So, you’ve decided to dive into the world of strategy games. Maybe you watched a pro StarCraft match and thought, “I could do that”. Perhaps your friends keep raving about their latest Civilization VI conquests. Whatever the reason, strategy games are a mix of brainpower, creativity, chaos, and control (paradoxically). But let’s be real: they can also feel like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded while riding a unicycle. Why do some players make it look effortless while you’re still figuring out how to build a basic farm? Several factors can play a part here. In fact, figuring out strategy games is not a singular event you strive towards. It is multiple different aspects most people overlook. We help you break them down.
What Even Is a Strategy Game?
Hey, if you grew up in the ’90s or 00’s, I know you don’t need an explanation. However, strategy games are less and less popular with new-gen gamers. In a gaming world overwhelmed with FPS games on every corner, strategy games are not quite the popular kid in school.
At its core, a strategy game is any game where your decisions—not your reflexes—determine success. Think chess, but with more explosions. The genre includes everything from turn-based classics like Civilization to real-time showdowns like Age of Empires. These games demand planning, adaptability, and the ability to outthink opponents, whether they’re AI or your overly competitive cousin. Key elements include:
- Resource management: Balancing gold, troops, and tech upgrades.
- Long-term planning: Building an empire while anticipating enemy moves.
- Decision trees: Every choice branches into consequences (good luck predicting them all).
Strategy games have roots in war simulations (thanks, Napoleon), but modern titles stretch into sci-fi, fantasy, and even city-building. The genre has exploded in popularity—Steam charts show strategy games consistently ranking in the top 10 most-played categories, with titles like Total War: Warhammer pulling in millions of players.
The Types of Strategy Games (and Which One You Should Try First)
Okay, so have you ever seen those ads on your phone for a game where you place a unit, and it automatically fights incoming waves? Yeah, that can be viewed as a strategy game. However, the term expands much further than this. In fact, those types of games are like a drop of water on the tip of the iceberg.
Much like everything in relation to strategy games, the types of them can also become overwhelming. To put it shortly, here are some of the most common types you will run into:
Real-Time Strategies (RTS)
Fast-paced, multitasking under pressure while your farm is on fire and your units are under attack; oh my God, I have to sell these resources on the market, type of game. The biggest appeal of these games comes from the feeling of power essentially. You control every bit of your kingdom, empire, city or town. Players manage resources, build structures, and command armies simultaneously while responding to threats.
Games like StarCraft and Age of Empires require quick decision-making and strategic planning under intense conditions. This environment creates an invigorating experience, with the constant need to adapt, making each victory feel earned and empowering. The combination of resource management and tactical combat makes RTS games challenging and rewarding for players.
Turn-Based Strategies(TBS) are great for beginners figuring out strategy games
Now, we are up my alley. If you are just figuring out strategy games, turn-based games offer a much slower pace. Although they are complex most of the time, they are also slower. Unlike RTS, you don’t have to rush everything; you can take things slow. The turns usually last as long as you want, especially vs AI. This creates a dynamic that is much more forgiving. This is in the sense that you will most likely remember everything you need to do.
Games like Civilization are at the forefront of this genre. Offering players amazing empire-building options, Civilization excels at strategizing in turns. All of their games offer various historical civilizations to choose from. Moreover, each of these civilizations has its own perks, so you can play according to your strengths.
Tower Defense (TD)
Tower Defense (TD) games are all about strategic placement and resource management. Players build defensive structures along a predetermined path to stop waves of enemies from reaching their base. Games like Plants vs. Zombies and Bloons TD 6 showcase the genre’s addictive nature. Each offers unique twists on tower types and enemy behaviors.
Modern TD games often blend elements from other genres. For example, 3 Minute Heroes combines RTS and deck-building mechanics, while Isle of Arrows incorporates puzzle elements. Key strategies include “mazing” (creating winding paths to prolong enemy exposure) and upgrading towers to handle increasingly tough waves. With diverse enemy types and tower abilities, TD games provide endless replayability as players experiment with different strategies to outsmart their foes.
Grand Strategies
These games are a completely different ball game, where you get to control entire nations or empires across a massive span of time. Grand strategy isn’t concerned with the tactical battles of other strategy games. However, it’s all about making those top-level decisions and tends to avoid tactical combat in favor of overall planning. You must balance tricky things such as diplomacy, economics, and military might in order to succeed. So, if you’re figuring out strategy games, I’d suggest steering clear of grand strategies for now.
- Long-term Planning: Grand strategy games revolve around planning several years ahead, resource management, and deciding on consequences.
- Diplomacy and Economy Management: Where players will need to negotiate alliances and trade agreements and keep a healthy economy.
- Military Strategy: So, in contrast to most RTS games where you’re controlling units, grand strategies are more about high-level military planning and resource management.
- Some of the popular ones include Hearts of Iron, Europa Universalis, and Crusader Kings.
They provide you with this fantastic historical setting where you can really get to decide what happens to nations by playing with resources and making good decisions.
What Makes Strategy Games Feel Like a Mental Bootcamp?
Strategy games are like mental boot camps because they challenge you in many ways at once. They overload your brain with multitasking, requiring you to manage resources, anticipate enemy moves, and make quick decisions under pressure.
These games also test your memory and adaptability. You need to recall past moves, adjust strategies mid-game, and predict future outcomes. Critical thinking is key; you must evaluate situations carefully and plan ahead.
To thrive in this environment, start with simpler strategy games before moving on to more complex ones. Practice regularly to develop planning skills over time. Analyze your mistakes instead of getting discouraged—losses are valuable learning opportunities.
Tips to Go From Rookie to Strategist Without Crying
To become a skilled strategist, start by choosing a game that fits your style. If you like fast-paced action, try Age of Empires. For something more relaxed, go with Civilization.
Learn the basics through tutorials or introductory campaigns. Then, dive into online forums where pros share their strategies and tips. You can also turn to YouTube or Twitch to gain more insight. Don’t be afraid to copy build orders from experienced players—it’s a great way to learn.
Don’t fear failure; use losses as learning opportunities. Practice against AI opponents before jumping into multiplayer matches. This helps you refine your skills without the pressure of competing against humans. It is important for me to note that multiplayer is vastly different than AI. People are more unpredictable and, oftentimes, much more “nefarious” in these games. They will make use of every weakness they see.
Create a safe space for learning by adjusting game settings if needed. In games like Stellaris, this means setting up scenarios with fewer threats so you can focus on basic mechanics. In Civilization games, you can tweak the starting locations, resource multipliers, fewer barbarians, etc.
Stay patient and persistent. Consistent practice is key! Keep improving, and don’t get discouraged by setbacks. With time and effort, you’ll transform from rookie to strategist without shedding any tears!
Strategies are Like RPGs
Look at you, a valiant king protecting his people from the harm of others. Or maybe a leader of a civilization that started from slings and is now building a rocket to go to the Moon. Hell, maybe your nation just suffered a big loss, and you are currently rebuilding it.
Each strategy game you play puts you in the shoes of a role. And that role you must fulfill! Hence, one of the best ways to truly learn these games is to get into your role. The biggest appeal of these games is that they give you full power over those that you control. So, figuring out strategy games as a newbie might just help you channel your inner leader.
As a fan of the Civilization series myself, I love putting myself in the shoes of Cleopatra or Pericles. I want to become the leader they were, or similar to it (I developed nukes).
This immersive gameplay is what draws most people in. So, if you are playing just for the sake of playing, you need to evaluate your approach.
From the craze in the early and late 00s to today, where they are rare but golden – strategy games have always had their fans. In fact, they probably always will. Yes, the RTS genre specifically might have lost popularity lately. However, plenty of different strategies still shine a bright light on the gaming industry. Figuring out strategy games is as complex as the games you play. TD strategies will help you unwind, but grand strategies will sometimes make your head hurt. Nonetheless, we all love playing them. If you are a newbie getting into these games, welcome to the family. There is something for just about everyone. So pick your favorite and start strategizing!