I only recently was a diehard CIV II player. No game, I thought, could match its depth and attention to history.
I was wrong.
I've recently become a follower of the game Europa Universalis.
I suggest you check it out at
www.europa-universalis.com.
It's only concentrates on three centuries of European history, 1492-1792. But in turn you get incredible depth. Royal marriage alliances, military alliances, vassalage, annexation, colonies, trading posts, technological advancement in four separate fields, realistic economic, diplomatic, military, and domestic issues. All in all and incredible game. I've done it no justice. Check out the website and any review of the game.