2023 was an epic year for armchair generals and tactical masterminds. We saw the release of several new strategy games across a range of subgenres that challenged our thinking and kept us glued to our screens. From real-time battles to turn-based tactics, these games let us flex our strategic muscles like never before.
In this article, we’ll be counting down our top strategy game picks from the past year. These are the games that had us issuing commands, managing resources, and outsmarting opponents late into the night. We weighed factors like innovative gameplay, production value, replayability potential, and more to settle on this list.
While it was hard to narrow down, we’re excited to showcase the crème de la crème of 2023’s strategy lineup. Whether you’re a longtime strategy buff or just dipping your toes in, you’re bound to find something that hooks you here. So without further ado, let’s jump right into the best strategy games that defined the past year and have us eager for what the genre might deliver in 2024!
10. Xenonauts 2
Xenonauts 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the classic XCOM-inspired strategy game Xenonauts. After years in development, it entered Early Access on Steam this year, delivering an upgraded take on the alien defense formula its predecessor nailed back in 2014.
This time around, Xenonauts 2 sports a fresh 3D graphics engine, expanded soldier customization and base building options, an overhauled air combat system, and more procedurally generated elements to enhance replay value. The core combat gameplay remains challenging yet fair turn-based tactical fare centered around cover usage and risk-reward decision making.
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What makes Xenonauts 2 stand out is how it sticks to the complex, hardcore roots of early XCOM while polishing everything around the edges. The interface and quality of life improvements bring accessibility without compromising depth. It pays homage to old-school tactics titles while avoiding their frustrations. Though still in development, Xenonauts 2 is already a comprehensively featured package that strategy veterans and curious newcomers alike shouldn’t overlook.
9. Age of Wonders 4
Age of Wonders 4 is the latest entry in the long-running fantasy 4X series known for blending empire building strategy with tactical turn-based combat. This time around, developer Triumph Studios doubles down on the RPG aspects by incorporating extensive character customization and a legacy system that lets you carry over heroes from previous campaigns.
The result is a uniquely personal take on painting the map your color. All the classic 4X hooks are present like expanding borders, managing settlements, researching magics, and dealing with rival factions. But the connections you form with customized leader characters and loyal retainers make each campaign feel like a tabletop roleplaying adventure.
Age of Wonders has always stood out for depth and variety when it comes to unit composition and progression. The fourth installment expands on that strength while injecting more reasons to grow attached to your champions. It strikes the perfect balance between strategic decisions and forging heroic legacies across eras. Age of Wonders 4 proves the series is still going strong and worthy of mention among the best 4X romps out there.
8. Jagged Alliance 3
Jagged Alliance 3 marks the surprise return of the classic tactical mercenary warfare series after over a decade away. Acting as a soft reboot, it maintains the core premise of building a team of guns for hire to liberate a small nation while modernizing the presentation and mechanics.
This time around, your squad confrontation plays out across free-roaming 3D maps dotted with cover points and destructible objects. The action still unfolds in familiar turn-based fashion with soldiers getting two actions per turn. Behind the scenes, there’s a deeper meta-layer where you manage multiple squads, balance morale, train recruits, and negotiate contracts.
What sets Jagged Alliance 3 apart is how it handles randomness compared to its peers. Level layouts, enemy placement, loot drops – everything is handcrafted rather than procedural. This ensures every skirmish unfolds fairly without compromising surprise. Combined with the mercs’ personality quirks influencing their behavior, it makes replays stay engaging. Jagged Alliance 3 proves an old formula can feel fresh with clever tweaks.
7. Dune: Spice Wars
Dune: Spice Wars is a 4X real-time strategy adaptation of Frank Herbert’s seminal sci-fi novel from the developers behind Northgard. It pits multiple factions against each other over control and harvesting of the valuable spice melange on the harsh desert planet Arrakis. You take on the role of a faction leader, managing spice mining and refining operations, building military strongholds, winning over local settlements, and battling rival houses.
Like the book, careful resource management is key to survival here. Spice acquisition enables further expansion and access to new units and techs. Making sure you don’t overextend territory is vital. What sets Spice Wars apart is its asymmetry between factions, unique victory conditions, and focus on trade-offs. The choice between short and long-term gain runs through every decision. Combined with different playstyles between rivals, it makes for complex clashes playing out both on the macro and micro levels. For Dune fans or those craving deep, thematically coherent strategy, Spice Wars delivers plenty of intriguing mechanics to chew on.
6. Wargroove 2
Wargroove 2 is the follow-up to Chucklefish’s breakout turn-based tactics hit taking inspiration from Intelligent Systems’ Advance Wars series. It sticks to the same grid-based, cartoon warfare formula while expanding the faction roster, single-player content, competitive options, and quality of life improvements.
New additions this time around include an undead faction with chilling aura abilities, local hotseat multiplayer for quick skirmishes, an endless roguelite skirmish mode, additional unlockable commanders, and free DLC introducing a new tropical island faction post-launch. Returning players can enjoy an entirely separate standalone campaign sporting refreshed mechanics and balance tweaks shaped by years of community feedback.
What makes Wargroove 2 stand out is how it caters to both casual newcomers and highly competitive hardened commanders alike. The upbeat, accessible aesthetic combined with rock-paper-scissors unit design makes pickup easy. Yet high-level play reveals plenty of depth with an expanded meta to explore. From breezy co-op to intense ranked duels, Wargroove 2 has something for all armchair generals.
5. Fire Emblem Engage
Fire Emblem Engage continues the legendary turn-based tactical RPG series with another massive and polished grid-based fantasy battlefield adventure. This time around, players take control of Alear, a divine dragon capable of summoning Fire Emblem heroes from past games via collectible Emblem rings.
These Hero characters can lend aid in combat, provide buffs and healing, or even unlock conversations that grant Alexa special skills. On top of the clever callback system, Engage introduces the traditional weapons triangle to differentiate units along with added strategy layers like Break abilities that can smash through defenses.
What sets the latest Fire Emblem apart is how it respects franchise tradition while experimenting just enough to create fresh fun without overwhelming newcomers. The ability to call upon classic characters like Marth or Ike also creates plenty of fan service moments sure to delight long-time players. For SRPG enthusiasts craving a meaty, refined challenge filled with charming characters, Fire Emblem Engage delivers another essential experience.
4. Second Front
Second Front is a squad-based World War 2 tactics game putting players in command of Allied and Axis forces across dozens of key battlefronts. Missions depict famous historical operations like the Battle of Normandy and Battle of the Bulge from a boots-on-the-ground viewpoint. Gameplay occurs through turn-based combat where you maneuver fireteams and vehicles across destructible cover while trying to outflank and destroy the enemy.
What sets Second Front apart from its wargaming peers is the focus on action over automation. There’s no convoluted stats to crunch or order delays to consider. Instead, the emphasis stays on battlefield tactics as you coordinate ambushes, provide suppressive fire, and account for morale. Straightforward controls make issuing movement orders and targeting assists simple without sacrificing depth. Combined with lavish visuals and effects work depicting the ravages of war, Second Front finds the sweet spot between realism and entertainment.
3. Persona 5 Tactica
Persona 5 Tactica brings the style and charm of Atlus’ critically acclaimed JRPG to gripping turn-based tactical combat. You once again take control of the charismatic Phantom Thieves as they dive into Metaverse dungeons with the goal of stealing corrupt targets’ hearts by making them have a change of heart. The grid-based battle system should feel familiar to genre veterans but is infused with Persona flair.
Character abilities manifest through showy persona summon attacks while elemental weaknesses and status effect play a big role. Outside combat, there’s social link stat boosts to earn through hanging out with confidants along with deep weapon crafting. The fusion of tactical gameplay with Persona 5’s signature vibe creates an experience with wide appeal.
What ultimately sets Tactica apart is its accessibility combined with depth. The mechanics promote aggressive play with abilities meant to combo off teammates. Flashy combos are easy to pull off but require proper setup. Combine this with the wealth of customization options and it becomes a rewarding ride for SRPG veterans and newcomers drawn in by the Phantom Thieves’ irresistible charm.
2. Age of Empires IV
Age of Empires IV is the long-awaited sequel to one of strategy gaming’s most acclaimed franchises. The classic RTS series defined real-time empire building and history-inspired warfare for a generation. After 16 long years, Age IV returns to form with four diverse civilizations, four distinct campaigns spanning the Middle Ages through Renaissance era, and a suite of multiplayer and challenge modes for newbies and veterans to flex their skills.
Age IV retains the iconic pillars of gathering resources, advancing technology eras, and constructing mighty fortresses previous games established. But it also adds several twists like asymmetrical faction mechanics, terrain elevation impacting battles, stealth forests to hide units, and home city shipments providing mid-match boosts. The result is instantly familiar but packed with new innovations that make each match feel fresh.
Behind the scenes, a custom-built game engine powers lavish visuals with immense attention to detail making you feel transported back through time. Gameplay remains centered on the foundations of economy, expansion, reconnaissance and aggression. Only this time, things like spring ambushes, naval invasions and precisely coordinated siege weapon barrages gain new impact thanks to the physics and destruction engine.
Critics praised Age IV for reviving classic gameplay while pushing the envelope in terms of presentation and tactical options. It strikes the ideal balance between nostalgia and innovation Strategy gamers crave. Whether you’re looking to walk down RTS memory lane or experience this iconic genre for the first time, Age of Empires IV is essential.
1. Pikmin 4
After nearly a decade of waiting, Pikmin 4 finally sprouted on Nintendo Switch this year delivering another delightful cocktail of real-time strategy, exploration, and playground physics. Once again, you take command of colorful plant-like Pikmin armies to reclaim treasure and alien fruit dotted around rich, nature-filled alien worlds. The basics feel charmingly familiar – direct fearless Pikmin legions to smack obstacles, haul objects back to your ship, and gang up enemies with an adorable dose of aggression.
What sets this long-gestating sequel apart is the clever quality-of-life improvements that streamline the real-time tactical decision making. Players can retrace steps courtesy of breadcrumb trails to easily locate misplaced Pikmin. The new whistle wheel pulls specific unit types or places pinpoints waypoints quickly. An optional rewind feature lets you undo costly errors as a teaching tool. The lock-on target wheel also shines in combat, enabling smart split-second reactions when swarming larger prey.
Outside minor control schemes, the biggest change comes from Oatchi – your canine companion capable of performing agile attacks, transporting both Pikmin and objects, sniffing out concealed items, and even reviving downed units. This adds an entirely new unit management dimension creating fresh strategic opportunities. New mushroom traversal mechanics also completely change the way you view and traverse environments leading to plenty of “eureka” moments.
Critics universally praised how Pikmin 4 manages to expand and streamline its puzzle-strategy formula simultaneously while still retaining endless charm. The subtle 3D visual upgrades paired with Oatchi’s expanded moveset result in one of the most inventive and grin-inducing strategy titles in ages. This masterclass in creative game design has something delightful to offer gamers of all backgrounds and tastes.
