Best games
Best Strategy games in 2026
The 250 best Strategy games, ranked from 24,949 critic and player ratings.
The best Strategy game right now is Pokémon FireRed Version — updated August 2026.
Also covers 4x, moba, real time strategy, real-time strategy, rts, tactical.
01
Pokémon FireRed Version
Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version are a pair of core series Generation III games that are set in the Kanto region. They were released in Japan on January 29, 2004, in North America on September 9, 2004, in Australia on September 23, 2004 and in Europe on October 1, 2004. As the first remakes in the Pokémon franchise, the games revisit the original pair of Pokémon games, Pokémon Red and Green Versions, and so feature all of the characters, plot elements, and challenges of them, but with several important upgrades to bring them up to speed with other Generation III games. The Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter was initially included with the games when they were first released, eliminating the need for Game Link Cables when trading between the two games (and later Pokémon Emerald Version). In later copies, it was sold separately. FireRed and LeafGreen went on to become the second best-selling games of the Game Boy Advance, only behind Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions. They also received Nintendo's Player's Choice awards.
100
/100
02
Baldur's Gate III
An ancient evil has returned to Baldur's Gate, intent on devouring it from the inside out. The fate of Faerun lies in your hands. Alone, you may resist. But together, you can overcome.
97
/100
03
Undertale
A small child falls into the Underground, where monsters have long been banished by humans and are hunting every human that they find. The player controls the child as they try to make it back to the Surface through hostile environments, all the while engaging with a turn-based combat system with puzzle-solving and bullet hell elements, as well as other unconventional game mechanics.
96
/100
Pokémon FireRed Version
Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version are a pair of core series Generation III games that are set in the Kanto region. They were released in Japan on January 29, 2004, in North America on September 9, 2004, in Australia on September 23, 2004 and in Europe on October 1, 2004. As the first remakes in the Pokémon franchise, the games revisit the original pair of Pokémon games, Pokémon Red and Green Versions, and so feature all of the characters, plot elements, and challenges of them, but with several important upgrades to bring them up to speed with other Generation III games. The Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter was initially included with the games when they were first released, eliminating the need for Game Link Cables when trading between the two games (and later Pokémon Emerald Version). In later copies, it was sold separately. FireRed and LeafGreen went on to become the second best-selling games of the Game Boy Advance, only behind Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions. They also received Nintendo's Player's Choice awards.
100
/100
02
Baldur's Gate III
An ancient evil has returned to Baldur's Gate, intent on devouring it from the inside out. The fate of Faerun lies in your hands. Alone, you may resist. But together, you can overcome.
97
/100
03
Undertale
A small child falls into the Underground, where monsters have long been banished by humans and are hunting every human that they find. The player controls the child as they try to make it back to the Surface through hostile environments, all the while engaging with a turn-based combat system with puzzle-solving and bullet hell elements, as well as other unconventional game mechanics.
96
/100
04
S
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is the sequel to Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes and a prequel to the original Metal Gear. The game has a complex story with long cut-scene sequences, but there are fewer and they are shorter compared to earlier Metal Gear Solid titles. Most of the gameplay mechanics introduced in Ground Zeroes are carried over: it is still an action game and stealth oriented but replaces the linear corridor design from most earlier titles with large open world environments that offer the player unrestricted freedom for the approach. The world has now a real-time day and night cycle and various weather effects that influence enemy behaviour, visibility and sound. Sabotaging or destroying certain structures can also influence other parts of the map.
96
/100
05
Divinity: Original Sin 2
Divinity: Original Sin II is a single- and multiplayer top-down, party-based role-playing game with pen & paper RPG-like levels of freedom. It features turn-based combat, a strong focus on systematic gameplay and a well-grounded narrative.
95
/100
06
Satisfactory
Satisfactory is an FPS open-world factory building sim. You play as an engineer on an alien planet tasked to complete ‘Project Assembly’ - a massive machine for a mysterious purpose. Conquer nature, build multi-story factories, and automate to satisfaction!
95
/100
07
Company of Heroes
Command the company that changed the face of history! Battle your way across Europe as your troops make intuitive use of the terrain and buildings for cover and mount attacks on an equally intelligent enemy. Your Mission. Your Men. Your Decisions.
95
/100
08
Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
95
/100
09
S
Metaphor: ReFantazio
From the creative minds of the Persona series – Metaphor: ReFantazio marks ATLUS’ first ever, full-scale fantasy RPG, brought to you by director Katsura Hashino, character designer Shigenori Soejima, and composer Shoji Meguro. Write your destiny and rise above fear as you step into a fantasy world unlike anything you’ve seen before. Fraught with unsettling mystery, the kingdom stands on a precipice. Now, you must embark on a journey, overcoming obstacles and forging bonds with friends.
94
/100
10
Sid Meier's Civilization IV
94
/100
11
Command & Conquer
94
/100
12
World in Conflict
94
/100
13
Sid Meier's Civilization 2
94
/100
14
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
94
/100
15
EarthBound
93
/100
16
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
93
/100
17
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos
93
/100
18
StarCraft II
93
/100
19
Dwarf Fortress
93
/100
20
Homeworld
93
/100
21
Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness
92
/100
22
Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares
92
/100
23
Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos
92
/100
24
Age of Empires II: Age of Kings
92
/100
25
Fire Emblem Awakening
92
/100
26
Rome: Total War - Collection
92
/100
27
Galactic Civilizations II: Ultimate Edition
92
/100
28
Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri
92
/100
29
Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30
92
/100
30
Crusader Kings III
91
/100
31
Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Restoration of Erathia
91
/100
32
Baldur's Gate
91
/100
33
Ticket to Ride
91
/100
34
Tumblestone
91
/100
35
B
Mass Effect 3
91
/100
36
FTL: Advanced Edition
90
/100
37
Against the Storm
90
/100
38
Dicey Dungeons
90
/100
39
Dota 2
90
/100
40
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
90
/100
41
Into the Breach
90
/100
42
Sid Meier's Civilization III Complete
90
/100
43
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2
90
/100
44
Pokémon SoulSilver Version
90
/100
45
Empire: Total War
90
/100
46
Theme Hospital
90
/100
47
Black & White
90
/100
48
Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright
90
/100
49
King's Bounty: Armored Princess
90
/100
50
Freedom Force
90
/100
S
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is the sequel to Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes and a prequel to the original Metal Gear. The game has a complex story with long cut-scene sequences, but there are fewer and they are shorter compared to earlier Metal Gear Solid titles. Most of the gameplay mechanics introduced in Ground Zeroes are carried over: it is still an action game and stealth oriented but replaces the linear corridor design from most earlier titles with large open world environments that offer the player unrestricted freedom for the approach. The world has now a real-time day and night cycle and various weather effects that influence enemy behaviour, visibility and sound. Sabotaging or destroying certain structures can also influence other parts of the map.
96
/100
05
Divinity: Original Sin 2
Divinity: Original Sin II is a single- and multiplayer top-down, party-based role-playing game with pen & paper RPG-like levels of freedom. It features turn-based combat, a strong focus on systematic gameplay and a well-grounded narrative.
95
/100
06
Satisfactory
Satisfactory is an FPS open-world factory building sim. You play as an engineer on an alien planet tasked to complete ‘Project Assembly’ - a massive machine for a mysterious purpose. Conquer nature, build multi-story factories, and automate to satisfaction!
95
/100
07
Company of Heroes
Command the company that changed the face of history! Battle your way across Europe as your troops make intuitive use of the terrain and buildings for cover and mount attacks on an equally intelligent enemy. Your Mission. Your Men. Your Decisions.
95
/100
08
Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
95
/100
09
S
Metaphor: ReFantazio
From the creative minds of the Persona series – Metaphor: ReFantazio marks ATLUS’ first ever, full-scale fantasy RPG, brought to you by director Katsura Hashino, character designer Shigenori Soejima, and composer Shoji Meguro. Write your destiny and rise above fear as you step into a fantasy world unlike anything you’ve seen before. Fraught with unsettling mystery, the kingdom stands on a precipice. Now, you must embark on a journey, overcoming obstacles and forging bonds with friends.
94
/100
10
Sid Meier's Civilization IV
94
/100
11
Command & Conquer
94
/100
12
World in Conflict
94
/100
13
Sid Meier's Civilization 2
94
/100
14
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
94
/100
15
EarthBound
93
/100
16
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
93
/100
17
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos
93
/100
18
StarCraft II
93
/100
19
Dwarf Fortress
93
/100
20
Homeworld
93
/100
21
Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness
92
/100
22
Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares
92
/100
23
Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos
92
/100
24
Age of Empires II: Age of Kings
92
/100
25
Fire Emblem Awakening
92
/100
26
Rome: Total War - Collection
92
/100
27
Galactic Civilizations II: Ultimate Edition
92
/100
28
Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri
92
/100
29
Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30
92
/100
30
Crusader Kings III
91
/100
31
Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Restoration of Erathia
91
/100
32
Baldur's Gate
91
/100
33
Ticket to Ride
91
/100
34
Tumblestone
91
/100
35
B
Mass Effect 3
91
/100
36
FTL: Advanced Edition
90
/100
37
Against the Storm
90
/100
38
Dicey Dungeons
90
/100
39
Dota 2
90
/100
40
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
90
/100
41
Into the Breach
90
/100
42
Sid Meier's Civilization III Complete
90
/100
43
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2
90
/100
44
Pokémon SoulSilver Version
90
/100
45
Empire: Total War
90
/100
46
Theme Hospital
90
/100
47
Black & White
90
/100
48
Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright
90
/100
49
King's Bounty: Armored Princess
90
/100
50
Freedom Force
90
/100
FAQ
What is the best Strategy game right now?
Pokémon FireRed Version currently tops the ranking with a score of 100/100 across 547 ratings. Ranking updated August 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.