Victoria has a fairly robust economic simulation.  Primary resource extraction leads to manufacture of basic products, some of which can be combined with other items to produce advanced products.  For example, tobacco can only be used in its basic state, but electric gear can be made into radio sets.

To my mind, the major fun of the game lies in getting a large number of factories going and achieving a positive balance of trade.  I also have a certain enthusiasm for building relatively high-tech armies -- which means, cavalry or dragoons or infantry, reinforced with brigades of engineers, headquarters units, tanks, or artillery.

Victoria has an extensive diplomatic system, which seems to railroad the average player into a rather grim repetition of history.  Exceptionally skilled players can use this system to bargain and negotiate their way into "major power" status.

More info is at:
http://www.paradoxplaza.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=118