2025 was a very strong year for the strategy genre, regardless of your particular tastes. Whether you like turn-based number crunching or relaxing business simulations, you're sure to find a new love. We also saw the long-awaited return of the King of 4X, a new era of historic city-building, and the reveal of Paradox's next generation.
But 2025 wasn't just about sequels. It was a year defined by tactical diversity, from gritty modern warfare simulators to deck-building brawls that punch well above their weight. This year we've delivered a real masterclass in logistics and leadership, and here are some of our favorites.
Two Point Museum
Two Point Studios has mastered the art of “management simulation with a sense of humor,” and for some, Two Point Museum is their best work (I love it, but as a Bullfrog-loving millennial, I still think Two Point Hospital is the GOAT). Moving away from the life-or-death issues of hospitals (and modern academia), these items allow for more creativity in layout and decoration than ever before.
15 Best PC Games of All Time (Ranked)
Both legacy and new games have their place.
The core loop of dispatching experts to find artifacts and designing the perfect exhibit to wow your guests is incredibly satisfying. It's not just about managing queues. You're curating knowledge (and a gift shop). It's engaging, low-stress, and immersive, making it the perfect palate cleanser for the more stressful war games on this list.
Commandos: Origins
The real-time stealth tactics genre has been experiencing something of a renaissance lately, so it's only fitting that the granddaddy of the genre returns to show everyone how it's done. Origins serves as a sequel, reuniting the Green Beret and his squad for a World War II sabotage mission that requires patience, timing, and precision.
The level design is excellent, providing a sandbox of guards and lines of sight that encourages creative problem solving rather than forcing a single path. It honors its roots while smoothing out the clunky interface of the early 2000s, making it accessible to new users without alienating hardcore fans who have been waiting for this reunion for decades.
Tempest Rising
While other games pursue hyper-realistic simulations, Tempest Rising embraces the glory of '90s arcade action with open arms. It's an unapologetic love letter to Command & Conquer, complete with base-building and distinctly asymmetrical factions (albeit missing the classic, obvious cutscenes).
The soundtrack rips, the units react, and the campaign is a nostalgic delight that reminds us why we fell in love with RTS games. This proves that the classic formula is not dead. It just needed a modern paint job and the right attitude. If you miss the days of harvesting Tiberium (or 'Tempest' vines), this is the game you've been waiting for.
9 kings
Every year there's an indie hit that swallows up hundreds of hours of your time, and in 2025 that game is 9 Kings for me. Yes. It's just another roguelike deck-builder game, but it manages to do something impressive. It's noticeable right away. This game combines the tactical movement of tower defense and the power fantasy of new games. How persuasive is that?.
You play as a monarch defending a kingdom, crafting units and spells to take on an increasingly unfair enemy board. The “just one more run” element is at risk here. The synergies between units allow for mind-boggling combos, and while the presentation is minimal, the strategic depth is maximum, making it easy to find a place here.
See Also: The King Is Watch is looking forward to the release of another primo indie strategy this year with roguelike elements, especially the King.
Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition
Nostalgia is a powerful medicine, but Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition proves that great game design is timeless. Firefly Studios has lovingly restored the fan-favorite castle simulation, upgrading the visuals to crisp 4K while retaining the charming 2D sprite work.
New campaign missions give veterans their due, and a modernized UI finally makes managing the economy feel like a joy rather than a chore. But the real star is still the punishing yet compelling 'Crusader Trail'. Hearing the Caliph scream while frantically repairing the wall brings out a certain kind of stress that we didn't realize we were missing so much.
Jurassic World: Evolution 3
Jurassic World Evolution 3 was widely acclaimed as an entry that finally allowed the series to reach its full potential, thanks to two important additions that fans had been asking for for a long time.
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First, the introduction of a comprehensive dinosaur rearing and frying system brings a new level of long-term planning and emotional investment, requiring managers to guide an entire generation of prehistoric life.
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Second, new modular construction tools give players creative freedom, allowing for detailed terrain manipulation, such as the ultra-powerful Planet Coaster or Planet Zoo atmosphere, to create truly unique, naturalistic enclosures that live up to the promise of the franchise.
It's victorious, it's beautiful, it's totally stressful Management Sim. If you want to take a closer look at this series, the most recent entry is undoubtedly the best point.
Final Fantasy Tactics: Ivalice Chronicles
For years, the tactical RPG genre has been chasing the shadow of the original Final Fantasy Tactics, and with The Ivalice Chronicles, Square Enix has finally reminded everyone why it wears the crown. This isn't just a remaster. It's a comprehensive revamp that unifies Ivalice's story while retaining the gritty political drama that made the original a masterpiece.
The game features beautiful, enhanced visuals that honor the original sprites, fully voiced cutscenes, and minor quality-of-life tweaks to smooth out the gameplay experience without sacrificing depth. It feels like a solid way to experience one of the greatest stories in gaming history, perfectly bridging the gap between nostalgia and modern design sensibilities.
Anno 117: Pax Romana
Anno 117: Pax Romana swaps aqueducts in the industrial chimneys of the past, challenging players to manage the vast bureaucracy of the Roman Empire across different regions. Taking on the role of governor isn't just about building a city. You're navigating a storied path that forces you to choose between enforcing Roman law or embracing local traditions to project power and fuel your economic engine.
The genius of this entry is that it focuses on dual maps. That means striking a balance between the disciplined, marble-clad heart of Latium and the foggy, rebellious marshes of Albion. It's visually stunning, mechanically deep, and offers a satisfyingly complex web of trade routes that demands perfectionism. Whether appeasing the Senate or suppressing a Celtic rebellion, Anno 117 is a triumph of city-building design.
Europa Universalis 5
Despite being released late this year, Europa Universalis 5 has potentially become the biggest hit out of all the games on this list. It really helped me, known as the Paradox head among my friends.
EU5 takes elements from several games and combines them into a new flagship system that feels like Paradox Grand Strategy. I always wanted. It's a truly impressive beast that promises endless replayability. This is an evolution from previous games in the series. The very “pop” of empires now belong to specific social classes, religions, and cultures, making conquest a real logistical and social challenge rather than a mere map-drawing exercise.
It's the most detailed and ambitious historical sandbox the studio has ever built, allowing for a level of role-playing and economic management that made previous iterations feel shallow in comparison.
Sid Meier's Civilization 7
The King is back to reclaim his throne, and this is probably the most confident launch in franchise history. Civilization 7 released at the beginning of the year and immediately dominated the conversation, proving that Firaxis isn't afraid to break its own rules. The new Ages system maintains the engaging gameplay of its predecessor while radically altering the course of history and adding a much-needed twist.
The developers addressed the late-game stagnation that often plagued previous entries by allowing leaders to develop their civilization's identity at key historical turning points. A bolder, more dynamic 4X experience that feels comfortable and familiar yet refreshingly unpredictable, giving us the depth to play well into the next decade. Just one more turn.
Best sandbox game
The sandbox genre includes dozens of different games. Here's a list of the best titles you can enjoy on console and PC.
