8. Distant Worlds: Universe

Put a ring on it

Not too big on swords and sorcery? Then why not check out Distant Worlds: Universe – a grand strategy war game set in the vastness of the cosmos?

There are galaxies to explore, each with several hundred star systems, thousands upon thousands of planets and moons, and other space phenomena such as supernovae, black holes, gas clouds, and asteroid fields. Not to mention you’ll soon find yourself dealing with aliens, from entire empires and smaller alien colonies to pirates, traders, and even monsters. Yes, space monsters.

You’ll be in charge of guiding your civilization to the stars and beyond – by researching technologies such as the warp drive, managing your economy, engaging in politics and diplomacy, and, of course, going to war. The gameplay occurs in real-time, but can be paused, giving you much-needed time to think your strategies through.

Its mind-boggling sense of scale, coupled with its intriguing 4X-based gameplay, makes Distant Worlds: Universe one of the best strategy war games available today.