5 Best Strategy Games to Look Forward to in 2026

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Strategy games have become incredibly popular, moving beyond a small, dedicated fanbase. With many different types of strategy games available, players keep coming back for more. The appeal lies in their complex gameplay, which challenges you to think creatively, solve problems, and plan for the future. Because of these engaging elements, it’s no surprise these games have become so well-loved. While franchises like Age of Empires and Anno are long-standing favorites, the number of excellent strategy games continues to grow.

2026 looks like a fantastic year for strategy game lovers! We’re expecting the return of popular series, sequels fans have waited a long time for, and exciting new games from well-known developers. These titles build on years of successful game design while also bringing fresh ideas to the table. They promise all the things that make strategy games great: challenging gameplay, compelling stories, and deep, complex systems. Here are five of the most anticipated strategy releases of the year, including the return of two classic series and a potentially amazing video game adaptation of a popular fantasy world.

5) Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus 2

The strategy game Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus was a surprising success, praised for its challenging battles, immersive story, and accurate portrayal of the Adeptus Mechanicus. The upcoming Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus 2 is exciting news for fans of both strategy games and the Warhammer 40K universe. This sequel will feature more detailed gameplay, greater options for customizing your units, and larger, more complex missions that explore the unique techno-religious beliefs of the faction. Players can also choose to play as the Necrons for a different gameplay experience.

The original game was praised for its music, story, and faithful adherence to its established universe, and it looks like those qualities are back in the new version. Players can expect bigger levels, more imposing enemies, and better tools for strategy, all fitting the faction’s focus on technology. The developers have given the same care to the Necrons as well. If you enjoyed the first game’s blend of easy-to-learn gameplay and challenging tactics, there’s a lot to be excited about.

Despite a year packed with great games, Mechanicus 2 is a standout title, especially for fans of deep, replayable strategy games. It builds on a winning formula while immersing players in the popular Warhammer 40,000 universe, making it enjoyable for both newcomers and veterans. Even with promising games like Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4 on the horizon in 2026, Mechanicus 2 remains one of the most eagerly awaited turn-based strategy releases.

4) Game of Thrones: War for Westeros

Video games based on Game of Thrones have had a mixed history, but Game of Thrones: War for Westeros hopes to offer a better experience. It’s a large-scale strategy game focused on the political maneuvering, land control, and battles that define the series. The core of George R. R. Martin’s world – shifting alliances, betrayals, and changing loyalties – fits perfectly into a strategy game format. If the game captures the spirit of the source material, War for Westeros could be the first truly successful Game of Thrones video game adaptation.

This new release really shines because it centers around the iconic houses fans have come to know and love. The developers at PlaySide have created separate campaigns for each faction, with unique abilities and units inspired by the established lore. Players can choose to play as House Stark, House Lannister, House Targaryen, or even command the Night King. The game emphasizes careful long-term planning, managing your resources, and adapting your strategy as circumstances change. Political strategy fans will likely find this to be the most ambitious and engaging installment in the series yet.

The biggest challenge for this game is finding the right balance – it needs to be complex enough to satisfy strategy fans, but not so complicated that it overwhelms new players. While the popular Game of Thrones brand will likely attract an initial audience, the game’s core mechanics will determine whether players stick around. If the final version is both easy to learn and offers significant strategic depth, War for Westeros has the potential to be a major strategy game release in 2026, finally giving Game of Thrones fans the adaptation they’ve been hoping for.

3) Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave

The Fire Emblem series is known for its engaging strategy gameplay on Nintendo consoles, and Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave looks set to be another excellent addition. Though we don’t know all the details yet, the game builds on the series’ strengths – a compelling story focused on its characters and tactical, grid-based battles. It’s already one of the most eagerly awaited games of 2026, particularly for fans who have different ideas about what the series should be. As a key Nintendo franchise, it’s expected to perform well on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.

What really sets Fortune’s Weave apart is its focus on making each unit on the battlefield feel like an individual with their own story. Unlike many strategy games, Fortune’s Weave emphasizes how connected storylines impact your choices during battles. Players familiar with previous games like Awakening and Three Houses know the series is known for complex narratives, and the latest technology allows for even more detailed storytelling.

Fans are eagerly anticipating Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave because past games have been both strategically challenging and emotionally captivating. This new installment promises fresh gameplay features, compelling character stories, and even better combat, making it a strong contender for one of the best strategy games of 2026 – and a potential standout title for the Nintendo Switch 2. If the developers successfully expand on what makes Fire Emblem great and polish the existing gameplay, Fortune’s Weave could become a truly legendary game in the series.

2) Dawn of War IV

The Dawn of War series was a major force in real-time strategy games during the 2000s. It brought the Warhammer 40,000 universe to life with fast-paced, intense battles and impressive visuals. The announcement of Dawn of War 4 is a big deal for 2026, as it marks the return of a beloved series that greatly influenced RTS game design. Longtime fans have been eagerly awaiting a new game that captures the epic scope and commanding feel of the original titles.

This game combines the best parts of Dawn of War II – its focus on small squad tactics – with the large-scale army management of the original Dawn of War. This means players will have more strategic options, commanding both powerful individual units and entire armies. With real-time strategy games becoming popular again, a new Dawn of War could really innovate by adding cutting-edge graphics and smarter troop AI to an already strong base.

2026 is shaping up to be a busy year for game releases, but Dawn of War 4 has a built-in advantage: a very dedicated fanbase. Players have always loved the game’s tactical battles, immersive story, and impressive graphics, so expectations are high. If the new installment can offer epic battles and keep the precise controls the series is famous for, it has a great chance of being one of the best strategy games of the year.

1) Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era

The Heroes of Might & Magic series is a hugely important and beloved strategy game franchise. It set the standard for the genre with its mix of exploring the world, engaging in tactical battles, and building up towns. Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era is a welcome return after a long hiatus, and fans have been eagerly awaiting its arrival. The developers at Unfrozen have focused on bringing back the classic gameplay style, with grid-based combat and strategic movement across the map. For many strategy game enthusiasts, and especially longtime fans who weren’t thrilled with recent games, this is the most anticipated release of 2026.

As a long-time fan, what really excites me about Olden Era is that the developers are aiming to bring back the feel of the older games. They’re not trying to completely reinvent everything, which has been a problem with some recent titles. Instead, they’re focusing on making smart improvements to the things we already love – things like better graphics, a more satisfying way to level up your heroes, and a wider variety of factions with units we remember fondly. The original game struck a great balance between being challenging and easy to pick up, and this reboot seems to understand that perfectly – it feels like a natural evolution of what we’ve always wanted.

2026 promises a lot of great strategy games, and Olden Era is shaping up to be one of the most important. While the series has a strong history, what truly matters is that this new game stays true to what made the originals so good. If it successfully blends the classic gameplay with modern improvements, Olden Era could bring Heroes of Might & Magic back to the forefront of the strategy game world.

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2026-02-17 02:13