Turn-based strategies are considered one of the oldest genres in the gaming industry, which is still very popular. Some developers have become famous for a series of games in this category, others annually try to create their own project, which will be among the best representatives of the style. The most worthy games of the genre will be described in an article mentioning masterpieces of all time.
Open list
The Gremlins, Inc. project failed to enter the top ten turn-based strategies, but it deserves the attention of fans of steampunk and card battles. The plot tells about the existence of a powerful corporation in the world of steam technology. This organization encroached on higher goals and must pay for its ambitions. In this universe, corruption and theft flourish, and the player will have to deal with such manifestations. The user is dealt six cards, and on the playing field he moves with their help, earning points along the way. In the finals, the one with the largest number will win. The presence of cards brings variety to the gameplay, because they can be used in different ways.
Space epic
The game called Master of Orion was not included in the list of the best turn-based strategies only because of its narrow specialization and worthy competitors. All events take place somewhere in outer space, and a typical war was invented as a plot. Only now, ten different races are fighting in it with their own characteristics and inclinations to certain actions. The user takes leadership over one of the factions and begins his victorious march in the galaxy. The open space of outer space allows you to develop your state at a rapid pace. If you first have to focus on the main base to strengthen your position, then later you can develop colonies, even at remote points. In the game, the main attention will have to be paid to building up military strength, maintaining a stable economy and diplomatic relations. Here everyone can build their strategy on the path to victory, which will be suitable for the person’s playing style.
Extraordinary wild west
For fans of cowboy stories who are looking for something new and different , the game Hard West would be the perfect option. She got into the list of the best turn-based strategies thanks to an interesting plot, intuitive gameplay and an original setting. The user will plunge into the universe of cowboys, where shootouts using revolvers and using magic are equivalent activities. The plot tells eight stories of the inhabitants of this world through which an understanding of what is happening in the game will come. Since there is the lion's share of fantasy, it is worth preparing for the fight against demons and other creatures. The battles take place step by step, each character has his own characteristics, equipment, and skills for owning weapons. The outcome of the battle will depend on the successful construction in battle. Due to the lack of global step-by-step elements and separate stories, the project can only be placed in tenth place.
Global governance
In ninth place in the ranking of the best turn-based strategies on the PC is a highly specialized game called Endless Legend. The game takes place in a world of pure fantasy on the planet Auriga. Eleven unique nations are fighting for survival on it and the spheres of influence. The campaign for each race will be unique, and therefore the project will not bother the player several times. Moreover, all nations have unique units and battle tactics. The gameplay is divided into two components - a global map and battles. In the first case, the user controls his state, and in the second, he conducts tactical battles. Battles take place with the formation of enemies, the designation of goals and their control in battle. The elaborate world of Auriga deserves special attention, where each element is like hand-made. The ninth position was awarded for too narrow specialization, as well as a huge number of trace elements in management.
Perfect fantasy
The third part of the Age of Wonders series is the best in this series, because it combines the most optimal aspects from previous projects. The setting was chosen fantasy mixed with fiction, which attracts many players. Users are invited to the gameplay on the global strategic map and tactical battles. The developers took care of the variety, and therefore added a lot of peoples and battle classes. The user chooses a side in the confrontation in order to build his own majestic empire. Neighboring locations must be explored so that later it is possible to attach them to your own territory. Battles are made in a classic turn-based style, but with a lower entry threshold for beginners. To win, you will have to calculate much less aspects than in the aforementioned project. The game causes a lot of interests, but in many ways loses to the following competitors from the list, and therefore - eighth place.
Russian development
The King`s Bounty series deserves its seventh place in the list of the best turn-based strategies, since at one time it brought a new breath to the genre. Events unfold in fairy kingdoms, where various races live (people, elves, orcs, vampires) that fight among themselves for a place in the sun. The first two parts are considered the most attractive, in which classic adventures are most interestingly perceived in the surrounding world. The scenery in this series can be considered one of the clear advantages. Light colors, simple and understandable dialogues for people, traveling around the colorful world - all this created a layer for the formation of an army of fans. Classic fights are beautifully designed thanks to the presence of many unique soldiers, as well as the abilities of the protagonist. They take place step by step on the cell field, which is familiar to old fans of the genre. In total, the series takes seventh place for uniformity in future parts, which served as low ratings and outflow of fans.
Space in all its glory
The game Endless Space has a special place in the list of turn-based strategies on the PC, because it is the best project of the genre of space. Adventures in uncharted galaxies begin with the fact that the user selects a fraction and its home planet. To approach this lesson is extremely careful, because it will affect the style of the future game. Each nation has such vast characteristics that it will behave uniquely in diplomacy, military affairs, state development, and even research. Developers do not limit the user in ways to achieve victory. The only minor drawback is the predominant influence of the economy on the construction of its own empire. The rest of the players are given maximum freedom for action. Diplomacy can be no less a tool in skillful hands than a large army. Only sixth place was given to this game because there are legends or more interesting masterpieces in the top five.
The opening of the five leaders
In the list of turn-based strategies, the first two parts of the Disciples series should be singled out among the best applicants. The continuation was not very successful, but the original projects have a whole army of fans. The universe of dark fantasy attracts users, and a well-developed world with an interesting history has contributed to its success. Each race here has its own state and defends its own interests - the Empire of the people, Mountain Clans of the Dwarves, Hordes of the undead and the like. The user selects one of the parties to the conflict, after which he gets access to the construction of the capital in a certain region with unique buildings and effects. The character’s mercenary army will also depend on the chosen race. Depending on the plot tasks, the player will seize territories, conduct reconnaissance or defend with his armies. The project was inspired by the ideas of the Heroes series, although it also managed to get the title of a cult. For his services, he gets the fifth place in the TOP.
World legend
The series “Heroes of Might and Magic” appeared back in the distant 90s and it is not in vain that it is included in the list of the best turn-based strategies on a PC. The first two parts became pioneers in the genre and formed the universe. World success and recognition to the line of projects came only in 1999, when the third sequel was born. The popularity of Heroes of Might and Magic 3 was so great that some fans continue to play it after two decades. During this time, fans have created many of their own cards that are not inferior to the original. In the future, the series befell the fate of many legendary developments. Subsequent parts failed to jump above the third part of the bar. Fans with the appearance of all the sequels were indignant and declared the unsurpassed classics. The fourth and fifth games in a row were ambiguous, and the sixth and seventh too changed due to current trends. Due to the fall, the series takes fourth place, but continues to be in the status of a legend.
Custom third place
Judging by all the canons of the genre, the series The Banner Saga can only partially be included in the list of the best turn-based strategies for the entire existence of the genre. There is no global map, and actions outside the battle can be called tactical, and yet the project is brilliant in its simplicity. The dense atmosphere of fantasy, which resembles Scandinavian myths, envelops the player from the very first minutes. The story is told on behalf of several characters who became leaders of a large group of people and warl. The caravan moves from place to place, because on the tail they are chased by the magical creatures of the dredge. The story develops depending on the decisions made, and therefore the plot is formed by the player himself. The battle here is made in a classic turn-based style with its own elements. Each hero can be pumped, he has his own parameters of attack, armor, will and a special skill. To enter the leaders of the series does not allow an admixture of other genres, as well as powerful competition.
Buildings of their own civilization
In the genre, turn-based strategy games do not always deserve international recognition. As in any other category, there are mastodons that are hard to beat. The Civilization series belongs to their number, because the first parts gave rise to the genre, and the subsequent ones only increased the army of fans. The fifth project, which fans of the genre must have installed on computers, is considered the most successful. The gameplay is to manage your civilization on a historical map of the world. By connecting economic, military and diplomatic influence, the user must develop the state in every way. The game begins in ancient times, when mankind only began to comprehend the secrets of science. You have to get to the time when humanity will be able to equip colonies in space, and therefore long hours of wonderful entertainment are provided. The series does not take first place only because of the power of its competitor.
Giant series
The list of the best turn-based strategies on PC is deservedly led by a series of projects under the general name Total War. No other games are able to immerse in a certain era as it is done here. It all started with the first Shogun masterpiece, at the moment the line has twelve projects. In 2018, two more are planned to be released, which will send users to China and the UK from different times. Developers before each of their creations choose an era, work out a global map of those times on the basis of historical data. Much attention is paid to troops that can be controlled in real time. The battles here can be so exciting that they take tens of hours of life. In the series there were not very successful games, for example, "Empire" or "Napoleon", but against the background of the "Middle Ages 2" or "Rome-2" they are simply lost amid fans cries about the genius of the line.
Version for PC and Android
If we talk about the best turn-based strategies on Android and PC at the same time, then XCOM: Enemy Unknown will go ahead of the whole genre. The series was revived almost twenty years after the original was released. The organization of the same name was created due to the close threat of an alien invasion of Earth. Players will take control of trained elite unit fighters and begin resistance against peoples from other planets. A huge number of missions to be performed by users, including building their own base. All actions on the map are step-by-step, as are battles. The plot deserves special attention, and the number of possible actions with the improvement of fighters will not let you get bored. The project is available even on mobile platforms.