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

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Play The Best Strategy Games In 2025

Strategy video games have consistently been popular choices on PC platforms, providing players with intricate strategic gameplay, tough decision-making scenarios, and satisfying wins. Whether you’re a fan of real-time strategy (RTS), turn-based tactics, large-scale strategies, or city management simulations, 2025 offers an impressive collection of essential titles to explore. Ranging from timeless favorites to innovative new arrivals, this compilation showcases the best PC strategy games, ensuring you discover a suitable challenge for your strategic prowess. Whether you’re an experienced commander or a novice in the genre, these top-tier PC strategy games will put your skills to the test and keep you entertained for hours. Let’s embark on the first of three segments in this extensive guide, as we delve into the ultimate strategy games to experience in 2025!

100 – Galactic Civilizations 2: Ultimate Edition


Ultimate Edition is a beloved classic in the realm of all-time favorites! This game falls under the category of 4X turn-based strategy, earning its reputation for being revolutionary due to its immense size and intricacy. Players are invited to construct and conquer a cosmic empire by means of exploration, diplomacy, research, and combat. As the ultimate version of Galactic Civilizations II, it offers extended content, enhanced AI, and more in-depth mechanics, making it one of the most refined and comprehensive space strategy games available in 2025.

In the game called Galactic Civilizations 2 (or its later versions 3 and 4), players are given the freedom to customize their spaceships, interact with various alien cultures, and explore a massive, ever-changing galaxy. This allows you to write your own story, either through diplomacy and alliances or conflict and conquest, as you strive for supremacy.

Whether you’re into strategic combat, political intrigue, or technological progress, Galactic Civilizations 2 is still a top pick for strategy game lovers in the year 2025. If you’d rather try something more recent, there are always Galactic Civilizations 3 and 4 to check out.

99 – The Banner Saga

It’s amazing to realize that The Banner Saga was released nearly ten years ago. In fact, there has been more time since its debut up until now than between the releases of GTA San Andreas and GTA 5. Are you feeling a sense of age creeping in? Perhaps it’s high time to explore this captivating tale-driven tactical RPG. With its blend of turn-based combat, strategic decision-making, and visually stunning artwork reminiscent of Norse mythology, it offers an immersive experience as you guide a caravan of warriors and refugees through a dying world. Each choice you make, whether in battle or dialogue, significantly impacts the destiny of your people.

In 2025, The Banner Saga continues to shine with its captivating narratives, tactical battles, and stunningly rendered environments, making it an unforgettable gaming experience. If you appreciate a deep storyline, this three-part series is definitely worth checking out.

98 – Battle for Middle-Earth 2

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

The most appealing aspect is that you can access this exceptional Real-Time Strategy (RTS) game anywhere online, across various abandonware platforms. This means you have the opportunity to try it out, completely free of charge, immediately!

97 – OpenXcom (X-COM: UFO Defense)

Although the original game, which dates back nearly three decades, might be difficult to endorse, OpenXcom – a fan-created open-source update of UFO: Enemy Unknown – is definitely worth considering. This modernized version addresses many aspects required to make the 1994 strategy game compatible with current times, offering upgraded graphics, user-friendly interface, and bug fixes, all while maintaining the essence of the original. By now, you’re probably familiar with the gameplay: Players lead X-COM, an elite global organization whose mission is to protect Earth from alien invasion using turn-based combat and resource management. Many players have experienced heartbreaking moments when their skilled troops were lost in a single failed mission, leaving lasting memories. If you find OpenXcom appealing and would like to explore its roots, then OpenXcom is the ideal choice for experiencing it in 2025.

96 – Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus

If you’re eagerly awaiting the release of Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus 2, now could be an ideal moment to delve into one of the finest strategy games in the Warhammer 40,000 series: Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus. For those new or not particularly fond of the 40,000 universe, this is a turn-based tactical strategy game where you take control of the Adeptus Mechanicus, the Imperium’s most technologically advanced faction. In your role as Magos Dominus Faustinius, you command a team of cybernetic Tech-Priests on a quest to investigate and conquer ancient Necron tombs, which are considered the most sophisticated civilization in the Warhammer 40,000 galaxy.

Anticipate a richly tactical journey, combined with a narrative-driven campaign featuring multiple story paths, customizable units, and strategic battles. In a realm where quality Warhammer 40,000 strategy games are scarce, Mechanicus offers a distinctive experience centered around one of the game’s more intriguing factions.

95 – Civilization IV

2025’s top strategy game lineup wouldn’t be complete without mentioning a Civilization title. Let me begin by highlighting one that holds a special place in my heart: Civilization IV. This game, much like its successors, places you at the helm of your empire, allowing you to oversee everything from diplomacy and military tactics to scientific advancements and cultural growth. As time progresses and history unfolds, you’ll face various challenges that demand your strategic acumen. The reason I hold Civilization IV in high regard is its grand scale – building colossal armies known as “doom stacks” and embarking on epic, century-long wars was an exhilarating experience. However, it could just be the lure of nostalgia that makes me feel this way. Even though it may seem a bit dated compared to more recent installments like Civilization V and VI, I believe it’s still a game worth experiencing – especially if you’re a fan who discovered Civilization with those later entries.

94 – Frostpunk 2

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Frostpunk is a series that appeals to those who are captivated by the depths of despair and human hardship. It offers features such as overworking your labor force, employing children, dealing with starvation, and battling the cold, all while managing a society that’s constantly on the brink of disaster. Indeed, it’s an experience where things rarely go right.

In contrast to the initial Frostpunk, which offered a more personal adventure focusing on overseeing a small town as it battled against a frozen wasteland, Frostpunk 2 elevates the experience by placing you in control of sprawling cities. The consequences of your choices no longer merely impact individual residents and modest dwellings, but entire districts and multitudes of digital inhabitants. This city-building survival game, with its poignant atmosphere and humanistic approach, stands out uniquely among other games available in the year 2025.

93 – Stirring Abyss

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Have you ever delved into H.P. Lovecraft’s “The Temple”? If your answer is yes, then I believe we share the sentiment that Stirring Abyss didn’t receive the appreciation it truly deserved. This game, a blend of tactical strategy and role-playing, submerges you in a Lovecraftian underwater realm, where you find yourself stranded aboard a damaged submarine. The objective is to lead a crew of survivors as they confront the horrors they’ve witnessed below the waves and endeavor to repair their only link to salvation.

As they delve deeper into the ocean, players encounter terrifying creatures, manage scarce resources, and grapple with difficult ethical dilemmas, all while unearthing the mysteries of an ancient civilization that has long been forgotten.

In 2025, players can expect a thrilling mix of strategic combat, atmospheric setting, and Lovecraftian influences in Stirring Abyss, offering an exceptional fusion of tactical gameplay and psychological horror that enthusiasts of the genre will find truly captivating.

92 – Anno 1800

It’s safe to say that few Firaxis fans are unfamiliar with the Anno games, a beloved series dating back to the ’90s. The pinnacle of this real-time strategy and economic simulation collection is undoubtedly Anno 1800. This game plunges you into the early Industrial Age, where your role as governor, mayor, or president involves urban planning, industrial and infrastructure construction, fostering trade, and resolving conflicts through negotiation or conflict. If you’re a gamer who enjoys crafting complex production systems, relishes the challenge of growing a thriving economy, and appreciates History, I believe you’ll struggle to find a more comprehensive gaming experience in 2025.

Anno 1800 offers a blend of single-player and multiplayer experiences, ample customization options, and regular updates, making it one of the top strategy games and city-building/economic management titles in 2025.

91 – Panzer Corps Gold

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As a dedicated gamer, let me tell you that investing in Panzer Corps Gold is like striking gold itself. Often selling for under $10, this strategy game offers an incredible number of scenarios and units hailing from every theater of World War II. It’s the ultimate beer-and-pretzels wargame, immersing you in the heart of WWII’s most intense battles. As a commander, you’ll be orchestrating the movements of various units – infantry, tanks, and more – across vast, historically accurate battlefields. Your strategic mindset and tactical acumen will be put to the test as you strive for victory.

The Gold Edition is chock-full of DLC expansions, offering an even more immersive experience with additional campaigns, units, and scenarios. If stranded on a deserted island with only Panzer Corps Gold, I’d wager that 10 years later, I’d still be discovering hidden gems.

If you’ve got deeper pockets, you might want to try its younger sibling, but remember – Panzer Corps 2 doesn’t come close to the sheer quantity of content found in Panzer Corps Gold.

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2025-05-11 01:05