Games of all types are incredibly popular, but one genre, strategy games, has always been a top choice. Strategy games offer players the chance to put their brains to the test. Now, strategy games also come in a wide variety of options, from simpler decision-making games to complex co-op games where every action can cause a landslide of other issues to occur. Multiple new games come out each year, so it’s easy to miss some of the top options. Let’s take a look at what’s on offer this year that’s worth trying out.

Casino games get more complex

Many casino games already require a fair amount of strategy to play them. Take poker or blackjack, for example. These table games are known for requiring strategic thinking, both when it comes to winning and placing a bet. Now, of course, many people know that it’s hard to strategise when it comes to placing bets — but there are strategies players can use here too. More recently, there has been an influx of other, simpler casino games, but these still require some strategic thinking. Crash games are hugely popular and booming this year. And they’re not as straightforward as a simple bet, as players need to strategise and determine when is the best time to cash out to get the biggest payout. If you choose to bet on Aviator, you’ll need to carefully consider just how long you let that plane fly for. The longer it’s flying, the higher the multiplier will be, but you run the risk of it crashing and losing the entire bet.

Newly released games

When it comes to serious strategy games, then 2025 is already packed with a good number. From the start of the year, two top games were immediately launched that stand out from the crowd. First up is Two Point Museum. This is a satirical management tycoon game that has sister games in Campus and Two Point Hospital. As such, it’s similar to both of these games in terms of gameplay and humour.

The other unexpected top strategy game for this year is Universe Horizon. Set in space, this game is an incremental upgrade game. It’s easy to get into as it starts off relatively simple, but then as the game continues, it expands with additional game mechanics and resources. The premise sees players travel to the edge of the solar system to gather resources, which are required to keep levelling up. Overall, it offers one of the more slow-burning experiences, while still requiring players to think strategically.

Still to come

2025 is far from over, and there are more strategic games coming your way. These games have a variety of different themes too, which makes it even easier to find something that matches your preferences. For example, Broken Arrow offers a modern warfare game. It focuses on providing tactical combat and has more than 300 military units for army, navy and air force to determine how to use throughout the gameplay. Another option at the end of 2025 is Humankind. This game is a historical 4X game, which is at its best this year. There are many updates to the game including adding combat, diplomacy, and quality of life features. This has helped to bring in new players but also satisfy those who have been playing for an extended period of time. Finally, for this year, there is Anno 117: Pax Romana. This is a sequel to the very popular Anno 1800, but it is a Roman-themed version of the game. It combines resource management with RTS elements and has real-time combat integrated into the latest version.

Still to come are a number of games worth noting down, so you don’t miss them. Top of the list is Menace, an ambitious game that combined Jagged Alliance with Warhammer 40,000. It’s a dark sci-fi game with stunning visuals and offers a turn-based strategy game to get stuck into. Early looks show players as a military commander cut off from the chain of command in the Wayback system. You have to gather any soldiers and mercenaries you can to make a force that can fight off pirates, deal with locals and defeat Menace.

With so many options out there, it’s essential to keep an eye on them all and find the one you like best.