Top 10 Strategy Games Better Than Civilization 7

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Summary

  • Age of Wonders 4 has engaging gameplay & custom factions.
  • Humankind influenced Civilization 7 with flexible ages.
  • Stellaris is a sci-fi alternative to Civilization 7.

It’s clear that Civilization 7 has had a rough beginning, requiring several adjustments before it can match its predecessors. This might disappoint gamers looking for their strategy fix immediately, but fear not; there are numerous excellent strategy games available as alternatives to Civilization 7.

There’s no shortage of strategy games to pick from, whether they come from the masterminds behind grand strategy at Paradox or various installments within the Civilization series themselves.

8. Age of Wonders 4

The Scrappy Underdog

In the realm of strategic 4X games, the Age of Wonders series, though an established veteran, often fails to attract the audience it truly merits. The latest installment, Age of Wonders 4, might just be its finest hour, offering immersive strategy gameplay across all levels, spiced up with a dash of captivating high fantasy.

Among the standout aspects of “Age of Wonders 4” is the option to design your own custom faction and race, which can appear as an AI opponent in future skirmishes. This allows players to expand their collection of factions, each with its distinctive cultural units, creating a rich and diverse game world. It offers an engaging experience that serves as an enjoyable twist on the “Civilization” series.

7. Humankind

A Competitor and Inspiration

Humanity’s introduction was a daring step. While Civilization has held the crown as the preferred 4X game among global gamers for quite some time, there are those who believe that a lack of significant competition hinders Sid Meier’s renowned series from progressing. Humankind chose to challenge this status quo by attempting to compete with the Civilization games based on its own merits.

Despite having varying outcomes in the long run, Humankind has undeniably left a significant impact on Civilization 7, notably through its intelligent and logical game design choices such as flexible ages and dynamic factions. After several years of updates and refinements, Humankind is now at its peak and offers a compelling experience even for skeptical fans of the Civilization series.

6. Crusader Kings 3

Create an Epic Dynasty

As a gamer, I must admit that Civilization games are an excellent introduction to the realm of strategic gaming. Once you’ve got the hang of it, though, the natural progression is diving into Paradox games. These games notch up the complexity, sure, but they also offer a wealth of design choices that can lead to games with countless hours of content.

Despite its distinct differences from Civilization 7, Crusader Kings 3 offers an engaging starting point as the most user-friendly Paradox game. It allows players to craft a dynasty over multiple centuries within Medieval Europe, where they can experience warfare, intrigue, diplomacy, and ongoing conflicts. This game is entertaining for both roleplayers and history enthusiasts.

5. Hearts of Iron 4

The World at War

In simpler terms, Crusader Kings 3 serves as an accessible introduction to the strategy games by Paradox, while Hearts of Iron 4 caters to the dedicated and experienced gamers who seek a war simulation game with intricate design aspects, which can initially appear overwhelming for beginners, but offers immense satisfaction for those willing to invest time in understanding its workings.

Speaking of it, Hearts of Iron 4 boasts an enormous modding community that offers numerous alternate history scenarios and total conversion mods. If you find Civilization 7 lacking in depth and desire a more challenging experience, Hearts of Iron 4 would be an ideal choice for you.

4. Total War: Warhammer 3

Total Chaos

Over the course of many years, the Total War series has experienced a mix of highs and lows, but it may never have enjoyed as much acclaim as Total War: Warhammer 3, the final installment in the Warhammer trilogy. This game combines all lessons learned from its predecessors, resulting in one of the most expansive, endless, and replayable grand strategy games ever created, featuring a diverse array of distinctive factions.

In this game, if you enjoy strategy from Civilization, you’ll find that city-building and macroeconomics are prominently featured. However, it offers a more intricate war gaming aspect, allowing players to manage individual army units for greater control compared to the abstracted units found in Civilization.

3. Europa Universalis 4

The Age of Discovery

If you find Hearts of Iron 4 a bit overwhelming, those who enjoy playing Civilization might instead consider exploring Europa Universalis 4, one of the older Paradox Games that remains actively maintained due to its merits. Set during the Age of Discovery and lasting until the Napoleonic Wars, Europa Universalis 4 allows players to create massive colonial empires, oversee economies, and progress through extensive mission trees leading to intriguing alternate history possibilities.

Even though it may seem a bit unfriendly towards newcomers, the gameplay mechanism of Europa Universalis 4 remarkably resembles the “one more turn” mindset typically found in Civilization games, leading to gaming sessions that often stretch late into the evening.

2. Stellaris

Ad Astra

Among Paradox games, only Stellaris can truly rival the Civ series in the 4X genre. In the far-off future where you build galactic empires from scratch, Stellaris most closely adheres to the fundamental principles of 4X gameplay, incorporating numerous systems similar to those found in Civilization games.

Despite being more intricate than games like Civilization, it’s absolutely worth giving it a try, especially for those who are deeply into the sci-fi universe but found Civilization: Beyond Earth lacking. Stellaris opens up a fresh, unexplored landscape for 4X gaming.

1. Civilization 5

The Best of Both Worlds

As a dedicated fan, I sometimes find myself yearning for familiarity amidst the sea of new gaming experiences. While it’s tempting to explore alternative franchises when the latest installment of Civilization seems lacking, I always remember the rich history and engaging gameplay of the series itself. If Civilization 7 isn’t hitting all the right notes, there are numerous exceptional games within the very same franchise that can satisfy my craving for strategic city-building and empire-expanding.

It’s tough to pick just one, but among them, Civilization 5 stands out as the epitome of the Civilization series. With its myriad DLCs and expansions, it boasts an extensive roster of legendary leaders. This game manages to preserve the essence of the franchise while incorporating updated graphics and user interface. It’s no wonder that people continue to enjoy playing Civilization 5, and it’s definitely worth revisiting if Civilization 7 didn’t quite live up to expectations.

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2025-03-06 09:29