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The Best Strategy Games of All Time, Ranked

14 September 2026 · 4 min read · Gaming

The best strategy games, ranked
Metacritic scores, charted
The strategy games that defined the genre
Best strategy game by subgenre
FAQ

The best strategy game of all time is Sid Meier’s Civilization IV, the 94-rated 4X that perfected the “one more turn” loop. For real-time battles, StarCraft II and Age of Empires II lead, while Crusader Kings III owns grand strategy and XCOM 2 the turn-based tactics space. Whether you want empire-building, live warfare or squad tactics, the top pick for each is below.

Below are the best strategy games ranked by Metacritic score, with release year and subgenre. Scores are the PC critic aggregate; where games tie, the more influential title is placed higher. Strategy is a PC-first genre, and this list spans 4X, RTS, grand strategy and tactics.

Civilization IV, the best strategy game

StarCraft II & Company of Heroes

AoE II

The best RTS of all time

XCOM 2

The best turn-based tactics

The best strategy games of all time, ranked

Ranked by Metacritic score. Year is the original release; subgenre marks the style of strategy.

#	Game	Year	Subgenre	Metacritic
1	Sid Meier’s Civilization IV	2005	4X	94
2	StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty	2010	RTS	93
3	Company of Heroes	2006	RTS	93
4	Homeworld	1999	RTS	93
5	Age of Empires II	1999	RTS	92
6	Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos	2002	RTS	92
7	Crusader Kings III	2020	Grand strategy	91
8	Civilization V	2010	4X	90
9	Into the Breach	2018	Turn-based tactics	90
10	Slay the Spire	2019	Deckbuilder	89
11	Civilization VI	2016	4X	88
12	XCOM 2	2016	Turn-based tactics	88
13	Total War: Three Kingdoms	2019	Strategy / RTS	86
14	Total War: Warhammer III	2022	Strategy / RTS	86
15	Frostpunk	2018	Survival city-builder	84
16	Age of Empires IV	2021	RTS	81
17	Frostpunk 2	2024	Survival city-builder	84
18	Stellaris	2016	Grand strategy 4X	78

Bar chart of the highest-rated strategy games on Metacritic, led by Civilization IV at 94 — Top strategy Metacritic scores — Civilization IV leads a stacked field.

Why strategy lives on PC

Strategy is the deepest, most demanding genre in gaming, and it is built for a mouse, keyboard and long sessions — which is why it is almost entirely a PC genre. Civilization and Stellaris turn history and space into “one more turn” addictions; StarCraft II and Age of Empires II built entire esports scenes on real-time micro; Crusader Kings III and Total War model whole worlds of politics and war. It is also a genre that ages gracefully — Age of Empires II and Civilization IV are decades old and still played daily.

The strategy games that defined the genre

Four games every strategy fan should play.

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Civilization IV

2005 · Metacritic 94

The peak of “one more turn” empire-building

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StarCraft II

2010 · Metacritic 93

The RTS that defined competitive strategy esports

Best RTS

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Crusader Kings III

2020 · Metacritic 91

Grand strategy as a generational family drama

Best grand strategy

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XCOM 2

2016 · Metacritic 88

The tense, tactical squad game everyone copies

Best tactics

Several of these play brilliantly in short bursts on a handheld — Into the Breach and Slay the Spire are staples of our best Steam Deck games ranking. Strategy is also a defining PC genre, as our best PC games list shows.

Best strategy game by subgenre

Straight to the top pick for the kind of strategy you want.

Subgenre	Best pick
4X / empire-building	Sid Meier’s Civilization IV
Real-time strategy	StarCraft II / Age of Empires II
Grand strategy	Crusader Kings III
Turn-based tactics	XCOM 2
Total war / battles	Total War: Warhammer III
City-builder / survival	Frostpunk
Bite-size / deckbuilder	Into the Breach / Slay the Spire

If you love the deckbuilder end of strategy, Slay the Spire and its 2026 sequel headline our best roguelike games ranking.

Best strategy games FAQ

What is the best strategy game of all time?

Sid Meier’s Civilization IV, at a 94 Metascore, is the highest-rated and most beloved strategy game ever made — the definitive “one more turn” empire-builder. For real-time strategy, Age of Empires II and StarCraft II are the all-time greats.

What is the best real-time strategy game?

Age of Empires II, still the definitive competitive RTS decades on, especially in its Definitive Edition. StarCraft II is the pick for esports-level play, and Company of Heroes for tactical, cover-based real-time battles.

What is the best strategy game for beginners?

Civilization VI is the most welcoming 4X, with clear tutorials and a gentle pace. Into the Breach is a brilliant bite-size entry to turn-based tactics, and Age of Empires IV is the most beginner-friendly modern RTS.

What is the best grand strategy game?

Crusader Kings III, which turns medieval politics into an addictive family drama of marriages, plots and succession. Stellaris is the pick for grand strategy in space, and the Total War series for those who want to fight the battles in real time.

Are strategy games only on PC?

Mostly, yes — the genre relies on a mouse, keyboard and deep menus that suit a desktop. Some, like Civilization VI, XCOM 2 and Into the Breach, have solid console and Switch versions, but the deepest strategy experiences remain PC-first.

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