Unlike the PC’s tendency to wow users with stellar graphics and immense processing power that extends to games, the more straightforward form factor of the Mac makes it more suitable for multimedia projects and office work. However, while this difference in functionality means not a lot of games are available for the Mac, developers of specific genres take Mac users into account when creating their games. Such an example is the strategy game genre, where the intensity of building bases and commanding troops can be done from the minimalist framework of the Mac.

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However, when it comes to strategy games available on the platform, specific titles stand out for lovers of the bitten apple. For new Mac owners and existing Apple aficionados, certain strategy games are must-haves to help them showcase their military supremacy from their devices.

10 Stellaris

Metacritic Score: 78

Players eager to take their macOS to create a space empire may appreciate the depth Stellaris offers to strategy fans. Stellaris begins with a faction colonizing a mere planet until they create a burgeoning star empire. While the game is generally a sandbox experience, civilization choice (or creation) largely determines a base “playstyle,” especially when factions are created with traits, ethics, and civics that further customize their politics, society, and culture.

A player’s Stellaris journey begins with the typical colonization of planets, eventually leading to micro-management challenges where players determine expansion options based on the availability of resources, ships and weapons research, and relationships with other empires. The game also spices things up in the mid-game by introducing various crises, such as invasions from hostile factions, extra-dimensional or extra-galactic opponents, or issues such as sentient AI that have vast repercussions across the galaxy.

9 Company Of Heroes 2

Metacritic Score: 80

Compared to construction-heavy RTS games of the time, macOS users can play Company of Heroes 2 for a more unique strategy experience set in World War 2. With a campaign focusing on the Eastern Front, Company of Heroes 2 excels in the wargame simulation aspect with its point-capture gameplay. Similar to Dawn of War, missions in Company of Heroes 2 take place on a map with a set number of resource points, with each faction only able to generate resources based on the number of points they capture and upgrade.

As players generate more resources, the more structures and units they produce. It’s at this point that Company of Heroes 2 transitions from mere strategy to real-time tactics, especially when units can be upgraded with both team-wide and individual benefits. Engagements with opponents take into account environmental factors such as terrain and even structures, paving the way for automated cover and unique visuals in combat.

8 Age Of Empires 3

Metacritic Score: 81

Owners of Macbooks who want to relive pivotal moments of the Age of Discovery can play Age of Empires 3 to create their take on the historical period, with the game giving players control over a faction that they take from around 1492 to 1876 CE. As with other strategy titles, the game emphasizes overpowering enemy forces with various units. However, Age of Empires 3 expands on the RTS concept by blocking upgrades behind Ages: the exploration-heavy Discovery Age, expansion-focused Colonial Age, management-reliant Fortress Age, economy-centric Industrial Age, and an all-encompassing Imperial Age.

Advancing through each Age activates the Politician System, where players can select specific buffs between each Age that help adjust their playstyle. The game is also the first to introduce the Home City, an off-game “city” that can ship out effects cards whenever players earn XP in a match. On top of a faction playstyle, the Home City system further personalizes a player’s approach to a match regardless of their selected nation.

7 Hearts Of Iron 4

Metacritic Score: 83

Designed to allow players to control any country between 1936/1939 and 1948, Hearts of Iron 4 offers thematic equivalents of features in grand strategy titles with a wargame twist. Diplomacy in the game paves the way for agreements and faction management, while espionage can steal information between states. Ideologies may even pave the way for civil wars and international conflicts, while each nation has a “national focus tree” that can trigger scripted events.

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However, where Hearts of Iron 4 shines as a wargame is its focus on two things: unit creation and production management. Key to the game’s war simulation component is balancing resources allotted to both military factories and consumer goods. Likewise, players can create ground, aerial, and naval forces from scratch, requiring detailed training, research, and production to create effective units. In turn, players can create both existing tank and ship configurations at the time or tinker with existing technology to give their own spin to classic war machines.

6 Europa Universalis 4

Metacritic Score: 87

Mac users can play Europa Universalis 4 to determine their chosen country’s fate between the Late Middle Ages to the Early Modern Period. When players begin the game as their chosen faction, much of the world is covered by a fog of war meant to be “traversed” as soon as a country researches the means to do so. Depending on the country chosen, players may begin with existing rivalries, peace treaties, and even alliances that may affect their playstyle early in the playthrough.

However, Europa Universalis 4 leaves Macbook users to do as they wish with their country of choice. While war and espionage allow nations to secure the advantage against other nations, diplomacy forms a core aspect of surviving Europa Universalis 4. The game allows players to create alliances and curry favor through various means, with the interplay of existing relationships between factions becoming a central part of navigating the title’s in-depth gameplay.

5 Sid Meier’s Civilization 6

Metacritic Score: 88

The most recent installment in Sid Meier’s acclaimed grand strategy series may be one of the best macOS games the genre has to offer, with Civilization 6 giving players more control over their civilizations of choice while sporting more vibrant visuals. A key departure from previous entries is the introduction of city districts, giving Civilization 6 players the opportunity to tailor-fit their Civ’s cities to specific functionalities. Combining this with policy cards and more robust diplomatic options can lead to unique playthroughs even when playing as the same Civ.

Compartmentalization paving the way to flexibility is the name of the game for this title, with Civ 6 removing unnecessary screen clutter by expiring worker units, stack-based upgradeable military units, and more straightforward progression trees. Combined with the game’s slate of expansions and more advanced AI, macOS users can enjoy complex playthroughs without compromising their slimmer hardware.​​​​​​​

4 XCOM 2

Metacritic Score: 88

Owners of Macbooks can save the world from an alien invasion in XCOM 2, the acclaimed turn-based strategy game set at a time when aliens have won the conflict initially seen in 2012’s XCOM: Enemy Unknown. With the eponymous XCOM task force reduced to a resistance movement, players need to train and control a small squadron of soldiers as they fight an overwhelming number of aliens across different locales. Unlike other turn-based tactical experiences, XCOM 2 emphasizes proper planning and strategy, allowing players to customize their soldiers with classes, skills, armaments, and upgrades.

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However, the degree of control XCOM 2 gives players also paves the way for rather challenging fights. On top of the game’s permadeath system, the game’s combat emphasizes resource management, proper use of cover, and outmaneuvering foes instead of overpowering them. As a result, XCOM 2 can offer some of the most memorable and replayable fights among strategy titles, especially with the level of versatility some stages offer in terms of viable approaches.

3 Crusader Kings 3

Metacritic Score: 91

Continuing the trend of the Crusader Kings series, Crusader Kings 3 branches out from traditional Paradox Interactive offerings and other grand strategy games by also being a dynasty simulator. Set between 867/1066 to 1453, macOS users can become characters that either rule a kingdom or become a vassal in charge of a province. As with other grand strategy games, Crusader Kings 3 needs players to ensure the survival and even prosperity of their territories through governance, diplomacy, trade, or conquest.

Since the game ends when players lose an heir to “become” when their current character dies, progression in a Crusader Kings 3 playthrough also requires preparing a smooth transition to an heir. Courtesy of hooks, renown, and dread, players can manipulate how their vassals, council members, and even fellow rulers perceive them. With the game making it easy for both players and AI to forge claims, start rebellions, and blackmail each other into doing tasks, Crusader Kings 3 for the Mac tackles both grand strategy and political navigation.

2 Rome: Total War

Metacritic Score: 92

Players eager to rule over the Roman Empire can be hailed Emperor in Rome: Total War. Set between 270 BCE to 14 CE, players attempt to raise a dynasty past the end of the Republican period and into the beginning of the Roman Empire. Since Rome: Total War needs players to manage a family as a faction, they need to stay on top of assigning family members to posts, protecting them from sickness, as well as taking note of traits passable to the next generation. Aside from agents that can become diplomats, spies, and assassins, political maneuvers also take the form of marriages, alliances, trading, and tributes.

However, where Rome: Total War shines is its take on real-time military strategy. After the game’s turn-based politicking segment, conflicts are taken to massive 3D environments where player forces are moved across various terrain using different formations. On top of managing which unit types form a player’s force, they need to micro-manage resources such as combat skill, hit points, and morale to secure victory.

1 StarCraft 2

Metacritic Score: 93

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Players can take their Macbooks on adventures to space as StarCraft 2 places the very fate of the galaxy in their hands. Taking place directly after the events of 1998’s Brood War, the three-part story of StarCraft 2 explores the attempts of mercenary Jim Raynor of Earth-based spacefaring Terrans, Artanis of the psionic Protoss, and Queen of Blades Sarah Kerrigan of the Zerg as they stop an ancient threat from wreaking havoc across the universe.

As an RTS, StarCraft 2 relies heavily on outsmarting and outpacing foes by maximizing each faction’s offerings, be it the heavy firepower of Terrans, the psionic utilities of the Protoss, and the hit-and-run tactics of the Zerg. The game emphasizing speed and precision also gave rise to a prolific StarCraft 2 multiplayer scene that brought esports to the mainstream. While official StarCraft 2 tournaments are mainly absent, the game retains an active community that can still encourage newcomers to sink their teeth deep into this classic RTS.

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