Feel / Pacing
Best Explosive Games
Big moments, spectacle, power fantasy
48 games ranked by explosive intensity
Hearts of Iron IV
WindowsmacOSLinux
DiplomacyMap scaleSandboxOpen worldMethodical
Total War: WARHAMMER
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleOpen worldMethodicalFantasy mythologyReal-time combat
Total War: WARHAMMER II
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleMethodicalFantasy mythologyTurn-based combatTerritory control
Total War: WARHAMMER III
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleMethodicalTurn-based combatTerritory controlSpreadsheet territory
Total War: THREE KINGDOMS
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleSandboxMethodicalTurn-based combatTerritory control
Total War: SHOGUN 2
WindowsmacOSLinux
DiplomacyMap scaleMethodicalTurn-based combatTerritory control
Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition
WindowsmacOS
Map scaleMethodicalTurn-based combatTerritory controlSpreadsheet territory
Total War: ATTILA
WindowsLinux
Map scaleOpen worldMethodicalResource managementTurn-based combat
Total War: PHARAOH
WindowsmacOS
Map scaleMethodicalResource managementTech/research treesReal-time combat
Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleSandboxMethodicalResource managementTech/research trees
A Total War Saga: TROY
WindowsmacOS
Fantasy mythologyMap scaleSandboxMMO socialMethodical
A Total War Saga: THRONES OF BRITANNIA
WindowsmacOSLinux
SandboxCity/empire buildingMethodicalResource managementReal-time combat
Total War: ROME REMASTERED
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleTurn-based combatMethodicalResource managementTech/research trees
Total War: EMPIRE – Definitive Edition
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleMethodicalSpreadsheet territoryMulti-hour deep divesDiplomacy
Total War: NAPOLEON – Definitive Edition
WindowsmacOS
Map scaleMethodicalSpreadsheet territoryMulti-hour deep divesDiplomacy
Supreme Commander
Windows
Resource managementWarfare emphasisSci-fi technologyCo-op chaosSolo contemplative
Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance
Windows
Map scaleResource managementTerritory controlWarfare emphasisSci-fi technology
Wargame: Red Dragon
WindowsmacOSLinux
Warfare emphasisMethodicalResource managementTerritory controlPhotorealistic
Sid Meier's Civilization®: Beyond Earth™
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleExplorationMethodicalTech/research treesTurn-based combat
Age of Wonders III
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleMethodicalTech/research treesTurn-based combatTerritory control
ENDLESS™ Space 2
WindowsmacOS
Map scaleOpen worldSandboxMethodicalResource management
Master of Orion
WindowsmacOSLinux
Map scaleMethodicalResource managementTech/research treesSpreadsheet territory
Mindustry
WindowsmacOSLinux
Automation designSandboxPixel artResource managementBase management
Cities: Skylines
WindowsmacOSLinux
City/empire buildingSandboxBase managementResource managementEconomic depth
Frostpunk 2
WindowsmacOS
Base managementCity/empire buildingDialogue choicesResource managementTense
Kingdoms and Castles
WindowsmacOSLinux
City/empire buildingSandboxOpen worldBase managementResource management
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
Windows
City/empire buildingResource managementWarfare emphasisBase managementSolo contemplative
Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun
WindowsmacOSLinux
StealthMethodicalResource managementSolo contemplativeReal-time combat
XCOM® 2
WindowsmacOSLinux
Turn-based combatPuzzle solvingMethodicalSci-fi technologyRoguelike loops
XCOM: Enemy Unknown
WindowsLinux
Turn-based combatMethodicalSci-fi technologySolo contemplativeRoguelike loops
XCOM®: Chimera Squad
Windows
MethodicalTurn-based combatSolo contemplativeSci-fi technologyResource management
Desperados III
WindowsmacOSLinux
StealthMethodicalResource managementSolo contemplativeSkill mastery
Company of Heroes 2
WindowsmacOSLinux
Resource managementWar and conflictWarfare emphasisSolo contemplativeCo-op chaos
Company of Heroes 3
Windows
Warfare emphasisTurn-based combatDialogue choicesSolo contemplativeMethodical
Homeworld Remastered Collection
WindowsmacOS
Sci-fi technologyMethodicalResource managementTech/research treesReal-time combat
BATTLETECH
WindowsmacOSLinux
MethodicalTurn-based combatSci-fi technologySolo contemplativeExploration
Jagged Alliance 3
Windows
MethodicalTurn-based combatCollectionSolo contemplativeWar and conflict
Wartales
Windows
Open worldExplorationSandboxTurn-based combatMethodical
Iron Harvest
Windows
Map scaleResource managementTerritory controlWarfare emphasisMethodical
Creeper World 4
Windows
Map scaleBase managementResource managementWarfare emphasisMethodical
Mechabellum
Windows
Warfare emphasisMethodicalCompetitive rankedReal-time combatTurn-based combat
ELDEN RING
Windows
Skill masteryOpen worldMelee combatTenseCompetitive ranked
DARK SOULS™ III
Windows
Skill masteryExplorationOpen worldMelee combatTense
Dragon's Dogma 2
Windows
Open worldSolo contemplativeExplorationPhysics puzzlesCollection
Hollow Knight
WindowsmacOSLinux
PlatformingSkill masteryOpen worldExplorationMelee combat
Nioh 2 – The Complete Edition
Windows
Melee combatSkill masteryCollectionCo-op chaosLinear story
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Windows
Open worldDialogue choicesSandboxLinear storyExploration
Portal 2
WindowsLinux
PlatformingShootingPuzzle solvingLinear storyWhimsical