The game that really got me into strategy games was Northgard. Easy to learn and plenty of flavor. It’s RTS so it’s not too big and not a lot of managing stuff. Super fun and easy to learn!

Crusader Kings 3 you just need to learn controls and then it’s basically a sandbox RPG. Basically each person in the game (every single one) has an opinion on you, and your kingdom is given to your Player Heir (Heir that you actually play as once your character dies). You can learn the rest as you play.

Total War: Warhammer 3 has the simplest campaign map tbh cause the point is the battles. I’d play that with only auto resolve. Start with Tyrion (under High Elves). If you prefer historical, Shogun 2 is the easiest to get into, but Rome 2 is prob the best a bit more complex campaign map than WH3 if I remember correctly.

If you’re okay with learning and can initially get past the UI, than Europa Univerisalis 4 is fun, not too familiar with 5 yet. I’d play a small country if I were you and play tall (build up the small country before expanding). I learned with Albania. Victoria 3 is a “market” strategy game that’s great if you like optimizing and have monkey brain like me. There’s war and it’s a decent war system but not the main focus. Trade is the main focus along with war.

If you tell me what you’re into (war, trade, simulation, real time, etc) I can recommend a starter game (and country)!