The Best Rated Strategy Games Of The Last Decade

Introduction

I’m celebrating the 10th anniversary of Strategy and Wargaming by going back and looking at several strategy games that changed or impacted the genre in major ways, were pretty amazing, or that players just fell in love with. This is the second of several articles exploring the last 10 years of strategy games! The last time we looked at the games I personally considered the best, and now we are going over the games that the gaming industry, including players and critics, thought were the best!

For this article, I basically used Metacritic, compiled all the results, and added my commentary to the games, whether or not I agree with them. So, feel free to join me as we take a look at the best-rated strategy games of the last decade, from 2016 to 2026!

15 – Total War: Warhammer II – 87

I’m actually surprised to see a Total War title in this list, but if I were to guess which one would be a feature, I would say Total War: Warhammer II, as it is, arguably, the best Total War game to have come out in a long time that truly shook up the series in a major way. The game went live with 4 major factions that played so differently from one another that the title came with what amounted to 4 individual massive campaigns. Each faction had unique units, heroes, powers, playstyles, and even different goals. Despite the first Warhammer title being decently good, it was still rather formulaic, so seeing Warhammer II shake things up in a major way was such a breath of fresh air, and turned it into one of my favorite games of the last decade as well!

14 – Mini Motorways – 87

I really cannot tell you how much I enjoy Mini Motorways. I have written several articles about it, most notably the one where I think it’s one of the best games to play if you have very little spare time. This four-wheeled follow-up to Mini Metro keeps the same simplistic gameplay, but instead of tracks, you’re managing roads, and instead of metros, it’s cars that keep you busy. Players must connect housing and commercial districts using a limited number of road pieces in the most efficient way possible. Fail at your task, traffic piles up, and it’s back to starting over again. An incredibly addictive gameplay loop where games start and end very fast, keeping you coming back for more, and trying to reach a new high score to unlock new cities, which come with different layouts and challenges. Absolutely amazing, I’m so proud of you guys and gals!

13 – Tactical Breach Wizards – 87

If Warhammer II surprised me for being here, I’m surprised Tactical Breach Wizards isn’t higher on this list, given how much people praised and loved it when it came out, including me. A mix between turn-based strategy and a puzzle game, Tactical Breach Wizards is a title that’s carried by its excellent mission design, as much as it is by its ridiculous theme of special operation wizards carrying Splinter Cell silenced wands, pistols that shoot to resurrect, and magical-staff rifles. I played it from start to finish, and even during some of the most difficult parts of the game, it was the humour that kept me going. It’s lighthearted, fun, and even challenging from time to time. Massive recommendation on my end!

12 – RimWorld – 87

Another game that I was expecting to be placed higher on this list. RimWorld is the title that took the formula of Dwarf Fortress and made it accessible to the mainstream gaming audience. Players are set free in an alien world with a crew of questionable capabilities and tasked to survive as long as they can. It’s then that hilarity, desperation, and some of the most outrageous survivor stories emerge. If you’re looking for a title to sink your teeth into for hundreds of hours, or something you can play and replay over and over again, and you haven’t tried RimWorld, you’re missing out!

11 – FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles – 87

I’ll let you in on a secret: one of the next games I’ll be playing until this finale is going to be FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles. Considered by most to be one of the strategy’s greatest, the Ivalice Chronicles released on PC in 2025 and received a roaring ovation from gamers who had long been wishing for its return. The enhanced version of the game massively improved the graphics (while keeping the original charm), added plenty of quality-of-life features, including a new difficulty mode for inexperienced players, and obviously, mouse and keyboard support!