Each of the above games has a twist on the concept, and GD's is a tactical one. This works pretty well, with interesting strategies evolving, but of course lacks a feeling of control over the battle. You can have up to five opponents, chosen from historical personalities. Refreshingly, they seem inclined neither to line up and let you slaughter them one by one nor to all gang up on you at once. The game takes place either on earth or a randomly generated world.
Areas have an economic value ranging from one to three.
One interesting system is Revolt. Countries have unrest levels that respond to various conditions, particularly conquest and the use of special forces. This causes the territory to be impassable for from a month to a year. Further, revolt is contagious, and it can be awe inspiring to see the much- fought over central asian or european plain suddenly throw all the imperialists out in one xenophobic rush. The movement system is unique among computer games, so far as I can tell.