Relive the Sengoku Era: Mastering Shogun 2’s Samurai Warfare

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Summary

  • Strategy games stem from wargaming and thrive on historical settings, themes, and gameplay ideas.
  • Paradox games excel in historical accuracy, offering deep gameplay experiences across distinct periods.
  • Games like Civilization 5, Hearts of Iron 4, and Company of Heroes 2 provide immersive historical contexts.

Strategy video games often draw heavily from historical events due to their roots in wargames, which were initially designed for simulating military operations. The richness of history offers a wealth of settings, themes, and gameplay concepts that have contributed significantly to creating some of the most outstanding strategy games. In other words, history serves as an inspiring source for many great strategy games.

If you’re into Paradox’s historically accurate games or classic Real-Time Strategy titles that delve deep into history, there’s no shortage of excellent historical strategy games. It’s important to clarify that this list is arranged based on the amount of historical immersion these games offer, rather than their overall quality, although the two often go hand in hand.

8. Age of Empires 2

The Best Kingdom Builder

The profound impact of Age of Empires 2 on the strategy game genre since its debut in 1999 has been extensively documented, and it continues to thrive in contemporary times due to an outstanding remaster launched in 2019, providing a welcoming introduction for newcomers.

This game’s play is undeniably superb, but what truly stands out is the developer’s obvious affection for the blend of history, where civilizations spanning various cultures and eras from across the globe are meticulously presented and imaginatively collided, reminiscent of playing with action figures. It’s a historical feast that tantalizingly poses theoretical warfare scenarios in vivid pixel detail.

7. Civilization 5

Sid Meier’s Stone-Cold Classic

For history enthusiasts, choosing a single “Civilization” game as the best can be challenging. However, “Civilization 5,” complete with all expansions, stands out as an exceptional blend of historical authenticity and gameplay simplification that makes it an ideal starting point for exploring various eras of history.

Civilization 5 doesn’t just illustrate how geography shapes culture, economies, and military strategies; it also functions as an engaging introduction to ideologies such as fascism and communism, while introducing players to significant historical figures they may not have encountered before, making it a captivating and informative history lesson.

6. Victoria 3

The Industrial Age

On this list, you’ll encounter Paradox Games more than once, and for valid reasons. These games are unique because they are constructed around various historical periods in human history, with each game offering a unique gameplay experience to delve into the causes and consequences of these eras, and how they transitioned into the next.

In “Victoria 3”, though it may not offer the full historical ambiance cherished by strategy game enthusiasts, it stands out as an exceptional representation of how the industrial economy reshaped cultures, militaries, and powers during the 1800s. The game vividly portrays the challenges associated with fostering social advancement in agrarian economies. It’s a compelling narrative that subtly emphasizes less sensational but crucial historical aspects, and it boasts an active and creative modding community.

5. Company of Heroes 2

War Is Hell

Many WW2 games often either delve so deeply into large-scale strategies that the intricate details of battles get overlooked, or they present themselves as Hollywood-style action films, losing sight of the grand scale. Remarkably, Company of Heroes 2 manages to capture both aspects effectively.

In World War 2, you can participate on multiple battlefronts, managing both the grand strategy of entire frontlines while also overseeing the tactical decisions of squadrons in the field. This includes equipping them and making immediate strategic moves with an almost obsessive attention to historical accuracy. For those who are enthusiastic about World War 2, this game is a must-play.

4. Europa Universalis 4

The Age of Discovery

Among various historical eras, video games have faced unique challenges when attempting to represent the Renaissance and Early Modern Period due to its complex themes such as colonialism, religion, and revolution. These topics are intricate and challenging to simplify into a single storyline.

Europa Universalis 4 masterfully captures the complexities of this epoch, guiding players along particular paths that illustrate through gameplay how colonies came to be indispensable for empires’ survival, how global trade was conducted, the intricacies of managing large armies, internal strife, and zealous religious movements. It doesn’t flinch from tackling challenging subject matter, which makes it an exceptional choice for players captivated by this era, as well as novices seeking an introduction to the Paradox game design.

3. Crusader Kings 3

Out Of The Dark Ages

The fervor for Paradox games occasionally waxes and wanes, but none have garnered as much mainstream appeal as the Crusader Kings series, notably the recently launched Crusader Kings 3, which successfully upgraded the Clauswitz engine to 3D, resulting in largely positive responses.

In the game Crusader Kings 3, players embark on a journey leading a single dynasty spanning from the 800s to the 1400s during the Medieval period. This involves navigating court politics, crusades, diplomacy, and numerous conflicts. The latest DLC expansions have enriched settings like the Byzantine Empire and Iberia with more historical depth, making it an excellent choice for enthusiasts of Medieval history.

2. Total War: Shogun 2

Sengoku Sayonara

Despite Creative Assembly reaching a pinnacle with the epic strategy game, Total War: Warhammer 3, it’s the classic historical strategy enthusiasts who continually find themselves drawn to the timeless brilliance of the Shogun series, specifically Total War: Shogun 2, which is often seen as the Creative Assembly’s finest work.

Following on from Creative Assembly’s inaugural game, Total War: Shogun 2 , excellently portrays the tale of Japan’s Sengoku era and extends to recounting the events leading to the Sakoku period’s conclusion. For history enthusiasts with a penchant for Japan, this game is an absolute must-play.

1. Hearts of Iron 4

The World At War

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but sing praises about Hearts of Iron 4. This game is nothing short of formidable, with an almost endless list of factors to consider, creating a realistic simulation of World War II on a grand scale. Unlike any other World War II games out there, it offers an unparalleled depth of content that truly resonates with historical enthusiasts like myself.

With downloadable content (DLC), most countries within the game have unique focus trees designed specifically for them, providing players with a rich understanding of each nation’s historical context during World War 2. These focus trees allow players to experience the story of that history through gameplay, offering opportunities to explore alternate historical paths related to these specific nations. The immersive and detailed approach to World War 2 is unparalleled in strategy gaming, offering an unprecedented depth of exploration.

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2025-03-11 13:18