Every empire-building game is different. Those strategy games have proven to create a completely new and wonderful thing out of a concept that we already know a lot about, whether you prefer peaceful interactions with other players or enjoy a bit of struggle.

So, if you played strategies in the past, you will probably be familiar with some of our picks, or it may be something totally surprising to you. Whatever it is, it feels like those are exactly the titles that everyone who loves strategies would talk about. So, if you want to build your very own empire, those are some of the greatest games you can choose. And – for a good price as well! Let’s dive in!

• Release Date: May 2016

• Developer: Paradox Interactive

• Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One

• Meta Score: 88

Starting with – Stellaris. That’s right, we are starting with conquering the vast space! So, what is this one all about? Well, have you ever heard about the cosmos? Then, in this game, you are able to conquer it and rule it with your iron fist. Or laser fist, to be exact.

You have your science ships that are roaming the world, searching for some new and advanced technology. There are plenty of quests you can try to get the best resources and money. The universe is brimming with beautiful planets and stars that you are able to see every second of gameplay in, as the creators tell us, a highly detailed universe.

Additionally, you will encounter plenty of different races, ideologies, evolutions – whatever you can think of – it is in this game. You can choose between positive and negative traits and utilize the advanced diplomacy that the game offers to get the best deals in the universe. Literally!

Additionally, Stellaris has plenty of warfare technologies for you to explore, from something as basic as ship modifications to advanced war fleet customization. There is a plenitude of complex technologies to choose from, so choose your weapon of choice wisely. Stellaris is a great and wonderful world, full of space fights, diplomacy, and economic decisions to make. So, if you’re a fan of space exploration games – this one is definitely for you.

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• Release Date: October 2016

• Developer: Firaxis Games

• Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, Android, iOS

• Meta Score: 88

Next on our list is the OG empire-building game itself – Civilization 6! It may seem like your everyday strategy, but it could not be further from the truth. It turns out that this is one of the greatest games in the history of the genre. With a metascore of 88, you just can’t think of it any other way. So, what’s it all about? Well, creating a giant empire that will rule the world!

Here, you have to start from a small village to get to the highest points in society. This is the world of your creation, so make the best out of it and, well, create the Civilization that you would like to rule them all and see the fall of all the others!

Civilization VI is a turn-based game, like its predecessors, and gameplay is based on the competition between different cultures that are coming up right alongside each other. Your goal is to dominate them in one of the six categories – Science, Culture, Domination, Religion, Diplomacy, and Score. Each one of those has a different way of performing the 4x’s that govern this game: "eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate."

To develop your tribe, you must provide the best opportunities for your people, so make sure to make the best out of the resources you have at hand. You will have to lead your people from the very beginning of the civilization to the end of it in the near future.

To do so, you can choose from 19 leaders who will help you in your endeavors, such as:

• Cleopatra of Egypt,

• Gandhi of India,

• Peter of Russia,

• Philip II of Spain,

• Qin Shi Huang of China,

• Saladin of Arabia,

• Teddy Roosevelt of America,

Get Civilization VI CD Key on Royal CD Keys!

• Release Date: February 2012

• Developer: Paradox Development Studio

• Platforms: PC

• Meta Score: 82

Crusader Kings 2 is a game that came out in 2012, and let us tell you – people are still playing it. And that’s something to consider from the start! It seems that this is an evergreen that only keeps on giving, so let’s give a bit of recognition.

Let's dive into the fundamentals. Crusader Kings II is a history buff's paradise. You have the freedom to select any point in history between 1066 and 1337 and begin shaping the destiny of your chosen country. Starting as a Christian lord, your goal is to cultivate a dynasty that will carry on your legacy through the ages. As you progress, you'll expand your realm, conquer territories, and leave your mark on history. The game concludes in 1453, allowing you to claim all that you've amassed during your journey.

You will meet great historical figures from that period, alongside some rather unknown characters as well. This game really shows you how to expand your empire from the ground down in order to keep it from getting destroyed. As a Christian, you will not only get to create your very own feudal empire but also – fight against some heretics and the Mongol Horde, which is really into some murdering!

Additionally, you don’t have to do it alone, as there is a multiplayer mode that can host up to 32 other players. It’s really a create-your-own-adventure kind of game, and we are all up for it. The game is pretty complex, to be honest, so it’s not for the absolute beginners. Nevertheless, it’s a quality product that will surely make an impact on all of you while you play. The interpersonal elements, keeping the lineage clean, all the political and social intrigues – it’s all in this game and more! So, be sure to check it out!

• Release Date: August 2013

• Developer: Paradox Development Studio

• Platforms: PC

• Meta Score: 87

It’s 2013, and the new Europa Universalis 4 has just come out. It is considered one of the greatest and – most complicated games ever created. Not in the sense that it’s so hard, it’s unimaginable, but – there are so many elements to keep track of that you can actually feel as if you run an actual country.

In the fourth installment of the critically acclaimed title, we are back to one of the most accurate representations of how history turned out. You can choose the entire nation to run and make your very own country rule the world and become the empire it has always supposed to be. The scope of this title is just incredible. From the minor details, like who will create the road to the palace, to the massive diplomatic decisions that will shake the nation, everything is planned and developed just the right way.

You have the absolute freedom to do whatever you want in this game, but remember, all of your actions will have consequences that you may not even see when making them, like in real life. So, plan carefully, as you don’t want to see yourself dealing with a nation that will surely backstab you in the long run.

This grand strategy will make you actually enjoy the Middle Ages up to modern times’ history, so if you are looking for something that is educational and of high quality, check it out!

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• Release Date: October 2022

• Developer: TaleWorlds Entertainment

• Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S

• Meta Score: 77

Next, we have the Mount&Blade II: Bannerlord. It’s a little bit of a mixed bag, but you can actually start from the bottom and get here, so it’s pretty safe to assume that it’s a game that would be right up the empire-building alley.

So, what’s it all about? Well, it’s a medieval game, that’s for sure, that combines the strategy elements with a little bit of a role-play. In this title, you create a group of fighters or fighting dreamers, all eager for a battle. You go together on different quests scattered across the map, providing endless adventure and excitement.

Compared to the other games in the series, this one really upgraded the strategic element of gaming. In Warband, for example, you were limited in how you wanted to enjoy your siege. Here, you can plan everything ahead, put the strategic resources in proper places, and choose different tactics. There are a lot of improvements compared to the first title.

Of course, roaming cities and murdering the innocent is not the greatest thing to do in the world, but you can safely assume that you do much more than that. You can be a savior or a cruel attacker. It’s your choice!

Where this game excels as well, compared to the Total War games, for example, is the element of combat, which is on another level. You have three classes to play, infantry, ranged, and cavalry, each with advantages and disadvantages. You need to be sure to utilize all of them to the benefit of your campaign, as you will slowly take control of the castle you are trying to get to.

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• Release Date: May 2019

• Developers: Creative Assembly, Feral Interactive

• Platforms: PC

• Meta Score: 85

And here we have it – Total War: Three Kingdoms! A game that you can summarize in one phrase — Total War. There really isn’t one game on this list that would be as close to the title of this article as this one. Here, you are actually building an empire. Like – the exact empire that is actually existing to this day.

What’s it all about? Well, let us tell you – it’s about China! A real-time strategy in China, where you have to climb the ranks and take control of all the other nations to finally become the sole ruler of the one empire – China.

The setting is absolutely stunning, as it portrays the Three Kingdoms period between 220 and 280. Twelve factions are fighting each other to eliminate all the enemies and unify China. Will they succeed? Well, yes, yes, they will. But it will depend on your actions alone, so make the best out of it!

As usual, in the world of Total War games, this title combines the turn-based system with real-time fighting. It’s especially satisfying in this installment, as you get to experience some real combat, not the modern warfare chaos. Here, you have your cavalry and infantry to choose from. And it shows! The fighting is exquisite, feels really immersive, and has some dignity and class to it.

Even more, we get to experience some of the most advanced warriors ever to step on the Chinese grounds, like Liu Bei or Cao Cao. If you like this time period or are a Total War series enthusiast, this is right up your alley. It has everything you could dream of – fantastic visuals, incredible fighting, some of the most fun-to-play characters ever to appear in the series – it has everything. And that is how you make a good empire-building game!

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And there you have it – the best empire-building games to ever roam the face of the Earth. We can vouch that every single game on this list is a masterclass when it comes to empire-building games, and we would recommend each one of those many times again.

That’s it for today. Thanks for stopping by. If you liked this article, check out other ones on our site. We have a couple of good ones out there, so feel free to browse through them. We’ll see you in the next one!