grand strategy game Archives

AppWizard

August 25, 2026

Paradox’s next grand strategy game is taking cues from Fallout and Mad Max

Paradox Development Studio is developing a new game titled Afterworld, set in a post-apocalyptic North America. Players will lead a tribe of survivors, choosing their tribe's origins and focusing on survival by gathering resources. The game allows players to rebuild civilization or create new societal structures, including religions and laws, while utilizing pre-collapse technology. A unique tech tree evolves through exploration, with procedural generation ensuring varied experiences in each playthrough. Dan Lind, the game director, emphasizes that Afterworld is Paradox's first non-historical setting in a decade, offering a fresh perspective for a grand strategy game. A preview of the game mechanics will be released in the coming weeks.

AppWizard

August 24, 2026

Paradox commits a classic blunder and accidentally leaks its own post-apocalyptic grand strategy game

Paradox has inadvertently revealed hints about an unannounced game titled "Afterworld" through its forum filters. A Reddit user discovered the name listed under the Unreleased Game filters, alongside "Prison Architect 2." Further investigation led to a Discord server that described "Afterworld" as a post-apocalyptic survival grand strategy game where players lead a tribe of survivors, manage settlements, and engage in wars of conquest. The gaming community is speculating about the game, with mixed reactions regarding its setting and potential gameplay direction. More details are anticipated to be revealed at Gamescom on August 25th.

AppWizard

August 23, 2026

The 100 Best Strategy Games To Play In 2026

Hearts of Iron IV is a grand strategy game set during World War II, where players control a nation and navigate warfare, diplomacy, and military strategy. It offers extensive gameplay options, including resource management and political maneuvering, and is known for its replayability. Phoenix Point is a turn-based tactical strategy game set in a post-apocalyptic world, where players lead customizable squads against alien threats, emphasizing tactical decision-making. War on the Sea is a real-time tactical strategy game focused on naval battles in the Pacific Theater during World War II, featuring historically accurate ships and aircraft. Terra Invicta is a grand strategy game in Early Access, where players manage factions in a near-future scenario while preparing for potential interstellar conflict. Command & Conquer: Generals is a real-time strategy game featuring three factions: the United States, China, and the Global Liberation Army, known for its engaging gameplay. Cold Waters allows players to command a Cold War-era nuclear submarine, focusing on stealth tactics and realistic naval simulation. Gears Tactics is a turn-based game set in the Gears of War universe, where players lead a squad against the Locust Horde. Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector involves commanding Primaris Space Marines in tactical battles against Tyranids, with expansions enhancing gameplay. Company of Heroes 2 is a real-time strategy game set on the Eastern Front during World War II, featuring squad-based tactics and dynamic campaigns. Total War: Shogun 2 is set in feudal Japan, allowing players to command clans during the Sengoku Jidai period, combining tactical battles with strategic management.

AppWizard

May 2, 2026

Total War: Warhammer 40k’s map reveals fill me with faith that Creative Assembly can handle the setting’s absurd scale

Creative Assembly is developing Total War: Warhammer 40k, leveraging its experience from Total War: Warhammer. The game will feature destructible elements like buildings and forests, altering battle dynamics. Maps will reflect different planetary biomes and allow for various deployment options, enhancing tactical depth. Players can navigate maps in multiple orientations and engage in both assault and defense scenarios. The studio aims to make the gameplay engaging and replayable, with more information expected in June.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

Soren Johnson on keeping his game studio small: ‘You get better games if you take longer to make games’

Mohawk Games, established in 2013 by former Firaxis developers, is preparing to launch new downloadable content (DLC) for their 2021 grand strategy game, Old World. The studio, which employs 15 individuals, has sustained its operations through revenue from Old World. The upcoming expansion, titled Empires of the Indus, will introduce three new civilizations and is scheduled for release on March 30. Co-founder Soren Johnson expressed a desire to explore creative avenues beyond grand strategy and has ambitions to develop a light tactical RPG. While there are no immediate announcements for new projects, Johnson has a list of game ideas he finds exciting.

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.