Best Mobile Strategy Games

Best Mobile Strategy Games

As a seasoned gamer who’s spent countless hours battling my way through various virtual worlds, I must say that these strategic masterpieces truly stand out!


Strategy games like “Clash Royale” or “Plague Inc”, whether they involve quick matches or short gameplay sessions, are ideal for mobile gaming. Compared to physical controllers, touch screens on modern smartphones make these strategy and tactics games more manageable. Additionally, the lack of demanding visual effects and intricate graphics means that even older devices can comfortably run the top-tier mobile strategy games.

What makes a great mobile strategy game isn’t just the tactical depth or the bite-sized missions, but the delicate balance between the two. Few players look for mobile titles to play at their leisure. It’s more likely that they’re trying to fill time while moving or when waiting in line. That’s why the ability to stop and start at any moment takes priority when talking about any mobile game.

19 Guns Of Glory: Lost Island

Best Mobile Strategy Games

Developer FunPlus
Genres Strategy, MMO
Platforms Android, iOS
Release Date August 29, 2017

Guns of Glory: Lost Island is among the thrilling MMORPGs that gamers can enjoy not just on computers, but also on mobile devices. This captivating mobile strategy game immerses players in a world filled with ongoing conflicts and looming battles. As they traverse this mysterious island and delve into its ancient civilizations, players will uncover hidden treasures.

In the upcoming game titled “Guns of Glory: Lost Island,” a team will be sent on an expedition to unearth the mysteries hidden within the island before others get there. Along their journey, players will encounter and vanquish ghosts and sea beasts, dodge rivalries with cunning pirates, and outsmart opponents. The game offers an engaging blend of exploration, treasure hunting, and strategic gameplay to ensure players stay captivated throughout their adventure.

18 Stormshot: Isle Of Adventure

Best Mobile Strategy Games
Developer FunPlus International A.G.
Genres RPG, Free-to-play, Massively Multiplayer, Adventure, Strategy
Platforms Android, Microsoft Windows
Release Date September 9, 2022

Thrill of the Shoot: Island Expedition

In this fantasy-style strategy game, triumph doesn’t come merely from firing bullets. Instead, players must rely on their intelligence, accuracy, and strategic thinking. Along the way, they may encounter ghosts, fearsome sea creatures, and more as they progress through their quest and amass treasures. Players even have the option to form alliances with fellow adventurers, making this treasure-hunting adventure a shared experience among fans.

17 Demise of Nations

Best Mobile Strategy Games
Developer Noble Master Games
Genre 4X Strategy, Free-to-Play
Platforms Android, Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS
Release Date Aug 8, 2017

Demise of Nations” stands out as one of the rare mobile games that authentically embodies the spirit of the 4X Grand Strategy genre, much like the renowned “Civilization” series but with a more simplified and accessible approach. Players can engage in campaigns not only against AI adversaries but also team up with friends in cooperative modes.

In addition, shorter campaigns are a feature of Demise of Nations, and winning is less demanding on your time. This simplified gameplay makes it an ideal starting point for novice players who might be intimidated by the intricacies of more complicated games, offering them a smoother gaming experience instead.

16 Birth of the Empires

Best Mobile Strategy Games
Developer Blotunga
Genre 4X Strategy, Casual
Platforms Android, Itch.io
Release Date July 7, 2015

4X Grand Strategy games typically provide the opportunity to re-experience an alternate historical timeline and witness the rise and decline of civilizations. Conversely, Birth of Empires presents a unique twist by transporting players into a Science Fiction setting. Here, conflicts are resolved not with swords and shields, but with spaceships and advanced weaponry.

Following the style of the title “Birth of the Federation” from PC games, “Birth of the Empires” intends to capture the same imaginative essence as the “Star Trek” universe. The objective is to establish a grand interstellar dominion, gaining control over entire galaxies, exploiting them for resources, and subsequently using these resources to drive further territorial growth.

15 Doomsday: Last Survivors

Best Mobile Strategy Games
Developer I Got Games
Genre RPG, Strategy
Platforms Android, Microsoft Windows, iOS, MacOS
Release Date September 15, 2021

In the first person, I’d say: “Step into my shoes as a survivor in the post-apocalyptic world of ‘Doomsday: Last Survivors’, where hordes of zombies roam free. As the Commander, you’ll guide your fellow survivors, build a safe haven, traverse misty landscapes, and fend off not just the undead, but rival factions too. It’s an engaging experience for players of all skill levels!

This game is an exhilarating survival experience that tests players’ strategic thinking and teamwork abilities. The success of a player hinges on making shrewd decisions in this merciless environment. Players will not only need to train various troop types, utilize Hero skills effectively, and exhibit tactical finesse, but also outsmart the unrelenting horde of zombies to ensure human survival.

14 Rise Of Kingdoms

Best Mobile Strategy Games
Developer Lilith Games
Genre Real-time strategy
Platforms Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, MacOS
Release Date April 2, 2018

In simpler terms, “Rise of Kingdoms” is a captivating mobile strategy game suitable for players at all skill levels. It offers a thrilling, fantastical environment where you can oversee your city, broaden your territory, and even seize new territories.

This mobile strategy game offers an extraordinary level of personalization, boasting more than eleven distinct civilizations for players to select. Engage in intense battles against fellow gamers or formidable AI-controlled adversaries. To succeed, you’ll need to delve into advanced technologies, hone your troops’ skills, and employ diplomatic finesse to establish powerful alliances with other players, along with numerous enjoyable activities.

13 Viking Rise

Best Mobile Strategy Games
Developer I Got Games
Genre Real-time war strategy
Platforms Android, Microsoft Windows, iOS
Release Date February 12, 2023

Viking Rise is an engaging mobile game that features Vikings, yet it’s not solely for fans of Vikings, but rather for any player who values stunning visuals and compelling narratives. Through this entertaining game, players are given a chance to journey back to the Viking era, immersing themselves in what daily life was like during that time.

Viking Rise delivers an extraordinary, engaging gameplay journey that allows gamers to command their very own Viking clan, construct and administer a thriving Viking settlement, and extend their dominion. Players have the option to engage in combat with other players or computer-controlled adversaries as they strive for greatness.

12 Boom Beach

Best Mobile Strategy Games
Developer Supercell, Space Ape Games
Genre Massively multiplayer online real-time strategy game
Platforms iOS, Android, iPadOS
Release Date June 18, 2014

Among the fantastic mobile strategy games out there, I must say that “Boom Beach” stands out as an exceptional choice, particularly for beginners. It’s acclaimed for its welcoming and helpful player community, making it easier for newcomers to dive in. Plus, the game offers stunning visuals, transporting you to a breathtaking tropical island paradise.

In the course of their exciting journeys, players must leverage their strategic acumen and lightning-fast reactions if they aim to triumph over their adversaries. Boom Beach, in addition to providing strategic complexity and swift action, goes beyond mere combat, demanding that players also oversee resources, enhance defenses, train troops, improve infrastructure, exchange resources and tactics during friendly rivalries with other gamers.

11 Into the Breach

Best Mobile Strategy Games

Into the Breach” is a tactical turn-based game from Subset Games, which has gained popularity among strategy enthusiasts for its space combat roguelike title, “FTL: Faster Than Light“. Similar to games like “Fire Emblem” and “Advanced Wars“, “Into the Breach” incorporates a roguelite element. Each time a player loses (which is quite frequent), they’ll receive aid from an alternate timeline, making their next attempt slightly less challenging.

For Netflix subscribers, the mobile version of “Into the Breach” is now accessible at no extra charge. However, it’s not available for purchase by non-subscribers. This is great news if you’re a Netflix user, and there are still numerous other options for those seeking a mobile strategy game.

10 Door Kickers

Best Mobile Strategy Games
Developers KillHouse Games, QubicGames
Genres Sim, Action, Strategy
Platforms Android, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Windows, Linux, MacOS
Release Date October 20, 2014

These games, specifically “Door Kickers” and “Frozen Synapse“, stand out among other strategy games due to their unique gameplay mechanics. Among these two, “Door Kickers” presents as the more finished and refined product. They share similarities with the strategic planning phase in older Rainbow 6 titles, where players utilize a bird’s-eye perspective to orchestrate the movements of a SWAT team.

Originally designed for PC, the game offers a variety of weapons, gadgets, and characters to discover and test out. Its blend of short missions and multiple perspectives for tackling them makes Door Kickers an intriguing strategy game, particularly suited for mobile gaming due to its format.

9 Rusted Warfare

Best Mobile Strategy Games

Rusted Warfare” is a strategy game similar to “Command and Conquer“, primarily designed for multiplayer action with no additional purchases or hidden costs, which sets it apart from many mobile games. Additionally, it offers challenges and skirmish modes for offline play against the computer.

The game titled “Rusted Warfare” lacks depth in its narrative and isn’t visually appealing. However, if you’re seeking a simple, old-school real-time strategy (RTS) experience on your mobile device, this affordable title manages to offer that effectively, surpassing expectations for its price point.

8 The Battle For Polytopia

Best Mobile Strategy Games
Developer Midjiwan AB
Genre Strategy, Action
Platforms Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, macOS, Windows, Linux, MacOS
Release Date February 9, 2016

In simpler terms, The Battle for Polytopia is similar to a streamlined version of the game Civilization. It’s a strategy game where you grow your empire over turns, with some distinctive features. The objective can be either economic success or military conquest. As you progress, you can use the points accumulated from your thriving cities to enhance your capabilities.

In the game of strategy, shifting from the diverse combat tactics of archers and knights to the territorial growth spurred by farming and fishing can drastically alter the entire playing experience – The Battle for Polytopia is no exception. This intriguing multiplayer mode becomes accessible upon purchasing one of its premium civilizations, with the most affordable option setting you back roughly a dollar.

7 The Battle For Wesnoth

Best Mobile Strategy Games
Developers The Battle for Wesnoth Project, David White
Genres Turn-based strategy, Indie game, Free-to-play
Platforms Microsoft Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, AmigaOS, MorphOS
Release Date June 18, 2003

The Battle for Wesnoth is an older title, initially launched as open-source software on Linux systems around the turn of the millennium. Consequently, it isn’t as resource-intensive as numerous mobile adaptations, and its potential for growth is virtually limitless due to decades of user-generated content.

In the game known as Battle for Wesnoth, you’ll notice some similarities with the Advance Wars series, but it offers a twist by using a hexagonal grid instead of tiles and replacing the modern warfare setting with a fantasy theme. The most significant feature in Battle for Wesnoth is the ability to call back surviving units from past battles rather than recruiting new ones. This not only saves resources but also helps these units level up quicker.

6 Partia

Best Mobile Strategy Games
Developer Team Imago
Genres Strategy RPG
Platforms Android, iOS
Release Date November 21, 2012

Initially, Partia appears to be a Fire Emblem game that didn’t receive as much investment in its visual art compared to similar titles. Even after delving into various game mechanics and progressing deeper within the game, this perception persists. Although it lacks specific features like the rock-paper-scissors combat system where spears beat swords and swords beat axes, Partia seems to have been crafted in every aspect to captivate fans who fondly remember the series.

It’s possible that the extensive homage to Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones found in Partia can be attributed to the widespread use of Game Boy Advance emulation on mobile devices, and the high popularity of the Fire Emblem series itself on these platforms. Given that Partia is an outstanding Tactics RPG, it’s facing competition from some of the top games in the genre when it comes to mobile gaming.

5 Warbits

Best Mobile Strategy Games
Developer Risky Lab
Genres War Sim, Strategy
Platforms Android, iOS
Release Date April 13, 2016

Similar to how Chucklefish’s Wargroove is built upon the fundamental mechanics of Advanced Wars, the game Warbits offers a unique twist. This charming iOS-exclusive title poses an intriguing question: why engage in war when one can instead recreate it? At first glance, this concept might seem frivolous, but it addresses a genuine issue.

In the virtual world of Warbits, transforming the conflicts into an in-game warfare reduces a significant amount of discomfort related to Advanced War-style real-world battles. Moreover, this mobile-only game stands out for its high-quality graphics and unique style, boasting exceptional polish. Notably, it also features asynchronous multiplayer functionality, allowing friends to engage in battles without the need for prior scheduling.

4 Clash Of Clans

Best Mobile Strategy Games

I’ve gotta say, nothing quite compares to the thrill of Clash of Clans, one game I can’t seem to put down on my mobile device. It’s a bustling, colorful universe that offers an engaging and hard-to-resist gaming adventure. With its strategic gameplay, I find myself immersed in hours of fun, tailoring my game experience with customization options galore. Plus, I love the adrenaline rush as I battle against players from all corners of the globe!

In Clash of Clans, players engage in real-time battles against one another due to its competitive nature. But it’s not just about fighting – they must also create their own bases, enhance buildings, and train distinct troops with unique abilities. There are numerous other tasks as well, making it a fantastic choice for strategy game enthusiasts of all skill levels, and an enjoyable mobile strategy game option for couples to play together.

3 Final Fantasy Tactics

Best Mobile Strategy Games

In many circles, it’s widely acknowledged that Final Fantasy Tactics is one of the top games within its strategy RPG genre. Despite sharing a title with Square Enix’s popular JRPG series, there isn’t much connection between them. Interestingly enough, when this spin-off was initially launched in 1997, Final Fantasy had recently gained significant popularity in the Western market.

In essence, the game “Final Fantasy Tactics” shares similarities with other tactical role-playing games in terms of gameplay, but it stands out due to its profound narrative and highly customizable characters. The mobile version, on the other hand, is based on the enhanced “War of the Lions” edition, initially designed for PSP. This version offers fresh cutscenes, characters, and events, along with an upgraded translation, making it a more polished experience.

2 Clash Royale

Best Mobile Strategy Games

Clash Royale” is renowned as one of the longest-lasting and most-loved mobile games ever created, and for valid reasons. Since it’s a multiplayer-only title that has been around for over five years, novice players might initially find it takes longer to get accustomed than with many solo games. Built on compact gaming episodes, “Clash Royale” sees two combatants go head-to-head in three-minute battles.

In a game that combines elements of card building, tower defense, and real-time strategy, players must employ the cards in their deck to protect their territory and demolish the opponent’s towers. Although Clash Royale can grow monotonous at times, the thrill of advancing in rank and discovering fresh content occasionally adds a touch of excitement.

1 Plague Inc

Best Mobile Strategy Games

2012’s standout game in disease management remains impressive and relevant today. In Plague Inc., players take on the role of a virus, strategizing and managing its mutations to create a deadly, infectious pandemic. Despite its simple appearance, the strategic depth of this pandemic simulation is unparalleled among mobile games.

The allure of Plague Inc, which involves assisting a lethal pandemic in dominating the globe, could have shifted from darkly amusing to off-putting for numerous players. Although some may be quickly deterred by the subject matter, Plague Inc is more similar to Don’t Look Up than Contagion: it’s a form of satire that allows players to delve into how our safety measures can collapse under historical circumstances, as they unleash hordes of infectious creatures onto a new continent via bird migration.

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2024-09-09 23:54