Year after year, strategy games have remained one of the most cherished genres in the gaming industry, captivating players with their tactical battles, resource management, and complex decision-making scenarios. With a plethora of new strategy games hitting the market annually, it can be challenging to identify the ones that truly shine. In this article, we’ll delve into the highest-rated strategy game released each year over the past 20 years. From classic turn-based strategies to modern real-time tactics, we’ll uncover what sets each game apart, examining their impact on the genre and why they became beloved by fans. Whether you’re a seasoned strategy aficionado or a newcomer, this journey through the top strategy games of the past two decades will provide valuable insights into the development of strategic gameplay.
It’s quite intriguing to explore which video games received top marks each year and observe how game preferences have changed over time. I primarily utilized Metacritic for this analysis, consolidated all the data, added my personal opinions on whether I agreed or disagreed with their ratings, and highlighted other notable games that were close contenders.
In the future, I’ll delve into the top-ranked strategy games annually, over a period of twenty years, based on player ratings, and it promises to be fascinating comparing these with the current one!
2004 – Rome: Total War – 92
Rome: Total War may not have achieved the 10 million sales that Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 garnered when it launched in 2004, but its impact on players was undeniable and likely sparked the interest of numerous future historians I encountered during my university years. This game revolutionized the way battles were portrayed in video games, making them feel as authentic as real-life conflicts in terms of scale, grandeur, and strategy. Coupled with an engaging turn-based campaign that encompassed a vast European and North African map for conquest, Rome: Total War earned its classic status even before it hit the shelves. I vividly recall spending countless Friday afternoons at school, mentally reenacting battles and tactics, eagerly counting down the days until my weekend gaming sessions. One of the finest real-time strategy games ever created.
2005 – Civilization IV – Rating – 94
Each time I compile these lists, Civilization never fails to appear. Initially, it stood out as one of the greatest strategy games ever crafted, then it became one of the highest-grossing strategy games, and now it’s also among the most critically acclaimed titles due to its exceptional coding. Among all the Civilization series, IV remains my favorite, primarily because it represented a significant leap in quality and gameplay diversity compared to its predecessors. The beginning of each new campaign seemed limitless, with strategy potential only bound by my creativity. Many nights were spent playing it with a friend using the hot seat mode. Reminiscing about those times brings a smile to my face.
2006 – Company of Heroes – 93
Among the games on this list, Company of Heroes ranks as the second highest-scored, with Civilization IV taking the top spot by just one point. This game truly deserves its accolades. It’s remarkable to think back to when Company of Heroes was first released, less than twenty years ago, and how groundbreaking it felt at that time. While there were other World War II strategy games available, such as Panzers, Sudden Strike, Blitzkrieg, and World War II: Frontline Command, Company of Heroes stood out by incorporating cover mechanics, suppression tactics, and maneuverability into the gameplay experience. To this day, Company of Heroes remains a must-play for any strategy game or RTS enthusiast.
Moreover, Medieval II: Total War ranked as the runner-up among strategy games in 2006, earning a score of 88 points. Fear not, fellow Total War enthusiasts, your moment to shine will come eventually.
2007 – Galactic Civilizations II – 91
It’s surprising to discover that among all these games listed, only Galactic Civilizations II is new to me. This is a grand-strategy/4X game where you assume the role of a leader guiding a unique interstellar civilization. Your objective is twofold: securing the survival of your species and expanding your empire amidst a challenging galaxy. The approach you take, whether it’s through diplomacy, trade, covert operations, or military dominance, is entirely up to you. The universe serves as your playground for strategic exploration. A fascinating feature I found during my research about Galactic Civilizations II is the ability to create and construct your own ships, which is one of those elements that I enjoy in games. Additionally, there are three expansions available: 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 unveil Sins of a Solar Empire II, and I’m thrilled to confirm that the structure they established almost two decades ago remains relevant and is certainly worth your investment if you’re a space strategy enthusiast. Given its initial success in 2008, it’s no surprise that Sins of a Solar Empire was quickly acclaimed as one of the top strategy games available. It offered an exhilarating blend of real-time combat’s excitement and intensity with the need to explore, expand, and construct your solar empire to support your war economy. This perfect combination (a match made in the cosmos?) has proven so effective that many series fans still favor the original Sins of a Solar Empire. Moreover, it boasts an active modding community, ensuring that the game remains exciting for those seeking fresh experiences.
2009 – Empire: Total War – 90
I still recall the day Empire: Total War was launched as if it were only yesterday, and trust me, the anticipation leading up to it was palpable, especially after the tremendous success of Total War: Medieval 2 by Creative Assembly. The internet was abuzz with leaked screenshots, discussions about how effectively the Total War formula would adapt to the musket era, and a sense that the series was poised for bigger and more inventive things. I was thoroughly captivated by Empire: Total War; the battles were colossal, the graphics were stunning, and for the first time, we could engage in naval combat. Almost everything about the game was impressive, but its AI left much to be desired, struggling particularly with the new ranged combat system. It would behave unpredictably, employ illogical formations, charge headlong into fights it had no chance of winning.
2009 saw strategy games thrive, as Football Manager secured the runner-up spot with an impressive score of 87, closely followed by Dawn of War II in third place with a rating of 85.
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2025-03-19 19:43