Grand Strategy Games

Are you just interested in turn based strategy games? If not, Sins of a Solar Empire (but that is a stardock game) or the Total War series (I recommend you start with one of the somewhat older ones like Rome, because they are just as good and cheaper, unless a particular time period appeals to you). are good. Otherwise maybe its time to try a slightly different genre? Turn based tactics? Mainstream RTS (Supreme Commander is nice if you like controlling big armies)? Chess ?

I'm after any good strategy game, not just turn-based. Only criteria is that it takes a long time and has a lot of detail.

I already have most of the Total War series. Did anyone else think that Empire Total War was a bit of a let down? Where did the unit upgrades go? Or all the different buildings? Most infanry units look identical... It was still a great game, but I felt it was symplified too much. The sea battles were great though.

Ah Chess, greatest game of all... No nukes though...

If you can get past the clunky interface, I really loved Space Empires V. With a towering tech tree that goes from building counter measures to ward off incoming ballistics to building dyson spheres, I'd say it's a bit in depth. I'd also recommend the Balance Mod for the increased AI. The AI isn't going to blow your mind, but with the upgrade it will give you a run for your money until you get to the end game. But I've yet to play a game that challenges me in the endgame.

I agree. It often feels like how long till you win, rather than if you win.

I really like how in some games, if the game is obviously in favour of one side, it creates an event that changes the game balance completely. Like having all the other Civs gang up on you in GalCiv 2... All I did was research Lasers V...

If you have played EUIII, I don't know else could appeal to you in the grand strategy list. That game is just so 'gullible gamer sucking thing' that I don't play it anymore, or else lose a whole week!

Maybe try a variant of EUIII, like EU Rome? Or try HoI III, though I haven't played that.

Ouch. I'm really hurt...

Try taking on the whole world, at once, with no allies... ...as Andora.

That's not for me - my Bad Boy is very much under control all the time

Have you checked out the new King Arthur game soon to be released. Check out the post by Ravenx

I like these games too, but they are few and far between. Meanwhile I am excited about Kings Bounty Armoured Princess that will be released in 9 days. Kings Bounty is a great game, and this sequel should be good too.

Do you want a Hard Game that's seriously into strategy? Try "Hearts of Iron 3". It's one of the most in depth games I've ever come across. It's Serious Hard Core strategy. Maybe see if there's a Demo out before you rush out and buy it to see if you like it.

There is a demo for HOI3 here.

And it's $15 on Steam right now. If you don't like Steam, other sites may have similar offers.

Edit: offer valid until Thursday midnight.

I played quite a bit of HOI2, but man, this series is HARD. Very in-depth and one of the best strategy games I've played, but it's almost too deep for me. Although I've heard that HOI3 has tried to simplify some of that through automation that can be turned on. I'm tempted to buy it off of Steam for the $15, but I currently have so many other games to play (i.e. Dragon Age) that it's not really worth it.

Sword of the Stars.  It may have very few sliders, but the very unique races and randomized tech tree more than makes up for it.  Plus it is grand as you get to conquer an entire galaxy, and if you feel the Hard AI (wtih 50% boosts to income and research) is too easy, you can just spot it a few starting worlds or techs.

Yeah, for Paradox games, try the demo and go read their forums first!

I didn't buy them anything since EUII (it was great). After that, each time I wait a little to get the reviews and then I am disgusted by what most say...

It seems that HOI2 with all patches, add-ons and mods would probably be better than the 3.

Space Empires V has a few sliders to help. You can select that all of the AI's work together against you, and give them boosts (ie resource cheats). The game has a nice ship design function, where you pick the different components, not build the ship itself. You have to build different ships for different rolls or you'll never succeed. Missile Ships, Escort Ships, Troop Transports, Boarding Craft, Carriers, Satellite launchers, Dreadnoughts, Planetary Assault Craft, Scouts. You'll have to balance weapons, engines, armor, shields, sensors, etc. You can also automate much of the game, with planetary or ship orders, to take out any of the tedium you don't personally want to do. There's also random events that can destablize the game, or just add some randomness.

I recommend it, but will warn you the graphics aren't great. They're not bad by any means, but it's a small game from a small company. The interface is clunky, and definately takes some practice to navigate, but after some play time it becomes second nature. I know in the States, and Gamestop, you can Buy Space Empires V Deluxe Edition for $2.99, so it's more than worth the price of admission.

You might try Dominions 3. It is not available digitally but you can try the demo at Shrapnel games.com. The demo has a 17 page instruction set that you should foloow. I have been playing it for a few weeks now and am very much a rookie at it. It was hard to get into at first but I am having fun now. It is VERY micro intensive. - J

IN TERMS OF turn-based strategy, i really like Fire Emblem.

i don't play many strategy games, so i dont know what u would think of it, but it's a rpg-type game, where ur characters level up, and if they die, u never get to use them again thru the game.

but its only for consoles, GBA,GC,Wii, so i doubt thats what ur looking for.....

I highly agree.

Hearts of Iron III almost makes me cry with how complex it is, and the same goes for its prequel. I can manage my thriving empires well enough in both EU3 and EU:Rome, but with the HoI series I've yet to survive more than half a year in it.

Sword of the Stars is a pretty fun strategy game as well, and the AI is competent enough too but dunno if it'd please you, it's far simpler than even the Total War series let alone something like Europa Universalis.

The recently-released For the Glory may be worth checking out, though, if you like the EU series. From reading the forums it seems like a vastly improved version of EU2, and to top it off it's $5 cheaper here on Impulse than other DD retailers. I would've picked it up already if I hadn't already spent all my money in Dragon Age