The 100 Best Strategy Games To Play In 2025 – 100 to 1

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Play The Best Strategy Games In 2025

2025 promises an array of exceptional strategy games for PC enthusiasts, catering to a wide range of preferences – be it real-time strategy (RTS), turn-based tactics, comprehensive grand strategies, or city-building simulations. This collection features must-play titles that span from legendary classics to innovative newcomers. Whether you’re an experienced strategist or just starting out, these top PC strategy games will put your skills to the test and keep you captivated for countless hours. Let’s embark on this journey through the first of three parts in our extensive list, as we unveil the ultimate strategy games to conquer in 2025!

100 – Galactic Civilizations 2: Ultimate Edition


Among the most cherished classics ever made is Galactic Civilizations II: Ultimate Edition – an exceptional 4X turn-based strategy game that left a lasting impact due to its massive scope and intricacy. This game continues to captivate players by offering them the challenge of constructing and ruling over a galactic empire, using tactics such as exploration, diplomacy, research, and conflict. As the ultimate version of Galactic Civilizations II, it boasts enhanced content, smarter AI, and more refined mechanics, making it one of the most refined and comprehensive space strategy experiences available in 2025.

In the game Galactic Civilizations 2, set in an expansive, ever-changing galaxy, players can tailor their spaceships, encounter various civilizations, and determine their interstellar fate. You can choose to form alliances or engage in conflict to secure supremacy. Whether you’re drawn to strategic combat, political intrigue, or technological progress, Galactic Civilizations 2 continues to be a top choice for strategy game aficionados in 2025. For those seeking a more contemporary experience, you can opt for Galactic Civilizations 3 and 4 instead.

99 – The Banner Saga

It’s astonishing to realize that The Banner Saga was first released nearly a decade ago. In fact, there have been more years since its debut than between the releases of GTA San Andreas and GTA 5. This might make you feel a bit older, but perhaps it’s time to explore this captivating strategy role-playing game with narrative depth, tactical combat, significant decision-making, and visually stunning artwork reminiscent of Norse mythology. As you guide a caravan of warriors and refugees through a decaying world, your choices—in both battle and dialogue—determine the destiny of your people.

In 2025, The Banner Saga continues to shine with its heartfelt narratives, tactical battles, and visually stunning environments. If you appreciate immersive, long-form storytelling, this three-part game is not to be missed.

98 – Battle for Middle-Earth 2

2025 finds The Battle for Middle-earth II often overlooked as the premier real-time strategy (RTS) game based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary universe.

One great aspect is that you can easily access and play this exceptional Real-Time Strategy game across various online abandonware platforms without any charges. So, why wait? Start playing it now!

97 – OpenXcom (X-COM: UFO Defense)

Although it’s an old classic game, it’s effortless to endorse the updated version, OpenXcom, which is a fan-made open-source remake of UFO: Enemy Unknown from 1994. This updated edition brings the strategy game into the present with better graphics, user interface, and bug fixes while maintaining the original’s essence. By now, you’re familiar with the gameplay: You lead X-COM, an international organization protecting Earth from an alien invasion. Players engage in turn-based combat and resource management, often experiencing heart-wrenching moments when their skilled troops meet a sudden, tragic end. If you’ve become hooked on the remake and wish to explore its roots, OpenXcom is the ideal choice for 2025.

96 – Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus

As Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus 2 is about to be released, now could be an ideal moment to start playing one of the top-notch strategy games in the Warhammer 40,000 series – Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus. For those who aren’t familiar with it or simply don’t prefer the 40,000 universe, this is a tactical turn-based strategy game that places you in charge of the Adeptus Mechanicus, the Imperium’s most technologically advanced faction. In the role of Magos Dominus Faustinius, you command a team of cybernetic Tech-Priests on a quest to explore and conquer ancient Necron tombs – considered by many to be the most advanced civilization in the Warhammer 40,000 galaxy.

Anticipate a richly tactical journey, complemented by a narrative-driven campaign with multiple story paths, character customization, and strategic battles. In a genre where high-quality Warhammer 40,000 strategy games are scarce, Mechanicus offers a distinctive experience centered around one of the setting’s more intriguing factions.

95 – Civilization IV

When discussing the top strategy games to play in 2025, it’s essential to include a game from the Civilization series. To begin with, I would recommend starting with my personal favorite: Civilization IV. In this game, you take on the role of a ruler and are responsible for managing various aspects of your empire, including diplomacy, military strategy, scientific research, and cultural development. As history unfolds, you will encounter numerous challenges that require you to adapt and make strategic decisions. Compared to more recent games in the series like Civilization VI, I found Civilization IV to have a greater sense of scale, with the ability to command massive armies and wage long-term wars across the globe. However, it’s possible that my fond memories of the game are simply due to nostalgia. Regardless, if you are a fan of the Civilization series who only started playing with Civilization V or VI, I believe it’s still worth experiencing Civilization IV, even though it may be slightly outdated by now.

94 – Frostpunk 2

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Frostpunk is a game series for those who appreciate grim scenarios and human struggles. It offers the harsh realities of overworking your people, using child labor, dealing with starvation, and battling cold-related deaths. The constant threat of imminent disaster is always looming. Indeed, it’s all about managing in a state of perpetual crisis!

In contrast to the first Frostpunk, which offered a personal perspective on managing a small town amidst a frosty wasteland, Frostpunk 2 expands your responsibilities to overseeing vast cities. The consequences of your decisions no longer impact just individuals and clusters of homes, but entire districts and multitudes of virtual citizens. The game’s somber atmosphere and human touch set it apart as an unique survival city-builder on the market in 2025.

93 – Stirring Abyss

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Have you ever come across “The Temple” by H.P. Lovecraft? If that’s the case, then I believe you would concur with me when I express my opinion that Stirring Abyss didn’t receive the recognition it deserved. This hybrid game combines tactical squad-based strategy and role-playing elements, and it places you in a situation where your submarine is damaged, leaving you stranded in an underwater world reminiscent of Lovecraftian lore. Here, you lead a team of survivors who are grappling with the terrifying experiences they’ve had in the ocean depths and attempting to repair their only means of escape.

As you delve deeper into the ocean, you encounter nightmarish creatures, manage scarce resources, and make difficult ethical choices, all while uncovering the mysteries of a civilization long thought lost.

In 2025, gamers who appreciate atmospheric environments, tactical combat, and elements inspired by Lovecraft can look forward to an exceptional mix of strategic gameplay and psychological terror in Stirring Abyss. This game is sure to captivate fans of the genre with its chilling horror elements.

92 – Anno 1800

It’s unlikely that any fan of Firaxis wouldn’t recognize the Anno games. Originating in the late ’90s, this cherished series of real-time strategy and economic simulation hit its zenith with Anno 1800. In this game, you assume the role of a governor, mayor, or president during the onset of the Industrial Age. Your tasks include city planning, constructing industries and infrastructure, fostering trade, and resolving conflicts through negotiation or conflict. If you’re drawn to creating complex production systems, enjoy the thrill of developing a prosperous economy, and appreciate History, I believe you’ll struggle to find a more comprehensive experience in 2025.

In 2025, Anno 1800 stands out as one of the top strategy games, offering not only single-player and multiplayer options but also extensive customization features and regular updates. This game is also highly acclaimed among city-building and economic management titles.

Or, more casually:
Anno 1800 continues to shine in 2025 as one of the best strategy games around, offering a mix of single and multiplayer modes, loads of customization options, and regular updates. It’s definitely up there with the best city-builders and economic management games too!

91 – Panzer Corps Gold

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The value you get with Panzer Corps Gold is simply outstanding. Typically selling for under $10, this game offers an impressive collection of over 600 scenarios and units from various theaters during World War II. Often referred to as a “beer and pretzels” strategy game, it’s played turn-by-turn, placing you at the helm of some of WWII’s most intense battles. As a commander, you manage a diverse array of troops, from infantry to tanks, across accurately recreated battlefields. Using both strategic planning and tactical skill, your objective is to secure victory. The Gold Edition includes all DLC expansions, adding more campaigns, units, and scenarios for an even more immersive experience. If you were stuck on a deserted island with only Panzer Corps Gold for company, I’m confident you’d still be discovering new aspects after a decade. If you prefer larger budget games, its younger sibling may also appeal to you, but remember that nothing compares to the content-rich experience offered by Panzer Corps Gold – especially when compared to Panzer Corps 2.

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2025-05-18 01:43