I’ve always felt an irresistible pull toward strategy games. Unlike pure action games that rely heavily on reflexes and quick hands, strategy games demand constant thinking and careful planning. Sometimes a seemingly minor decision can alter the entire course of the battle. What makes them even more fascinating is their incredible range—from ancient board game simulations to modern real-time combat, from deeply immersive single-player campaigns to intense multiplayer clashes. They continuously draw me into a whirlpool of “calculation and counter-calculation.”
This time, I’ve selected several strategy games from recent years that have received widespread praise. Some carry beautifully detailed historical backgrounds, some deliver futuristic sci-fi visions, and some bring the charm of board games into the digital realm. Each one has given me the pure joy of intellectual competition.
1. Company of Heroes 3
When I first tried Company of Heroes 3, I went in with fond memories of the previous games. Relic Entertainment this time took the battlefield to the Mediterranean front, featuring both the desert campaigns of North Africa and the varied terrain of the Italian Peninsula. The campaign mode feels like playing both a real-time strategy game and a strategic map simulation at the same time. Every advance, every deployment, requires careful thought.
I especially enjoy the “campaign map” feature, which moves away from linear missions and feels more like a giant chessboard. I have to decide whether to cut off enemy supply lines first or focus my forces on capturing a fortress city. Unit composition remains key to victory—coordinating infantry, armored vehicles, and artillery determines whether I can seize the initiative on the battlefield.
In real-time battles, cover, elevation, and flanking all become tactical centerpieces. Every victory gives me a sense of having “outsmarted” the opponent, rather than just winning through brute force.
2. Total War: Pharaoh
The Total War series has always been my go-to example of grand strategy warfare, and Pharaoh takes the setting to ancient Egypt and neighboring Mediterranean civilizations. Unlike the vast, continent-spanning maps of previous titles, this installment focuses on a more concentrated theater, with richer details.
What impressed me most was the combination of diplomacy and weather systems. Marching through the desert, supply lines and climate play a huge role, and sudden sandstorms can slow troop movement and reduce visibility during battle. This forces me to prepare supplies in advance and take seasonal and weather changes into account before attacking.
The internal affairs system is also more intricate. Power struggles and public sentiment mean I can’t just focus on expansion—I must also maintain support within the royal court. Late in the game, it feels like I’m taking part in a complex historical drama, waging wars abroad while maneuvering for influence at home.
3. Age of Wonders 4
This 4X (explore, expand, exploit, exterminate) strategy game struck me with its incredible freedom. Unlike many genre peers with fixed races, Age of Wonders 4 lets me customize race appearance, abilities, culture, and even city style to my liking.
Every new campaign starts on a fresh map. I send out scouts to explore unknown regions while developing cities and researching magical technologies. The combat system, though turn-based, is highly tactical. Terrain obstacles, troop positioning, and timing of magic skill usage all influence the outcome.
The dual joy of strategy and tactics keeps me hooked. Should I risk attacking an unknown high-level outpost? Should I invest resources early to research a new spell? The tension of these decisions is exactly what makes the game so addictive.
4. Marvel’s Midnight Suns
This title is unique, blending card-building mechanics with tactical combat. I initially thought it would be a standard superhero action game, but in reality, it demands chess-like planning for every move.
In battle, I must use the skill cards I draw to create the best combos—for example, clearing minions with Iron Man, then using Doctor Strange for crowd control, setting up Blade for heavy attacks. Environmental elements are equally important—knocking enemies into explosive barrels or off high ledges can deal bonus damage.
Outside of combat, I interact with teammates at the base, unlocking new cards and strategies. This gives me both the immersion of role-playing and the thrill of tactical decision-making.
5. Crusader Kings III
This is the game that taught me “strategy” isn’t just about war. In Crusader Kings III, I play as the leader of a medieval noble family, trying to survive, grow, and expand in the intricate political landscape of Europe.
War is only one tool; more often I expand through marriages, diplomacy, and intrigue. The real charm lies in the character system—each character has their own personality, ambitions, and secrets. I might cultivate a charismatic king to win allies or use a cunning queen to orchestrate assassinations.
Over time, I grow attached to certain characters, watching them rise from youthful heirs to rulers, or fall into ruin after a failed rebellion. This immersive historical storytelling is something few other strategy games can match.
6. Against the Storm
This is my latest obsession—a strategy city-builder with Roguelite elements. Set in a world constantly ravaged by storms, I must lead different species to build cities during brief calm periods and complete objectives before the next storm hits.
Its uniqueness lies in its randomness—each run has different maps, weather, and objectives, forcing me to abandon fixed strategies. Each species has unique needs and work efficiencies: lizardfolk prefer heat and meat, beavers excel at woodworking. Balancing the satisfaction of all races is crucial, or they may abandon the settlement.
The constant adaptation and quick decision-making keep me both tense and deeply satisfied.
7. Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
For sci-fi fans, this tactical RPG is a feast for both the eyes and the mind. It combines deep character development with turn-based tactical combat.
I play as a “Rogue Trader,” freely navigating the galaxy, engaging in massive space conflicts, and leading ground squads in planetary battles. The pace is deliberate, but the tactics are rich—cover usage, skill chaining, and squad positioning all matter.
What captivates me most is the lore and branching story. Every mission choice can affect faction relations and narrative direction. By merging tactical gameplay with role-playing depth, it immerses me in a true sci-fi epic.
From board to battlefield, the magic of strategy games lies in their ability to test my mind while letting me experience the thrill of “controlling the big picture” in diverse worlds. Whether it’s the real-time tactics of Company of Heroes 3, the turn-based duels of Age of Wonders 4, or the fast-paced resource management of Against the Storm, they all pull me in again and again, making me deliberate over every move and savor the joy of victory.
These games differ greatly in style, but they share one common thread: they demand constant thought and adaptation. Quick reflexes alone won’t win here. Every match is a new challenge, every playthrough a new story. And that feeling—winning through sheer wit—is what makes them truly addictive.
