Grand strategy needn't be complex, slow and a gargantuan time investment. That’s the revelation of Ozymandias developer The Secret Games Company, whose game about leading a Bronze Age civilisation through history makes grand strategy approachable.

What we love: Just because Ozymandias is an approachable strategy game, that doesn’t mean that it’s a shallow experience. After learning the ropes, you’ll still find your hands full managing the turn-based territorial expansion of your realm. Playing Ozymandias might look fairly casual, but trust us: expanding your territory without ruining your economy and keeping enough resources to prepare for conflict is an immensely satisfying gameplay experience.

Quick tip: Plan ahead. In most scenarios you’ll not be able to do everything at once: expanding your civilisation, investing in technological advances and building a strong army. Take your time during each round to evaluate what your closest neighbours have done and react. Keep in mind your civilisation’s traits and strengths – whether specialised in Militant might, Bureaucratic knowledge, Mercantile wealth or something else – and develop towards them.

Meet the creator: Ozymandias was made by The Secret Games Company, a small indie developer in London founded by Jeremy Hogan in 2012. Hogan has also published his own board game, 2014’s Dreaming Spires, that tasks players with managing one of Oxford University’s colleges throughout the centuries.