Top 10 turn-based strategy games on PC: a deep dive into tactical games

Civilization 5 is a virtual time machine for creating your own history of humanity. Imagine that you control the fate of an entire nation, from its birth in ancient times to the technological future. That is why Civilization 5 deservedly bears the title of one of the best turn-based strategies. The complete charm of the gameplay created by the genius of Sid Meier immerses you in a world where every decision determines the future of your civilization.

Why Civilization 5 is the standard of turn-based strategies

When it comes to the development of civilization, Civilization 5 remains an unrivaled example of historical strategy. Every element, from the discovery of technologies to the conclusion of diplomatic alliances, deeply immerses the user in the process of creating and expanding their empire. The project masterfully simulates the real historical process: from Columbus’ discovery of America to the invention of the Internet – everything is presented here in the form of game stages and discoveries.

Real historical events are reflected in the mechanics of the game. Here you can feel like an ancient Greek city that decided to develop democracy for the first time, or a Mongol seeking to conquer new territories. All this is presented in such a way that any user feels like a part of something grand. Famous doctrines – such as “Tradition” or “Will” – offer development paths similar to the historical doctrines of different civilizations, allowing you to choose which strategic course to follow. Each action affects the general course of history, which creates a feeling of genuine control over the fate of the nation.

Gameplay and mechanics of Civilization 5

A skillful combination of strategic thinking, diplomacy, and economics. The main gameplay is based on unique mechanics that allow you to immerse yourself in a session for a long. One of the key mechanics is the hexagon system. Unlike previous parts of the series, in Civilization 5 the map is divided into hexagons, which makes planning and placing cities more tactical.

The gameplay includes a well-thought-out system of cultural and scientific progress. Building wonders of the world, such as the Great Pyramid or the Great Wall of China, adds unique bonuses that can change the course of the game. You can choose your nation’s specialization – science, culture, or military might – and each of them will lead to victory in different ways. Scientific research will allow you to launch the first satellite, which will open the way to new technological achievements and bring you closer to victory through space.

Particular attention should be paid to the political branches: from autocracy to freedom – each opens up unique opportunities for the civilization, and the development of diplomacy allows you to form alliances, carry out intrigues, and even arrange trade embargoes against enemies. Politics in Civilization 5 is one of the most exciting parts of the session since every action has consequences.

Why Civilization 5 deserves a place on your PC

Unlike dynamic real-time strategies, which often require quick button mashing, Civilization 5 allows you to carefully consider each move. It is like a game of chess on a global level, where the participant decides the fate of an entire nation.

The project helps develop creative thinking. Each game requires a unique approach, taking into account various conditions – from the location of the starting position to the specifics of neighboring countries. Gradual planning and building long-term strategies allow you to feel real responsibility for each decision made.

Beginner’s Guide: How to Play and What to Expect

If you’re new to Civilization 5, don’t worry — it’s fairly easy to get the hang of the game, just follow a few basic guidelines. Start by exploring your surroundings. Exploration is the key to a successful start. The more territories you explore during your first few days, the better you’ll understand where it’s most profitable to find cities and what resources to use.

Key Territories and Resources:

1. Forests provide bonuses to production and can be cut down to speed up the construction of buildings. Jungles, in turn, provide a bonus to science when building a university, making them important for scientific development.
2. Coasts provide access to fish resources, increasing food growth and trade income. Placing cities near oceans also allows you to build harbors and ships, which increases your economic and military advantage.
3. Mountains. Cannot be used for construction, but cities near mountains gain access to the Observatory Wonder, which significantly increases scientific growth. Mountains are also a good natural defense, making it more difficult for enemy attacks.
4. Fertile plains are ideal for agriculture, providing high food yields, which contributes to rapid population growth in cities. Plains with access to rivers further increase production and income.
5. Strategic resources. Horses are needed to create cavalry units, which makes them extremely important in the early stages of the game. Iron provides the ability to create strong combat units such as swordsmen and catapults.
6. Rivers and lakes. Cities built near rivers receive a bonus to gold, which contributes to economic growth. Lakes can serve as a source of fresh water, increasing the yield of neighboring tiles.
7. Deserts. At the beginning of the game, desert territories may seem useless, but the Petra wonder of the world turns deserts into powerful economic zones, increasing production and income.

The second important step is choosing doctrines. In the early stages of the game, we recommend choosing Tradition to develop one powerful city or Will for rapid expansion. These branches will help you find a balance between economic and military power. Recommended Doctrines and Wonders of the World for a Successful Start:

1. Tradition. Good for developing one powerful city. Increases growth rate and strengthens infrastructure.
2. Will. Ideal for aggressive expansion. Allows you to find new cities faster and receive bonuses from developing territories.
3. Wonders of the World. The Pyramid speeds up construction, allowing you to build buildings and improvements faster. The Great Library provides free technology, which helps you get ahead of your rivals in the scientific race.

Diplomacy is an important factor. Learn to negotiate with your neighbors, but be prepared for the fact that peace will not always be strong. Conclude trade agreements to strengthen your economy, but keep your army ready – you never know when a former ally can become an enemy.

Conclusion

Civilization 5 is a virtual history simulation that allows users to feel like an empire builder. Here you can build cities, enter into alliances, and develop culture and science, and every step affects the fate of the entire world. Intrigue, strategy, and civilization development create a unique gaming space in which you can get lost for hours, creating your own story. This experience will definitely not leave you indifferent.

Among the many genres of PC games, military strategies occupy a special place. Projects test strategic thinking, the ability to manage armies and plan operations like a real commander. In 2024, this genre continues to evolve, offering new challenges and improved mechanics that will make you feel the full power of military management.

Military strategies on PC: training your thinking and skills

Projects train analytical thinking, develop management skills and teach you to make quick decisions. Imagine a battlefield where thousands of lives depend on your every move. Such scenarios help you feel how difficult it is to plan large-scale operations, control resources and outplay opponents with the help of strategic maneuvers. Users are required to concentrate, analyze and plan accurately – an excellent brain trainer.

The role of military strategies in the development of cognitive abilities

Look at the genre from the point of view of its role in the development of cognitive abilities. Military strategies are an opportunity not only to have fun on a PC, but also to learn. Scenarios based on real historical events provide an opportunity to explore parallels with the chronicle and understand how tactical decisions can change the course of events.

Popularity of military strategies on PC in 2024

The direction continues to win the hearts of gamers, attracting them with its combination of intelligence, planning and adrenaline. This genre has never been as popular as it is now, because in the modern world, strategic thinking is becoming an important skill, not only on the battlefield, but also in life.

The best military strategies on PC: what to pay attention to in 2024

Spoiler: there are not so many cool projects, but you will definitely find the best option for yourself.

Total War: Pharaoh – exciting ancient Egypt

2024 has prepared many interesting new products. Among them, several projects stand out that can capture you from the first minutes. Let’s start with Total War: Pharaoh, a new part of the popular franchise that will take users to ancient Egypt: great graphics, historical accuracy and depth of tactical possibilities.

Company of Heroes 3 – tactical immersion in World War II

Company of Heroes 3 is one of the leaders. The plot takes place during World War II, offering unique opportunities for tactical planning and deep immersion in the events of that time. The destruction system and the ability to control individual units make the gameplay even more exciting.

Age of Empires IV – new horizons of the classics

We should not forget about Age of Empires IV, which continues the classic traditions, but at the same time brings a lot of innovations. Unique civilizations, interesting campaigns and new mechanics are ideal for lovers of deep multi-move games.

Military strategies on PC in real time and turn-based: what to choose?

When it comes to choosing, it is important to understand which style suits you best. Real-time strategies require instant decisions, they are dynamic. Variants such as StarCraft II test reflexes and the ability to instantly adapt to changing conditions on the battlefield.

Time to think and plan

On the other hand, turn-based strategies allow you to calmly think over each move. For example, Civilization VI allows you to assess the situation, calculate several steps ahead and develop long-term tactics. This is an ideal choice for those who like to think over each action and carefully plan their actions.

Advantages

Real-time military strategies:

1. High dynamics and speed of decision-making.
2. Unpredictability of the gameplay.
3. Adrenaline tension.

Turn-based:

1. The ability to think over each move.
2. Deeper analysis and planning.
3. Minimization of stress due to the lack of a timer.

The most interesting military strategies on a large map

Fans of global decisions always appreciate scenarios with huge maps where you can roam: the opportunity to feel like a real commander, managing not only an army, but also huge territories. Europa Universalis IV is a great example. Empire management, diplomacy, wars and economics are all part of the exciting gameplay.

Hearts of Iron IV – details and control on the scale of World War II

Hearts of Iron IV also deserves a mention. The concept allows you to carefully control every detail of military operations, including supplies, diplomatic relations and tactical operations. A large map opens up many opportunities for implementing the most ambitious plans.

Why are large maps a unique gaming experience?

Large maps allow you to dive deeper into the process and feel the scale of what is happening. Such offers are especially attractive to those who like complex tasks and the ability to manage global processes.

Military strategies about World War II: historical accuracy and gameplay on PC

The theme of World War II continues to be one of the most popular. The Company of Heroes and Steel Division 2 projects demonstrate a high level of historical accuracy: they are not only entertaining, but also serve as an educational tool, allowing players to understand the chronology of events and feel the atmosphere of that time.

The mechanics in such solutions are often based on real military operations, which adds authenticity to them. Users are offered not only to command armies, but also to take into account such factors as logistics, troop morale and weather conditions, which makes the game even more realistic.

Conclusion

Military strategies on PC continue to be one of the most popular genres among gamers. In 2024, this trend is not only not losing relevance, but also gaining new facets thanks to innovation, variety and depth. The stories are becoming more realistic and their mechanics more complex.

If you’re looking for a game that will challenge your intellect and make you feel like a real warlord, try one of the ones described above. Each gives you the opportunity to develop your analytical skills, improve your planning skills and, of course, enjoy winning.