Today we bring you a list of the best 17 free strategy games for the computer. We have everything from open-source versions of well-known games to released classic games to original titles from various types of strategy-related subgenres. Some of them will also be available on mobile, but the common denominator of the entire selection is that it can be played from the PC, either natively or via the web.
Since some subgenres such as cards or MOBAs already have an infinite number of titles, we have only searched for the most representative ones. Members of the Xataka and VidaExtra teams have collaborated on the list, but despite that, we may have missed some essentials, feel free to leave us your recommendations in the comments section.
Starcraft II (Arcade)
We started strong with ‘Starcraft II’, one of the best and most popular real-time strategy games in history. It has a place in the list of the best games of this genre that has ever been created by VidaExtra. A few months ago, the game became Free-to-Play, making it a mandatory stop for those who want to spend hours and hours playing without spending a single euro.
Using a very competent AI, controlling the fragile Terrans, invading with the nasty Zergs, or learning from the intelligent Protoss leaves its mark. Don’t forget to give it a try.
- Where to download it: Official Website
Battle for Wesnoth
‘Battle for Wesnoth’ is one of the classic games in the open-source world. It has been essential for GNU/Linux gamers since 2007, although it also has versions for macOS and Windows.
The game itself falls within the turn-based strategy genre and is set in a fantasy world, and features a total of 17 single-player campaigns and dozens of multiplayer maps. You’ll like it if you’re looking for a mix of titles like ‘Advance Wars’ or ‘Fire Emblem’, with not very demanding graphics to run smoothly on almost any computer.
- Where to download it: Official website.
Freeciv
And if we talk about open source games we should also mention ‘Freeciv’. This is a title inspired by the ‘Civilization’ saga, with the same game system but with much older graphics… which on the other hand helps it run well even on older computers.
The development of the game is still perfectly active. In fact, after three years of work this summer they have released their Freeciv 2.6.0 version. In this case, the game is available for both GNU/Linux and Windows.
- Where to download it: Official website
0 AD
And if ‘Freeciv’ is a free alternative to ‘Civilization’, we also have in ‘0 AD’ a good alternative to ‘Age of Empires’. It is a free and open-source real-time strategy game about historical wars and ancient economics. It is cross-platform and is available for Windows, macOS, GNU/Linux, and OpenBSD.
- Where to download it: Official website
Open Transport Tycoon
And continuing with the free and open source alternatives we have ‘Open Transport Tycoon’ or ‘Open TTD’, which is a simulation and strategy game based on the mythical ‘Transport Tycoon Deluxe’. The game tries to imitate the original title as closely as possible while extending it with new features.
What you have to do with the game is basically to create a city paying attention to its means of transportation, organizing everything in the most efficient way possible. ‘Open Transport Tycoon’ is cross-platform and is available for Windows, macOS, GNU/Linux, and OpenBSD.
- Where to download it: Official website
Stronghold Kingdoms
‘Stronghold Kingdoms’ is a massive online strategy game that is like a cross between ‘Civilization’ and ‘Clash of Clans. You will start with a small castle and a handful of workers, and you will have to use them to grow your empire while you explore the world trying not to take advantage of other players to attack your kingdom while you are away.
Being multiplayer, you have the incentive of being able to try to create alliances with other people, in addition to betraying them or being betrayed. It has a lot of content, although as a negative counterpoint, we can say that its graphics are somewhat poor. The game is available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
- Where to download it: Official website
Epic Arena
‘Epic Arena’ is a mixture of games and boards, as if we were combining the combats of the ‘Heroes of Might and Magic saga with the card mechanics of ‘Magic The Gathering’. The game is pure combat strategy, and you will have to carefully place and move your characters on a board to face each of the combats.
It has a non-synchronized game system that allows you to be in several games at the same time and from any device. It has versions available for Android, iOS, and Windows with Steam. Of course, even if it is free, as usually happens in these cases, there are always micropayments with which to advance a little faster.
- Where to download it: Official website
Dwarf Fortress
If you like complicated games ‘Dwarf Fortress’ is one you have to try. Its learning curve is very intense, and it is an open-source title that challenges your strategy by combining genres such as roguelike and city-building games. Your mission is to take command of a group of dwarves and build an underground fortress.
Undoubtedly the most striking thing about the game is its graphics. It’s not that they’re pixelated, it’s that they’re based on colored ASCII symbols. It is available for both Windows and macOS or GNU/Linux.
- Where to download it: Official website
Open Panzer
A turn-based strategy game in which you have to take command of the armies of one of the two sides of World War II. Your mission will be to move around the map conquering key locations and supply points to take control of the scenario, all while destroying the rival army. Although it is also available on mobile, you can also play it on the computer.
- Where to play it: Official Website
Neptune’s Pride 2
‘Neptune’s Pride 2’ is multiplayer in real time, strategy, and open source with which you will have to command your space fleet and conquer the galaxy. Its graphics are simple so that the power of your computer is not an excuse not to play.
In principle, the actions you can do are relatively simple, such as researching technologies, building new ships, trading, and exploring the galaxy. However, the fact that it is multiplayer and in real-time adds the extra factor that if you go too slow the other players will mercilessly kill you.
- Where to play it: Official website
Command & Conquer: Red Alert Online
Another of the classic and historical strategy games that have also been made free is ‘Command & Conquer: Red Alert’, which has its open source version called ‘ OpenRA’. Thanks to this game you will be able to revive one of the great classics of the genre without requiring the original, and it is available for Windows, macOS, and several GNU/Linux distributions.
- Where to download it: Official website
Fallout Shelter
It was born as a simple free mobile game, but ‘Fallout Shelter’ is such a complete strategy and resource management title that it has ended up reaching all platforms. In it, you have to manage your post-apocalyptic bunker and manage its resources to improve its inhabitants so that they can go out and explore the wasteland without problems.
It is free to play supported by micropayments, but not a pay-per-win, so if you are patient you can be entertained for long hours without having to spend a single euro. You have the game as we say on various platforms, including the PC directly from the Windows 10 application store.
- Where to download it: Official website
Hearthstone
And since we have opened the range of strategy with resource managers, another of its subgenres is that of strategic combat card games. And in this genre, one of the greatest representatives is ‘Hearthstone’. This is a game much like ‘Magic the Gathering’, where you manage a thirty-card deck using one of nine different classes (Wizard, Shaman, Druid, and more) that you think will have the best chance of beating your opponents. opponents.
The game was launched in March 2014, and in the four years that it has been active, it has already become the benchmark for card games. Although it is free, it has micropayments to buy extra card packs, so some people are spending large amounts of money to get the best possible decks.
- Where to play it: Official website
League of Legends
Another subgenre of strategy games is MOBAs, which mix action with online strategy in real-time, and the most representative title among all of them is ‘League of Legends’. In this game, teams of 5 players each face each other, where you can choose between more than a hundred different champions, so the combinations and strategies to follow are almost endless.
All the games will take place on a single map, the summoner’s rift, so the playing field is well-known by all and does not penalize or lead any team. LoL has become one of the most representative electronic sports today, and all this starts with a free game.
- Where to download it: Official website
Forge of Empires
‘Forge of Empires’ is a strategy game in which you will start as the leader of a small tribe, and through time and eras, you will be able to develop and explore new technologies, conquer territories and turn your small village into a big city with its castle and defenses. All this without taking an eye off economic and resource management.
It was initially released as a free title for the browser, although little by little it has also reached mobile platforms. The game is multiplayer, so you will also be able to compare yourself with your neighbors and do battles against them. You will also start with some basic resources and buildings, and you will have to invest your money to progress by unlocking new types of buildings.
- Where to play it: Official website
Warzone 2100
‘Warzone 2100’ is a real-time strategy and real-time tactics game developed by Pumpkin Studios and published by Eidos Interactive. It was initially released in 1999 for Windows and PlayStation, although between 2004 and 2008 its source code and license were released, which has allowed it to continue to exist today as a free game.
Your mission is to rebuild the world after humanity has nearly become extinct due to nuclear war. It has single-player and multiplayer gameplay, and offers an extensive tech tree with over 400 different technologies, which combined with the unit design system allows for a wide variety of possible units and tactics.
- Where to download it: Official website
FreeOrion
And we end as we started it, with a classic among the classics. This is FreeOrion, an open-source game inspired by the legendary ‘Masters of Orion’ saga of space conquest. It has versions for various GNU/Linux distributions as well as for Windows and macOS, and it’s an excellent game for anyone looking for a good strategy without too many complications.
The development of the game is in full swing, and after launching the latest version 0.4.8 in August, a server for a future online mode has also begun to be tested. The graphics and the interface are extremely simple, good news for those who have a rather old computer and want to play it.
- Where to download it: Official website
Sharlene Meriel is an avid gamer with a knack for technology. He has been writing about the latest technologies for the past 5 years. His contribution in technology journalism has been noteworthy. He is also a day trader with interest in the Forex market.
