The 100 Best Strategy Games To Play In 2025 – 100 to 51

by

Play The Best Strategy Games In 2025

2025 promises a rich array of captivating strategy games for PC enthusiasts, offering immersive tactical experiences, intricate decision-making scenarios, and satisfying triumphs. Whether your preference leans towards real-time strategy (RTS), turn-based tactics, grand strategy, or city-building simulations, this upcoming year presents an exceptional assortment of essential titles to explore. From timeless masterpieces to innovative debuts, this rundown showcases the finest PC strategy games, guaranteeing you discover a suitable match for your strategic intellect. Seasoned commanders and novices alike will find these top PC strategy games to be both engaging and challenging, ensuring countless hours of entertainment. Delve into the first installment of our three-part series, as we delve deep and uncover the ultimate strategy games to conquer in 2025!

100 – Galactic Civilizations 2: Ultimate Edition


The Ultimate Edition of Galactic Civilizations II stands among the most cherished classics in gaming history! This is a 4X turn-based strategy game that was groundbreaking because of its vast size and intricate details. Players are still engaged when they strive to construct and rule a galactic empire, achieving this through exploration, negotiations, research, and combat. As the ultimate version of Galactic Civilizations II, it offers increased content, smarter AI, and more in-depth gameplay mechanics. This makes it one of the most refined and comprehensive space strategy games available for play in 2025.

In 2025, as a space exploration aficionado, stepping into the universe of Galactic Civilizations 2 feels like embarking on an interstellar journey of my own. With the freedom to customize my spaceships, engage with a multitude of civilizations, and traverse a constantly evolving galaxy, I get to decide my cosmic destiny. Whether it’s engaging in strategic combat, navigating political intrigue, or pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge, Galactic Civilizations 2 continues to be a go-to for strategy game enthusiasts like myself. If you’re seeking a more contemporary experience, you might want to explore Galactic Civilizations 3 and 4 instead.

99 – The Banner Saga

It’s striking to realize that The Banner Saga debuted nearly ten years ago. In fact, there has been more time elapsed since its release up until now than between the unveiling of GTA San Andreas and GTA 5. Does this realization make you feel a bit old? Perhaps it’s an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in this captivating narrative-focused tactical RPG, which seamlessly blends turn-based combat, strategic decision-making, and visually striking hand-drawn artwork reminiscent of Norse mythology. As you guide a caravan of warriors and refugees through a decaying world, each choice—be it in battle or dialogue—has a profound impact on the destiny of your people.

In 2025, The Banner Saga continues to shine with its captivating narrative, tactical battles, and visually stunning environment. If you appreciate a deep, unfolding tale, this three-part game is not to be missed for those who enjoy immersive gaming experiences.

98 – Battle for Middle-Earth 2

2025 finds The Battle for Middle-earth II often overlooked as the top real-time strategy (RTS) game based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary universe. Despite this, it offers an immersive experience where players lead colossal armies in iconic Lord of the Rings battles. The game features six factions, an extensive campaign, and warfare spanning Middle-earth’s renowned locales. It builds upon its predecessor with refined mechanics, naval combat, and more intricate base-building options.

One great aspect is that you can easily access it across various online abandonware platforms. This means you have the opportunity to experience this exceptional real-time strategy game without any cost, immediately!

97 – OpenXcom (X-COM: UFO Defense)

30 years on, recommending the timeless strategy game UFO: Enemy Unknown might be a challenge, but the fan-made open-source remake, OpenXcom, makes it an effortless choice. This modern take delivers the essential upgrades – sharpened graphics, intuitive UI, and bug fixes – that breathe new life into the 1994 classic, all while retaining its unique charm. By now, you’re familiar with the drill: As a player, you lead X-COM, an elite global force, in Earth’s defense against an extraterrestrial invasion. The heart-stopping moments of losing well-loved troops to a single mission gone awry have left many gamers scarred for life. If you’re captivated by the XCOM remake and eager to trace its roots, OpenXcom is your best bet in 2025.

96 – Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus

If you’re eagerly anticipating the release of Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus 2, now could be an ideal moment to immerse yourself in one of the top Warhammer 40,000 strategy games available: Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus. For those unfamiliar or not fond of the 40,000 universe, this is a turn-based tactical strategy game that places you as the commander of the Adeptus Mechanicus, one of the Imperium’s most technologically advanced factions. In the role of Magos Dominus Faustinius, you guide a team of cyborg Tech-Priests on a quest to investigate and conquer ancient Necron tombs, which are considered the most advanced civilization in the Warhammer 40,000 galaxy.

Prepare for an immersive tactical journey, combining captivating narrative with a branching storyline, customizable units, and strategic battles. In a realm lacking many exceptional Warhammer 40,000 strategy games, Mechanicus offers a distinctive experience centered around one of the unique factions within the setting.

95 – Civilization IV

In 2025, any list of top strategy games should feature a Civilization title. To kick things off, let me share one that holds a special place in my heart: Civilization IV. As the leader of your civilization, you oversee every aspect from diplomacy and military tactics to scientific advancements and cultural growth, all while adapting to the shifting challenges as history unfolds. What stood out for me about Civilization IV and what I felt was missing in a game like Civilization VI is its grand scale – I vividly recall commanding enormous armies of doom and conquering vast territories over centuries-long wars. But then again, it might just be the nostalgia talking. Even though it’s starting to feel a bit dated, I still believe it offers an engaging experience, particularly for those who discovered Civilization with V and VI.

94 – Frostpunk 2

View post on imgur.com

Frostpunk is a series designed for those who appreciate stories deeply rooted in despair and human hardship. It offers the opportunity to manage resources, make tough decisions, and face consequences that may include overworking your people, employing children, dealing with starvation, and witnessing the cold-related deaths of your citizens. At every turn, you’ll be met with challenges that can lead to disaster, ensuring a constant sense of unease and anticipation for what might go wrong next.

In contrast to the initial Frostpunk that offered a more personal perspective on managing a tiny town amidst an icy wasteland, Frostpunk 2 shifts focus to overseeing colossal cities. Your decisions no longer impact merely individuals and clusters of homes, but entire districts and multitudes of virtual citizens numbering in the thousands. The game’s intense emotional atmosphere and human touch set it apart as a unique survival city-builder among offerings in 2025.

93 – Stirring Abyss

View post on imgur.com

Have you ever encountered “The Temple” by H.P. Lovecraft? If that’s the case, then I believe we can both agree that Stirring Abyss didn’t receive the recognition it deserved. This tactical squad-based strategy/RPG blend places you in a dire predicament: your submerged submarine is damaged, and you find yourself in an underwater world tainted by Lovecraftian horror. As you lead a group of survivors, you will grapple with the terrifying sights from the depths while attempting to mend your only link to salvation.

As you delve deeper into the ocean, you’ll encounter grotesque creatures, manage scarce resources, and face difficult ethical dilemmas. All the while, you’ll unravel the mysteries of a long-lost civilization.

In 2025, players can expect an exciting fusion of tactical gameplay and psychological terror in Stirring Abyss, a game characterized by its eerie atmosphere, clever strategic combat, and influences drawn from Lovecraftian lore. This combination is sure to captivate fans of the genre.

92 – Anno 1800

In simple terms, it’s safe to assume that any fan of Firaxis wouldn’t be unfamiliar with the Anno series. This beloved collection of real-time strategy and economic simulation games saw its zenith with Anno 1800, which takes you on a journey set during the Industrial Revolution. As the governor, mayor, or president, your tasks involve city planning, establishing industries and infrastructure, fostering trade, and resolving conflicts either through diplomacy or warfare. If you’re a gamer who enjoys crafting complex production systems, thrives on economic development challenges, and has a passion for history, I believe you won’t easily find a more comprehensive gaming 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. It’s a game that truly shines among city-building and economic management titles.

Anno 1800, released in 2025, is a fantastic strategy game. It offers multiple play modes, lots of ways to tailor the experience to your liking, and frequent updates. Among all city-building and economy-focused games, it’s one of the best.

91 – Panzer Corps Gold

View post on imgur.com

As a devoted strategy enthusiast, let me tell you from personal experience that investing in Panzer Corps Gold is nothing short of a bargain. Typically, this gem can be found for under $10 and it offers an incredible array of scenarios, boasting over 500 battles spanning every theater of World War II. This beer-and-pretzels style wargame places you at the helm of some of WWII’s most intense conflicts, allowing you to command a diverse roster of units, ranging from infantry to tanks, across meticulously recreated battlefields that echo with history.

In Panzer Corps Gold, you’ll find yourself utilizing both tactical acumen and strategic vision to secure victory. The Gold Edition includes all DLC expansions as well, enriching your experience with additional campaigns, units, and scenarios, ensuring there’s always something new to discover. In fact, if I were stranded on a deserted island with only Panzer Corps Gold for company, I believe that after 10 years, I would still be uncovering hidden gems within this game.

For those with a larger budget, there’s also an option to explore its younger sibling, but be warned – Panzer Corps 2 falls short in comparison to the sheer abundance of content packed into Panzer Corps Gold. Simply put, if you’re looking for a deep and immersive WWII strategy experience, Panzer Corps Gold is hard to beat.

Read More

2025-04-29 02:44