The Steam Strategy Fest has kicked off. Let’s be honest: 'political simulation' is a rather slippery term. It’s hard to pin down as a single genre. You have titles like Frostpunk that focus on the nitty-gritty of internal governance, while others like Sid Meier’s Civilization concern themselves with the grand spectacle of international competition.

Because the term is so broad, this Steam sale is inevitably cluttered with games that have as much to do with politics as a fish does with a bicycle, leaving many players scratching their heads. For those of you lost in the noise, [Game Recs] has hand-picked a selection of proper political simulation newcomers.

First up, we have House of Legacy. Released on Steam this past May, it is currently sitting at a 'Very Positive' rating (2,060 reviews, 83% positive). Set in medieval China, the player is tasked with building a dynasty from the ground up and expanding their sphere of influence.

While most games in the genre drop you into an established nation, House of Legacy forces the player to start from scratch, managing everything from territory development to initial construction. Once the foundation is set, the player manages relationships with other noble houses, recruits talent, and enacts policies to foster growth. Once stability is achieved, the gameplay shifts toward military expansion or diplomatic maneuvering to dominate rivals.

Crisis in the Kremlin: The Cold War is, as the title suggests, a political sim set within the Soviet Union. This fresh release hit Steam in July and has already secured a 'Very Positive' rating (411 reviews, 89% positive). The player steps into the shoes of a Soviet leader during the final decade before the union's collapse, holding the nation’s fate in their hands.

The real draw here is the staggering level of freedom. You can maintain the hardline socialist status quo or pivot toward democracy to forge a 'new' Soviet Union. Beyond that, the player can enact various policies to resurrect a fallen state or use brute military force to conquer neighbours. With dozens of potential endings based on the player's choices, it is a title built for multiple playthroughs.

If House of Legacy takes you to medieval China, King's Orders shifts the stage to medieval Europe. Released last October, it holds a 'Mostly Positive' rating on Steam (164 reviews, 75% positive).

The game follows the standard script of power-building and conquest, but with a clever twist: your orders aren't executed in real-time. Instead, they are dispatched via letters. When the player issues a command or policy, there is a delay before the results manifest and arrive back to the player in written form. It might feel a bit cumbersome at first, but many players find that this system actually heightens the sense of realism and immersion once they get the hang of it.

If you are looking to experience a realistic electoral process, The Political Machine 2024 is the one for you. This series hits the shelves every time a US presidential election rolls around. The latest iteration, released last May, currently holds a 'Mostly Positive' rating. The player takes on the role of a presidential candidate, aiming to best four rivals to claim the White House.

The game features real-world figures like Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton. The player can choose one of these veterans or craft their own custom candidate. Boosting approval ratings involves touring the country for campaign stops or leveraging TV and radio ads. Using 'Political Action Cards' allows the player to accelerate support or sabotage a rival’s campaign efforts.