In a world of quick fixes and short attention spans, coming up with a list of this sort can be an intimidating task.
Why?
The strategy game is as old as humankind’s gaming history, and some oldies would come for my head if I missed out on some of their favorites. 🖥️ 🎮
Historical tip – the first strategy games were played on tables and boards, and they made the jump to computers with the release of Invasion in 1972, by Magnavox Odyssey. These first PC strategy games were direct copies of the strategy board games people were already playing, clumsily packed onto new platforms.
Now, back to our list – there are dozens of strategy games worthy of this list, but we have tried to narrow it down to the best of the best. I understand that you might not agree with me on some of the games on my list, but hey, it’s my choice – and I would love it if you replied down there in the comments with a list of yours… Kapish? Awesome – let’s do this.
#1 Total War: Shogun 2
Shogun 2 might not be the best in many things, but Creative Assembly did create a rich, completely immersive experience with this part of the outstanding Total War game series.
With stunning graphics, conspiratorial generals, improved multiplayer possibilities, and deep strategic gameplay with many small details that allow you experience Japan’s unique historical flavor, Shogun 2 is one of the most captivating strategy games I have ever come played.
Total War: Shogun 2 Gameplay
In terms of gameplay, Shogun 2 is quite easy to play. However, it’s not one of those strategy games that let you get away without being fully engaged. There are so many variables at play which keep you on your toes, but also ensure complete immersion in the gameplay.
You play as an ambitious daimyo, or leader, of one of the ten most powerful clans in Japan. Each tribe has unique capabilities that you must master to succeed at unifying Japan as its new shogun.
Total War: Shogun 2 Graphics
Visually, Shogun 2 is an incredibly detailed piece of work – corpses of men cover the battlefield, and fire arrows and lanterns light up the night sky. The character image cards could pass off for historical Japanese painting, and the campaign map is stunning and well detailed. The graphics during battle are visually coherent, and even warriors in the same battle unit have different faces and battle gear.
Total War: Shogun 2 Storyline
Shogun 2, set in the 16th century feudal Japan, in the aftermath of the Ōnin War, is a strategy game steeped in rich Japanese history. However, that’s not what sets this beauty apart… It’s the various backstories, and issues you must contend with as the leader of your clan that combines to give Shogun 2 a unique feel that is highly suggestive of its historical setting.
Total War: Shogun 2 Coop/Multiplayer
Multiplayer campaigns are a vital part of Shogun 2, boasting both cooperative and versus multiplayer modes. While playing a versus campaign, Shogun 2 also allows you to control any AI troops that your enemy will battle. However, cooperative campaigns won’t give you any control of any available AI troops during your allies’ battles.
However, one thing I can assure you, attacking the vast fortress of Kyoto with a friend is an exhilarating experience. Sadly, multiplayer campaigns also cause bizarre crashes – seems some unsolved stability problems crop up when in multiplayer mode.
Total War: Shogun 2 Overall Verdict
While the stability issues during multiplayer campaigns can be a downer, overall, Shogun 2 is an excellent strategy game – inventive, challenging and action-packed.
#2 Civilization VI
We have all heard about CIV, one of the best turn-based strategy games ever created. Starting in prehistoric times, your civilization starts as a band of savages and evolves to a glorious empire. That is if you don’t get wiped out in the middle-ages or renaissance era.
Wondering what a turn-based strategy game is? Well, a turn-based strategy game is a strategy game where players each take a turn at playing. The easiest way to understand a turn-based strategy game is to look at it as a digital board game.
However, you really shouldn’t be asking me this question…
Back to Civilization 6, if you love grand strategy games, you would like this title. Its randomly generated maps also mean that you must make difficult but meaningful choices each time, as each map you select to give you a different experience each time.
Civilization VI Gameplay
More personalization, complexity, and freedom make Civilization VI as good as it gets. This is an outstanding and addictive strategy game – the best parts of its gameplay include varied victory conditions, city management, an improved difficulty level, and colorful historical characters and roles.
Civilization 6 improved on nearly all of the game mechanics, at no real cost to the experience. It’s the easiest to play amongst the Civilization series, but it’s also the most complex.
Did that last sentence make sense? Â
Civilization VI Graphics
The graphics are slightly cartoonish, but they make a great aesthetic view if you can get over the feeling that it reminds you of a mobile game. It can be hard to differentiate between explored and unexplored map areas because the colors are almost identical – however, the game grows on you quite quickly.
Civilization VI Storyline
The Civilization series magic still plays a significant part here, and the new additions and changes only serve to up the potential.
It will challenge you as you learn the ins and outs of your civilization and their quirks, but don’t be surprised to find out its 3:37 AM when you finally decide to check the clock. The storyline leaves you feeling like you are solving real-world problems.
Civilization VI Coop/Multiplayer
I usually love to play Civilization alone, but hey, I guess some of us strategy gamers get a kick out of crushing other civilizations. The multiplayer option can be a satisfying experience, considering you now replace the AI with real people. However, as the game proceeds, turns can take longer and longer. A multiplayer game of Civilization could be unfinishable unless you and your fellow gamers put in some dedication and in-game organization.
Civilization VI Overall Review
Civilization 6 is a worthy successor, and the various additions contribute to the excitement and challenges. Although it does have some flaws, Sid Meier’s Civilization VI is a joy to play and is a must-have for any strategy enthusiast.
While CIV VI is the best Civilization game in our opinion, older titles are just as good.
#3 StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
Creating a sequel to a strategy game that has been hailed by players and critics worldwide as one of the top real-time strategy games of all time was never going to be an easy task – but Blizzard Entertainment handled that superbly. At a basic level, StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty keeps many elements from the original game, but much has also been improved.
By building off the basics and boosting the game with unforgettable missions, and breathtaking visuals, StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty is a significant step forward for the series.
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty Gameplay
Extremely competitive but satisfying, StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty is a great tactical masterpiece. The gameplay is quite like the original game, but somewhat faster-paced. There are naturally more units, including an entire set of missions that reveals critical parts of the storyline.
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty Graphics
Graphically, the game looks great, nothing out of this world, but adequate for a real-time strategy game. It leans more towards a cartoon-like style, rather than the grittiness the original had. It’s in the level of detail that StarCraft II excels – the layout looks complete.
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty Storyline
The story is quite absorbing and chronicles the adventures of marshal-turned-rebel-leader Jim Raynor. If you played the original game, this also features both familiar faces and some new heroes. The best part is that the storyline plays out in more ways than merely accomplishing your mission objectives. Asides the missions, you also must complete varied and fascinating tasks throughout the game.
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty Coop/Multiplayer
While playing the AI can be much fun, especially if you are StarCraft rookie, the multiplayer option can be quite captivating. With a reliable internet connection, the online multiplayer experience can be a thrilling but grueling one. Having units that can move between different levels of terrain adds loads of tactical possibilities that make these multiplayer games more dramatic.
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty Overall Review
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty is a finely crafted and well presented real-time strategy game. It’s faultless production, amazing gameplay with tons of additions and improvements, and a much-improved multiplayer side makes this strategy game an absolute joy.
#4 Age of Empires Definitive Edition
Age of Empires Definitive Edition brings back all the original gameplay of the genre-defining 1999 release, but with stunning graphics. For history buffs and Age of Empire II fans, this classic remastering will allow them to experience an epic game of empire building and conquest.
Age of Empires Definitive Edition Gameplay
If you are determined to play Age of Empires, then this is the best way to experience it. Graphical improvements aside, little adjustments to sound as well as tons of modifications make gameplay more interesting in the remastered version. Game speed has improved, although it tends to default to “Fast” pace, and the battles are more frenetic and impressive – thanks to the increased population limits.
Age of Empires Definitive Edition Graphics
Here is where this game excels… Graphics have been upgraded to 4k visuals, combined with an exciting zoom feature where you can now use the middle mouse button to zoom in and out. You can go into the game settings and go to Zoom Detail and change the zoom feature at X1, X2, or X4. Some computers might, however, struggle with zooming at X4, especially those that are not 4K ready.
Age of Empires Definitive Edition Storyline
If you love to learn a lot about ancient history, then you’ll love the Age of Empires Definitive Edition storyline. The game goes into detail in describing different ancient periods and the various ancient civilizations you come across while playing. The story gives you immediate, tangible goals to pursue, immersing you in the game immediately.
Age of Empires Definitive Edition Coop/Multiplayer
The improved multiplayer mode is quite good – simple, quick and easy to start a match. Unfortunately, its Windows Store exclusivity appears to limit the audience you can play the game with online.
Age of Empires Definitive Edition Overall Review
Age of Empires Definitive Edition is a work in process. It is far from perfect, but the fantastic content and stunning visuals more than make up for most of its flaws. The Windows 10 store exclusivity is undoubtedly a problem the game creators will have to solve, but this is one strategy game you should experience.
#5 XCOM 2
If you are a fan of alien invasions and hunts, this profoundly satisfying classic allows you to relive that experience repeatedly. A sequel to 2012’s XCOM: Enemy Unknown, this sequel improves on its predecessor in almost every way and is a gorgeous-looking brilliant game. XCOM 2 is a brutally intense strategy game, and the AI will ruthlessly take advantage of any mistakes you make.
XCOM 2 Gameplay
Gameplay in XCOM 2 makes numerous tweaks to the original script, but it’s still an engaging and challenging game. The new dynamism ensures missions never get boring, and there is always a new surprise to deal with at every other point.
It’s a game built around consequences, and the swiftness with which the AI reacts to your mistakes is brutal and humbling – but it also keeps me coming back, seeking ways to defeat it.Â
XCOM 2 Graphics
Firaxis should have done better here, as XCOM 2 isn’t a huge step up from its predecessor in this area. The visuals are not terrible but won’t stand out considering what it’s competing with for attention. The visual experience is just OK, but it also tends to strain your PC a bit more than the usual, especially if you turn the whole thing way up.
XCOM 2 Storyline
The storyline makes more sense in this version. In XCOM, it seemed funny that you had the whole of Earth leadership backing you but seemed to struggle with limited resources.
In XCOM 2, you lead a rag-tag band of desperate guerrillas to form an underground resistance and fight off the alien invasion. The story also has more strategic depth, and the myriad of options you must consider during every mission makes this one intense storyline that never really allows you to catch your breath.
XCOM 2 Coop/Multiplayer
Personally, I think XCOM 2 was created for single-player gaming. Now, with that out of the way, the multiplayer mode is flawless. Its multiplayer mode allows for head-to-head battles between squads. Players can purchase units using a points-based system, and then choose the game type and the sort of terrain they’ll fight on.
XCOM 2 Overall Review
Despite the bugs, which seem to be an ever-present feature in most game releases these days, XCOM 2 is one of the most exciting turn-based strategy games I have ever played.
The story is gripping, and the various little improvements serve to up the stakes during gameplay. If you want to shake it up a bit, check out the best XCOM 2 mods out there.
#6 Crusader Kings II
Crusader Kings II is an addictive strategy game – it has strategy, combat, intrigue and an open style of play where you decide what or how much you want to accomplish. With its feudal style diplomacy and backstabbing, Crusader Kings II is a complex strategy game that draws you in at every turn. This game is about humankind at it’s cunning and scheming best.
Crusader Kings II Gameplay
The gameplay here is an absolute delight, built on a rich tapestry of historical and random characters, feudal nepotistic glory, and unscripted situations. The game grows on you, and if you are in a hurry, this is not one game you should start. Its an incredibly detailed game, but to get the best out of it, you must be prepared to spend some time playing it.
If you’re down to make it even more fun, check out the best Crusader Kings II mods.
Crusader Kings II Graphics
Graphics are not that awesome, but the level of detail more than makes up for it. The color-coding also means that stats and other essential minutiae are easy to read and pick out.
Crusader Kings II Storyline
There is no single objective in the Crusader Kings II storyline. The depth of options means you have a rather steep learning curve, but once you get past that, it’s easy to get absorbed in the various complex little dramas going with your collection of nobles, dukes and subordinates.
Crusader Kings II Coop/Multiplayer
The 32 – player multiplayer online mode is an excellent investment, and fasten your learning curve, especially when you play it simultaneously with a group of friends. Playing Crusader Kings II against or with real people adds much fun to gameplay, whether it be organizing a combined ambush with your allies or arranging a marriage to strengthen a diplomatic tie with a foreign ally.
Crusader Kings II Overall Review
Crusader Kings II is an absolute delight of a power struggle and an enthralling one at that. While the learning curve can be daunting, don’t let that push you away. It is one game that gives you back as much as you give it. Crusader King II’s focus on dynasties and family allows for unique and entertaining gameplay with great depth and variation.
#7 Company of Heroes 2: Ardennes Assault
Company of Heroes 2: Ardennes Assault is one of those war strategy games that embody the famous saying: “you might have won the battle, but you haven’t won the war. It’s a gripping single-player campaign that sucks you in with a compelling script and well design missions. This turn-based strategy game is a combat-intense, harrowing journey through a classic war-torn countryside with little to no margin for error.
Company of Heroes 2: Ardennes Assault Gameplay
The gameplay is intense with this version, and Relic has exchanged the mission-based campaigns of the previous versions with a persistent campaign that drags on depleting your resources and manpower. The new introductions also up the learning curve, although players of prior versions will fare better than Company of Heroes rookies. Despite this, the game can be compelling and rewarding over the long-term.
Company of Heroes 2: Ardennes Assault Graphics
The dynamism of the visual interface does allow for some engaging single-player campaign. Relic draws us into the lives of the soldiers as well as any movie director would do, using unique and detailed visualizations to bring the story to life.
Company of Heroes 2: Ardennes Assault Storyline
Ardennes Assault has a storyline with excellent replay value. Relic does a great job of encapsulating the “Battle of the Bulge” accurately – the level of complexity and depth makes the Ardennes Assault storyline both fun and challenging.
Company of Heroes 2: Ardennes Assault Coop/Multiplayer
Company of Heroes 2: Ardennes Assault is a single-player game and has no multiplayer modes.
Company of Heroes 2: Ardennes Assault Overall Review
While Ardennes Assault can be a bit overwhelming for new players, it’s a gratifying experience once you wrap your head around the added layer of complexity. Overall, Ardennes Assault is a peach of a game, and certainly offers a lot of excitement and replay value – which is very important for me…
Final Words
Whew! That was some list – or you don’t agree? Asides its stability issues during multiplayer campaigns, Total War: Shogun 2 is the standout strategy game here. Most of the other games struggle to match the level of complexity and detail in its storyline, graphics, and gameplay.
Firmly snapping at its heels is Civilization VI, and that’s mainly because of how easily it sucks you in – asides the fact that’s it could almost pass off as a history teacher. If you are however a student of diplomacy and international relations, then Crusader Kings II would interest you. As for me, I’ll stick with my Total War: Shogun 2… But if you need something a bit lighter, try playing some of the most amazing puzzle games.