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Tall Strategy Game Recommendations?
Posted on 9/28/25 at 7:00 pm
Posted on 9/28/25 at 7:00 pm
Feel free to ask for clarification, as I’m not sure exactly how to frame this, but I’m looking for recommendations for strategy games that have a good amount of depth, but don’t focus on outward expansion, at least not expansion that you then have to directly control. As a bit of explanation, I’ve been enjoying Civ V and Civ VI, but I’m intentionally playing single city challenges, not necessarily for the extra difficulty (though that’s a bonus), but because I don’t enjoy the tedium of doing the exact same thing ten times as I build up new cities. I want to build up one or two things and build them up big and sexy. Themed, generic. RTS or turn based. Doesn’t really matter to me.
I’ve got my eye on Old World, waiting for a sale. I would take a crack at CKIII, but I’m waiting for the DLC train to get a little further along. But any/all recs would be appreciated.
I’ve got my eye on Old World, waiting for a sale. I would take a crack at CKIII, but I’m waiting for the DLC train to get a little further along. But any/all recs would be appreciated.
7
Posted on 9/28/25 at 7:36 pm to Joshjrn
Frostpunk maybe ?
Posted on 9/28/25 at 8:49 pm to jefforize
Does Frostpunk have any outside contact/diplomacy or is it purely you against the elements?
Posted on 9/28/25 at 8:53 pm to Joshjrn
You vs elements from what I remember.
Just build and survive.
Just build and survive.
Posted on 9/28/25 at 8:59 pm to jefforize
I enjoy the genre, but that’s not the particular itch I’m looking to scratch. I want to compete with the AI, but I don’t want the optimal way to do so to be to spread like a virus to build little backwaters instead of investing into larger “capitals”.
Posted on 9/28/25 at 11:54 pm to Joshjrn
Stellaris if you’re into sci-fi. You can play tall or wide. It takes a little bit to learn the strategies and games start slow, but once it picks up it get interesting. There’s also the ability to either manually maintain, auto-manage or vassalize sections of your empire if you end up wide
Posted on 9/29/25 at 7:08 am to Joshjrn
If you want something with insane depth that is Civ-like and you don't mind sci-fi, check out Shadow Empires.
Posted on 9/29/25 at 9:50 am to bignuss18
quote:
Stellaris if you’re into sci-fi. You can play tall or wide. It takes a little bit to learn the strategies and games start slow, but once it picks up it get interesting. There’s also the ability to either manually maintain, auto-manage or vassalize sections of your empire if you end up wide
According to Steam, it's been intimidating me with its complexity for quite some time now
Sep 21, 2022
Stellaris
Stellaris: Utopia
Stellaris: Apocalypse
Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
Stellaris: Synthetic Dawn Story Pack
Definitely an option, though. Any other games you would compare the initial learning curve to?
Posted on 9/29/25 at 9:52 am to DesertFox
quote:
If you want something with insane depth that is Civ-like and you don't mind sci-fi, check out Shadow Empires.
The (very) dated UI gives me a bit of pause, but that's certainly not a deal breaker. What do you think is special about it?
Posted on 9/29/25 at 10:52 am to Joshjrn
quote:
The (very) dated UI gives me a bit of pause, but that's certainly not a deal breaker. What do you think is special about it?
The biggest thing I like is that it is a 4x game but the emphasis is on war. You actually have to create military formations, keep them supplied and supporting each other, etc... I am more of a "hardcore" wargamer so games like this that are dripping with detail are right up my alley.
The downside of course (like most wargames) is that the UI is relatively archaic and takes some time to learn. Every system is modelled in detail and there's an RPG-like aspect to your leaders like in Crusader Kings so finding where to access all that information is the challenge.
I won't lie - the learning curve winds up turning off a decent chunk of players but if you commit to learning it, there aren't many games more rewarding IMO.
Posted on 9/29/25 at 10:53 am to Joshjrn
Also Josh, I second the recommendation for Stellaris. That is another fantastic game with a slightly easier learning curve (IMO) than a lot of the Paradox grand strategy games.
Posted on 9/29/25 at 1:37 pm to Joshjrn
Yeah it can be a beast haha. I just got CK3 and I find CK3 a little more complex.
I’d say it’s more complicated than Total War, cuz TW is out of the box automated management of cities and stuff. Probably on par with the Anno or Port Royale series if you’ve played them.
I honestly watch Stellaris strategy vids on YouTube before bed (they put me to sleep) but they’re really informative cuz there’s so many different ways to play. If you buy it, definitely don’t get the DLCs until you know you’ll like the game
I’d say it’s more complicated than Total War, cuz TW is out of the box automated management of cities and stuff. Probably on par with the Anno or Port Royale series if you’ve played them.
I honestly watch Stellaris strategy vids on YouTube before bed (they put me to sleep) but they’re really informative cuz there’s so many different ways to play. If you buy it, definitely don’t get the DLCs until you know you’ll like the game
Posted on 9/29/25 at 1:54 pm to bignuss18
Stellaris is pretty hard. Fun for sure though if you figure out all the ship types and their strengths.
I think I got one of ten games I played up to the point where “ancient beings” awaken or something. Didn’t have it in my to figure out how to beat them .
I think I got one of ten games I played up to the point where “ancient beings” awaken or something. Didn’t have it in my to figure out how to beat them .
Posted on 9/29/25 at 5:17 pm to jefforize
The key is to build like 800k fleet strength and preemptively strike before they awaken. They don’t rebuild their fleets before awakening but once they do…it’s a bad day.
Only downside is if you win your preemptive war, the other fallen empires take notice and it accelerates their awakening
Yea…I play this game way too much lol
Only downside is if you win your preemptive war, the other fallen empires take notice and it accelerates their awakening
Yea…I play this game way too much lol
Posted on 9/29/25 at 5:36 pm to bignuss18
quote:
If you buy it, definitely don’t get the DLCs until you know you’ll like the game
What I posted above is what I already own, I assume either out of some Steam starter pack or a suggested reddit list:
Sep 21, 2022
Stellaris
Stellaris: Utopia
Stellaris: Apocalypse
Stellaris: Leviathans Story Pack
Stellaris: Synthetic Dawn Story Pack
Posted on 9/29/25 at 5:38 pm to Joshjrn
With the delightfully convenient Steam Autumn sale starting, I picked up Anno 1800, EUIV (with some DLC), and Old World, just as an impulse buy, being all three were deeply discounted. Still potentially looking for recs, if anyone has more thoughts. Though I genuinely appreciate everyone's input so far 
This post was edited on 9/29/25 at 5:39 pm
Posted on 9/29/25 at 5:52 pm to Joshjrn
Ah yeah there’s like 20 more now lol. Machine age is almost a must, robotic empires are the easiest to play with and this DLC expands their capabilities even farther
Posted on 9/29/25 at 9:45 pm to Joshjrn
EU4 as Riga, Venice, Florence, etc can be some very fun tall games without expanding your borders much at all.
Posted on 9/29/25 at 10:49 pm to saintsfan92612
quote:
EU4 as Riga, Venice, Florence, etc can be some very fun tall games without expanding your borders much at all.
Ahh, I totally forgot EU4 - great recommendation! It was the easiest out of all the Paradox games for me to learn too!
Posted on 9/29/25 at 10:58 pm to bignuss18
quote:I've only got the base Stellaris game. I tried to play this a long time ago, but couldn't get into it. I'm going to try again. How "almost a must" is this expansion? It's on sale.
Machine age is almost a must
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