Victoria is awesome. Market dynamics, internal politics, international relations, migrations and, of course, war in the advent of the industrial revolution. No tactical battles, though.
"Suicide by micromanagement" for some (), Paradox's finest for others. And Vicky2 is coming out soon!
Victoria is good but, the work and the nerves........
If we are talking about old games, Syndicate and the Generals Series (Panzer General, Allied General, Panzer General II, Pacific General, People's General and Fantasy General) or the Emperor: Battle for Dune