Games That Reward Smart Political Alliances

Winning in many games isn’t just about strength or skill; it’s about knowing how to work with others, convince them to join your side, and even when to betray them. Games that encourage clever alliances force players to figure out what others are thinking, make deals, and decide whether immediate benefits are worth sacrificing long-term relationships. From fantasy worlds to space empires and business simulations, these games make diplomacy a central part of gameplay, meaning every conversation is just as important as every action you take. This article highlights some of the best games where political skill isn’t just helpful – it’s essential for winning.

‘Crusader Kings III’ (2020)

This strategy RPG, created by Paradox Development Studio and published by Paradox Interactive, is about more than just building a strong army. To stay in power, you’ll also need to master politics, forming alliances through marriage and claiming lands from others. Choosing loyal advisors keeps things running smoothly at home, while ignoring your people can spark rebellions. The game favors players who build relationships with neighbors and religious leaders, allowing them to grow their power peacefully.

‘Civilization VI’ (2016)

This strategy game, developed by Firaxis Games and published by 2K, lets you build a civilization from the earliest times to the modern age. It focuses a lot on building relationships with other civilizations. Making alliances lets you share information, work together in military actions, and speed up research through trading. The game also features a World Congress where you need to gain the support of other leaders to pass laws that help your civilization. Smart players will find that making friends is often more effective than going to war.

‘Stellaris’ (2016)

In this sci-fi strategy game from Paradox Development Studio and Paradox Interactive, success depends on building relationships with other alien civilizations. You can team up with them to form powerful alliances, called Federations, which offer military advantages and shared goals. The game also features a Galactic Community where nations vote on laws impacting the entire galaxy – you can use this to punish rivals or change the galactic economy. To thrive in a dangerous universe, you’ll need to carefully balance your own values with the needs of your allies and avoid becoming isolated.

‘Total War: Three Kingdoms’ (2019)

Creative Assembly and Sega changed how diplomacy works in the ‘Total War’ series with the Guanxi system. This system realistically models the complicated relationships between leaders, generals, and advisors, drawing from historical connections. To form strong alliances, players need to carefully manage the personalities of their allies, as they might become enemies if you favor their rivals. Skilled players can use these relationships to create peace treaties and trade agreements that help fund their armies.

‘Europa Universalis IV’ (2013)

This historical strategy game, created by Paradox Development Studio and published by Paradox Interactive, focuses on the complex diplomacy of the early modern period. Building strong alliances is crucial for keeping your nation safe, but can also pull you into wars you didn’t ask for. Expanding your territory too quickly will anger other nations and could lead to a large-scale war. Clever players can also gain control of lands through royal marriages and political unions, sometimes without even fighting a battle.

‘Suzerain’ (2020)

In this text-based RPG from Torpor Games and Fellow Traveller, you play as the President of Sordland, a made-up country. You’ll navigate tricky political situations and try to create a new constitution, all while keeping both reformers and conservatives happy. Your choices matter – losing the support of important people in your government and among the wealthy elite could lead to economic ruin, being removed from office, or even a military takeover. The game cleverly shows that staying in power often means finding middle ground and choosing your allies wisely.

‘Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord’ (2022)

TaleWorlds Entertainment’s game blends exciting action combat with the challenge of running a medieval kingdom. Players can either serve an existing king or forge their own realm, which means gaining the backing of other influential families. To build a powerful army for conquering and defending land, you’ll need to convince nobles to join your cause. A successful ruler rewards loyalty by fairly distributing land, because unhappy lords might switch sides and take their territory with them.

‘Victoria 3’ (2022)

Paradox Development Studio and Paradox Interactive are back with a detailed game set in the Victorian era, focusing on economics and domestic politics. You’ll control various groups within your country – like business owners, landowners, and workers – and build alliances with them to create laws. On the world stage, you can influence other nations through diplomacy, offering help or land to gain their support. Winning means satisfying the often-competing demands of these groups while also managing relationships with the major world powers.

‘EVE Online’ (2003)

CCP Games developed a sprawling online space game where players completely control the politics, and it’s known for being incredibly competitive. Huge player-run organizations dominate large areas of space, and they need complex treaties to stay in power. Espionage and negotiation are as important as leading fleets, with sudden betrayals capable of destroying years of work. Success in the game comes from understanding its complicated social structure and forming alliances in a world where anyone could be an opponent.

‘Fallout: New Vegas’ (2010)

Obsidian and Bethesda’s RPG plunges you into a broken world where your choices matter. In the post-apocalyptic Mojave Wasteland, how you build relationships with different groups will decide the region’s future. You’ll be caught between the organized New California Republic, the brutal Caesar’s Legion, and the mysterious Mr. House. Supporting smaller factions, like the Boomers or Brotherhood of Steel, can give you a vital edge in the final fight for Hoover Dam. The game’s rich story truly comes alive if you take the time to learn what each group believes before choosing who to support.

‘Tyranny’ (2016)

This role-playing game, created by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Paradox Interactive, takes place in a world conquered by evil. You play as a Fatebinder, serving the overlord Kyros, and must manage the tense relationship between two powerful armies: the Disfavored and the Scarlet Chorus. How you resolve their conflicts impacts your standing with each faction, granting you special abilities and shaping the story. To survive in this fearful and powerful court, you’ll need to carefully balance the favor of these opposing sides.

‘Dune: Spice Wars’ (2023)

Shiro Games and Funcom have created a strategy game based on Frank Herbert’s Dune universe. It’s a 4X game – meaning you explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate – played in real-time, where political maneuvering is just as important as military strength. A council called the Landsraad lets factions vote on decisions that can either weaken rivals or strengthen themselves. Players will need to trade with opponents, gather secrets, and use espionage to undermine them. Often, the winner isn’t the strongest military power, but the one who can control the votes and turn others against their biggest threats.

‘Old World’ (2021)

Mohawk Games and Hooded Horse create strategy games where history and compelling stories come together. Unlike many strategy games, each turn represents an entire year, meaning you’ll need to carefully manage your dynasty and relationships within your court while also building your empire. Forming alliances through marriage can help maintain peace, but ignoring the desires of powerful families at home can lead to rebellion. The game highlights the importance of having a strong and stable kingdom before attempting to expand your influence elsewhere.

‘GreedFall’ (2019)

I’m really excited about this new game! It’s an action RPG developed by Spiders and published by Focus Home Interactive, and it’s set on this beautiful but troubled magical island. You play as a diplomat trying to keep the peace between the colonists who’ve arrived and the island’s native people. What’s cool is that your choices really matter – how you handle quests and conversations will change how different groups see you, and who will help you when things come to a head. Mess up the politics, and entire groups could be wiped out, leading to a seriously grim ending. It sounds like a game where you have to think carefully about every decision!

‘Endless Space 2’ (2017)

In this sci-fi strategy game, you build an empire and navigate complex internal politics. A Senate system represents different ideologies, and you’ll need to manage political parties – like those focused on industry or peace – to pass laws that benefit your empire. You can also achieve victory through diplomacy, forming alliances or forcing opponents into submission without war. Success depends on understanding both your population’s beliefs and the galactic economy.

Share your favorite stories of political maneuvering and betrayal in the comments.

2025-12-19 08:55