Best Strategy Games To Try If You Like Games Of Thrones

Alongside its dragons, cutthroat politics, and questionable sibling relationships, Game of Thrones’ epic battles and grand conquests form a key cornerstone of its identity, both in the books and on the screen.

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The Game of Thrones franchise spawned several video games that fans should check out if they haven’t already.

While the intricacies of the franchise’s narrative and its complex characters are what ultimately keep people coming back to it, some fans still can’t help but lose themselves in the sheer brutal chaos of its numerous wars. The strategy games below offer gamers the opportunity to step into the shoes of war-faring generals and monarchs, who are akin to the many iconic rulers of Game of Thrones.

8

A Game Of Thrones: The Board Game

4X Game Of Thrones

There’s no better place to start this list than the franchise’s foray into video games with A Game of Thrones: The Board Game. A digital adaptation of the board game of the same name, A Game of Thrones allows players to assume control of one of the franchise’s iconic houses as they employ a combination of diplomacy and warfare to claim the throne following King Robert Baratheon’s death.

With the quality of Game of Thrones’ attempts to expand into the video game medium being a mixed bag, this digital board game stands out as one of the few titles under the IP’s umbrella that is worth players’ time.

7

Root

Faction Warfare

Upon first glance, the inclusion of Root may seem like a strange decision. Its cartoonish art style and cute animal characters seem entirely at odds with the identity of Game of Thrones, but it’s the game’s faction mechanics that will likely appeal to fans of the series.

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Another title based on a board game of the same name, Root allows players to take control of one of four factions as they seek to control the woodlands. The squabbling faction set up of Root creates a lighthearted reflection of Game of Thrones‘ warring houses that will likely scratch the strategy itch for fans of the latter.

6

Manor Lords

Becoming A Lord

Slavic Magic’s Manor Lords provides players with a mechanically deep sandbox within which they can construct and manage their own medieval towns. While the game still includes the ability for players to wage war and control troops, its emphasis on actually managing towns and cities allows players to explore other aspects of the medieval ruler fantasy.

Another key drawing point for Manor Lords is its impressive historical accuracy, with its visuals and gameplay mechanics being directly informed by 14th-century Franconia, which may act as a point of excitement or disappointment depending on a player’s need for dragons and ice zombies in their Middle Ages gameplay experience.

5

Age Of Empires 2: Definitive Edition

Ruling Through History

Any title from the Age of Empires franchise is capable of giving players that empire-ruling fantasy, but it’s Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition that stands out as one of, if not the best. Combining RTS and town management mechanics, players advance their kingdoms and empires through the various stages of their chosen civilization, building themselves up from a few humble buildings to establishing full-blown cities.

Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition updates the original classic with all the bells and whistles expected of a remaster: QOL improvements, updated visuals, and a bundle of all the game’s DLC.

4

Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord

Blending Strategy And RPG

TaleWorlds’ Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord offers up a unique blend of RPG and strategy mechanics. In the game, players can create their character, customizing not only their visuals but also their history, and take command of hundreds of troops.

Unlike other entries on this list, during battle the player is in the thick of it, manually participating in the fight while also barking orders to regiments of soldiers. It’s a fun and chaotic combination of traditional ARPG gameplay and some genuine strategic thinking, allowing gamers to step into the shoes of battlefield generals like Jon Snow.

3

Total War: Three Kingdoms

Diplomatic Strategy

The Total War franchise as a whole is a great recommendation for fans of Game of Thrones, as the series’s empire-building and grand battles deliver equal parts meticulous management and epic spectacle. Total War: Three Kingdoms stands out among the rest, however, for its fleshed-out diplomacy system.

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Each entry in the franchise allows players to interact with different factions through diplomacy, allowing them to establish trade deals or alliances. Three Kingdoms beefed up this mechanic by granting players more options when it comes to these interactions, as well as its inclusion of a family tree feature that allows players to manage the familial relations of their chosen general.

2

Total War: Medieval 2

Modders Doing The Franchise Justice

Though clunky to play now, nineteen years after its initial release, Total War: Medieval 2 is another game from the titular series that Game of Thrones fans should check out. The game’s vanilla experience is enough to satisfy fans, what with its medieval setting being reminiscent of Game of Thrones’ own, but it’s the modding community around the game that makes it especially noteworthy.

Mods like Westeros: Total War transform Medieval 2 into the “Total War: A Game of Thrones” that never was by implementing units and factions ripped straight from the fantasy series.

1

Crusader Kings 3

Dynastic Sandbox

Despite all this talk of battles, it is, at the end of the day, the political game at the heart of George R. R. Martin’s series that makes it unique. The schemes and relationships between characters have always been just as entertaining to watch as the franchise’s duels and battles. Which is why Paradox’s Crusader Kings 3 sits as the best recommendation for Game of Thrones fans.

Though following a similar medieval sandbox setup as other entries on this list, Crusader Kings 3 sets itself apart by allowing the player to enact various political plots. Not only that, players take control of a whole bloodline, seeing their lineage through centuries, all the while continuing to expand their empire.

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