10 – Heroes of Might and Magic III (1999)
With Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era coming in 2026 and promising a return to Heroes of Might and Magic III, there’s no better time to start up this legendary fantasy strategy game. You explore a map with heroes, collect resources, and engage in tactical, hex-based combat. The “Complete” edition on GOG is the version to get.
9 – Jagged Alliance 2 (1999)
Jagged Alliance 2 is a cult classic tactical RPG/strategy hybrid. You hire a squad of mercenaries with distinct personalities to liberate a fictional island. The combat is incredibly detailed, involving cover, stance, and specific body-part aiming.
8 – Medieval II: Total War (2006)
Large-scale real-time battles involving thousands of soldiers paired with a turn-based campaign map of Medieval Europe. That’s Medieval II: Total War. It’s the most “modern” feeling game on this list, but one that any PC can run without much trouble.
7 – X-COM: UFO Defense (1994)
The original alien invasion simulator goes back to 1994, with X-COM: UFO Defense. It’s notoriously difficult and involves managing a global defense force while engaging in tense, turn-based tactical missions where death is permanent. Here’s a pro-tip: Use OpenXcom for the best experience possible in modern systems.
6 – Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel (2001)
Despite Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel being very different from the main RPGs, this is a solid squad-based tactical game set in the Fallout universe. It focuses heavily on combat positioning and specialized character builds.
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