Are you into simulation games, especially country simulations? If so, then you've probably already heard of NationStates. It's a fun online game where you create your own country, but without all the micromanagement. It works via web browser, no need to install any software. You just vote periodically on issues that come up for your country, and it figures out all the statistics and tax rate for your nation from that. In NationStates, there is no ability to wage war or invade another country, which can either be a good or a bad thing depending on your point of view. Although you can play it by yourself, you also have the option for your country to join the World Assembly, which is kind of like the United Nations. Once you do that, you're able to interact with other players. There can be a lot of politics and double-dealing once you go beyond just playing by yourself, although it's up to you how much or how little you want to be involved.
At this point, you're probably wondering if there are other online games like NationStates. Here are some great alternatives; all of these will appeal to gamers who enjoy planning-style games.
eRepublik
I personally found that eRepublik is a smooth transition from NationStates, even though they are different in several ways. First of all, you join a country of your choice, you don't create one. In eRepublik war is a focus of the game, but with a difference: you don't die (whew!) Instead you send unmanned vehicles to do battle for you. There's no need for battle strategy; you simply choose whether to deploy on the ground or via air and the system figures everything out for you and does it for you. If you prefer you can use specific weapons but if you want to keep it simple you can just use the defaults provided.
Although it is possible to play without involving yourself in wars, it's harder to progress that way. This is because you're rewarded more heavily for involving yourself in wars than for a purely economic strategy. eRepublik gently guides you in to what to do so you're never lost. It doesn't take up much time at all to play because there are typically only a certain number of actions that can be completed in a specific timeframe, making it a fun and no-pressure game to play for the busy person. This online country simulator is available for free in your choice of almost all languages.
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I found that interactions with other players are positive and supportive in eRepublik, so I love that it has a good community. Of course, you can still play while ignoring everyone else if you prefer not to interact with anyone. I would recommend eRepublik as the best game to try after NationStates.
BitNations
BitNations is an online nation simulation game where you're in charge of your own country. You can form your government, wage war, and plenty more. Your decisions affect your population and your level of political power. Therefore it can be considered one of the best government simulation games online. There's a Discord chat available for it too.
Politics and War
Politics and War is an online country simulator game designed to work as multiplayer all the time; you can't just isolate yourself from everyone else. As the name suggests, war is part of the game. You can play with friends and strangers and try to win by conflict or you can work together to build up a co-operative of nations. It's your choice. In Politics and War, you have treaties, conflicts, bounties, embargoes, and more. It's a good choice if you enjoy NationStates but want the option to wage war.
Cyber Nations
Cyber Nations has plenty of gameplay options available to you. Like NationStates, you choose your basic set-up from a range of combinations of options, but then you can extend things as you go by purchasing infrastructure, land, technology, and military. In this nation simulator you're able to interact with other players via trading, espionage, alliances, war, and more.
Conflict of Nations
If you're looking for something that is more directly related to war and battle strategy, then Conflict of Nations is for you. This is a real-time online game where you control a country and wage modern warfare against other countries.
One feature that sets this game apart from others is that you have the ability to research technologies - although the technologies tend to all be military.
Tropico
Unlike the others above, Tropico is not a free browser game but rather a game that you pay to own, available for PC through Steam, Mac, XBox One, and PS4. Once you own it though there are no ongoing costs. In this game, you are the leader of a tropical nation, and it's up to you to keep your economy functioning, your citizens happy, and also achieve the goals set out by your mission challenge. You can take a look at our tips for Tropico 6 gameplay which covers everything you need to know about making money in Tropico 6 - its economy is almost always the limiting factor for most of the missions. This game is ideal if you love planning-style simulation and building games.
Tropico is one of the best country simulation games out there, but be warned that you or your country can fail in Tropico, unlike NationStates or eRepublik. Therefore you may find yourself repeating certain missions in Tropico 6.
Looking for something easier than country simulators?
If nation building games are a little more complex than you'd like, tower defense may be your thing - check out this article on the best tower defense games.
