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Grand strategy games that don't have tons of DLC?
MightyUnclean
Member EpicPosts: 3,531
Hey folks,
Are there any grand strategy games, rich in detail and gameplay, that don't have a ton of paid DLC? I looked up Crusader Kings II (that's grand strategy, right?), and all the DLC came to over $200. Are they all like that?
Thanks?
Are there any grand strategy games, rich in detail and gameplay, that don't have a ton of paid DLC? I looked up Crusader Kings II (that's grand strategy, right?), and all the DLC came to over $200. Are they all like that?
Thanks?
Comments
The way I approach it though is just ensuring that the base game by itself is worth playing. So, I absolutely love Total Warhammer I and II. The base games for both are amazing and if you own both, you can combine the maps into a mega-campaign, choosing from any of the available races. They have also given away quite a few DLCs for free, and the remaining DLCs go on sale regularly.
I also love Cities: Skylines. Not sure if you'd put that in your grand strategy category but similar gameplay for me, just without the combat. Again, there are loads of DLC but you don't need any of them, even with all the DLC the base game is still about 95% of the content.
I also just bought Surviving Mars, no DLC for that yet!
Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w
Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547
Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo
I wouldn't recommend trying any of their Grand Strategy games without all the DLC. The reason: their forums, which are generally quite good, really only respond to issues with all DLC installed. It's almost the basic assumption. Some of the expansions really change the functions of some core game systems, and unless you're at the most recent expansion, it might be difficult to match any help found there or the wiki to your actual situation.
My recommendations from Paradox.
- Victoria II -- not much DLC, so the cost is relatively lower than EUIV and CKII. I tend to cycle through this one every few months. One of the few games that cover this time period, a personal favorite.
- EUIV seems much more focused on military actions than CKII. Focus on the expansions, there's a lot of appearance DLC that can be skipped. Still, there's 15 plus expansions, so the cost may be the highest.
- CKII seems more focused on developing the story of one specific ruler. Like the OP said, over $200 for the game.
- HoI3 is probably their best game, but it is less a Grand Strategy than an Operational Wargame. (It is very reminiscent of classic hard-core board games like War in Europe). Only 3 expansions, so the cost is pretty cheap, especially when on sale.
- HoI4 is relatively new, but seems to have difficulties with some basic things. There is only 1 expansion so far. I do not have this one, so can't give hands-on information.
- Stellaris is another new GS, but it really is a lot closer to any other space-based 4x game. Some good ideas, but equally a lot of questionable implementations.
Anyway, hope this helps.Logic, my dear, merely enables one to be wrong with great authority.
Civilization -series and Stardock's games are better. There's a lot of DLC, but they usually offer some decently priced bundle with all the content.
My Skyrim, Fallout 4, Starbound and WoW + other game mods at MODDB:
https://www.moddb.com/mods/skyrim-anime-overhaul
And its been out for so long. And their emperor edition isn't even good, its shit. Every other company pretty much makes a pack for 50-60 dollars with ALL expansions/content+base game...total war rome 2 you have to pay 60 dollars and then all the other expansions rofl. warhammer total war is cheaper if you want 100% everything and its newer. And even the "best" sales are expensive, cause you still need to buy all the DLC instead of a more cheaper pack that other games have lol.
Must still sale or something to keep it at release day price+dlcs to not even budge on the price
one day it'll be more in my affordable range...like...maybe rome total war 3 will come out and then rome 2 will be cheaper, but rome total war 3 will be better so won't be a point in getting rome 2 lol. Then wait for rome 3 to drop in price, but then rome 4 will be out. The cycle of never buying rome total war again.
My Skyrim, Fallout 4, Starbound and WoW + other game mods at MODDB:
https://www.moddb.com/mods/skyrim-anime-overhaul
You have a few options out there that are really good ..
Distant Worlds .. if you like space .. is a 4x times Grand Strategy game .. This is beest 4x game out bar none .. I mention this as it plays out like a Grand Strategy ..
http://store.steampowered.com/app/261470/Distant_Worlds_Universe/
Dominions 5 .. This is one of the better games out there unless you are a graphics whore ..
http://store.steampowered.com/app/722060/Dominions_5__Warriors_of_the_Faith/
Conquest of Elysium 4.. Great Fantasy , a bit more streamlined than Dominions ..
http://store.steampowered.com/app/403950/Conquest_of_Elysium_4/
For even a bit lighter .. but still good game try Sovereignty... really liked this one ..
http://store.steampowered.com/app/312430/Sovereignty_Crown_of_Kings/
These are a few that are off the beaten path and usual mentions .. But all offer great game play
I've been interested in Conquest of Elysium 4, but haven't broken down and broken out the wallet.
Logic, my dear, merely enables one to be wrong with great authority.
I've heard (but do not know from experience) that Civ 5 or 6 is kind of bad until the DLCs are installed.
- Al
Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse.- FARGIN_WAR