The whole world is in your hands: the 10 best strategies of 2024

The year 2024 is coming to an end, which means it's time to tally up the results. Today, I will touch on my favorite game genre — strategies, whether they are RTS or turn-based tactics. Fortunately, this year has brought many excellent new releases, some of which are sure to become classics. Let's take a look together at the top 10 strategy games of 2024!

MEMORIAPOLIS

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Let's start with a fantastic economic city-building simulator that holds great promise. In MEMORIAPOLIS, the city lives its own life: buildings develop organically, and key decisions impact the growth of culture and economy. Here, it's important to be not only a strategist but also a politician, as the balance between satisfying residents and progress is the foundation of successful governance.

A unique mechanic allows you to create architectural monuments and guide the city's development based on real historical events, making each session different from the last. The first two eras are already available in early access, allowing players to appreciate the game's depth from the start. Yes, the content is still limited, and I eagerly await updates.

Manor Lords 

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You definitely know this game, as I have written several guides about it. Manor Lords is not just a strategy game but a full-fledged simulator of a medieval settlement, evolving from the first tent to a complete town. Stunning views, seasonal changes, and historically accurate details — from peasant houses to troops — await you. But be prepared for challenges: seasons change for a reason, and you'll need to monitor temperature levels, crops, and residents' happiness.

And the graphics… Unreal Engine delivers landscapes so breathtaking that you’ll want to take screenshots nonstop. Fortunately, there's a great photo mode, and players can also control their lord from a third-person perspective! Walking through your village brings out childlike joy.

The combat aspect deserves special mention. Manor Lords realistically recreates medieval battles where success depends not only on the size of your army but also on sound tactics. Of course, it's not yet Total War, but the developers strive for a high level of quality.

Ara: History Untold 

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How often do we hear the phrase "The killer of the Civilization series"? Developers repeatedly try to surpass this titan, and one of their attempts is the long-awaited Ara: History Untold, which we have already written about here. Players will lead a civilization from ancient times to the era of future technologies, making crucial decisions and altering the course of history.

What sets it apart from the great franchise? The introduction of a prestige system, which determines your civilization's success not only through military victories but also through cultural, scientific, and religious achievements.

Furthermore, your decisions and those of other players (or AI) influence the world, introducing a new mechanic — eras. Are you warring with everyone? You’ll enter a bloody age where all countries begin a terrible slaughter. Behaved well? Then you'll enjoy the age of heroes with bonuses and enlightenment.

The game also stands out for its attention to detail. The resource system goes beyond extraction and storage — players can create unique items for their armies and productions or trade them with neighbors. The three-act campaign structure adds dynamism: at the end of each act, civilizations with low prestige disappear from the map, providing players with new territories and resources. This mechanic encourages continuous progress and adaptation in a changing world.

Sins of a Solar Empire II 

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This announcement stirred a whirlwind of emotions in me. The sequel to the best space strategy can rightly be considered one of the best games of the year! The developers meticulously took the best elements from their previous projects and combined them with new mechanics and updated graphics.

Expect large-scale space battles and meticulous management of an interstellar empire, but everything has become even deeper. Factions are more distinct, making the gameplay more diverse. The main innovation is an improved engine that adds dynamism and realism: each planet orbits its star, and resources are distributed in a way that requires carefully thought-out strategies for extraction.

The game offers three main factions — TEC, Vasari, and Advent — each divided into two subclasses, providing six unique playstyles. A special system of temporary alliances adds an element of tactical planning, allowing players to form alliances with predetermined durations to achieve their goals. You can also ally with non-playable factions, such as pirates. Believe me, obtaining a secret boarding command from them is very satisfying.

Broken Arrow 

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Wargames are a niche but very important part of the strategy genre. They resemble tabletop tactics but on a massive scale, with players controlling not just squads but entire full-sized armies, including fleets and aviation. Such games are rare, and one of the most anticipated projects is Broken Arrow, which has already impressed players in early access.

The game features over 300 units (this is early access!) that can be customized in minute detai l — from weapons to appearance. By the way, the graphics will blow your mind, as well as your PC. Unreal Engine works wonders here.

Players will battle on large maps based on real locations — from industrial ports to densely populated megacities. Before each match, you will assemble a pool of units within a limited number of points, and you can use the same points earned in battle to reinforce your army during the fight. Considering that almost every one of the 300 units has at least two modifications, the choice is enormous.

The multiplayer mode's history is actively being tested: the game supports large-scale 5v5 battles where each victory depends on teamwork and sound tactics.

❗️ P.S. The game is in closed early access, and developers periodically open access. Keep an eye on the Steam page.

Frostpunk 2 

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And once again, the long-awaited sequel to the already cult-classic Frostpunk. You will take on the role of managing the city of New London 30 years after the events of the original game. The main task is not only survival but also maintaining the unity of society in the face of new challenges.

So, once again, ice, cold, and hunger will accompany you on all your paths, but everything has become significantly more expansive. Remember how you built each house individually, providing shelter for freezing people? Now, that won't be the case, as a district system has been introduced. Yes, the town from the original game is now just one district in the new game. Of course, the map's scale and the development tree with new technologies have also grown. Additionally, more political factions and crises have been added.

Speaking of crises — Frostpunk 2 can be very challenging. As the scale has increased, so have the threats. The cold is harsher, blizzards are frequent and long-lasting, and there are now more residents, all wanting a bit of happiness. In general, prepare for serious tests of endurance.

Homeworld 3 

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Guess what I'm about to say? Yes, yes — it’s another LONG-AWAITED sequel, and this time the game took a very, very long time to arrive. Players once again dive into grand space battles, controlling fleets of ships in three-dimensional space.

The developers have preserved the spirit of the series, adding new mechanics such as using space environments for tactical advantages: asteroids, meteor fields, and massive ruined megastructures serve not only as decorations but also as strategic objects.

However, some aspects of the game have elicited mixed feelings from fans. For example, the enemy AI, despite its aggression, operates on a primitive script, which reduces the campaign's replayability. But that's not the main downside. Both I and many fans were disappointed by the scale — or rather, the lack of it. Each battlefield is a small area, leaving no time for developing tactics.

Norland 

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Do you love RimWorld as much as I do? If yes, then Norland is definitely worth your attention. You don’t start with a bunch of survivors but with a family of nobles building their own kingdom. The developers were clearly inspired by RimWorld and Crusader Kings, so the game offers complex interaction scenarios between characters, ranging from romantic relationships to betrayals or murders.

Each city resident has unique characteristics that influence their behavior and interactions with others. The game impresses with a variety of situations: class struggles, religious conflicts, conspiracies, and even uprisings. On the global map, you can manage events such as epidemics, political intrigues, and natural disasters, as well as interact with other kingdoms, choosing between alliances and wars.

Age of Mythology: Retold 

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An unexpected revival of a cult classic strategy that combines historical elements with mythology. I was shocked to learn about the release of this stunning game with an updated engine! A classic with base building in the spirit of old RTS games is now a rarity.

So, it all starts with choosing a faction — the Greeks, Egyptians, Norse, or Atlanteans. From our basic history lessons, we know these peoples had their own gods, and that’s present here! In addition to regular warriors, the battlefield will feature gods and other mythological creatures capable of wiping out entire enemy squads in an instant. It looks so epic that every battle feels like a celebration.

The "Trident's Fall" campaign will take you back to the legendary story where Arcantos and his allies attempt to thwart the plans of the cyclops Gargarensis. The "Arena of the Gods" will offer cooperative challenges where you and your friends can battle mythological enemies. Classic multiplayer, new maps, and revamped mechanics make Retold an ideal choice for both veterans and newcomers to the series.

Citadelum 

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Games about the Roman Empire hold an honorable place in the strategy genre. Fans of these games are greeted in 2024 with another such project — Citadelum. Of course, players won't rise to the level of emperor here, but you can build your own large polis with advanced infrastructure.

The gameplay resembles a classic city-building economic simulator, but the project enchants with its details. Each room has its own interior, and every resident is busy with their own tasks. For example, you can watch a worker gather grain, load it into a sack, and carry it to the mill, while the sack remains there until used.

Moreover, the life simulation mechanics are so well-crafted that every decision you make changes the microclimate of your polis. Happy citizens bring in more taxes, and players can use these taxes to further improve their quality of life.

2024 has been a successful year for strategy enthusiasts, and this is just the beginning. Next year promises even more cool projects, and I will definitely tell you about them next time.

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