The best strategy games grant you the power to alter the outcomes of important events, historical or otherwise. From legendary battles in Age of Empires to the sci-fi wars of StarCraft, your decisions and tactics will let you stay a step ahead of your opponents. This is true both in single-player campaigns and multiplayer tests of strength.
If you’re looking for a fresh start or your next real-time strategy (RTS) game, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our detailed round-up of old favorites and the best new strategy games for players of all skill levels.
Key Takeaways
- Strategy games test your ability to make quick decisions and respond to changes.
- Civilization 6 and Marvel’s Midnight Suns are good choices for new strategy players.
- Stellaris and Manor Lords offer an unprecedented degree of micro-management.
- Age of Empires 4 and Company of Heroes 3 bring the strengths of their predecessors into the modern era.
- StarCraft 2’s rich sci-fi battles help it earn the top spot on our list.
Best Strategy Games to Play in 2024
The best strategy of 2024 explores several settings, from interstellar battles to historical conflicts. Our top picks guarantee a good time regardless of how familiar you are with the strategy genre.
15. Manor Lords
- Highlights: Medieval city-builder with real-time combat
- Developer: Slavic Magic
- Publisher: Hooded Horse
- Availability & Cost: $39.99 on Steam
Manor Lords is half city-builder and half strategy with some combat thrown into the mix. Built by a single person, unraveling the sheer depth of the game is a magnificent experience. As you settle down and start establishing economy chains, you’ll slowly grow your presence and interact with more regions.
It’s up to you to ally with neighbors or drag them into conflicts played out in real-time tussles. But unlike most modern strategy games, crushing losses can stunt your economic progress. It’s a strong blueprint that lets you grow on your terms. For a debut title, there’s little more we can ask for.
14. Into the Breach
- Highlights: Turn-based isometric combat
- Developer: Subset Games
- Publisher: Subset Games, Netflix
- Availability & Cost: $14.99 on Steam, Nintendo eShop; Free on iOS and Android (Netflix users)
If you’re facing strategy game fatigue after controlling dozens of units and juggling economic changes, Into the Breach presents a great change of pace. It sits among the best strategy games on Android, but it plays just as well on PC and the Nintendo Switch. Control mechs with unique weapons and abilities as you confront the Vek, hulking monstrosities that have unique powers to contend with.
If you fail a mission, you’ll need to begin a new timeline and start over with some bonuses. The game’s procedurally generated levels also bring challenges like defending civilians or energy bases to keep you on your toes. Into the Breach is one of the best mobile strategy games out there, with tense tactical battles that will force you to think a few steps ahead.
13. Command & Conquer: Remastered
- Highlights: A great tribute to a sci-fi retro RTS
- Developer: Petroglyph Games
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
- Availability & Cost: $19.99 on Steam
Despite the mixed discourse on remakes these days, a faithful remaster at an affordable price is a great way to celebrate franchises that have stood the test of time. Command & Conquer: Remastered is one such option, with stunning visuals, 100+ missions, and strong multiplayer content. If you can get to grips with its mechanics, you can witness the evolution of a promising game into a franchise that inspired some of the best war strategy games out there.
Petroglyph Games keeps the game’s sci-fi sense of style intact as it overhauls the original’s environments and special effects. Naturally, its dated mechanics mean that it’s a fans-first game. But it also serves as a history lesson on one of the genre’s pioneers.
12. Iron Harvest
- Highlights: Dieselpunk RTS with mecha and infantry combat
- Developer: King Art Games
- Publisher: Deep Silver
- Availability & Cost: $29.99 on Steam, $49.99 on Xbox and PlayStation
Company of Heroes with mechs is never a bad idea. King Art Games makes it work with an endearing campaign of multiple perspectives, strong unit designs, and grisly warfare. There are plenty of units to pick from, ranging from infantry and tanks to lumbering mechs adept at different kinds of combat.
Its resource management system is pretty light, letting you focus on the action. Multiplayer matches are particularly tense, with foes using counters and flanks to overcome your strategy. Hero units are available, too, promising powerful abilities and the strength to put some dents on even the largest mechs. It’s a great option if you like mechs and want to dive into a dieselpunk setting.
11. Company of Heroes 3
- Highlights: Military RTS set in WWII
- Developer: Relic Entertainment
- Publisher: Sega
- Availability & Cost: $59.99 on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation
As one of the best WW2 strategy games in the business, Company of Heroes 3 makes a strong case with its massive real-time battles. From artillery strikes and troop ambushes to naval engagements, your tactical decision-making will be put to the test across two campaigns that offer four factions to pick from.
The game also features multiplayer action across 14 maps. With a crazy number of units to keep track of at all times, you’ll be using the tactical pause system often to coordinate elaborate strikes. Chain actions together, and you’ll have the sweet pleasure of seeing your units work like gears in a machine or witness a clever upset from your opponent. It’s an incredibly engaging strategy game that is well worth your time.
10. Dune Spice Wars
If you had the chance to play 1992’s Dune 2: The Building of a Dynasty, you’ll know that Arrakis has always been associated with strategy games. After a solid film adaptation, Dune Spice Wars provides another way to get your spice fix. This time, you’ll be handling troops and resources in a format that blends 4X and RTS elements together.
You’ll be staving off rivals from established factions as you collect spice from the deserts of Arrakis. And yes, sandworms remain a sizable threat. Since the game is still in Early Access, expect more features and recognizable faces to show up over time. A wealth of factions and councilors to pick from enhances replayability and will have you absorbed in Dune’s rich universe once more. It’s one of the best 4X strategy games and great for fans of the franchise.
9. Stellaris
- Highlights: Sci-fi grand strategy
- Developer: Paradox Development
- Publisher: Paradox Interactive
- Availability & Cost: $39.99 on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation
Controlling an interstellar empire is always a fascinating setting, especially for a strategy game. As you explore the cosmos, you’ll run into interesting alien races, governments, and warring factions. While war is always on the table, you can resolve situations via diplomacy or coin.
Sure, spaceship battles are exhilarating, but you’ll need to forge partnerships if you’re looking to take over more worlds. Expand your dominion and you’ll find yourself juggling economic goals alongside colonizing planets and parleying with aliens. If you like games that reward exploration and obsessing over details, you’ll love Stellaris. And if you own an Apple device, you’ll be pleased to know that Stellaris’ native support makes it one of the best strategy games for Mac.
8. Marvel’s Midnight Suns
- Highlights: Card-based tactical RPG with superheroes
- Developer: Firaxis Games
- Publisher: 2K Games
- Availability & Cost: $59.99 on Steam, $69.99 on Xbox and PlayStation
While Firaxis is known for its tough-as-nails XCOM franchise, a new partnership with Marvel allowed the turn-based tactics veterans to experiment with Earth’s mightiest heroes. Marvel’s Midnight Suns lets you control superheroes and villains with card decks to dish out some serious punishment.
It does a great job of making you feel in control, even when waves of enemies threaten your survival. The game also benefits from a strong social sim element outside combat that develops characters like Ghost Rider and Dr. Strange. Every aspect of the game comes together to form a compelling package for superhero fans. Its tight controls also make it a strong contender for being one of the best strategy games on PS5.
7. Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak
- Highlights: Tactical RTS set in a desert
- Developer: Blackbird Interactive
- Publisher: Gearbox Software
- Availability & Cost: $49.99 on Steam
While fighting in a desert might not sound like a tactical general’s dream, Blackbird Interactive’s stellar environment design makes Deserts of Kharak a memorable experience. With a strong story focused on a war for survival, the game’s battles are all interconnected.
Survivors make it with you to the next mission, a mechanic I enjoyed in older strategy titles. As for the desert itself, terrain and elevation can influence how effective your troops are, lending itself to all kinds of power grabs and tactical power moves. Seize the high ground or ambush foes with hiding spots. It’s among the best real-time strategy games that take place on a single planet.
6. XCOM 2
Before Marvel’s Midnight Suns, developer Firaxis Games’ claim to fame was XCOM 2, a brutal turn-based tactics title. Despite being older than some of the games listed here, it remains among the best turn-based strategy games of all time. Perma-death and the game’s core premise of surviving on a planet ruled by aliens give XCOM 2 a sense of impending disaster that few games can compete with.
You’re almost always up against near-impossible odds, from braving new threats to rescuing fallen allies in the heat of battle. The game also benefits from War of the Chosen, an excellent expansion that adds new classes and a terrifying threat. Once you get your footing, you won’t be able to step back from the laborious but immensely satisfying task of upgrading your armor and gear over time. Its UI has been optimized for small screens, meaning that XCOM 2 stands among the best strategy games on the Switch.
5. Crusader Kings 3
- Highlights: Historical strategy that spans dynasties
- Developer: Paradox Development
- Publisher: Paradox Interactive
- Availability & Cost: $49.99 on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation
As one of the best grand strategy games on PC and consoles, Crusaders Kings 3 promises an absurd degree of complexity while polishing the experience its predecessor offered. Few games can compete with its period drama-like approach to narrative design, with dynasties squabbling over kingdoms and wealth.
The ensuing political tussles and the ever-present risk of civil war make its factions all the more compelling. You could spend dozens of hours to get into the real meat of Crusaders Kings 3 and it’ll still find ways to surprise you. It’s a strong choice if you want to see your actions ripple out over in-game years instead of minutes.
4. Civilization 6
Civilization 6 remains one of the best 4X strategy games on the market today. While its successor is around the corner, Civ 6 is a great entry point into the franchise and the genre. After picking from 20 leaders who have unique agendas and civ bonuses, you start as a Stone Age settler who must meet the needs of your people to expand and thrive. Over time, you’ll work towards inventions and ideas that take you to the Information Age.
Matches can take a while, and you’ll find yourself double-checking your decisions to progress faster than your AI or human rivals. Its elaborate tutorials do a solid job of conveying how its mechanics and concepts work. They also take you through the new ideas that polish the Civilization experience. Expansions like Gathering Storm introduce new mechanics, such as climate change systems, that add more variables into the mix.
3. Total War: Warhammer 3
- Highlights: Fantasy world domination with numerous factions
- Developer: Creative Assembly, Feral Interactive
- Publisher: SEGA
- Availability & Cost: $59.99 on Steam (PC and macOS)
Total War: Warhammer 3 is an absolute behemoth of a game. Its detailed and, frankly, gut-wrenching tutorial is an excellent introduction to both Total War and the Warhammer setting. From gruesome demons and lust-driven worshippers to immortal dragons and Chaos Dwarfs, the Total War spin-off has exciting factions who compete for the soul of a dying god.
There’s an absurd amount of content and replayability here for players who want their decisions to affect their odds of success. Generous difficulty options mean that you can dictate just how grueling your experience will be. It’s among the best PC strategy games for fantasy fans who want a new world to sink their teeth into.
2. Age of Empires 4
After waiting for 16 long years, Age of Empires fans were blessed with another numbered installment. Age of Empires 4 played it safe and leaned on the lessons that Age of Empires 2 taught the rest of the real-time strategy genre. Its campaigns focused on key historic battles, and the in-game documentaries do a great job of representing real cultures. And thanks to its balanced multiplayer with a constantly shifting meta, it’s one of the best online strategy games you can play.
While its eight base civilizations and new additions aren’t ground-breaking, they’re different enough to accommodate multiple playstyles. The game’s focus on macro decisions also works in its favor, with busywork like replanting farms being discarded for more interesting choices. Thanks to its Xbox port with a novel control scheme, it’s among the best strategy games on Xbox consoles.
1. StarCraft 2
- Highlights: Sci-fi battles with asymmetric factions
- Developer: Blizzard
- Publisher: Activision Blizzard
- Availability & Cost: Free on Battle.net (with paid expansions)
StarCraft 2 remains one of the core pillars of the RTS genre, with updates that cement its place as one of the best multiplayer strategy games on the market. Despite its age, the game’s presentation, asymmetric faction design, and balanced multiplayer make it a compelling addition to your library.
The best part? The first campaign is free, making it one of the best free strategy games with a detailed narrative alongside its multiplayer options. Co-op is a blast as well, with weekly challenges and new commander options keeping you coming back for more. It’s a well-rounded package that serves as a showcase of the genre’s strengths.
More of the best Strategy Games to Play in 2024
A city-builder with a neat roguelike twist where successful missions grant resources towards your next pursuit. Price: $29.99 on Steam
A compelling turn-based strategy game with real-time combat set in the ancient battlegrounds of Egypt. Price: $39.99 on Steam
A remaster that keeps the whimsical charm of mythic units duking it out across time. Price: $29.99 on Steam and Xbox
This icy sequel keeps the pressure on as you protect your colonies from inevitable disasters. Price: $44.99 on Steam
Simulate entire cities and tinker with everything from road layouts to handling your people’s needs efficiently. Price: $49.99 on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation
The Bottom Line
The best strategy games we’ve highlighted provide a well-balanced mix of options across platforms and price points. These include unconventional settings, unique game mechanics, and tall victory conditions. While they aren’t always cozy experiences, having an unexpected foe or ally around the corner keeps strategy games fresh and exciting. Use our choices to start or resume your journey across the genre.
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References
- Manor Lords on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Into the Breach on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Into the Breach for Nintendo Switch – Nintendo Official Site (Nintendo)
- Into the Breach on the App Store (Apps.apple)
- Into the Breach – Apps on Google Play (Play.google)
- Command & Conquer™ Remastered Collection on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Iron Harvest on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Buy Iron Harvest Complete Edition | Xbox (Xbox)
- Iron Harvest – Complete Edition (Store.playstation)
- Company of Heroes 3 on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Buy Company of Heroes 3 | Xbox (Xbox)
- Company of Heroes 3 (Store.playstation)
- Dune: Spice Wars on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Buy Dune: Spice Wars | Xbox (Xbox)
- Stellaris on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Buy Stellaris: Console Edition | Xbox (Xbox)
- Stellaris: Console Edition (Store.playstation)
- Marvel’s Midnight Suns on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Buy Marvel’s Midnight Suns for Xbox Series X|S | Xbox (Xbox)
- Marvel’s Midnight Suns – PS5 Games | PlayStation (Playstation)
- Save 90% on Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- XCOM® 2 on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Buy XCOM® 2 | Xbox (Xbox)
- XCOM® 2 (Playstation)
- XCOM® 2 Collection for Nintendo Switch – Nintendo Official Site (Nintendo)
- XCOM 2 Collection on the App Store (Apps.apple)
- XCOM 2 Collection – Apps on Google Play (Play.google)
- Crusader Kings III on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Buy Crusader Kings III | Xbox (Xbox)
- Crusader Kings III (Playstation)
- Save 90% on Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Buy Sid Meier’s Civilization VI | Xbox (Xbox)
- Sid Meier’s Civilization VI (Playstation)
- Sid Meier’s Civilization VI for Nintendo Switch – Nintendo Official Site (Nintendo)
- Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI on the App Store (Apps.apple)
- Civilization VI – Build A City – Apps on Google Play (Play.google)
- Total War: WARHAMMER III on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Xbox Official Site: Consoles, Games and Community | Xbox (Xbox)
- StarCraft II | Battle.net (Us.shop.battle)
- Against the Storm on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Total War: PHARAOH on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Age of Mythology: Retold on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Age of Mythology: Retold | Xbox (Xbox)
- Save 10% on Frostpunk 2 on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Cities: Skylines II on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Buy Cities: Skylines II | Xbox (Xbox)
- Cities: Skylines II (Playstation)