Have you ever dreamed of building huge cities or leading military campaigns of conquest? If the answer is yes, then strategy games are for you. Strategy games are a diverse and immersive genre, full of games that will keep you hooked for hundreds of hours.
Whether you're a strategy veteran or new to the genre, there are plenty of titles to sink your teeth into. Whether you're looking to get started or looking for your next conquest, read on for our recommendations of the best strategy games to check out.
In the pantheon of grand strategy games, the Civilization series is widely regarded as the pinnacle of the genre. The game, which first appeared on his PC in 1991, was groundbreaking for its time, allowing players to build civilizations on a macro scale, from prehistoric times to the near future.
In Civilization VI, controlling the seas will help keep your people safe.
© 2K Games
This is how you play StarCraft
© Tomek Gola/Red Bull Content Pool
Age of Empires 2 has become a popular eSports game
© Julian Schilase/Red Bull Content Pool
If you like city building, check out Cities: Skylines, a simulation game that lets you build the city of your dreams in meticulous detail, managing zoning, road layout, taxation, public services and more. Building on the SimCity tradition, developer Colossal Order has created an incredibly realistic city management simulation that will test your powers of deduction to the limits. The attention to detail in Cities: Skylines and its sequels is truly astounding.
Cities and skylines in Cities: Skylines
© Colossal Order
Join a ragtag group of heroes who are humanity's last hope against an invading alien race in the sequel to Firaxis' seminal turn-based strategy. With its deep and complex combat mechanics, immersive lore, and enigmatic visual style, this 2016 masterpiece is a must-play.
battle lines are drawn
© Creative Assembly
So far we've covered historical blockbusters and sci-fi adventures, but if you prefer “Lord of the Rings” to “Braveheart” or “Starship Troopers,” then this series is for you. is. Total War: The Warhammer series takes the complex tactics of Creative Assembly's strategy series and places it in the fantastical world of Warhammer, allowing players to engage in dramatic, large-scale battles with orcs, dwarves, and high elves. I'll make it. The latest installment, Warhammer 3, is massive in scope and dwarfs many of its contemporaries with the sheer number of units on screen.
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Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2
Crusader Kings 3 has all the hallmarks of a great grand strategy game, including a huge map, deep combat system, and immersive visuals, but it's the storyline that really shines. Each character that players can play as has their own unique personality and quirks, which will greatly change the formation of your dynasty. The stories that unfold in Crusader Kings 3 are believable, often funny, and at times touching. Whether you're a hardcore tactician or just want to experience great lore, Crusader Kings 3 is worth a look.
In space, no one can hear your schemes. In Sins of a Solar Empire, you take command of an interstellar empire, and every decision you make determines the fate of thousands of galactic citizens. Democracy is an option, but most of the time you'll be assessing your powerful starship fleet and deciding whether you can win a space skirmish.
Explore a vast fantasy world in Age of Wonders 4, Triamp Studio's best 4X series. City-building, questing, and recruiting monsters are staples of the Age of Wonder series, but this fourth title significantly expands on the society-building element for an even more challenging and engaging experience. Combining different kinds of monsters and Frankensteining your own crazy creations is great fun as you build the most powerful empire in the kingdom.
Total War: Three Kingdoms is all about big characters and big battles
© SEGA
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Total War: Three Kingdoms
If orcs, goblins, and dragons aren't your thing, you might want to try out the Total War history series. Our current favorite is Total War: Three Kingdoms, which depicts the Chinese civil war. Each faction is led by a larger-than-life leader with a unique personality, goals, strengths, and weaknesses. Discovering the different nuances of these characters is one of the great joys of this game, along with the epic and challenging battles and deep management system.
If you feel the call of the sea, set sail in Sea of Conquest, a strategy RPG where you manage your own pirate fleet. Recruit a band of scurvy dogs and plunder your way to fame and glory, and you could become the most feared pirate king on the seven seas. Customizing your ship is a ton of fun, and best of all, it's free.
How about a mashup of genres? It's a mix of strategic battles and cozy city building. In this immersive simulation, you build your own medieval village, survive, stay safe, and fight off enemies who come to plunder your hard-earned resources. The game is currently in early access, so some systems are still being refined, but it's sure to be a great strategy game. If the developers of Slavic Magic tighten up the combat, they might have a modern classic on their hands.
These are just a few of the many great strategy games currently available, and with so many subgenres that can be tweaked, combined, or reworked, we think the future of this genre is very bright.
