2023 is going to be a big year for gaming. Many exciting titles are scheduled for release this year, with all genres from RPG, FPS to strategy. In this article, Gurugamer is going to showcase the top 10 upcoming strategy games to look out for this year.
1. Minecraft Legends
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5
Overall, this brand new spin-off game will be more like StarCraft than the usual RPG sandbox experience of Minecraft. It is a strategy game set in the Minecraft world, with Minecraft mobs and characters. The game is developed in partnership with Blackbird Interactive, maker of the RTS series Homeworld.
In a press release, Minecraft Legends executive producer Dennis Ries revealed that players will discover "a gentle land, both familiar and mysterious, full of lush biomes and rich resources," when they enter the world of Minecraft Legends. However, the beautiful world is under the threat of a piglin invasion - players need to team up with others to defeat them.
2. Company of Heroes 3
- Platform: Microsoft Windows
One of the best WW2 strategy sims, Company of Heroes 3, is getting a brand new entry. Bigger and better than ever, CoH 3 combines heart-pounding combat with deeper strategic choices in a stunning Mediterranean theatre of war. Overwhelm your opponents with four unique factions and all-new international Battlegroups. Command ground, air and naval forces and build supply lines to crush enemy advances on the new Dynamic Campaign Map - no two playthroughs are ever alike!
Play at your own pace across campaign and skirmish modes before diving into the blistering multiplayer action.
3. Men of War II
- Platform: Microsoft Windows
Men of War II is yet another WW2 strategy release for 2023. However, unlike Company of Heroes 3, Men of War 2 is a bit faster, requiring players to make decisions on the fly.
The anticipated sequel is going to add all-new units, locations, campaigns and game modes, combined with the series’ trademark historical accuracy and action-filled gameplay on Eastern and Western Fronts of WWII. Utilize sophisticated military strategies, lay ambushes, or use brute force to show your ability as the greatest military leader of all time. Attain full command of different roles: from Air and Armor to Infantry and Support in fast-paced battles packed with action.
4. Homeworld 3
- Platform: Microsoft Windows
Tactical, beautiful, and wholly unique, the GOTY-winning sci-fi RTS returns with Homeworld 3. Assume control and battle through fleet combat in dazzling, fully 3D space while the award-winning story unfolds on a galactic scale.
Strategic freedom is yours. Hulking space derelicts called megaliths bring 3D terrain into the classic Homeworld battlespace. Use the crumbling remains of an ancient civilization to funnel foes into a brilliant ambush or hide your fleet from powerful enemies. Fortresses teem with menacing turrets and invite your strike craft into dangerous trench runs deep behind enemy lines. But not everything is in your control. Dangerous space phenomena like particle storms and asteroid fields will test even senior commanders.
5. Pharaoh: A New Era
- Platform: Microsoft Windows
Pharaoh: A New Era launches the classic, much-loved Egyptian city builder to a whole new level, thanks to a full graphical remaster in 4K HD, modernized UI, complete content from the original game and its Cleopatra add-on. Immerse yourself in the history of Ancient Egypt with 50 missions and over 100 gameplay hours.
Develop your city by cultivating the fertile lands along the banks of the Nile valley. Erect the iconic monuments of Ancient Egypt, including the pyramids, the Sphinx and the Lighthouse of Alexandria. Build temples and mausoleums to help manage all aspects of your city's health and culture as well as the predominant polytheistic religion of the time.
Ensure your city is prosperous enough to deal with economic or political crises or even plundering by enemies. A Pharaoh takes care of his people and does whatever he can to earn the favor of the gods.
6. Stormgate
- Platform: Microsoft Windows
Stormgate is a free-to-play real-time strategy game set amidst a war between humanity and an onslaught of alien invaders. Take on the campaign alone or cooperatively, play casual and competitive PvP and co-op modes online, or get creative in the editor.
Developed in Unreal Engine 5, Stormgate will support high-resolution HD visuals in 4K and hundreds of units in epic, large-scale wars across a variety of maps and tilesets.
7. Stargate: Timekeepers
- Platform: Microsoft Windows
Stargate: Timekeepers is a real-time tactics game where you lead a team of specialists through a story-driven campaign set in the SG-1 universe. Sneak your characters behind enemy lines, use their unique skills, craft the perfect plan to unravel a timeloop mystery, and defeat the Goa’uld threat.
The story starts from the end of season 7 of the Stargate SG-1 main plot to create an original story, unfolding over 14 narrative-rich missions.
8. Dune: Spice Wars
- Platform: Microsoft Windows
Dune: Spice Wars is a 4X real-time strategy game from the developers of the critically acclaimed Northgard. Set in Frank Herbert’s groundbreaking Dune universe, you must lead your faction and battle for control and dominance over the harsh desert planet of Arrakis.
Play as one of several factions, including House Atreides, House Harkonnen, House Corrino, the Smugglers, and the native Fremen, and compete for power over Dune and the spice.
Scan the landscape for wormsign or risk losing your troops and spice harvesters to titanic sandworms who will burst through the dunes to swallow and devour them whole. Crush your opponents in combat, best them through political intrigue, and undermine them with your network of illusive spies.
9. SpellForce: Conquest of Eo
- Platform: Microsoft Windows
In this turn-based strategy game set in the fantastic world of SpellForce, take up the mantle of your master as the heir to his mysterious wizard’s tower. Study a multitude of spells to cast over the lands around you, train or summon fantastical minions and warriors to roam the world. Fight in fast-paced but tactical turn-based battles.
Win over mighty heroes to go on adventures for you, find useful artefacts and ingredients or bring back riches. Seek out talented apprentices to expand your domain and workers to gather a wealth of resources for you.
10. Frostpunk 2
The age of steam has passed and now, oil leads the way as humanity’s newest salvation. However, with new threats on the horizon, the future of the city looks even grimmer than before. Frostpunk 2 takes place 30 years after the apocalyptic blizzard storm, and Earth is still overwhelmed by the icy climate of neverending frost and harsh weather.
You play as the leader of a resource-hungry metropolis where the expansion and search for new sources of power is an unavoidable reality. After the age of coal, conquering Frostland for the oil extraction industry is expected to be the new salvation of what’s left of humanity. However, change does not come easily, and not everyone in this new multi-layered society will welcome this new direction.
>>> Read more: Top 5 Best Open World RPGs For Low End PC (2023)