Complexity
Best Deep systems Games
Interconnected mechanics requiring significant learning
48 games ranked by deep systems intensity
Darkest Dungeon® II
WindowsmacOS
Cosmic horrorTurn-based combatMethodicalExplorationTense
Tainted Grail: Conquest
WindowsLinux
Deck buildingDialogue choicesLinear storyTurn-based combatSolo contemplative
Cattails | Become a Cat!
WindowsmacOS
Pixel artBase managementOpen worldPick-up-and-playResource management
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire
WindowsmacOSLinux
Dialogue choicesOpen worldExplorationTurn-based combatDeep systems
They Are Billions
Windows
City/empire buildingBase managementResource managementDeep systemsEmergent narrative
Caves of Qud
WindowsmacOSLinux
Open worldPixel artDialogue choicesTurn-based combatSci-fi technology
Pillars of Eternity
WindowsmacOSLinux
ExplorationOpen worldFantasy mythologyLinear storySolo contemplative
Fallout 2: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game
Windows
Open worldExplorationSandboxTurn-based combatSolo contemplative
Farm Together
WindowsmacOSLinux
Base managementSandboxDeep systemsMeditativeCo-op chaos
Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition
WindowsmacOSLinux
Dialogue choicesOpen worldLinear storyDeep systemsFantasy mythology
Songs of Syx
WindowsmacOSLinux
City/empire buildingSandboxTerritory controlPixel artOpen world
ISLANDERS
WindowsmacOS
City/empire buildingMinimalistMeditativeBase managementResource management
Divinity: Original Sin - Enhanced Edition
WindowsmacOSLinux
Open worldLocal multiplayerTurn-based combatCo-op chaosExploration
Pathfinder: Kingmaker — Enhanced Plus Edition
WindowsmacOSLinux
Dialogue choicesOpen worldTurn-based combatDeep systemsLinear story
Before We Leave
WindowsmacOS
City/empire buildingSandboxBase managementResource managementPick-up-and-play
Baldur's Gate 3
WindowsmacOS
Dialogue choicesLinear storyTurn-based combatDeep systemsFantasy mythology
Divinity: Original Sin 2 - Definitive Edition
WindowsmacOS
Dialogue choicesExplorationLocal multiplayerTurn-based combatMethodical
Pathologic 2
Windows
Dialogue choicesMystery and detectiveOpen worldLinear storySkill mastery
Total War: NAPOLEON – Definitive Edition
WindowsmacOS
Map scaleMethodicalSpreadsheet territoryMulti-hour deep divesDiplomacy
A Total War Saga: TROY
WindowsmacOS
Fantasy mythologyMap scaleSandboxMMO socialMethodical
Victoria 3
WindowsmacOSLinux
Territory controlMap scaleSandboxSpreadsheet territoryMulti-hour deep dives
Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleSandboxMethodicalResource managementTech/research trees
Wargame: Red Dragon
WindowsmacOSLinux
Warfare emphasisMethodicalResource managementTerritory controlPhotorealistic
Sins of a Solar Empire®: Rebellion
Windows
Map scaleSandboxExplorationResource managementDiplomacy
Steel Division 2
Windows
Map scaleSandboxMethodicalReal-time combatTerritory control
Gary Grigsby's War in the East 2
Windows
Warfare emphasisMap scaleMethodicalTerritory controlTurn-based combat
Rule the Waves 3
Windows
Warfare emphasisMethodicalTerritory controlSolo contemplativeTurn-based combat
Imperiums: Greek Wars
Windows
Map scaleExplorationSpreadsheet territoryResource managementTech/research trees
Sid Meier's Civilization® IV
WindowsmacOS
Map scaleLocal multiplayerMethodicalResource managementTech/research trees
Sid Meier's Civilization® V
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleTurn-based combatResource managementMethodicalTerritory control
Total War: PHARAOH
WindowsmacOS
Map scaleMethodicalResource managementTech/research treesReal-time combat
Stellaris
WindowsmacOSLinux
Territory controlMap scaleExplorationSandboxSci-fi technology
Crusader Kings III
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleDialogue choicesResource managementTech/research treesSpreadsheet territory
Sins of a Solar Empire II
Windows
Dialogue choicesSci-fi technologyMethodicalResource managementTech/research trees
ROMANCE OF THE THREE KINGDOMS XIV
Windows
Warfare emphasisDiplomacyMap scaleTurn-based combatMethodical
Total War: ATTILA
WindowsLinux
Map scaleOpen worldMethodicalResource managementTurn-based combat
Knights of Honor II: Sovereign
Windows
City/empire buildingSandboxOpen worldResource managementTech/research trees
Millennia
Windows
Map scaleMethodicalResource managementTech/research treesTurn-based combat
ENDLESS™ Space - Definitive Edition
WindowsmacOS
Map scaleExplorationSandboxMethodicalResource management
Terra Invicta
Windows
Map scaleSandboxMethodicalResource managementTech/research trees
Ara History Untold: Anniversary Edition
Windows
City/empire buildingMethodicalResource managementTech/research treesSpreadsheet territory
StarDrive 2
WindowsmacOSLinux
Resource managementTech/research treesSci-fi technologySpreadsheet territoryTerritory control
Dune: Spice Wars
Windows
Map scaleResource managementSolo contemplativeSci-fi technologyMethodical
Pax Nova
Windows
Map scaleExplorationDialogue choicesMethodicalResource management
Oriental Empires
Windows
Map scaleSandboxMethodicalResource managementTech/research trees
Distant Worlds: Universe
Windows
Map scaleSandboxResource managementTech/research treesSpreadsheet territory
Aggressors: Ancient Rome
Windows
Map scaleTurn-based combatMethodicalTech/research treesSpreadsheet territory
Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition
WindowsmacOS
Map scaleMethodicalTurn-based combatTerritory controlSpreadsheet territory