There’s no doubt that the rise in video games comes with some fantastic titles to choose from. Whether you’re interested in magical mysterious worlds, commanding huge armies or pitting your wits against those building cities around yours, there’s something great about knowing you’re sharpening your mind as well as having fun. If you’re interested in being challenged with your gaming, you may want to consider looking at strategy games. This offers you a unique chance to immerse yourself in a world where your opponents are to be defeated online.

Here, we take a look at some of the best strategy games available whether you want to play online to enter real-world battles at a later date, or you want to hone your decision-making skills.

The benefits of playing strategy games

Strategy games provide a unique way to hone valuable soft skills. This can significantly help when it comes to study or work. There are various ways in which consistent play of strategy games can help sharpen your abilities. Let’s take a look at some of them:

  • Critical thinking – You must analyse situations on the hop, and assess risks and rewards. Critically analysing the position you’re in at any given time will give you the best chance of success.
  • Problem-solving – As your opponent moves, they may cause you problems, which you will have to quickly solve.
  • Decision-making – Making quick decisions for short and long-term gain is crucial in business. If you can evaluate your options quickly, and commit fully to your course of action, this could be highly valued in a workplace environment.
  • Adaptability – You may have to change your plans based on what your opponent does next. This can help develop adaptability and flexibility, which is crucial in life and business.
  • Resource management – It is also vital that you can manage your resources well. You will have a finite amount of resources in strategy games, and deploying these at the right time to the best effect will ensure you develop skills that will see you right through your working life.

The Best Digital Strategy Games Around

While you could argue that strategy is important in a wide variety of online games, certain titles come up time and time again when it comes to strategy gaming.

Magic: The Gathering Arena

This iconic trading card game has been seamlessly adapted to work online. You’ll get to command powerful wizards, deploy fantastic creatures and use magic to destroy your opponents. There are plenty of opportunities to practice virtual deck building, and you’ll be able to hone your strategic decision-making skills before taking on face-to-face opponents in one of the competitive Magic: The Gathering live events.

Civilisation VI

In this game, you will explore your world, build cities, research new technologies, and choose whether to wage war or push for peace.  Each civilisation has a different style and its challenges and opportunities. Knowing how to use them to your advantage is crucial to winning the game.

XCOM 2

A strategic game that sci-fi fans will adore, XCOM 2 is a turn-based tactical game. Essentially, you will be fighting against an alien occupation, as part of a resistance force. You’ll need to deploy soldiers on missions aimed at disrupting the aliens’ pursuit of ultimate power as well as managing your base and researching some of the advanced technologies you come across. This game is short to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Warhammer 3

As a fantastic strategy game, Total War’s Warhammer 3 allows you to not only command huge armies, but engage in fantastic battles. It also allows you to conquer territories, immersing yourself fully in your online world.

Crusader Kings 3

Here, you’ll enjoy ruling a corner of medieval Europe with all that this entails. You’ll want to broaden your kingdom, make political decisions, and manage those who may wish to betray you. This ever-changing game will challenge your adaptability and abilities to second-guess your opponents’ every move.

Play Your Way

Of course, the games you choose must align with the style of games you enjoy playing. For example, if you’re into sci-fi, XCOM 2 may be the best for you, whereas if mythical creatures and fantasy worlds appeal to you, Magic: The Gathering could be an obvious choice.

Either way, you will be able to enjoy pitting your wits against your opponents whilst knowing you are building skills that will benefit you long after each game ends