Chris’s Top Strategy and Wargames Of 2025

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The Best Games of 2025 I Personally Enjoyed

While not all of these games are strictly about strategy, they all involve some kind of conflict. I wasn’t able to play through titles like WDS Age of Longbow, Poland ’39, Master of Command, Europa Universalis V, Homeworld: Vast Reaches (VR), or Earth vs Mars completely. However, I did try demos of each, and based on those initial experiences, I think they’re all worth watching for future updates.

There are a few games I’m waiting to jump into fully until they get some key updates. Broken Arrow, for example, really needs a way to save campaign progress before I can get properly hooked. I was pretty disappointed with Beach Invasion 1915: Gallipoli, though. They tried to add a single-player FPS mode, but it just didn’t work well. And Crystal Commander VR? It didn’t really click with me – it felt like it needed you to set up a complicated mixed-reality map to even play, which was a hassle.

With that context in mind, here are my Top War-Themed Games of 2025, ranked from 15 to 1.

15. Hijong Park’s Defender Patrol

For VR enthusiasts, Defender Patrol is a great value, especially at just $5. It’s not a huge game, but the controls are well-done – better than Warplanes: Air Corps, though not as refined as VTOL VR. While the graphics are simple, they get the job done, making this an easy recommendation for VR gamers seeking an affordable war game experience.

14. Modu War

So, a few months back I was thinking about what modern war games need, and then I stumbled onto Modu War. This Early Access RTS is seriously impressive when it comes to production – it’s packed with full-motion video, way more than Tempest Rising! The gameplay is really different too; you basically control this hive-like creature that splits off into different units. If you liked unconventional RTS games like Grey Goo, you need to check this out. It could really compete with the big names if they add a few more factions, but even now, the core gameplay is solid and has a ton of potential. I’m really excited to see where this one goes.

13. Heroes of Valor

I didn’t try Battlefield Heroes when it first came out because I was wary of free-to-play games. But now, Heroes of Valor offers a full game experience for just $15, and you own it forever. Plus, the bots are surprisingly good opponents! The developers consistently update the game, and even though some players on Steam want it to be free, it still has overwhelmingly positive reviews – and for good reason, it’s a really fun game.

12. Days of Heroes: Stalingrad VR

Days of Heroes: Stalingrad VR is shaping up to be one of the top World War II VR games of 2025. It’s a noticeable improvement over the developer’s last war game, offering a more realistic and intense experience. The missions are quick but diverse, and you can choose to fight for either side. One particularly memorable mission throws you into the action without a weapon, forcing you to find one amidst the chaos – reminiscent of the opening scene in the film Enemy at the Gates. While it doesn’t have the same visual shine as games like Medal of Honor VR or Sniper Elite VR, it’s more affordable, takes bigger risks, and feels remarkably different.

11. Vestiges: Fallen Tribes

I wasn’t a fan of auto-battler games until I played Vestiges: Fallen Tribes. It feels like a real board game, but brought to life with virtual reality. You use cards to place your units, and have to work around limitations and obstacles. There’s player-versus-player combat too, though I haven’t tried it yet because I don’t have many friends with VR headsets. It’s a captivating game with great graphics and more strategic depth than I expected, but it could be even better with more diverse missions.

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2025-12-16 03:43