Some players don’t like the map painting aspect of 4x grand strategy games. World conquering / map painting / one tag challenge gets boring after a while; they got a point! However, I truly enjoy map painting in grand strategy games. Especially in games created by Paradox! So, I figured maybe I should make a list of the best map painting games of all times. Got 11 unique titles for you.
Don’t know why but I always loved games played on real-life world map. Like Risk on board, Supreme Ruler and Crusader Kings 2 on PC, etc. Those games weren’t the best but love them, nonetheless. But now, there are lots of great strategy games played on a map. We should thank the Paradox Studio.
Let me warn you about 4x grand strategy games quickly, they’re addictive and will drain hundreds if not thousands of hours from your life. Speaking from experience…
11 map painting games:
1. Plague Inc: Evolved
2. Europa Universalis IV
3. Hearts of Iron IV
4. Imperator Rome
5. Crusader Kings 3
CK3 is one of the least map painting games of Paradox Interactive. However, no matter how (tall) I play it, I end up conquering everywhere in Crusader Kings 3. Then the game becomes a map painting chore!
6. Victoria 3
7. Age of History 2
8. Total War
9. SuperPower 2
10. Stellaris
Oh boy, this one is very special. You don’t paint the world map in Stellaris. Instead, you paint the entire galaxy! Which is super entertaining if you’re into sci-fi.
11. Knights of Honor II: Sovereign
