Grand Strategy Games With The Steepest Learning Curves

Summary

• Grand strategy games are challenging due to complex mechanics, not frantic combat.
• Distant Worlds 2 offers real-time gameplay with a unique pause feature and powerful automation.
• Aurora 4X and Gary Grigsby’s War in the East 2 are ultra-complex, text-heavy grand strategy games with unique gameplay.

Grand strategy games are notoriously challenging. Don’t let the fact that these are generally turn-based games fool you. The challenge isn’t in frantic, twitch-based combat or learning how to survive – it’s in the depth and complexity of the gameplay.

Most grant strategy and 4X games combine a strategy layer in the form of the world map, combined with tactical elements during combat. Some of these games are far harder to master than others, simply due to the complexity of the game mechanics, making them hard to learn, with a steep learning curve.

8

Distant Worlds 2

Real-Time Meets Grand Strategy

Distant Worlds 2 is a 4X space game with a bit of a twist. Unlike most grand strategy games, the action happens in real-time, rather than following the turn-based format. However, the player can pause gameplay at any time, but still issue and queue up orders, which is quite unique.

However, the reason why Distant Worlds 2 has been included on this list, is due to the incredible amount of automation that is possible in the game. The automation is hard to understand at first, but very powerful once it has been mastered.

7

Victoria 2

19th Century Grand Strategy

The second game in the popular Victoria franchise focuses less on combat and victory through applied might, and more on non-violent gameplay. This includes a comprehensive economic and political simulation and some tough-to-learn social and civic features.

It is these social and civic considerations that make the game complex, and worthy of a place on this list. The player must manage a truly huge population, with different demographics having different wants and needs. Learning to balance and juggle these in a way that can lead to healthy population growth is tricky.

6

Crusader Kings 3

Medieval Dynasty Builder

Crusader Kings 2 was a complex game that was tough to understand for new players. Crusader Kings 3 adds a whole heap of complexity to the tried-and-tested gameplay mechanics of the previous two games in the franchise.

Aiming to build a lasting dynasty, players have to manage all aspects of their realm and their rule. Personal relationships are important when it comes to managing vassals and administering alliances. Culture and religion are important factors, as are espionage and even assassinations. Overall, Crusader Kings 3 is a game that will take many hours to learn, and hundreds of hours to truly master.

5

Europa Universalis 4

Complex Colonial Conquest

At times, it can be hard to decide whether Europa Universalis 4 is a game or a punishing simulation designed to frustrate players. It really is that complex. The learning curve is very steep, with players required to master multiple crucial mechanics such as trade, politics, religion, and the impact they have on the civilization the player is trying to advance.

No two playthroughs of Europa Universalis 4 are the same, and the DLCs that have been released only add to the complexity, bringing in naval warfare and additional cultures. Overall, this is what the term grand strategy is all about, a seminal example of a game in the genre.

4

Shadow Empire

Post-Apocalyptic Grand Strategy

• Platforms: PC
• Released: 2020
• Developer: VR Designs
• Genres: Strategy, RPG, Simulation

Shadow Empire is a grand strategy game that brings in elements of gameplay from other genres, such as city building and survival. The action in Shadow Empire takes place across a number of apocalyptic worlds, and the game tends to focus on military conquest rather than peaceful endeavors.

That being said, the combat is complex, and the player has to handle the logistics of a campaign, as well as research and make available to right technology. Each playthrough is unique, due to the fact that game maps are procedurally generated.

3

Hearts of Iron 4

WWII Grand Strategy Game

Hearts of Iron 4 brings an alternative history of WWII to the table. The focus is very much on applying military might. This is where the complexity comes in, as the player needs to make sure that their troops have adequate air support on the front lines, and a full supply chain to help with logistics.

The steep learning curve comes from the complexity of the military campaigns, which are simulated very accurately. Add to this the fact that the enemy AI is frankly brutal at times, and you have a very hard grand strategy game to master and do well at.

2

Aurora 4X

Text Heavy Game

• Platforms: PC
• Released: 2004
• Developer: Steve Walmsley
• Genre: Strategy

Some games are so unique that they don’t have any close counterparts. Aurora 4X is such a game, although it could be said that it shares a little DNA with Dwarf Fortress, simply due to the heavy use of plain text to represent the game world.

In Aurora 4X the player has to micromanage everything, and the level of complexity is staggering at times. The player has total control over everything down to the parts that spaceships are constructed from, and every part of the logistics chain. The fact there is little in-game prompting or even help in explaining most gameplay features means this is one tough game to master.

1

Gary Grigsby’s War in the East 2

Ultra-Complex Eastern Front Simulation

• Platforms: PC
• Released: 2021
• Developer: 2By3 Games
• Genre: Strategy, Simulation

The Eastern Front was one of the most horrific combat hotspots in World War II. There are no official records for the number of troops that lost their lives or were declared missing in action, but the estimated figure is around 10 million. This makes the Eastern Front a rich, mineable resource for a grand strategy game to be based on, especially one that focuses almost entirely on combat, as Gary Grigsby’s War in the East 2 does.

The player has to control and manage a truly huge army made up of thousands of different units. At the same time, they need to make sure that production and supply chains are working well in their home nation, to keep frontline troops equipped to fight. The AI is punishing and uses actual tactics that were used in WWII. Overall, this is a game that deserves the top place on this list.