Feel / Pacing
Best Methodical Games
Deliberate, planning-focused, strategic
48 games ranked by methodical intensity
Europa Universalis IV
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleSandboxSpreadsheet territoryMethodicalMulti-hour deep dives
Hearts of Iron IV
WindowsmacOSLinux
DiplomacyMap scaleSandboxOpen worldMethodical
Hearts of Iron III
WindowsmacOS
Map scaleSandboxSpreadsheet territoryMethodicalMulti-hour deep dives
Total War: WARHAMMER
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleOpen worldMethodicalFantasy mythologyReal-time combat
Total War: WARHAMMER II
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleMethodicalFantasy mythologyTurn-based combatTerritory control
Total War: WARHAMMER III
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleMethodicalTurn-based combatTerritory controlSpreadsheet territory
Total War: THREE KINGDOMS
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleSandboxMethodicalTurn-based combatTerritory control
Total War: SHOGUN 2
WindowsmacOSLinux
DiplomacyMap scaleMethodicalTurn-based combatTerritory control
Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition
WindowsmacOS
Map scaleMethodicalTurn-based combatTerritory controlSpreadsheet territory
Total War: ATTILA
WindowsLinux
Map scaleOpen worldMethodicalResource managementTurn-based combat
Total War: PHARAOH
WindowsmacOS
Map scaleMethodicalResource managementTech/research treesReal-time combat
Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleSandboxMethodicalResource managementTech/research trees
A Total War Saga: TROY
WindowsmacOS
Fantasy mythologyMap scaleSandboxMMO socialMethodical
A Total War Saga: THRONES OF BRITANNIA
WindowsmacOSLinux
SandboxCity/empire buildingMethodicalResource managementReal-time combat
Total War: ROME REMASTERED
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleTurn-based combatMethodicalResource managementTech/research trees
Total War: EMPIRE – Definitive Edition
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleMethodicalSpreadsheet territoryMulti-hour deep divesDiplomacy
Total War: NAPOLEON – Definitive Edition
WindowsmacOS
Map scaleMethodicalSpreadsheet territoryMulti-hour deep divesDiplomacy
NOBUNAGA'S AMBITION: Awakening
Windows
Map scaleWarfare emphasisMethodicalTerritory controlSpreadsheet territory
Shadow Empire
Windows
Map scaleAsync communityMethodicalResource managementTech/research trees
Dominions 5 - Warriors of the Faith
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleAsync communityMethodicalTech/research treesTurn-based combat
Dominions 6 - Rise of the Pantokrator
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleTurn-based combatAsync communityMethodicalTech/research trees
Field of Glory: Empires
Windows
Map scaleTurn-based combatMethodicalResource managementTech/research trees
Terra Invicta
Windows
Map scaleSandboxMethodicalResource managementTech/research trees
ROMANCE OF THE THREE KINGDOMS XIV
Windows
Warfare emphasisDiplomacyMap scaleTurn-based combatMethodical
Sins of a Solar Empire II
Windows
Dialogue choicesBase managementSci-fi technologyMethodicalResource management
Sins of a Solar Empire®: Rebellion
Windows
Map scaleSandboxExplorationBase managementResource management
Wargame: Red Dragon
WindowsmacOSLinux
Warfare emphasisMethodicalResource managementTerritory controlPhotorealistic
Steel Division 2
Windows
Map scaleSandboxMethodicalReal-time combatTerritory control
Gary Grigsby's War in the East 2
Windows
Warfare emphasisMap scaleMethodicalTerritory controlTurn-based combat
Strategic Mind: The Pacific
Windows
Warfare emphasisSolo contemplativeMethodicalTurn-based combatTerritory control
Rule the Waves 3
Windows
Warfare emphasisDialogue choicesMethodicalTerritory controlSolo contemplative
Imperiums: Greek Wars
Windows
Map scaleExplorationSpreadsheet territoryResource managementTech/research trees
Sid Meier's Civilization® IV
WindowsmacOS
Map scaleLocal multiplayerMethodicalResource managementTech/research trees
Sid Meier's Civilization® V
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleTurn-based combatResource managementMethodicalTerritory control
Sword of the Stars: Complete Collection
Windows
MethodicalTech/research treesSpreadsheet territoryTerritory controlCity/empire building
Sid Meier's Civilization VII
WindowsmacOSLinux
City/empire buildingSpreadsheet territoryMethodicalMulti-hour deep divesDiplomacy
Sid Meier's Civilization®: Beyond Earth™
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleExplorationMethodicalTech/research treesTurn-based combat
Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri™ Planetary Pack
Windows
MethodicalTech/research treesSpreadsheet territoryTerritory controlCity/empire building
HUMANKIND™
WindowsmacOS
City/empire buildingOpen worldMethodicalResource managementTech/research trees
Old World
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleSandboxMethodicalResource managementTech/research trees
Age of Wonders 4
Windows
Map scaleDialogue choicesExplorationMethodicalTech/research trees
Age of Wonders III
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleMethodicalTech/research treesTurn-based combatTerritory control
Galactic Civilizations IV
Windows
Map scaleExplorationSandboxSci-fi technologySpreadsheet territory
Galactic Civilizations III
Windows
Map scaleSandboxSci-fi technologySpreadsheet territoryTech/research trees
Galactic Civilizations® II: Ultimate Edition
Windows
Map scaleSandboxSpreadsheet territoryResource managementTech/research trees
ENDLESS™ Space 2
WindowsmacOS
Map scaleOpen worldSandboxMethodicalResource management
ENDLESS™ Space - Definitive Edition
WindowsmacOS
Map scaleExplorationSandboxMethodicalResource management
ENDLESS™ Legend
WindowsmacOS
Map scaleExplorationOpen worldSandboxMethodical