Best Strategy Games on Steam
Steam currently has 34,837 Strategy games available to download and play. Explore our list of the best picks ranked by Player Score. Our Player Score rankings are calculated directly from reviews left on the Steam store and will be updated in real-time as more players leave their feedback. Strategy game rankings were last updated on 1/23/2025.
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1. RimWorld
A sci-fi colony sim driven by an intelligent AI storyteller. Generates stories by simulating psychology, ecology, gunplay, melee combat, climate, biomes, diplomacy, interpersonal relationships, art, medicine, trade, and more.
RimWorld holds the #1 spot for "best Strategy game on Steam" with a Player Score of 97. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 202,391 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 198,301 positive reviews and 4,090 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $34.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
- Price:$34.99
- Release Date:10/17/2018
- Developer:Ludeon Studios
- Publisher:Ludeon Studios
- Last Updated:1/23/2025
- Steam App Id:294100
2. Balatro
The poker roguelike. Balatro is a hypnotically satisfying deckbuilder where you play illegal poker hands, discover game-changing jokers, and trigger adrenaline-pumping, outrageous combos.
Balatro has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 120,830 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 118,608 positive reviews and 2,222 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
- Price:$14.99
- Release Date:2/20/2024
- Franchise:Playstack
- Developer:LocalThunk
- Publishers:
- Last Updated:1/21/2025
- Steam App Id:2379780
3. Slay the Spire
We fused card games and roguelikes together to make the best single player deckbuilder we could. Craft a unique deck, encounter bizarre creatures, discover relics of immense power, and Slay the Spire!
Slay the Spire has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 173,629 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 169,854 positive reviews and 3,775 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $8.49 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
- Price:$8.49
- Release Date:1/23/2019
- Developers:
- Publishers:
- Last Updated:1/17/2025
- Steam App Id:646570
4. Totally Accurate Battle Simulator
Be the leader of wobblers from ancient lands, spooky places, and fantasy worlds. Watch them fight in simulations made with the wobbliest physics system ever created, make your own wobblers in the unit creator and send your army off to fight your friends in multiplayer.
Totally Accurate Battle Simulator has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 131,928 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 129,062 positive reviews and 2,866 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $6.79 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
- Price:$6.79
- Release Date:4/1/2021
- Franchise:Landfall Games
- Developer:Landfall
- Publisher:Landfall
- Last Updated:1/18/2025
- Steam App Id:508440
5. Mount & Blade: Warband
In a land torn asunder by incessant warfare, it is time to assemble your own band of hardened warriors and enter the fray. Lead your men into battle, expand your realm, and claim the ultimate prize: the throne of Calradia!
Mount & Blade: Warband has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 164,722 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 160,990 positive reviews and 3,732 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Mount & Blade: Warband on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
- Price:$19.99
- Release Date:3/31/2010
- Developer:TaleWorlds Entertainment
- Publisher:TaleWorlds Entertainment
- Last Updated:1/22/2025
- Steam App Id:48700
6. Counter-Strike
Play the world's number 1 online action game. Engage in an incredibly realistic brand of terrorist warfare in this wildly popular team-based game. Ally with teammates to complete strategic missions. Take out enemy sites. Rescue hostages. Your role affects your team's success. Your team's success affects your role.
Counter-Strike has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 246,545 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 240,232 positive reviews and 6,313 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Counter-Strike on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
7. Bloons TD 6
The Bloons are back and better than ever! Get ready for a massive 3D tower defense game designed to give you hours and hours of the best strategy gaming available.
Bloons TD 6 has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 342,589 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 333,371 positive reviews and 9,218 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $13.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Bloons TD 6 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
- Price:$13.99
- Release Date:12/18/2018
- Franchise:Ninja Kiwi Games
- Developer:Ninja Kiwi
- Publisher:Ninja Kiwi
- Last Updated:1/23/2025
- Steam App Id:960090
8. The WereCleaner
Kyle is a Janitor. He's also a Werewolf. And now he's got the night shift. Try not to kill anyone while working to get your paycheck - in a stealth-comedy game with surprises around every corner.
The WereCleaner has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 8,503 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 8,461 positive reviews and 42 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
- Release Date:5/7/2024
- Developer:Howlin' Hugs
- Publisher:USC Games
- Last Updated:1/17/2025
- Steam App Id:2795000
9. Papa's Freezeria Deluxe
Return to Calypso Island to serve seasonal sundae treats in Papa's Freezeria Deluxe! Craft sundaes in the Freezeria for all your quirky customers while earning tips, points and Special Recipes. Switch gears and take a trip in the Food Truck to concoct your own chilly creations and see who shows up!
Papa's Freezeria Deluxe has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 10,586 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 10,508 positive reviews and 78 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $5.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Papa's Freezeria Deluxe on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
- Price:$5.99
- Release Date:3/31/2023
- Franchise:Papa Louie Games
- Developer:Flipline Studios
- Publisher:Flipline Studios
- Last Updated:1/17/2025
- Steam App Id:2291760
10. Plants vs. Zombies GOTY Edition
Zombies are invading your home, and the only defense is your arsenal of plants! Armed with an alien nursery-worth of zombie-zapping plants like peashooters and cherry bombs, you'll need to think fast and plant faster to stop dozens of types of zombies dead in their tracks.
Plants vs. Zombies GOTY Edition has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Strategy games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 136,013 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 132,729 positive reviews and 3,284 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $4.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Plants vs. Zombies GOTY Edition on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
- Price:$4.99
- Release Date:5/5/2009
- Franchise:PopCap EA
- Developer:PopCap Games, Inc.
- Publishers:
- Last Updated:10/29/2024
- Steam App Id:3590
More Strategy Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best Strategy games available on Steam.
Soures & References
Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Reviews and rankings are enriched, analyzed, and updated in real-time to ensure we surface the most up-to-date insights. Learn more about the Steambase approach to data collection and our review methodology.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 23). Steam Store. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 23). RimWorld on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/294100
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 21). Balatro on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2379780
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 17). Slay the Spire on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/646570
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 18). Totally Accurate Battle Simulator on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/508440
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 22). Mount & Blade: Warband on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/48700
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 22). Counter-Strike on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/10
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 23). Bloons TD 6 on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/960090
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 17). The WereCleaner on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2795000
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 17). Papa's Freezeria Deluxe on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2291760
- Valve Corporation. (2024, October 29). Plants vs. Zombies GOTY Edition on Steam. Steam Store. https://store.steampowered.com/app/3590