Best Strategy Games On Xbox Game Pass (February 2023)

Strategy games were once practically non-existent in the console market, save for notable exceptions and ill-fated attempts (such as Starcraft’s remarkably awkward landing on the Nintendo 64). However, over the years, several titles have emerged to deliver their micro-management goodness to living room accessible formats — particularly when it comes to the Xbox line of consoles.

If someone is looking to channel their inner armchair general, then Xbox Game Pass has several titles that are right up their alley. Whether directing the nuanced machinations of a galaxy-spanning empire is their bag, or they'd prefer just telling wacky invertebrates when to sling bombs at one another, Game Pass has got a strategy game for them.

Halo Wars

Though many people associate the Halo name with the mainline entries that are straightforward FPS titles, Halo Wars takes the series in a new direction in terms of genre. Players are treated to grand-scale skirmishes involving factions from the Halo universe in a highly approachable RTS title. Since the game was made specifically for the Xbox 360, it features one of the most comfortable controller configurations for an RTS on a console. The story takes place before the events of the first Halo game, detailing what happened to the UNSC crew of the Spirit of Fire.

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Halo Wars 2 is also available on Xbox Game Pass and serves as a fine continuation of its predecessor. In some ways, the sequel is superior to the first game, although it is certainly designed with non-RTS fans in mind. Therefore, people who want to spend more time in this universe but are reluctant to jump into a genre they are not familiar with can rest easy in knowing that Halo Wars 2 is for them.

Inkulinati

Part of Xbox Game Pass's Game Preview feature, Inkulinati is a unique turn-based strategy title with an eye-catching art style. Presented as the pages of a manuscript, Yaza's game pits two (small) armies against each other in a roguelike campaign. Players pick their units and watch as their avatar, an artist looking down on the book, brings them to life; along with being a neat framing device, this feature also impacts gameplay since the artist can get tired of illustrating the same units. As such, players are advised to constantly alter their party, encouraging experimentation in the process.

Inkulinati is still a work in progress, but the available content is already impressive. As charming as its visual style is, the game does not pull any of its punches, and battles will quickly start to present a significant challenge.

Solasta: Crown Of The Magister

Taking from Dungeons & Dragons, Solasta: Crown of the Magister packs together a plethora of familiar fantasy tropes to create an addictive and charming adventure that stands proudly on its own. Even though the story seldom ventures beyond the standard "save the world" cliche, Solasta comes alive through its decent character customization options, particularly when it comes to skill selection and well-crafted environments.

As far as turn-based strategy RPGs are concerned, Solasta's combat should be immediately accessible to veterans of the genre, and they are likely to have a blast facing off against the campaign's impressive selection of monsters. One of the game's strengths is its AI; even on normal difficulty, enemies approach situations with nuance and planning, making battles hard-fought.

Commandos 3 - HD Remaster

Commandos 3: Destination Berlin originally came out in 2003 for PCs, but console players can finally try out the game thanks to its 2022 remaster. Debuting directly on Xbox Game Pass, this version offers more than just a fresh coat of paint. Along with improved models and new textures, the HD remaster tweaks the controls and user interface to, hopefully, provide a smoother experience that adheres to modern sensibilities.

Commandos 3 - HD Remaster also expands on the tutorials to help ease players new to real-time tactics games into the campaign. When it comes to the actual content, the game focuses on World War 2, with missions covering a wide array of scenarios.

Floppy Knights

Looking to prove her scientific potential, Phoebe creates an army of nature-themed warriors and heads out into town to complete missions. A tactical RPG based on a deck-builder battle system, Floppy Knights is one of the better entry-level strategy games on Xbox Game Pass. Lasting roughly 10 hours, the campaign does not overstay its welcome, and most missions can be completed within 20 minutes.

Compared to so many other tactics games, Floppy Knight is definitely on the less-demanding side, although that does not come at the expense of depth. Building a deck provides plenty of customization options, particularly during the second half of the campaign. Veterans of the strategy genre might find this project to be a bit too simple, but newcomers should try it out.

Shadowrun Trilogy

Fantasy and sci-fi RPGs are not in short supply, but only a small handful of developers have attempted to cross the streams. Hairbrained Schemes' Shadowrun revival did it better than most, producing three worthwhile entries in the span of a couple of years. Remastered as the Shadowrun Trilogy, this compilation grants console players the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in an alternate version of Earth that has both futuristic technology and magical creatures.

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All three games play largely the same, just with the sequels having a few minor tweaks and improvements. Each entry tells a self-contained storyline with a new protagonist, main location, and central mystery. The writing is strong throughout the trilogy, and that extends to the dialogue options presented to the players. The turn-based combat does not stray far from something like XCOM, although the addition of magic gives Shadowrun a unique flavor.

The Dungeon Of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet Of Chaos - Chicken Edition

Combine Dungeons & Dragons, a joke book, and XCOM and the result would be The Dungeon of Naheulbeuk. A gorgeous turn-based tactics game that parodies tropes associated with tabletop gaming and RPGs, this recent addition to Xbox Game Pass has a long campaign, brilliant art design, and rock-solid gameplay. The latter does not re-invent the wheel in any significant way, rather opting to look towards and learn from the genre's heavyweights. It is a move that pays off beautifully, crafting an accessible experience that still has more than enough personality to stand out alongside other turn-based strategy titles.

The humor is relentless and, like all comedy, subjective. Although a deep appreciation for D&D is likely to produce more belly laughs, Naheulbeuk's writing should be still witty enough to spark a few chuckles for those who are not that interested in the subject being parodied.

Despot's Game: The Dystopian Army Builder

Ready to wage war and to push through room after room of enemies? Despot's Game is a roguelike that casts players as generals rather than soldiers. Depending on the luck of the draw in relation to items and weapons, players have to pick the best army available to them in hope that they can clear a level. After the selection is made, the only thing left for players to do is to sit back and watch their humans fight to the death.

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Despot's Game has some small frustrations like a restrictive progression system that ties everything to a signal currency, but the game's positives outweigh its negatives. This is a perfect strategy game for Xbox Game Pass since it would likely go unnoticed if it was not available on Microsoft's service.

Crown Trick

Roguelikes are typically associated with action rather than strategy games, however, Crown Trick proves that this type of experience combines well with the latter. As Elle, players are dropped into a creepy dungeon and told to play the part of a hero, a process that involves a lot of fighting, failure, and looting. Death sets things back to square one, although permanent upgrades are possible.

Crown Trick sets itself apart from the crowd by utilizing a grid-based traversal and combat system. Essentially, whenever Elle moves, the dungeon's inhabitants react accordingly. This turn-based structure adds a great deal of strategy to proceedings by slowing down the pacing and prioritizing intelligent movement.

Phoenix Point

Inspired by X-COM, Phoenix Point takes a few lessons from the beloved franchise while also introducing a number of novel ideas. The discovery of a virus has led to the mutation of both humans and wildlife, resulting in a dangerous threat to humanity's future. The Phoenix Project exists specifically to combat these sorts of situations, and members work around the globe to try and provide a helping hand and repel the virus' expansion.

Phoenix Point's turn-based combat is very similar to the recent X-COM games. Players deploy squads consisting of different classes of soldiers, and they can perform a fixed number of moves per turn. The game includes a few alterations that set it apart from its inspiration, such as the ability to act after attacking an enemy. Outside of combat, players will also have to govern the Phoenix Project's actions on a global scale as they seek to put out as many fires as possible.

Slay The Spire

A popular deck-builder, Slay the Spire's roguelike structure has allowed the game to maintain its relevancy. Players pick a character and receive a deck along with a unique power in the form of a relic. From there, they enter the spire, a tower consisting of multiple levels filled with enemy encounters and culminating in a boss fight. Along the way, players unlock new cards in the form of loot.

Slay the Spire constantly reshuffles the player's deck as they receive a fresh batch for every turn, along with a few energy cards that determine how many actions they can turn. Along with eradicating their opponents, players must also develop a strategy on how to counter the enemies' revealed moves.

Evil Genius 2: World Domination

Who hasn't dreamed of taking over the world as a villain from a Saturday morning cartoon? Evil Genius 2 brings that fantasy to life through a real-time strategy simulation game, one that builds spectacularly on its 2004 predecessor. As one of four super baddies, players will construct bases, recruit and upgrade henchmen, and establish plans that seek to reduce the world's most powerful nations and leaders to groveling messes.

Boasting delightful visuals and overflowing with personality, Evil Genius 2 takes a few pages from other popular strategy games while still crafting a presence that is entirely its own.

Stellaris

If strategy games are a rare sight on consoles, then grand strategy games are something of a mythological creature. However, Stellaris adapts to the platform in fine fashion.

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Featuring nuanced layers of resource management, diplomacy, and even interstellar warfare, players will have all sorts of empire management to contend with as they guide their species through the stars — speaking of species, there’s a wide variety to choose from. From religiously fanatical frog people to democratic felines, players can truly design the spacefaring civilization of their dreams (or nightmares).

Before We Leave

Strategy games tend to be pretty stressful, and that goes double for city-builders. Consequently, Before We Leave's relaxed tone comes as a breath of fresh air, which fits the game's environmental theme. After ruining their planet, the peeps have the chance to start over, and it is the player's job to craft new towns and cities while advancing the civilization at a pace that does not lead to eventual disaster.

Before We Leave is charming and quite accessible, making this indie game a decent pick for anyone looking to dip their toes into city-building sims. Unlike so many entries in this genre, this game is not particularly punishing or unforgiving, and it eases players into things.

Gears Tactics

Despite its reputation for being a gritty third-person, cover-based shooter, the Gears of War series is set in an engrossing world, and the games usually feature gripping narratives. So even though Gears Tactics took the turn-based-strategy route, it is a thoroughly entertaining title thanks to the universe it is set in and the lore it provides.

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Gears Tactics is a prequel to the first Gears of War game, but it also connects to plot points seen in later titles in the series, such as Gears of War 4 and Gears 5. The top-down perspective suits the narrative well, as COG soldiers are deployed across a map, eliminating Locust enemies and clearing out objectives.

Let's Build A Zoo

Who does not want to create a successful zoo filled with adorable animals? Let's Build a Zoo brings that dream to life, while also presenting players with the freedom to give their business a darker spin. This management sim takes cues from old-school entries in the genre, resulting in a strong mechanical foundation that works well on PC and consoles.

The twist comes in the form of a morality system that grants players plenty of opportunities to be truly diabolical. Let's Build a Zoo shows there are many ways to satisfy a bottom line, and quite a few are less than savory.

Age Of Empires 2: Definitive Edition

PC Game Pass subscribers have had access to Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition for a while, but console-only owners had to wait until January 2023 to try one of the most influential and beloved real-time strategy games of all time. Originally released in 1999, Age of Empires 2 revolutionized its genre, and the Definitive Edition improves the visuals while also including all the expansions. Now, just to be clear, this is not a remake, so the gameplay is very faithful to the original version. Even though some aspects of the experience are somewhat basic compared to more modern strategy projects, AoE 2's gameplay is still fun and accessible.

More importantly for this recommendation, the game has made the transition to console in one piece. AoE 2's gamepad controls and UI are both intuitive and enjoyable to use. However, the game also has keyboard and mouse support for those who prefer to go down that route.

Bridge Constructor Portal

The Bridge Constructor series has been around since 2011, and 2017's Portal saw the franchise crossover with Valve's beloved property. Considering fans are starved for a new adventure, this spin-off was not exactly what most people wanted; however, when viewed in isolation, Bridge Constructor Portal is a solid puzzle-strategy game.

The concept is simple: players must build bridges to allow trucks to move from one side of the screen to the other. While basic, this gameplay loop works well, and the title throws in often eccentricities to keep things interesting for hours on end. The puzzles can also get quite difficult, forcing players to try different strategies as they search for the optimum route.

Plants Vs. Zombies

Plants vs. Zombies started out as a widely different beast than what it would eventually become most known for. The franchise's third-person shooter Garden Warfare sub-series is a great deal of fun and well worth checking out, however, these entries strip away any of the strategic elements found in the main series.

Plants vs. Zombies is a tower defense game that puts players in charge of protecting their base from encroaching zombies. Although the gameplay is reasonably easy to grasp, Plants vs. Zombies has a surprising amount of depth to it, and players need to carefully structure their defenses to target the weaknesses of the walking dead. New plants and zombies are introduced on a consistent basis, ensuring that things do not get stale. The game also comes packed with content, as there are 50 levels in just the Adventure mode.

Crusader Kings 3

Crusader Kings 3 is set to make its way to the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S in the future; until then, Xbox Game Pass for PC will just have to do. Grand strategy games tend to be intimidating, but those looking to dive headfirst into this genre should start with Crusader Kings 3.

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Taking over a dynasty and leading it through multiple generations, Crusader Kings 3 blends complex mechanics with strong characters who have plenty of personality to them. While the game has the lofty ambition and large-scale scope synonymous with the grand strategy genre, Crusader Kings 3 also delivers personal stories.

Monster Train

A colorful card-building strategy game, Monster Train is addictive, complex, and charmingly over-the-top. Players collect monster cards and effect items as they build together decks that can defend a central structure from approaching enemies. The battle scene consists of four levels that can be filled with summoned monsters, and the options on offer are numerous and varied.

Monster Train is also a roguelike, with a single run being quite short. However, once it is completed, the difficulty automatically increases, eventually reaching a point when anything less than a perfect plan is unlikely to result in success. Monster Train does not have the name recognition of some other strategy games on Xbox Game Pass, but fans of the genre should give it a try when they have the chance.

Frostpunk

Frostpunk is all about making difficult choices. With the world striking a new ice age, the player has to govern a varied group of survivors in a harsh climate that punishes frailty and poor leadership. With a generator serving as the beating heart of this makeshift city, decisions made will determine the group's mental and physical health.

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Frostpunk is a challenging game that will push people to make mistakes, and while the first playthrough might end in disaster, that experience should help to ensure that future runs are more satisfying. Frostpunk 2 is set to launch later this year, so this is a great time to pick up the original game.

Cities: Skylines

An immediate hit on PC, Cities: Skylines is considered one of the best city-building management sims on the market. The genre's complexity and focus on micromanagement have generally made its games poor candidates for console ports, but that has begun to change in recent years. Cities: Skylines serves as a prominent example of this shift, as the Xbox One version is a great experience in its own right.

Players get to craft their own city as they decide how to structure their land and the industries to prioritize. While things tend to be manageable at first, it is usually only a matter of time before crises start to emerge. Cities: Skylines is an addictive and deep game that can keep someone playing for months on end. The computer release is part of PC Game Pass for those who would prefer to jump into the definitive version, but the Xbox iteration is very good too.

Totally Accurate Battle Simulator

At first glance, Totally Accurate Battle Simulator seems more like a parody of a strategy game than an actual strategy game. But beneath its goofy exterior lies an enjoyable experience that requires more tactical thinking than you might expect. Players are placed in control of various units that range from Mages to Bards to Headbutters to Tanks.

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All units look absolutely ridiculous, and after players arrange them on their side of the map, they must face off against a variety of opposing units on the other side. What ensues is nothing short of hilarious. However, be prepared to rework your strategy if your array of Vikings cannot handle those Snake Archers. Totally Accurate Battle Simulator is a delight that is both stimulating and relaxing for strategy fans.

Among Us

Among Us is not generally classified as part of the strategy genre, however, players will be spending all their time trying to trick or catch each other. Consequently, strategy plays a significant role in this experience – it just happens to take the form of social deduction rather than specific gameplay mechanics.

Whether portraying an Impostor or a Crewmate, Among Us players can follow popular tactics to survive until the end. They will need to constantly evaluate everyone else's actions, looking for subtle hints that someone might not be who they appear to be. Meanwhile, they must also consider how their own behavior could send false signals, and if they are Impostors, how that information can be used to manipulate the other players.

Best Strategy Games On Xbox Game Pass For PC

Unsurprisingly, Xbox Game Pass for PC has a far more robust selection of strategy games. The genre has historically flourished on computers, with the mouse + keyboard setup complementing the pinpoint controls required by these titles. While console owners only have a small selection of games to pick from, the PC scene is considerably more impressive.

For those with Xbox Game Pass for PC, here are a handful of the best strategy games on the subscription service.

Total War: Warhammer 3

2022 is unlikely to produce a bigger strategy game than Total War: Warhammer 3, the final chapter in Creative Assembly's trilogy. Total War needs no introduction by this point in its history, and Warhammer 3 delivers exactly what fans of the franchise have come to expect, along with some quality-of-life improvements.

While the multiplayer will keep players coming back for potentially years, the game's single-player is also deep, engrossing, and epic. Warhammer 3 is also not the worst option for relative newcomers to Total War or even the tactics and strategy genres since the game comes with a decent tutorial.

Age Of Empires 4

After a long wait, Age of Empires 4 is finally a reality, and Relic Entertainment has put together an enjoyable but unspectacular entry in the real-time strategy genre. For better or worse, this 2021 release takes plenty of inspiration from Age of Empires 2's playbook, delivering a modernized take on the classic strategy game.

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Offering eight playable factions in Skirmish Mode, which will be where most players spend the majority of their time, Age of Empires 4's gameplay balances complexity with accessibility, crafting an experience that should satisfy veterans of the genre while not overwhelming beginners.

Galactic Civilizations 3

Time to take to the skies and dominate the entire galaxy. Galactic Civilization 3 has a campaign that puts players in charge of humans trying to strike back at the Drengin Empire, an alien group that has spread destruction and death to multiple planets in the Sol system. This mode does not have much in the way of a story, but it is fun regardless.

However, Galactic Civilizations 3 is all about its Sandbox mode, which permits players to pick a race with a homeworld that serves as their base of operation. From there, players will look to visit other planets and take them over, be it through influence or force. Stardock's strategy game provides players with plenty of options and tools so they can tailor their modus operandi to their preferences.

Humankind

Released on August 17, 2021, Humankind is an ambitious turn-based strategy 4x game split into six eras. Starting life as a Neolithic tribe, players rise from these humble beginnings as they gradually build a civilization, and it is a cutthroat battle for resource collection and survival.

Each era brings with it new cultures and options, plenty of which affect subsequent periods; consequently, players need to keep a holistic view of what they are trying to achieve, as a shortsighted decision could prove costly later on.

Europa Universalis 4

A grand strategy game with hundreds of nations to pick from, Europa Universalis 4 is a must-play for those who have always wanted to craft their own alternative histories. While things start familiar enough, this sandbox strategy game provides players with the tools and options to divert history to suit their fancy. This opens up a huge array of possibilities, and through it all, Europa Universalis 4 keeps things grounded in some form of reality.

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Europa Universalis 4 can be an overwhelming experience for newcomers to grand strategy games, so it is probably best left to more seasoned players. That said, the experience and mechanics are a bit more accessible than in previous entries in the series.

BattleTech

A turn-based tactics game about warring mechs, BattleTech’s complexity and unforgiving nature mean the game is better left for veterans of the genre. For those who have mastered XCOM and are looking for something similar, BattleTech is the strategy game for them.

In the single-player campaign, players serve as commanders trying to put together an arsenal of mechas, and the responsibilities go beyond just the battlefield. Managing resources and cash flow are almost as important as strategically outmaneuvering the enemy units, and the game handles both aspects well.

Dune: Spice Wars

In Game Preview, Dune: Spice Wars finds four factions battling it out for control of Arrakis and its highly sought-after spice deposits. Each group is well-defined and different, with their strengths, weaknesses, and allegiances reflecting their place in Dune's universe. The real-time combat system is relatively straightforward by the genre's standards, mostly due to the fact that armies tend to be on the small side; however, this complements the gameplay and setting.

Dune: Spice Wars throws in quite a few other mechanics and ideas, including an engrossing political system. Fans of the books or movies will want to check out this Game Pass strategy game, and the same can be said for people who love the 4X subgenre.

Hearts Of Iron 4

Set during World War 2, Hearts of Iron 4 allows users to pick an involved nation, be they major or minor players, as they get involved in one of humanity's most devastating conflicts. Depending on the player's actions, they could rewrite history.

Paradox's Hearts of Iron 4 is an extremely complex game that throws a lot of information at users while asking them to dedicate long stretches of their lives to mastering its systems. This is not an entry-level strategy game, but it is one that fans of the genre need to check out.

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