20 – Myth: Twice Born
Myth: The Fallen Lords and Myth II: Soulblighter were influential real-time tactics games developed by Bungie before their focus shifted to the Halo franchise, and they reached their mythical status as the studio that transformed first-person shooters forever. Myth: Twice Born (just released in May, 2025) is a full remaster of Myth: The Fallen Lords, Myth II: Soulblighter, and Myth II: Chimera. Every asset has been remastered, upscaled or recreated to uplift these real-time strategy (RTS) classics to 2025 standards. The Myth series was known for its gritty, realistic depiction of medieval fantasy battles, emphasising tactical positioning, unit formations, and the brutal consequences of the poor use of terrain. Did you know that it was also one of the first games to feature a proper physics engine? The series still has a dedicated following for its mature tone and compelling campaigns.
19 – Breachway
Breachway, developed by Pineleaf Studio and published by Hooded Horse, is a deckbuilding, sci-fi roguelike where you captain a lone warship and its ragtag crew through a hostile galaxy. A mix-up between FTL: Faster Than Light and games like Slay The Spire and Monster Train, Breachway blends ship outfitting and node-based exploration and turn-based tactical card battles, where your cards are based upon the equipment you have installed on your ship. It has a great combat system, which is the star of the game, no doubt, with its modular targeting and damage mechanics, which have been proven time and time again to work amazingly in space combat. The card-based system encourages synergies and long-term build planning. For those looking out for a challenge, Breachway can also be quite a tough strategy game.
18 – Offworld Trading Company
This is the only game in this list I’m still not sure if it should have been a part of the best 100 strategy games to play in 2025, based upon its unique premise and gameplay loop. Offworld Trading Company offers a unique and fast-paced real-time strategy (RTS) experience focused entirely on economic warfare on the colonised red planet, Mars. Unlike traditional RTS games, where the focus is almost exclusively on military combat, and economy is just a way to get there, in Offworld Trading Company, players compete as rival corporations vying for control of the Martian market. The core gameplay revolves around strategically extracting resources, producing goods, and manipulating the dynamic supply and demand market to drive competitors into bankruptcy through hostile takeovers and shrewd business practices. Players must make critical decisions about what to produce, when to buy or sell, and even engage in black market tactics like sabotage to gain an edge. If you’re looking for a unique take on the RTS and Tycoon genres and business sims, Offworld Trading Company is certainly the game for you.
17 – Wargroove
Do you remember Advance Wars from Nintendo? Well, Wargroove is Advance Wars, with a fantasy twist, a cute dog, and for PC. In this charming and accessible turn-based tactics game, players take control of various commanders, each with a unique “groove” ability that can dramatically shift the tide of battle. As similarly to the game that inspired it, in Wargroove, the gameplay involves strategically moving units across a grid-based map, utilizing terrain advantages, and exploiting unit matchups to defeat enemy forces. The most exciting aspect of Wargroove is getting to figure out these fantasy match-ups and how each of the different abilities can be used to turn the tables on a difficult scuffle. Beyond the core campaign, Wargroove has a puzzle mode and a powerful map and campaign editor that allows players to create and share their own content. With its colourful pixel art style, engaging tactical gameplay, and extensive customization options, Wargroove provides a delightful and strategically rich experience for fans of the genre and fans of Advance Wars.
16 – Star Wars Empire At War
What can I say about Star Wars Empire at War that hasn’t already been said before by every fan of real-time strategy (RTS) games and Star Wars? Is it the best Star Wars strategy game of all time? Check. That it has one of the best modding and active scenes of all time? Check. That’s the strategy game with the best space battles of all time? Check, too! Star Wars: Empire at War manages to do something other Star Wars do, and that is to deliver on the epic scale of the Galactic Civil War. The game features a strategic campaign map where players manage resources, build fleets and armies, and conquer or liberate planets. When conflicts arise, the game transitions to real-time battles where players deploy ground units and starships, utilizing their unique abilities and tactical positioning to achieve victory. With iconic Star Wars vehicles, heroes, and locations, Empire at War allows players to experience large-scale battles from the beloved saga, offering a blend of strategic planning and intense real-time combat.
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