1
Squirrel's Pick Squirrel's PickThe best game on this page. If you only try one, try this.
World War IIGrand StrategyWar
$49.99 ~110.7 hr median co-op complexity: heavy 90.1% of 372k
The Squirrel's verdictHearts of Iron IV centers on WWII-era historical scenarios with detailed production chains, research trees, and diplomacy systems tied to specific nations and starting conditions. The depth is substantial — median playtime is over 110 hours — but the tutorial consistently draws criticism, and most players report needing outside guides or video walkthroughs to understand the systems. Co-op is supported across PC, Mac, and Linux at $49.99.
Not for you if the tutorial failing to explain core systems would push you away, or 110-hour complexity is unwelcome.
2
Closest Match Closest MatchThe most similar game to the anchor, by what players say.
HistoricalWarGrand Strategy
$5.99 ~69.2 hr median no co-op 89.8% of 50k
The Squirrel's verdictSame core loop as Dummynation: pick a country, conquer or negotiate your way across a world map, no story missions. Age of History II expands scope to any era from ancient to modern and adds a map editor, at $5.99 versus a pricier anchor. Diplomacy and economy matter less than population size, and AI behavior can be exploited.
Not for you if you want economy and diplomacy to meaningfully affect outcomes rather than population size deciding most fights, or you're bothered by AI that behaves inconsistently.
3
IdlerLevel EditorGod Game
$6.99 ~55.8 hr median no co-op 96.3% of 8k
The Squirrel's verdictBoth simulate nations warring across a map with AI-driven expansion, but Ages of Conflict is built for observation, not direct control: you set up custom nations, adjust world-edit tools, and let AI fight it out over centuries. No multiplayer requirement, no forced starting alliances — just sandbox conflict for people who like watching AI form and break countries.
Not for you if you want to personally command a nation in combat rather than build scenarios and watch AI fight them out.
4
Hidden Gem Hidden GemLoved by the players who found it, but still under the radar. Budget Pick Budget PickThe best game here for the least money.
Countryball: Europe 1890
PC
WarCuteTurn-Based Tactics
$3.99 ~21.6 hr median no co-op 96.8% of 742
The Squirrel's verdictFixed historical scenarios set in 1890 Europe are the structure here: countryball characters unlock by completing campaigns at different difficulties or by finding them in specific territories. There is no open sandbox map and no multiplayer — single-player conquest only, at $3.99. Median playtime is 21.6 hours. The game was ported from mobile and some UI sensitivity issues carry over.
Not for you if you want an open sandbox map, multiplayer, or a game built natively for PC rather than ported from mobile.
5
Political SimPoliticsGrand Strategy
$9.99 ~58.4 hr median no co-op complexity: moderate 79.5% of 3k
The Squirrel's verdictAlliance freedom is the defining difference: SuperPower 2 lets you negotiate, buy land, or go to war with any nation individually rather than triggering bloc-wide responses. It adds granular economic levers — tax rates, trade, tech deals — on top of the nation-management-and-war structure. At $9.99 and a median 58 hours, it fits players who wanted more sandbox diplomacy and fewer scripted constraints.
Not for you if you need competent AI opposition — reviews describe the AI as exploitable and prone to ganging up on the player regardless of provocation.
6
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 verdictMorale, weather, and political stability systems define this WW2 grand strategy game. You build military, manage economy, form alliances, and maintain political order — all factors that affect your nation's performance. Reviews describe it as more accessible than Hearts of Iron but still carrying a real learning curve. Crashes with large nations are reported. Median playtime is around 102 hours.
Not for you if crashes and bugs are dealbreakers, or you want something faster and lighter than a 100-hour WW2 strategy game.
7
Supreme Ruler 2020 Gold
PC
ModernTacticalWargame
Strong Mods Strong ModsA deep, active modding scene extends it past its base content.
$9.99 ~111.1 hr median no co-op complexity: heavy 77.7% of 251
The Squirrel's verdictSame nation-management core: pick a country, manage economy and military, fight AI or scripted wars. Supreme Ruler goes deeper, with campaign/sandbox/scenario modes, granular unit micromanagement, and a political-economic layer, at the cost of speed. Median playtime tops 111 hours, for players who want a slower, denser simulation over Dummynation's quick matches.
Not for you if you want fast, simple matches rather than deep micromanagement and long campaigns that can run 100+ hours.
8
Making History: The Great War
PCMacLinux
World War IGrand StrategyHistorical
Strong Mods Strong ModsA deep, active modding scene extends it past its base content.
$29.99 ~79.1 hr median no co-op complexity: heavy 75.6% of 454
The Squirrel's verdictMaking History: The Great War sets all play in WWI, with two starting scenarios (1912 and 1914) and a map editor that lets you reshape starting conditions, alliances, and borders before play begins. Economic and production management runs deep, and the editor is a frequently praised feature. The UI is dated and the systems take time to learn. Median playtime is 79 hours at $29.99.
Not for you if the dated UI and steep time investment are obstacles, or you want modern-era settings or open-ended sandbox maps.