Best strategy games

Strategy games reward planning. The games here are all about thinking a few steps ahead, whether you are placing towers, moving chess pieces or deciding which upgrade to buy.

They are not fast, but they stay interesting for a long time, and most can be paused whenever you need to.

Three kinds of strategy

Tower defense games are about resource use. You get a limited budget and have to decide where it will do the most good. Board games like chess and checkers are about anticipating another player. Management games are about long-term growth.

Each uses a different kind of thinking, so if one does not click, try another.

Our picks

1. 

   Tower Defense

   A classic wave defense game where using elements well beats building more towers.

2. 

   King Rugni Tower Defense

   A tower defense campaign where you conquer territories one defense at a time.

3. 

   Chess 2D

   A chess game that highlights legal moves, good for learning.

4. 

   Master Chess Multiplayer

   Play real opponents in classic chess.

5. 

   Master Checkers

   Italian checkers, a more tactical variant with forced captures.

6. 

   Supermarket Expert Idle

   A management game about growing a supermarket.

7. 

   Idle Zoo

   A management game about restoring zoos.

If you are new to strategy, start with a tower defense game. The feedback is quick, and you can see exactly why a defense failed.