With around four billion smartphones in use around the world today, the popularity of mobile gaming is no surprise. Current statistics put annual spending on mobile games at around $120 million globally with 83 billion games downloaded in 2021. Today, programmers usually make their best games available on most operating systems and platforms, but there is one clear favourite. Statistics from 2022 suggest over 78% of mobile gamers are using Android and Google Play for searching, selection, and downloading. Industry watchers estimate that, by 2025, 72% of Google Play’s revenue will come from mobile games. In contrast, Apple users are still more likely to use their devices for non-game apps than for gaming. According to a 2021 survey, strategy-based games on mobile make up over 17% of downloads, behind only puzzle and casino games.
People have enjoyed testing themselves with strategy games since long before the internet, or even computers. Chess, for instance, is around 1500 years old, and the Chinese game Go is believed to be more than 4000. A strategy game is anything that requires planning and strategic thought in order to succeed. This can range from something classic, such as chess, to something which could only exist online, like Clash of Clans. Anything which employs probability to make choices, like poker or sports management simulations, is also strategy. Gamers can play these games solo, against digital opponents, or against other real-life opponents, in-person or online. People enjoy strategy games for a number of reasons, from stress relief to the satisfaction of completing a difficult task. Gamers also enjoy the competitive and social aspects of strategy. as well as the immersion in new and interesting worlds.
What are some of the most popular strategy games today?
Bad North
In Bad North players start with a randomly generated island which they must then defend. Using elements of roguelike and tower defence games, this is, in many ways, a classic strategy game with extras.
One key difference to many other games comes via the permanent loss of defeated commanders. This adds an extra layer of difficulty and depth to the strategy, which is particularly appealing to experienced players.
Raid: Shadow Legends
While purists might consider Raid: Shadow Legends to be an RPG rather than a strategy game, we disagree. Players succeed by navigating the Raid world and taking on various enemies as a classic raiding party.
The strategy comes with collecting the right heroes and putting a team together that can take on all the challenges. The battles here are won and lost in the planning.
Bloons TD 6
The latest in the long-running Bloons series and one of the best tower defence games in recent years. Playing as monkeys, there are 19 towers to be defended in this strategy game.
Various difficulty settings, new game modes, and even offline play help Bloons TD 6 to stand out. Upgrades within the gameplay and optional in-app purchases also add new dimensions to this strategy game.
Company of Heroes
Ported to mobile by Feral Interactive, COH represents a 15-year-old classic PC real-time strategy gam. Originally designed for mouse and keyboard, the translation to touchscreen represents an exemplary achievement.
Feral has adeptly avoided much of the complications often found ion this type of PC port. The goal of Company of Heroes is to manage squads and take back territories in World War II.
Blackjack
There are a huge number of mobile casino games available for Android devices that are incredibly popular with many players. This is because majority of casino providers now have mobile compatible apps, for example 888 have various gambling apps accessible via Android devices, 888casino are also currently offering a 100% welcome bonus for new players. While it could be argued some casino games are luck, many do involve a large degree of strategy.
A game of blackjack requires making strategic decisions based on continually changing probabilities. The chance to win real money with this type of strategy game adds a huge amount to its appeal and popularity.
Card Thief
Mixing a card game with a strategy game, Card Thief offers something more unusual to the strategy genre. The title tasks players with moving around the game world whilst avoiding detection.
Games are two or three minutes long, making Card Thief ideal for short, casual pick-up-and-play sessions. Longer-term strategies come via a collection of stealth points and equipment to help evade the guards in each game.
Rebel Inc
Concentrating on rebuilding after a war rather than the battles themselves is a nice change of focus for strategy games. Rebel Inc charges players with rebuilding the population and infrastructure of a war-torn region.
Makers NDemic have consulted with real-world experts to bring great realism to this sensitive and challenging subject. Players face a host of tough decisions and difficult challenges, and the constant threat of insurgents adds a great element of tension.
Classic games
Chess, Go, Checkers and many other classic strategy board games have been adapted for mobile play. Many variations have been created and published by many different makers of various quality and experience.
One of the best providers in recent years has been AI Factory Ltd. Varying difficulty levels, in-game tuition, and local multiplayer all help this software house’s well-programmed offerings to stand out.
This is just a small collection of the best mobile strategy games on the market today. From tower defence and real-time strategy to classic games and online casino, the choice is endless.
So, next time you pick up your phone to take on a challenge, which option will you go for?