10 – BattleTech
If you’re the kind of player who loves mechs and would really like to see that translated into a very well-made turn-based strategy package, then BattleTech is the perfect addition to your Steam Summer Sale 2025 haul. From the creators of Shadowrun Returns, this critically acclaimed title plunges you into the Inner Sphere’s brutal civil war, where you lead a mercenary company of customizable BattleMechs and their MechWarriors. Players will go over an overarching campaign, where they must manage their forces and drop ship, recruit and tailor new pilots for the task ahead, and keep their mech company in fighting conditions. On the battlefield, be prepared to engage in deep, hex-based skirmishes where terrain, armor integrity, heat management, and pilot skills are paramount to victory. Set in the Battletech universe, this game is perfect for those who love the franchise or are looking for a fantastic turn-based strategy that will keep them occupied for hundreds of hours.
9 – Heart Of The Machine
One of the most unique games in this list, when I played Heart of the Machine earlier this year I was surprised at how complex the whole thing is. Released into Early Access in January 2025, the title puts players in control of the world’s first sentient AI, tasked with navigating and dominating a sprawling, cyberpunk city, where your objectives are solely your own. It’s a fascinating blend of 4X strategy, city-building, RPG elements, and turn-based strategy combat, where every decision you make as the AI has a massive impact on the way the world perceives you. Whether you choose to be a benevolent overlord, a subtle manipulator, or a destructive force for evil, Heart of the Machine is the kind of game that’s perfect for emergent storytelling as you raise and train armies of robots, infiltrate human society, research advanced tech, and influence the fate of humanity. If you’re seeking a deep, complex, and highly original sci-fi strategy game that rewards creative problem-solving, Heart of the Machine is a compelling addition to any Steam library.
8 – Galactic Civilizations IV
For those yearning to conquer the stars, Galactic Civilizations IV is the premier sci-fi 4X turn-based strategy game that should be high on your radar for the Steam Summer Sale 2025. This latest iteration from Stardock refines the beloved series, offering expansive galaxy maps segmented into “sectors,” innovative “Executive Orders” for immediate strategic impact, and deep customization that lets you craft unique alien civilizations and tailor the way they play to your liking. Since customization is the name of the game in Galactic Civilizations IV, it also comes with a unique and robust ship designer, while mixing it up with complex diplomatic systems (some of the best in gaming), and multiple victory conditions, Galactic Civilizations IV: Supernova provides hundreds of hours of replayable empire-building, from scientific breakthroughs to total galactic domination. Galactic Civilizations IV is the kind of game that will find love in players who enjoy grand-strategy games like Stellaris, Distant Worlds 2, or Age of Wonders 4, and it’s one of the best games turn-based strategy games to buy at the Steam Summer Sale 2025.
7 – Warhammer 40,000: Gladius – Relics of War
For devotees of the grimdark future, there’s also a second entry in every list. This time, it’s for the best 4X Warhammer game ever made: Warhammer 40,000: Gladius – Relics of War is a must-consider among the best turn-based strategy games on the Steam Summer Sale 2025. Unlike traditional 4X titles, Gladius strips away diplomacy and trade, delivering a pure, unadulterated game where only conquest matters, as it’s true to the setting it’s trying to portray. While the game might have started out with just half a dozen factions, the sheer amount of DLC choices will make sure every player can choose whatever Warhammer faction they truly love and have a go with it. Each of these factions boasts unique units, tech trees, and playstyles. Its focused, combat-heavy gameplay on a hex-based grid offers deep tactical engagements and immense replayability, making it the perfect pick for Warhammer 40K fans and those seeking a streamlined, albeit brutal 4X strategy experience that’s all about total war.
6 – 9 Kings
In my review of 9Kings, I called it an amazing time-waster of game, and damn me if I wasn’t right on point with that. I usually stop playing games after I’m done with my reviews, but not this one, because whenever I’m in my lunchtime, I boot it up, give it a go, get a couple of runs in, and then go back to whatever it was that I was doing. But what is it? 9 Kings is a recent indie release that masterfully blends roguelike deck-building with kingdom management and engaging auto-battler combat. Released in May 2025, this game tasks you with defending your evolving 3×3 kingdom grid against increasingly powerful rival monarchs using a diverse array of cards to construct buildings and deploy units. It managed to capture that addictive feeling of the “one more run” gameplay loop, driven by deep card synergies and a focus on unique “King” factions, offering immense replayability and strategic depth for players who enjoy breaking game systems and discovering powerful builds and combos. The game’s already super cheap, and with an increased 35% off, this highly praised is a surprising and satisfying addition to the PC strategy game landscape and to your library.
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