Strategy video games remain a highly favored and captivating genre within the gaming industry, offering players diverse challenges from tactical battles, resource management, to complex decision-making scenarios. With countless new strategy titles emerging annually, it can be challenging to single out the exceptional ones. In this article, we delve into the top-rated strategy game of each year for the past 20 years, exploring iconic turn-based and real-time strategy games that made a significant impact on the genre and garnered widespread acclaim among fans. Whether you’re an experienced strategy aficionado or just starting out, this retrospective offers valuable insights into the development of strategic gameplay over the past two decades.
Each year, I find it fascinating to track the top-rated video games based on reviewers’ opinions and observe how these preferences have changed over time. I utilized Metacritic as my primary source for this purpose, collated all the data, added my personal insights (whether I concurred or not), and also highlighted other notable contenders that came close to winning.
In the future, I’ll delve into the top-ranked strategy games of each year, spanning a period of twenty years, based on player ratings. It promises to be quite exciting comparing these with the current one.
2004 – Rome: Total War – 92
Rome: Total War may not have reached the 10 million sales that Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 achieved when it launched in 2004, but its impact on players was undeniable and likely sparked the passion for history in numerous future historians, including some I encountered during my university years. For the first time in a video game, battles felt like authentic real-life battles due to their size, grandeur, and strategic complexity. Adding an engaging turn-based campaign with a sprawling map of Europe and Northern Africa to conquer only served to solidify Rome: Total War’s status as a classic even before its release. I fondly recall spending many hours during my Friday afternoons at school mentally designing battles and strategies, eagerly awaiting the weekend gaming sessions that lay ahead. One of the greatest real-time strategy games ever created.
2005 – Civilization IV – Rating – 94
Whenever I’m compiling these lists, it’s just a matter of when Civilization will make an appearance. Initially, it was hailed as one of the best strategy games ever crafted, then one of the highest-grossing strategy games in history, and now, it stands among the most critically acclaimed games to be coded. Among all the Civilization series titles, my personal favorite has got to be Civilization IV. The reason? It represented a significant leap in quality and gameplay diversity compared to its predecessors. Each new campaign I embarked on felt like an endless strategic playground, with only my creativity being the limiting factor. I’ve spent countless nights engaged in hot-seat multiplayer sessions with a friend, creating memories that still bring a smile to my face.
2006 – Company of Heroes – 93
Among the listed games, Company of Heroes ranks second, surpassed only by Civilization IV by a single point. This game has truly earned its high regard. With nearly two decades having passed since its release, it’s challenging to fully appreciate just how groundbreaking and unique Company of Heroes felt when it initially launched. There were other World War II strategy games available at the time, such as Panzers, Sudden Strike, Blitzkrieg, and World War II: Frontline Command. However, Company of Heroes stood out by introducing cover mechanics, suppression tactics, and maneuverability in a way that authentically portrayed infantry combat during the Second World War. To this day, Company of Heroes remains a must-play title for strategy game enthusiasts or those who love RTS games.
Furthermore, it was Medieval II: Total War that earned the title of the second-ranking strategy game in 2006, scoring a total of 88 points. Fear not, enthusiasts of the Total War series, as your moment to shine will come around again.
2007 – Galactic Civilizations II – 91
It’s surprising that among all the games listed here, only this one – Galactic Civilizations II – is new to me. This grand-strategy/4X game allows you to assume the role of a leader for a custom-designed interstellar civilization, with your mission being to ensure the survival and expansion of your people amidst a hostile galaxy. The methods you choose are up to you, whether it’s diplomacy, trade, covert operations, or military conquest; the universe is yours to explore. An interesting feature I discovered about Galactic Civilizations II during my research is that players can design and construct their own spaceships, which I find delightful in games. The game has three expansions: Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords, Dark Avatar, and Twilight of the Arnor.
In 2007, World in Conflict was a very close second, with 89 points.
2008 – Sins of a Solar Empire – 87
2024 marked the release of Sins of a Solar Empire II by Stardock Entertainment, and I’m thrilled to confirm that the foundation they laid nearly two decades ago remains relevant and definitely worth investing your time if you’re a space-loving strategy enthusiast. Given its initial success in 2008, it’s no surprise that Sins of a Solar Empire was hailed as one of the top strategy games at its debut. It offered an exhilarating blend of action and exploration in real-time strategy combat, allowing you to establish, expand, and develop your solar empire to fuel your war economy. This stellar combination has stood the test of time, with some loyal fans still preferring the original Sins of a Solar Empire. Moreover, it boasts an active modding community, ensuring a fresh gaming experience for those seeking novelty.
2009 – Empire: Total War – 90
I still recall the day Empire: Total War hit the shelves vividly, and let me share with you, the anticipation leading up to its release was palpable. Following the phenomenal success of Total War: Medieval 2, Creative Assembly was on a roll, generating immense excitement. Previews and screenshots were scattered all over the internet, fueling speculation about how effectively the Total War formula would adapt to the musket era. There was also a sense that the series was progressing, aiming for greater achievements and innovations.
I was thoroughly captivated by Empire: Total War. The battles were grandiose, the graphics were stunning, and for the first time, we could engage in naval battles. Almost everything about the game was impressive, but its AI left much to be desired. It struggled with the new ranged combat, exhibiting erratic movements, illogical formations, and random charges that led to unwinnable fights.
2009 proved to be a fantastic year for strategy game enthusiasts, as Football Manager earned the runner-up spot with an impressive score of 87, while Dawn of War II took third place with a commendable score of 85.
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2025-01-25 19:43