grand strategy game Archives

AppWizard

January 11, 2026

Manor Lords’ dev is experimenting with a new trading system that allows for ‘deliberate economic strategies’, including establishing monopolies on resources

Manor Lords, developed by Slavic Magic, had a quiet 2025 as the team recalibrated after its successful early access launch in 2024. Activity increased in December with a significant patch that reworked core systems and castle construction mechanics. Tim Bender, CEO of publisher Hooded Horse, announced a new trade route system that connects locations to the import and export of items, allowing up to three merchants per route. Players must hire at least one merchant to engage in trade, and can attempt to buy out merchants on a route, creating contested economic territory. This system enables players to develop economic strategies, such as monopolizing Iron Slabs. Hooded Horse and Slavic Magic are seeking feedback from the Manor Lords community on these features. Additionally, Hooded Horse launched the 1.0 version of Terra Invicta, a sci-fi grand strategy game, and Bender opposed the use of AI-generated assets in their games.

AppWizard

November 22, 2025

One of the most expansive WW2 strategy games ever is free to play right now, and cheap to keep if you love it

Hearts of Iron 4 is offering a free weekend for players to access the base game, coinciding with the release of the new DLC expansion, Hearts of Iron 4: No Compromise, No Surrender. Players can access the game for free until Monday, allowing them to explore its features without financial commitment. The expansion focuses on the Pacific theater and introduces new historical pathways for Japan, China, and the Philippines, although it is not accessible during the free period. Community reactions to the expansion have been mixed, with only 43% of user reviews being positive, citing concerns over pricing and content. A significant discount of 70% off the base game is available until December 4, along with nearly a decade's worth of content at up to 50% off. An updated 'Complete Beginners Guide' has been released on the game's YouTube channel to help new players.

AppWizard

November 1, 2025

If you’re tired of Total War, 18th-Century strategy game Master of Command feels like a breath of fresh air

Master of Command is a grand strategy game set during the Seven Years' War, emphasizing resource management and the importance of individual soldiers. It features over 150 historically inspired units and requires players to analyze terrain and deploy formations strategically. Players must establish settlements and ensure their troops are well-fed and equipped, with the potential for troops to gain ranks and promotions. Customization options allow players to personalize their army's appearance. The game includes improvements such as enhanced battle AI and adjustments to artillery accuracy. Master of Command is available on Steam for .99, with a 10% launch discount until November 3, reducing the price to .49.

AppWizard

October 31, 2025

Europa Universalis 5 is an instant grand strategy classic and developer Paradox at its best

Europa Universalis 5 is a grand strategy game set in early modern history, developed by Paradox Interactive, and is scheduled for release on November 4, 2025, for PC. It features familiar mechanics from previous titles, such as production methods from Victoria 3 and ruler dynamics from Imperator, while introducing significant changes like a more tangible population model that affects productivity and military capacity. The game emphasizes strategic depth with a focus on realistic resource management, military costs, and the implications of warfare. Players can govern a vast map with diverse nations and engage with landless nations for unique economic strategies. The AI presents new challenges, and while accessibility features are limited, the game remains approachable for new players.

AppWizard

June 22, 2025

Victoria 3 is playable for free this weekend, and on a 70% discount until Thursday

Victoria 3, a grand strategy game by Paradox, is available for free play until Monday and is currently offered at a 70% discount, reducing its price to £12.50 until Thursday. The game allows players to simulate the effects of the Industrial Revolution on a pre-industrial nation, managing various aspects such as political structures and trade routes within a dynamic trade market.

AppWizard

May 20, 2025

The 14 most underappreciated games of the last year that you shouldn’t have ignored

Skin Deep: Released on December 5th, 2024; Steam reviews: Very Positive (771); Peak player count: 953. Loco Motive: Released on November 21st, 2024; Steam reviews: Very Positive (659); Peak player count: 336. Straftat: Released on October 24th, 2024; Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive (7523); Peak player count: 960; Price: Free on Steam. Penny’s Big Breakaway: Released on February 21st, 2024; Steam reviews: Very Positive (800); Peak player count: 228. Solium Infernum: Released on February 22, 2024; Steam reviews: Very Positive (1,362); Peak player count: 1,108. MechWarrior 5: Clans: Released on October 17th, 2024; Steam reviews: Mostly Positive (4303); Peak player count: 5,548. Xenotilt: Released on November 12th, 2024; Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive (594); Peak player count: 81. Anton Blast: Released on December 3rd, 2024; Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive (2919); Peak player count: 1,104. The Thaumaturge: Released on March 4th, 2024; Steam reviews: Very Positive (2866); Peak player count: 2,733. Still Wakes the Deep: Released on June 18th, 2024; Steam reviews: Very Positive (5639); Peak player count: 729. Dungeons of Hinterberg: Released on July 18th, 2024; Steam reviews: Very Positive (1597); Peak player count: 486. Drova: Forsaken Kin: Released on October 15th, 2024; Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive (6618); Peak player count: 2,717. 1000xRESIST: Released on May 9th, 2024; Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive (3471); Peak player count: 278.

AppWizard

May 19, 2025

I did Liberation Day tariffs in Victoria 3, and it all went well until the famine in Colorado, the 2 lost wars with Canada, and the president beating a man to death with a stick

An individual used the video game Victoria 3 to explore economic policies related to the U.S. Liberation Day tariffs. They adopted a strategy of extreme protectionism by imposing 100% tariffs, which initially increased cash flow but led to shortages and famine. In an attempt to address these issues, the player invested in maize farms, which drained the treasury and worsened the financial crisis. The protagonist then decided to invade Canada to rally national pride and boost the economy, achieving initial military success but ultimately facing setbacks due to British reinforcements and internal insurrection. The invasion resulted in a costly peace settlement, further destabilizing the economy and government legitimacy. The game ended with a crash, prompting reflections on the complexities of economic policy and governance.

AppWizard

November 23, 2024

Weekend PC Game Deals: Sci-fi FPS bundle, a dystopian freebie, and more

The Humble Store has launched a new bundle featuring sci-fi shooters, including Crysis Remastered and Doom (2016), available for three weeks. The bundle offers different tiers, with the complete bundle including Crysis 3 Remastered, STAR WARS: Dark Forces Remaster, and System Shock, all Deck Verified for Steam Deck compatibility. The Epic Games Store is offering Beholder for free until November 28, with Brotato as the next title. Steam has free events for Oxygen Not Included, F1 24, Victoria 3, Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop, Across the Obelisk, and Legion TD 2. Early Black Friday deals are available from various retailers, with the GOG store offering discounts on DRM-free games.

AppWizard

October 19, 2024

Weekend PC Game Deals: Demo festivals, early Halloween sales, Atari classics, and more

The Humble Store is offering the Atari Recharged Retro Revival Bundle, which includes Asteroids: Recharged, Centipede: Recharged, and Black Widow: Recharged for a low price. Additional tiers unlock more classic games like Breakout, Yars, Gravitar, Missile Command Recharged, Caverns of Mars, Bezerk, and Quantum, with Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration available at a higher tier. This bundle will be available for nearly three weeks. The Epic Games Store is giving away Invincible Presents: Atom Eve and Kardboard Kings until October 24, coinciding with the next free offering, Moving Out. Valve’s Steam Next Fest runs until October 21, allowing players to explore demos of upcoming titles, while Paradox is offering a free weekend for Europa Universalis IV until October 23. Several stores are running Halloween sales with discounts on horror titles, including Armored Core, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, and the Steins;Gate franchise. The GOG store has concluded its autumn sale but continues to offer various DRM-free specials featuring story-rich experiences and classic titles from the 2000s.

AppWizard

September 24, 2024

Play Frostpunk 2 and More Games Now With Xbox Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate offers subscribers a vast library of games for a monthly fee, including access to titles like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, online multiplayer, and exclusive discounts. In September, Microsoft added games such as Age of Mythology: Retold. Frostpunk 2 is a PC-exclusive city-building survival game set in an arctic apocalypse, where players lead a city facing overpopulation and resource scarcity. Wargroove 2 is a turn-based tactics game where players command forces to restore peace after the death of a queen. Ara: History Untold is a PC-exclusive turn-based grand strategy game focused on nation-building and diplomacy. Nine games are leaving Game Pass on September 30, prompting subscribers to complete any ongoing campaigns before they become unavailable.