30 Timeless Strategy Games: From Medieval to Galactic Conquest

Strategies are not just the name of a single genre but a whole constellation of subgenres to suit any taste. Some subgenres today aren’t as popular as they were during their golden age; others have remained popular for decades.

We also recommend checking out our selections of games by other genres:

Today, we’ll dive into this captivating world of management and epic battles to find out which 30 games can be called the gems of the strategy game world. Let’s go!

Starcraft

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Starcraft is deservedly one of the icons of the real-time strategy world. The game sends the player into a cosmic conflict between three unique races. In a dynamic story campaign, you get the opportunity to play as each faction: the steadfast Terrans, the mysterious Protoss, and the fearsome Zerg.

In addition to its enormous contribution to the real-time strategy genre, Starcraft also stands at the roots of esports. More than 25 years have passed since its release, and tournaments are still held for Starcraft.

Total War: Warhammer 2

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The Total War series is vast and multi-faceted. The game combines turn-based global strategy with real-time battles when it comes to warfare. And those battles can truly reach epic proportions.

Total War: Warhammer 2 immerses the player in the universe of Warhammer Fantasy Battles—a popular tabletop wargame. The player takes control of one of the fantasy powers and embarks on the path of the sword and diplomacy in a harsh worldwide conflict.

Civilization IV

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The Civilization series began back in 1991 and carved out a unique place in the hearts of strategy enthusiasts. It’s a global strategy game in which you take control of a real-world nation and guide it from the Stone Age to the wonders of the Space Age.

In our opinion, Civilization IV is the best game in the series. The developers found the perfect balance between the mechanics players loved and new features that enhance the gameplay.

Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos

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Once again, we have a legendary real-time strategy from Blizzard Entertainment. Warcraft 3 is the long-awaited continuation of the franchise about the conflict between humans and orcs, now in 3D with an expanded lore and a larger number of playable races.

It’s worth noting that Warcraft 3 served as the foundation for the creation of the MOBA genre. After all, it was on the basis of Warcraft 3 that fans created the very first DOTA.

Heroes of Might and Magic 3

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Probably there isn’t a single person in the world who hasn’t played or at least heard of Heroes of Might and Magic 3. In this global strategy game, you control fantasy kingdoms and heroes, explore the map, collect artifacts, and fight enemies in turn-based battles.

The game became especially popular thanks to the HotSeat mode. In this mode, several people can play on one computer. Such multiplayer sessions could last for days or even weeks.

Crusader Kings 3

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Crusader Kings 3 is essentially a medieval ruler simulator. Players can choose either pre-made historical figures or create their own character. The game fully immerses you in a world of medieval intrigue, war, and diplomacy through its event system, where every decision you make affects the game world and your dynasty.

Among gamers, there’s a joking opinion that Crusader Kings 3 is "The Sims for boys." That notion isn’t far from the truth, because players genuinely care about the fate of their dynasties.

Frostpunk

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Frostpunk is a simulator in which you must lead a colony of people in a merciless world of eternal winter. The game constantly presents tough choices that directly affect the lives of individual settlers and the colony as a whole.

The harsh atmosphere and difficult moral decisions are the hallmarks of this game. You’ll continually face the consequences of your decisions. How do you find balance between factions? How do you provide people with warmth and food? How do you prevent the colony from perishing? These are just a few of the challenges you’ll encounter.

XCOM: Enemy Unknown

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XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a turn-based tactical game about humanity’s struggle against aliens. You manage an agency that responds to extraterrestrial threats. XCOM: Enemy Unknown is the successor and, in some sense, a reimagining of X-COM: UFO Defense—the first game in the XCOM series.

You recruit a team of military specialists of various classes and send them on missions to eliminate alien organisms. Between missions, you develop your base and manage your personnel.

Total War: Medieval 2

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Another entry in the Total War series. Like the other games in the series, it’s a mix of a global turn-based strategy and a real-time strategy. The action takes place in the Middle Ages.

Total War: Medieval 2 lets you fully experience what it’s like to be a king of a large kingdom or the leader of a small realm in a world of endless medieval conflicts. Beyond war, you’ll need to devote attention to diplomacy, strengthening alliances with trade agreements and dynastic marriages.

Age of Empires 2: The Age of Kings

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For many players, the Age of Empires series is the gold standard for real-time strategy games. The action takes place in a medieval setting, and the gameplay is a combination of resource management, base building, and combat with the enemy.

Age of Empires 2: The Age of Kings hasn’t lost its popularity even today. An updated version was recently released, which features not only visual improvements but also balance changes and new content.

Cities: Skylines

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Cities: Skylines is a modern city-building simulator. Players must build their own city and provide it with infrastructure, a transportation system, and other benefits of modern civilization.

As the developers themselves say, building a city is easy. Ensuring the uninterrupted operation of all city systems is much more difficult. This statement perfectly characterizes the gameplay of Cities: Skylines.

Black and White

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It’s not often games give you the chance to play as a god. Yes, when playing strategies, you can imagine you’re a deity ruling the fate of cities or even entire worlds, but it’s rare for a game to explicitly cast you in the role of a god by design.

Black and White literally puts you in the role of a god. Shape the landscape, reward your faithful followers, or punish them with disasters and other misfortunes. What kind of god you will be is entirely up to you.

Stellaris

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Stellaris is a grand strategy game in a sci-fi setting from the renowned Paradox studio. Interstellar battles, founding colonies on new worlds, and encounters with alien civilizations are what you’ll be doing in this game.

Stellaris is quite expansive, offering numerous ways to develop and expand your interstellar empire. The base game has received a lot of additional content that further broadens the gameplay experience.

Factorio

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Essentially, it’s a city-building simulator where the player constructs huge factories and optimizes production. In addition to building, you need to collect resources, research new technologies, and occasionally fight enemies. In the later stages of the game, your head might spin at the sheer scale of your factories.

The beginning of the game feels like a survival experience. You control a single character who has crash-landed on an alien planet and is trying to survive in this new world.

Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2

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Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 is set in an alternate universe where the Soviet Union did not collapse and is waging war against the Western alliance. In terms of gameplay, it’s a real-time strategy.

Aside from its gameplay and setting, the game left an impression on players with its amazing soundtrack and live-action cutscenes. These videos, featuring real actors, are a hallmark of the series.

Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War

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Many people were first introduced to the grim Warhammer 40K tabletop universe through this game. In this world, there is nothing but constant war and the struggle against the horrors of endless space.

In Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War, you take command of one of the races involved in the conflict. You’ll need to build bases, gather resources, and assemble mighty armies. Several major expansions were released for the game, expanding its gameplay and the number of available races.

Anno 1800

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The Anno series is a city-building and economic simulation spanning various historical periods. Some players may be put off by the learning curve, especially if they’re not familiar with games of this type.

In our opinion, Anno 1800 is the best in the series, taking place in the 19th century. It strikes the most successful balance between its game mechanics and an engaging storyline in which you unravel the intrigue surrounding the death of the main character’s father.

Europa Universalis 4

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Europa Universalis 4 is another prominent grand strategy from Paradox. In this game, you lead one of the historically existing nations and guide it to prosperity.

The world map is divided into provinces. Each province provides certain resources and bonuses. You must manage your nation by balancing warfare, diplomacy, and economics. Beginners to the genre might be deterred by the complexity of the game, as there are many variables and intricate systems that can initially be overwhelming.

Disciples 2: Gallean's Return

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The Disciples series, along with Heroes of Might and Magic, is a hallmark of turn-based strategy games. As in similar titles, you control a fantasy realm and heroes, fighting turn-based battles and exploring the game world. Disciples stands out for its dark stylistics in both setting and visuals.

Disciples 2: Gallean's Return is an expanded version of the base game, which includes various add-ons.

Jagged Alliance 2

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Jagged Alliance 2 is one of the outstanding strategy games in the turn-based tactics genre. You command a squad of mercenaries sent on various missions in an alternate reality setting.

These mercenaries aren’t just mindless grunts; they are fully developed personalities. Each one has their own character and specialization. The humor woven into their dialogue and one-liners fits perfectly into the overall narrative and lightens up the grim seriousness of dangerous missions.

Myth: The Fallen Lords

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Myth: The Fallen Lords was revolutionary for its time. Gameplay-wise, it’s a real-time strategy where you don’t build bases or collect resources—your focus is purely on combat.

Its revolutionary aspect lies in several technical innovations. The game uses a combination of 3D terrain and high-quality sprite models for units. A standout feature is the game’s physics. Many players recall with excitement the bombs thrown by dwarves ricocheting off trees and flying straight back toward their own troops.

Stronghold: Definitive Edition

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Stronghold is one of the best examples of medieval simulators. You are a lord who must build a medieval castle and provide your vassals with everything they need—not to mention defending against treacherous neighbors.

The game captivates you with the amount of detail in its world. You can forget all your plans and simply watch the baker go to the storehouse for flour, bring a sack of flour to the shop, bake bread, and take it to the granary.

Northgard

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Northgard is a real-time strategy in which you control a Viking clan. Clans differ from each other in unit types, development paths, and other features. The map is divided into regions rich in resources that you’ll need to conquer.

In addition to a gripping story campaign and multiplayer mode, the game has an interesting mechanic related to seasonal changes. For example, in winter, your people consume more wood, and farms stop producing food.

The Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-earth

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The Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-earth is a real-time strategy based on the famous literary work and the equally renowned films. It is rightfully considered one of the best games set in The Lord of the Rings universe.

In the game, you’ll build bases, fight over resources, construct facilities, and engage in other familiar RTS elements. But you’ll do so accompanied by the amazing soundtrack from Peter Jackson’s films and alongside beloved Middle-earth heroes.

Tropico 3

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Tropico 3 is a political and economic city-building simulator. Playing Tropico, you can fully feel like the dictator of a small country in Latin America.

In Tropico 3, players manage their island, improving infrastructure, meeting the needs of citizens, and participating in the political life of the state. Tropico 3 is considered by many fans and newcomers to be the best entry in the franchise. This is largely thanks to the transition to a new 3D engine.

Majesty: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim

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Majesty: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim is a fantasy city simulator. Build new structures, collect taxes, hire heroes, and send them to fight evil goblins or fearsome dragons.

You can choose which buildings to construct and where to place them, but you have no direct control over your troops. The heroes you hire roam around as they please, and you can only influence their actions indirectly by placing bounties on specific monsters or their lairs. The game is divided into separate missions that become more difficult as you progress.

Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive

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Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive is an exciting strategy game set in the Wild West. You can control up to 6 unique characters, and the main hero is a famous bounty hunter.

The gameplay encourages players to think through their actions, combine the skills of their characters, and use stealth. After all, charging into a slave trader’s hideout through the front entrance without a plan can easily lead to mission failure.

Rise of Nations

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Rise of Nations is another real-time strategy in our list. You gather resources, build bases, recruit armies, and fight the enemy. At first glance, it may seem like more of the same, but that’s not the case.

The action unfolds in a historical setting. Unlike most other real-time strategies, which focus on one specific era or a few related eras, the progression in Rise of Nations spans the entire course of human history.

Hearts of Iron IV

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Hearts of Iron IV is a grand strategy set during World War II. You take charge of one of the nations and aim to achieve victory in this bloody conflict. Each nation has unique development paths.

Beginners may find the game overly complicated and confusing. Everything in the game is interconnected. Your economic choices, captured territories, and decisions you make—all of it affects the efficiency of your nation.

Dawn of Man

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There aren’t many games set in the Stone Age, and even fewer that can be considered historically accurate. Dawn of Man is one of those games.

Dawn of Man is a city-building simulator in which you manage a constantly growing tribe. The game begins in the depths of the Stone Age and allows you to gradually progress to Iron Age technologies. From the start, it’s hard not to empathize with your people’s resilience in the face of hardship. Whether it’s death from old age or the fangs of a cave bear, you’ll genuinely grieve for every fallen tribe member.

Although the strategy genre overall is going through some of its tougher times, over its history it has given the world an enormous number of worthy games. Even if you don’t typically enjoy strategy games, give them a chance and try playing a few from our list.

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