Best Strategy Games On Xbox Game Pass

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.

Age Of Empires 4: Anniversary Edition

Metascore: 83

After spending more than a year as a PC exclusive, Age of Empires 4 made its way to Xbox consoles in August 2023. Relic and World’s Edge’s project garnered a primarily positive reception upon launch, with many regarding it as a safe but polished continuation of arguably the most beloved and popular RTS franchise of all time. Launching with four campaigns and eight civilizations (although two more were added later on), AoE 4 offers a great deal of content for solo players, along with containing an active and robust multiplayer scene.

Xbox owners have two Age of Empires at their disposal, while PC Game Pass subscribers can play through the entire series thanks to the inclusion of the original trilogy’s definitive edition. All four games are fantastic by most metrics, and an argument could certainly be made that AoE 2 is the best RTS game of all time. However, newcomers should start with AoE 4, especially if they plan to try their hand at multiplayer.

Halo Wars

Metascore: 82

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.

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.

Dungeons 4

Metascore: 76 (PC)

Game Pass Ultimate’s PC version has some Dungeon Keeper representation thanks to EA Play, but that won’t mean much to players who only have access to Xbox. Despite its legacy, Dungeon Keeper looks set to remain a thing of the past as EA has shown little interest in revisiting the franchise; consequently, fans must look elsewhere to get their fill of evil. The most obvious spiritual successor is the Dungeons series, which has produced a couple of cult favorites that have not really broken into the mainstream consciousness. The 2023 entry is unlikely to change that, but it is a fine and charming game that should keep someone busy for a couple of weeks.

The concept is simple: world domination requires building an army and demolishing heroes. Dungeons 4 understands that the fun parts of these games are the base building, unit development, and all-out wars, so the campaign emphasizes these elements as much as possible. The result is an efficient project that does not waste a lot of time, despite featuring a fairly lengthy campaign. The performance can struggle at times, and some of the story’s later missions do threaten to get repetitive, but the overall experience is a positive one. Multiplayer is also an option for those who want to test out their strategic master plans against non-AI opponents.

Humankind

Metascore: 77

Taking a break from its Endless franchise, Amplitude Studios created Humankind, an ambitious 4X strategy game that allows players to work their way through seven eras. Starting out as nomadic tribes, players will gradually roam unclaimed land as they find food, survive, and slowly start to set the groundwork for a civilization. Eventually, they can move over to the Ancient Era, which is where the campaign opens up through the introduction of Cultures. Humankind‘s scope is incredible and flexible, granting users quite a lot of freedom in how they want to lead their civilizations.

Incorporating diplomacy, religion, and even turn-based combat, Amplitude cast a wide net as it sought to cover as many preferences and play styles as possible. Surprisingly, most of the game’s mechanics and ideas are fleshed out well, making most avenues for growth viable. Humankind can be overwhelming at times, but it is not a bad option for 4X beginners. The game is available on PC and Xbox.

Persona 5 Tactica

Metascore: 77

Atlus has never been afraid to take a chance, and Persona 5‘s success seems to have granted the publisher an opportunity to really spread its wings. Tactica brings the Phantom Thieves back into the limelight in an adventure that is quite unlike any of their previous ones. This time, they find themselves isekai’d to another world that is in the middle of a heated conflict; naturally, the heroes join the side of the rebels who are trying to turn the tide.

Unlike the turn-based main entry or the action-based Strikers, Persona 5 Tactica is a grid-based strategy and tactics game akin to something like X-COM or Mario & Rabbids. While obviously a departure from the franchise’s status quo, the genre is actually quite a good fit for Persona, especially since P-Studio found clever ways to implement mechanics synonymous with the series. For instance, each character can equip a Persona, with Tactica having over a hundred options. Unsurprisingly, the storytelling is also of high quality, and the Phantom Thieves are granted a fair amount of time to shine despite occasionally taking a backseat during the campaign.

Loop Hero

Metascore: 82 (PC)

Loop Hero shakes up the RPG genre in a way that is innovative while also going back to basics. RPGs love their stat-driven combat systems; in fact, this element tends to be one of the reasons many people are drawn to role-playing games. Loop Hero distills this concept and selling point to its purest form. Set in a dark world suffering from widespread amnesia, players follow a hero as they automatically walk the same path over and over again.

As they battle monsters, the character acquires loot that either improves their stats or allows them to place tiles on the map to remember that part of the world. When they pass over a tile, the hero will receive benefits or face new threats. While an auto-battler, Loop Hero‘s strategy element comes from the choices players make prior to a run and the tiles they pick to shape the map. Decisions often come down to seemingly minor stat improvements or buffs that can ultimately provide the boost needed to defeat a boss. Loop Hero has three classes, which does provide some build variety.

Inkulinati

Metascore: N/A

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.

Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord

Metascore: 73

Similar to its predecessor, Warband, Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord combines a few different genres to create a package with no direct peers in the gaming landscape, despite sharing similarities with many prominent names. Set in Calradia, players are dropped in a world defined by battle as they set out to leave their mark on history. From humble beginnings, players will steadily amass an army en route to conquering towns and villages, with the end goal being to dominate the whole map.

During physical conflicts, players can join their soldiers on the field, engaging in epic wars that are chaotic, bloody, and irresistibly fun. Outside the battlefield, Bannerlord opens up a range of management and strategy options that will dictate the player’s growth, reputation, and presence. Due to casting a wide net, Mount & Blade 2 is not the deepest strategy game on Xbox Game Pass, but it is ambitious and addictive.

Shadowrun Trilogy

Metascore: 76 (PS5)

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, the compilation fully immerses console players in an alternate version of Earth that has both futuristic technology and magical creatures.

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.

F1 Manager 2023

Metascore: 79

A relatively new prosperity in the management sim world, F1 Manager has only been around for two iterations, but it is already showing some improvements. The 2023 version builds upon the work of its predecessor, providing players with more decisions as they try to lead their chosen team to the top (or to just keep them competitive). Similar to something like Football Manager, an appreciation for the core activity is required to really get into Frontier’s project, especially since players will largely be focusing on the minor details that go into racing.

F1 Manager 2023 does try to reduce the entry barrier for newcomers to an extent by providing specific non-career challenges that allow players to experience the consequences of their in-race decisions. They will need it to as the game can be quite difficult, particularly if someone does not pick one of the strongest teams.

Slay The Spire

Metascore: 88 (PS4)

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.

Stellaris

Metascore: 81

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.

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).

Gears Tactics

Metascore: 82

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.

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.

Crusader Kings 3

Metascore: 83

Crusader Kings 3 started as a PC exclusive, but the grand strategy RPG eventually made its way to the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. Paradox’s project builds upon the foundations of its predecessors, delivering an engaging and challenging experience that covers a wide spectrum of themes and mechanics.

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.

Totally Accurate Battle Simulator

Metascore: N/A

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.

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.

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.

Rise Of Nations: Extended Edition

Metascore: 89

Although not carrying the same name recognition as Age of Empires, Total War, or Civilization, Rise of Nations is still highly regarded within the strategy gaming sphere. The 2003 original features nations from across human history, and they can all be played within any of the game’s eras. Gameplay-wise, Rise of Nations is more economy-driven than most of its contemporaries, with the focus being on expanding a nation’s territory through sustainable growth rather than just overwhelming enemies via brute strength.

Like many of these titles, Rise of Nation‘s multiplayer was its main selling point. Nowadays, lobbies are not particularly active; however, the game also includes an extensive single-player campaign as well, one that is more than good enough to justify a recommendation. The Extended Edition also contains the Thrones and Patriots expansion pack, which is fantastic and some might argue even superior to the base game.

Galactic Civilizations 3

Metascore: 81

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.

Dungeon Keeper 2

Metascore: N/A

Bullfrog Productions’ time in the sun came to an end in 2001. While the company’s run was fairly short-lived in the grand scheme of things, projects like Populous, Syndicate, Theme Park World, and Dungeon Keeper ensured Bullfrog would not be forgotten anytime soon, particularly by strategy and management fans. Out of all those licenses, Dungeon Keeper and its sequel are probably the most fondly remembered, although Populous‘ influence on the God game genre cannot be understated either. Through EA Play, PC Game Pass subscribers can play a few of Bullfrog’s masterpieces, specifically both Populous and Dungeon Keeper games. All four titles are worth checking out, and while they might seem antiquated through a modern lens, the games are still quite a bit of fun to play.

Dungeon Keeper 2 is slightly divisive as it swapped its predecessor’s 2D visuals for 3D, a change that dates the sequel more than its predecessor. However, fundamentally, it is still the same experience as its decorated ancestor. Cast as an overlord, players are put in charge of a dungeon as they lay out traps to capture heroes trying to sneak in. The goal is to expand the dungeon’s size and achieve world domination. Fairly challenging, the strategy game has a lengthy single-player campaign that is more than capable of keeping something entertained for a few weeks.

Cities: Skylines 2

Metascore: 75

Cities: Skylines left a fairly substantial mark on the city-building subgenre, arguably becoming one of its main representatives. The sequel was always going to attract a lot of attention and expectations, and an argument could be made that it has not quite managed to live up to all the latter. Cities: Skylines 2 gives players the tools to craft small towns that eventually blossom into expansive metropolises, a journey that is always exciting to see unfold.

Unsurprisingly, the sequel improves on its predecessor in a number of ways, including quite a number of quality-of-life adjustments. However, the game also lacks some of the features and personality of the original Cities: Skylines, although these issues should improve as updates roll out.

Command & Conquer Remastered Collection

Metascore: 82

In 1995, Westwood Studios released Command & Conquer: Tiberian Dawn, changing the real-time strategy genre for the better. The series went on to produce a couple of fantastic sequels such as Red Alert, Tiberian Sun, and Red Alert 2, before fading into nothingness during the 2010s. Nowadays, EA seems happy to leave the license untouched, with the only PC entry of the last five years being a compilation package containing revamped versions of Tiberian Dawn and Red Alert. This iconic franchise deserves better, although that has nothing to do with the quality of the Command & Conquer Remastered Collection.

Developed by Petroglyph Games, who have ties to Westwood, the 2020 release serves as a love letter to the franchise’s glory days and comes packed with three expansions and a range of bonus content. At their hearts, these are still the same games that defined the ’90s, but Petroglyph still implemented a wide range of changes to ensure they are accessible to both a modern and nostalgic audience. While the presentation can seem a bit simplistic compared to contemporary strategy games, Command & Conquer‘s core mechanics are still rock solid, and they are enhanced by charming writing.

BattleTech

Metascore: 78

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.

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