As we move into 2024, strategy games continue to dominate the PC gaming landscape. Known for their depth, challenge, and variety, strategy games offer immersive experiences ranging from real-time tactics to turn-based grand strategy. Whether you’re a fan of historical simulations, futuristic space operas, or complex city builders, the year 2024 has some exciting titles and expansions that you can’t afford to miss. This guide will explore the best strategy games on PC in 2024, covering both new releases and established classics, offering insights into gameplay, mechanics, and the unique appeal of each title.
What Makes a Great Strategy Game?
Before diving into the best strategy games for 2024, it’s essential to understand the elements that make a strategy game exceptional. A well-crafted strategy game typically involves:
a. Tactical Depth: Players must think critically about every move, weighing both short-term tactics and long-term strategy.
b. Replayability: Randomized maps, dynamic scenarios, and modding support can keep a game fresh, ensuring every playthrough feels different.
c. Challenge: The best strategy games push players to their limits, requiring adaptation to ever-evolving challenges.
d. Immersive Lore/World-Building: Whether historical or fictional, a good strategy game offers a rich, immersive setting that draws players in.
e. Strong AI and Multiplayer Options: Competent AI and well-balanced multiplayer modes provide challenging opponents and enhance replayability.
With these criteria in mind, let’s explore the top PC strategy games of 2024.
1. Crusader Kings III: Intrigue and Medieval Drama
Developer: Paradox Interactive
Genre: Grand Strategy / RPG
Platform: PC
Crusader Kings III remains one of the Best Strategy Games on PC heading into 2024. This medieval grand strategy game stands out due to its unique blend of dynasty management and real-time political simulation. In Crusader Kings III, you guide a noble family through centuries of intrigue, warfare, and personal drama, ensuring your lineage’s survival across generations.
Key Features:
- Character-Driven Gameplay: Unlike many grand strategy games, Crusader Kings III focuses heavily on the personalities and ambitions of individual rulers. Each ruler in your dynasty has unique traits and ambitions that can drastically alter your gameplay.
- Dynamic Diplomacy and Warfare: Engage in wars, form alliances, or assassinate rivals to climb the political ladder.
- Religion and Culture: Convert your subjects, reform religious doctrines, or adopt foreign cultures to shape your realm’s destiny.
What’s New in 2024:
Paradox has continued supporting the game with expansions and mods that add new mechanics and storylines. The latest DLC focuses on enhancing religious gameplay, adding more depth to heresies and religious conflicts.
Why Play:
The complex, character-driven mechanics make every campaign feel personal. With endless replayability thanks to its rich sandbox world, Crusader Kings III is perfect for players looking for a deep and immersive medieval strategy experience.
2. Europa Universalis IV: Guide a Nation through the Ages
Developer: Paradox Interactive
Genre: Grand Strategy / Historical Simulation
Platform: PC
For those interested in a more historical focus, Europa Universalis IV (EU4) offers one of the Best Strategy Games on PC for unlimited experiences. Spanning from the late Middle Ages to the Industrial Revolution, EU4 allows players to control a nation and guide it through centuries of diplomacy, warfare, trade, and exploration.
Key Features:
- Wide Global Scope: Unlike many historical strategy games that focus on specific regions or time periods, Europa Universalis IV allows players to control any country in the world, offering virtually limitless strategic options.
- Deep Diplomatic System: Forge alliances, manage coalitions, and use espionage to outmaneuver your rivals on the world stage.
- Realistic Economics and Trade: The game’s complex trade system allows players to dominate global commerce routes and build wealth to fund armies or national projects.
What’s New in 2024:
With over a decade of content, EU4 still receives significant updates and DLC. In 2024, the newest expansions introduce additional mechanics for colonial nations and enhanced military strategies, including more options for forming coalitions.
Why Play:
Europa Universalis IV is the perfect game for history buffs who want to shape the world in their image. Whether you want to lead a small tribe to greatness or manage a European empire, EU4 offers endless strategic depth.
3. Stellaris: Conquer the Stars
Developer: Paradox Interactive
Genre: Grand Strategy / 4X
Platform: PC
Stellaris is Paradox Interactive’s foray into the realm of space-based grand strategy. Blending elements of the 4X (explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate) genre with Paradox’s hallmark grand strategy complexity, Stellaris lets players create and manage a spacefaring civilization, exploring new star systems, managing resources, and dealing with alien races.
Key Features:
- Procedural Galaxy Generation: Each game of Stellaris presents a new galaxy to explore, filled with different star systems, resources, and alien species.
- Empire Customization: Players can design their own species, complete with unique government systems, ethics, and traits.
- Expansive Diplomacy and Warfare: Build alliances or engage in galactic warfare with a mix of fleets, ground troops, and orbital bombardment.
What’s New in 2024:
The game continues to evolve with regular updates and expansions. In 2024, Stellaris added a new galactic politics system, allowing players to manipulate interstellar congresses to their advantage.
Why Play:
Stellaris offers endless replayability thanks to its procedural galaxy and extensive customization. It’s perfect for players who want to explore the vastness of space while engaging in deep strategic gameplay.
4. Total War: Pharaoh – Command Ancient Egypt
Developer: Creative Assembly
Genre: Real-Time Strategy / Turn-Based Strategy
Platform: PC
The Total War series is known for its epic battles and intricate turn-based campaign mechanics. Total War: Pharaoh, the latest installment, takes players back to the ancient Egyptian era. You command massive armies, manage resources, and engage in tactical real-time battles, making key strategic decisions both on the battlefield and in the campaign map.
Key Features:
- Realistic Ancient Warfare: Experience historically accurate battles with hundreds of units on the field, from Egyptian infantry to chariots.
- Turn-Based Empire Management: Build your empire, manage resources, and navigate political intrigue on the campaign map.
- Dynamic Weather and Terrain: Environmental factors such as sandstorms and floods can impact battles, forcing players to adapt their strategies.
What’s New in 2024:
Total War: Pharaoh introduces improved AI and enhanced battle mechanics, including more detailed unit animations and physics. New diplomatic options and historical scenarios add further depth to the campaign.
Why Play:
Total War: Pharaoh offers an exciting blend of historical realism and intense tactical battles, perfect for fans of both large-scale strategy and historical settings.
5. Hearts of Iron IV: Rewrite World War II
Developer: Paradox Interactive
Genre: Grand Strategy / World War II Simulation
Platform: PC
Hearts of Iron IV is the go-to game for fans of World War II strategy. Players can take control of any nation during the war and shape the course of history, either by following the historical path or engaging in “what-if” scenarios. This game excels in its depth, offering a robust mix of military tactics, economic management, and diplomacy.
Key Features:
- Complex Military Strategy: Manage divisions, control supply lines, and engage in battles across land, sea, and air.
- Political Ideologies: Guide your country’s political direction, whether by embracing democracy, fascism, or communism.
- Historical Detail: Hearts of Iron IV provides a highly detailed representation of the geopolitical situation during World War II, making it an immersive experience for history enthusiasts.
What’s New in 2024:
Hearts of Iron IV continues to receive expansions that add new countries, scenarios, and alternate history paths. In 2024, the focus has been on refining the naval warfare mechanics and introducing more diverse options for minor nations.
Why Play:
If you’re a fan of military strategy and World War II, Hearts of Iron IV offers a detailed and engaging simulation where you can change the course of history.
6. Manor Lords: A Medieval City-Building Masterpiece
Developer: Slavic Magic
Genre: City Builder / Real-Time Strategy
Platform: PC
Manor Lords is a medieval city-building game that combines deep resource management with real-time tactical combat. Set in the 14th century, the game emphasizes historical accuracy, with players managing settlements, trading, and engaging in tactical battles with neighboring lords.
Key Features:
- City Building and Resource Management: Manage food supplies, trade routes, and taxation while building a thriving medieval city.
- Realistic Tactical Combat: Similar to the early Total War games, Manor Lords features large-scale tactical battles where unit positioning and terrain play critical roles.
- Historical Authenticity: The game’s visual and gameplayManor Lords stands out as one of the most anticipated city-building strategy games of 2024. Developed by Slavic Magic, this game aims to blend historical accuracy with engaging city-building mechanics and real-time tactical combat. Set in a beautifully rendered medieval world, players will oversee the construction of settlements, manage resources, and defend their towns against invaders.
Key Features:
- Deep City-Building Mechanics: In Manor Lords, players build cities from the ground up, managing resources like food, wood, and stone to expand and develop their settlements.
- Historical Accuracy: The game’s attention to detail sets it apart. The developers have placed a strong emphasis on recreating medieval architecture, economics, and society to provide an immersive historical experience.
- Real-Time Combat: While city-building is a core feature, Manor Lords also incorporates real-time tactical combat. Players will command armies and defend their lands, making use of terrain, positioning, and timing in large-scale battles.
Why Play in 2024:
As of its release in early access, Manor Lords is already garnering praise for its attention to detail and immersive gameplay. It’s a must-play for fans of historical city-building games who also crave the excitement of tactical warfare.
7. Company of Heroes 3: Return to the Battlefields of World War II
Developer: Relic Entertainment
Genre: Real-Time Strategy / Tactical Warfare
Platform: PC
Company of Heroes 3 brings the beloved real-time strategy franchise back with a fresh focus on World War II. Known for its intense tactical combat, destructible environments, and immersive narrative-driven campaigns, Company of Heroes has long been considered one of the best RTS franchises in gaming.
Key Features:
- Dynamic Campaign Map: The third entry in the Company of Heroes series introduces a dynamic campaign map where every decision can affect the outcome of battles and the broader war effort.
- Realistic Tactical Combat: The game retains its signature focus on tactical squad combat, where cover, flanking, and suppression play pivotal roles in determining victory.
- Destructible Environments: One of the highlights of the series, players can use the environment to their advantage by destroying buildings to create cover or eliminating enemy strongholds.
What’s New in 2024:
Company of Heroes 3 continues to receive updates, including new factions, additional campaigns, and multiplayer maps. The game’s tactical combat has been refined with more realistic animations and improved AI.
Why Play:
Company of Heroes 3 offers an intense, fast-paced strategy experience that combines historical accuracy with tactical depth. It’s perfect for players who enjoy World War II settings and want an RTS game that rewards strategic thinking and precise execution.
8. Age of Empires IV: Refined Real-Time Strategy for All Players
Developer: Relic Entertainment
Genre: Real-Time Strategy
Platform: PC
Age of Empires IV is a welcome return to the beloved RTS series that has been a cornerstone of PC gaming for decades. Offering a refined real-time strategy experience, Age of Empires IV allows players to relive historical conflicts, manage resources, build armies, and dominate their enemies across various ages.
Key Features:
- Historical Campaigns: Players can take part in historical campaigns that span centuries, controlling civilizations like the Mongols, English, and Chinese.
- Crisp Graphics and Modernized Gameplay: Age of Empires IV keeps the classic RTS feel but with modernized controls, improved graphics, and more detailed unit animations.
- Innovative Mechanics: The game introduces new mechanics, such as the ability to move buildings with nomadic civilizations, adding fresh strategic layers.
What’s New in 2024:
As of 2024, Age of Empires IV continues to thrive with expansions and multiplayer updates. New civilizations and campaigns are frequently added, keeping the gameplay fresh for both single-player and multiplayer modes.
Why Play:
Age of Empires IV is ideal for players looking for a classic real-time strategy experience with modern upgrades. Whether you’re a fan of the original series or a newcomer to RTS, this game is accessible yet packed with depth.
9. Frostpunk 2: Survive the End of the World
Developer: 11 bit studios
Genre: City Builder / Survival Strategy
Platform: PC
Frostpunk 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed Frostpunk, places players in a frozen post-apocalyptic world where managing a city’s survival is your top priority. Combining city-building mechanics with moral choices, the game challenges players to balance the needs of the people with the harsh realities of a world plunged into eternal winter.
Key Features:
- Moral Dilemmas: Like its predecessor, Frostpunk 2 forces players to make difficult moral choices. Will you sacrifice a few to save the many? Or will you strive to maintain order and humanity in an increasingly desperate world?
- Resource Management and Survival: Players must manage dwindling resources like coal, food, and manpower while keeping their population alive in freezing temperatures.
- Advanced Technology and Expansion: In the sequel, players will explore new technologies and expand their city further, but every new development comes with its risks.
Why Play in 2024:
Frostpunk 2 builds on the unique blend of city-building and survival strategy that made the first game a success. Its focus on resource management, strategic planning, and ethical decision-making sets it apart from other strategy games.
10. Phoenix Point: Defend Humanity from Alien Threats
Developer: Snapshot Games
Genre: Turn-Based Strategy / Tactical Combat
Platform: PC
Developed by Julian Gollop, the creator of XCOM, Phoenix Point combines turn-based tactical combat with strategic base management. Players must defend Earth from an evolving alien threat while managing scarce resources and researching new technologies to gain an advantage.
Key Features:
- Evolving Alien Enemies: The alien foes adapt and evolve based on the player’s tactics, creating a dynamic and challenging combat experience.
- Strategic Base Management: Players manage multiple bases, research technologies, and train soldiers, adding a layer of strategy beyond the battlefield.
- Tactical Combat: The game’s turn-based combat features detailed targeting mechanics, allowing players to cripple enemy limbs or destroy environmental cover.
What’s New in 2024:
Phoenix Point has continued to evolve with new expansions and updates, introducing more alien types, additional soldier classes, and expanded storylines.
Why Play:
Phoenix Point offers a challenging and strategic experience for fans of turn-based tactical games. Its deep combat mechanics and evolving enemies provide a fresh take on the genre.
Conclusion: The Best Strategy Games on PC in 2024
Whether you’re into grand strategy games like Crusader Kings III and Europa Universalis IV, real-time tactical combat like Company of Heroes 3, or city-building survival experiences like Frostpunk 2, 2024 has a wealth of exciting strategy titles to offer. These games provide rich, immersive worlds, challenging gameplay, and endless replayability, making them some of the best PC games available today.
If you’re new to the genre or a seasoned veteran, there’s no shortage of Best Strategy Games on PC to choose from this year. Each of these titles brings something unique to the table, ensuring that 2024 will be a great year for fans of strategic gaming.
FAQs:
1. What are the best strategy games on PC in 2024?
The best strategy games for 2024 include Crusader Kings III, Total War: Pharaoh, Europa Universalis IV, Stellaris, and Frostpunk 2. These games offer a mix of real-time and turn-based strategy, covering historical, futuristic, and city-building themes.
2. Are there any new strategy games released in 2024?
Yes, several new strategy games have been released in 2024, such as Total War: Pharaoh and Manor Lords. Additionally, older titles like Crusader Kings III and Stellaris continue to receive expansions and updates.
3. Which strategy games focus on historical settings?
For players interested in historical strategy games, Total War: Pharaoh, Crusader Kings III, and Europa Universalis IV are top picks, offering detailed historical settings ranging from ancient Egypt to the medieval period.
4. What is the best space strategy game in 2024?
Stellaris remains one of the best space-based strategy games in 2024. It offers galaxy-spanning exploration, diplomacy, and warfare in a procedurally generated universe.
5. Are there any good city-building strategy games for 2024?
Yes, Frostpunk 2 and Manor Lords are among the top city-building strategy games in 2024. These games offer deep resource management and survival mechanics combined with immersive city-building features.
6. What is the difference between real-time and turn-based strategy games?
In real-time strategy (RTS) games, actions unfold in real-time, requiring quick decision-making (e.g., Total War series). Turn-based strategy games (TBS) allow players to take turns making moves (e.g., Civilization), allowing more time for planning.
7. Can I play strategy games on PC with friends?
Yes, many strategy games like Stellaris and Hearts of Iron IV offer multiplayer modes, allowing players to compete or collaborate in strategic campaigns with friends.
8. What are grand strategy games?
Grand strategy games, like Crusader Kings III and Europa Universalis IV, involve managing complex political, military, and economic systems over long periods, typically at the national or empire level. These games often have high replayability due to their intricate mechanics and sandbox worlds.
