How Civilization-style strategy games help you understand history through gameplay

Games based on real events are released less frequently than historical films or books. The reason is clear: with this approach, developers are forced to abandon interesting gameplay mechanics, such as using magic or fighting dragons. Meanwhile, in early February 2025, we will see two projects at once that are related to history — Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 and Sid Meier's Civilization 7. Moreover, strategies can convey the features of eras not only externally, but also through gameplay. This is the topic of our article.

Let's say it right away: you need to study the events of the past from scientific literature and documentaries. It is impossible to understand all the processes only from novels and feature films. But their task is different — to arouse interest in history and fill dry figures and facts with bright colors. In this regard, video games are no worse.

For example, the early parts of the Assassin's Creed series perfectly conveyed the spirit of bygone eras. The architecture of the buildings, the costumes, the conversations of random passers-by, the weapons — each element of the project corresponds to its time. These games offer a stroll through the streets of revolutionary Paris, visit Renaissance Italy or take part in the American War of Independence. The result is a full-fledged historical series, with an adjustment for conspiracy theories, extraterrestrial civilizations and mythology. Even more authentic is Kingdom Come: Deliverance, which shows the peaceful and military life of medieval Czech Republic. I would also like to note the quest Valiant Hearts: The Great War, which is dedicated to the sad fates of soldiers of the First World War.

But these games are only able to show the scenery, authentic weapons and outstanding personalities of the past. Only strategies were able to demonstrate the intricacies of historical processes.

In all numbered parts of the Civilization series, we were shown that the formation of a state that will stand the test of time is associated with both cultural and military achievements. It is almost impossible to limit yourself to one branch of development — you need to find a fine line between them in order not to lag behind your neighbors and not be crushed by predatory competitors. This happened in real history. Purely militaristic regimes quickly collapsed, and countries that were only engaged in cultural development and neglected the protection of borders were vulnerable to external invasion.

At the same time, each part revealed the intricacies of human development in different ways. For example, in Civilization 5 they paid special attention to religious influence on countries. Medieval monarchs faced it when their ambitions intersected with the interests of the Church. And after the release of the add-on Gathering Storm to the sixth part, natural disasters appeared. They brought an element of unpredictability to the development of your empire, when any plans collapsed due to a sudden flood or drought. Players had to adapt to new realities and change tactics, like rulers of states who were caught off guard by a natural disaster.

Before the release of Total War: Warhammer, the series of global strategies from Creative Assembly was dedicated exclusively to real history. But, unlike Civilization, each part is associated with a specific era.

Thus, Rome: Total War demonstrated why Rome fought with its neighbors until it captured the entire Mediterranean. No matter how far the border moved from the Eternal City, there were always barbarians who raided, killed people and plundered cities. During the retaliatory actions, the resistance of hostile tribes was suppressed, and their territory was included in the empire. But other aggressive peoples were already waiting on the new borders, and everything started anew. The player would find himself in exactly the same situation if he decided to lead one of the Roman families.

In turn, the Barbarian Invasion and Attila add-ons showed the reasons for the demise of Rome as a state. If you take control of the Western part of the empire, you can’t hope to conquer the lands of your neighbors. With an empty treasury, a weak army, and a dissatisfied population in your own provinces, you will have to repel hordes ofenemy tribes that will crash into your borders in waves. According to many historians, by the fifth century Rome simply had no chance to survive, and you will feel it personally.

Similar situations are shown in other parts of Total War. For example, in Medieval 2 there is a Crusade mechanic, when the armies of several European countries act together against an external enemy. And it can be your monarch if he angered the Church. And while playing Shogun 2, it becomes clear why Japan during the Sengoku period (15th-17th centuries) could not unite under one ruler — as soon as one clan rose above the others, it became a mortal enemy for everyone else.

Games from Paradox Interactive are of particular value to history buffs. Thus, in the trilogy Crusader Kings the developers showed a complex system of feudal relations and the impossibility of transferring complete control to one person, even if we are talking about a king or emperor. The player has to maintain a balance between the permissiveness of his own vassals and the desire to rule the kingdom himself. An imbalance in one direction or another can lead to unpredictable consequences, including the disintegration of the country. A similar situation was in the real Middle Ages — almost all European states were in a state of feudal fragmentation. And the unwillingness of the vassals to be in a state of war for a long time makes the existence of regular armies impossible. In addition, these troops noticeably empty the treasury, so they should be collected only for the duration of hostilities. However, it is more profitable to expand the country through dynastic marriages and alliance treaties.

In Europa Universalis, the action of which takes place in the New Age, even waging wars with neighbors is problematic — large-scale expansion will lead to the creation of a coalition of other states that will try to stop you. Therefore, to strengthen the country, it is worth looking for other ways — to develop the economy, establish trade relations and colonize the countries of the New World. Overseas, the player will find free lands, accessible resources and native empires, a war with which will not affect relations with European countries. At least until their interests are affected.

The Hearts of Iron series shows the internal structure of states in the first half of the twentieth century and the complex processes that took place between the World Wars. It is obvious to the player that he needs to prepare for a new conflict, but he will face unexpected difficulties. In democratic countries, for example, Britain, France and the United States, you must first convince the peace-loving population and smoothly transfer the industry to a war footing, and then look for a pretext to start a military clash with neighbors. In Germany, there are no such problems, because people are thirsty for revenge for the defeat in the war of 1914-1918 and will accept any, even the most brutal decisions of the government. And the dissatisfied can always be repressed. These gameplay features partially explain the strange behavior of the victors of the First World War in the late 30s and the successes of Germany at that time.

In addition, Hearts of Iron shows that without air support, victory over a serious enemy is impossible, and the lack of full-fledged tank armies will not allow you to break through the enemy's defenses. At the same time, it is important to ensure that the troops are supplied with everything they need, as well as focus on capturing the enemy's industrial areas and their raw material bases. Otherwise, the development of your country may stop, which will be critical in the context of a global war. In many ways, the need for new resources, primarily oil, pushed Japan into military conflicts with China, European colonies in Asia, and then the United States.

More such examples can be given if desired. Global strategies allow us to understand the difficulties faced by the governof states in different eras and how they coped with the challenges that arose before them. As a result, the player better understands real historical processes.

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Are you playing strategy games? Will you play Civilization 7? Share your opinions in the comments!