Most Played Grand Strategy Games on Steam
Take a look at the top grand strategy games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of July 15th 2025. Want to explore even more grand strategy titles available on Steam? Explore the complete list of the best grand strategy games.
Lists & Categories
1. Hearts of Iron IV
Victory is at your fingertips! Your ability to lead your nation is your supreme weapon, the strategy game Hearts of Iron IV lets you take command of any nation in World War II; the most engaging conflict in world history. Hearts of Iron IV is a game developed and published by . Released on June 06th 2016 has received 342,150 reviews of which 305,168 were positive and 36,982 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played grand strategy game, thanks to its 28,181 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.8
305,168
36,982
28,181
players
2. Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI
Expand your empire, advance your culture and go head-to-head against history’s greatest leaders. Will your civilization stand the test of time? Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI is a game developed and published by . Released on October 20th 2016 has received 349,920 reviews of which 304,053 were positive and 45,867 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. While seeing 21,990 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among grand strategy games based on player count.
8.6
304,053
45,867
21,990
players
3. Total War: WARHAMMER III
The cataclysmic conclusion to the Total War: WARHAMMER trilogy is here. Rally your forces and step into the Realm of Chaos, a dimension of mind-bending horror where the very fate of the world will be decided. Will you conquer your Daemons… or command them? Total War: WARHAMMER III is a game developed and published by . Released on February 16th 2022 has received 119,858 reviews of which 87,141 were positive and 32,717 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. While seeing 21,008 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among grand strategy games based on player count.
7.2
87,141
32,717
21,008
players
4. Crusader Kings III
Love, fight, scheme, and claim greatness. Determine your noble house’s legacy in the sprawling grand strategy of Crusader Kings III. Death is only the beginning as you guide your dynasty’s bloodline in the rich and larger-than-life simulation of the Middle Ages. Crusader Kings III is a game developed and published by . Released on September 01st 2020 has received 126,909 reviews of which 114,259 were positive and 12,650 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. With 13,737 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played grand strategy games.
8.9
114,259
12,650
13,737
players
5. Europa Universalis IV
Rule your land and dominate the world with unparalleled freedom, depth and historical accuracy. Write a new history of the world and build an empire for the ages. Europa Universalis IV is a game developed and published by . Released on August 13th 2013 has received 134,436 reviews of which 116,432 were positive and 18,004 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. With 12,122 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played grand strategy games.
8.6
116,432
18,004
12,122
players
6. Stellaris
Explore a galaxy full of wonders in this sci-fi grand strategy game from Paradox Development Studios. Interact with diverse alien races, discover strange new worlds with unexpected events and expand the reach of your empire. Each new adventure holds almost limitless possibilities. Stellaris is a game developed and published by . Released on May 09th 2016 has received 185,433 reviews of which 159,527 were positive and 25,906 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. With 9,645 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played grand strategy games.
8.5
159,527
25,906
9,645
players
7. Victoria 3
Paradox Development Studio invites you to build your ideal society in the tumult of the exciting and transformative 19th century. Balance the competing interests in your society and earn your place in the sun in Victoria 3, one of the most anticipated games in Paradox’s history. Victoria 3 is a game developed and published by . Released on October 25th 2022 has received 52,618 reviews of which 35,043 were positive and 17,575 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. With 8,426 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played grand strategy games.
6.6
35,043
17,575
8,426
players
8. Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition
Emperor Edition is the definitive edition of ROME II, featuring an improved politics system, overhauled building chains, rebalanced battles and improved visuals in both campaign and battleEmperor Edition contains all free feature updates since its release in 2013, which includes bug fixes, balancing, Twitch. Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition is a game developed and published by . Released on September 02nd 2013 has received 88,173 reviews of which 73,559 were positive and 14,614 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. With 4,400 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played grand strategy games.
8.2
73,559
14,614
4,400
players
9. Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition
Spanning the most turbulent era in Western history, your quest for territory and power takes you through Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and even onto the shores of the New World. Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition is a game developed and published by . Released on November 15th 2006 has received 33,344 reviews of which 31,910 were positive and 1,434 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 2,991 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played grand strategy games.
9.4
31,910
1,434
2,991
players
10. Total War: EMPIRE – Definitive Edition
Command the seas, control the land, forge a new nation, and conquer the globe. Total War: EMPIRE – Definitive Edition is a game developed and published by . Released on March 04th 2009 has received 35,480 reviews of which 32,211 were positive and 3,269 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. With 2,368 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played grand strategy games.
8.9
32,211
3,269
2,368
players