The Total War series may be of interest to you.
http://www.totalwar.com/Its a historical strategy series where one is put in charge of a country and is tasked with expanding and protecting one's empire from foreign invaders and domestic turmoil (such as rebellions and worker strikes).
There are two parts to the campaigns: The overworld map where one moves around nobles, diplomats, assassins, clergy, and armies from place to place, while managing cities and conducting diplomacy; this part of the game is turn-based (I.E. The Hapsburgs move all their units, then Venice, then Ottomans, ect (no idea if this is the actual order... probably not). The second part of the game is the battles that take place in real time with a large number of combatants (though easily controlled as they're grouped together in units).
Here's a youtube video of a Rome: Total War battle I found.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjoUUS9PHaQJust to quickly discuss the games in the series I've played...
Rome: Total War takes place during the rise of the Roman Empire. Starting as one of three Roman Factions, one must build an empire spanning Europe and the Mediterranean and eventually claim Rome for your faction.
The Barbarian Invasion expansion adds, well, barbarian invaders. And night battles... seeing hundreds of torches moving in on your outpost can be a little intimidating
. Its set during the decline of the Roman Empire, with the empire split between east and west and invaders coming from the east. You can play as one of the emerging nations, such as the Franks or Gauls, the west or east part of the Roman Empire, or as one of the invading hordes.
In Medieval: Total War II one is placed in charge of a kingdom in either Europe or the Middle East and is charged with building an empire. A fun addition is that of Crusades and Jihads where the Pope or Caliph (I think its the Caliph... I haven't played an Islamic country in the campaign yet to be honest) decides that a place needs to be conquered and invites all relevant countries to join the crusade/jihad and conquer it. Religion fuels a lot of the game's politics, as keeping the Pope happy is the best way to avoid having a crusade called against you (which can happen if you invade one of your Christian neighbors or decline to make peace... and yes, having a crusade called against you suuuucks!
) and being able to request a crusade of your own is useful. Joining a crusade gains you favor with the Pope. Of course if your Cardinals and diplomats have enough influence, you can influence Papal elections to get a Pope favorable to your kingdom (if not from your kingdom) appointed.
Empire: Total War is set during the 18th century. The campaign map is much larger, as it now includes more of Russia/Middle East/Africa, India, and the Americas. This game adds gunpowder units and naval battles (in previous games the winner of a naval conflict would be resolved automatically by the computer).
The games in the series I haven't played but will mention include Shogun: Total War (feudal Japan), Medieval: Total War 1, the Alexander the great expansion for Rome total war, and Napoleon: Total War. Shogun: Total War II is coming out in March.