Strategy remains one of the most popular video game genres out there, and within such a niche space, there are still lots of different titles across a range of settings and styles for fans to explore. There are traditional RTS games that allow players to control armies and ships across medieval lands, futuristic simulators that take the strategy to the skies, and even entirely different takes on the genre's methodical gameplay style.
Best Triple-A Strategy Games
Players who want the best strategy games the AAA scene has to offer can't go wrong with the following titles.
Just around the corner, there are quite a few interesting games for strategy fans to sink their teeth into, ranging from sequels to new IPs from indie developers. What makes the future of strategy so exciting is that with each new iteration comes improvements to both gameplay and visuals, allowing classic franchises and newcomers to look better than ever, while maintaining the core DNA that strategy lovers have enjoyed for decades.
Anno 117: Pax Romana
Shaping The Roman Empire
Anno 117: Pax Romana
- Released
- November 13, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft
- Genre(s)
- City Builder, Simulation, Strategy
Anno 117: Pax Romana takes the legendary strategy franchise back to the early days of civilization during the peak of the Roman Empire. Players have all the tools they need to build and design entire cities from the ground up, as well as optimize every aspect of ruling over said city, from balancing the needs of the people to defending against rival empires both on the ground and at sea.
What makes the game so exciting is the level of depth in every gameplay element. Anno has always been a leader in gameplay and visual detail, and this entry is no different, with individual elements standing out at all times, ensuring that every moment feels alive with motion. As they expand their empire, players will have to manage the consequences of their actions, making decisions about which deities to follow, which policies to introduce, and even whether to defy the emperor himself, all leading to outcomes that will dictate successes and failures in the future.
Europa Universalis 5
Domination Across Centuries
Europa Universalis V
- Released
- November 4, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Paradox Tinto
- Genre(s)
- Grand Strategy, Strategy, Simulation, Real-Time Strategy, War & Military
Europa Universalis 5 is the next entry in Paradox's grand strategy franchise, and the scale is bigger than ever. Players quite literally watch history unfold before them, as a half-millennium's worth of stories are told across an entire world. As always, the focus is on the technical aspects of the genre, like the construction of the city-states and decisions regarding where to lead armies next, making it a deeply tactical experience that trades modern visuals for a more engaging gameplay loop.
Best Strategy Games On Xbox Game Pass
The Xbox Game Pass library offers great titles for fans of the strategy genre, and here is a look at the best ones available to subscribers.
Unlike a lot of other strategy games, Europa Universalis 5 really emphasizes player skill expression and knowledge, and there are plenty of chances for veteran players to demonstrate their abilities with an even wider scope than before. Planning out governance strategies, building long-lasting infrastructure, negotiating peace through diplomacy; the game really has it all, and it looks to be one of the most complete historical simulations ever made.
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4
Back To The Strategic Roots
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV
- Developer(s)
- KING Art
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, Real-Time Strategy, Action, Tactical
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4 takes players back to the explosive RTS roots that made Warhammer so popular in the first place. Where other strategy games favor history, Dawn of War leans heavily into its grimdark future, combining mechanical warfare with large-scale tactical battles to deliver gameplay that should impress newcomers to the franchise and satisfy returning players as well.
The main draw is the campaign, with over 70 missions for players to tackle across multiple factions, giving them more than enough content to explore before testing their skills against other players. But the game modes don't stop there. With modes like Last Stand and Skirmish making their return, there are even more ways to play, allowing players to configure battles however they choose and adding an extra layer of replayability to an already expansive game.
Mewgenics
Blending Binding Of Isaac With Tactical Cats
Mewgenics
- Released
- February 10, 2026
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Edmund McMillen, Tyler Glaiel
- Genre(s)
- Tactical, Turn-Based Strategy, RPG
Mewgenics is a brand-new RPG from the minds of Edmund McMillen and Tyler Glaiel, best known for games like The Binding of Isaac and Super Meat Boy. It looks to be a blend of comedy and strategy in a feline-filled world. Players are given several cats to start their adventure, each with specific roles and skills, and they must fight their way through more and more challenging grids full of grotesque enemies and other challenges to overcome.
10 Strategy Games That Balance Their Difficulty Perfectly
Strategy games can be complex, and the best of the genre strike a balance between accessibility and challenge.
Mewgenics combines everything from tactical positioning to breeding, satisfying players who enjoy strategic battles but also providing something for lovers of life-simulators. Also, the roguelike formula lends it a huge amount of replay value, something which made The Binding of Isaac popular in the first place, so players will have a significant amount of gameplay to enjoy in a game that is equal parts strategy and satire.
Whiskerwood
The Age-Old Tale Of Cat Versus Mouse
Whiskerwood
- Released
- November 6, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Minakata Dynamics
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, City Builder, Simulation, Management
Whiskerwood takes the concept of city building and swaps out humans for sentient mice, all working to please the cat overlords that rule the land. The game is incredibly unique, with a lot of detail placed into every aspect of the gameplay, from the production lines to traversing the seas, but all of those elements are undercut by a cutesy feel thanks to the silly wordplay and adorable mice that perform the day-to-day actions.
Complexity is everything here. Players have to decide how to expand their settlements while working with limited space, while also managing the intricate production lines that are essential to meeting the demands of the ruling cats. It's a game that takes the satisfaction of construction very seriously, with each conveyor belt built and each pathway placed fitting together like a perfect jigsaw. Players will discover very quickly that the only real limitation to their creations is their own imagination, as they truly have all the tools needed to craft the ideal island civilization.
Best Strategy Games Focused On Base Building
Some of the best strategy games also incorporate addictive base-building mechanics that keep players coming back for more.