Even though strategy games are not as popular as they used to be in the 90s and 00s, players who love to sharpen their tactical skills can still find more than a few outstanding titles. We’ve selected 10 best strategy games you can play in 2023.
Age of Empires IV
- Release date: October 28, 2021
- Developer: Relic Entertainment
The latest installment in the classic RTS series flawlessly blends traditional and modern mechanics. As a result, it’s appealing to die-hard AoE fans as well as newcomers. The game is set in the Middle Ages and lets players lead eight powerful civilizations, each featuring unique units, buildings, and advantages. Moreover, Age of Empires IV offers five single-player campaigns:
- The Rise of a King,
- The Normans,
- The Hundred Years War,
- The Mongol Empire,
- The Rise of Moscow.
After each mission, a short documentary film is displayed, adding educational value to the game and making AoE IV a perfect title for all history enthusiasts. Relic still improves the game, and its first major DLC, The Sultans Ascend, will premiere in November 2023. The expansion will add new content, including two playable civilizations: the Byzantines and the Japanese.
Marvel’s Midnight Suns
- Release date: December 2, 2022
- Developer: Firaxis Games
Firaxis Games, the studio behind the Civilization and XCOM franchises, took players to the hyper-popular Marvel universe. However, Marvel’s Midnight Suns is a great choice not only for players who are fans of Thor, Captain America, Iron Man, and other heroes. Everyone who likes tactical games and turn-based combat should give it a shot. It’s also worth mentioning that Midnight Suns’ gameplay uses some interesting features, such as deck-building mechanics, that breathe fresh air into the tactical game genre.
Nonetheless, Marvel enthusiasts will find an additional layer of fun thanks to the RPG elements. Midnight Suns lets you create a unique protagonist called The Hunter and develop relationships with your team consisting of renowned superheroes. Together, you will face Lilith and her legions of demons.
Aliens: Dark Descent
- Release date: June 19, 2023
- Developer: Tindalos Interactive
The Alien universe has given rise to numerous exceptional video games. Unlike the majority of titles featuring Xenomorphs, Aliens: Dark Descent puts players’ strategic abilities to the test instead of focusing on shooting, aiming, or hiding skills. In this squad-based strategy game, players take command of a team of space marines divided into five distinct classes, creating an immersive and engaging gaming experience.
In between missions, you can upgrade your soldiers, unlock new skills, and equip them with superior gear. These enhancements significantly enhance their chances of success against the formidable Xenomorphs. It is crucial to prioritize the well-being of your squad members, as Aliens: Dark Descent imposes permadeath. Should any of your troops perish on a mission, they are gone forever, warranting the recruitment of fresh soldiers to fill the void left by the fallen veterans. Thankfully, you possess a few tricks up your sleeve. For instance, the game employs real-time combat, but during moments of heightened intensity, you retain the ability to slow down time, enabling you to make calculated tactical decisions.
Sid Meier’s Civilization VI
- Release date: October 21, 2016
- Developer: Firaxis Games
Undoubtedly, the latest installment in the Civilization franchise is also one of the best 4X strategy games ever released. It allows players to plunge into a world of politics and diplomacy with a quest to build an empire lasting through the ages. There are many ways to achieve this ultimate goal. You can prioritize technological research, military might, culture and religion, or even espionage.
The game also offers different victory conditions, allowing for immense replayability and experimentation with different approaches. You take on the role of a benevolent leader, an oppressive dictator, or something in between. If you like the base game, you can extend Civilization VI with a very long list of available DLCs.
Total War: Warhammer III
- Release date: February 17, 2022
- Developer: Creative Assembly
Creative Assembly can be incredibly proud that there has not been a single bad game in the over 20-year-long history of the Total War series. Consequently, you will have a great time, no matter which installment you pick. For instance, you can choose the latest Total War game, Total War: Pharaoh, released in October 2023. However, we would recommend its direct predecessor, Total War Warhammer III.
Unlike other Total War games, this subseries transports players beyond historical periods, immersing them into the fantastical universe of Warhammer. Within this realm of magic, mythical creatures, and diverse races, players embark on journeys through unique continents, each brimming with distinctive challenges and opportunities. One of the standout features of Total War: Warhammer III resides in its exceptional factions. This remarkable diversity amplifies replayability and empowers players with a wide array of strategic choices.
Jurassic World Evolution 2
- Release date: November 9, 2021
- Developer: Frontier Developments
Jurassic World Evolution 2 is a must-play for everyone who, while watching the Jurrasic Park and Jurrasic World movies, thinks mostly about disastrous management and planning mistakes committed by John Hammond and his successors. The game puts you in charge of a dinosaur theme park. You will design buildings, hire scientists, and breed new dinosaur species. Obviously, you also have to take care of safety and prevent catastrophes like the one on Isla Nublar.
The game offers diverse game modes. Hence, you can find something for you, whether you prefer a compelling story, strategic challenges, or the unfettered freedom of sandbox games. Moreover, during your journey in the world of prehistoric beasts, you will meet characters from the movies, including Ian Malcolm, voiced by Jeff Goldblum.
Football Manager 2023
- Release date: November 8, 2022
- Developer: Sports Interactive
While most strategy games let players prove their tactical skills on the battlefield, sports managers take the fight to the arenas of sports events. The Football Manager franchise gives players a chance to feel like a football manager who must take care of every aspect of their club. Consequently, everyone who loves strategy games and football should give Football Manager 23 a shot.
You will have to choose a wise strategy, hire the right personnel, and acquire players that help you fight for domestic and international trophies. FM23 The game provides an authentic football experience thanks to a long list of licensed leagues and competitions, including the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League, and the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Age of Empires II HD
- Release date: November 14, 2019
- Developer: Forgotten Empires
There are many modernized versions of classic strategy games. Some of them, like Starcraft and Command & Conquer Remastered Collection, are worth recommending. Unfortunately, there were also disappointments, such as Warcraft III: Reforged and Heroes of Might & Magic III HD. Age of Empires II HD definitely belongs in the first group.
Forgotten Empires revived one of the best real-time strategies, fixing the game’s most annoying bugs. Age of Empires II HD includes all the content from the original AoE II: The Age of Kings and HD Edition. Furthermore, Forgotten Empires has regularly released new DLCs, adding new civilizations and campaigns. As a result, Age of Empires II HD features tons of content as well as fresh features, including co-op mode.
Stellaris
- Release date: May 9, 2016
- Developer: Paradox Development Studio
The Paradox Intergalactic 4X game debuted in 2016 and has been improved and extended since then. Its latest DLC is Galactic Paragons, released in May 2023. Stellaris lets you explore the universe, expand your empire, exploit resources, and exterminate other species. The core game allows for peaceful or warlike playthroughs, with its deep diplomacy system allowing complicated political maneuvers. Alternatively, you can walk the path of military conquest. Combat takes place in real-time on detailed battlefields full of tactical opportunities. Stellaris also features a pleasing anomaly system that grants you random events and rewards when exploring planets.
With an enormous amount of content to explore, Stellaris provides an engrossing journey of discovery through the vast reaches of space. Stellaris stands out from other Paradox strategies as far more forgiving because not every player’s mistake leads to an inevitable disaster. Thus, it is more accessible to new gamers who want to try the 4X strategy genre.
Age of Wonders 4
- Release date: May 2, 2023
- Developer: Triumph Studios
Age of Wonders 4 seamlessly blends 4X strategy gameplay with captivating role-playing elements, just like its predecessors. Players are empowered to craft their own factions from the ground up, guaranteeing an exceptional and personalized gaming experience. Notably, the spell system in Age of Wonders 4 is renowned for its remarkable diversity and elaborateness, encompassing a wide range of spells that span from the mystical arts of necromancy to the awe-inspiring forces of nature, reshaping the world as you wield their power.
Age of Wonders 4 unveils a player-driven narrative, unraveling turn by turn, wherein the drama between empires weaves a captivating tale. This personalized approach places the player at the epicenter of the game, endowing each decision with profound impact.
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