Strategy Games General

If you ask me, complete bundle is well worth $12.50. I haven't played some of the other games mentioned in this thread, but I am aware that Civ V is far from perfect. So, if you want Civ V, you should get it now, but there are other options that I can't give input on.

Understand that there is a difference between the 4x genre, and the strategy genre.
While it is no hard rule, the essense of the difference is that in a strategy game, you have enough information, or can quickly aquire enough information, to approximate all the parameters in the game, maybe bar your opponent's plan, while the 4X game, like civ often lets you build with less complete information, and as a result lets you get away with far less optimized play, while still (ideally) being challenging in a way that is mostly natural.
(In a 4x, you tend to have enough information on what to do right now, but laying overarching long term plans is a lot harder.)
Civ feels more like Heroes of might and magic with randomized maps, but sans tactical combat, than it feels like RTS or grand strat, in terms of the way you make decisions.

Wait for VI :^).

Reminder that Amplitude os based and they used to work for Jewbisoft

Is Age of Wonders 3 worth it?
I heard its not as shit as 2.

So, If I wanted like a "simulation" (it's not) of World War I or II while managing one country, what game would you recommend? No fantasy pls, as realistic as possible

Hearts of Iron, Decisive Campaigns, Making History.

As realistic as possible? Possibly Hearts of Iron 3, though that is no starter's game.

am I allowed to talk about Tropico here?

WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?!