Strategy games are always fun regardless of what types you like to play. They can be played alone, against multiple computer players or with other players online. That is what makes them so unique. When you buy a such a game, you are looking for one that will keep you busy for hours and can’t just be beat within the first day of owning it. They take time and skill to master especially the further you move up in difficulties. They truly are one of the best game types out there and for that reason we have compiled a top 10 list of best strategy games for 2012. Some of these must be bought in order to play but some are completely free online. Check them out and leave us some feedback as to what you think. We are always interested in adding to our list.
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty – Starcraft II is a military science fiction real-time strategy video game and holds the top spot in our list for a number of reasons. This long awaited squeal to the original Starcraft is here with better graphics and even a better overall design. For those of you that don’t know what Starcraft II is all about, you simply build and control an army of troops and vehicles to ultimately control the whole battlefield. This is pretty much the basics behind all strategic games but the developers of Startcraft seem to do a terrific job on it.
Empire: Total War – Empire: Total War is new real time strategy game that allows its players to battle on the high seas or on land. It is based in the 1700′s which was the era when the United States was founded and warfare across oceans became so popular. Empire: Total War recently implemented a brand new multiplayer component which includes completely new game modes as well as player rankings and leagues. Command your fleets at sea and your armies on land to become the ruler of the world.
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos - Warcraft III is another real time strategy video game that hit the market hard. It sold over 1 million copies the first month and continued to become a best seller. It features not only a single player campaign mode with 5 campaigns but also a multiplayer mode where two teams battle it out until only one remains. Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos has more of an animated look to it and features characters such as Orcs and Elves. It’s just an outstanding game that is filled with all the charm and detail that every person dreams of.
Age of Empires III – Age of Empires III is set mostly in the new world between the 1400′s and the 1800′s. There are two different ways for players to ultimately win this game; an economic win which is based on the collection of resources and gold as well as a military victory which is mainly eliminating all of your opponents. Age of Empires III also features 3 modes which include single player skirmish, story based campaigns and online multiplayer skirmish. It is truly amazing to play with tons of features and is a top notch strategic game.
Supreme Commander - This real time strategy game was released in 2007 and still has not lost its presence on the top 10 list. The game is mainly focused on using a giant bot called an Armored Command Unit to build yourself a base and ultimately a massive tech army. Players can choose to command one of three nations which include the Aeon Illuminate, the Cybran Nation and the United Earth Federation. Supreme Commander was not the first of its kind but wowed its users with amazing graphics and design. If you ask me, it will never lose its popularity within the gaming community.
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II – Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II is a military based science fiction real time strategic video game released in 2009. It has a heavy focus on defensive play rather than offensive like in most games like it and emphasizes methods of dealing with units in cover. Warhammer also features a campaign mode that can be played as a single player or in cooperative mode. It has the same look and feel as most strategic games but still does have a lot to offer.
Company of Heroes – This real time strategy video game is set during the time of World War 2. The single player campaign mode allows players to conrol two U.S. military units during the Allied Liberation of France as well as the Battle of Normandy. The multiplayer mode allows as many as 8 players to battle against one another for ultimate control of the land. I think what set Company of Heroes apart from all other strategic games is that it set during a time in our history that everyone has heard of. Players love to re-live history like this even if it is through a game.
Civilization V – The Civilization series has come a long way since the original one was released through its graphics, gameplay and design. Civilization V is a great example of this and has even more features than all the other games in the series. Players simply lead a civilization, starting thousands of years ago, into the future. Players can pick out of 18 different nations to represent as their civilization and each and everyone has its own unique capabilities. There are multiple ways to receive a victory in Civilization V which include a world domination victory, a cultural victory, a diplomatic victory and a scientific victory.
Medieval II: Total War - This is the fourth game in the Total War series and is a great real time strategic game like the rest of the ones on the top 10 list. As the title mentions, the Medieval series takes place in the medieval times and is played the same way as the rest of the games above. Players control a massive army and try to conquer the rest of the players in the game. This can be done both in the campaign mode or the mutiplayer mode. The only difference is that in multiplayer mode, you are obviously playing real live players.
World In Conflict – World In Conflict is a real time tactical video game that is set during the period of the Cold War when the Soviet Union collapsed. This game does not offer base-building or resource gathering like almost all other strategic games but instead it offers players a pre-determined amount of “reinforcement” points. These points are subtracted from your total when you purchase army units which have a 20 second wait time for arrival. When these units are killed or destroyed, those points used to purchase them are put back into your total.
Best Strategy Games 2012 - Top 10,