Key Takeaways
- Strategy games like Age of Empires 2 set the foundation for fun and tactical warfare titles.
- “Company of Heroes 2” offers realism with cover systems and weather dynamics in WW2.
- “Hearts of Iron 4:” focuses on resource management, diplomacy, and strategic warfare in WW2.
Strategy games are some of the most popular among the gaming community. They’ve earned this title not only because they’ve been around for decades, but also because they’re very interesting and fun to play. From the different strategic approaches players can take to defeat their enemies in battle, to the enticing stories most titles tell, there’s always fun to be had.
Games like Age of Empires 2 laid the foundations for many other strategy games that would come in later years. And while resource management, harvesting and observing the growth of civilizations is fun, the stakes are raised when a strategy title is focused on war, specifically in a tumultuous period like World War 2. Here are some of the best strategy games that focus on wars.
5 Company Of Heroes 2
A World War 2 Game With Realistic Battlefield Elements
- Cover systems and destructible environments
- Dynamic weather system that adds realism to the gaming experience
Set during the difficult period of World War 2, Company of Heroes 2 puts players in command of Soviet and Axis forces and pits them against each other. Prioritizing tactical warfare and strategic approaches, players will have to deal with extreme weather conditions, as well as other potential dangers. The game features cover systems, destructible environments and many other elements that add realism to this title set in such a crude period.
Focusing entirely on warfare and with heavy involvement of infantry and large artillery management, the game has everything players need to have hours of fun and feel like powerful commanders in this global conflict’s enemy lines.
4 Hearts Of Iron 4
Strong Focus On War And Diplomacy
- Resource management and allocation are key to victory
- Diplomacy can be used, and sometimes it’s even preferred
Diving into the grand strategy aspects of World War 2, Hearts of Iron 4 allows players to control any nation involved in the conflict and influence the war on a worldwide scale. Unlike other strategy games that only look at certain aspects of war, this title places full focus on conflicts of this nature, showing every gruesome detail that takes place on the battlefield. To survive and defeat the enemy, players will have to manage their resources carefully and allocate them to different areas to keep them from being damaged or taken.
Players can also choose to avoid engaging in open combat and opt for diplomacy, exchanging deadly bullets for a sharp silver tongue. Decision-making is key, as one false step can detonate a large armed conflict that costs the lives of hundreds of soldiers and precious resources. Hearts of Iron 4 can accommodate many playstyles, allowing players to go about their military campaigns in almost any way they choose.
3 Men Of War: Assault Squad 2
Realistic Destruction Models And Destructible Environments
- Platform(s): PC, GeForce Now
- Released: May 15, 2014
- Developer(s): Digitalmindsoft
- Genre(s): Strategy, Action game
- Players can command soldier units and heavy artillery, including tanks
- Realistic damage models and destructible environments that emphasize the seriousness of war
Another great title set in the tumultuous period of World War 2, Men of War: Assault Squad 2, offers players real-time strategy game mechanics that plunge them into direct, adrenaline-rushing combat. Like other similar games, this title will have players commanding different soldier units, tanks, and other heavy artillery vehicles as they engage in warfare-centric missions throughout the game.
Men of War: Assault Squad 2 also features destructible environments and realistic damage models that emphasize the seriousness of war and the potential for destruction that such tragic armed conflicts have. Players looking for an extremely immersive experience that will make them feel like they’re the last line of defense between the Axis powers and the free world will certainly love this title and play it over and over.
2 Rome: Total War
A Great Depiction Of The World’s Largest Empire Ever
- The game combines real-time strategy aspects with turn-based mechanics
- Rome is presented to players in all its glory
When most people think about great empires and unstoppable forces, the first thought that likely comes to their minds is the Roman Empire. This is not thanks to the 2005 series Rome, or Ridley Scott’s blockbuster Gladiator, but rather to the astounding historical evidence of Roman prowess. Rome: Total War is the perfect tribute to the massive fallen empire of the ancient world, as it accurately depicts Roman commanders and their legions of soldiers as they marched to conquer new territories.
Rome: Total War combines real-time warfare tactics with turn-based game mechanics and has a strong focus on expansion through war. Players will no doubt spend hours devising different strategies to lay siege to any opposing forces and eventually bring them to heel under the rule of the one true empire.
1 Europa Universalis 4
Players Must Guide Their Civilization Towards Gaining Territorial Expansion And Power
- There are many opportunities for players to choose diplomacy over armed conflict
- Players must help their chosen civilization to expand and conquer new territory over the centuries
Lastly, there’s Europa Universalis 4, which gives players control over a nation from the late Middle Ages and tasks them with helping it evolve and thrive throughout the centuries until they reach modern history—the 18th century, to be precise. In this title, war is a central aspect and often necessary; however, it’s also possible to take diplomatic approaches to certain situations, which can save many lives and tons of resources.
Europa Universalis 4 also features elements of trade and politics that add another layer of complexity to the game and provide players with additional hours of fun. Unlike some other games in this genre, Europa Universalis 4 stands out because it focuses on territory expansion over the centuries, rather than remaining in a single era. Granted, this isn’t anything new, as Age of Empires popularized the concept several years ago, but can there ever be enough games revolving around the advancement of civilization? Probably not.