Best Games That Let You Rule, Reign, Or Rebel

There’s something captivating about the idea of power. Some people desire to be in charge, others want to control things, and still others would rather dismantle everything if they’re dissatisfied with those in power. Games that focus on either leading or overthrowing a government are especially engaging because they let players make choices that genuinely impact the game world, and that’s what makes them so thrilling.

These games effectively show leaders how important every decision is. For players taking on the role of underdogs, the odds are immediately against them. What makes these games so compelling is how quickly players experience the impact of their choices, as the game world visibly changes in response to what they do.

Crusader Kings 3

Medieval Power Plays And Dynasty Control

Players guide a medieval dynasty through marriage, politics, war, and messy family drama.
The world reacts to every decision; a kingdom can rise, break apart, or completely surprise the player depending on how each ruler behaves.

If you’re looking for a game that brilliantly portrays the intense world of medieval politics – with all its royal intrigue, family feuds, and power plays – look no further than Crusader Kings 3. You play as the head of a noble family, guiding them through generations as they climb to power, face setbacks, and sometimes even tear themselves apart. Success depends on more than just military strength; you can gain influence through religion, fear, or strategic marriages. While you can earn respect on the battlefield, charm and wealth are also valuable tools. However, no ruler lasts forever. When a monarch dies, their heir takes over, and that new leader could be brilliant or disastrous. But the family’s legacy must continue, no matter the circumstances.

If you enjoy unpredictable situations, you’ll find a lot to love in Crusader Kings 3. Things rarely stay peaceful for long – a wedding could easily lead to war, a trusted ally might betray you, and even one wrong choice can undo years of work. This constant chaos is what makes the game so engaging and enjoyable.

Civilization 6

Building A Civilization That Shapes The World’s Future

A strategy game about growing a civilization from a tiny settlement into a world power.
Players choose how their nation leaves its mark, shaping culture, science, diplomacy, faith, and military strength.

Civilization 6 explores whether a single city can become the foundation for global domination. Your success depends on the path you choose as leader – will you prioritize scientific and technological advancement, artistic and cultural expression, peaceful diplomacy, or military conquest? You’re in charge of guiding your civilization, making all the key decisions about its future.

Each way to win in Civilization 6 results in a unique kind of triumph. Focusing on science lets you become a leader of innovation, while prioritizing culture allows you to inspire the world. If you choose domination, you’ll become a powerful conqueror. The game lets every player forge their own history – some prefer peaceful growth, others seek power, and some simply aim to be the greatest. How you interact with other leaders – through diplomacy, trade, or warfare – shapes your path to victory.

Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord

Rising From Nobody To The Ruler Of A Growing Kingdom

A Medieval game where the player slowly climbs from wandering fighter to powerful lord.
Kingdoms wage constant wars, and players can join them, shape them, or overthrow them.

In Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord, you earn power through effort, not by being given it. Players start as simple adventurers with just a sword and ambition, but can rise to become powerful lords, trusted followers of a ruler, or even kings and queens who control the land. Battles are fought directly with your troops, where you give commands and lead the charge. Outside of combat, you’ll need to negotiate, build alliances, and manage settlements to succeed.

This medieval action game offers more than just battles – players can also influence the land’s economy. You can earn money through trade, collecting taxes, and running workshops to fund your war efforts. If you’d rather avoid conflict, you can focus on building wealth through commerce and diplomacy instead.

Tropico 6

Running An Island Nation As A Dictator

Players take charge of a tropical island as El Presidente and decide how strict or playful the regime becomes.
The island’s people react to every choice, from building flashy landmarks to controlling elections or running a laid-back paradise.

Leading a nation isn’t usually this entertaining, but Tropico 6 makes being a dictator surprisingly fun. You play as El Presidente, the long-ruling leader of a lively tropical island. Whether your people adore you as a hero or tremble at the sight of your cigar, El Presidente always manages to stay in charge.

Life on the islands of Tropico 6 is beautiful and sunny, but running things is far from easy. Your citizens will constantly voice their opinions about work and where they live, different political factions will argue over every choice you make, and everyone has their own demands. Business leaders want to make money, the military wants a strong nation, and rebels are calling for change. Satisfying everyone is nearly impossible, but as El Presidente, keeping the peace is your specialty.

Frostpunk

Governing A Frozen City On The Edge Of Collapse

Rule the last surviving city in a frozen world.
Players make hard laws, control scarce resources, and guide society through crises that test the people’s faith in their leader.

Ruling the last city on Earth in Frostpunk isn’t about triumph, it’s about survival. The game places you in charge of a steampunk city built around a massive coal generator – the only thing protecting its citizens from a deadly, frozen world. As the leader, you’ll face difficult choices about rationing food, providing rest, and even whether to put children to work, all to keep the city functioning. There are no easy answers, only the least harmful ones. Frostpunk is a game where you can be a benevolent leader, or a ruthless one, and both are viable paths.

What really draws players into the game is the difficult moral choices it presents. While laws are necessary for the city’s survival, they force players to confront tough questions. For example, will they resort to extreme measures like amputations to save lives, or use strict punishments to control unrest? Will they exploit child labor to keep things running, or impose religious rule to maintain hope as the city crumbles? These challenging decisions are what keep players invested.

Total War: Three Kingdoms

Commanding Armies And Steering A Fractured China

Struggle for control of China.
Politics matter as much as armies.

Total War: Three Kingdoms blends the familiar Total War strategy gameplay with a compelling story of political intrigue and powerful leaders vying for control of ancient China. Players take on the role of rulers, building alliances, arranging marriages, and using diplomacy – and perhaps deception – to claim the throne.

Leading a kingdom isn’t just about grand displays – it’s about managing resources, ensuring fair taxation, and keeping everyone content. Push your luck too far, and even your most trusted advisors might start to think they could do a better job. When diplomacy fails, war becomes inevitable. Total War: Three Kingdoms doesn’t offer an easy path to power; it’s a complex web of conflict, negotiation, and seemingly minor decisions that all matter in the end.

Red Faction: Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered

The Rebel With A Hammer

An open-world action game set on Mars where players join a resistance fighting against an oppressive military force.
The environment is fully destructible, so buildings, bases, and enemy structures can be blown apart to weaken the regime.

Red Faction: Guerrilla is a straightforward game about a lone rebel on Mars who takes on a powerful, oppressive corporation. It doesn’t try to be complex; it simply gives you a sledgehammer and lets you destroy everything in their path.

In Red Faction: Guerrilla, Mars is a warzone. You’ll encounter EDF soldiers everywhere, constant propaganda, and a resistance force that’s always facing overwhelming odds. The game takes place in gritty environments like dusty canyons, rundown mining towns, and the remains of research facilities. Missions involve everything from surprise attacks and rescuing prisoners to acts of sabotage, all with the ultimate goal of liberating Mars and giving it back to its people.

Dishonored 2

Taking Back A Throne

A first-person stealth-action game about reclaiming a stolen throne.
Missions can be approached loudly or quietly, and the world changes depending on how violently players fight back.

Dishonored 2 begins with a shocking overthrow of the ruling government. Emily, the rightful leader, is suddenly forced from power and must go into hiding. Players can choose to play as either Emily or her protector, Corvo, with the same ultimate objective: reclaim the throne, no matter the cost.

Everyone in a position of power is connected to the overthrow of the government, and each task Corvo undertakes is driven by a desire for revenge. Ultimately, once the corruption is dealt with, Emily will reclaim her throne. At its heart, Dishonored 2 is a story about a leader becoming a rebel, seeking vengeance, and then returning to power.

2025-11-25 14:37