The Best Strategy Games on Steam

The strategy genre on Steam encompasses a vast array of subgenres, ranging from grand historical simulations and real-time tactical battles to intricate colony builders and card-based roguelikes. These titles challenge players to manage complex economies, command armies across diverse terrains, and make critical decisions that determine the survival of entire civilizations. With the platform hosting thousands of entries, identifying the definitive leaders in the genre requires looking at long-term player engagement and critical reception. The following list highlights the top-rated experiences that have defined the strategic landscape on Steam.

‘Northgard’ (2018)

Based on Norse mythology, this real-time strategy game tasks players with controlling a clan of Vikings as they explore and conquer a mysterious new continent. Developed and published by Shiro Games, the title focuses on careful resource management and survival against harsh winter conditions and mythical creatures. Players must assign their clan members to various roles such as farmers, warriors, and sailors to ensure the growth of their settlement. Victory can be achieved through different paths, including trade, conquest, or fame, allowing for diverse tactical approaches. The game is recognized for its unique blend of traditional RTS mechanics with survival elements.

‘Company of Heroes 2’ (2013)

Set during the Eastern Front of World War II, this tactical real-time strategy game highlights the brutal conflicts between the Soviet Red Army and the German Wehrmacht. Relic Entertainment served as the developer, while the game was published by SEGA following the acquisition of the studio’s assets. The gameplay emphasizes squad-level tactics, cover systems, and the dynamic environmental impact of snow and fire on troop movement. Players must capture and hold strategic points across the map to secure resources and deploy advanced armored vehicles. Its deep mechanical systems and historical focus have maintained a dedicated competitive community for over a decade.

‘Dota 2’ (2013)

This massively popular multiplayer online battle arena title serves as the standalone sequel to the community-created ‘Defense of the Ancients’ mod. Developed and published by Valve, the game features two teams of five players who compete to destroy the opposing side’s fortified structure known as the Ancient. Each player controls a unique hero with distinct abilities, requiring intense coordination and strategic item builds to gain an advantage. The game’s complex mechanical depth and evolving meta-game have made it a cornerstone of the professional esports industry. It remains one of the most frequently played titles on Steam due to its constant updates and high skill ceiling.

‘Cities: Skylines’ (2015)

This city-building simulation offers players the tools to design, build, and manage a modern metropolis from the ground up. Developed by Colossal Order and published by Paradox Interactive, the game features a sophisticated traffic simulation system that requires careful urban planning. Players must balance zoning needs, public services, and taxation while addressing the growing demands of their virtual citizens. The title succeeded in revitalizing the genre by providing expansive maps and deep customization options through official tools and community mods. It is widely considered the modern standard for urban management strategy games.

‘Frostpunk’ (2018)

As the leader of the last city on Earth, players must manage a steampunk-inspired society struggling to survive in a frozen wasteland. Developed and published by 11 bit studios, this survival strategy game forces players to make difficult moral choices to maintain heat and order. Managing limited resources like coal and food is essential to keep the massive central generator running and the population healthy. Laws passed by the player can drastically alter the city’s social structure, leading to different endgame scenarios based on the path chosen. The game is praised for its atmospheric tension and its integration of ethical dilemmas into strategic gameplay.

‘Total War: Warhammer II’ (2017)

This fantasy strategy epic combines turn-based empire management with massive real-time tactical battles in the ‘Warhammer’ universe. Creative Assembly developed the title, with SEGA handling the global release as the publisher. Players command legendary lords from diverse factions like the High Elves and Skaven, each featuring unique units, magic spells, and campaign mechanics. The Great Vortex campaign provides a narrative-driven experience where factions race to control a powerful magical storm. It remains a fan favorite for its vast scale and the seamless integration of traditional ‘Total War’ mechanics with high-fantasy elements.

‘Europa Universalis IV’ (2013)

This grand strategy game allows players to guide a nation through the centuries from the late Middle Ages to the early modern period. Developed by Paradox Development Studio and published by Paradox Interactive, the title features a detailed world map where players manage diplomacy, trade, and warfare. Every decision affects the prestige and stability of the nation as it navigates historical events and changing political landscapes. The game is known for its intricate systems that simulate the complexities of statecraft and global colonization. Its extensive library of expansions has continued to deepen the strategic experience over many years.

‘Hearts of Iron IV’ (2016)

Focusing on the global conflict of World War II, this grand strategy title gives players control of any nation during the 1930s and 1940s. Paradox Development Studio developed the game, while Paradox Interactive served as the publisher. Strategic success depends on managing industrial production, research trees, and military divisions across land, air, and sea. Players can follow historical paths or explore alternate timelines by altering the political alignment and diplomatic alliances of their chosen country. The game’s focus on logistics and grand-scale military planning has made it a staple of the genre on Steam.

‘Stellaris’ (2016)

In this grand strategy game set in deep space, players create their own alien species and venture out to explore a procedurally generated galaxy. Developed by Paradox Development Studio and published by Paradox Interactive, the title blends 4X exploration with complex diplomatic and economic systems. Players encounter diverse civilizations, ancient mysteries, and galactic threats that require tactical ship designs and strategic alliances to overcome. The game’s ethics and government systems allow for a high degree of role-playing, from peaceful explorers to aggressive conquerors. Continuous updates have expanded the scope of the game to include galactic politics and endgame crises.

‘Into the Breach’ (2018)

This turn-based tactical game challenges players to defend human cities from an invasion of giant subterranean monsters known as the Vek. Developed and published by Subset Games, the creators of ‘FTL: Faster Than Light’, the game focuses on perfect information and environmental manipulation. Each turn, the enemy’s intended attacks are clearly telegraphed, allowing players to move their customizable mechs to block or redirect damage. The strategic depth comes from managing limited power resources and choosing the right pilots and weapons for each run. Its tight design and rewarding puzzle-like combat have earned it significant critical acclaim.

‘XCOM 2’ (2016)

Set twenty years after humans lost a global war against an alien invasion, this tactical game puts players in charge of a guerrilla resistance movement. Firaxis Games developed the title, with 2K serving as the publisher for its worldwide release. Players must manage a mobile base, research alien technology, and lead squads of soldiers into high-stakes turn-based missions. The gameplay emphasizes the importance of cover, line-of-sight, and individual soldier progression within a persistent campaign. High difficulty and permanent character death create a tense atmosphere where every tactical decision has lasting consequences.

‘Total War: Shogun 2’ (2011)

Set during the 16th-century Sengoku period in Japan, this title tasks players with leading a clan to become the new Shogunate. Creative Assembly developed the game, which was published by SEGA following their long-standing partnership. The game features a refined balance of turn-based provincial management and spectacular real-time battles involving thousands of samurai and ashigaru. Success requires a mix of military might, diplomatic maneuvering, and the use of specialized agents like ninjas and monks. It is often cited as one of the most polished and focused entries in the entire ‘Total War’ series.

‘Against the Storm’ (2023)

This unique title combines city-building mechanics with the progression of a roguelike in a world plagued by eternal rain. Eremite Games acted as the developer, while Hooded Horse published the game on Steam. Players must establish a series of settlements to gather resources for the Smoldering City, the last bastion against the Blightstorm. Each settlement run presents different challenges, available buildings, and species requirements that require adaptive strategies to succeed. The game is noted for its innovative blend of genres and its rewarding system of meta-progression and high-stakes decision-making.

‘Sid Meier’s Civilization VI’ (2016)

This legendary turn-based strategy game allows players to build an empire that can stand the test of time from the Stone Age to the Information Age. Developed by Firaxis Games and published by 2K, the title introduced districts that allow cities to spread across the map physically. Players must manage scientific research, cultural development, and military expansion while interacting with historical leaders from throughout human history. Diverse victory conditions, such as religious dominance or space exploration, provide multiple paths for strategic play. Its deep systems and iconic gameplay have secured its place as a genre leader.

‘Bloons TD 6’ (2018)

This vibrant tower defense game requires players to place various monkey towers and heroes to pop waves of increasingly difficult balloons. Developed and published by Ninja Kiwi, the game features a deep progression system with multiple upgrade paths for every tower. Strategic placement and the use of special abilities are essential to counter specific balloon types and boss encounters. The title includes a vast number of maps, game modes, and cooperative play options that provide extensive replayability. It is one of the highest-rated strategy games on Steam due to its addictive gameplay and constant content updates.

‘Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition’ (2019)

This remastered version of the classic real-time strategy game brings modernized graphics and updated gameplay to the beloved medieval title. While originally created by Ensemble Studios, this edition was developed by Forgotten Empires and published by Xbox Game Studios. The game features dozens of playable civilizations, each with unique units and technologies, spanning across several historical campaigns. Players must balance resource gathering, base building, and military maneuvers to defeat their opponents in both single-player and competitive multiplayer modes. It remains a cornerstone of the RTS genre, celebrated for its balanced mechanics and historical depth.

‘Slay the Spire’ (2019)

This title revolutionized the deck-building genre by merging it with roguelike elements to create a highly strategic combat experience. Developed and published by Mega Crit, the game tasks players with climbing a dangerous spire using a customized deck of cards. Each run features unique enemies, powerful relics, and random events that force players to adapt their strategy on the fly. Players must carefully weigh the risks and rewards of every card added to their deck to ensure they can survive elite encounters and bosses. The game’s influence can be seen in numerous subsequent titles that attempt to replicate its successful strategic formula.

‘Crusader Kings III’ (2020)

This grand strategy role-playing game focuses on the personal lives and political machinations of a medieval noble dynasty. Developed by Paradox Development Studio and published by Paradox Interactive, the game emphasizes character-driven storytelling over traditional military conquest. Players must manage marriages, titles, and secret plots to ensure their family retains power across generations. The deep social systems and intricate legal mechanics allow for a wide range of playstyles, from pious kings to ruthless tyrants. Its accessible interface and deep mechanical complexity have made it a standout success for the studio.

‘Factorio’ (2020)

Players are tasked with building and maintaining massive automated factories on an alien planet to produce a space-bound rocket. Developed and published by Wube Software, the game is centered on the concepts of logistics, resource processing, and constant optimization. As the factory expands, players must design complex belt networks, railway systems, and defensive turrets to protect against hostile indigenous life. The strategic depth comes from identifying bottlenecks and engineering more efficient ways to handle the increasing complexity of production chains. It is widely praised for its technical polish and the sheer scale of the industrial systems players can create.

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