The best strategy games of all time: top 15 games you need to play (2024)

Summary

  1. 1Civilization 6
  2. 2Starcraft 2
  3. 3Age of Empires 2
  4. 4Cities: Skylines
  5. 5XCOM 2
  6. 6Total War: Warhammer 3
  7. 8Crusader Kings 3
  8. 9Sins of a Solar Empire
  9. 10Age of Wonders 4
  10. 11Total War: Three Kingdoms
  11. 12 Sea of Conquest
  12. 13Manor Lords
  13. 14Hearthstone
  14. 15Clash Royale

Have you ever dreamed of raising towering cities or leading a conquering military campaign? If you answered yes, then strategy games are for you, a varied and immersive genre filled with games that you can sink hundreds of hours into without ever getting bored.

Whether you're a seasoned strategy veteran or a newcomer, there are plenty of titles to sink your teeth into. Whether you're looking to get started in strategy gaming, or just looking for your next conquest, read on for our top picks for strategy games to check out.

01

Civilization 6

In the pantheon of grand strategy games, the Civilization series is widely recognised as the pinnacle of the genre. First arriving on PCs in 1991, the game was ground-breaking for the time, allowing players to build a civilisation on a macro scale, all the way from prehistory to the near future.

The sixth entry is the latest in the series, making your conquests even more immersive thanks to stunning graphics and more intricate mechanics. There's also a robust offering of DLC to sink your teeth into, so you'll never get bored with Civ 6. If you're just getting started, check out our Civ 6 top tips.

02

Starcraft 2

If there was a Mount Rushmore for real-time strategy games, then Starcraft 2's grizzled space marine would certainly be up there, grimacing down on the many imitators this iconic series has spawned. This base-building RTS boasted an impressive single-player campaign, but its phenomenon status was secured by its multiplayer offering. Millions of players became addicted to Blizzard's PvP modes, ensuring the lasting legacy of this classic title. If you want to get into the esports scene, we recommend first consulting our list of Starcraft 2 game-specific terms, lest you find yourself quickly overwhelmed.

There's a good reason that after more than two decades, Age of Empires 2 still has a huge fanbase who play the game daily. That's because it's one of the finest real-time strategy games ever made, laying the groundwork for many titles to come. The Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition offers even more content for fans to dive into, along with gorgeous modern graphics and numerous quality-of-life improvements. So huge is the Age of Empires fandom, that its premier tournament, Red Bull Wololo, remains one of the biggest esports events in the world.

04

Cities: Skylines

If city-building is your bag, then you've got to check out Cities: Skylines. This simulation game allows you to build your dream city down to the tiny details, managing zoning, road placement, taxation, public services and more. Building from the legacy of SimCity, developer Colossal Order crafted an amazingly realistic simulation of city management that's sure to test your reasoning to its very limits. The attention to detail in Cities: Skylines and its sequel are truly staggering.

05

Enlist with a ragtag band of heroes, who just so happen to be humanity's last hope against a race of invading aliens in Firaxis's deeply influential turn-based strategy sequel. With deep and complex combat mechanics, immersive lore and an enigmatic visual style, this 2016 classic holds up as an absolute must-play.

06

Total War: Warhammer 3

So far we've covered historic epics and science-fiction adventures, but if you prefer The Lord of the Rings over Braveheart or Starship Troopers, we've got the franchise for you. The Total War: Warhammer series takes the complex tactics of Creative Assembly's strategy series and places it in the fantastical world of Warhammer, allowing players to do battle with orcs, dwarves and high elves in dramatic, large-scale battles. The most recent iteration, Warhammer 3, is vast in scale, dwarfing many of its contemporaries with the overwhelming number of units on-screen.

07

Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2

Command & Conquer is held up as one of the greatest strategy series of all time for its fast-paced gameplay, diverse roster of units and it's entertaining, often campy cut-scenes. Nowhere are these qualities better displayed than in Red Alert 2, considered by many fans to be the pinnacle of the series. This is also the series that gave us what is possibly Tim Curry's most iconic line reading ever.

Crusader Kings 3 has all the hallmarks of a brilliant grand strategy game – a vast map, an in-depth combat system and immersive visuals – but where it really shines is in its storytelling. Every character the player can choose to play has their own unique personalities and quirks, which will vastly change how their dynasty is shaped. The stories that emerge in Crusader Kings 3 are believable, often amusing and occasionally moving. Whether you're a hardcore tactician or just want to experience some great lore, Crusader Kings 3 is worth a look.

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09

Sins of a Solar Empire

In space, no one can hear you scheme. In Sins of a Solar Empire, you take command of an interstellar empire, controlling the fates of thousands of galactic citizens with your every decision. Democracy is an option, but more often than not, you'll be sizing up formidable starship fleets and deciding whether you can come out of the space skirmish victorious.

10

Age of Wonders 4

Explore an enormous fantasy world in Age of Wonders 4, the finest entry in Triump Studio's 4X series yet. City-building, questing and recruiting monsters are key ingredients of the Age of Wonder formula, but this fourth title greatly expands the society-building elements for an even more challenging and engaging experience. Combining different monster types and Frankensteining your own mad creations is a huge part of the fun as you build the most powerful empire in the kingdom.

11

Total War: Three Kingdoms

If you're not one for orcs, goblins, and dragons, we recommend taking a dip in the waters of Total War's historical outings. Our favourite right now is Total War: Three Kingdoms, which depicts the Chinese civil war. Each faction is captained by a larger-than-life leader, with distinct character traits, goals, strengths and weaknesses. Discovering the different nuances of these characters is one of the great joys of the game, along with the epic and rewarding battles and deep management systems.

12

Sea of Conquest

If you feel the call of the sea, then set sail with Sea of Conquest, a strategy RPG where you manage your own pirate fleet. Recruit a gang of scurvy dogs and plunder your way to fame and glory, and maybe you can become the most feared pirate king in the seven seas. Customising your ship is also great fun and, best of all, it's free.

13

Manor Lords

How's this for a genre mash-up – a strategy battler mixed with a cosy city builder. In this immersive sim, you'll build your own medieval village, ensure survival and then safety, fending off any enemies that may come to plunder your hard-earned resources. The game is in early access right now, meaning that some systems still lack some polish, but the promise of an excellent strategy game is certainly plain to see. Once the developers at Slavic Magic can tighten up the combat, we might just have a modern classic on our hands.

14

Hearthstone

While card-battlers might not be what you traditionally consider to be a strategy game, deck-building games are indeed a spin-off from the wider strategy genre. Blizzard's seminal Hearthstone remains a touchstone for the sub-genre, offering endless combinations of cards to deploy against opponents around the world. If you want a shortcut to building Hearthstone decks like a pro, we've got you covered.

15

Clash Royale

Finally, we've got a lighter experience for those without the time to dedicate to learning multitudes of systems. Often referred to as a 'tower defence' game, Clash Royale has you strategising in bite-sized chunks as you defend your base and attempt to dismantle your opponents. Easy to pick up, but hard to master, this addictive mobile game is a great entry point for younger or inexperienced players.

These are just a few of the many fantastic strategy games available right now, and with so many sub-genres that can be tweaked, combined or reworked, we think the future is extremely bright for the genre.

The best strategy games of all time: top 15 games you need to play (2024)

FAQs

What games improve strategy? ›

Turn-based strategy games, such as Civilization, XCOM, or Fire Emblem, involve players taking turns to make their moves and actions. Real-time strategy games, like StarCraft, Age of Empires, or Command & Conquer, require players to make decisions and actions in real time.

Why are strategy games the best? ›

They provide a valuable opportunity to enhance cognitive skills, develop critical thinking abilities, and improve decision-making and problem-solving skills. Whether you're a child, a teenager, or an adult, engaging in strategy games can have a positive impact on your cognitive development.

What is number 1 game in the world? ›

Looking purely at the number of active players worldwide, PUBG is comfortably at the top of the most popular games pile right now, with over 100 million gamers enjoying this Battle Royale classic.

What game is #1 right now? ›

Discover even more data with Newzoo
Game titleChange
1.Minecraft1
2.ROBLOX1
3.Fortnite-
4.Counter-Strike 2 & GO-
16 more rows

Which strategy game has the most players? ›

Sid Meier's Civilization VI

How do strategy games affect the brain? ›

Increases brain matter

Much research has been done to show that video games impact brain plasticity (your brain's ability to change in response to learning) through the use of attentional control and reward processing.

What are strategy based games? ›

A strategy game or strategic game is a game (e.g. a board game) in which the players' uncoerced, and often autonomous, decision-making skills have a high significance in determining the outcome. Almost all strategy games require internal decision tree-style thinking, and typically very high situational awareness.

What was the first strategy game in the world? ›

While Herzog Zwei is regarded as the first true RTS game, the defining title for the genre was Westwood Studios's Dune II, which was followed by their seminal Command & Conquer games.

Is strategy better than tactics? ›

Strategy provides the foundation and direction. Without a clear strategy, tactical efforts may be disjointed or ineffective because they lack a coherent goal to align with. By setting the strategy first, an organization ensures that all tactical plans are effectively aligned towards achieving the set strategic goals.

Why do I enjoy strategy games? ›

Games provide us with a safe environment in which to experiment with different tactics, make mistakes, and learn from them without real-world repercussions. It's like being in an expansive sandbox where instead of building castles we are developing empires and fighting strategies.

What is the best competitive game right now? ›

Concurrent Steam Users
#Name24h Peak
1.Counter-Strike 21,525,896
2.Dota 2767,755
3.PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS698,069
4.Destiny 2178,134
76 more rows

What is the number 1 bought game? ›

Minecraft is also considered the best-selling video game in history and has a live-action film set for theatrical release in 2025.

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