Best Strategy Games on Steam

Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated strategy games. For those who prefer not to search, check out lists of the most played, top deals and best free to play Strategy games on Steam.

Filters & Lists
World War II: Panzer Claws WORLD WAR II: PANZER CLAWS [aka Frontline Attack: War over Europe] pushes back the boundaries of real-time strategy gaming!Take control of the Allied, German, or the Russian in the harsh reality of the battlefields of World War II.

Price -96% 0.28€
Rating 6.3
Release 27 Sep 2013
KnightShift Do you like Real Time Strategy? or are Role Playing Games your preference…Why not try both genres in one? … or even both separately? …In one game: KnightShift!In a mystical world beyond fantasy and imagination, where corruption and disaster go hand in hand, not all is as it seems.

Price -94% 0.53€
Rating 6.6
Release 27 Sep 2013
Gorky 17 November 2008. NATO intelligence services report that, for reasons unknown, the Russian military has destroyed GORKY 17, one of the old Soviet "Secret Cities". A year later NATO takes over a former Russian secret base built on Polish soil. Diggers discover a laboratory complex in the completely demolished town.

Price -96% 0.39€
Rating 7.7
Release 27 Sep 2013
PAC-MAN™ Championship Edition DX+ It's time to gear up!Get ready for more ghost chain gobbling and frantic action in PAC-MAN® CE-DX+! The award-winning chomping game makes a shattering debut on Steam with even more content and a refined user-interface to compare high scores with your friends!

Price 9.99€
Rating 9.2
Release 24 Sep 2013
Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure In Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure, Maxwell unites with Batman™, Superman™ and the rest of The Justice League™ to restore order to the DC Comics Universe. Challenge your imagination as you battle the mightiest villains in an exciting, action-filled adventure through GOTHAM CITY™, METROPOLIS™, ATLANTIS™ and other iconic...

Price -98% 0.41€
Rating 7.9
Release 24 Sep 2013
Ironclad Tactics Ironclad Tactics is a fast-paced, card-based tactics game set in an alternate history Civil War - with steam-powered military robots!

Price -93% 1.12€
Rating 6.6
Release 18 Sep 2013
Arma 3 Experience true combat gameplay in a massive military sandbox. Deploying a wide variety of single- and multiplayer content, over 20 vehicles and 40 weapons, and limitless opportunities for content creation, this is the PC’s premier military game. Authentic, diverse, open - Arma 3 sends you to war.

Price -85% 4.19€
Rating 9.0
Release 12 Sep 2013
Aarklash: Legacy In Aarklash: Legacy take command of a mercenary squad in search of truth and guide it through countless battles.Welcome to Aarklash, a land of chaos where incessant battles between the forces of Light, Destiny and Darkness have lasted since the beginning of time.

Price -95% 0.72€
Rating 7.0
Release 12 Sep 2013
Zafehouse: Diaries Stuck in a remote, abandoned town, you must lead five survivors with conflicting motivations, fragile relationships and fiery prejudices to safety from the roving undead. A sophisticated engine generates new survivors, towns and content so every adventure is a different experience, and you can use built-in editors to add yourself and...

Price 1.99€
Rating 6.5
Release 06 Sep 2013
Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition Emperor Edition is the definitive edition of ROME II, featuring an improved politics system, overhauled building chains, rebalanced battles and improved visuals in both campaign and battleEmperor Edition contains all free feature updates since its release in 2013, which includes bug fixes, balancing, Twitch.

Price -89% 7.17€
Rating 8.2
Release 02 Sep 2013
America's Army: Proving Grounds America’s Army: Proving Grounds is the official game of the U.S. Army and part of the highly acclaimed America’s Army game series. This free military game focuses on small unit tactical maneuvers and puts you to the test in a wide variety of new America’s Army maps and AA fan favorites.

Price Free to play
Rating 7.7
Release 29 Aug 2013
Game Dev Tycoon In Game Dev Tycoon you replay the history of the gaming industry by starting your own video game development company in the 80s. Create best selling games. Research new technologies and invent new game types. Become the leader of the market and gain worldwide fans.

Price -75% 2.42€
Rating 9.3
Release 29 Aug 2013
Sid Meier’s Ace Patrol Battle to Rule the Skies!The skies over Europe are a dangerous place, where ace pilots lead their squadrons to glorious victory or crushing defeat! Take control of dozens of the most famous fighter planes of WWI and head into the dogfight. Roll, slip, and loop to get the drop on enemy aces.

Price -98% 0.14€
Rating 6.6
Release 27 Aug 2013
PixelJunk™ Monsters Ultimate Tikiman the Forest Defender is in trouble. Hordes of monsters are sweeping through his realm, hoping to chow down on his offspring – and it’s up to you to defend them. By placing weapon towers at strategic points around the landscape, you can destroy the invaders and save the little ones.

Price 8.99€
Rating 7.7
Release 26 Aug 2013
The Bureau: XCOM Declassified The year is 1962 and the Cold War has the nation gripped by fear.  A top-secret government unit called The Bureau begins investigating a series of mysterious attacks by an enemy more powerful than communism.

Price -97% 0.77€
Rating 6.9
Release 22 Aug 2013
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist The United States has a military presence in two-thirds of countries around the world, and some of them have had enough. A group of terrorists calling themselves The Engineers initiate a terror ultimatum called the Blacklist - a deadly countdown of escalating attacks on U.S. interests.

Price 19.99€
Rating 7.8
Release 22 Aug 2013
Worms Clan Wars Worms™ Clan Wars is the biggest and best Worms™ game to date - more worms, larger landscapes, more dynamic water, more weapons and more customisation items than ever before.

Price -97% 0.88€
Rating 7.6
Release 15 Aug 2013
PAYDAY 2 PAYDAY 2 is an action-packed, four-player co-op shooter that once again lets gamers don the masks of the original PAYDAY crew - Dallas, Hoxton, Wolf and Chains - as they descend on Washington DC for an epic crime spree.

Price -91% 0.96€
Rating 8.9
Release 13 Aug 2013
Europa Universalis IV Rule your land and dominate the world with unparalleled freedom, depth and historical accuracy. Write a new history of the world and build an empire for the ages.

Price -95% 2.55€
Rating 8.6
Release 13 Aug 2013
Papers, Please Congratulations. The October labor lottery is complete. Your name was pulled. For immediate placement, report to the Ministry of Admission at Grestin Border Checkpoint. An apartment will be provided for you and your family in East Grestin. Expect a Class-8 dwelling.

Price -10% 8.79€
Rating 9.6
Release 08 Aug 2013
Divinity: Dragon Commander You are the Dragon Commander. Your mission it is to reunite a broken empire and become the new emperor. Success depends entirely on your ability to efficiently rule your empire, build invincible armies and lead them to victory.

Price -71% 11.61€
Rating 7.2
Release 06 Aug 2013
DCS World Steam Edition Feel the excitement of flying the Su-25T "Frogfoot" attack jet and the TF-51D "Mustang" in the free-to-play Digital Combat Simulator World!

Price Free to play
Rating 8.4
Release 02 Aug 2013
Skulls of the Shogun Enter the Samurai Afterlife and join forces with vibrant ghost-samurai warriors, magical animal monks, and mustachioed samurai generals. It's fast-paced turn-based strategy inspired by Advance Wars, and supercharged with fighting-game flare!

Price -75% 2.11€
Rating 8.5
Release 29 Jul 2013
CastleStorm Welcome to the world of CastleStorm, a super genre mashup of 2D physics destruction mashed with tower defense brawler! CastleStorm was born out of the fond childhood memory of building and destroying LEGO castles.

Price -75% 2.59€
Rating 8.5
Release 29 Jul 2013

Strategy games are all about planning, tactics, and making smart decisions to outsmart your opponents. Whether you're building empires, commanding armies, or solving complex puzzles, these games offer a unique blend of challenge and fun. In this list, we've gathered the best strategy games on Steam, based on user scores and reviews, to help you find your next favorite game.

What Makes a Great Strategy Game?

Engaging Gameplay Mechanics
The game should offer a variety of strategies and tactics to keep players engaged.
Graphics and Art Style
While not the most important factor, appealing visuals can enhance the gaming experience.
Compelling Story
A good narrative can draw players in and make them care about the outcome.
Community Engagement
Games with active communities often provide additional content, mods, and support.
User reviews and ratings play a crucial role in determining the best games, as they reflect the experiences of real players.

How to Find More Strategy Games

If you're looking for more strategy games, our site makes it easy! You can explore different categories and use filters to narrow down your search. Whether you're interested in real-time strategy, turn-based tactics, or even hybrid games, our curated lists will help you find exactly what you're looking for.

Tips for Choosing the Right Strategy Game

Solo vs. Multiplayer
Decide if you want to play alone or with friends. Some games shine in multiplayer modes, while others are best enjoyed solo.
Complexity Level
Some games are beginner-friendly, while others require a steep learning curve. Check reviews to find games that match your skill level.
Playstyle
Think about whether you prefer fast-paced action or slower, more methodical gameplay. This can help you choose a game that fits your preferences.

What are the best strategy games for beginners?

Some great options for beginners include Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI and XCOM® 2 as they offer accessible gameplay and tutorials.

What's the difference between real-time and turn-based strategy games?

Real-time strategy games require players to make decisions quickly, while turn-based games allow players to take their time and plan their moves.

Can I play strategy games with friends?

Absolutely! Many strategy games offer multiplayer modes, allowing you to team up or compete against friends.

Don't forget to check back for updates as new games are released and ratings change. The world of strategy gaming is always evolving, and we're here to help you stay informed about the best options available. Dive into these games, strategize your way to victory, and most importantly, have fun!