Video Games

Total Paid $42

What's the best strategy game of all time? Tell us and explain why for $7!

We've got an ongoing project on Just About Video Games to build definitive community-sourced lists of the best games ever, across various genres. You know the ones we mean - every major gaming site does them - but what do gaming communities think?

We've discussed the best FPS game and the best RPG. Next up: strategy games. Real-time and turn-based, 4Xes, whatever 'grand strategy' means, and perhaps the odd hybrid - a lot of modern strategy games crib from other genres, like deck-building and roguelikes, so that's ok too, but no management sims or city builders for now. They'll get their turn. Think: complex systems, problem-solving, planning, and long-term decision-making. Strategising, in other words.

Nominate one such game as the best strategy game ever and justify your choice. We're looking for at least a couple of paragraphs of analysis - minimum 150 words, or 90 seconds of video. The best entries will win $7!

Task: Tell us what the best strategy game ever made is and explain why

Format: Written (150 words minimum) or video (90 seconds minimum)

How to submit a written entry:

Hit the 'submit to this bounty' button just below this description - do not use the reply button unless you just want to comment on the thread, as replies will not be counted as entries!
Add a written response and feel free to include images.

How to submit a video entry:

Create your video and post it to your connected TikTok, YouTube or Instagram account.
In your post description, please tag us! We're @JustAbout__ on YouTube, @justaboutcommunity on Instagram, and @justaboutcommunity on TikTok. We'd also love it if you included #JustAbout.
Hit the 'submit to this bounty' button just below this description - do not use the reply button unless you just want to comment on the thread, as replies will not be counted as entries!
Share a link to your post in the box that appears, then expand it so we can view the video on Just About.

Once the deadline closes, we’ll pick 6 submissions, award $7 to each of the winners, and may share them as curated content.

Disclaimer: Geographical and age restrictions apply. Please see our Terms of Use for more information on how bounties are created and rewarded on Just About. One reward available per member.

Take care not to breach copyright. Check our copyright policy before submitting.
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Created at 2:16pm, 19th January, 2024. Page last updated at 2:43pm, 16th May, 2024.
Deadline at 11:30pm, 25th January, 2024.

Submissions (10)

MURRRAAAAY1/25/2024

nnnnnnnnoooooooooooo I just wrote a love letter to red alert 2 and clicked submit to bought again by accident and it cleared my whole story instead of clicking post submission :(

Samuel1/25/2024

Does this game even need an intro? Age of Empires II!

This is the game that set everything off RTS-wise - right from the get-go, right from when we still had to string the LAN wires between everyone's dorm rooms...

For this explanation, I'll keep it simple and retain it to the base edition released in 1999. (Yes, it is that old!)

This game has everything that one could as for RTS wise, and then some. The gameplay still is, in my eyes, the best to this day with its timeless and polished mechanics and graphics.

The historical setting for this game, spans each of the historical periods including the Middle Ages to the Imperial ages with every civilization dreamable! (The Teutons were always my favourite)

Another thing to note is that every civilisation was balanced with its own strengths and weaknesses, with their unique civilization troop, technologies and units allowing for unlimited replayability because no single strategy is "the meta" and is the singular tactic to use... I mean, throwing a whole bunch of foot soldiers at a cavalry-focused civilization isn't the greatest idea!

Then you have the neat resource management - everything must be managed correctly for other resources are finite and your opponents won't hesitate to sneakily grab yours whilst you're busy up north. It was well polished, with the resource demands ramping up later in the game which forced players to start making moves on each other (Uh, strategically of course...)

Then, like my comment in the first sentence..... the multiplayer experience.

I don't think many games can hold a candle to the multiplayer experience (except quake) with its great multiplayer games. It was so easy, accessible and fun, everybody could play! And even 25 years along since its release, there are hundreds and hundreds of lobbies, still on! Talk about popularity.

All of these things combined with its strategic depth, scenario editor for unlimited replays and wacky creations, and fantastic tutorial and singleplayer missions, easily puts Age of Empires II at the VERY top of my list.

Wololololo

FUN INC1/24/2024

I loved Risk as a game.

I have really fond memories being a child trying to take over the world.

It generally ended up in lots of shouting and raised voices... pretty much like real world politics and diplomacy.

Surprise ambushes, occupation of nations, betrayal, alliance forming, backstabbing and cheating - who doesn't want some of that over a hot chocolate on Christmas morning?!

I just wish that i could find the game at home ... I've got the urge to play it now! :D

Lanah Tyra1/21/2024

Star Wars - Empire at War

It was the first strategy game I ever played and still only the tabletop Star Wars Armada could beat it for me. The more planets your control the more resources you will have and battles are fought both in space and on the surface for control over a planet.

It's set before A New Hope and and features famous characters from the movies like Admiral Ackbar, Obi-Wan Kenobi or Darth Vader. You can get these heroes summoned in time of need and they will help you in your battle.

I loved to go down to planets known from the movies and books and establish or conquer outposts. You can pick a side, Empire or Rebellion and since the Forces of Corruption expansion introducing a third faction the Zann Consortium, should you fancy becoming a crime lord.

Each side has signature fighting styles and requires different strategies so if you enjoy them all there's plenty of replay options in the game. There are multiple endings to the game, both canon and non-canon, depending which faction you play, how and where your final battle will take place.

Best thing in it all? As mentioned in this discussion it's still getting updates after 17 years!

Archfossil1/20/2024

I'm just going to say "Chess" and leave it at that. Chess is not only "alive" some 200 years after its inception, it's stronger now than ever. No other game holds a candle frankly.