10 Grand Strategy Games That Focus On Trade And Commerce

When fans hear of the grand strategy genre, they may immediately think of games requiring them to conquer vast swaths of land with sheer force. However, the main appeal of grand strategy titles isn’t always in seeing hundreds of soldiers tear through an enemy’s mediocre army. Instead, certain 4X (explore, expand, exploit, exterminate) titles establish an inherent appeal in the many features they offer aspiring rulers—with trade and commerce being one of them.

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In specific grand strategy titles, one’s expertise in rulership isn’t determined by the number of territories but by how well they manage their land’s commerce. After all, sometimes it’s more beneficial to have a powerful nation depend on players for resources instead of worrying about larger countries to defeat. With that in mind, here are the grand strategy games with the most robust trade and commerce systems.

10 Aurora 4X

Rating: 3.5/5 (PC World)

Set against the backdrop of archaic business software, grand strategy fans may not think of Aurora 4X as a game. What makes Aurora 4X gameplay quite engaging to players is its focus on the minute details, with research, resource acquisition, and structures working hand-in-hand to facilitate the creation of ships, weapons, and other needs.

This level of intricacy adds depth to a player’s capabilities in managing their empire. However, a rising empire can see the automatic spawning of private Shipping Lines that can carry out trading on a player’s behalf. The construction of jump gates and better ship tech enables them to conduct more efficient business, making them work hand-in-hand with the empire’s growth.

9 Imperiums: Greek Wars

Metacritic User Score: 8.7

Set soon after Philip II of Macedon takes the throne of Macedonia, Imperiums: Greek Wars will have players assume the new king’s role or other nations within the Mediterranean. While similar to the first act of any Civilization game, Imperiums: Greek Wars adds a mythological twist as the game features supernatural events and fantastical adventures associated with the time.

However, economy enthusiasts may appreciate the game for its trading system. Imperiums: Greek Wars relies on trade as one of the many ways players can develop relationships with other nations, allowing them to exchange goods across routes. Players do need to stay alert, as pirates and bandits can threaten their trades with robberies while partner nations can easily stop trade contracts.

8 Stellaris

Metascore: 78

Players who want an empire that dominates outer space may appreciate their galactic empires in Stellaris. Starting around the time the player’s custom species has created FTL technology, a Stellaris playthrough will have players begin creating a young galactic empire. When players start expanding their empire into a couple of planets, their trade value increases and makes them more viable for trading goods.

Stellaris boasts quite an expansive economy with different resource types, encouraging players to explore different aspects of interplanetary trade based on their needs. On top of creating trade hubs, facilitating warp travel, and fending off pirates, players may want to assert their galactic trading dominance by joining the Galactic Community.

7 Imperator: Rome

Metascore: 76

Players who want a more in-depth focus on the development of the Iberian Peninsula may appreciate Imperator: Rome. With gameplay spanning from the creation of the Roman Empire to the succession wars of Alexander the Great’s generals in the War of the Diadochi, players can take control of almost all available nations in the world at the time. Key to the game is the juggling of the player’s republic, especially when advisors are part of both families and factions that have different goals.

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While the game has a weak point in the form of its focus on warfare, Imperator: Rome emphasizes the importance of exchanging goods between the Iberian nations. Considered one of the game’s primary ways to earn income, players begin trading by offering their surplus of a commodity to trade routes established by the two nations.

6 Total War: Pharaoh

Metascore: 75

Creative Assembly’s newest installment in the Total War franchise brings players to Egypt, as Total War: Pharaoh tasks players in dominating the Eastern Mediterranean shortly after the death of Ramesses II. Set in the Bronze Age, players need to cement their rule through a Legitimacy stat that makes civil wars a more common threat for dissatisfied citizens. Unfortunately, the desert environment also makes resources scarce, encouraging trade across the game world.

Despite Total War: Pharaoh being a relatively new title, this is one of the few Total War games that emphasize economy due to an inherent scarcity of products. On top of Gold that influences all products, micromanaging Wood and Stone for buildings and Food and Bronze for the civilian populace can make trade and barter a multi-faceted system in the game.

5 Field Of Glory: Empires

Metascore: 76

As with other Rome-centric games, Field of Glory: Empires tasks players to take the reins as an emperor hopeful as they try to bring the entire Iberian Peninsula on their heel. At first glance, Field of Glory: Empires immediately shines as a wargame, boasting quite an in-depth combat system that will have players amass control over armies as they dominate various regions.

Winning the match requires Legacy Points, acquired when doing things that cement their legacy in the historical world. Aside from expansion, securing the satisfaction of their empire via trade is paramount. Unlike other games, Field of Glory: Empires has quite an extensive trading system. When a province has goods it can trade, it immediately does so based on a particular trade range. Players can enhance the economic potential of their provinces through buffs from exclusive Buildings, as well as the strategic establishment of Trade Centers and Trade Ports.

4 Civilization 6

Metascore: 88

Similar to other games in the Civilization franchise, Civilization 6 once again tasks players to ensure their chosen Civilization survives its world’s many areas until they reach the far future. Alongside its more vibrant graphics is an attempt to streamline and expand its systems, giving players more control via Policy Cards that customize their governments as well as Districts that let players fine-tune their cities towards specific functions.

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Economy-wise, players enjoying their Civilization 6 gameplay can unlock trading after researching the Foreign Trade Civic. This allows them to create trade routes between their cities and target destinations via land and sea, facilitating the exchange of goods in a more direct mechanic not elaborated upon in previous Civ titles.

3 Distant Worlds 2

Metascore: 77

Unlike other space-themed grand strategy titles, Distant Worlds 2 sets itself apart with a deep focus on economy and automation. The game also features a separate Private Sector part of the economy that players can only influence but not control, adding a layer of unpredictability to their decisions.

The distance of space elevates the importance of planets and areas rich in resources in Distant Worlds 2, with threats such as pirates and fellow civilizations encouraging players to focus on creating protective fleets, diplomatic missions, or outright hostilities against other parties. The need to protect resources while preserving the faction’s interests forms a complex gameplay layer not often seen in other games.

2 Civilization 4: Colonization

Metascore: 83

Built as a remake of Civilization: Colonization, players once again attempt to proclaim independence from the King in Civilization 4: Colonization. Unlike other games, the Europe-centric game features a handful of Civilizations, with trade and commerce taking the spotlight. At its core, players need to micro-manage multiple resources that determine empire upkeep, as well as trade-centric resources such as raw materials and refined goods.

Players often initiate trade with the Natives to exchange their raw materials, while Europeans often appreciate more refined products. As players grow their nation, options expand that allow them to automate their trading, allowing them to fine-tune certain aspects of their economy.

1 Europa Universalis 4

Metascore: 87

Set between the latter part of the Middle Ages towards the modern period, players of Europa Universalis 4 control any of the world’s existing nations in its 377-year journey across history. As with other Paradox Interactive titles, players employ a number of strategic options to assert dominance as their nation in Europa Universalis 4 gameplay—be it waging war, creating coalitions to secure protection, and even amassing wealth as a dominating trade empire.

Nations place Merchants in Trade Nodes to facilitate trade, with elements such as their product’s Trade Value and their nation’s Trade Power influencing the cash flow around the player’s nation. Trade empire hopefuls need to manipulate this aspect of the market in their favor, be it through strategic conquests, diplomatic relations, or domination of valuable goods.

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