7 Best Strategy Open-World Games, Ranked (2024)

Strategy open-world games offer players of all levels entertaining and immersive experiences and take them on fun adventures during which they'll have to rely on their critical thinking skills. While many of these games can be challenging for beginners, there are also plenty of entertaining open-world games that require players to think critically and strategically and are a good fit for players of all levels.

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Gamers can even try gorgeously designed free strategy games, go on sci-fi and fantasy adventures and try to defeat monsters and aliens. Or even travel back in time and become great warriors and kings who have to conquer new territories and lead their people to victory while exploring some of the most unique, complex, and wondrous gaming worlds. However, these games aren't only entertaining but educational too since players will be also able to improve their problem-solving and decision-making skills during their adventures.

Updated June 10th, 2024 by Russ Boswell: There are a lot of great RTS, strategy, and open-world releases out there, but few combine together to capture the grand scale of conquering a massive world. As time moves forward and technology gets better, players are able to jump into massive-scale strategy releases that will test their skills as a manager and leader, forcing them to contend with large battles, supply issues, and much more. To better showcase some of the best open-world-style strategy games, the following list has been updated with more entries and information.

7 Hegemony Gold: Wars of Ancient Greece

• Released: March 30, 2012
• Platforms: PC
• Developer: Longbow Games

Released back in 2012, Hegemony Gold: Wars of Ancient Greece is a massive game with a historically accurate zoomable map that should scratch the itch for players who are looking for something that "feels" open-world, while simultaneously giving them the classic RTS elements they crave. There are three campaigns to choose from that will have players taking over as Sparta, Athens, or Macedonia, but those that are looking for something truly customizable can choose from 26 different factions and carve their own path through sandbox mode. This is a great choice for history and open-world strategy fans.

6 RimWorld

RimWorld is a perfect choice for players of all levels who enjoy exploring the worlds of dark sim games. While it's a more challenging strategy sci-fi game it also offers players a rewarding experience thanks to its unique storytelling and rich and thrilling world.

Players will have to manage a colony of survivors who are stranded on a hostile alien planet and will have to make difficult decisions to make sure that their colony survives. RimWorld not only has a great story but the colonists also have their own personalities and backstories. Gamers will have to perform all kinds of activities including gathering and managing recourses, combat and protect their colonists, while building a good base to ensure their survival.

5 Satisfactory

Satisfactory is one of the most fun co-op sim games with great graphics that transports its players to an alien planet where they'll have to build multi-story factories while exploring this fascinating planet. This open-world factory-building game is a great choice for beginners and advanced players who love entertaining but challenging strategy games.

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Players can choose to go on their adventures solo or with their friends and explore and combat the enemies of the alien planet together. Satisfactory has one of the most beautiful open-world environments and features various areas as well as interesting biomes and wildlife that make the game feel more immersive.

4 Wartales

Wartales is a stunningly designed turn-based strategy open-world game that transports its players to the beautiful but dangerous world of the Edoran Empire where they'll get to step into the shoes of mercenaries who have to lead their group through a medieval-inspired world.

During their journey players will be able to explore this fascinating open world while fighting enemies, collecting bounties, exploring ancient tombs and uncovering their secrets. While this strategy RPG can be challenging for casual players, there are plenty of useful guides like Wartales' trait tier list that'll make their experience more enjoyable from the start.

3 X4: Foundations

• Released: November 30th, 2018
• Platforms: PC
• Developer: Egosoft

X4: Foundations is a fascinating sci-fi strategy open-world game that lets its players explore space. During their epic journey players will get to step into the shoes of space explorers and have to manage their fleets and build bases.

Since this complex world has many different factions with their own goals players will have to use their diplomatic and strategic skills as they build relationships, negotiate, trade, and try to avoid any conflict that could harm their reputation. Gamers' goal is to build their own space stations and fleets to trade while trying to defeat enemies, as well as expand their influence in the galaxy.

2 Kenshi

Kenshi transports its players to a beautiful but deadly alien planet where they can get to become adventurers, warlords, rebels, or thieves among many other things. This free-roaming squad-based RPG requires players to use their creativity and make their mark in this cruel world.

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During their journeys, players not only get to explore this fascinating and complex world but form it to their liking while building their base, recruiting and training their soldiers, and managing their diplomatic relations with other factions while fighting for their survival.

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord

offers its players a deep and engaging open-world strategy experience while transporting them into a medieval-inspired world called Calradia. This beloved medieval combat sim game has a complex and beautifully designed open world that's filled with epic battles.

Players will get to step into the shoes of medieval warriors and not only conquer new lands but craft, trade, and use their diplomatic skills during their adventures. Gamers will get to fight alongside their troops and engage in epic and challenging real-time battles to create a new world.

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