Highlights
- Grand strategy games based on the Roman Empire provide players with a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by its leaders.
- Romans: Age Of Caesar offers a multiplayer experience for players new to grand strategy, focusing on building Rome collaboratively.
- Civilization 6 is the best grand strategy game for players interested in the Roman Empire, offering a focused view and advantageous traits.
Grand strategy is a genre that tends to rely on certain periods of history in the games, with a popular one being The Roman Empire. As one of the most famous empires in history, it isn't surprising that there are many games that are based in that era. Grand strategy allows players to get a deeper look at this part of history and puts them through the challenges faced by the leaders of the time.
For players wanting to lead the Roman legions to victory, there can be an overwhelming number of games to choose from that will scratch that itch. Some of those games are more successful than others, and have earned their place on this list.
10 Romans: Age Of Caesar
Metascore: TBD
Romans: Age Of Caesar is an interesting take on the grand strategy genre as it relies on multiplayer. Players build Rome from nothing, working co-operatively with up to fifteen other players to make it the grand empire that they expect, managing the economy and defending the empire from attacks. The ultimate goal is to become Caesar which can only be achieved by thinking strategically.
Romans: Age Of Caesar is more geared towards players who are new to grand strategy and are more familiar with more simple gameplay.
9 Humankind
Metascore: 77
Humankind
- Platform(s)
- PC , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
- Released
- August 17, 2021
- Developer(s)
- Amplitude Studios
Humankind is not strictly focused on the Roman Empire, as it takes players through the six major eras of humanity. The Roman Empire culture comes in during the game's Classical era and is a brilliant one to choose for players wanting to focus on the military, with traits heavily geared towards this path.
For players looking for a more in-depth exploration of the Roman Empire, Humankind is not ideal. But The Romans are one of the key cultures in the game and offer a lot of advantages.
8 Grand Ages: Rome
Metascore: 72
Grand Ages: Rome is a grand strategy game with a twist. As opposed to the usual alternate history path that a lot of games in the genre take, this game is based on real history. There is a single-player campaign that offers players fewer choices but still includes a key choice for players to side with either Caesar or Magnus.
This game offers less detail-oriented gameplay, with more of a large focus on how the empire is built, but it is still a classic and a great grand strategy offering in its own right.
7 Hegemony 3: Clash Of The Ancients
Metascore: TBD
Hegemony 3: Clash Of The Ancients is a fantastic grand strategy game set during the battle for the ancient world. Players are not just limited to the Roman Empire in this game, but it is one of many options. The game offers players the chance to chart their own course through history against the backdrop of many of the most well-known empires in history.
Controlling armies while also managing their resources is one of many unique challenges in Hegemony 3: Clash Of The Ancients, making it a great choice for players seeking something different in the genre.
6 Field Of Glory: Empires
Metascore: 76
Field Of Glory: Empires is set in the Mediterranean region during the Classical era, meaning the scope expands beyond the Roman Empire. From small-scale management, like managing the provinces in the empire, to large-scale, meaning managing the whole empire at a glance, this game allows players to micro or macro-manage their civilizations however they want. As the years progress in the game, the challenge increases. The goal is to make an empire that lasts the test of time.
Field Of Glory: Empires offers an in-depth look at managing an empire, be it Roman or otherwise, and gives players the option to manage everything down to the tiniest detail.
5 Civilization 5: Gods And Kings
Metascore: 80
Sid Meier's Civilization 5
- Franchise
- Sid Meier's Civilization
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Released
- September 21, 2010
- Developer(s)
- Firaxis Games
The Civilization series is one of the greatest in the grand strategy genre, and it's not hard to see what makes it so special. Civilization 5: Gods And Kings is a brilliant expansion for an already brilliant base game as it offers even more leaders for players to choose from. For players interested in the Roman Empire specifically, there is a Fall Of Rome scenario included, which allows players to play out an alternate history.
Civilization 5: Gods And Kings is a great add-on to the base game for players who love the Civilization formula but want a more focused view of the Roman Empire.
4 Europa Universalis: Rome
Metascore: 79
Europa Universalis: Rome is a game for players who want the preamble to what became the Roman Empire. Beginning with the formation of the Roman Republic and playing all the way through to the rise of the Roman Empire, this game offers a detailed look at the backdrop for the more famous periods of Roman history.
There are ten cultures in Europa Universalis: Rome for players to choose from for a different look at this history, but at its core, this game is all about Rome and its history.
3 Imperator: Rome
Metascore: 76
Imperator: Rome
- Platform(s)
- Linux , Microsoft Windows , macOS
- Released
- April 25, 2019
- Developer(s)
- Paradox Development Studio
Imperator: Rome covers an expansive time period within Roman history, including the establishment of the Empire itself. The map is huge in this game, and players can choose from any of the nations represented in-game to play as. There are many features included, from population management to provincial improvement, and of course, there is military strategy involved as well. The political warfare is critical to having a long-lasting civilization.
Imperator: Rome is a great choice for players who are interested in the history behind the Roman Empire and the larger worldview surrounding it.
2 Total War: Rome 2
Metascore: 76
The Total War series is another brilliant grand strategy franchise, and Total War: Rome 2 is a shining moment within that. The campaign spans 300 years at its core, with the option for players to continue on afterward. With more than 500 land units available in-game, and 30 city variants, the game never feels repetitive. Rather, new scenarios will unfold, and new battles will be lost and won. Players are likely to get lost in the world of the game.
Total War: Rome 2 allows players to have full control over their civilization, and the challenge only increases and gets more interesting as the in-game years progress.
1 Civilization 6
Metascore: 88
Civilization 6 is the best grand strategy game available for players seeking the Roman Empire in their gameplay. Players can choose Rome as their civilization, choosing from either Julius Caesar or Trajan to lead. The Rome civilization offers an easy in road to the game's many conclusions, as they have a lot of traits which are a real help to both new players and veterans alike. For players who love the core Civilization formula of expansion, Rome is the civilization to go for.
Civilization 6 is grand strategy at its best, and the Roman civilization is one of the finest in-game examples of this.