When it comes to strategy games on Mac, there are a lot of impressive choices. Some of these are available through Apple Arcade, while others are just a download away from the Mac App Store. Here are our current favorites.

Jan 20, 2020  If the world of strategy games seems a little too overwhelming, don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Trusted Reviews has compiled some of the biggest and best strategy games.

Civilization V

When it comes to turn-based strategy games, you can't do better than Sid Meier's series of Civilization titles. In this fifth edition, you begin with 20 historical leaders, and your job is to slowly take over the world from the dawn of man into the space age. Along the way, you'll get to discover surprising new civilizations and wonders, excellent gameplay systems, and much more.

Currently, Civilization V offers 10 in-app purchases, including Brave New World and Gods and Kings. With these options, you get to decide just how far you want to go through the game.

How far will you go?

Civilization V

Diplomacy or War?

Sid Meier's Civilization V offers a brilliant story that's advanced further with a lengthy listing of in-app purchases big and small.

Source: Aspyr Media, Inc.

And here we go again! Similar to the previous installments, Civilization VI has one goal for players: to create and maintain a lasting civilization. In this most recent installment, you achieve victory through military domination, technological superiority, or cultural influence. It offers a nice mix of new and old civilizations. There's also renewed emphasis on the terrain and fresh artificial intelligence mechanics for computer-controlled opponents.

The game's first expansion pack, Rise and Fall, features entry into a prosperous Golden Age and terrifying Dark Age. There's also a Heroic Age. The second expansion pack, The Gathering Storm, features ecosystem difficulties that could impact the entire planet, including floods, volcanoes, and more.

The newest in the series

Civilization VI

Bigger than ever

This game is the newest in the long Civilization series and was first introduced to Mac in 2016.

Source: Dinosaur Polo Club

Being stuck in traffic is never fun unless you're playing Mini Motorways! The strategy simulation game gives you the power to keep existing roads clear while also expanding your digital city by adding new locations and road networks.

Featuring different color modes, including colorblind and night, Mini Motorways is for anyone with an imagination. Better still, like all Apple Arcade games, it comes without in-app purchases or any additional costs.

They will come

Mini Motorways

Create your city

As your city expands, make sure it remains easy to get from point A to point B. Otherwise, no one will be happy.

Source: Feral Interactive

Offering 3D real-time battles on land and at sea, Total War: Empire allows you to lead one of 12 great nations. Your success is determined by your diplomatic skills and military force, when necessary. Set in the 18th century, the game allows you to conquer overseas territories to establish colonies and profitable trade networks. Along the way, you'll need to learn more about your enemies and beat them on the battlefield accordingly.

First introduced on Mac in 2014, Total War: Empire is the fifth installment in the Total War series, which, as a whole, comes recommended. The turn-based strategy game was released for Windows in 2009. Before purchasing the game, just check the Mac App Store for compatibility with your Mac, since some older machines aren't supported.

Non-stop action

Total War: Empire

How will you succeed?

Empire is a thrilling installment in the Total War series. Just make sure your Mac supports it!

Source: Blindflug

In this multi-player real-time strategy game, you are fighting for control of distant planets. You have just seven minutes to destroy your opposition or the world as you know it will collapse and explode right before your eyes.

To accomplish your goal, you slowly gain access to rockets, tanks, and stealth generators. Futuristic troops are also available if you can find a way to unlock them.

Stellar Commanders is currently one of the best-reviewed Apple Arcade games available. Download it today.

Fly those rockets

Stellar Commanders

The world needs your help

You have seven minutes until success or destruction. Which path will you take?

Source: Tortuga Team

Old-school meets the 21st century in this impressive turn-based strategy game from Tortuga Team. Featuring a unique system of dynamic turn-based battles that last no more than 15 minutes, Spaceland features 10 different enemies from alien animals to unnerving monsters.

Offering a squad of space rangers, each with a unique fighting style, the game includes an exciting backstory about a mysterious planet, which you must protect. Use rifles, machine guns, grenade launchers, and more to get the job done. Fail, and you must start again!

Single player fun

Spaceland

Protect this fascinating world

Shoot, kick, blow up, and destroy and achieve greatness in this Apple Arcade game.

Source: iMore

World Builder

In This War of Mine, you aren't a great commander or a space fighter looking to protect the outer reaches of the universe. Instead, you're just one in a group of civilians trying to survive in a besieged city. Along the way, you must struggle with the lack of food, water, and medicine. At the same time, there's a constant worry that snipers and hostile scavengers could cause further pain.

This War of Mine has been well-received since it was first released and continues to receive kudos with each new expansion. While it's not necessarily a 'fun' game to play, per say, it tells a relevant and emotional story that should not be missed.

Can you survive?

The War of Mine

There's no escape

Can you find and explore all of the different outcomes of the game?

What's your favorite?

Strategy games and Macs go together well. Which games are you currently enjoying on your desktop or laptop? Let us know in the comments below. Perhaps we'll add it to our list on a future update!

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The world-building genre first began in 1989 with the release of SimCity. And since then the genre has continued to expand its library of games each and every year. Whether you enjoy planning roads and traffic patterns or simply trying to manage a city's economy, there is a world-building game out there for you.

In recent years, developers have been able to create some of the most realistic world-building simulators we have ever seen -- and thanks to the addition of community-created mods and unique new mechanics, the world-building genre has seen a huge increase in popularity.

World-building games can be very hit-and-miss though. Some have done a terrific job at capturing the true feeling of a world building simulator, while others have been lacking features and mechanics that should have just initially been in the game since launch -- we're looking at you, SimCity 2013.

Here are 5 world-building games that you will without a doubt find yourself playing for hours on end.

Banished

Banished has a very simple premise: lead your group of exiled travelers to restart their lives in a new land where they will hopefully grow into a thriving new culture.

This old style city-builder has a sense of realism that the other games don't, as you are focused on making tough decisions like who to feed, how to feed them, when and where to farm, how many animals you should cull, and also how to gather the supplies to build your new town. You will also need to plan on how you'll survive the harsh conditions of winter.

Banished is perfect for those that are looking for a city-builder that offers something a little bit different.

Check out the gameplay trailer for Banished below!

Anno 1404

Although Anno 1404 was released all the way back in 2009, it still happens to be one of the best games in the Anno series.

Like other city-building games, Anno 1404, also know as Dawn of Discovery, allows the player to create their own nation as they journey across the global to explore, trade and learn new technologies to help expand their empire.

The player must colonize islands, plan settlements, set up factories and farms to ensure the citizens needs are met, and also engage in naval and ground combat with enemies.

An intuitive interface, a thrilling campaign, and a sandbox mode that can be modified by players to any degree are all reasons why Anno 1404 is the perfect game for not only pros, but also beginners.

Check out Anno 1404's gameplay trailer below.

Forge of Empires

Forge of Empires allows the player to become the leader of an aspiring kingdom as you discover new technology and buildings during your evolution from the Stone Age to modern times. Players can also produce supplies to manufacture goods, exchange goods or trade with neighbors, and even discover new territories as they begin to battle and take control over each sector.

Forge of Empires was published by InnoGames in 2012 and has since then gone on to have its own television advertisement, and win awards for the Best Browser Game in 2013. It's even been ported to mobile devices such as Android and iOS, which allows the support of cross-platform access.

Forge of Empires is perfect for those looking for a world-building game that is not only fun, but also available on mobile devices.

Tropico 5

Tropico 5 is the latest installment of the hugely popular 'dictator sim' series. Tropico 5 allows the player to begin their reign as El Presidente from the early colonial era to World Wars, Cold Wars and beyond the 21st century.

Tropico 5 allows you to build your city off the ground by researching and renovating old buildings into more efficient modern buildings. You can amass a global trade fleet with the advanced trading system, and also explore your island for valuable resource deposits or delve into ruins of ancient civilizations.

Online multiplayer is also a brand new feature to Tropico 5, as up to 4 players can construct buildings on the same island where they can share resources, construction workers, and even electricity. Additionally, players can share cash and even compete and declare war on each other.

Tropico 5 adds its own creative twist on the city-building genre, as it incorporates a number of unique mechanics and features with a fun online multiplayer. Tropico 5 is perfect for those looking for an enjoyable city-builder that doesn't go quite as in-depth as other games in the genre.

Best World Building Games Mac 2017

Cities: Skylines

It wouldn't be a world-building list without Cities: Skylines, as the game has proven to be one of the most realistic experiences you can have within a city-building game. Cities: Skylines focuses on everything from water flow and electricity to traffic patterns and economics. The developer's sole purpose while creating the game was to ensure that players received one of the most enjoyable and realistic experiences possible.

The best thing about Cities: Skylines is that you don't need to be a masterful builder or an expert at city-builders, as the main objective is to just to have the most optimal city possible. Modding capabilities are also fantastic added feature, as the community has created an endless supply of mods -- making Cities: Skylines a game that will keep you entertained for hours on end.

Check out Cities: Skylines trailer below!

Best World Building Games Mac Torrent

Let us know in the comments section below which world-building game is your favorite and why. Did we miss your favorite? Share it with us below!