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Best Strategy PC Games of 2026

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Ethan Nicholls

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Strategy PC games are a popular genre of video games that require players to use their critical thinking, planning and decision-making skills to achieve success. These games often involve building and managing empires, leading armies into battle or controlling characters in a complex storyline. With a range of different gameplay styles, from turn-based to real-time strategy, there is something for everyone in the world of strategy PC games. Whether you're a fan of historical battles, futuristic warfare or fantasy realms, these games offer hours of entertainment and challenge for players of all skill levels.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Top 10 Strategy PC Games

#TOP 1

The Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-earth Game

The Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-earth Game Cover

The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth (PC DVD)

The Battle for Middle-earth offers an immersive real-time strategy experience set in the captivating world of Middle-earth. You can choose to fight for either good or evil, commanding one of four distinct factions to achieve your goals. This game allows you to control vast armies, giving you the thrill of large-scale battles. You can also create new heroes and customise their abilities, enhancing your gameplay experience and personalising your strategy to suit your style.

9.9
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Engaging real-time strategy gameplay
  • Choose sides: good or evil
  • Control large armies
  • Create and customise heroes
  • Single and multiplayer modes
#TOP 2

Empire: Total War PC DVD Game

Empire: Total War PC DVD Game Cover

Empire: Total War (PC DVD)

Empire: Total War offers an immersive experience as you take command of naval battles in real-time 3D. You can lead single ships or large fleets, making each encounter unique and thrilling. Additionally, you can choose from 12 factions to expand your empire across a vast campaign map, allowing you to govern strategically. Starting in the year 1700, you will navigate through an era defined by ocean warfare and revolution, providing a rich historical context for your gameplay. The game also features an engaging multiplayer component that enhances competition with player rankings and new gameplay modes.

9.8
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Real-time 3D naval warfare
  • 12 factions to choose from
  • Rich historical context
  • Engaging multiplayer component

The Settlers: New Allies - PC Game

The Settlers: New Allies - PC Game Cover

The Settlers: New Allies - Standard Edition | PC Code - Ubisoft Connect

The Settlers: New Allies offers an engaging strategy experience with its detailed build-up mechanics and real-time battles. As a player, you can immerse yourself in thrilling skirmishes, whether against other players or AI, enhancing your strategic skills. The game supports online multiplayer with up to eight players, allowing for exciting competition and long-lasting enjoyment. This feature ensures that you can always find someone to challenge, adding depth to your gaming experience.

9.6
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Engaging strategy gameplay
  • Supports up to eight players
  • Real-time battles
  • Multiplayer and AI options

World of Warcraft: The Wrath of the Lich King Expansion Pack

World of Warcraft: The Wrath of the Lich King Expansion Pack Cover

World of Warcraft: The Wrath of the Lich King Expansion Pack (PC/Mac)

World of Warcraft: The Wrath of the Lich King introduces thrilling new features for players. You can explore the new continent of Northrend, where you will face the formidable Lich King. The expansion also brings a new character class, the necromantic Death Knight, allowing you to harness dark powers. With the level cap raised to 80, you will gain access to powerful new abilities and talents. Additionally, you can engage in epic siege warfare, where destructible buildings enhance your strategic gameplay experience.

9.5
FTB Score

What We Like

  • New character class available
  • Exciting new continent to explore
  • Increased level cap to 80
  • Destructible buildings in warfare
#TOP 5

Company Of Heroes 3 Launch Edition with Metal Case

Company Of Heroes 3 Launch Edition with Metal Case Cover

Company Of Heroes 3 Launch Edition With Metal Case

Company Of Heroes 3 offers the core gameplay that players adore, allowing you to win by outsmarting your opponents rather than simply clicking faster. The classic mechanics have been refined, enhancing cover systems, flanking options, and environmental destruction for an immersive experience. Innovative combat features, such as breaching tactics and verticality, promise to impress both new and veteran players alike. Additionally, the dynamic campaign map adds replayability, offering you long-term strategies and unprecedented choices throughout your gameplay.

9.4
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Engaging core gameplay mechanics
  • Improved tactical systems
  • Innovative combat features
  • Replayable campaign experience
#TOP 6

D-Day (PC CD)

D-Day (PC CD) Cover

D-Day (PC CD)

Features

  • Experience Realistic Combat: Deploy The Same Strategies And Tactics Used By The Axis And Allied Forces. Destroy Bridges, Carpet Bomb The Enemy Lines, And Capture Any Enemy Vehicle Or Building To Gain A Tactical Advantage
  • Battle Through Twelve Compelling Missions: Three Campaigns Span World Changing WWII Missions In Spectacular Action - The Landing At Omaha Beach, The Paratrooper Attack On Sainte Mère Eglise, The Liberation Of Caen, Operation Cobra, And More. Replay Missions With Units Of Your Choice In Scenario Mode
  • Plan Your Next Move: Use The Innovative Pause Feature To Think Over Tactics And Cue Up Your Orders In Advance
9.3
FTB Score
#TOP 7

Age of Empires III - Complete Collection

Age of Empires III - Complete Collection Cover

Age of Empires III - Complete Collection (PC CD)

Features

  • Utilise Elements Of The New World. Take Advantage Of Elements Of The Colonial Time Period, Including The Ability To Ally With Native Americans. Players Can Discover New Resources In The Amazon Rain Forest, Recover Buried Treasure From Caribbean Islands, Hunt Bison On The Great Plains, Compete To Establish Trade Routes And Fortify The Coast Of New England.
  • Diverse World Civilizations. Lead One Of Various Unique Civilizations - European, Asian Or Native American - To Expand Their Empires And Fight For Control Of Their World. Each Civilization, Led By Powerful Leaders, Will Have Unique Groups, Armies And Wonders, As Well As Buildings That Reflect The Culture's Architectural Style.
  • New Gameplay Elements. Extending Upon The Innovative Gameplay Of "Age Of Empires III," "Age Of Empires: The Asian Dynasties" Will Introduce New Ways Of Winning And Trading, Random Map Styles That Feature Remixes Of Classic "Age Of Empires" Game Styles, And 15 New Asian Wonders.
9.1
FTB Score
#TOP 8

Medieval 2 Total War Gold PC Game

  • SEGA
  • 5060138434660_SML
Medieval 2 Total War Gold PC Game Cover

Medieval 2 Total War Gold (PC DVD)

Medieval 2 Total War offers an expansive campaign set from 1080 to 1530, covering Europe, the Middle East, and South America. You can choose from 21 factions and command over 250 new units, enhancing your strategic options. The game introduces religious fervour, allowing you to either obey or defy the pope as a Christian nation or wage Jihad as a Muslim faction. Additionally, deeper diplomatic gameplay enables you to establish trade routes and send spies into enemy territory, giving you an edge in your conquests.

9.0
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Expansive campaign across multiple regions
  • Variety of factions and units
  • Enhanced diplomatic gameplay
  • Religious gameplay elements
  • Improved graphics and multiplayer
#TOP 9

Company Of Heroes - Anthology

  • THQ
  • 763336
Company Of Heroes - Anthology Cover

Company Of Heroes - Anthology (PC)

Features

  • Epic And Cinematic Single-Player Campaign
  • Revolutionary Graphical Detail
  • Intense And Innovative Multiplayer Battles Control Of Allied And Axis Forces And Fight In Some Of The Most Thrilling Battles Of World War II
8.8
FTB Score
#TOP 10

King's Bounty: Crossworlds - Game of the Year Edition

King's Bounty: Crossworlds - Game of the Year Edition Cover

King's Bounty: Crossworlds - Game of the Year Edition (PC DVD)

Features

  • Bonus Campaign Editor
  • Includes Kings Bounty Armored Princess
  • Orcs On The March
8.6
FTB Score

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What strategy game should I play?

The best strategy games. Crusader Kings III.Offworld Trading Company.XCOM 2.Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak.Total War: Warhammer II.Civilization VI.Company of Heroes 2: Ardennes Assault.Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2.

2. What is the best free strategy game for PC?

15 Best Free Strategy Games On Steam. 15 Conflict of Nations: World War 3.14 Governor of Poker 3.13 Crusader Kings 2.12 Fallout Shelter.11 Firestone Idle RPG.10 Game Of Thrones: Winter Is Coming.9 Shadowverse CCG.8 GWENT: The Witcher Card Game.

Editor's Notes

During our strategy pc game research, we found 306 strategy pc game products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 9,563 customer reviews through our big data system to write the strategy pc games list. We found that most customers choose strategy pc games with an average price of £10.96.

The strategy pc games are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of strategy pc games, including Electronic Arts, Avanquest Software, Ubisoft, ACTIVISION, SEGA.

Written by

Ethan Nicholls Avatar

Ethan Nicholls

Ethan Nicholls is a developer from Manchester, and he is also a web content writer. Ethan is a first-class graduate from the department of electrical and electronics engineering, University of Surrey. Ethan has programmed series of software and games. When Ethan is not programming or developing software, he writes tips and tricks on passing tough levels in popular video games.