StrategyGrand Strategy
SoloMultiplayerCo-opTacticalRanged
Steam👍 96%· 209KRAWG👍 91%· 2.0KMC90IGDB87· 5
Year 2010Dev Aspyr Media · 2K GamesPlaytime ~27hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux
Best Grand Strategy Games
This is the ranking of the best grand strategy games, sorted by iRank score: a 0-100 metric blending Steam reviews, IGDB ratings (community and critic), Metacritic, OpenCritic and the iRankGames community votes into a single number. Unlike opinion-based editorial lists, this order is computed from real data and applies a Bayesian shrinkage adjustment so games with few reviews can't inflate the top of the chart. Sid Meier's Civilization® V, Crusader Kings III and Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI lead the chart — the highest-rated titles in the genre according to our data. The top-25 average iRank is 79/100, out of 16 games catalogued. The ranking updates continuously as new reviews and votes come in.
Top 3
The best grand strategy games game is Sid Meier's Civilization® V (90.8/100). Close behind: Crusader Kings III and Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI.
Full ranking
16 games cataloguedUpdated July 2026
Ranked by iRank Score
StrategyGrand Strategy
SoloMultiplayerTacticalCozyNarrative
Steam👍 90%· 140KRAWG👍 89%· 465MC86IGDB91· 3OC90· 94
Year 2020Dev Paradox Developement Studios · Paradox InteractivePlaytime ~12hOn PC · PS · Xbox
StrategyGrand Strategy
SoloMultiplayerTacticalHistoricalFantasy
Steam👍 86%· 374KRAWG👍 88%· 1.4KMC88IGDB87· 20OC89· 95
Year 2016Dev Aspyr Media · 2K GamesPlaytime ~15hOn PC · PS · Xbox
StrategyGrand Strategy
SoloHistoricalFantasyBase BuildingManagement
Steam👍 96%· 1.1K
Year 2014Dev MicroProse Software · Nightdive StudiosPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux
StrategyGrand Strategy
MultiplayerSoloSandbox WorldHistoricalFantasy
Steam👍 91%· 74KRAWG👍 64%· 755MC82IGDB84· 2
Year 2012Dev Paradox Development Studio · Paradox InteractivePlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux
StrategyGrand Strategy
MeleeTacticalNarrativeCozySandbox World
Steam👍 96%· 42K
Year 2023Dev Ivy SlyPlaytime ~4hOn PC
StrategyGrand Strategy
SoloMultiplayerTacticalSci-FiIsometric
IGDB100· 1
Year 2001Dev Intelligent Systems · Nintendo
StrategyGrand Strategy
SoloTacticalCasualSandbox WorldOpen World
Steam👍 95%· 8.2K
Year 2020Dev Jake the Dev · Jakob de LavalPlaytime ~6hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux
StrategyGrand Strategy
SoloMultiplayerHistoricalFantasyBase Building
Steam👍 87%· 1.5KRAWG👍 69%· 163MC83IGDB77· 3
Year 2008Dev Aspyr Media · 2K GamesPlaytime ~1hOn PC · iOS · Apple Macintosh
StrategyGrand Strategy
SoloMultiplayerTacticalNarrativeSci-Fi
Steam👍 60%· 23KIGDB83· 11OC81· 67
Year 2014Dev Firaxis Games · 2K GamesOn Linux · PC · Mac
StrategyGrand Strategy
SoloMultiplayerSci-FiThird Person
IGDB60· 1
Year 2000Dev HAL Laboratory · Gradiente
StrategyGrand Strategy
SoloDarkNarrativeSandbox WorldPost-Apocalyptic
Steam👍 86%· 2.0KRAWG👍 48%· 25MC75
Year 2015Dev Northway GamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · iOS · Android
StrategyGrand Strategy
SoloStealthNarrativeCozyCasual
Steam👍 85%· 3.7KRAWG👍 62%· 128MC69IGDB75· 2
Year 2013Dev Might and Delight · 4EversGamesPlaytime ~2hOn PC · iOS · Apple Macintosh
StrategyGrand Strategy
SoloSandbox WorldProceduralFantasyBase Building
Steam👍 75%· 3.5KRAWG👍 50%· 39
Year 2016Dev Robotronic GamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux
StrategyGrand Strategy
SoloTacticalCozyNarrativeCasual
Steam👍 80%· 992RAWG👍 14%· 21
Year 2016Dev TriverskePlaytime ~4hOn PC · Linux
StrategyGrand Strategy
SoloTacticalMagicMeleeFantasy
Steam👍 72%· 1.9KRAWG👍 36%· 131MC73IGDB70· 3OC74· 32
Year 2015Dev Double Fine ProductionsPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Xbox · Apple Macintosh
Related rankings
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best grand strategy game?
- According to the iRankGames ranking, Sid Meier's Civilization® V (90.8/100) tops the list. Close behind are Crusader Kings III and Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI.
- How is this ranking calculated?
- Each game receives an iRank score (0-100) blending several weighted sources: Steam reviews, IGDB community + critic ratings, Metacritic, OpenCritic and the iRankGames community votes. The sort order additionally applies a Bayesian shrinkage adjustment: games with few reviews get pulled toward the genre average so small samples can't game the top of the chart.
- How many grand strategy games are in this ranking?
- 16 games appear in this list (filtered by minimum popularity, excluding DLC, expansions and unclassified shovelware).
- What makes a good grand strategy game?
- The highest-rated entries in this genre tend to share design coherent with subgenre conventions, tight controls, balanced challenge-and-reward loops, and an active player base that sustains their reception across multiple platforms. Examples in this ranking: Sid Meier's Civilization® V, Crusader Kings III and Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI.