Let’s face it: sometimes button-mashing and flashy combos just don’t cut it. You want a challenge that makes you sweat; not from reflexes, but from thinking. That’s the magic ofstrategygames where every decision can mean victory, defeat or an epic, face-palming disaster. And gone are the days when strategy games were all about clunky menus and endless spreadsheets. On thePS5, they’re bigger, bolder and more immersive than ever.
10 Best Strategy Games Of All Time
We’ve polled the writers of Hardcore Gamer and found our definitive top strategy games, all of which make you plan, think and execute.
From commanding cursed pirate crews to surviving icy apocalypses, these games will push your brainpower to its limits and keep you hooked for hours or days. From turn-based tactics to real-time decisions, there’s a strategy game here for everyone – newbies, veterans and everyone in between.
10Baldur’s Gate 3
Turn-Based Strategy Game That Forces You to Make Moral Decisions in a Bid to Save Yourself and the World
Baldur’s Gate 3
Baldur’s Gate 3 throws you into a world filled with magic, danger and a whole lot of questionable moral choices. You wake up with a mind-controlling parasite in your brain and must team up with an unlikely bunch of misfits to save yourself and the world.
Review: Baldur’s Gate III
Baldur’s Gate III is one of those rare games that’s nearly flawless in its execution and should be experienced by every RPG fan.
Battles are like a chess match – position your party, exploit the environment and unleash devastating combos. Want to shove an enemy off a cliff? Go for it. Want to cast a fireball into a barrel of oil? Don’t hold back! Every decision you make matters. Do you charm an NPC or threaten them? Will you save the town…or burn it down? Your choices affect not just the story, but also how characters see you.
9Tropico 6
Rule Over Your Own Nation as a Good Leader or Dictator
Ever wanted to run your own island nation where you make the rules? That’s what you get from Tropico 6, a real-time strategy game where you’re El Presidente – the ruler of a gorgeous Caribbean paradise. Whether you’re a kind leader or a dictator, it’s all up to you. Your mission is to build, manage and lead your nation through the ages, from colonial times to the modern era.
you’re able to start small, with farms and colonial houses, then grow your island empire into a bustling modern metropolis. Oh and did I mention you can manage multiple islands? Connect them with bridges and watch your tropical utopia thrive!
8Marvel’s Midnight Suns
Stop the Forces of Darkness by Leading a Team of Marvel Superheroes
Marvel’s Midnight Suns
InMarvel’s Midnight Suns, you are leading your dream team ofsuperheroes– like Iron Man, Wolverine and Doctor Strange – into epic battles against the forces of darkness. As the Hunter, you are on a mission to stop Lilith, the Mother of Demons, from unleashing apocalyptic chaos.
Review: Marvel’s Midnight Suns
Between the tactical combat and day-to-day activities at the Abbey, Marvel’s Midnight Suns is an absolute joy.
Every mission is a tactical, turn-based showdown. Each hero and you and the Hunter has a deck of cards representing their powers—ranging from explosive attacks to powerful support abilities. Before a mission, you pick three heroes, combine their decks and then draw cards each turn to unleash devastating moves.
7Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew
Command a Pirate Ship and Embark on Treasure Hunts
As captain of The Red Marley, your job is to recruit a band of cursed pirates, and lead them on daring treasure hunts across stunning Caribbean islands. Your crew isn’t your average bunch of pirates – they’ve got powers. Afia can teleport, Mr. Mercury manipulates time and Suleidy can sprout cover from thin air. Each character brings unique abilities that make every mission a creative playground.
Plan every move like a true pirate mastermind. Sneak past guards, set traps and use the environment to your advantage. Want to go all-in on chaos or keep it clean and quiet? It’s your call.
6King Arthur: Knight’s Tale
King Arthur: Knight’s Tale
King Arthur: Knight’s Tale takes you back to the Avalon island, but this time, you’re not playing the noble King or the shining Sir Lancelot – you’re Sir Mordred, the villain turned reluctant hero. Having resurrected alongside King Arthur, it’s now up to you to decide how to rule a cursed kingdom.
You’ll control your knights in turn-based tactical battles where every move counts. Each knight comes with their own unique skills and stories. But beware: their loyalty can shift and corruption can turn them into dangerous enemies.
5Age of Wonders 4
Conquer Magical Realms and Build a Powerful Empire
Age Of Wonders 4
In Age of Wonders 4, you’ll be leading a faction of fearless orcs, wise elves or mystical creatures to conquer magical realms. This isn’t just “throw some troops at the enemy and hope for the best” kind of TBS game. The enemies look tough and they’ve positioned their archers on high ground. What do you do? Flank them with cavalry? Summon a magical storm to disrupt their formation? The choice is yours and every move counts.
It’s not just about how strong your units are – it’s about how smart you play. Position your troops, use the terrain and unleash devastating power to turn the tide of battle in your favor.
4Jagged Alliance 3
Build a Team of Mercenaries to Rescue the President
Jagged Alliance 3
Jagged Alliance 3 sets you up on a mission to save a nation in chaos while managing a team of mercenaries. You are on the search for the kidnapped president, President Notemba, who has mysteriously vanished, leaving the country teetering on the edge of collapse. But with rebel factions, criminal gangs and rival mercenary forces roaming the land, this is no walk in the park.
Your team of hired guns isn’t just about firepower – they’re unpredictable, full of quirks and occasionally hard to handle. Keeping them alive, well-equipped, and (relatively) happy is a challenge in itself. And when it comes to its turn-based combat, a strategy that helps me is to always take cover. Position your mercenaries behind walls, trees or anything sturdy to minimize damage.
3Anno 1800: Console Edition
You are the Architect of a Flourishing 19th-Century Empire
Just like in most city building games, you start small – a humble settlement on a lush island – in Anno 1800: Console Edition. From there, it’s all about expansion. Build factories, set up trade routes and keep your citizens satisfied by providing for their needs.
The twist is that the Industrial Revolution didn’t just bring growth – it brought complexity. Pollution, class struggles and diplomacy with rival powers will test your leadership skills at every turn. Anno 1800 spices things up with naval warfare. You will build a fleet of ships, arm them to the teeth and take control of the seas.
2Frostpunk 2
Build a Thriving City in a Dying World
Frostpunk 2
Just like Manor Lords, you will engage in a lot of building, managing resources and making tough calls to keep humanity alive inFrostpunk 2. Frostpunk 2 isn’t about swinging swords or shooting lasers, but the stakes are just as high. The combat here is all about strategy and survival.
Your city is a pressure cooker of conflicting ideologies. Religious zealots, pragmatic engineers and other groups will clash. Your job? Manage their demands without sparking rebellion – or a civil war. When disasters hit (and they will), you’ll need to act fast. A storm might wipe out your food supply or dissenters could stir up trouble. Think of these crises as your battlefield, where quick thinking and good planning are your weapons.
1Darkest Dungeon 2
Guide a Rickety Stagecoach across a Creepy, Cursed Landscape
Darkest Dungeon 2
Darkest Dungeon 2takes you on a bumpy ride as you lead a band of misfits through a grim, nightmarish world. Along the way, you’ll gather resources, face terrifying enemies, and manage the sanity of your heroes. And the bad guys aren’t just there to take a beating – they have abilities designed to ruin your day. Expect poison, stress attacks and debuffs galore.
In Darkest Dungeon 2 turn-based combat, where your heroes stand in the lineup isn’t just important – it’s everything. Tanks are best in the front rows, soaking up damage and dishing out heavy hits while Heroes like the Grave Robber or Plague Doctor excel from the back, launching deadly attacks or healing from a safe distance.
The 10 Best PS5 Roguelikes
Roguelike fans are spoiled for choice on PlayStation 5. Here are the ten best that everyone who has the system should try.
