Grand Strategy
Ongoing coverage on Grand Strategy.
Latest coverage
Crusader Kings 3's next major expansions will bring playable Popes and merchant republics
Paradox Interactive has announced two major paid DLC expansions for Crusader Kings 3, focusing on religion and merchant republics. The first, 'By God Alone,' arriving in Q3 2026, overhauls the game's religion systems, allowing players to become playable Popes and introducing new mechanics for faith divergence. The second, 'Silk & Silver,' launching in Q4 2026, introduces a merchant playstyle with trade routes, monopolies, and a new Republic government type. A free update also adds a modular Stories system and age-related ailments.
Paradox Launches New Expansion Pass for Crusader Kings III
Paradox Interactive has announced Chapter V for Crusader Kings III, introducing two major expansions: 'By God Alone,' focusing on religious themes and Christian evolution, and 'Silk & Silver,' which adds merchant republics and trade gameplay. The announcement coincides with a free game update that enhances ledgers, interface, and sound cues. Chapter V also includes cosmetic and music packs available immediately.
Hearts of Iron Fans Can Score Free Plushie in Paradox Giveaway
Paradox Interactive is hosting a giveaway for fans of their grand strategy game Hearts of Iron, offering free merchandise including a "Snuggato Jumbo Plushie" and "Feet Admirals Socks." The promotion, a collaboration with Makeship, highlights the evolving community culture around Paradox's historically focused games and the increasing mainstream appeal of the strategy genre.
Hearts of Iron IV Beta Continues Past DLC Launch as Paradox Shifts Strategy
Paradox Interactive is extending the open beta for Hearts of Iron IV beyond the upcoming 'Peace for our Time' DLC release, shifting its development strategy. Game Designer Zwirbaum announced the possibility of updating the beta branch to include the new DLC and version 1.18, prioritizing sustainable development and quality iteration over strict deadlines. This move acknowledges the challenges of the current update schedule and aims to better serve the grand strategy game's long-term evolution.
LEAD WWII MILITARY POWERS IN TURN-BASED GRAND STRATEGY ‘TOTAL VICTORY: WORLD CONFLICT 1939-1945’ DEMO NOW AVAILABLE ON STEAM!
Kraken Studios has released a preview demo for their upcoming grand strategy game, Total Victory: World Conflict 1939-1945, on Steam. The demo allows players to control Germany in the Blitzkrieg East Scenario, simulating the initial stages of the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. The game aims to provide a historically inspired World War II experience with moderate complexity and divisional-level strategy.
Age of History 2: Definitive Edition Shows How to Revive a Strategy Classic
Age of History 2: Definitive Edition is presented as a substantial reimagining rather than a simple remaster, featuring a significantly expanded map, updated engine, and enhanced diplomacy systems. The developer, Łukasz Jakowski Games, is commended for its approach to pricing, offering a generous discount to existing owners and demonstrating a thoughtful iteration on the original grand strategy title. This release is highlighted as a potential model for how other studios should handle legacy projects, prioritizing core system improvements and community engagement.
Hearts of Iron IV DLC Lets You Rewrite Czechoslovakia’s Last Stand
Paradox Interactive announced the upcoming Hearts of Iron IV DLC, Peace for Our Time Focus Pack, releasing April 22. This downloadable content allows players to command Czechoslovakia and rewrite its historical fate during the Munich Agreement crisis. The DLC, priced at $5.99, is a collaboration with community modders and offers multiple paths for players to explore, potentially altering the course of World War II within the game.
All Eyes on Prague in new Focus Pack for Hearts of Iron IV
Paradox Interactive is releasing a new DLC pack for Hearts of Iron IV titled 'Peace for Our Time', focusing on Czechoslovakia. This DLC introduces new National Focus Trees and unique mechanics for Democratic, Communist, Monarchist, and Fascist paths. It also includes new art, music, and castle depictions, launching on April 22, 2026, for PC.
All Eyes on Prague in new Focus Pack for Hearts of Iron
Paradox Interactive announced the upcoming release of the 'Peace for Our Time' Focus Pack for their grand strategy game Hearts of Iron IV. Developed in collaboration with modders, this pack introduces new National Focus Trees and mechanics for Czechoslovakia, allowing players to guide the nation through democratic, communist, monarchist, or fascist paths. The pack will be available on April 22, 2026, for PC.
As the new Galactic Civilization 4 DLC rolls out, you can the game at under $3 in the latest Humble Bundle
A new Humble Bundle offers Galactic Civilizations 4 at a significantly reduced price, coinciding with the release of new DLC. The bundle includes the base game and several other strategy titles. Galactic Civilizations 4 is a 4X grand strategy game that has been continuously expanded with DLC since its launch, with further content planned through 2027.
My first campaign in Europa Universalis 5 may have ruined the entire series for me
Despite its potential for deep historical simulation, Europa Universalis 5 suffers from a lack of faction differentiation and numerous bugs, making it feel repetitive compared to its predecessor, Europa Universalis 4. The author found their first 93-hour campaign as Castile engaging but ultimately unsatisfying, leading to a decision not to play again due to the absence of unique national ideas and mission trees.
Total Victory: World Conflict 1939-1945 Announced
Kraken Studios has announced Total Victory: World Conflict 1939-1945, a World War II grand strategy game. The studio claims it is the game wargamers have desired for decades, and a Steam listing is now available.
GAME ANNOUNCEMENT: TURN-BASED GRAND STRATEGY ‘TOTAL VICTORY: WORLD CONFLICT 1939-1945’ COMING SOON TO STEAM WITH A DEMO AVAILABLE APRIL 16TH
Kraken Studios announced that their turn-based grand strategy game, Total Victory: World Conflict 1939-1945, will be released on Steam. A demo featuring land and air mechanics, playable as Germany in a specific scenario, will be available on April 16th. The game focuses on World War II with historical units and commanders, offering multiple play modes.
"It is meant to be lived in" - grand strategy game Riftborne offers "months" of galactic scheming and no actual graphics
The sci-fi grand strategy game Riftborne, developed by Pitio Productions, has launched in early access on PC. The game features a terminal-style interface, AI-generated capsule art, and is designed for long-term strategic play spanning months. It includes procedural galaxies, resource trading, fleet combat with over 200 ship types, and six factions, with plans for multiplayer integration in the future.
Hearts of Iron IV Beta Tackles Broken Submarine Combat
Paradox Interactive has released an open beta for Hearts of Iron IV to address issues with submarine detection that were introduced in the Warships of the Pacific update. Game Designer Zwirbaum is leading the effort, incorporating community feedback from various platforms to rework the submarine detection formula and improve overall naval gameplay balance. This beta aims to restore the strategic importance of submarines and will be followed by further updates to other naval mechanics.
Soren Johnson on keeping his game studio small: 'You get better games if you take longer to make games'
Soren Johnson, co-founder of Mohawk Games, discusses the studio's strategy of remaining small to produce higher quality games over longer development cycles. Mohawk Games, known for 'Old World' and 'Offworld Trading Company,' is releasing new DLC for 'Old World' and plans to continue focusing on niche titles.
Crusader Kings 3 update 1.19, out now in beta, delivers the ledger and an accolade rework - it also stops dead people wearing straw cloaks
Paradox Interactive has released the 'Realm Maintenance' update 1.19 for Crusader Kings 3 in beta form. This update introduces a comprehensive ledger for tracking in-game information, overhauls the accolades system, and adds new age-related ailments for elderly rulers. The patch also includes various bug fixes and humorous corrections, such as preventing dead characters from wearing straw cloaks.
Hearts of Iron Gets Major UI Overhaul to Solve DLC Space Crunch
Paradox Interactive is implementing a significant user interface overhaul for Hearts of Iron to address a "DLC space crunch" on the country selection screen. The update will introduce a new filter system allowing players to sort countries by region, playstyle, or alliance, and will also highlight countries with updated content. This change aims to improve usability and support future DLC additions without UI limitations, with potential benefits for the modding community as well.
Your citizens don't stay put in Stellaris-style 4X strategy game Final Vanguard - start a war and "entire waves of refugees can emerge"
The upcoming sci-fi 4X grand strategy game Final Vanguard by Heavy Pepper Inc will feature a central migration mechanic where citizens are not tied to planets and react to infrastructure, policies, and stability. Population movement will be a key system influencing the empire's internal structure, with citizens migrating towards opportunities or fleeing instability, creating a dynamic demographic landscape. The game also includes expected 4X features like ship customization and research.
Realpolitiks II Challenges Xbox Players To Shape The Modern World
Realpolitiks II, a modern-day grand strategy game, is now available on Xbox Series X|S. Developed by Jujubee and published by Ultimate Games, the title allows players to lead any of the 208 nations on Earth, focusing on politics, economics, and conflict. The game features over 700 projects and technologies, dynamic diplomacy, and a revamped combat system.
