Introduction
As 2025 ends, it’s clear it’s been a fantastic year for strategy and wargame fans. We’ve seen a lot of exciting new games, successful early access titles, updated versions of classics, and some truly creative approaches that have really moved the genre forward.
Strategy games had an incredible year, offering something for everyone – from beautiful, classic real-time strategy experiences to complex, long-term planning games and unique tactical challenges. The genre is more varied and refined than ever, making now a perfect time to get involved. Whether you enjoy building cities, commanding armies in real-time, detailed war simulations, or carefully planning turn-based moves, the best strategy games of 2025 deliver memorable stories, smart gameplay, and endless hours of fun. Here are 15 games that stood out to me this year, and why I think you should play them.
15 – Age of Darkness: Final Stand
Age of Darkness: Final Stand was the first game I reviewed in 2025, and it really impressed me. It takes the core idea from the popular game They Are Billions – defending against huge waves of enemies – and expands on it. It’s a challenging real-time strategy game where you build a base, command heroes, and try to survive endless, terrifying attacks. The campaign is what truly stood out to me – it’s rare for an RTS to keep me coming back daily, even if just for a few minutes, to see how it ends. The campaign missions themselves are well-designed and feel like a classic RTS experience from the late 90s and early 2000s. If you enjoy They Are Billions and want a game with a strong campaign, Age of Darkness is worth checking out, but don’t expect a lot beyond that.
14 – Commandos: Origins
My first look at Commandos: Origins wasn’t great, but after some extra polish, the game turned out to be surprisingly good – and exactly what the series needed. It successfully revives the classic real-time tactics gameplay fans love while updating it for a modern audience. The game incorporates newer mechanics – inspired by titles like those from Mimimi Games – such as synchronized kills and a completely redesigned control system. Each mission feels like a challenging puzzle, demanding careful timing, clever distractions, and precise actions thanks to detailed maps, improved stealth, and smarter enemies. The game’s WW2 environments are beautifully rendered, though the animations could be a bit smoother. Overall, though, Commandos: Origins is a really impressive game.
13 – Cataclismo
Cataclismo, launching in 2025, is a castle-building strategy game that blends the gameplay of Stronghold with the dark fantasy setting of Age of Darkness. Players can design and construct their castles piece by piece, letting them create unique and visually impressive fortresses – even if they aren’t the most practical! You’ll need to be a skilled builder, because enemies will attack in waves, challenging your defenses. The game also features a stylish and modern art style.
12 – Armored Brigade 2
The original Armored Brigade was a hit with fans of Cold War strategy games, but its biggest drawback was its 2D perspective. Armored Brigade 2 solves this, bringing the large-scale, real-time battles into a fully realized 3D world. Like the first game, it offers a deeply detailed simulation, but the new 3D engine significantly improves clarity and immersion, making it easier to understand the battlefield and react quickly. The game also features numerous improvements, including enhanced communications, smarter AI, dynamic weather, updated infantry, new units and scenarios, and much more. If you’re looking for a complex and engaging Cold War wargame to truly lose yourself in, Armored Brigade 2 is an excellent choice.
11 – Two Point Museum
If you’re familiar with the Two Point series, you know they make fantastic tycoon games, and Two Point Museum continues that tradition. This new game from Two Point Studios lets you build and run your own quirky museum, filled with unique exhibits and interesting visitors. It’s visually charming and lighthearted, with a playful art style that makes even a crowded museum feel inviting. But don’t let the fun appearance fool you – Two Point Museum is a surprisingly deep management simulation that will really challenge you to create a successful and popular museum. Expect to be kept busy!
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2025-12-05 17:43