Raise a civilization from nothing, carry the burden of an empire on our shoulders, rise with victory in the wildest of battles. Also agree and fight, explore and trade, organize our resources ... In short: win or be defeated. All this is what the best PC strategy games.
There is something about strategy games that makes them especially interesting and addictive. They give us Hours and hours of entertainment while putting our intelligence to the test. And it is that, in one way or another, we all carry a strategist inside.
Without a doubt, the strategy genre is one of the longest-lived and most successful in the history of PC games. And it is also ideal for play with friends. Every year there is a new proposal or a new version of an already established game. But within the label of «strategy games» we find an immense variety of options. Historical, fantastic, futuristic ... They all offer us a different setting, a world with its own rules, a different adventure.
Without a doubt, there is a lot and good to choose from. This is our selection of the best PC strategy games:
Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings
Age of Empires II, a great classic that does not go out of style
Number one on the list without discussion. Age of Empires is the great strategy game for PC par excellence. My favorite without a doubt. For those who do not know it yet (if that is possible), we will say that it is a real-time strategy game based on the history of the great world empires.
The first installment in the series appeared in 1997, featuring a 3.000-year long timeline. It spanned from the Stone Age to the Iron Age. In it, the player could choose between twelve different civilizations. The game was growing with new installments and expansions until the launch in 2017 of Age of Empires IV. Despite the years, it has not gone out of style.
However, the saga reached its peak with Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings. In this installment, set in the Middle Ages, we can lead up to 13 different civilizations and become William Wallace, Genghis Khan or Joan of Arc, among other characters.
It also has the expansion The Age of Conquerors that takes the stage to American lands. This expansion brings together, in the opinion of many, the best aspects of the game (in fact, it was awarded several prizes). The best thing about AOE is that, beyond technical and playful aspects, it is also a great way to learn history.
Caesar III
Caesar III: one of Romans
Another 'old' game that still ranks as one of the best PC strategy games in its own right. Developed by Sierra Entertainment in 1998, Caesar III It is a fabulous dive into the ancient Roman world. The player's goal is to advance his political career (the Courses Honorum) overcoming different missions, each time more complex.
These missions basically consist of founding roman cities, make them grow and be prosperous. There are many tasks to be taken care of that require constant attention from the player: citizen health, food supply, access to resources and trade routes ...
You also have to take care of the education and entertainment of its inhabitants, that your city is attractive and, of course, you have to build barracks and walls to defend yourself against enemy attacks. And devotion to the gods should not be neglected either!
In short, a very well made game with which to spend many hours. Pure addiction.
Civilization VI
Civilization VI, the latest installment in a mythical series of strategy games for PC
The popular game created by Sid Meier He has been behind him for almost 30 years and is on the sixth version. No matter how long it has been, Civilzation continues to arouse passions among fans of strategy games.
Based on the turn-based game system, Civilization presents players with the challenge of raise a civilization from scratch. Take command of a nomadic tribe and direct its destiny until it reaches the highest levels of economic, military and technological development. At the same time, you have to deal with all kinds of obstacles and fight dangerous enemies.
The saga has grown in each new installment until reaching the latest version: Civilization VI, released in 2017. In this long journey, the game has explored the entire history of Humanity and has even gone a little further, imagining a future in which the human being expands outside the planet. The spirit of the game, yes, remains the same, with a timeless appeal that seduces millions of players around the world.
Europe Universalis IV
Europa Universalis, one of the most valued star games for PC
Another legendary title and one of the best PC strategy games in the opinion of many specialists. In fact, Europe Universalis happens to be the saga with the greatest historical rigor of how many have been released to date. And this is certainly a point to take into account.
This PC game is based on the board game of the same name. Immersed in the historical period that takes place between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries, the player's main task is to control one nation and make it prevail over the others, either by diplomacy, by military means or by building an empire. colonial.
It is a complex game, the kind that makes us wring our minds, but for that very reason it gives us an intense and especially enriching experience. The latest version, Europe Universalis IV, was launched in 2013.
Rome Total War
It could not be missing from this list: Rome Total War
Once again we return to Ancient Rome in the hands of an exciting game. Unlike Caesar III, in Rome Total War the action takes precedence over other aspects such as the construction of cities. The title does not deceive: it is war, with its tactical strategies and movements, alliances and betrayals, resource management and great battles. A joy.
The game is based on turn-based mechanics and covers the most fascinating period of Ancient Rome, from the middle of the republican era to the beginning of the empire.
Rome Total War is part of the long Total War saga developed by the British company The Creative Assembly. Like the rest of the titles in the series, it is characterized by its high technical characteristics and its very high level of demand: it is not an easy game, but that is precisely where a large part of its appeal lies.
Starcraft II
Starcraft II and its three space races
In all the list of best PC strategy games the saga always appears Starcraft, developed by Blizzard. The second installment of the series, released in 2010, has numerous fans around the world.
The theme of Starcraft is different from that of most games of this type, since it presents us with a science-fiction universe. It all happens in a distant region of the Milky Way known as the Koprulu sector. There is three races or species fighting each other for hegemony: the Terran, the Protoss, and the Zerg.
But beyond that futuristic packaging and with a certain air of space opera, the base of the game is the same as others of the genre: collect resources, develop technologies and fight to impose on enemies. It is a visually very powerful game that guarantees many hours of entertainment.
StarCraft II has two extensions: Heart of the Swarm (2013) and Legacy of the void (2015)
Dawn of War III
One of the spectacular scenes from Dawn of War III
Starcraft fans are often also lovers of Watrhammer's Dawn of War saga. These are very different games but they share a certain common aesthetic. The third installment of this saga, released in 2017, has been hailed as the best, the true culmination.
Dawn of War III is a real-time strategy game where the player must deal with building bases, managing resources and coordinating very different military units. There is a lot of action and the level of detail of the scenes is excellent.
Company of Heroes 2
Company of Heroes 2 - For World War II Fans
And from the space war we returned to Earth. Company of Heroes 2 is an ideal game for WWII fans, with many details and great doses of realism.
The first installment took place in the historical setting of the Normandy Landing. The second part, in which many visual and gameplay improvements are introduced, takes place in the eastern front. Germans and Russians fight in the snow and mud. It is a real-time strategy game where action is not lacking, but in which each movement must be planned very well and resources carefully organized. Victory or defeat depends on it.
Cities: Skylines
Cities: Skylines is a demanding city building game
Yes, among the best PC strategy games is a title that has nothing to do with wars and conquests. Cities: Skylines is a spectacular and complete city building game. Quite a challenge for the player, as it requires a very high level of attention and organization to be successful.
It is not just about building roads and public buildings. It is also necessary to manage the services and facilities of the city, from the water supply to public transport. And you have to collect taxes, take care of public health, control crime ... A lot of work and at the same time a lot of entertainment.
Rise of Nations
Rise of Nations, an alternative for AOE lovers
War and city building. The conquest of the world. Many consider Rise of Nations like the most worthy successor to the Age of Empires series. In fact, both his style and his gameplay are the same.
Rise of Nations allows us to control 18 different civilizations with unique units and buildings. As in AOE, each of these civilizations has unique characteristics and abilities. The resources are more varied and the basis of the expansion of each civilization lies in the construction and development of cities.