Check out our ranking of the 10 best PC strategy games to play today.
Since the inception of video games, there’s been a ton of strategy games around. From the colossal challenge of building and protecting an empire to fighting an intergalactic battle for universal dominion-diversity has always been the forte when it comes to interactive games. Given the vast magnitude of the genre, it’s quite a big task to shortlist ten titles as the ultimate best, but we dared to take a brave attempt at doing so anyway. Here’s our selection of top 10 PC strategy games of recent times, which comes in no particular order.
1. Total War: Warhammer 2
Creative Assembly tried their hands in the fantasy genre through Total War: Warhammer, and upon its success, they continue their mystical journey with the much coveted Warhammer sequel. Fire breathing dragons, death reversing necromancers and knights in shining armor-Creative Assembly followed the Game of Thrones recipe to success, but also stamped their label of strategic ingenuity by incorporating in-depth details for each of the four factions and unifying all Warhammer characters through a single mission.
Purchase suggestions: Amazon (physical), Humble Bundle (digital)
2. Civilization 6: Gathering Storm
Civilization 6: Gathering Storm is the silver jubilee edition of the iconic Civilization series, which tackles the challenge of survival amidst catastrophic climate change threats. The cartoon avatars do take some time to get used to, but the overall presentation of the game is quite fascinating. The exhilarating soundtrack delivers a proper 4X experience, bearing testament to the fact that ambiance plays a crucial role alongside hardware requirements in strategy gaming. Civilization 6 masterfully shuffles between the complex ideas of global warming and geopolitics, making it arguably the most impressive Civilization release till date.
Purchase suggestions: Amazon (physical), Humble Bundle (digital)
3. XCOM 2
Set in a dystopian future where humanity is held prisoner to a tyrannical alien force, XCOM 2 is a worthwhile successor to the preceding XCOM title Enemy Unknown. Firaxis took great strides in making XCOM 2 one of the best action strategy games with advanced turn based strategy gameplay and base management. The game has much more to offer than abominable antagonists and stunning graphics. It’s a test of making sacrifices, coping with losses and your ability to keep your nerves in a dangerously hostile environment. You can also extend your adventure beyond end credits with the official expansion pack War of the Chosen and Tactical Legacy.
Purchase suggestions: Amazon (physical), Humble Bundle (digital)
4. Starcraft 2
The legendary chronicles of the Protoss, Terran, and Zerg goes on through the timeless Starcraft sequel, which requires minimal effort to distinguish itself from the original game yet succeeds to provide an incomparable real time strategy experience. Picking up where Starcraft: Brood Wars ended, Starcraft 2 tells the familiar tale of conflict between the three races with a mix of old and new characters. Starcraft 2 stays true to form but brought significant improvements to the gameplay with 3D graphics, engine fueled ravishing visuals, enormous artillery options, scripting tools, and an outstanding multiplayer mode. RTS has never been better!
Purchase suggestions: Amazon (physical)
5. Stellaris
Stellaris is a meticulously crafted space odyssey that allows you to explore the universe as you’ve never done before. The game requires strategic precision as you’ll constantly find yourself walking the fine line between aggression and diplomacy to expand your empire to the furthest corners of the cosmos. The grand scheme of this game is appealing enough that you could overlook minor AI issues and tedious mid game scenarios. Despite its flaws, Stellaris is a fantastic interstellar journey that would keep your fingers glued to the controller for hours.
Purchase suggestions: Amazon (physical), Humble Bundle (digital)
6. Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak
Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak predates the events of the Homeworld games and, for the first time in the series’ history, is entirely set on the surface of a planet. It might feel a bit off playing a Homeworld game without the vast emptiness of outer space, but the prequel does justice to the series, living up to the standards of thrill and strategy mechanics set by original Homeworld releases. Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak serves as a rock solid prequel to the series and demonstrates that the game’s strong points can be successfully incorporated into a ground based RTS joy ride.
Purchase suggestions: Humble Bundle (digital)
7. Company of Heroes 2: Ardenne’s Assault
Ardenne’s Assault is an expansion pack for Company of Heroes 2, but the features introduced in this edition has been such a leap forward that in its own right, it’s worthy of being treated as another sequel. Addition of strategic maps has been a real game changer, making navigating through terrifying terrains a bit easier. Is it overpriced? Definitely! But if you are looking for a realistic tactical warfare simulation, Ardenne’s Assault is well worth the money.
Purchase suggestions: Amazon (physical), Humble Bundle (digital)
8. Crusader Kings 2
Paradox is no stranger to the interactive games genre, having the likes of Stellaris and Europa Universalis in their portfolio. But it’s Crusader Kings which reflects the best of the studio’s creating abilities, and they continue their masterful depiction of the medieval Holy Wars through an excellent follow up title- Crusaders Kings 2. The game captures the essence of contemporary feudal societies and spins it into a transcendent real time strategy adaptation. If you are willing to give it your time, Crusader Kings 2 could prove to be a rewarding endeavor.
Purchase suggestions: Amazon (physical), Humble Bundle (digital)
9. Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2
Pick your side between the Soviets and the Allies as America’s grimmest nightmare of succumbing to Communist forces loom nearer. You would be blown away by the simplicity of resource management this game has to offer. Even though you won’t notice much change in gameplay from the first game, the sequel attended to the areas it needed to for making this installment an even more enjoyable experience. Not a revolutionary release by any means, but this is pure RTS entertainment.
Purchase suggestions: Amazon (physical)
10. Into the Breach
Every action has its consequences in the world of Into the Breach where the players attempt to defeat an invading alien army in a distant future. The game marvels at morphing turn based strategy games and puzzle games into a highly replayable tactical wonder work. Into the Breach takes a massive gamble by going all in for gameplay at the expense of other attributes, and it paid off in dividends. Hiding behind a charade of simplicity, Into the Breach is a treasure trove for gamers who admire complexion and tactical depth.
Purchase suggestions: Humble Bundle (digital)
