Strategy games have always been immensely popular, ever since the early days of Dune 11, which was arguably the first ever real time strategy game for PC. Strategy games are all about engaging your mind, planning ahead and devising tactics in order to overcome challenges. Most PC strategy games are played in real time, where events happen in real time and players have to think on their feet.
In turn-based strategy, players take it in turns to move and the game only progresses once the player accomplishes what they need to. Whether you are a seasoned gamer or discovering the genre for the first time, here is a round-up of the best strategy games for the PC.
Star Craft
Star Craft was first released in 1998 and has since spawned a number of hugely popular sequels. Star Craft is one of the best-selling games of all time and received strong reviews when it was originally released. A real time space epic, the game comprises three different species, each with its own distinct strength and weakness that must battle to dominate a distant part of the galaxy.
Civilization V
Civilization V is the fifth instalment of the ground breaking trilogy, which is widely recognised as one of the greatest PC games of all time. The player leads a small tribe of people at the dawn of history and guides them through the ages as they strive to become a mighty empire. Players can fend off attacks, wage war, conduct negotiations and capture new territory in a bid to become the most powerful civilisation on Earth.
Plants Vs. Zombies
This award winning, all action strategy game has colourful, cartoonish graphics and annoyingly catchy music to appeal to a wider gaming fan base. Trapped in a house, the player must wage war on waves of approaching zombies using a variety of plant-like weapons including pea shooting plants, cherry bombs and potato mines.
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 11 – Chaos Rising
This 2009 instalment from the Warhammer franchise is set in a futuristic fantasy world. The player has four races to command and must lead an army on a brutal mission to save the galaxy. Attack enemies on battlefields and lead and develop your squad from new recruits to battle hardened heroes.
The Sims 2
The Sims 2 is the sequel to the best-selling original which first took the gaming world by storm back in 2000. Voted best game of 2004 and widely recognised as the best in the franchise, the Sims 2 features realistic characters, 3D graphics and extensive building and decorating options. Live a virtual life and go to school, find a job, have a relationship and adopt children.
Ever since chess was first played in the 16th century, people have been fascinated by strategy games, where you plan ahead and deploy tactics before moving to the next challenge. Fast forward to the electronic age and an ever more sophisticated raft of strategy games offers the player an adrenaline fuelled slice of entertainment on your PC.
Simon Evans is a games developer who writes on the subject for a range of websites and blogs. He is always looking for the best strategy games for the PC as new titles come out.
