6 of the Best Turn-Based Strategy Game Series for Windows PC

A turn-based strategy game is one based on turn-based gameplay. Players make tactical or strategic turn-based decisions to emerge victorious against the AI in solo campaigns. The Windows PC platform has long been the best for turn-based strategy games, dating back to the 1990s. Many of the most genre-defining turn-based strategy game series started on PC, with some ported over to consoles. These are the best turn-based strategy game series to play on Windows PCs.

Civilization

The original Civilization from the 1990s was perhaps the most genre-defining turn-based strategy game of all. This series popularized the 4x turn-based formula of explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate. It is a game series in which players guide civilizations throughout the ages by establishing settlements, researching technologies, and waging wars. This turn-based game series has several primary installments and is undoubtedly one of the most engaging, with its diverse leader selection, variable victory conditions, strategic depth, and great replay value.

Sid Meier’s Civilization IV (four) is the most highly-rated addition to the Civ game series with a Metacritic score of 94. That was the installment that introduced and refined key gameplay mechanics, such as religion, vassal states, and civics. It was also the first in the series with a full 3D graphics engine that moved the series beyond a 2D isometric perspective.

Age of Wonders

Age of Wonders is a turn-based strategy game series that blends empire building with turn-based combat. Unlike some turn-based games, Age of Wonders features more in-depth tactical battles that are comparable to those from RPGs. It offers unmatched customization for creating empires with options to form custom leaders and unique races through magical progression. With varied maps and diverse factions, the Age of Wonders game series generally has strong replay value.

The most recent Age of Wonders 4 installment, which revitalized the franchise, is perhaps the biggest highlight of the AoW series. That is a great Age of Empires game because of its deep customization, dynamic turn-based combat, and vibrant graphical art style. However, Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic, a standalone expansion for AoW II, is also one of the best classic additions to the series for its nostalgic charm and atmosphere.

X-COM

The X-COM game series is renowned for its compelling tactical turn-based squad combat. It is a game series in which players slog it out against alien foes by commanding elite paramilitary squads. This game series offers a great blend of high-stakes tactical combat and strategic base management, mixed in with saving the world from alien storylines.

There have been 13 X-COM games in total, with an original series from the 1990s and a rebooted one. For many, the more recent X-COM 2 (the sequel to Enemy Unknown) is the best addition to the series, especially with its War of the Chosen expansion. Players love X-COM 2 because of its dynamic, procedurally generated maps, faster-paced guerrilla warfare premise, deep customization options, and extensive modding communities.

Total War

Total War is the most renowned hybrid turn-based real-time strategy game series in history. Although its games include massive and cinematic real-time battles, their engrossing campaigns are entirely turn-based. Total War’s turn-based campaign games, in which players can manage the settlements, economies, diplomatic maneuvering, and armies of their empires, offer considerable strategic depth.

There have been about 16 primary additions to the Total War turn-based game series (excluding DLCs). Rome: Total War was perhaps the most definitive installment because of the revolutionary 3D engine it introduced and broader strategic scope. Total War: Shogun 2 is generally the most highly rated of the series with a Metascore of 90.

Heroes of Might and Magic

The Heroes of Might and Magic game series offers a unique blend of tactical turn-based combat, exploration, city-building, and RPG adventure. HoMM players take command of heroes to fight tactical battles, collect resources, and build up their cities. Heroes of Might and Magic is a great turn-based strategy game series because of its addictive gameplay loop, high replay value, detailed art styles, distinct factions, and atmospheric music.

There have been several Heroes of Might and Magic games dating back to the 1990s, with an upcoming eighth HoMM Olden Era game scheduled for 2026. For many players, Heroes of Might and Magic III is the highlight of the series. Players love Heroes of Might and Magic III because of its deep strategic gameplay, unmatched content variety, and beautiful hand-drawn 2D graphics.

Unity of Command

Unity of Command is one of the most highly rated turn-based strategy game series for operational warfare. The Unity of Command games are about World War II operational warfare. It is a game series in which players move army units across a hex-based board to fulfill objective-based scenarios within turn limits. The Unity of Command games are renowned for their design quality, accessibility, and logistics and supply gameplay mechanics.

The Unity of Command series isn’t the most extensive, with only two primary installments, albeit with additional DLC expansions. Unity of Command II is the more highly-rated addition to the series because of its 3D engine and enhanced accessibility features. That game includes dynamic operations focused on the Western European theater of World War II with an emphasis on high-tempo warfare and dramatic military maneuvers.

The Windows PC remains the best gaming platform for the TBS genre because of the turn-based strategy game franchises above. Game series like Total War, Civilization, Heroes of Might and Magic, Unity of Command, X-COM, and Age of Wonders offer considerable variety within the TBS genre. Those are game series in which you can fight aliens, lead global empires, explore maps, create races, or conquer the battlefields of World War II. Such franchises include some of the best turn-based games ever, such as Heroes of Might and Magic III, Unity of Command 2, Civilization IV, Rome: Total War, X-COM 2, and Age of Wonders IV.