The best strategy games in 2025

4 months ago, by Thibaut

Long reserved for a niche audience, strategy games have gradually become more mainstream. First, these titles opted for more accessible mechanics and also broke free from PCs to make their way onto consoles. Their gameplay had to be rethought and, above all, modernized to attract a whole new audience. Beyond this newfound accessibility, the biggest franchises have stood the test of time, while others have emerged with the aim of appealing to both novices and seasoned players.

Among the best strategy games, we can define different genres. For example, there's RTS (or real-time strategy games), which favor instant action and a formula in which it is necessary to make decisions very quickly. Of course, StarCraft II is undoubtedly the ideal representative of RTS games. Although a third installment has surprisingly never seen the light of day, this second episode remains a must-have more than 15 years after its initial launch. Blizzard's title also benefits from high-quality expansions that add a wealth of additional content. Unfortunately, it is only available on computers.

This is not the case with another great franchise, Age of Empires. This series has evolved with the times by re-releasing its older titles. That's why Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition II is a must-have for all fans of strategy games on consoles and PCs alike. The Total War: Warhammer trilogy also shines in this category, as does Anno 1800, which was designed by Ubisoft. In this title, the player must rebuild a family empire whose name has been unjustly tarnished. To do so, they will have to manage the resources of the Old World and the New World. This formula also incorporates elements familiar to city-builders.

Let's quickly move on to grand strategy games focused on large-scale strategy. One notable example is the excellent Crusader Kings III, in which players must manage an entire empire across several countries. Players must make important political decisions and manage their army in order to ensure the sustainability and expansion of their lands. Paradox Interactive is a studio specializing in this type of production, as evidenced by the very high quality of Hearts of Iron IV. This game has you lead an entire nation to victory during World War II, putting your strategic and political skills to the test in order to survive the global conflict.

We mustn't forget turn-based strategy games. These games take a more cautious approach and emphasize decision-making with sometimes dire consequences. There are many examples of this genre, but it's impossible to overlook the very recent Civilization VII. The objective here is quite clear, as we are asked to build the largest empire in the world. Our decisions will shape the cultural lineage of our civilization and its future. The player takes on the role of a leader who must manage everything by building entire cities and remarkable buildings. It's a game that truly adapts to our choices, which can give rise to unexpected stories.

As for other turn-based strategy games, Gears Tactics offers a pleasant alternative by drawing on the universe of the Gears of War franchise. XCOM 2, on the other hand, focuses more on futuristic battles between humanity and aliens. Finally, let's end with a special mention for the excellent Cities: Skylines. While it may at first glance resemble a city-building simulator, Colossal Order's title hides a strategy aspect that is relatively well suited to managing our city. We must constantly expand it, develop several sectors of activity, and ensure it stands to the test of time and the many problems that can arise at any time.

Without further ado, here are the best strategy games you must absolutely enjoy in 2025.