ParadoxDevelopment Studiohas made a name for itself in the grand strategy genre. Games likeCrusader Kings 3,Stellaris, andHearts of Iron 4have been enthralling strategy fans for hours on end. Each game is chock-full of content and delivers very different experiences across very distinct settings. Strategy fans are anxiously waiting to see whereParadox Development Studiobrings them next, and maybe it should be a fantasy setting this time around.
Paradox has tried all sorts of different settings for its grand strategy titles, but it has never brought players to a fantastical world of magic and monsters.Hearts of Ironwhisked players off to World War Two,Crusader Kingsbrings them to the Middle Ages, theVictoriaseries introduced players to the Victorian period, andStellarisshot them into the stars. All these titles have introduced new gameplay mechanics and settings, but they have all stayed true to the grand strategy genre that Paradox has seemingly perfected. If mods forCrusader Kingsare anything to go by, this same framework could work very well in a brand-new fantasy world.
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Paradox is Ready for Fantasy Grand Strategy Games
Paradox Development Studio has been developingPC grand strategy gamessince 1995, and it shows no signs of stopping. The studio has become a staple of PC gaming, and most strategy fans have spent hours playing one of its games. It has created titles in all sorts of different settings, and has spawned multiple different strategy franchises that have gained decently sized fanbases. It has dabbled in realty, and has also taken a trip into sci-fi. Throughout it all, the core framework of its grand strategy model has remained.
Each game from Paradox Development Studio have offered different experiences for players to test their mettle in. FromCrusader KingstoStellaris,Paradox has honed its skills delivering deep, intricate grand strategy experiences in all kinds of genres. Each title has a bit of a learning curve, but they are all treats for grand strategy fans to engross themselves in, regardless of what new setting Paradox leaps to.
Paradox has shown that it knows how to play in history and sci-fi, and now it should try its hand at a fantasy-based title. Fantasy is a very popular genre that doesn’t have the strongest foothold in grand strategy right now. The closest that the genre has come iswithTotal War Warhammerwhich brought theTotal Warformula to theWarhammeruniverse. If Creative Assembly can successfully mold itsTotal Warfranchise to a fantasy IP, then Paradox should be able to do it with its own grand strategy formula.
Modders forCrusader Kingshave already shown that Paradox’s gameplay mechanics work well in fantasy worlds. Modders have created both theworld ofGame of ThronesandThe Lord of the RIngsinside theCrusader Kingsgames. It has allowed players to conquer some of the most popular fantasy worlds around, and it has let them tell their own stories inside. Paradox would probably want to craft its own fantasy world, and the mods serve as a good justification for why Paradox needs to make it happen.
Paradox’s next grand strategy game is going to beVictoria 3which is set to release on October 25. After that hits Steam, all eyes will be on what the studio does next. It may be along-awaited sequel toStellaris, anotherEuropa Universalis, or even a newHearts of Iron, but it should be a fantasy-based game. The studio has never tried its hand at the genre, and it could be excellent at it. It would allowParadoxto run wild with its imagination, and the grand strategy genre may be better for it.
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