Grand Strategy Games With The Best Tutorials

Grand Strategy Games With The Best Tutorials

Key Takeaways

  • Victoria 3 offers a dedicated goal for learning the game via easier nations.
  • Crusader Kings 3 focuses on personal stories and guides players through ruler development.
  • Europa Universalis 4 introduces new elements gradually with combat and technology basics first.

As a seasoned grand strategy gamer with countless hours spent navigating the complexities of various nations and empires, I can’t help but appreciate the thoughtful tutorials these games have to offer. Each title caters to different playstyles and learning paces, making them accessible for both novices and veterans alike.


Many times, complex grand strategy games can be challenging to dive into due to their intricate mechanics. When starting a new, uncharted grand strategy game, you might find yourself asking questions such as “What do all these numerical values represent?” or “Why is the resource section buried within multiple menus?” and the ever-present “Why does my nation seem to be rebelling after I constructed just one (1) wheat field?

Absolutely, learning about the genre as a whole can be beneficial when approaching specific games, but there are certain titles that, though not always easy within their genre, offer exceptional tutorials to guide players through their unique expectations. Whether you’re drawn to a strategy game for its captivating narrative or addictive mechanics, here are some recommendations for games with outstanding learning resources to ease your early-game experience.

5 Victoria 3

A Difficult Game That Eases Players In Slowly

In simpler terms, “Victoria 3” is known for its complexity among the Grand Strategy games produced by Paradox. It offers numerous economic systems, unique factions that shape each nation’s governance, and intricate economics-building mechanics which can be overwhelming to both new players and experienced ones unfamiliar with the Victoria series.

It’s great that this game title provides a built-in objective for mastering the game itself. By selecting some of the simpler countries at the start, gamers can follow an almost narrative-like journey as the game walks them through key aspects of nation development. The tips and advice offered are tailored to the specific starting country chosen by the player.

4 Crusader Kings 3

A Streamlined Game Brings A Streamlined Tutorial

As a gamer, I’d say Crusader Kings 3 stands out from other Grand Strategy games because it’s less about constructing vast nations and more about crafting personal narratives throughout your journey. The recent update has brought new start dates featuring historical rulers, some of whom will make the game easier for players than others. To put it simply, Crusader Kings 3 approaches strategy differently from its peers in this genre because you’re not managing a kingdom, but rather a single royal family member who rules over it.

The Crusader Kings 3 tutorial effectively guides players by emphasizing the importance of nurturing their character’s personal growth and managing their relationships. It gradually introduces broader aspects, such as expanding and maintaining a kingdom.

3 Europa Universalis 4

This Tutorial Slowly Introduces More Elements

Positioned sandwiched both in terms of historical era and gameplay mechanics between Crusader Kings 3 and Victoria 3, Europa Universalis offers an expansive time frame that encompasses everything from the early stages of the Renaissance to the twilight of the Age of Discovery. In essence, this translates into a steady introduction of fresh mechanics as the game unfolds, along with the emergence of novel ideas, technologies, and intellectual movements.

In Europa Universalis 4, the fundamentals of combat and technology are introduced promptly since they form the backbone of the gameplay experience. As time progresses, additional tutorials are offered to guide players effectively. Moreover, there are several beginner-friendly nations that serve as stepping stones for newcomers to navigate this expansive world.

2 Age Of Wonders 4

An Entire Realm Dedicated To Teaching The Player The Basics

As a gamer, I find Age of Wonders 4 to be an amazing blend of 4X strategies and grand strategy games, offering a highly customizable civilization-building experience that is essentially limited by my own imagination… or the rules of the game, whichever comes first! The fact that the initial scenario and realm presented are more of a leisurely exploration of the game’s mechanics and objectives makes it even more rewarding to learn and master this fantastic title.

In Age of Wonders 4, the player is assisted by a superior civilization that ensures victory if they progressively strengthen their armies and complete the key tasks assigned. This gradual process, filled with cunning design, serves as an effective method to familiarize the player with the fundamental mechanics of the game, making it easier for them to defeat one of the tyrannical Godir placed on the opposite side of the map.

1 Stellaris

VIR Is Ready To Help Conquer The Galaxy

Stellaris is an engaging game that revolves around building a cosmic empire, and shaping that empire through interactions with other inhabitants in the universe. Unlike games focusing on nations or kingdoms, this one spans entire star systems and planets, which can make it seem daunting initially. However, contrary to its grandeur, it’s surprisingly manageable within the realm of Grand Strategy games, particularly if you take advantage of the early game mechanics effectively.

For those players who might find themselves in need of assistance, they’ll be pleased to know that their friendly AI companion, VIR, is on hand. VIR offers two types of tutorials tailored to different learning styles: a comprehensive beginner’s guide, jam-packed with details about all the resources and concepts, or a more relaxed tutorial where prompts appear only when the player encounters relevant game areas. Additionally, players have the freedom to choose to deactivate VIR in exchange for some minerals – a choice that adds an extra layer of fun!

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2024-09-27 08:33