More than anything, it’s left me with a wide grin and itchy fingers, and as soon as I’m done here I’ll be jumping right back into the game.
Ashes of the Singularity is a big and bold 4X strategy game, but if you’re looking for much beyond scale, you’ll be sorely disappointed.
Offworld Trading Company trades nukes and armies for stocks and commodities--without losing any of the thrill.
Stellaris gives you the stars as your playground, proving that Paradox capably translates some of their strategy game prowess into space.
The Warhammer universe blends with the tactical gameplay of Total War to create one the best real-time strategy games ever.
Tropico 5 is a clever, tongue-in-cheek riff on tiny, dictatorial countries, and its console port is an excellent counterpart to the modern PC classic.
The king of World War II-era grand strategy has returned with more engaging choices and a streamlined interface.
Brigador is a destructive romp filled with explosions and death, brought to you by some of the coolest robots around.
Rive is a challenging side-scrolling shooter with tight platforming and a tenacious affection for over-the-top action.
Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun is a real-time tactical stealth game with gorgeous levels and clever mechanics.
Urban Empire is a dense city-building simulation with a twist. It focuses not just on zoning and taxes, but also on building your own political dynasty.
Sanctus Reach pits the hardy Space Marines against the fighty Orks in a massive war that’s plagued with issues.
Torment: Tides of Numenera is a fascinating old-school RPG that doubles down on the concept of role-playing.
The Ringed City is a well-executed conclusion for the revered Dark Souls series.
Dawn of War III mashes micromanagement and big-scale strategy together in a system that's messy but exhilarating.
Expeditions: Viking is a rough-hewn game with an abundance of charm. Deep role playing and nuanced, tactical combat save this technical mess.
The Surge is an entertaining twist on the Dark Souls formula that strikes a tenuous balance between iteration and invention.
Steel Division is an aggressive, focused tactical game that deftly leverages historical realism to create unique twists on the RTS formula.
The Mage's Tale attempts to bring classic PC dungeon crawling into virtual reality, but disappoints at nearly every turn.
Building upon the sturdy foundation laid out by XCOM 2, War of the Chosen sets a high mark for an already exceptional sci-fi strategy series.