15 Best Strategy Games on PS4 & PS5

There is a multitude of remarkable strategy games available on PC, and perhaps you may feel like you're missing out if you stick exclusively to consoles. You might even be contemplating exchanging your PlayStation for a PC, but numerous other games deter you from making that decision.

The good news is that even if you choose to keep your consoles, many renowned strategy games are not exclusively available for PC. They provide a wide selection and challenge you to put your thinking cap on. Whether you're a novice or an experienced player, here are strategy games that you should play on your PlayStation.

Updated on September 11, 2023, by Vanessa Esguerra: There are numerous classic real-time strategy, survival strategy, and turn-based combat games that have made their way to the PS4 and PS5. There are also newer, more challenging, and story-driven strategy games that deserve greater praise and recognition.

15 Ruined King: A League Of Legends Story

If you're a fan of League of Legends and enjoy turn-based strategy games, Ruined King: A League of Legends Story has been available since 2021. This game is perfect for those who love delving deep into the lore of Runeterra, particularly the Ruination, and it also provides a great opportunity to take a break from League of Legends.

It is also interesting to mention that you will see your favorite characters fighting in a different manner since it is a turn-based strategy game. Even if their abilities are familiar to you, you must be cautious with your moves if you have any chance of defeating the Ruined King.

14 Gwent: The Witcher Card Game

It is a pleasure to play as Geralt in The Witcher series and slay all sorts of magical monsters, but sitting down and playing a game of Gwent is also a great way to relax after defeating basilisks. Besides being a fun strategic card game, it is also available for free on PS4.

Despite its release in 2017, this card game has survived and remains extremely popular thanks to continuous updates. It's not just a matter of simply destroying the opponent's cards, as it can quickly become complicated depending on the factions involved.

13 Bad North

If you haven't had enough of Bad North on your mobile device or Nintendo Switch, it is also available on PS4 and PS5. Even if you don't purchase the Jotunn Edition, it is a satisfying experience to defend your solitary, minimalist kingdom in isolation. As idyllic as the game may appear, it is still a real-time strategy game that gradually becomes more challenging.

Things get chaotic on this seemingly peaceful island, and invasions come in waves. You must equip your troops and enhance their class if you wish to preserve the relative peace of your island.

12 Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus

If you haven't played any previous Warhammer games, Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus is a good choice if you want to get into the series. Although it has been criticized for not being challenging enough, this can be one of the reasons why it serves as a good entry point into the series.

You will lead the most advanced technological army as you plunder the tombs of the Necrons. Each encounter will have different objectives that you must survive. And if you manage to make it to the end, you will be delighted to know that this game offers tremendous replay value.

11 Northgard

If you have been drawn into the realm of games centered around Norse mythology, then Northgard is a perfect fit for you. While you won't be battling humans and gods like in God of War: Ragnarok, you will have the responsibility of transforming Northgard into a flourishing Viking settlement.

Sustaining civilizations in harsh climates is challenging, but the Vikings managed to do so centuries ago, conquering vast lands. It would be a shame if you fail to keep your mythical Viking clan alive in Northgard, where the cold winters simulated on your PS5 add to the immersive experience.

10 Planet Coaster

Perhaps the type of strategy game you want to play doesn't involve completely annihilating your opponent. You can set aside your dream of creating your own Disneyland and instead build your own amusement park in Planet Coaster. What could possibly go wrong in a strategy game centered around a theme park?

Absolutely everything can go wrong, and you will discover that managing the happiest place on Earth means being unhappy yourself. In an amusement park, anything can go wrong, from bankruptcy and crime to dangerous rides. Even if you don't want to conquer lands or worlds here, you will experience a dystopian Disneyland if you make all sorts of bad decisions.

9 Marvel's Midnight Suns

One of the best features of Marvel's Midnight Suns is its accessibility. You can even carry it in your pocket by playing it on your phone. This game is a must-play for Marvel fans, and even if you're not a self-proclaimed Marvel expert, the turn-based strategy game delivers just as much action as you would expect.

As much as you would love to blast away with Iron Man, it all depends on the cards. Your options are limited by the hand you are dealt, so you can't simply fight your way through to defeat the demons in your path.

8 Crusader Kings 3

If aliens and superheroes aren't exactly your preferred themes to pass the time, you can indulge in tradition by elevating your dynasty to glory in Crusader Kings 3. You will experience the drama, dangers, and intrigues that a noble faced during the Middle Ages.

If you're feeling a bit of competitive spirit, you can also play this game in multiplayer mode with friends to raise the stakes. In addition to waging wars and expanding your territory, continuity and heirs are also important aspects to consider for your dynasty.

7 Kenshi

What is it like to be a human who emerged from nothingness? No parents to take care of you, and no clothing to protect you from the elements and curious gazes? If real life is hard for you, think about how much harder it is for those who come into existence in Kenshi. There is no actual goal except to create your own adventure and survive in this world.

It is not easy to survive in Kenshi, and you will find that starting without any resources will be a long and painful struggle for your character.

6 Tactics Ogre: Reborn

You will begin your journey in the age of Xytengia, a time of war. At the beginning, you can choose some attributes and gifts from the Arcana, but everything else in the game will depend on your decisions.

Tactics Ogre: Reborn not only expects you to be wise in your decisions but also immerses you in its own historically rich world. It's safe to say that you will play this game to see how life unfolds when you remake your decisions.

5 Octopath Traveler 2

Octopath Traveler 2 also revolves around decisions, and each character you choose to explore with will have a different story. You can be a prince from a noble household overwhelmed by tyranny, a vengeful scholar seeking justice for their family, a brave thief fighting for freedom through battles, or an aspiring dancer from a small town who wants to be the best in the world. It is also a turn-based strategy game, but you will likely play it for its captivating and diverse stories.

4 Anno 1800

If you have ever complained about the terrible urban planning in your country, you can take matters into your own hands and build your own city in Anno 1800. You could actually create a better city, but you will also realize that this is not possible without compromises.

In the midst of the Industrial Age, you must make decisions that have a significant impact on the people living in your city. You need to know where to allocate your resources, how to make your city secure, and how to achieve economic success. And if you don't know where to start, you should take a look at this.

3 XCOM 2

If you're tired of building civilizations and cities, perhaps resisting an alien invasion is more your type of strategy game. Many XCOM fans will have to agree that this game is by no means easy, and many terrible things can go wrong, leading to unexpected deaths.

You might think that setting the game to "Beginner" would provide some relief, but that's just wishful thinking. So, if you're an experienced tactical player looking for a new source of frustration in the form of alien invaders, XCOM 2 is the best choice to play on your PS4.

2 Civilization 6

You can't search for strategy games without Civilization 6 being mentioned at least once, and for good reason. Choosing a leader changes everything in the game, and with many DLCs being regularly released, it never gets boring in this game.

The goal is to dominate the world without regard for losses - just like a real politician. If you've ever wanted to satisfy your god complex, playing Civ 6 allows you to do exactly that by creating a global power at your fingertips.

1 Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3 will offer you hours of gaming pleasure on your PS5. The memes and peculiar advertisements may have led you to try out this turn-based role-playing game, but the adventure and boundless possibilities you have while playing this game will keep you hooked to your controller. You won't always be forced into turn-based combat and can explore the world, so you have a lot of freedom.

But turn-based combat is at the core of Baldur's Gate 3, and you will shed blood if you don't fight bosses strategically. Discover which spells and abilities you can use, and maybe you'll manage to defeat Orin with a single blow. Play D&D in video game form with Baldur's Gate 3.