Strategy games offer a unique experience where players must rely on their wits, foresight, and careful planning to achieve victory. PlayStation has a rich collection of strategy games, offering everything from real-time strategy to tactical turn-based combat. Whether you’re commanding armies, managing resources, or navigating complex scenarios, these games provide a deep, rewarding experience for players who love to think ahead. If you enjoy games that challenge your strategic thinking and demand precise execution, here are some of the best strategy games available on PlayStation.
One standout title in the strategy genre is XCOM 2 (2016), a turn-based strategy game where players command a squad of soldiers in the fight against an alien occupation of Earth. The game’s tactical combat focuses on positioning, resource management, and character customization, allowing players to develop their own strategies for dealing with a variety of enemies and environmental challenges. One of the key elements of XCOM 2 is its permanent death mechanic, which adds tension to every battle—if one of your soldiers dies, they’re gone for good. This creates an emotional connection to your team, making each mission feel significant. The game also features a wide range of customization options, from the appearance of your soldiers to the upgrades you make to their gear and abilities. With its high-stakes combat and deep tactical gameplay, XCOM 2 is one of the best strategy games available on PlayStation.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses (2019) offers a more story-driven strategy experience with tactical turn-based combat. Set in a fantasy world full of political intrigue, players take on the role of a teacher at a prestigious academy where they must train a group of students to become skilled warriors. The game combines strategy with elements of simulation, allowing players to form bonds with their students and make important decisions that affect the story. The tactical battles are engaging, with a focus on positioning and unit management, while the narrative provides a rich backdrop of war, betrayal, and romance. Fire Emblem: Three Houses allows for multiple playthroughs, with different story paths depending on the faction you choose to align with. The game’s combination of compelling storytelling and challenging strategy gameplay makes it a must-play for fans of the genre.
For players who enjoy real-time strategy, Total War: Warhammer II (2017) is an excellent choice. Set in the Warhammer Fantasy universe, this game combines grand strategy with tactical battlefield combat. Players manage entire factions, overseeing everything from diplomacy and resource management to military campaigns and epic battles. The game features a wide variety of factions, each with its own unique units, strengths, and abilities, adding replayability and depth. On the battlefield, players control armies of fantastical creatures, heroes, and soldiers, deploying them in real-time combat against enemy forces. Total War: Warhammer II also includes a vast world map, where strategic decisions like alliances, wars, and expansion are crucial to victory. The game’s rich lore and expansive setting make it a must-play for fans of strategy games and fantasy universes.
Another fantastic real-time strategy game on PlayStation is Planet Coaster (2016), which focuses on simulation and resource management. While not a traditional war strategy game, Planet Coaster allows players to manage and build their own theme parks, making strategic decisions on layout, attractions, and staff management. The game offers a deep customization system, allowing players to design roller coasters, rides, and scenery, while keeping track of finances, guest satisfaction, and safety. The challenges players face come in the form of limited budgets, increasing guest demands, and the need to optimize the park’s efficiency. Planet Coaster is perfect for players who love management simulations with a creative twist.
If you’re looking for a tactical turn-based strategy experience, Tactics Ogre: Reborn (2022) is an excellent option. Originally released in the 1990s and remade for modern platforms, Tactics Ogre is a highly regarded tactical RPG that emphasizes strategic pisces88 decision-making and positioning. Set in a war-torn world, players control a group of heroes as they navigate a complex narrative full of moral choices and political intrigue. The battles take place on grid-based maps, where every move and action can turn the tide of the battle. The game’s deep class system allows players to customize their units’ abilities, and the branching storylines give the game significant replayability. Tactics Ogre: Reborn is perfect for players who enjoy challenging tactical gameplay combined with an intricate, branching story.
Lastly, Sid Meier’s Civilization VI (2016) is the definitive grand strategy game for players who enjoy controlling an entire civilization. In Civilization VI, players choose from a variety of historical leaders and guide their civilization through the ages, from the dawn of humanity to the space age. The game combines turn-based strategy with resource management, diplomacy, and warfare. Players must manage their cities, form alliances, conduct trade, and build armies to outsmart and outmaneuver rival civilizations. The game is incredibly deep, with multiple victory conditions, including military conquest, cultural dominance, and scientific achievement. Sid Meier’s Civilization VI is a must-play for strategy enthusiasts who enjoy the challenge of leading an empire to greatness.
PlayStation offers a diverse range of strategy games that cater to all types of players, from the tactical combat of XCOM 2 to the grand strategy of Sid Meier’s Civilization VI. These games require careful planning, foresight, and adaptability, providing an intellectually rewarding experience. Whether you’re managing a kingdom, leading an army, or building a theme park, PlayStation has a strategy game for you to master.