5 Best Strategy Games on Mac for Interested Players

July 28, 2022

Even though MacBooks are not the best option when it comes to video games, you can still enjoy plenty of different games on them.

If you own a MacBook and are looking to play some of the best strategy games on Mac, check the list below. The titles mentioned below are compatible with macOS and should run pretty smoothly even if you have a relatively old Mac model.

Table of Contents

Civilization VI

Let’s start with the Civilization franchise. It is arguably the best turn-based strategy game. You advance in eras by taking turns rather than commanding and reacting in real time.

Despite the fact that Civilization VI has been around for almost 6 years now, it still holds up graphic-wise. Plenty of players still take screenshots of their gameplay and save them as a keepsake for later. Learning how to ss on Mac is pretty easy even if you are playing video games, so feel free to take some screenshots yourself if you are in the mood for it.

Besides the popular custom game mode, players can also choose from premade campaigns that represent certain historical events, such as famous battles.

Also, if you are reluctant to play Civ VI because it has been around for a while, do not worry. The developers have been releasing regular balance updates as well as new DLCs and civilizations to keep the game more interesting.

Finally, it feels like an announcement of the next installment of the franchise is imminent. If you like Civilization VI, you are bound to enjoy what is coming next from the same developers.

Total War

Total War is another popular franchise that is often considered one of the best strategy games of all time.

This one is a bit different from what you might be used to, particularly when it comes to unit control.

The battles are perhaps the biggest part of the game, and you will need to put a lot of effort into determining the best moves in managing your armies as well as other resources. The view from above might take some time to get used to, but once you get past that point, you will appreciate the game’s design in how it presents battles and other aspects.

Starcraft II

Science fiction fans should not hesitate and try Starcraft II. The game is quite popular on Twitch TV and is driven a lot by its competitive community.

That is not to say that you cannot enjoy Starcraft II. Far from it. And there are more than just usual skirmish games. Blizzard has spent some resources to add custom games for variety, and those really took off.

If you are into competitive games, however, you can join multiplayer and start playing against other players. On the other hand, it is probably better to practice a bit against AI first.

Players can choose from 3 different races – Zerg, Protoss, and Terran. The setup is somewhat reminiscent of the rock-paper-scissors approach. Each race has pros and cons. Different matchups require different choices, and you have to make those choices fast to adjust.

Besides the multiplayer, Starcraft II has a pretty compelling campaign mode which you will want to play through at least once to familiarize yourself with the story. Also, be sure to buy the expansions if you like the base game.

Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition

Age of Empires is one of the most renowned real-time strategy game series out there. As a MacBook owner, you have the option to play AoE 3, which does not excel, but it also does not fall short too much when compared to other games in the franchise.

The time period is in colonial times, which is not that common in strategy games. The base game has plenty of nations to choose from, but it is recommended to get additional content for the full experience.

Similar to other strategy games, you can play online against other players or stick to single-player games, including the campaign.

There is one downside to playing this game, however. The Age of Empires series as a whole is not really supported on macOS (it probably has something to do with the fact that Microsoft is the developer of the game). However, you can circumvent the issue with the Parallels Desktop.

Warcraft III

It is important to get one thing out of the way first—do not play the Reforged version of Warcraft III. No, stick to the original version, preferably with The Frozen Throne update.

WC III excels in storytelling throughout its campaign, so you should definitely play that at least once.

When you are confident in your skills, you can play against other players in multiplayer. Also, do not be too worried about having to control too many different units and a hero or two in addition. It just takes time to familiarize yourself with the information.