Top Xbox Game Pass Strategy Games to Play in 2023

If you're a strategy game enthusiast searching for your next fix, Xbox Game Pass is the perfect place to start. Its vast library of games can be overwhelming, so I've compiled a list of the top strategy games available on the platform in 2023. From Gears Tactics to Minecraft Legends, there's something for everyone. Discover the world of Xbox Game Pass and what makes strategy games so addictively fun. Immerse yourself in new worlds, build empires, and conquer your enemies while exploring the best strategy games available on Xbox Game Pass.

READ MORE: What is an RTS game?

Introduction to Xbox Game Pass Strategy Games

Get ready to explore a vast collection of strategy games with Xbox Game Pass, available in 2023! With a subscription service that provides access to hundreds of games, Xbox Game Pass offers a great gaming library for players. Strategy games are an excellent way to build critical thinking skills while providing hours of immersive gameplay.

Xbox Game Pass has various options, including real-time and turn-based strategy games such as Civilization VI, XCOM 2, and Crusader Kings III. Whether you're new to the genre or an experienced player, there's something for everyone on Xbox Game Pass!

1. Gears Tactics

The Gears Tactics game is an offshoot of the Gears of War series. It offers an immersive experience for turn-based strategy game enthusiasts. Players take on various missions and challenges that require careful planning and decision-making to achieve victory.

New players are given an extensive training course to improve their strategy. Customizing the squad's abilities, gear, and appearance adds to the game's depth, enabling players to adapt their playstyle as they progress through the campaign. The multiplayer mode adds to the thrill of tactical battles, making Gears Tactics a must-play game available on Xbox Game Pass.

Gears Tactics

2. Crusader Kings III

Crusader Kings III is an exciting grand strategy game that involves leading your dynasty to greatness. The game offers intricate systems for managing relationships, alliances, and warfare, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a challenging and immersive experience. Players can choose from a wide range of historical rulers or customize their characters to fit their playstyle.

With regular updates and expansions, Crusader Kings III offers players endless replayability and new challenges. Whether you're a seasoned strategy game player or new to the genre, Crusader Kings III provides something for everyone who enjoys complex gameplay mechanics and deep storytelling.

Crusader Kings III

3. Frostpunk

Surviving in a post-apocalyptic world is a challenging feat. Still, Frostpunk offers gamers a unique opportunity to test their strategic and decision-making skills. The frozen wasteland setting of the game presents players with numerous challenges, including managing resources, making tough decisions, and ensuring the survival of their community.

With its immersive gameplay and captivating storyline, Frostpunk has become a fan favorite in the strategy game genre. Additionally, the regular updates and expansions the developers provide ensure that there is always something new to discover in this frozen world.

Frostpunk

4. Evil Genius 2: World Domination

Building and managing your evil lair has never been more entertaining, thanks to Evil Genius 2: World Domination. The game offers a variety of traps, gadgets, and weapons to help players achieve world domination.

With four unique evil geniuses to choose from, each with its playstyle and abilities, players can recruit minions, plan heists, and defend their base from enemy attacks. Evil Genius 2: World Domination has received positive reviews for its engaging gameplay and entertaining storyline, making it one of the top Xbox Game Pass strategy games in 2023.

Evil Genius 2: World Domination

5. Halo Wars & Halo Wars 2

Halo Wars and Halo Wars 2 are real-time strategy games that will take you through the Halo universe. The games offer a thrilling experience with epic battles, unique factions, and complex strategies. Players can enjoy a single-player campaign mode and multiplayer options to battle against other gamers.

With various units to choose from, each with its strengths and weaknesses, players must think strategically to overpower their opponents. These titles have received positive reviews for immersive gameplay, stunning graphics, and engaging storytelling. If you're a Halo franchise or real-time strategy games fan, make sure to play these games on Xbox Game Pass.

Halo Wars 2

6. Wasteland 3

Wasteland 3 is a post-apocalyptic RPG that offers an immersive gaming experience with turn-based combat. The game's setting in Colorado provides a desolate yet beautiful environment to explore, complete with challenging missions and quests. One of the game's most notable features is its branching storyline, which allows for player choice and consequences. Players can recruit and customize their squad of characters, each with unique abilities and personalities.

With single-player and co-op multiplayer modes, Wasteland 3 offers something for everyone. Whether you're a fan of strategy games or RPGs, Wasteland 3 is worth checking out on Xbox Game Pass.

Wasteland 3

7. Age of Empires IV

Strategy game enthusiasts have been eagerly waiting for the release of Age of Empires IV, and it's finally here! The latest Age of Empires series game offers players new civilizations, units, and technologies to explore.

With single-player and multiplayer modes available, players can enjoy hours of immersive gameplay with stunning graphics and engaging storytelling. As a part of the Xbox Game Pass, subscribers can enjoy all that Age of Empires IV has to offer at no additional cost. This highly anticipated title will surely be a hit with fans of the strategy genre.

Age of Empires IV

8. Two Point Hospital

Managing a hospital may seem daunting, but the Theme Hospital sequel (sort of), Two Point Hospital, makes it a fun and engaging experience. As players advance through the game's different challenges and scenarios, they'll enhance their decision-making skills and acquire the ability to handle complex situations.

With its quirky characters and humorous elements, the game challenges players to balance finances, staff management, and patient satisfaction. Two Point Hospital is just one of the many great strategy games available through Xbox Game Pass, offering a diverse selection of titles for gamers to explore.

Two Point Hospital

9. Stellaris

The Xbox Game Pass offers many strategy games for players, and one standout title is Stellaris. This 4X strategy game takes place in space and allows players to explore, conquer, and customize their alien races. Deep gameplay mechanics, including diplomacy, technology research, and fleet management, offers endless replayability and challenges for Stellaris gamers.

With its immersive gameplay and unique features, Stellaris is a top choice for those seeking an engaging strategy game experience on Xbox Game Pass. Including all DLCs in the Xbox Game Pass version provides exceptional value for strategy game enthusiasts.

Stellaris

10. Rise of Nations: Extended Edition

Rise of Nations: Extended Edition is a real-time strategy game providing an engaging gameplay experience. With over 18 civilizations to choose from, players can lead their civilization through various ages and engage in single-player and multiplayer modes. The game features 100 unique units, each with its strengths and weaknesses, providing endless hours of gameplay.

Rise of Nations has been praised for its balanced gameplay mechanics and engaging storyline, making it a must-play for strategy game fans. Xbox Game Pass allows gamers to access the game without purchasing it separately, providing an affordable way to enjoy this classic title.

Rise of Nations: Extended Edition

11. Humankind

Humankind is a turn-based strategy game that offers a unique experience of creating and shaping your civilization. With over 60 civilizations, you can test your leadership skills throughout different historical eras.

The game is designed with innovative gameplay mechanics such as diplomacy, city-building, and tactical battles. These features allow players to experience the challenges of managing their civilization while competing or cooperating with others online in multiplayer modes. Before writing this article, I knew nothing about this game, but now it's on top of my "play next" list.

Humankind

12. Loop Hero

Loop Hero is a strategy game that requires players to use their wits and strategic thinking to succeed. With its unique blend of roguelike and deck-building gameplay, Loop Hero is unlike any other strategy game. Players must strategically place cards to build a path for their hero to traverse while battling enemies and bosses along the way.

By defeating enemies, players can earn resources to upgrade their hero and unlock new cards, making it easier to progress through each level. The game's retro graphics and addictive gameplay make it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Loop Hero

13. Minecraft Legends

Minecraft Legends is a mix of traditional Minecraft building and RPG. Players control their character from the third person as they build and interact with others to save the Overworld! With its stunning blocky graphics and endless possibilities, Minecraft Legends offers a unique strategy experience that's both fun and challenging.

Players must use their creativity and planning skills to build structures, gather resources, and craft weapons while exploring the vast open world. The game also features a range of enemies and dungeons that players must strategically navigate to progress. With its action, adventure, and exploration elements, Minecraft Legends is a must-play for Xbox Game Pass subscribers who enjoy strategy games.

Minecraft Legends

14. Battletech

Battletech is a turn-based strategy game that offers a unique and immersive gameplay experience. With its customizable mechs, weapons, and pilots, players can experiment with different strategies to overcome their opponents. The game's campaign mode and multiplayer options provide endless entertainment for solo and competitive play.

Xbox Game Pass subscribers can access Battletech and other top-rated strategy games for an affordable monthly subscription fee. Whether you're a seasoned strategy gamer or new to the genre, Battletech will satisfy your craving for tactical combat in 2023.

Battletech

15. XCOM 2

XCOM 2 is a turn-based strategy game that places players in a high-stakes situation where saving humanity from an alien invasion is the only option. With customizable soldiers, base-building, and tactical combat, XCOM 2 offers an immersive world with critical acclaim for its challenging gameplay and engaging storyline.

Experience the thrill of saving the world from extraterrestrial invaders and hone your strategic skills with XCOM 2 on Xbox Game Pass. Subscribers can enjoy this award-winning game without having to purchase it outright, making it an excellent addition to any gamer's library.

XCOM 2

Other Strategy Games Available on Xbox Game Pass

Many options are available if you're looking for more strategy games to sink your teeth into on Xbox Game Pass. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is a classic title updated with new content and improved graphics. Civilization VI lets you lead a civilization from ancient times to modernity. Wargroove and Into the Breach provide challenging gameplay and engaging storylines for those who enjoy turn-based combat. And if you're interested in building and managing your virtual worlds, Jurassic World Evolution, Tropico, and Surviving Mars might be right up your alley. With so many options on Xbox Game Pass, it's a great time to be a fan of strategy games.

Are there any strategy games on Xbox?

Yes, there are many strategy games available on Xbox. Some popular options on Xbox Game Pass include Age of Empires IV, Civilization VI, and Total War: Warhammer II. Remember that strategy games can vary in gameplay and may require different levels of strategic thinking.

What is the new strategy game coming to Xbox?

Minecraft Legends is a new strategy game recently added to Xbox and Xbox Game Pass. It combines the classic Minecraft building experience with elements of RPG gameplay, resulting in a thrilling and distinctive gaming experience.

What are RTS games?

RTS stands for Real-Time Strategy, a video game genre that requires players to make strategic decisions in real-time. These games often involve managing resources, building bases or armies, and engaging in combat with opponents. Popular RTS games include StarCraft, Age of Empires, and Command & Conquer.

Are strategy games better on a console or PC?

Ultimately, the choice of platform for playing strategy games depends on the specific game and personal preference. While top-down real-time strategy (RTS) and turn-based strategy (TBS) games generally perform better on personal computers, other strategy games, such as Minecraft Legends, can be enjoyed on any platform. This is because top-down RTS and TBS games often require precise mouse movements and keyboard shortcuts, which are more easily executed on a PC. On the other hand, Minecraft Legends is a game that does not rely heavily on these features and can be played comfortably on any platform.

There are plenty of strategy games available on Xbox Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass offers an excellent selection of strategy games that cater to different tastes and preferences. Whether you enjoy turn-based or real-time strategy gameplay, single-player or multiplayer modes, there's something for everyone. If you love strategy, Microsoft offers some of the best Xbox Game Pass games on PC Game Pass. If you prefer a controller, Xbox Series X has impressive graphics and a decent selection of strategy games.

In conclusion, Xbox Game Pass offers many strategy games that can satisfy any gamer's interests. While some strategy games may be better suited for PC, others can be enjoyed on any platform. From turn-based tactics and real-time strategy games to single-player and multiplayer modes make, Xbox Game Pass is a go-to choice for strategy game enthusiasts.