States of Power Review

Overview

States of Power is a WWII-era grand strategy wargame developed by solo developer Sarunas. Released on Steam in August 2026, it occupies an interesting position in the strategy genre — simpler to learn than Paradox’s grand strategy catalogue but deeper than most casual strategy games. The result is a title that fills a gap for players who want meaningful strategic decisions without committing to the steep learning curves of its more established competitors.

What Works

The game’s greatest strength is its accessibility without sacrifice of depth. Getting a nation to war within five minutes of starting a new game is genuinely achievable, and the tutorial-free design philosophy means you learn by doing rather than by watching explanatory videos. This is a rare achievement in the grand strategy space.

The Scenario Editor is surprisingly capable for a title of this scope. Being able to create fictional nations, redraw borders, and script event chains without external tools opens up significant replayability. The community scenario browser extends this further, and the quality of community creations already available at launch suggests an active creative community.

The one-session campaign design is a stroke of genius. Traditional grand strategy games can require dozens of hours for a single campaign, which creates commitment barriers. States of Power’s campaigns are designed to be completed in a single sitting, making it accessible to players who cannot commit to marathon gaming sessions.

What Could Be Better

The AI, while competent at following orders and managing its units, occasionally makes decisions that a human player would never make — concentrating forces in exposed positions, failing to respond to obvious encirclement threats, and pursuing economically irrational construction strategies. These are common AI limitations in strategy games and are not uniquely present here, but they do reduce the challenge of single-player campaigns over time.

The visual design, while functional and clear, is not particularly distinctive. The map uses a conventional hex-free province system that is easy to read but lacks the atmospheric personality of games like Hearts of Iron IV. This is a minor criticism but worth noting for players who prioritise visual distinctiveness.

Comparison to Competitors

States of Power is most often compared to Hearts of Iron IV, the dominant WWII grand strategy game. Where Hearts of Iron IV offers greater complexity, moddability, and strategic nuance, States of Power offers accessibility, session-based pacing, and a built-in scenario editor. They serve different audiences: Hearts of Iron IV for veterans who want maximum depth, States of Power for newcomers and casual strategists who want meaningful decisions without the commitment.

Final Verdict

States of Power is a confident debut from a solo developer that successfully carves out its own identity in a crowded genre. The accessibility-first design philosophy does not mean dumbing down — the strategic decisions are real and consequential. For players new to grand strategy or veterans looking for a more accessible alternative, it is an easy recommendation. For players who want maximum complexity and are willing to invest the learning time, Hearts of Iron IV remains the deeper experience.