StarCraft 2
One of the most important strategy games in esports today is StarCraft 2, one of Blizzard’s most famous and important titles. Despite its age – StarCraft 2 was released in 2010 – the game remains very popular today.
You play in a sci-fi setting, controlling the insect-like Zerg, the imperialistic Protoss, or humanity, known as Terrans. StarCraft 2 is characterized by its incredibly high speed.
Whether you face the AI or other players, the game relies on you learning as many hotkeys as possible as quickly as possible. StarCraft 2 is known for its players boasting about their high “APM”, or “Actions per Minute”. Some of the best players in the world even play at increased speed because the game cannot keep up with their inputs otherwise.
If you enjoy competitive gaming and are looking for a challenge, StarCraft 2 is still the best point of call for you today. However, the campaign is also worth it, and there is even a special co-op mode now. The game will no longer be further developed. A starter version is now available for free.
Stronghold: Definitive Edition
Especially in Germany, Stronghold by Firefly Studios is among the most popular games of all time – particularly due to the famous quotes and the excellent voice acting (keyword: “The people are leaving the castle.”).
In Stronghold, you play as a medieval lord and build a castle with everything it entails: weapons and armor smithies, residential houses, agriculture, church, walls, and much more.
In particular, the campaign and historical battles are a popular feature of the series, while the charismatic AI opponents provide a lot of entertainment in skirmish games, especially in later installments.
In the end, it is still the Middle Ages, and you want to expand or defend your lands. This means: You wage war against other lords, besiege them, and tear down their walls. Even if you first have to get through the moat.
Which part of the series is the best is a matter of personal opinion. However, in November 2023, the Definitive Edition as a remaster of the first part was released on Steam, which impresses players with an 86% positive rating. Although there are no AI skirmish games here, there is a strong campaign and a more or less lively multiplayer.
In July, a remaster of the even more popular sequel for many players, Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition, will be released. Here you can go to Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition on Steam.
Alternative: Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition
Meanwhile, the direct successor, Stronghold Crusader, has also been released as a remaster. Unlike in the original Stronghold, you play here in the Holy Land during the time of the Crusades. Accordingly, architecture and units are somewhat different.
In addition to the standard units, there are mercenaries and, since the remaster, Bedouins as new units. There are also some new lords and something that Stronghold had been missing: a real multiplayer co-op mode over Steam, where you can play against the AI in battles or campaigns.
Anno 1800
Anno 1800 is now the 5th game in the popular Anno series, which has been developed in Germany for years. With Anno 1800, the developers have chosen the industrial revolution as a setting.
In Anno, you establish your empire on various islands and build residential and industrial operations. You ensure that your cities grow larger, provide your population with ever new goods, and fulfill their needs. The ultimate goal is to be able to build a world exhibition at the end.
So far, Anno 1800 has received 4 seasons with numerous new content. For instance, the new world received a third population tier, and you can establish a settlement in Africa. Ubisoft has now presented the successor, Anno 117: Pax Romana, and declared the development of Anno 1800 as complete. Strategy expert Maurice Weber is already excited about it.
If you like city-building strategy games, love building large empires, or just enjoy watching your cities grow, then Anno 1800 is a real tip. The co-op mode is also well implemented and worth a look. However, Anno 1800 is expansive with its many addons and not necessarily beginner-friendly. A more beginner-friendly, less extensive, but almost equally good option is Anno 1404, which received a History Edition a few years ago.
Alternative: Anno 117
If you want to play in a different era, Anno 117 Pax Romana offers a historical setting where you can learn about not only Roman but also Celtic culture. In early tests, Anno 117 received good reviews and captivated players for dozens of hours in advance, but is seen as more of a special case in the series due to some new (or rather: newly packaged) mechanics.
For example, you can choose whether you want to build your settlements in a Roman style or allow the Celts to keep their culture. However, there was criticism that Anno 117 suddenly changes ancient terms.
Stellaris
If you are into huge strategy games set in space, Stellaris is the right game for you. The Swedes at Paradox have transferred their grand strategy idea into a sci-fi setting where you can even create your own species. You can play even as a swarm consciousness.
Unlike in Crusader Kings, Stellaris focuses heavily on exploration. You must first discover and explore foreign planets and star systems around you before you can settle them.
Finally, depending on the advantages and disadvantages of your created species, you can achieve victory through diplomacy, economy, or sheer war. Crises create challenges and new opportunities that shift the balance of power once again.
With now over 25 DLCs, you receive new species, new forms of government, and new scenarios for you to explore. The latest DLC plays with the possibilities and dangers of artificial intelligence.
Sins of a Solar Empire 2
Sins of a Solar Empire II is the successor to the popular 4X strategy game. You choose one of the three races, TEC, Vasari, or Advent, and build an empire with it: You colonize planets, develop technologies, and train units. In real-time battles, you then fight against other players.
The three races play significantly differently than in the predecessor: While the TEC gain strong bonuses for trade, the Vasari completely forgo trade posts. The Advent leverage strong advantages from their cultural development. As a result, each game feels different.
The game does not rely on early access, but some features are still missing or very limited.
The developers have already introduced extensive support through DLCs: In the coming months, the game is expected to not only receive a fourth faction but finally a full-fledged campaign as well.
Sins of a Solar Empire is known for its incredibly long rounds that can easily compete with Civilization.
Warcraft 3
Warcraft 3 is quite old, but it is an absolute classic of the genre and the best part of the Warcraft series from Blizzard. Although the game was released in 2002, Warcraft has had an enormous influence on the entire gaming world. Warcraft 3 is responsible for League of Legends existing at all.
Warcraft 3 and especially the expansion The Frozen Throne is the best part of the series. Whether as Orc, Human, Night Elf, or Undead, you fight with units and heroes against other factions and defeat them in exciting real-time battles.
Similar to StarCraft, Warcraft also heavily emphasizes speed and micro-management. This means: A mistake can quickly cost you your army, and if you’re not careful, a clever opponent can easily destroy your entire economy.
Warcraft 3 has been re-released as Reforged, but with a disastrous start. After many patches, broken promises, and disappointments the game is now at a level that can be recommended. In my personal opinion, the original version of The Frozen Throne is still better, although not as pretty – only it is not available digitally on Battle.net.
Alternative: Godsworn
If you are looking for a strategy game rooted in our world, Godsworn is a good alternative. In Godsworn, you play pagan gods or crusaders, each with their own units, heroes, and abilities.
Godsworn is considered the spiritual successor to Warcraft and comes with a similar, albeit more modern look and comparable mechanics. On Steam, the game boasts over 92% positive reviews.
Warhammer 40.000: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition
Although it is already 20 years old, Warhammer 40.000: Dawn of War is still considered one of the best strategy games and is even regarded by the author of this list as the best strategy game of all time – far surpassing Age of Empires 2. It is also the best-rated Warhammer game on Steam.
No other game from the universe captures the dark apocalyptic atmosphere of Warhammer in such an authentic way while also accurately presenting the many factions. Anyone who is a fan of Warhammer should definitely check out Dawn of War.
As Eldar, Orks, or classic Space Marines, or their evil Chaos version, you fight for dominance. However, instead of directly collecting resources, you gather requisition points by holding strategic positions.
Since Dawn of War is still a Warhammer game, you only have a severely limited number of units at your disposal with which you must deal. Several DLCs later introduced new factions such as the T’au, Necrons, or the Adepta Sororitas.
Especially if you love the absurd megalomania of Warhammer, you will be happy here. Each faction has a “Titan”, such as a gigantic tank or a living saint that can devastate the battlefield.
Dawn of War has two successors, neither of which matches the first part. The third part was even discontinued after just a few months. However, the original Dawn of War has now been released as a remaster and includes all expansions of the game as well as numerous improvements. The camera and the UI, for example, are adapted to modern systems.
If you’re looking forward to Dawn of War, you can also look forward to a new installment that will be released on September 17, 2026. Dawn of War 4 is being developed by the German studio King Art and returns to the original values of the first part with some cool changes from the successors: I played Warhammer 40.000: Dawn of War 4 for only 30 minutes, but I’m already as excited as I haven’t been in years
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