Civilization V - Pretty much the 4x sim game out there. Pick nation, build it up, expand, probably go to war at some point(s), say "just one more turn" 50 times in a row. Goes on sale frequently, you can get the full game with every expansion for under $15.
Anno 1404 (colonial era) or Anno 2070 (near future) - Similar games in a series, get the one with the setting that most appeals to you. There's also the far future Anno 2205, but I haven't played that so no idea how good it is. They're city builders, you colonize islands, build manufacturing centers, and ship goods around. Really good time sinks.
Tropico 4 - Better than 5, IMO, and can go as low as $5 for the game and expansions. Another city builder, much simpler than the Anno games. You're set up as the dictator of a small island nation and can do what you please with it. Make a benign socialist paradise where everyone is happy and well cared for, or go full banana republic and get filthy rich while your people suffer. Won't take up quite as much time as Civ or Anno, but still a good buy.
Stardew Valley - Ever play any of the Harvest Moon or Rune Factory games? Then you've got a good idea what this is about. If not, you play as a person moving to a new town to start up farm. There's a town full of people to befriend (and date and marry), two big dungeons, tons of fish to pull up, everything. One of my favorite games of the year, lots of value for the low amount it costs.
Crusader Kings 2 - Definitely the hardest game in this list to get into, but probably the most rewarding, imo. You roleplay as a noble in medieval times and have to deal with all the political intrigue of the time. Marriages, heirs, war, rebellion, spies and assassins, heresies, there's shitloads to do. There's a lot of expansions, but the base game and all but the latest ones go on sale pretty often.
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Civilization V - Pretty much the 4x sim game out there. Pick nation, build it up, expand, probably go to war at some point(s), say "just one more turn" 50 times in a row. Goes on sale frequently, you can get the full game with every expansion for under $15.
Anno 1404 (colonial era) or Anno 2070 (near future) - Similar games in a series, get the one with the setting that most appeals to you. There's also the far future Anno 2205, but I haven't played that so no idea how good it is. They're city builders, you colonize islands, build manufacturing centers, and ship goods around. Really good time sinks.
Tropico 4 - Better than 5, IMO, and can go as low as $5 for the game and expansions. Another city builder, much simpler than the Anno games. You're set up as the dictator of a small island nation and can do what you please with it. Make a benign socialist paradise where everyone is happy and well cared for, or go full banana republic and get filthy rich while your people suffer. Won't take up quite as much time as Civ or Anno, but still a good buy.
Stardew Valley - Ever play any of the Harvest Moon or Rune Factory games? Then you've got a good idea what this is about. If not, you play as a person moving to a new town to start up farm. There's a town full of people to befriend (and date and marry), two big dungeons, tons of fish to pull up, everything. One of my favorite games of the year, lots of value for the low amount it costs.
Crusader Kings 2 - Definitely the hardest game in this list to get into, but probably the most rewarding, imo. You roleplay as a noble in medieval times and have to deal with all the political intrigue of the time. Marriages, heirs, war, rebellion, spies and assassins, heresies, there's shitloads to do. There's a lot of expansions, but the base game and all but the latest ones go on sale pretty often.