Over the years, strategy games have remained among the most cherished and widely played genres within the gaming community. They provide players with various challenges, such as strategizing in combat, managing resources, or making complex decisions. With an abundance of new strategy games hitting the market annually, it’s essential to identify which ones truly excel. In this article, we will delve into the top-rated strategy game of each year for the past 20 years. We’ll discuss both classic turn-based strategies and modern real-time tactics, highlighting what made these games exceptional, and how they contributed to the development and popularity of the genre. Whether you’re a seasoned strategy gamer or just starting out, this journey through the best strategy games of the past two decades will provide insights into the growth and evolution of strategic gameplay.
Each year, I find it intriguing to examine the aspects game reviewers highly valued and observe how those preferences have changed over time. To do this, I primarily relied on Metacritic for data collection. After collating all the results, I added my personal commentary, discussing whether I concurred or not, as well as highlighting other notable games that came close to winning.
In the future, I’ll delve into top-tier strategy games each year, rated by players, spanning over a period of twenty years. It promises to be an exciting comparison with the current one!
2004 – Rome: Total War – 92
Rome: Total War may not have achieved the 10 million sales that Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 did when it launched in 2004, but it undeniably left an indelible impression on everyone who experienced it. It’s safe to assume it sparked the passion of many future historians I encountered during my university years. For the first time in a video game, battles felt authentic, not just in terms of scale and visual spectacle, but also strategy. Coupled with an engaging turn-based campaign featuring a vast European and Northern African map to conquer, Rome: Total War was already a classic before its release. I can still recall the countless hours I spent during my school Fridays planning battles and tactics in my mind, eagerly awaiting the weekend gaming sessions that were just around the corner. One of the finest real-time strategy games ever created.
2005 – Civilization IV – Rating – 94
Each time I craft these lists, it feels inevitable that Civilization will make an appearance. This game was initially one of the finest strategy titles ever created, then became one of the best-selling strategy games, and now ranks among the highest-rated games coded to date. Out of all the Civilization installments, IV remains my personal favorite due to its significant leap in quality and gameplay diversity compared to its predecessors. With each new campaign I embarked upon, I was captivated by the boundless possibilities, knowing that my strategy was only limited by my creativity. Many a night was spent engrossed in hot-seat matches with a friend, creating lasting memories.
2006 – Company of Heroes – 93
Back when I was gaming, Company of Heroes stood out as one of the best strategy titles, trailing just behind the legendary Civilization IV by a hair’s breadth. It’s an honor to see it holding its ground even after nearly two decades. Looking back, it’s amazing to realize how groundbreaking and refreshing Company of Heroes felt when it first hit the scene. There were other World War 2 strategy games, like Panzers, Sudden Strike, Blitzkrieg, and World War II: Frontline Command. But what really set Company of Heroes apart was its immersive portrayal of infantry combat during WW2, with features like cover mechanics, suppression, and maneuverability that truly brought the battlefield to life. To this day, if you’re a fan of strategy games or RTS, Company of Heroes remains a must-play title.
Moreover, Medieval II: Total War, which earned 88 points, was the second-ranking strategy game of 2006. Fear not, fellow Total War enthusiasts, your moment in the spotlight is coming up.
2007 – Galactic Civilizations II – 91
It’s surprising that among this list, only Galactic Civilizations II is a game I haven’t yet experienced. This grand-strategy/4X game places you in charge of a unique interstellar civilization, with the objective to protect your people and expand your empire amidst a hostile galaxy. Your approach to achieving these goals, whether through diplomacy, trade, secret operations, or force, is up to you. The universe serves as your playground. An intriguing feature I discovered about Galactic Civilizations II during research is the ability to create and construct your own spaceships, a feature that I particularly enjoy 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 saw Stardock Entertainment launch Sins of a Solar Empire II, and I’m thrilled to confirm that the foundation they laid almost two decades ago remains relevant and is definitely worth your time if you’re a fan of space-based real-time strategy games. Given its initial release in 2008, it’s no surprise that Sins of a Solar Empire was swiftly praised as one of the finest strategy games available. It combined the excitement and intensity of real-time combat with the need to explore, expand, and construct your solar empire to sustain your war economy. This perfect blend (some might say, a celestial mix) continues to captivate players, with some dedicated fans still favoring the original Sins of a Solar Empire. Moreover, it boasts a thriving modding community, ensuring that the game remains fresh and offers new experiences for those seeking them.
2009 – Empire: Total War – 90
I still recall the day Empire: Total War was launched as if it were only yesterday, and boy, the anticipation leading up to it was tremendous! Creative Assembly had just experienced a massive success with Total War: Medieval 2, and fans were eagerly awaiting this new installment. Previews and screenshots were circulating online, sparking debates about how well the Total War formula would adapt to the musket era. There was also a sense of excitement that the series was progressing, aiming for bigger and more innovative experiences. I was captivated by Empire: Total War; the battles were grand, the graphics were stunning, and for the first time, we could engage in naval combat. However, despite almost everything being fantastic about it, the AI in Empire: Total War left much to be desired, particularly when it came to the new ranged combat. The AI would move haphazardly, employ illogical formations, and charge forward recklessly into fights it couldn’t possibly win.
2009 proved to be an outstanding year for strategy game enthusiasts, as Football Manager secured the runner-up position with a score of 87, closely followed by Dawn of War II in third place with a rating of 85.
Read More
- REPO: All Guns & How To Get Them
- BTC PREDICTION. BTC cryptocurrency
- All Balatro Cheats (Developer Debug Menu)
- LUNC PREDICTION. LUNC cryptocurrency
- 6 Best Mechs for Beginners in Mecha Break to Dominate Matches!
- REPO: How To Play Online With Friends
- POL PREDICTION. POL cryptocurrency
- Top 5 Swords in Kingdom Come Deliverance 2
- Unleash Willow’s Power: The Ultimate Build for Reverse: 1999!
- Master the Viral Sigma Boy Challenge in Geometry Dash Now!
2025-03-12 02:43