10 Best Political Simulation Games on PC (2024)

If you love the thrill of political strategy and decision-making, political simulation games are perfect for you. These games let you manage resources, form alliances, and navigate complex political scenarios, testing your leadership and strategic skills. To help you dive into this exciting genre, we have handpicked the ten best political simulation games on PC as of 2024. Each game offers a unique take on governance, diplomacy, and power dynamics.

10. Beholder 2

Beholder 2 places you as an intern at the central ministry of a totalitarian state, starting at the very bottom of the career ladder. Your main tasks are scheming against colleagues, spying on your superiors, and handling paperwork. The game challenges you to navigate the dangerous world of government bureaucracy. You must make crucial decisions about your actions and loyalties, which can either help you rise to power or expose corruption within the state. As an intern in the ministry, you have the rare chance to shape your future within the regime. You can choose to be a model officer, earning praise from the Wise Leader, or take a ruthless path, eliminating anyone who stands in your way. Alternatively, you could decide to expose the state's corruption, though this is risky and dangerous.

9. Imperator: Rome

Imperator: Rome is a grand strategy game from Paradox Interactive that puts you in control of a nation in the classical Mediterranean. You must navigate the complex world of politics and diplomacy, manage your provinces, and handle diverse populations like citizens, freemen, tribesmen, and slave. The game also features a detailed character management system, where you manage important figures who lead your nation and govern your provinces. Different government types, such as republics, monarchies, and tribal systems, add unique challenges. And you’ll need to invest in buildings, roads, and defenses to make your kingdom stronger.

8. Crusader Kings II

Next on our list is Crusader Kings II, a grand strategy game that delves deep into the complexities of medieval European politics. Set between the years 1066 and 1453, players take on the role of a Christian lord and aim to ensure their dynasty's survival and prosperity. The game emphasizes the importance of prestige, as each successive character players control seeks to expand their feudal domain and secure their legacy. Players must appoint vassals, introduce laws, and fill their coffers, all while navigating the intricate relationships with hundreds of nobles, each harboring their own agendas.

7. Orwell: Keeping an Eye On You

Orwell: Keeping an Eye On You is a unique political simulation game where players act as government investigators. The game focuses on surveillance and privacy issues, reflecting real-world concerns about government overreach and civil liberties. Players must analyze data, monitor suspects, and make decisions that impact the lives of citizens. The gameplay involves sifting through various sources of information, such as social media posts, emails, and personal records. Players must piece together clues to identify potential threats and decide which information to report to their superiors. The game presents moral dilemmas, challenging players to balance security with privacy.

6. Rebel Inc: Escalation

Rebel Inc: Escalation is a political and military simulation game where players must stabilize a war-torn region. The game focuses on counter-insurgency tactics, requiring players to balance military action with civilian support. The goal is to win the hearts and minds of the population while suppressing rebel forces. Players must manage resources, deploy troops, and implement development projects to improve the region's stability. The game features a detailed map with various regions, each with its own challenges and needs. Players must make strategic decisions about where to allocate resources and how to respond to insurgent activities.

5. Tropico 6

Tropico 6 is a city-building and political simulation game where players take on the role of El Presidente, the ruler of a small Caribbean island nation. The game combines elements of management and strategy, allowing players to build and manage their island paradise. Players must develop their island’s infrastructure, including housing, industry, and tourism. The game offers a wide range of building options, allowing for creative and strategic planning. Managing resources and balancing the needs of citizens is crucial to maintaining stability and happiness.

4. Democracy 4

If you’ve ever wondered how difficult it is to run a country, Democracy 4 offers a comprehensive political simulation where you can test your leadership skills as a President or Prime Minister. The game allows you to govern a nation by choosing its policies, laws, and other actions. Your primary objective is to transform the country according to your vision while maintaining enough popularity to get re-elected. The game uses a sophisticated neural network to model the opinions, beliefs, thoughts, and biases of thousands of virtual citizens. So, this provides a realistic and challenging experience. Additionally, the clean, adaptable user interface makes it easy to navigate through the complex web of governance.

3. Ages of Conflict: World War Simulator

Ages of Conflict: World War Simulator is an immersive political simulation game where players observe and influence AI nations as they vie for global dominance. In this game, players watch as custom or randomized AI nations interact, form alliances, experience revolts, and navigate political twists in a vast free-for-all environment. Rather than focusing on direct control, players nudge world events by commanding nations to undertake specific actions, such as making peace or waging war. This creates a dynamic and ever-changing political landscape where every decision can lead to unexpected outcomes.

2. Victoria 3

Victoria 3 is another grand strategy game set in the 19th century, where you lead a nation from 1836 to 1936. The game focuses on managing different population groups, each with unique needs and political desires. You must balance these interests to build a stable and prosperous society. You can choose to reform your government and adopt new social innovations or stick to traditional values to maintain stability. The economic system in Victoria 3 is detailed and requires you to expand industries, manage resources, and engage in global trade.

1. Suzerain: Kingdom of Rizia

In Suzerain: Kingdom of Rizia, you get to play as King Romus Toras, the new ruler of the Golden Kingdom. Your main goal is to lead Rizia through challenging times. The game is set in the detailed world of South Merkopa, where you need to deal with different national leaders. You can choose to make allies or enemies, and you must manage new resources like energy and authority to strengthen your kingdom. It also involves managing the royal family and the powerful houses. You will have discussions about religion, family, and romance.

So, what's your take on these top political simulation games? Are there any other political sim PC games you think should be on this list? Let us know on our socials here!