1
Squirrel's Pick Squirrel's PickThe best game on this page. If you only try one, try this.
IdlerLevel EditorGod Game
$6.99 ~55.8 hr median no co-op 96.3% of 8k
The Squirrel's verdictAges of Conflict leans toward sandbox simulation over direct command: reviewers describe setting up nations and watching centuries of AI-driven wars unfold rather than steering one country's military and diplomacy. Custom scenario building is central, attacks are limited to neighboring nations, and no co-op is available. Released 2023, Overwhelmingly Positive at 96.3%, median playtime 55.8 hours.
Not for you if you want to personally direct one nation's army and diplomacy rather than configure and observe AI-run conflicts.
2
Hidden Gem Hidden GemLoved by the players who found it, but still under the radar.
Countryball: Europe 1890
PC
WarCuteTurn-Based Tactics
$3.99 ~21.6 hr median no co-op 96.8% of 742
The Squirrel's verdictCountryball: Europe 1890 suits players who want a contained, affordable nation-running game with a distinct countryball art style and historical European campaigns. The format is narrower — one region, fixed campaigns, no world map or custom editor — but reviewers rate it Overwhelmingly Positive and median playtime reaches 21.6 hours across its conquest and scenario modes.
Not for you if you want a full world map, a custom map editor, or the freedom to play as any nation across multiple eras.
3
Closest Match Closest MatchThe most similar game to the anchor, by what players say.
Grand StrategyMilitaryEconomy
$11.99 ~31.9 hr median co-op complexity: light 88% of 3k
The Squirrel's verdictDummynation's defining draw is co-op multiplayer on a world-conquest map where any nation can expand through diplomacy or war. Reviews describe it as a casual, lightweight experience — fun in short bursts but repetitive after a few sessions, with AI that repeats the same behavior and alliance blocs like NATO that can block large regions from attack entirely. Median playtime sits at 31.9 hours.
Not for you if you want mechanically deep single-player campaigns rather than a lighter, co-op-oriented game with predictable AI patterns.
4
Budget Pick Budget PickThe best game here for the least money.
Demise of Nations
PCMacLinux
4XTurn-Based StrategyGrand Strategy
Monetized MonetizedHeads up: leans on microtransactions or free-to-play hooks.
Free ~9.7 hr median co-op 81.5% of 552
The Squirrel's verdictHex-based and co-op-capable, Demise of Nations offers resource management, unit upgrades, terrain interaction, and a happiness-and-economy system with more mechanical layers than Age of History II's simpler loop. Only two maps download free; everything else requires additional payment, and multiplayer requires owning the relevant map. Suits players who want Civ-style hex tactics and co-op over a single sprawling world canvas.
Not for you if you expect the full map roster to be free, or want a solo world-conquest sandbox without per-map purchases.
5
Making History II: The War of the World
PCMacLinux
Grand StrategyWorld War IIHistorical
$14.99 ~102.3 hr median no co-op 79.7% of 399
The Squirrel's verdictSame core loop as Age of History II: pick any nation, manage military, economy, and political stability, and rewrite history through conquest or diplomacy. Making History II narrows the scope to WW2 only, trading the full-timeline map editor for a tighter, more mechanically involved economy and morale system. Suits players who want depth over historical breadth.
Not for you if you want the full ancient-to-modern timeline and custom map editor rather than a WW2-only scenario.
6
Making History: The Second World War
PCMacLinux
World War IIWarHistorical
Strong Mods Strong ModsA deep, active modding scene extends it past its base content.
$29.99 ~121.1 hr median no co-op complexity: moderate 77.9% of 289
The Squirrel's verdictSame play-any-nation world-conquest structure, with production and war-economy management layered on top of Age of History II's simpler diplomacy-and-conquest loop. Reviewers cite deeper mechanics around resources, culture, and unit logistics, but the tutorial is thin and end-turn processing slows as games progress. Suits players who want more managerial depth than Age of History II offers.
Not for you if you want the tutorial to actually teach you the systems, or you dislike waiting through slower end-turn processing as the game goes on.