Conquering the world one nation at a time can get lonely once there’s nothing else to conquer. To spice things up, players can always bring a friend to theirgrand strategy campaignso that once all AI enemies are defeated, it’s time to betray and wage war with each other. That’s just one possibility, of course, there’s always the more peaceful co-existence route.
In any case,co-op multiplayer in grand strategy gamesor even hybrid 4X-grand strategy games is always fun-filled power struggles. Having a friend in tow lets players cover their empire’s weak spots. While most grand strategy games have some rather basic implementations of co-op or multiplayer, the following titles shake up the formula with their themes and overall structure.
Updated on Jun 20, 2025, by Ritwik Mitra:Grand strategy games are a lot of fun to play through. These titles make it a point to let players control massive empires and kingdoms as they help these regions flourish, either with the help or at the expense of others. Most people argue that these experiences are better enjoyed in solitude, but a lot of games in this genre have multiplayer capabilities and are all the more enjoyable as a result. Competitive experiences are fun, but there’s something to be said about two or more players colluding their efforts to work in harmony that makes them such tantalizing prospects.
Paradox is considered to be the king of the grand strategy genre, with the vast majority of their games being pretty engaging in their own way. While the launch ofVictoria 3may not have been the best, it’s still a great game to enjoy with a friend.
The mechanics governing a nation’s economy are pretty deep and one of the best parts of this game. The other gameplay pillars ofVictoria 3need to be fleshed out, but players who collude and bolster their respective nations' economies will boss the AI in no time.
This space RTS is one of the best games in its genre and one that features a pretty steep learning curve. Players will have to play and lose a few times before understanding howSins of a Solar Empireworks, which is why co-op is such a useful inclusion here.
Players can easily grasp the mechanics of this game if they play with a veteran. Even if both players aren’t well-versed in how this game works, a few playthroughs where they team up are all it takes forSins of a Solar Empireto show why it continues to enjoy the love and adoration of a dedicated fanbase.
Most people would assume that a game with complex strategies and a decent learning curve would be hard to get into, but this isn’t even remotely the case. In fact,Supreme Commander: Forged Allianceis considered by many to be one of the best macro RTS games fans can sink their teeth in.
The inclusion of co-op makes this strategy game way more engaging to play through. Fans of unique RTS games with compelling gameplay loops and the inclusion of multiplayer will be more than happy with what this title has to offer.
Europa Universalis 4is one of the many excellent grand strategy games by Paradox Interactive, a company known for developing some of the greatest games in this genre. The game takes place around a time when the world was entering the modern age, meaning that players will have their hands full trying to be as diplomatic as possible while colonizing areas and making their trade routes as profitable as possible.
There’s a lot of work that goes into learning the ropes inEuropa Universalis 4, but players who finally get a hang of how to play this game will find the hours pass by like nothing! If the gameplay wasn’t as engaging as is, then players can start a session with a few friends and engage in some heartfelt diplomacy, with players working with each other to harmonize the activity in their nations and hopefully working together against a common enemy.
10Civilization 6
An Accessible Grand Strategy Game Where Players Can Collude In Multiplayer Games To Let Both Nations Flourish
TheCivilizationseries is one of the most popular and accessible grand strategy games around. The scope of these games is massive, with players starting from the very start of humanity’s development before slowly researching the best technologies while making their country as massive and imposing as possible.
Thecombination of classic grand strategy elements along with a fair bit of quirkinessis what has madeCivilizationsuch a beloved series, with the sixth entry continuing the trend of excellence that this franchise is known for. Players can engage in a session ofCivilization 6with their friends, forming alliances to help each other and take out any country overzealous enough to wage war for no indiscernible reason.
It’s quite hard to classifyAirships: Conquer the Skiesinto just one genre since it’s an amalgam of multiple. There’s a layer of grand strategy in it via the campaign map and part of the core gameplay also includes customizing steampunk airships and commandeering them into atactical and strategic battle.
For this very reason,Airships: Conquer the Skieshas a more dynamic and thrilling multiplayer mode. Duking it out with the AI with the help of friends or fighting them head-on in airship engineering showdowns is always a delight and a nice break from all the management.
Old Worldis a hybrid 4X and Grand Strategy game that’s most similar toCivilizationgames. The scale is definitely there and it can qualify as a grand strategy game. There’s also a comprehensive multiplayer component, similar toCivilizationgames.
However, unlike inCivilizationgames,Old World’s multiplayer makes players work with each other to actively improve their opinions with each other instead of just locking them as default teams. There are also play-by-email or cloud games inOld World’s multiplayer component for those who prefer that.
There are other historicalTotal Wartitles that also have a smooth implementation of co-op, such asShogun 2, butThree Kingdomsgets extra points for the added drama. The Romance mode is an interesting semi-fantasy twist to the campaign that practically turns the generals into superheroes.
Players can also intermarry their generals and lords to forge better alliances and create more heirs or future lords. Romance campaigns inTotal War: Three Kingdomsthus get an added layer of family tree intrigue and dynamics similar to games likeCrusader Kings(more on that one later).
For the most complex and multi-layeredTotal Warexperience to date, there’s no more robust option thanTotal War: Warhammer 3. It’s a culmination of all the previousTotal War: Warhammergames as well as the mechanics of the historicalTotal Wartitles in a grand Thunderdome where dozens of races battle it out for supremacy.
There’s no shortage of choices here, and it can get rather dizzying. That’s all the more reason to bring a friend for a co-op Immortal Empires campaign. The asymmetrical nature of the combat ensures some rather busted army compositions from co-op partners never before seen in aTotal Wartitle or any grand strategy game, for that matter.
If mobilizing armies and micromanaging them is too chaotic or tedious, then perhaps a different kind of drama awaits players inCrusader Kings 3. This latest entry in theCrusader Kingsseries focuses on courtroom and family tree drama— a perfect game to play after watchingHouse of the DragonorGame of Thrones.
Like its predecessors,Crusader Kings 3is primarily adynasty simulatorwhere players manage and develop their dynasties until the in-game year 1453. Players can then select government types, marriage arrangements, and political edicts to shape their territories. Or if they’re petty, they can have their characters commit infidelity by sleeping with their co-op partner’s character’s spouses.
