With multiple TV adaptations of quintessential fantasy works coming out recently, It’s a great time to be a fantasy fan. There are a lot of reasons why fantasy as a genre appeals to people. Grand wars between warring states and dynasties, Diverse populations of humans and supernatural beasts, awesome species of animals, unique weapons, and war tactics are just some of the draws. Fantasy stories taking place in medieval settings blend the real and the fanciful, sprinkling elements of fantasy in a world otherwise true to history. Plotting and conspiracy among the members of a complex and interesting family tree, like the one in House of the Dragon, adds another layer of complexity to the whole puzzle, making the world richer. It would make sense for people to want to experience such a world themselves too, and maybe even be a major player in the happenings of the world. This is where grand strategy games come in. Here are a few of the best ones for fans of the fantasy genre.
Crusader Kings III
Crusader Kings III is a grand strategy game and dynasty simulator that was released in 2020. The Crusader Kings franchise already has fantastic grand strategy games under its belt in the form of Crusader Kings and Crusader Kings 2. The map in Crusader Kings 3 is larger than the ones in its predecessors, going as far as the equator in Africa and Tibet in Asia. You can create dynasties that last throughout the annals of time and have different branches of the family that operate independently. A lot of emphasis is put on dynasties and their interplay in the game, a concept the entertainment value of which has been demonstrated by recent shows like House of the Dragon. There are 3D models for the characters too. There is also a Game of Thrones mod if you want to experience the world of A Song of Ice and Fire. Apart from diplomacy and warfare, religion and culture also play a role in the world, giving players different buffs.
Europa Universalis IV
Europa Universalis IV is another well-recognized grand strategy title. The game was released in 2013 and is critically acclaimed. The map of the game is truly massive, with the earth being divided into multiple provinces. The game is probably best known for letting players play out alternate paths of actual history because the game puts a lot of effort into being historically accurate. Provinces in the game could add positively to your empire by producing a surplus of resources or take up your resources by being centers of rebellion. Diplomacy is a huge part of the game, as are religion and culture. Another big part of the game is random events, which either reflect the country’s actual history or are more generic events thrown in to make the game more interesting. A look at the game’s Steam page reveals just how much players like it, which is a testament to how the game sets out to do big things and does them well.
Game of Thrones: The Board Game-digital edition
The Game of Thrones: The Board Game-digital Edition is a port of the same-named board game. Set on the continent of Westeros, the game allows players to control one of the following six houses: They can choose whether to attack or raid enemies, support their allies or sit still and gather power points each turn. The game features unique character cards with special abilities. An in-depth review of the game by Screenrant finds that the characters are closer to their versions in the books as opposed to the show.
