Strategos – Review (2026) – A Lot of Content And A Lot of Potential

Strategos Review – So Much Potential

I’ve been following Strategos since it was first announced – I even interviewed the developer and encouraged players to try the demo at a Steam Wargames Fest. Now that the full Early Access version is here, it’s time to really put this ancient, real-time wargame to the test.

Genre: Real-Time Tactics | Wargame | Real-Time Strategy
Developer: Strategos Games
Publisher: MicroProse Software
Price: $22.49 | 22,05€ | £18.89
Buy At: Steam
Release Date: 20 January , 2026
Reviewer: Nuno Marques (PC)
Target Audience: Wargamers, Total War players, strategy game players, RTS enjoyers, History buffs, and Antiquity fans
Final Score: 8/10

What Is Strategos?

Strategos is a historically-themed strategy game set in ancient times. It boasts an incredible amount of content, with around 120 different factions and 250 unique units to command. Players can expect a long and engaging experience, as it would take months to fully explore everything the game offers.

Strategos and Total War share similarities, like their real-time battles, but Strategos doesn’t have a campaign map. It’s also a much more detailed simulation – battles are slower paced, and the game focuses on realistic elements like unit cohesion and how terrain affects combat. In many ways, Strategos feels more like the turn-based strategy game Field of Glory 2 than it does Total War, but we’ll explore that comparison further later on.

The core of the game is building and customizing your own battles, letting you try out different armies and strategies. While there are ‘campaigns,’ they’re essentially a series of connected battles. You’ll also find pre-designed battles and a helpful tutorial that can be completed in under an hour.

Antiquity Combat In Strategos

Strategos is full of fast-paced combat, so it’s natural to wonder: what actually happens during those battles?

If you’re familiar with the Total War series, you’ll quickly understand what Strategos is all about – most initial reactions have drawn comparisons to it. The real-time battles in Strategos feel very similar to Total War games at first glance – the visuals, controls, and overall flow are surprisingly alike, and from a distance, it’s hard to tell them apart, which is a positive for Strategos as it’s a visually appealing game. However, when you look closer at how battles actually work, the differences become clear, and it’s still too early to say whether those differences are beneficial.

Battles begin by arranging your troops on the battlefield, showcasing your strategic skills – and we know all Firaxis fans have plenty of those! Once you hit play, the battle starts. Controlling your units is similar to other real-time strategy games, using clicks and drags for individuals or groups. However, Strategos adds a unique element: communication. Your orders aren’t instantly carried out unless your troops are close enough to a commander to hear them. If they’re too far, a messenger must deliver the instructions. This realistic feature fundamentally changes how the game plays, offering a different experience than games like Total War.

You’re not directly commanding every soldier anymore. Now, you need to position your generals near the fighting so they can quickly relay orders and make a real difference. But keeping them close to the action is risky – if a general falls, it can quickly lead to chaos and even the collapse of your army. Unlike some strategy games where generals are just a boost or have limited abilities, in this game, they’re crucial for getting your troops to act when and how you need them. If your general is too far back, it takes too long for messengers to reach your units, making your orders outdated and potentially dangerous, leaving your troops vulnerable to attack.

I really like how this part of the game works. It’s easy because everything happens on its own – deliveries are sent out automatically. If there aren’t any delivery units immediately available, they’ll be dispatched as soon as one returns. This also makes you think more carefully about your strategy and how much you commit to a fight, since a bad order can’t always be quickly changed.

The main issue I have with Strategos right now is how battles play out. It feels clunky and disconnected from the rest of the game, which is otherwise excellent – it’s easy to pick up, understand, and provides immediate feedback. When units clash, instead of a seamless fight, the game seems to pause while dice are rolled to determine the outcome. This makes it feel less like a real-time strategy game and more like a turn-based one where you just wait for results. The on-screen animation doesn’t accurately reflect what’s happening with those hidden dice rolls, which is frustrating.

I realize this is a big ask for a single developer, but I’d really prefer combat to feel more like the Total War series – more dynamic, engaging, and satisfying. Seeing my strategies play out in real-time is much more rewarding when the battles feel that good.

Just because units are engaged in combat doesn’t mean they can only fight one enemy at a time – they can be attacked from all sides. You’d naturally expect a classic hammer and anvil strategy: infantry clashing head-on while cavalry charges in from the flanks to break the enemy lines. That’s what should happen, and the game’s systems seem set up for it. However, in reality, the cavalry arrives, gets involved with the infantry (the animations appear to be pre-made), and a check determines if the unit will retreat. There’s no dramatic charge, no horses trampling soldiers, and no one is sent flying – it’s just a bit disappointing and doesn’t feel impactful.

I still think Strategos has a solid combat system that feels realistic, but I’m struggling with how it switches from a smooth, real-time strategy game to something that feels more like turn-based combat. The way the camera locks in during fights is a big part of why I haven’t fully connected with it.

Graphics and Presentation

Honestly, Strategos is a really beautiful game – it genuinely looks fantastic. I said it earlier, but if you just glance at it next to Total War, it’s hard to tell the difference (unless Warhammer is in the mix – then you’ve got hoplites versus Nurgle’s minions!). Everything from the unit colors to the models themselves feels high quality, and the textures are really detailed. The art style isn’t totally my thing – it’s got a bit of a tabletop vibe – but I rarely zoom in close enough for that to bother me. Plus, the maps are clear and easy to understand, which is a big win.

Despite having a powerful gaming PC (with a Ryzen 7 9800X3D, 32GB of RAM, and an RX 9070 XT – capable of running demanding games like Ghost of Tsushima at over 100 frames per second), Strategos doesn’t run very well. I experienced similar performance issues on my older machine while playing the demo, so the problem isn’t my hardware. It seems the game itself isn’t well-optimized. While most computers should still be able to run it, don’t expect a perfectly smooth experience.

The user interface is fine, and I really like the music – it’s quite impressive. My main suggestion is to add sounds for when you select units, give them orders to move or attack, and even when they retreat. These sounds, called ‘unit barks,’ would not only help players understand what’s happening, but also add a lot of personality to the game. I understand this is a solo project, but I think it’s an important detail to consider.

AI, Dificulty and a Lack of Multiplayer

I’ve been really impressed with the AI in Strategos. It provides a solid challenge in every battle, skillfully using ranged units and aggressive tactics. It quickly exploits any weaknesses in your formation – like a lone infantry group – and knows when to attack and when to fall back. Overall, I’m enjoying the AI a lot, and the game seems to be succeeding in its goal of offering a compelling experience even without multiplayer.

I generally prefer playing games by myself, so I can see why Strategos would be better with others. Its competitors all do well with multiplayer, and it feels odd that Strategos doesn’t have it. I’m hoping they add multiplayer later, as the game’s battles and skirmish mode seem ideal for it.

Is Strategos The Game For You?

I expected Strategos to be a deep and well-made strategy game, and I wasn’t disappointed. It’s currently in Early Access, which means it will likely get even better over time. However, I want to focus this part of my review on who I think will enjoy playing Strategos, and how it compares to other popular strategy games like Total War and Field of Glory 2.

Although these games are quite different, fans of historical battles could easily enjoy all three. If you want a strong single-player campaign, Total War: Rome or Total War: Rome 2 are the best choices. For a competitive multiplayer experience with active tournaments, Field of Glory 2 is the way to go. Strategos could find its audience through its battles. Field of Glory 2‘s turn-based gameplay will appeal to some, but not those who prefer real-time strategy. Total War prioritizes visual flair, while Strategos offers deeper, more realistic mechanics. Thankfully, Strategos looks good, which is important for attracting new players who might be turned off by older graphics. It’s also easy to jump into Strategos, quickly choose a couple of factions, and play a game or two without a huge time commitment. I really appreciate games like that – they’re perfect for casual play when you want something to enjoy in the background or during a short break, without needing a lot of setup.

Final Score: 8/10

Despite some criticisms, I ultimately enjoyed playing Strategos. It’s rare to see a game explore its subject matter – ancient warfare – considering how popular historical themes are in other media. Strategos stands out with its authentic depiction of ancient battles and offers a level of visual spectacle that most wargames lack. With a wealth of content available at a great price, it’s definitely worth considering adding to your Steam library.

Keep in mind that Strategos is still in development as an Early Access title. While I don’t expect the combat system to be overhauled, the game is designed for a particular audience and offers a truly unique experience. That’s important to consider when judging it and assigning a score – I’m confident the right players will really enjoy it.

Look, at the end of the day, it’s all about what I’m in the mood for. I’ve been playing a lot of strategy games, and honestly, I was getting a bit burnt out on Total War: Rome 2. Field of Glory 2 wasn’t really hitting the spot either. So, I was hoping Strategos would bring back that excitement I felt when I first started playing games about ancient history, and so far, it’s been doing a good job!

2026-01-20 12:45