The 15 Best Strategy Games Of 2025 So Far

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2025’s Strategic Masterpieces? The Best Games So Far

2025 has been an absolute goldmine for strategy game enthusiasts like myself! The gaming industry has delivered an astounding variety of titles this year that challenge the norms of real-time strategy, turn-based combat, and management. From epic historical tales and groundbreaking strategic roguelikes to heart-pounding modern warfare simulations and delightfully quirky management sims, this year has offered endless strategic layers and immersive gameplay. I can’t help but feel that we are witnessing one of the best years for strategy games yet, and we’re only halfway through 2025! Let’s delve into the top 15 strategy games of 2025 so far, and explore what makes each one a must-play experience.

15 – Age of Darkness: Final Stand

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2025 marked the full release of Age of Darkness: Final Stand, a game I had the pleasure of reviewing for Firaxis this year.

The unique “SwarmTech” technology brings this game to life, allowing for tens of thousands of enemies to be displayed simultaneously on screen during intense and visually striking “Death Nights,” challenging players to strategize and build defensive structures effectively. The campaign stood out for me, with its intricate plot twists that kept me engaged from start to finish.

What makes Age of Darkness: Final Stand truly special is its well-designed single-player experience, complete with base-building mechanics, resource management, and a roster of distinctive heroes. In addition to the single-player campaign, players can look forward to an eagerly awaited cooperative multiplayer mode.

14 – Cataclismo

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2025 saw the launch of Cataclismo, a game I’ve been eagerly anticipating from Hooded Horse. As a gamer, I find myself drawn to its unique blend of real-time strategy (RTS) elements and intricate LEGO-style building mechanics reminiscent of Stronghold. But it’s not just any RTS; the details and physics in this game are on another level!

The setting is dark fantasy, akin to Age of Darkness, but with a twist towards tower defense. Digital Sun, creators of Moonlighter and Mageseeker for League of Legends, have outdone themselves with Cataclismo. If you’re a fan of turtling and enjoy the meticulous creation process, this game is for you!

Instead of focusing on maze-like defenses like Age of Darkness, Cataclismo encourages players to design and construct fortresses brick by brick. The satisfaction comes from creating something wildly unpredictable yet visually stunning, simply because it looks cool!

But the fun doesn’t stop there. You’ll also need to manage resources, train units, and deploy heroes to reclaim this war-ravaged world. It’s a challenging and rewarding experience that I can’t wait to dive into!

13 – Tower Dominion

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Introducing Tower Dominion, an unexpectedly popular strategy game that’s captivating players since its release!

In Tower Dominion, players don’t merely place towers; they strategically sculpt the battlefield using a tile-based system, creating choke points, intricate pathways, and optimal vantage points to optimize defense against the menacing “Artronid” alien invasions. With three diverse factions, each offering unique environments, tower types, and strategies, and a roster of 30 heroes to uncover, Tower Dominion offers endless replayability.

12 – Grit and Valor – 1949

Experiencing Grit and Valor – 1949 was quite unexpectedly delightful, and I wasn’t anticipating enjoying it this much. The game appears to be a blend of real-time strategy (RTS) elements between Into The Breach and Iron Harvest. In an alternate World War II setting, players take control of an elite team of resistance mech pilots, tasked with delivering an EMP weapon into the core of Berlin to shut down Axis forces and shift the war’s momentum towards the Allied Forces.

What sets this game apart is its dynamic, ever-evolving battlefields and roguelike progression, making each playthrough distinct with new challenges and customization opportunities. Commanders must strategically position their mech squads, optimize terrain usage, and utilize dropping abilities to enhance their mech and pilots, in order to outmaneuver the relentless waves of Axis mechs.

In my review, I’ve given it high marks, making it an excellent pick for those seeking a light RTS game with an engrossing roguelite aspect, earning its place among the top Strategy Games of 2015 thus far.

11 – Knights in Tight Spaces

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Knights in Tight Spaces – A Grip on the Middle Ages

The awaited follow-up to Fights In Tight Spaces, the John Wick simulation game, is here! Welcome to Knights in Tight Spaces, a turn-based, deck-building strategy game that transports players from contemporary times into the heart of the medieval era. In this thrilling campaign, you’ll team up with fellow warriors and engage in unpredictable battles across various landscapes.

The gameplay remains faithful to its card-based roots, but now it’s set against the backdrop of a stylized medieval world. As a player, you must strategically position your cards on a grid during turn-based movement to outwit your adversaries and inflict maximum damage. The secret to victory lies in meticulously crafting potent decks using the cards provided and executing flawless maneuvers.

This sequel introduces several new elements, such as parties, weapons, and equipment, which distinguish it significantly from its predecessor. Knights in Tight Spaces promises an engaging experience for enthusiasts of both turn-based strategy games and deck-building roguelites.

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2025-06-20 04:42