Not everyone can spend many hours in a day playing their current favorite strategy game. People who have to work, study, or have family responsibilities, might only have 30 minutes here or there to play. This makes tackling a complex strategy game a challenge, as these types of games traditionally require longer sessions of intense concentration to master.
The Best Grand Strategy Games Of All Time, Ranked
The best grand strategy games are often played out over several centuries, with some leaning into the immersion and role-play aspects of these eras.
There are some strategy games though, that can be tackled in bite-sized pieces, making them ideal for casual gamers who only have limited play time. These games tend to offer episodic challenges that can be tackled as part of a main story arc, although not all.
8 Dyson Sphere Program
Space Factory Strategy And Simulation
Dyson Sphere Program
- Released
- January 21, 2021
- Developer(s)
- Youthcat Studio
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
Dyson Sphere Program is promoted as a science fiction sandbox construction game. And whilst this describes the core gameplay elements, it is so much more, with some real hidden depth. The game has exploration elements, and the player will enjoy having to capture resources strategically, to keep their factory automation running smoothly.
What makes Dyson Sphere Program such a great game for short playing sessions, is the fact that the overall level of complexity in this game is not as confusing as many other strategy games. Put simply, Dyson Sphere Program is something of a light strategy game, and it is easy to keep track of what is happening in the game between playing sessions.
7 Endless Space 2
Classic Turn-Based Strategy
Endless Space 2
Endless Space 2 is a Strategic Space Opera set in a mysterious universe.
Your story unfolds in a galaxy that was first colonized by God-like beings known as the “ENDLESS," who rose and fell eons ago. All that remains of them are mystical ruins, powerful artifacts, and a strange, near-magical substance known as Dust.
ES2 takes the classic “one more turn” formula to new heights. You will explore mysterious star systems, discover the secrets of ancient races, build colonies on distant planets, exploit trade routes, develop advanced technologies of unthinkable power; and, of course encounter new life forms to understand, to court or to conquer.
As a leader, you have to manage your populations like never before as they react dynamically to your decisions and to their environment, expressing their will through political parties, dictating the laws that your Senate can pass. Will you be a beloved natural leader or will you manipulate your populations to your benefit?
Epic Space Battles
Watch your fighters fly past huge cruisers while lasers rip their hulls apart in epic real-time space battles. Detailed after action reports will help you adapt your strategy for the next confrontations.
Design your ships, assemble your fleets and carefully adapt your battle plans to overcome your enemies. Once you think you’ve done it all, take it online against seven other players.
Lead one of eight civilizations, each with a unique playstyle affinity and story quest, and build great stellar empires capable of imposing your vision on the Galaxy!
Find out more about the Academy and its powerful cast of Heroes, that you can recruit and train to become fleet admirals, system governors or influential senators.
Press ‘Space’ anytime to activate the Amplified Reality view and reveal in-depth contextual information about your systems, trade routes, diplomatic stances and even your ship stats during battle!
- Released
- October 6, 2016
- Developer(s)
- Amplitude Studios
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Grand Strategy, 4X
Endless Space 2 is a little different from other strategy games. It straddles the line between 4X grand strategy and simpler strategy games that focus more on resource acquisition and management. Yes, the player is free to try and use politics and combat to win the game, but the core game loop is all about maximizing resource gathering and research.
7 Hardest 4X Strategy Games
Notoriously hard and not exactly beginner-friendly, these 4X strategy games are perfect for players looking to challenge themselves.
Endless Space 2 is an excellent game for people who can only play in short sessions. Primarily because of its turn-based nature. Between each turn, the player is prompted to use up all of their actions that turn, due to indicators that flag systems where there are free actions left to take before ending the turn.
6 Stellaris
Slick Grand Strategy With Action Combat
Stellaris
- Released
- May 9, 2016
- Developer(s)
- Paradox Development Studio
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- Genre(s)
- 4X, Grand Strategy
Stellaris is one of the most established strategy titles ever published with 7 full-blown expansions and over a dozen additional race and story packs. The game manages to mix 4X style grand strategy gameplay, with live-action combat. Stellaris offers incredibly complex gameplay, that is cleverly controlled by a very well-optimized and simple-to-understand user interface.
What makes Stellaris an exceptionally good game for short playing sessions, is the fact that the player can choose to set up a much smaller galaxy, with fewer competing empires, and with a shorter galactic timeline. This means that an entire game can be shortened to just an hour or two if needed.
5 Stronghold
Historic Castle Builder
Stronghold
The latest chapter in Firefly Studios' real-time strategy series, Stronghold: Warlords is the first game to recreate the castle economies of East Asia. In Warlords players take command of Mongol hordes, imperial warriors and samurai clansmen as they lay siege to Japanese castles and fortified Chinese cities. Besiege historical warlords using new gunpowder-fuelled siege weapons across 31 campaign missions, 45 skirmish trail scenarios, 28 multiplayer maps, skirmish mode and Free Build sandbox with AI invasions.
For the first time ever Stronghold: Warlords allows you to recruit, upgrade and command AI lords across the battlefield in the form of in-game ‘Warlords’. Each warlord under your command boosts your strategic prowess with unique perks, characteristics and upgradeable abilities. Put them to work for your industry, fortifying borders, forging weapons or team up for a pincer attack! Each campaign mission, skirmish game and multiplayer battle means a fresh set of warlords to command and a completely new way to play Stronghold.
- Released
- May 9, 2021
- Platform(s)
- Microsoft Windows
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy
Stronghold is an older game, but the entire Stronghold franchise is somewhat unique. It was one of the first games that required the player to construct a castle, complete with defenses and defending troops. This is an old-school real-time strategy game, meaning players are tasked with completing episodic scenarios that follow an overall story arc.
Because this is a mission-based strategy game, it is perfect for short play sessions. Even if a player can only spare 30 minutes, it is likely that they can complete at least one of the short mission scenarios.
4 Homeworld 2
Often Imitated Seldom Equaled
Homeworld 2
You reclaimed your home. Now reclaim your destiny.
Long ago you returned from exile, but now fate will not be so kind. Your enemies thirst for victory. Your struggle has only just begun. The Homeworld saga continues in the sequel to 1999's "Game of the Year".
• Form your ships into strike groups to create devastating combined-arms fleets.
• Online play for up to 6 people at once.
- Released
- September 16, 2003
- Developer(s)
- Relic Entertainment
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy
Homeworld 2 is the oldest game on this list, first released in 2003, although there was a remastered version released in 2015. In many ways, Homeworld 2 set the standard for real-time strategy tactical space combat. Very few games have managed to combine resource gathering and research, with deep combat gameplay so effectively.
5 Strategy Games That Blend Turn-Based & Real-Time
Combining turn-based and real-time mechanics can unlock new depths of strategy, as these examples illustrate.
This is another game that follows an episodic mission approach to completing the game. And this is why it is great for players who only have time for a short play session. They can jump in, complete a mission, and feel they have actually progressed.
3 Command & Conquer Red Alert
Arguably The Best In The Franchise
Command and Conquer: Red Alert
Surrender is not an option.
Command & Conquer Red Alert gives you the opporiunily in be more devious, cunning and ruthless than ever before. Easy is play and highly addictive, Red Alert puts the fate of the world in your hands.
• Take your fight over land, sea and air with MiGS, spies, destroyers, submarines and more.
• choose your weapons. Defend your base with lesla Coils, AA guns, camouilaged pill boxes and guard dogs. Surprise the enemy with the Iron Curtain, the Chronosphere, the Gap Generator and an arsenal of powerful weapons.
• Two sides to choose from. Over two dozen Allied and Soviet missions on two action-packed CDs. Lend one to a friend.
• Use the mouse for the PlayStation game console or the original gamepad with Red Alert's new PlayStation game console interface.
• Award-winning soundtrack. 21 adrenaline-pumping XA tracks recorded in digital audio for awesome stereo sound.
There was a time back in the 1990s when Westwood Studios was the undisputed master of creating excellent real-time strategy games. Pretty much any of the older games from the Command & Conquer franchise would fit on this list. However, Red Alert stands out because of the high quality of the mission scenarios and some great video acting during cutscenes.
Being a mission scenario-driven strategy game, players can play for a short time and still progress towards completing the game. Modern games no longer offer this style of gameplay, opting for much larger maps and long-winded missions that can take hours to complete. These older Westwood Studios titles were limited by the hardware of the time, and maps were smaller, with mission scenarios being easy to complete within 15 to 20 minutes.
2 XCOM 2
Turn-Based Combat With A Strategy Layer
XCOM 2
- Released
- February 5, 2016
- Developer(s)
- Firaxis Games
- Platform(s)
- Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, RPG
XCOM 2 takes what is in effect, a strategy game, and combines it with some of the best turn-based, team combat gameplay. The player has the goal of overthrowing an occupying alien civilization that has taken over the management of Earth and is converting humans into mindless followers.
XCOM 2: 16 Best Mods, Ranked
Players looking to get more out of XCOM 2 should take a look at these stellar mods available on Nexus and the Steam Workshop.
The gameplay involves capturing resources and destroying enemy bases on the top-level strategy map. This is done through missions that are generated by certain trigger events. Players who can’t spend hours in-game can elect to complete a mission or two in a short playing session instead.
1 Oxygen Not Included
Strategy Combined With Survival
Oxygen Not Included
- Released
- May 18, 2017
- Developer(s)
- Klei Entertainment
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- Simulation, Survival, Management
The only 2D game on this list, Oxygen Not Included is also, surprisingly, the most complicated. Since its release in 2017, this game has managed to accrue a huge following of dedicated fans. What makes it so great? The game looks very simple at first glance but is actually amazingly complex once the player learns the ropes, making for some really rewarding gameplay.
Despite its complexity. Oxygen Not Included is quite a slow-paced game, and this has made it popular with casual gamers, who enjoy being able to play for a short time, yet still be able to work towards their overall goals.
8 Strategy Games With The Best Geopolitical Systems
Geopolitics are a core aspect of many grand strategy games, and these titles use those mechanics to their greatest potential.