Grand strategy games are games that really test the player’s mind, with many big decisions to be made, tactically and diplomatically. Adding a magical element makes these games even more interesting.
Withmany fantasy series out there in the gaming worldat the moment, it comes as no surprise that magic-based themes for grand strategy games are flourishing.
5Age Of Mythology
A grand strategy game based on mythology and the various Gods from around the world,Age Of Mythology (2002)has three playable cultures, consisting of the Norse, the Greeks, and the Egyptians. Each culture has its own God, with Odin, Zeus, and Ra respectively. Players pick a culture and thus a God, with a selection of minor Gods being available as players progress through the game.
The game progresses in an age format, with there being 4 ages: the Archaic Age, the Classical Age, the Heroic Age, and the Mythic Age. Players must amass resources, land, settlements, and power to overcome the other cultures, with each culture having its own unique armies and abilities. This game has multiplayer functions, allowing players to play with friends andbattle it out to see which culture and their God is the strongest.
4Armello
Labeled by the developers League Of Geeks as a digital board game,Armello (2015)is a mashup of genres, with theoverall feel of a grand strategy gamethat makes for a whirlwind of a gaming experience. This turn-based strategy game tasks up to 4 players to choose a hero and take them all the way to be king or queen of the anthropomorphic animal world in which the game is set.
Armelloincludes dice, cards, and magical elements, with a game that pits players against each other, often leading to some crazy and chaotic grand strategy scenarios. Players can use spells and monsters to their advantage, along with the ability to scheme and plot against the other playable heroes, all in a bid for power. Each hero and clan has their own specific abilities, tendencies, and traits, so players must tactically think when playingArmelloto ensure that they get the most out of their selected heroes, makingArmelloa game with immense depth.
3Dominions 5: Warriors Of The Faith
A 4X grand strategy game developed by Illwinter Game Design,Dominions 5: Warriors Of The Faith (2017)allows players to become aspiring powerful beings who hope to become the gods of their respective nations. With a wealth of Pretender Gods to choose from, players can take out the opposition with a large variety of weapons and beings, whether it be mages, giants, or simple human armies.
Dominions 5is set in its own fantasy world that strikes a resemblance to many well-known mythical figures and stories from all over the world, creatingan interesting magical setting for players to take over. Players can ultimately “win"Dominions 5by, like any other grand strategy game, taking control of all the enemy territories. However,Dominions 5also has its own unique ways of letting players win, such as extinguishing the enemy’s dominion or claiming the throne of Ascension, two magical elements. This makes for a unique and interesting experience that players can only get from aDominionsgame.
Set in the chaotic and dark Realm Of Chaos,Total War: Warhammer 3 (2022)lets players take controlof one of the ten Legendary Lords, leading their armies, nations, or empires into battle, in a bid to become the strongest of all in the Realm Of Chaos. Players can customize their characters and play online with friends, making this game more than just a traditional grand strategy game.
Total War: Warhammer 3has a turn-based system, with real-time battles,diplomatic decisions, and varied factions. This game does a good job of keeping the lords and nations different, with each playable lord having their very own traits, attributes, and abilities. Players need good management skills too, withTotal War: Warhammer 3allowing players to take control of and manage settlements, along with their armies, citizens, and other important characters of their nation.
1Endless Legend
A fantasy 4X grand strategy game originally developed by Amplitude Studios (now SEGA),Endless Legend (2014)isa turn-based strategy gamethat is set in the fantasy world of Auriga. Players choose from the fourteen different factions, with the goal being to become the strongest power in Auriga. Endless Legend has diplomatic, martial, settlement management, and technological development elements, making it a well-rounded grand strategy game.
The map is in a hexagonal style, similar to that of theCivilizationseries of grand strategy games. Interestingly, the build-up and landscape of each save in Endless Legend is unique, as the tiles are randomly placed. This adds a nice amount of replayability, as players get a fresh and new layout every time they start a new game. The various different terrains and biomes allow players to tailor their faction to their surroundings, along with the ability to conquer enemies using their magical-inspired armies and species.
