Please, suggest me some strategy games in the vein of Machiavelli the Prince or Emperor of the Fading Suns where several feudal houses are vying for domination by military, economical and political means. No matter be it in real history, fantasy or sci-fi setting.

Crusader Kings and the similar games have too may factions for my taste.

Thanks in advance.

I can't imagine that Romance of the Three Kingdoms isn't a game about rival factions and rice management.

There's also Nobunaga's Ambition, a steadfast rock of the entire genre.

How broad did you want to go?

The games based on Dune (feudalism in space):
Dune (adventure/strategy hybrid)
Dune II
Dune 2000

Earlier this week Star Dynasties was released on GOG, but if you think Crusader Kings has too many factions, this could to be the case as wel.

That new iceberg title Star Dynasties maybe ? or the upcoming Alliance of the Sacred Suns seem both games that fit your bill

Well, of course I do know Dune game series but it has no other means of achieving domination than warfare, alas. No economics, no diplomacy, no politics.

(A game that depicts Dune universe in all its complexity would be a miracle... If it were ever released).

RotTK and Nobunaga seem to have too many factions, aren't they? I'd prefer Machiavelli/EotFS way of having about 4-5 sides.

As for Mount & Blade it is more RPG-ish for me than strategy game. It's OK, it has good warfare and so-so politics but it lacks in depth of economical part (unmodded).

I don't really have much experience with Koei's strategy games, but Gemfire seems like it's a lot simpler than their chinese/japanese history based ones. I can't remember how many sides there were offhand, although you could choose to start later in the timeline after the weaker ones have been taken over iirc.

Mechwarrior 2

Yes, Battletech universe per se will do, of course. But is there diplomacy or economics in there? IIRC, the answer will be NO. Only tactics/simulation of mecha warfare.

I'm not sure that it's a good example but maybe The Guild? There are 3 chapters and plenty of options including diplomacy and economics.

Yes, but which mod? Perisno, pop, Viking conquest, bannerpage…

What about these?

https://www.gog.com/game/sword_of_the_samurai
https://www.gog.com/game/lords_of_the_realm_royal_edition
https://www.gog.com/game/lords_of_the_realm_3
https://www.gog.com/game/castles_castles_2

Sadly not on GOG, but if you can dig up a used disc copy, Rise of Wonders: Rise of Legends.

I would think most 4X games such as Civilization and Master of Orion meet the criteria, and indeed the game description on the Emperor of the Fading Suns store page says so.

The plot of Final Fantasy Tactics. (Emulate the later War of the Lion translation, or the re-translation of the PS1 original). royal intrigue doesn't get any more peak than that. (If you like the gameplay, move on to Fell Seal. The story isn't as strong there, but it's the spiritual continuation of game play.)

FF12's plot. The game is pretty crap, but the plot's good for this.