Unveiling the Future of Strategy: Top 25 Most Wishlisted Games on Steam
The realm of PC-based strategy gaming continues to transform dynamically, fueled by an energetic community excitedly waiting for the next major release, and 2025 is no exception. Steam, the dominant digital marketplace on PC, provides a distinct perspective into these expectations through its comprehensive wishlist function. Strategy games ranging from intricate city builders and expansive historical simulations to real-time strategy (RTS) and tactical combat, as well as epic space operas, seem to be what players crave – games that stimulate their intellect and strategic abilities. This article delves into the top 25 most wished-for strategy games on Steam, providing a brief, yet revealing peek into the most eagerly awaited titles of 2025.
Just a friendly reminder, folks! It’s your desires, your preferences that shape this list of games. After all, it’s your wishlists, not mine. Enjoy gaming!
25 – D.O.R.F. Real-Time Strategic Conflict
I’m thrilled that other real-time strategy (RTS) enthusiasts recognize the promise in D.O.R.F. Real-Time Strategic Conflict! This game immerses players in a darkly futuristic setting, delivering an authentic RTS experience akin to 90s favorites, combining both its gameplay mechanics and stunning visuals that blend elements of Red Alert 2 and classic Fallout games. Players will select from three unique factions, each boasting distinct units and technologies for base construction and resource acquisition. Similar to traditional RTS games, D.O.R.F. places emphasis on base building, resource management, and then unleashes a variety of powerful military units for land, air, and sea combat. The game showcases an assortment of impressive units, ranging from double-zeppelin bombers to heavily armed tanks, which were the coolest additions in the 90s, apparently! I can’t wait to see how D.O.R.F. measures up for fans of classic RTS gameplay. If it delivers as expected, there will be plenty to appreciate here!
24 – Mars Tactics
Mars Tactics could either win me over or leave me unimpressed, following my demo playthrough. I appreciate the intricate terrain dynamics it offers to the turn-based strategy genre, but I feel that it needs to simplify gameplay decisions for a smoother experience. Nevertheless, the developers are aiming to combine captivating turn-based tactical combat with large-scale strategic operations in a setting of Mars under siege. This sounds appealing to me. The game pits players against a brutal conflict between two uneven factions: the resource-limited Labor revolutionaries and the wealthy Capital army. What makes Mars Tactics unique among other turn-based strategies is its fully destructible environments, enabling innovative tactics like creating new entryways by detonating obstacles or spontaneously creating cover using explosives and bombs. If you’re a fan of XCOM or Xenonauts 2, then Mars Tactics might be the game you’ve been waiting for, and it could easily catch your attention.
23 – Ascent of Ashes
A post-apocalyptic colony simulator titled “Ascent of Ashes” caught my attention due to my fellow podcast host Joe from the U.S., with its release slated for July 2025. This game blends intricate simulation aspects with immersive real-time-with-pause tactical combat, inviting players to construct and maintain a survivor colony, similar to games like RimWorld or Dwarf Fortress. The main focus lies in establishing your base, managing resources, and ensuring your people survive another day. However, challenges extend beyond resource management as raiders, aliens, and mysterious Remnant soldiers pose threats.
Combat is a significant aspect of the game, emphasizing tactical elements such as hit simulation, suppression, and modular damage on units. For instance, if a soldier sustains damage to one arm, he might not die but become incapacitated, unable to fight further. It’ll be intriguing to observe how these combat mechanics interact with the management aspects and what consequences they may bring. Perhaps you could develop strategies that aim to disable enemies rather than kill them, hoping to turn them into allies instead.
The game also offers a vast, procedurally generated world to discover, filled with hidden ruins, diverse biomes, and opportunities to reclaim and utilize various vehicles for travel and combat. I’m eagerly anticipating exploring these features in the game.
22 – Capital Command
Hey there, fellow gamer! Just wanted to let you know that I’ve got some exciting news about a game I’ve been looking forward to – it’s called Capital Command. It’s developed by Hellride Games and Hooded Horse, and it’s all about sci-fi strategy in the vast expanse of space.
In this game, you’ll find yourself sitting in the captain’s chair of a mighty capital ship, diving headfirst into an immersive space sim experience. The focus is on realistic and intense real-time space combat tactics, as well as the physics that govern our cosmic neighborhood.
The story unfolds at a distant frontier outpost where the local defense AI has gone haywire. It’s up to you, the player, to bring order back to this chaotic region by embarking on a sandbox campaign.
What sets Capital Command apart is its realistic space physics, allowing for six degrees of freedom in maneuvering your ship through the void of space. This means you’ll need to become proficient not only with intricate flight controls but also with the various weapon systems at your disposal.
Leading a diverse crew, you’ll be giving orders to navigators, gunners, repair teams, and engineers to manage your colossal vessel and its vast arsenal. Strategic elements include damage control, upgrading your ship using salvaged resources, and even the possibility of seizing enemy capital ships.
Can’t wait to get my hands on this one! Let’s conquer the cosmos together!
21 – Metropolisim
I didn’t know about Metropolisim until recently when putting together this list, but its stunning, streamlined, and visually appealing graphics captivated me right away. This game, still under development, is marketed as a highly detailed and intricate city-building simulation for players who seek the ultimate level of management and systemic interactions. It’s an ambitious project, without a doubt, aiming to allow players to construct and manage a modern metropolis with a population of up to 10 million people, each citizen fully simulated with their own job, education, and daily routine. I’m curious to see how it will unfold, but one thing is clear: the game has garnered quite a bit of attention, ranking as the 20th most wishlisted strategy game on Steam. Key features include extensive zoning, construction of essential city services, budget management, and strategic planning of transit and traffic networks similar to Cities: Skylines. Metropolisim is expected to attract those who enjoy delving into the intricacies of urban planning and resource allocation.
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2025-06-09 03:43