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

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Play The Best Strategy Games In 2025

Strategy video games have consistently been a go-to choice for PC gamers, providing intricate strategic gameplay, tough choices to make, and satisfying wins. Regardless if you’re into real-time strategy (RTS), tactical turn-based games, grand strategies, or city-building simulations, the year 2025 boasts an exceptional collection of must-play titles. Ranging from timeless legends to innovative newcomers, this roundup highlights the best PC strategy games that will put your strategic thinking abilities to the test and keep you hooked for hours on end. Whether you’re a battle-hardened commander or a rookie in the genre, these top PC strategy games of 2025 are set to challenge you and offer an unforgettable gaming experience! Let’s embark on the first part of this extensive list as we delve into the ultimate strategy games to play in 2025!

100 – Galactic Civilizations 2: Ultimate Edition


The game “Galactic Civilizations II: Ultimate Edition” is a beloved classic from years past, especially among fans of strategy games! It’s unique because it offers an expansive and intricate experience as you build and conquer a galactic empire through exploration, diplomacy, research, and combat. As the ultimate version of Galactic Civilizations II, it features additional content, smarter AI, and advanced mechanics, making it one of the most refined and comprehensive space strategy games available in 2025!

In Galactic Civilizations 2 (and its subsequent versions 3 and 4), players can tailor their spaceships, encounter various civilizations, and explore a large, ever-changing galaxy. The game allows you to decide your interstellar fate, forming partnerships or engaging in conflict to assert supremacy. If strategic gaming is your passion,

99 – The Banner Saga

Hard to fathom that The Banner Saga debuted nearly ten years ago, but consider this: there’s been more time since its launch than between GTA San Andreas and GTA 5. Reminiscing about the past? Perhaps it’s time to immerse yourself in this captivating tale-based tactical RPG that marries strategic combat, complex decision-making, and visually stunning artwork reminiscent of Norse mythology. As you guide a caravan of warriors and refugees through a decaying world, every decision – be it on the battlefield or in dialogue – impacts the destiny of your people.

In 2025, The Banner Saga continues to shine with its heartfelt narratives, tactical battles, and stunningly animated landscapes, offering an unforgettable experience for those who appreciate a deep narrative. If you’re a fan of lengthy stories, this three-part series is not to be missed.

98 – Battle for Middle-Earth 2

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

The most appealing aspect is that you can access this exceptional Real-Time Strategy game across various online abandonware platforms. This means you can try it out without spending a dime, instantly!

97 – OpenXcom (X-COM: UFO Defense)

In a nutshell, recommending the original game from three decades back might be challenging, but OpenXcom – a fan-created, open-source update of UFO: Enemy Unknown – is definitely worth considering. This update skillfully modernizes the 1994 strategy classic by offering updated graphics, an upgraded user interface, and squashing bugs, all while retaining the essence of the original. By now, you’re familiar with the gameplay: Players lead X-COM, an elite global force mandated to safeguard Earth from extraterrestrial invasion through turn-based battles and resource management. Many players have felt the heartbreak as their seasoned troops were lost in a single disastrous mission, leaving lasting scars. If you’re hooked on the XCOM remake, OpenXcom is the ideal choice to trace its roots back to 2025.

96 – Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus

As Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus 2 is almost here, now could be the ideal moment to dive into one of the finest strategy games based on Warhammer 40,000 – Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus. For those who aren’t familiar or don’t prefer 40,000, this is a turn-based tactical strategy game that lets you take control of the Adeptus Mechanicus, the Imperium’s most technologically advanced faction. In the role of Magos Dominus Faustinius, you guide a team of cybernetic Tech-Priests on a quest to explore and conquer ancient Necron tombs, which are considered the most sophisticated civilization in the Warhammer 40,000 galaxy.

Prepare for an immersive, tactical journey combining captivating storylines and a branching narrative, along with the freedom to customize your units and engage in strategic battles. In a genre lacking notable Warhammer 40,000 strategy games, Mechanicus offers a distinctive experience centered around one of the game’s more unique factions.

95 – Civilization IV

01/25/25: As a die-hard strategy game enthusiast, my list for top games to play this year wouldn’t be complete without mentioning a Civilization title. Let me share one of my all-time favorites that I believe still stands strong today: Civilization IV. In this game, you take on the role of a ruler, overseeing everything from diplomacy and military tactics to scientific advancements and cultural growth, while navigating the ever-changing challenges that history presents.

What drew me to Civilization IV and left me wanting more in games like Civilization VI was its grand scale – amassing gigantic armies and conquering vast territories for epic, century-long wars. Or perhaps it’s merely nostalgia coloring my memories. Regardless, I believe that even with its age, Civilization IV remains a worthwhile experience, especially if you’re one of those players who discovered the Civilization series with V or VI.

94 – Frostpunk 2

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Frostpunk is a game series that appeals to those who are drawn to grim settings and human hardship. It offers elements such as overworking laborers, child labor, famine, cold-related deaths, and constant anticipation of impending disasters. Indeed, it delivers on the promise of challenging circumstances!

In contrast to the initial Frostpunk that offered a more personal narrative centered around managing a tiny town amidst an icy apocalypse, Frostpunk 2 elevates the experience by placing you in control of colossal cities. The consequences of your actions no longer impact only individuals and small residential areas, but entire districts and multitudes of virtual citizens. This survival city-builder, with its powerful emotional undertones and humanizing elements, sets it apart as a unique gem within the gaming industry in 2025.

93 – Stirring Abyss

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Have you ever encountered “The Temple” by H.P. Lovecraft? If that’s the case, you might concur with me when I express my viewpoint that Stirring Abyss didn’t receive the recognition it merited. This tactical squad-based strategy/RPG fusion will leave you stranded in a damaged submarine, in a Lovecraftian underwater realm, where players lead a crew of survivors who are grappling with the horrors they have encountered deep below and attempting to repair their only lifeline to salvation. As they delve deeper into the ocean, they must confront terrifying creatures, manage scarce resources, and make difficult moral choices, all while unearthing the mysteries of a forgotten civilization.

In 2025, I’m really looking forward to diving into Stirring Abyss, a game that masterfully combines strategic combat with a chilling Lovecraftian atmosphere. As a fan of both tactical gameplay and psychological horror, I can’t wait to immerse myself in its unique blend of these elements!

92 – Anno 1800

It’s safe to say that any fan of Firaxis wouldn’t be unfamiliar with the Anno series. Originating in the late ’90s, this delightful blend of real-time strategy and economic simulation saw its zenith with Anno 1800. As a leader in the Industrial Age, you take on the roles of governor, mayor, or president to oversee urban planning, industrial and infrastructure development, trade expansion, and conflict resolution through diplomacy or combat. If you’re a gamer who enjoys constructing complex production networks, thrives on economic growth challenges, and is captivated by history, I believe you’ll struggle to find a more comprehensive gaming experience in 2025.

2025 finds me still captivated by Anno 1800, a strategy game that never ceases to impress. As a player, I can immerse myself in both single-player and multiplayer modes. The game offers extensive customization options, allowing me to create my own unique city-building experiences. Moreover, the continuous updates ensure that the game remains fresh and engaging. It’s no wonder Anno 1800 stands tall as one of the best strategy games and city-builders/economic management titles in this era.

91 – Panzer Corps Gold

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Panzer Corps Gold is an excellent investment, typically selling for under $10 and featuring hundreds of scenarios and units from every theater of World War II. This game, often likened to “beer and pretzels” wargaming, offers a turn-by-turn experience that places you in command of some of the war’s most intense battles. As a commander, you control a diverse range of units, including infantry and tanks, across expansive, historically accurate battlefields. Using both tactical acumen and strategic vision, you strive for victory. The Gold Edition encompasses all DLC expansions, providing an even more immersive experience with additional campaigns, units, and scenarios. If stranded on a deserted island with only this game, I believe you’d still be discovering new elements after 10 years. While its younger sibling is also worth playing if you have deeper pockets, keep in mind that Panzer Corps 2 doesn’t come close to the content offered by Panzer Corps Gold.

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2025-05-19 17:43