Well, I have a tendency to like games everyone else does not, so... :)

Can do!

Imperialism is one of my favorite games of all time. I have owned it since release, and I still play it at least once a year. There are multiple reasons for this...

First, the artwork is comprised largely of watercolor and pencil hand-drawn scans. The end result is that this game at 640x480 has aged better than almost any other game from the 90's save a few. There is some 3D modelling mixed in, but it's not done in any way that detracts from gameplay.

The music and GUI are brilliant. Where most historical games tend to rip a musical/GUI style from the era they cover and call it a day, Imperialism's score/GUI went a step further by attempting to place the player firmly within the role of an emperor/king/president/leader.

Lastly, gameplay makes the game. Imperialism is simply too elegant to be called a 4X game. Where most games clearly funnel the player towards military dominance, Imperialism at every turn makes the player realize the consequences of militarization without thought. Instead, diplomacy is the most powerful tool in developing your nation, followed by industry and trade.

At the same time, Imperialism is deviously simple. There are only a handful of options, but each one must be considered and implemented correctly if the player wants to truly dominate.

And possibly the best of all, Imperialism more accurately depicts the relationships between labor, industry, trade, transport, military, diplomacy, imperialism and exploitation, and other facets of government than any other game has come close to doing. Which is phenomenal when you consider how simplified this game is. But, after playing Imperialism, you come to see how mechanics like population and morale management are largely unrealistic in strategy games. This game carried me through my first semester American History class on those underlying fundamentals alone.

Imperialism is a game that just did it all right (except the bugs, which no longer exist (except perhaps the multiplayer bug which nobody will respond to my queries regarding)). If you can find a few like-minded folks, the multiplayer will blow your mind. The pace of the game really allows you to sit and strategize with allies (or lie to them), and mislead enemies. It's an experience like no other, and a game with no equal in the genre.

So buy it. If you don't like it, I'll buy you your next game. Which is silly, because you are gonna like it.

That is quite the endorsement! I'm definitely buying it if it isn't gifted to me by my secret Santa!

Wow, I hope you don't start selling junk bonds or something like that. I'll be broke in no time.

Not exactly historical - but where is Fantasy General? I used to have it, but lost the cd :/

I also loved that one, probably the best from the panzer general series, only the tiles had all very similar colors. But the rest was so well balanced. Well, since it is not available here or elsewhere for buying, it probably is downloadable as abandonware somewhere.

I am also a big fan of Imperialism. However lately I wonder how important is the historical setting for the success of such games? Strategy by itself is enough in a go game.

The game which box art looks like a Nazi propaganda poster? Yeah, I'm not buying that one, even though I'm interested.

On the topic:

If Paradox games count, I'm in. I love those games. Also, one of the best military strategy games I ever played if "The operational art of war". Brilliant game. Would love to see released somewhere digitally .... *wink*

Fantasy Wars is on gog, and its a near perfect remake. I played through it numerous times, and then I played through Fantasy General specifically to compare and decided that the new one is much much better.

Personally I preferred Fantasy General, but I haven't been able to get it working on XP.

Why?

I think it's mostly the graphic style.
Fantasy wars IS a good game, but visually didn't grab me the way Fantasy General did.
Perhaps it's partly nostalgia too, but I won't be able to test that until I can get the game running again.

Aye Fantasy Wars I do have - though I lost saves when I upgraded my computer earlier. Should start it (too) again.

Does Spellcross: The last Battle ring any bells? Unfortunately not on GoG.

I should warn you not to ever watch "All quiet on the western front" - a great anti-war film (pre-WW2 even) cause its posters can also give you simillar impression ;)

I personally like the cover. Here's the story of how it was made btw.
http://unityofcommand.net/blog/2011/11/06/making-of-unity-of-command-front-cover/