In the pages of history, the Ottoman Empire stands out as one of the wealthiest in Europe. Famous people from the empire include Suleiman the Magnificent and the main city of Constantinople. The Ottoman Empire slowly lost power until it was completely destroyed by World War I. However, history buffs can experience the Empire’s rise, peak, and even fall in some strategy games.
If you like the feeling of success that comes from building a kingdom from scratch, don’t miss these games.
Based on the game, the Ottoman Empire could start as a growing country about to expand, or it could start as an empire that has just hit its peak and wants to solidify its place as a world power. Also, some games let players experience some of the Ottoman Empire’s most famous traits and accomplishments, giving players a taste of what it might have been like if the Ottomans had changed the course of history.
1. Civilization 6
Use Unique Traits Of The Ottoman Empire To Create A Civilization From Scratch
Other grand strategy games focus on a specific time period. In Civilization 6, the Ottomans are more of a symbol because players can take them from their beginnings in the Ancient Era (4000 BC to 1000 BC) to a possible Future Era (2020–2050) that doesn’t match up with how the Empire ended in real life. The Ottomans get access to the Great Turkish Bombard in the Gathering Storm DLC. This makes it easier to make better siege units more quickly and gives them extra benefits when they take over towns.
2. Field Of Glory 2: Medieval – Sublime Porte
Play Decisive Battles That Will Transform The Osmanli Beylik Into The Ottoman Empire
| Developer | Sampstra Games |
|---|---|
| Release Date | September 15, 2002 |
| Platforms | PC |
Other strategy games put as much emphasis on building bases as managing units. Field of Glory 2: Medieval, on the other hand, jumps right into battle in this turn-based game. The original Field of Glory 2: Medieval takes place in the Middle Ages and mimics real fights that happened from 1040 AD to 1270 AD. The Field of Glory 2: Medieval – Sublime Porte update adds the Ottoman Empire and all of its friends and enemies from the Middle East and beyond.
The Ottoman-Turkish fights in Sublime Porte happened from 1299 to 1500 AD, during the early stages of Osman I’s Osmanli beylik’s growth into the Ottoman Empire. Battles in the game would let players experience how the Empire grew across the Balkans, took over Constantinople, fought decisive wars against the Timurid Empire, and reached its peak in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Ottomans players also see different ways to win based on which Leader they choose. As Kanuni Suleiman, the Grand Vizier, players can use the very cheap but strong Janissary and the combat-improving Ibrahim the Grand Vizier. Suleiman the Magnificent, on the other hand, trades strong attack for a much faster growth of Culture and Science Points, which makes it possible to win using either of those measures.
3. Age Of Empires 4
Use Notable Technologies, War Developments In The RTS’s Depiction Of Golden Age Ottomans
In Age of Empires 4, the Ottoman Civilization starts as a small town in Anatolia and goes through different times, such as the start of the empire, its win over the Byzantine Empire, and its golden age under Suleiman the Magnificent. In real life, the Ottoman Empire lasted a lot longer than in the game. The game’s last age, the Imperial Age, fits with this historical ending.
In strategy games, morale is often very important. Some of the most interesting character systems can be found in these games.
Gamers can elect Viziers to the Imperial Council, which can open new technologies. The Military School may be able to make sure that units have lower production costs. When the Ottomans have the right method to both production and the economy, along with their powerful Great Bombard, they can have a very strong force.
4. Crusader Kings 3
Prepare The Seljuk Empire As The Ottoman’s Predecessors With Older Forms of Diplomacy, Warfare
Crusader Kings 3 takes place between 867 or 1066 and 1453, so players won’t see the Ottoman Empire at its peak. Instead, they may come across the Seljuk Empire, which came before it. In history, Seljuk Suleyman I of the Great Seljuk Empire was given parts of Anatolia, which he took on his own to make the Sultanate of Rum. If players didn’t step in, the Sultanate would be overthrown by the powerful Beylik of Karaman. Osman I would lead one of the remaining emirates to become the Ottoman Empire.
The player can’t play Crusader Kings 3 with the area because Osman I didn’t become Sultan of the Ottoman Empire until 1299, which is halfway through the game. Players hoping to recreate the Ottomans’ splendor may begin as a Seljuk establish the Sultanate of Rum and then set Konstantiniyye (Constantinople) as the capital.
5. Europa Universalis 4
Enjoy Ottomans At The Height Of Their Expansion With Buffs To Diplomacy, Economy, Military
It always finishes on January 1, 1821, with nothing much happening, but the day it starts, November 11, 1444, is a big day for the Ottomans. Players start the game as a young Mehmed II, who has just defeated the Hungarians and the Poles at the Battle of Varna and is eager to turn his new state into an empire. If players are able to beat and take over Constantinople in 1453, Mehmed II will be known as Mehmed the Conqueror and the Byzantine Empire will be claimed by the Ottoman Empire.
In Europa Universalis 4, the Ottomans got off to a pretty good start. With the right moves, this easy-to-play group can quickly become one of the world’s biggest powers. Players have a Harem that gives them access to a child, Eyalets that give them special rights, and Janissaries that are a powerful army. Important events to remember are the Janissary coups, the Drift Hunters, the Eyalet revolt, the Harem plans, and power battles within the country.
6. Empire: Total War
Grow The Ottoman Empire’s Struggling Economy To Survive Against A Rising Russia
| Developer | Creative Assembly |
|---|---|
| Release Date | March 3, 2009 |
| Platforms | PC |
Empire: Total War puts players in charge of the Ottoman Empire from 1701 until the end of the war in 1799. The game takes place during one of the most troubled times in history. In 1683, when Sultan Mehmed IV was in charge, the Ottoman Empire was at its strongest. Even though Empire: Total War gives players a lot of land at the start, including the Greek Peninsula and most of the Mediterranean coast, they need to change things up to beat the Pirates and Russia.
And for gamers who miss turn-based strategy games like XCOM, these games are just what they need.
The Ottomans’ economy could use a big boost if they switched around their officials and started trading with Great Britain, Poland-Lithuania, Sweden, and Prussia. By keeping ties with the Barbary States and the Crimean Khanate, which are both protectorates, you can protect trade and stop Russia from expanding. Also, the Ottomans’ war strategy is different because it focuses on guns and skirmishers instead of the usual army and navy fighting used by European states.
7. Napoleon: Total War
Fight Against Napoleon With Sizeable Army, Territory But Poor Tech And Economy
Napoleon: Total War takes place during Napoleon’s hardest battles, from 1805 to 1812. It shows how established countries like the Ottoman Empire will try to do well in a new world where people like Bonaparte want to change things. At this point in history, the Ottoman Empire was dealing with the deadly first half of the Serbian Revolution, which took place from 1804 to 1817. This was happening at the same time as the Eastern Question, which made the Empire’s social and political situation even worse.
Napoleon: Total War has an internal struggle like this, where the Ottoman Empire’s huge lands and army-building power are met by weak units and a weak economy to begin with. Players may be able to change this, though, if they use its units’ high energy and heat resistance, the fact that it doesn’t suffer from diplomacy effects when it takes territory, and the fact that its starting lands can grow their economies with the right management.
8. Victoria 3
Victoriana 3 takes place during the Victorian Era and shows the Ottoman Empire at the start of its fall, from 1836 to 1936. Since the 1600s and 1700s, when the Ottoman Empire was at its strongest, its institutions have been in trouble, and it has lost to Austria and Russia. At the same time, Egypt and Greece have become independent, turning the Great Power into the Sick Man of Europe. The Ottoman Empire would end in 1922 after World War I, so if it stops being a monarchy, it’s also possible to change its name to Turkey in Victoria 3.
The Ottomans start Victoria 3 as one of the most behind-the-times countries when it comes to technology and the economy. Their current big but reasonable size is their only chance of making it through their Tanzimat, or period of change. If it was successful, the “Tanzimat: The Reorganization” event would happen. If it was unsuccessful, the scary “The Dead Man of Europe” event would happen.
