Top Upcoming Strategy Video Games of 2018

Note: Article was updated in August of 2018.

2018 is quickly approaching and with it will come a slew of new video game titles to look forward to playing. With that said, now’s a good time to start marking down what video games to keep an eye on when they officially launch next year. Let us lend a hand, in this list, in particular, we’re going over the top strategy video games launching in 2018.

Find More Upcoming 2018 Video Game Lists on Gameranx:

Anno 1800

Developer: Blue Byte
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platforms: PC
Release: 2018

Anno is a classic video game series that started up back in 1998. This is a real-time strategy franchise with a focus on business simulation and city building. With the upcoming installment, Anno 1800, players are put right into the dawn of the industrial age.

While there is a campaign for gamers to go through, developers will also include a sandbox mode and a multiplayer option where gamers can build freely. Unfortunately the development team has been a bit quiet regarding the title though its still expected to release towards the end of the year for the PC platform.

Surviving Mars

Developer: Haemimont Games
Publisher: Paradox Interactive
Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
Release: March 15, 2018

Surviving Mars is a relatively straightforward name to this title. As it indicates, players will be on the planet Mars where their sole goal is to manage and oversee the colonization of the new world. Of course, there will be some challenges that will come up giving players some tough obstacles to pass through.

As you build your colony up, gamers will need to appease the colonists problems. This could mean adjusting certain structures to maintaining other viable resources such as supplies and oxygen. Likewise, the game will include a research tree to help attain new scientific breakthroughs and developers will allow mod support.

Project Phoenix

Developer: Creative Intelligence Arts
Publisher: Creative Intelligence Arts
Platforms: PC, Mobo, PS4, PSV,
Release: 2018

Project Phoenix is an upcoming title under development studio, Creative Intelligence Arts. This is a real-time strategy RPG which takes inspiration from several Japanese role-playing video games. Unfortunately, there are not too many details regarding the video game quite yet.

What we do know is that players will unravel a mystery of an angel with amnesia. During the journey, gamers will explore the lands of Azuregard with your band of heroes searching for the missing pieces in solving this grand mystery.

BattleTech

Developer: Harebrained Schemes
Publisher: Paradox Interactive
Platforms: PC
Release: April 2018

From development studio, Harebrained Schemes comes BattleTech. This is a turn-based strategy video game where players take on the role of a mercenary commander who must lead a team of battlemechs.

Based off the original board game, Classic BattleTech, the upcoming video game is based in the future during the year 3025 where a war has sparked out over control of the Inner Sphere. Each house has their own reasons on participating in the war and players will decide which house to fight for from the start of the game.

Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia

Developer: Creative Assembly
Publisher: Sega
Platforms: PC
Release: May 3, 2018

Total War received a new title in the series this year with Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia. The video game is very much the same style strategy game that the series is known for but set in the British Isles in 878 AD where Anglo-Saxons, Gaelic’s and Vikings begin to fight to reign as the leader.

The game has players going through campaigns where history will be shaped from the player’s actions and victories. Set to be a standalone Total War video game, players can opt to pick the game up without having to replay any past titles.

Valkyria Chronicles 4

Developer: Sega
Publisher: Sega
Platforms: PS4, NS, XBO
Release: September 25, 2018

The next installment of Valkyria Chronicles is set to release this year. Valkyria Chronicles 4 is an upcoming tactical RPG strategy game that continues to follow the same style of strategy gameplay that the previous installments are known for.

Overall, players will have to maneuver their characters around a battlefield while taking out the hostile forces. Within the narrative, the fourth installment will take place during the events of the first title, Valkyria Chronicles.

This time, however, players will be maneuvering a new cast of characters set within the continent of Europa. As part of the last chance effort to end the war and capture the imperial capital, commander Claude Wallace and his squad are set into a battle that will put them against imperial soldiers along with the Valkyria.

Sega has revealed that in this upcoming installment, players will be introduced to a new soldier class called the Grenadier that can fire mortar rounds. Likewise it’s been unveiled that soldiers who lose all HP or become in a critical state can be rescued by a medic if they are reached within three turns.

Frostpunk

Developer: 11 bit studios
Publisher: 11 bit studios
Platform: PC
Release Date: April 24, 2018

From the developers who delivered This War of Mine to the masses in 2014 comes their next title release, Frostpunk. If you’re familiar with This War of Mine, you’ll find that Frostpunk shares some strong similarities, one of which is toying with the player’s moral compass.

Within the game, players are left having to control a city of civilians who is seeking refuge from the harsh cold temperatures within the world. Being one of the few cities built around a heat source, players will have to strategize on how to handle various issues that may come up.

Frostpunk will force players to seek out resources and build up the city. However, gameplay will soon become a balancing game when it comes to pulling resources together in order to fight off problems that may affect the health and safety of the city inhabitants.

Xenonauts 2

Developer: Goldhawk Interactive
Publisher: Goldhawk Interactive
Platforms: PC
Release: 2018

Fans of Xenonauts can enjoy even more turn-based tactics gameplay with the upcoming sequel. This time around, the game will take place in an alternate history timeline set within the Cold War.

Because of the new setting, this upcoming sequel will not include any advanced alien technology. While the game does not have any specific release date attached quite yet, a demo is available through Gog.com.

Within the demo, players will be able to try a early pre-alpha build of the game to give a slight look at the upcoming game which is still expected to launch within the year.

Civilization VI: Rise and Fall

Developer: Firaxis Games
Publisher: 2K Games, Aspyr
Platforms: PC
Release: February 8, 2018

Civilization VI: Rise and Fall is the first expansion pack for Civilization VI. Overall, the game adds new mechanics in which players will build up an empire and attempt to keep it going until its decline and fall. This expansion doesn’t alter the gameplay mechanics as you’ll still be in charge of managing resources and ensuring your empire is thriving. In order to do so, you may have to win the loyalty of your citizens while also establishing strong alliances.

With that said, the expansion does add a variety of new content into the game such as leaders, resources, and structures. So far the Rise and Fall expansion is available for purchase today though you will need a copy of Civilization VI which you can watch our Before You Buy video coverage of right above.

Age of Empires: Definitive Edition

Developer: Forgotten Empires
Publisher: Microsoft Studios
Platforms: PC
Release: February 20, 2018

If you already love the Age of Empires series then chances are you’ve already made up your mind on picking up Age of Empires: Definitive Edition. The video game brings back a classic RTS with an overhaul in the visuals department which is no surprise since the game initially launched decades ago.

As always, players will be building up an empire while facing against other civilizations that grow up around you. While you may not get all the bells and whistles that the latest installments bring to the table, gamers can still jump online and enjoy facing against eight other players.

This is the Police 2

Developer: Weappy Studio
Publisher: Weappy Studio
Platforms: PC, XBO, NS, PS4
Release: July 31, 2018 (PC), September 25, 2018 (PS4, XBO, NS)

After the success of This is the Police developers Weappy Studio has brought out an official sequel. This is the Police 2 acts somewhat the same where players are still taking control of a sheriff’s department. Much like the first installment, players are in total control and must attempt to successfully go through their career while keeping their nose clean, or better yet, not getting caught after committing dirty deeds.

A few things have changed up this time around and while you still get total control of making tough decisions, there is a new tactical combat element added. Instead of just sending out cops to do your bidding, players will have to also go through calls and decide on how to take care of the situation. For instance, you may opt to use non-lethal weapons but other instances may call for gunfights.

As a result, you not only get a dramatic narrative but also a puzzle and tactical RPG experience. Currently, players can enjoy This is the Police 2 right now on the PC platform. With that said, the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch versions of the game is slated to launch in September of this year.

Star Control: Origins

Developer: Stardock Entertainment
Publisher: Stardock Entertainment
Platforms: PC
Release: September 20, 2018

The developers who have brought out Offworld Trading Company and the Galactic Civilizations franchise is bringing out their latest video game release, Star Control: Origins. This is a strategy game that takes place in the year 2086 where humanity is being hunted down by an alien race. Players will take the role of Earth’s first captain of their interstellar ship where your goal is to find other aliens to befriend and create an alliance with.

Within the game, players will explore the universe and take part in space combat. You’ll also be presented with various choices that can steer away from conflict or likely intimidate to gather information or resources.

One of the components that Stardock Entertainment will be including in the Star Control: Origins release is the ability to customize your ship. Your designs can later be uploaded online for gamers to download and enjoy in their own game.

While the game is set to release this September for the PC platform, it appears that the developers will also be releasing the game onto consoles, but so far there is no indication on when console ports will be ready for release.