When players encounter the term “grand strategy,” history-spanning titles such as Civilization and long-term settings such as those in Europa Universalis come to mind. However, the depth and scope of grand strategy titles don’t always get contained in far-reaching game settings, especially when there are grand strategy titles set in shorter time frames that offer just as much depth. In turn, certain grand strategy games take place in more specific periods that can reveal more of humanity’s past and how it influenced where society stands today.

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With long-lasting sessions out of the way, certain games can focus on dabbling into more specialized gameplay mechanics that enable players to enjoy historical and alternate historical accounts of events. However, compared to their wider-scope counterparts, how do grand strategy games in niche historical periods set themselves apart?

8 Pharaoh: Total War

Partake In The Unification Of Egypt

Set around the death of Ramesses II of Ancient Egypt, players of Pharaoh: Total War begin their journey in the power vacuum he left behind. Taking the role of either an Egyptian, a Canaanite, or even a Hittite, players of Pharaoh: Total War are tasked to try their best to navigate complex Eastern Mediterranean geopolitics at the end of Ancient Egypt’s New Kingdom. Adding a Total War spin to an era where the chariot is the most advanced wartime development becomes a new challenge for players accustomed to advanced war machines.

With wars heavily reliant on manpower, dominating conflicts become a matter of advanced planning and attrition. The lack of traditional resources in the deserts of the Nile means establishing relationships with other nations has become all the more important. With the Pharaoh’s powers extending across the Nile, internal politicking among nation leaders and even within the Pharaoh’s scheming court is a mini-game players must master.

How Niche Is It?

With the accolade of being one of the best rulers of the Egyptian New Kingdom period, the death of Ramesses II or Ramesses the Great in his 90s meant having outlived most of his sons. In history, he was succeeded by Merneptah at 70 years old, whose reign on the throne lasted only 10 years. At the time, Egypt was still in its Bronze Age, with the Chariot as its most advanced war tool. On top of being the oldest-set Total War game, Pharaoh is one of the rare - if not the only - grand strategy titles set in this era of Mesopotamia.

7 Nobunaga’s Ambition: Sphere Of Influence

As with other Nobunaga’s Ambition titles, Nobunaga’s Ambition: Sphere Of Influence puts players under the control of the famous Nobunaga Oda or one of Japan’s historical warlord daimyos as they try to replicate his success in uniting all of Japan during the turbulent Sengoku Period. Sphere of Influence set in a fractured ancient Japan forces players to focus on smaller details to secure their survival as a growing political power.

Unlike other grand strategy titles, manpower is a centerpiece to success in this Nobunaga’s Ambition title. At its core, it’s important to determine which members of the working class are assigned to specific projects, as well as balancing the elite class’s unique personalities and stats in their assignment to lead internal and external endeavors. Even wars aren’t entirely based on numbers, as proper guerilla tactics can break larger armies, while clans can form coalitions with other clans to fight larger enemies.

How Niche Is It?

While other games have explored the story of Nobunaga Oda and his mission to unify Japan in the Warring States period, Nobunaga's Ambition is perhaps the most detailed gaming franchise to focus on this specific era. Among its titles, Sphere of Influence elevates the "traditional" war-focused take on the Sengoku Period with the relevance of tiny details. The game does this by emphasizing politics between clans, leader assignments affecting both administrative and military affairs, and guerilla tactics working even against the largest of foes.

6 Hearts Of Iron 4

World War 2 From A Logistical, Economic, and Production Standpoint

While World War 2 as a setting isn’t new for FPS titles and strategy games, Hearts of Iron 4 and the whole Hearts of Iron series provide a more bird’s eye view of the historic event. Despite a campaign period that lasted only from 1936/1939 to 1948, playthroughs are enough to guarantee world-changing events that may or may not follow conventional history.

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With nations now able to choose factions and ideologies, AI may be pushed to create decisions only political theorists can think of in alternate history. More importantly, Hearts of Iron 4 gives players the wake-up call of the potential logistical hell of amassing a war effort. Aside from nations and provinces being able to focus on producing war machines, players need to ensure citizens are just as fed and protected as soldiers. On the war front, the tiniest factors such as the time of day and weather could affect troops' performance, adding strategic depth that other grand strategy games don’t have.

How Niche Is It?

Unlike other games set in World War 2, the appeal of Hearts of Iron is in its alternate history potential. On top of changing the course of history of both superpowers and smaller powers participating in World War 2, players may want to try finding a way to not make World War 2 happen in the first place. Moreover, the logistical and production focus on top of diplomatic and warfare options add much-needed depth to the historic era.

5 Romance Of The Three Kingdoms 10

Unify China In The Turbulent Three Kingdoms Era

Despite its age, the 2004 Romance of the Three Kingdoms 10 captures the essence of its source: a dramatized account of Chen Shou’s Records of the Three Kingdoms, which in itself recounts how the Western Jin reunified a wartorn China after the end of the Han Dynasty. Romance of the Three Kingdoms 10 takes players across campaigns from around 180 AD to 280 AD, with playthroughs where factions stay true to history or act more freely.

Unlike other grand strategy titles, ROTK 10 plays more similarly to an older version of Crusader Kings, where players can play as one of more than 650 characters and statesmen at the time or create their figure. Also, the game doesn’t necessarily demand players to win solely through conquest. While the game ends with one faction eventually unifying China, players are free to play the game as grand or as small as they seem, be it through running errands as a free officer, managing a small province as a vassal, or becoming a powerful sovereign.

How Niche Is It?

Compared to other games that tackle the era, ROTK 10 emphasizes not just the grand scale of warfare in the Western Jin's eventual reunification of China, but rather also focuses on the complex interpersonal relations and interpoliticking among the nation's clans. Being able to see one's free officer or vassal try to live to see China's reunification amid the turbulent era can look at the historic period with depth that isn't often encountered in other strategy titles.

4 Rise Of Prussia Gold

Partake In The Rivalry Of Britain And France, Prussia And Austria

Considered one of the world’s most important conflicts, the 18th Century’s Seven Years’ War highlighted the rivalries of Britain and France as well as Prussia and Austria. Frederick the Great’s leadership of Prussia, in particular, was emphasized in Rise of Prussia, with Rise of Prussia Gold adding much-needed scenarios and expanded war mechanics that also covered the first two Silesian Wars, providing important context to the starring conflict.

War logistics and army management became crucial points in Rise of Prussia Gold. The game has a more straightforward system of army organization, giving players more time to focus on managing leaders and planning movement. As turns are taken simultaneously, players not only have to actively outwit enemies by using the game’s terrain, but they also have to strategically plot supply lines to secure their army’s survival so close to enemy lines.

How Niche Is It?

Among the more historic periods before the Great War, the Seven Years' War in Europe is covered in Rise of Prussia Gold will inevitably reshape global politics. Great Britain's involvement in the war not only helped in the aforementioned rise of Prussia but also cemented its supremacy as the world's leading power at the time, courtesy of eventual territories in North America.

3 Victory And Glory: Napoleon

Attempt To Survive As Napoleon In The Napoleonic Wars

Based on the popular board game of the same name, Victory and Glory: Napoleon depicts the Napoleonic Wars, where Napoleon Bonaparte’s First French Empire attempts to defeat various nations and coalitions to control the world. Players may begin the game with any or all of Napoleon’s major conflicts at the time, starting between 1800 and 1813 and ending in 1818.

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What makes Victory and Glory: Napoleon separate from other grand strategy games is its accessible gameplay that leads to deep strategic combat. With nation leadership interspersed across “Event Cards” that affect significant aspects of a playthrough, the game forces players to think big like Napoleon against all odds. Alongside this game's strategic layer are quick and accessible number-based battles that demand a degree of tactical prowess.

How Niche Is It?

While Napoleon: Total War also covers the same timeframe, the more straightforward mechanics of Victory and Glory: Napoleon gives casual enjoyers a history lesson without being overbearing. Event Cards affecting the game's progress simulate how Napoleon has to overcome increasingly difficult odds, giving players a renewed perspective on the Napoleonic Wars without dwelling too much on complicated interpoliticking.

2 Genghis Khan

Relive The Birth And Expansion Of The Mongol Empire

Despite its age, the 1987 release of Genghis Khan paved the way for one of the most strategically intensive portrayals of Genghis Khan’s bid to conquer the Old World. The first “Mongol Conquest” mode puts players in the shoes of Genghis, then Lord Temujin, as they attempt to unite the land in 1175. The game’s other “World Conquest” Mode occurs as a separate mode or when players reach 1206, where they wage war against other factions to control Eurasia.

Gameplay of Genghis Khan in consoles such as the DOS, NES, and Amiga boasted controls similar to grand strategy games today. Players can train troops and manage armies, engage in policymaking and subterfuge with nations, manage the economy through taxation, and assign leaders to provinces. Combat also takes place in a turn-based setup, where troop types possess advantages, disadvantages, and special effects across a fog of war.

How Niche Is It?

While other strategy games often feature the Mongols as fierce warriors in their cavalry, Genghis Khan is the first to truly put players in the perspective of Lord Temujin as he rises to become the titular Genghis Khan. The game simulates his unification of Mongolia and eventual global conquest is one of the rare examples of a historically-accurate "World Conquest" playstyle.

1 Ancient Warfare: The Han Dynasty

Takes Place Shortly After The Start Of The Han Dynasty

Despite its similarity with Total War: Three Kingdoms in terms of aesthetics and characters prominently featured in Dynasty Warriors, Ancient Warfare: The Han Dynasty boasts a more close-up view of the aforementioned ruling period. After Liu Bang established the Han Dynasty around 202 BCE, China waged war with the Xiongnu nomads in the north. This conflict lasted up until around 89 to 188 CE with the Han victorious and Southern Xiongnu vassalized, but Ancient Warfare: The Han Dynasty gives players opportunities to follow or deviate from the time frame.

As with other grand strategy titles, players must consider warfare and the nation's stability in culling rebellions and resource production. The game features wars with thousands of soldiers, all trained, equipped, and capable of performing formations and commands. Diplomacy is also available for players to ensure order in Central and West Asia, simulating politics before the Three Kingdoms period.

How Niche Is It?

Compared to the popular Three Kingdoms period that is often used as a backdrop in China-set strategy titles, Ancient Warfare: The Han Dynasty taking place at the beginning of the aforementioned era is a change of pace for strategy players. The idea of having to manage threats from Xiongnu nomads on top of quelling potential rebellions gives a better look at the internal politics of one of China's most prominent eras.

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