct install

For direct install mods i think this is the best place is (it used to be at least!)
http://www.cmmods.com/
You have to register to download.

Thanks for the info.

[Primasprit]

Civ IV with Mod Fall from Heaven ( fire ) is very good.

Yes, this mod looks very interesting, I always wanted to try this but never did...

I was disappointed by GalCiv 2 ,[...] and the 3D ships design system is a joke.

This is one evil feature. Costs me a lot of time since I can't help it but simply must create a new design every time I build a new ship type. Always try to make it as strange (ugly) as possible...

Furthermore, if you want to have a good eye on your empire, you have to zoom out and therefore you lose all benefits of your famous ships designs...

But you can see your nice ships if they are involved in battles.
Actually I think the graphics of GalCiv2 is very nice and practical. The graphic is very detailed but also clear. I like especially the fact that you can get a really nice overview over your empire as the game switches from 3D models to 2D symbols if you zoom out.

Space Empire V , with patch 1.35 and the balance mod begins to be playable...

I will still wait a few patches but try this for sure too.

[PDF]

Try Dominions3, that's strategy

[jimkehn]

I second that.

[Primasprit]

Try Dominions3, that's strategy

If Shrapnelgames offered the option to buy it by download I would already own it...

[Ashbery76]

Try Dominions3, that's strategy

I bought this game after all the good words and I should like it on paper,but somehow I just can't get into it.Maybe it's the lack of any diplomacy,which I like in 4x games.

[Pocus]

I have a recurring problem with SE5. I have restarted a campaign, but I find the game really 'dry'. It lacks ambiance and atmosphere. For example when you encounter a new specie, I would like to get something like a music and a pop-up with some nice alien gibberish. Instead of that, I get nothing but a report. And from time to time a dry treaty proposal or a sentence which is generally "minerals planets are the best".

I would like also to have the feeling of controling a populated empire. Tiny little civilians ships, requests by populations, some news, etc. But nothing here but this excel spreadshit feeling.

You know what I mean... My dream game would be the atmosphere of Gal Civ 2 mixed with MOO2 news with the mechanic of SE5.

[Adlertag]

I will still wait a few patches but try this for sure too.

Yes , it's a shame to see those games (like SE V or else ) currently not playable before the hundredth patch ...

[TexasRedneck7280]

Anyone ever try Steel Panthers World At War? That was a good one. I still play it and its a good game for the laptops.