15 Best Strategy Games for Mac in 2023

Do you know how PC gaming is sometimes seen as a second-class platform compared to consoles? That debate could last for days, but there’s one genre where PC gaming is the indisputable champion: strategy games. After all, they were meant to be played with a mouse and keyboard.

Usually, Mac gamers have to accept that some of the top games only support Windows, but luckily, all the best strategy games on the market are available on macOS.

Our absolute favorites:

Game	★ Our Pick	Also Great	Best Value
	Civilization 6	Crusader Kings 3	StarCraft 2
Genre	Turn-based	Turn-based	Real-time
Release date	2016	2020	2015
Metascore	88	91	88
Our rating	★★★★☆ Full Review	★★★★☆	★★★★★ Full Review
Requirements	High	Medium	Low
Check Price	Check Price	Check Price	Free-to-play

💡 And if you’d prefer something entirely different, this 100 Best Mac games guide covers the most popular games across all genres.

Our Favorite Mac Strategy games

Civilization 6

Civilization 6 is the latest entry in a series I thought was already perfect. I was certain Civ 5 couldn’t be improved any further, but developer Firaxis did it.

In Civ 6, you take control of a civilization and lead it through the course of history. You get to research technologies, create a religion, build trade routes, an army, and more. Opportunities and strategies are endless, making this game extremely addictive. We’ve all been there. You just need to build one last archer before going to bed and it’s suddenly 3 AM and you need to finish that last tank.

Civilization 6 also introduced city planning for the first time, with districts and special buildings that can be built within cities. And if that wasn’t enough, the Gathering Storm expansion introduces more units, civilizations, and brand-new mechanics.

For a turn-based game, Civ 6 has surprisingly good graphics and Aspyr did a good job delivering a bug-free MacOS port. That said, this is still a demanding game that requires a powerful machine. More on that in our Civ 6 Mac review.

System requirements: macOS 10.8.5, 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 4 GB RAM, 256 MB ATI Radeon HD 2600, Intel HD 3000 or better, 13 GB hard drive space.

Art	Game	Genre	64-bit?	64-bit	API	M1 Support	Performance
	Civilization 6	Strategy	Yes		OpenGL	Rosetta	Good

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Factorio

Developed and recently updated for macOS support by Wube Software, Factorio has an extremely difficult learning curve. But, oh jolly, once you do get in, there’s no stopping you from playing this game for hours on end.

Nominated for multiple rewards, Factorio is considered one of the best Indie games ever made, with an emphasis on trying to give you a sense of ownership as you try and defend your factory from those pesky bugs who don’t want you clearing out their planet’s resources.

While not the most visually appealing title on this list, it definitely has one of the highest replay values. It runs extremely well on the new Apple-silicon Macs, probably because of its lightweight graphics. But it’s a great pick for anyone who wants to invest a few hours (or a few hundred) into a strategy title.

System requirements: macOS Catalina, Mojave, High Sierra, Sierra, OSX El Capitan, Yosemite, Dual-core 3Ghz+, 4 GB RAM, 3 GB available space.

Art	Game	Genre	64-bit?	64-bit	API	M1 Support	Performance
	Factorio	Strategy	Yes		OpenGL	Native	Excellent

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Inscryption

Inscryption is an App Store-exclusive card game that incorporates roguelike deckbuilding, escape-room puzzles, and a little psychological horror all in one. You get to go through an extremely amazing narratively driven story while also experiencing tons of replayability as you navigate from one environment to the next.

While not as strategically intensive as some of the other games we’ve mentioned on this list, it still is an extremely enjoyable title to play, especially if you are someone who likes to play games on their iPhone when they aren’t quite able to get to their MacBook.

It runs well on all the older and newer MacBooks, and supports cross-platform across all Apple devices like the iPad and iPhone.

System requirements: Mac OS X 10.13 or later, Intel Core i5-5350U (2 * 1800) or equivalent; Intel Core i5-2400S (4 * 2500) or equivalent, 8 GB RAM, Intel HD Graphics 6000 or equivalent; Radeon HD 6750M (512 VRAM) or equivalent, 3 GB available space.

Art	Game	Genre	64-bit?	64-bit	API	M1 Support	Performance
	Inscryption	CCD	Yes		TBC	Rosetta	Good

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A Total War Saga: Troy

There’s not a huge abundance of turn-based titles that also claim to be historically accurate. Published by Sega, Total War Saga: Troy plants you right into the eventful war of the Greek mythos, taking you right to the lands of Aegan.

The game doesn’t have the most polished gameplay. Neither is it that strategically deep compared to some of the other entries in our list. But it does provide a few hours of fun and has a great and somewhat historically accurate story to follow.

System requirements: The game is supported on 13″ MacBook Airs released since 2020, 13″ MacBook Pros released since 2016, 15″ MacBook Pros released since 2016, 16″ MacBook Pros released since 2019, 21.5″ iMacs released since 2017, 27″ iMacs released since Late 2014, 27″ iMac Pros released since Late 2017 and All Mac Pros released since Late 2013

Art	Game	Genre	64-bit?	64-bit	API	M1 Support	Performance
	A Total War Saga: Troy	Strategy	Yes		Metal	Rosetta	Good

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Crusader Kings 3

Crusader Kings 3 is best described as a political life simulator, sort of like the Sims 4 with a major emphasis on politics.

While that description can make it seem unimpressive at first glance, CK3 is one of those strangely addicting games. Wage wars on your neighbors, form alliances, marry all the wrong people and perform pagan rituals. Your kingdom is your oyster, for as long as you can hold on to it anyways.

CK3 is also honored as one of the best role-playing strategy games, with character customization and daily events to simulate medieval life. With so many ways to run your kingdom, the replay value of this game is immense. It is one of those games where you think you’ll be going to bed after allying with France, only to stay up till sunrise waging war on the Byzantine Empire.

System requirements: macOS 10.14, Intel Core i7 Processor, 12 GB RAM, 4 GB AMD Radeon Pro 560, 8 GB hard drive space.

Art	Game	Genre	64-bit?	64-bit	API	M1 Support	Performance
	Crusader Kings 3	Strategy	Yes		OpenGL	Rosetta	Average

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Starcraft 2

The follow-up to one of the most famous RTS games in history, StarCraft 2 shouldn’t need an introduction.

This space RTS depicts a fascinating war between the Terrans, Zerg, and Protoss. But what sets this game apart is the gameplay. StarCraft 2 is fast, precise, and features perfectly balanced factions. The game is definitely easy to grasp and get into, but insanely hard to master. I stopped trying to become “good” at it a long time ago, but I still enjoy playing the campaign, a co-op mission, or the occasional skirmish against the AI.

StarCraft 2 could have been our top pick. The only reason it wasn’t was because no other game could be a better budget pick. StarCraft 2 is as budget-friendly as it gets: most of the game can be played for free, including online matches, co-op missions, and the Terran campaign.

StarCraft 2 also features nice graphics that stand the test of time and reasonable system requirements. StarCraft 2 is the perfect game for fans of RTS, but also gamers looking for high-quality free games. You can read our in-depth StarCrat 2 Mac review for more benchmarks.

System requirements: macOS 10.11, Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 4 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M or ATI Radeon HD 4670 or better, 30 GB hard drive space.

Art	Game	Genre	64-bit?	64-bit	API	M1 Support	Performance
	Starcraft 2	Strategy	Yes		Metal	Rosetta	Poor

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Total War: Warhammer 3

Total War: WARHAMMER III is an RTS game set in the world of Warhammer. Imagine our world, but replace half the population with demons and dragons.

With seven distinct races and different abilities to choose from, Warhammer III feels like a Total War game. Which is a good thing, because the Total War franchise is well known for its heroes, highly strategic warfare, and large-scale epic battles. Additionally, Warhammer III has a customizable avatar that you can move around and fight with, making you feel like an actual character controlling the armies.

Unfortunately, Warhammer 3 still has some bugs. But it remains a great game, which is why it claims a spot on this list.

System requirements: macOS 12.0.1, Apple M1 (8‑Core CPU) or better, 8 GB RAM, Apple M1 (7‑Core GPU) or better, 125 GB hard drive space.

Art	Game	Genre	64-bit?	64-bit	API	M1 Support	Performance
	Total War: Warhammer 3	Strategy	Yes		Metal	Rosetta	Good

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Hearts of Iron 4

Set in World War 2, Hearts Of Iron is about strategizing in one of mankind’s bloodiest wars. An incredibly complex war simulation, it can take a couple of hours to even become familiar with it.

Customize your tanks, train your troops, and defend your borders, because Hearts Of Iron is all about managing your nation in times of war. Take care of your economy and civilians back home to run munition factories and research new war technology. An unorganized country leads to a poorly supplied army, which can quickly snowball into a disastrous defeat. While managing things back home, you also have to manage your troops in various places of the world. Choosing favorable terrain and having a good general can be the difference between breaking through enemy lines or a panicked retreat.

However, this game is really intensive to run and can slow down gameplay on Macs.

System requirements: macOS 10.11, Intel Core i5 2.6 GHz or better, 4 GB RAM, 2 GB HD space, ATI Radeon HD 6970M.

Art	Game	Genre	64-bit?	64-bit	API	M1 Support	Performance
	Hearts of Iron 4	Strategy	Yes		OpenGL	Rosetta	Good

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Dome Keeper

Domekeeper is a highly innovative roguelike that combines base defense and mining.

The gameplay loop revolves around you leaving your tiny glass dome to go mining, hauling back minerals to upgrade your base, and using the upgraded base to kill incoming hordes of enemies. Despite the gameplay loop sounding similar to Stardew Valley, the experience is completely different. The tension is ever-present as you watch the seconds tick down on your clock. Do you risk pushing further for more minerals at the risk of being home late? Or do you play it safe and go home to prepare your defenses?

Additionally, the game runs very smoothly on Mac with no bugs, making for a great gaming experience.

System requirements: Supports x86 hardware, 2.5 GHz Processor, 512 MB RAM, Support for OpenGL 3.3, 500 MB hard drive space.

Art	Game	Genre	64-bit?	64-bit	API	M1 Support	Performance
	Dome Keeper	Action	Yes		TBC	Rosetta	Good

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Northgard

Based on Norse mythology, Northgard gives you control of a clan of Vikings trying to conquer and settle on a newfound continent.

This RTS reminds me a lot of the glory days of Age of Empires. You have to gather resources, create buildings and train soldiers, fishermen, and scouts. But similarities with old-school classics stop there. Northgard introduces modern mechanics that give the game a fresh and interesting feel. For instance, you can’t create people. You have to keep your clan happy and that will attract settlers that can then be trained to become soldiers.

Northgard also features landscapes and weather effects that are simply top-notch. Other entries on this list may be less demanding, but the fact a MacBook from 2013 can run such a pretty game makes it our MacBook Pick.

System requirements: 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, Nvidia 450 GTS / Radeon HD 5750 or better, 400 MB Hard Drive space.

Art	Game	Genre	64-bit?	64-bit	API	M1 Support	Performance
	Northgard	Strategy	Yes		TBC	Rosetta	Good

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Old World

A combination of Crusader Kings and Civilization, Old World is a great 4X game with some Game of Thrones-styled drama.

In Old World, you take control of a civilization to lead it towards glory in the medieval era. You get to research technologies, conquer distant lands, and mold infrastructure to your desires. But Old World also has family relationships to manage. From murderous sisters to loyal wives, your family affairs are just as important as building your city. This brings a lot of depth to a 4X game, giving the game a more organic rhythm.

Best of all, The Steam version of Old World features native M1 support. No Rosetta is required; just plug in and play.

System requirements: macOS High Sierra 10.13, 6th gen Intel i5 2.7GHz or similar, 8 GB RAM, 2 GB VRAM, 10 GB hard drive space.

Art	Game	Genre	64-bit?	64-bit	API	M1 Support	Performance
	Old World	Strategy	Yes		Metal	Native	Good

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XCOM 2

XCOM 2 is a turn-based strategy game that continues the story of the original XCOM. Humans lost the war against the aliens and the remaining survivors have to live under their rule. The future is grim and the only hope is the tiny resistance army, which you’ll lead.

XCOM 2 features excellent turn-based combat missions where the use of cover and special abilities is crucial. Plus, if one of your soldiers dies he or she is gone forever, making every mission feel tense and important. In between missions, you get to manage your resources, research technologies, train your soldiers and decide where to go next.

Vanilla XCOM 2 is an excellent game as is, but the War of the Chosen expansion makes it infinitely better. In fact, War of the Chosen is so big, developer Firaxis thought it would become XCOM 3. Many call it the ultimate XCOM experience and once you try it, you’ll understand.

Feral Interactive did an outstanding job with the game’s port. In spite of requiring a recent machine to run, you would expect such a great-looking game to be even more demanding. My 2016 MBP shouldn’t be able to run it but it does!

System requirements: macOS 10.12.5, 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5 Processor, 8 GB RAM, 1GB AMD 5750, Nvidia 650M, 1.5GB Intel Iris Pro 5200, 78 GB hard drive space.

Art	Game	Genre	64-bit?	64-bit	API	M1 Support	Performance
	XCOM 2	Strategy	Yes		Metal	Rosetta	Average

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Company of Heroes 2

Company of Heroes (CoH) was revolutionary when it first came out in 2006. The graphics, the destructible environments. My jaw dropped the first time I saw a Panzer tank drive through a wall and kill my soldiers. Company of Heroes 2 is all that and more.

Just like the original, CoH2 is all about securing resources, building an army, and crushing the enemy. But unlike StarCraft 2, this game isn’t about building the biggest army as fast as possible. In CoH2, every unit matters and you’ll have to use the right combination of units, terrain, and cover to win. This may sound complicated and slow, but don’t worry. CoH2 is an action-driven RTS with lots of destruction and mayhem.

Feral Interactive did an excellent job with this port, but the game’s advanced physics and great-looking graphics make it particularly demanding. If you have a machine with integrated graphics, our tests concluded you will probably be out of luck with this one… CoH2 is is the perfect fame for fans of WW2 strategy games. You can read our in-depth Mac Performance review for more benchmarks.

System requirements: macOS 10.10.3, 1.8 GHz Intel Processor, 4 GB RAM, 512MB Nvidia 640M, 2GB AMD Radeon M290, Intel Iris Pro or better, 35 GB hard drive space.

Art	Game	Genre	64-bit?	64-bit	API	M1 Support	Performance
	Company of Heroes 2	Strategy	Yes		Metal	Rosetta	Good

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Hearthstone

Blizzard is an expert at creating free-to-play games. Hearthstone is a perfect example of how to do it right.

Hearthstone is a digital collectible card game based on the popular Warcraft universe. But before you ignore it because you don’t “like” card games, know this game is amazing, no matter your past experiences with the genre.

Hearthstone is much simpler than you would imagine. In every match, you pull three or four cards (depending on who goes first) out of your customized deck of 30 cards. There are different card types (weapons, spells, and minions), but the goal is clear: empty your opponent’s health.

As far as free games go, you won’t be disappointed here. You can genuinely spend hours playing Hearthstone without having to spend a dime. Plus, the cute yet simplistic graphics are perfect for low-powered machines.

System requirements: macOS 10.9, 2.4 GHz Intel Core Dual Processor, 2 GB RAM, Intel HD 4000 with 512 MB of dedicated memory, 15 GB hard drive space.

Art	Game	Genre	64-bit?	64-bit	API	M1 Support	Performance
	Hearthstone	CCD	Yes		Metal	Rosetta	Good

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Stellaris

Ever wanted to conquer the universe? Stellaris may be your way out.

Another grand strategy 4X game from Paradox, Stellaris aims to take the Europa Universalis IV formula and bring it to space. When it was first released, it was clear this could be the next big grand strategy classic, but it was quite not there yet.

Fast forward to 2018 and the release of the free Stellaris 2.0 update. Stellaris 2.0 was a massive success, refining and improving virtually every single one of the game’s key features.

The end result is a fantastic space strategy game and the Paradox grand strategy game you need to play. Stelleris is the perfect game for fans of space exploration and sci-fi settings, as Stellaris features countless “species” and technologies.

System requirements: macOS 10.11, Intel Core i5 Processor, 8 GB RAM, Nvidia GeForce GT 750M or equivalent AMD card with 1 GB VRAM, 10 GB hard drive space.

Art	Game	Genre	64-bit?	64-bit	API	M1 Support	Performance
	Stellaris	Strategy	Yes		OpenGL	Rosetta	Good

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Our Criteria

Games are subjective and Top 10 lists even more so. To keep this list as fair as possible and ensure every game listed here is worth it, we made sure the following set of criteria is always met:

Native: Every game listed here natively supports macOS. This means they won’t need Wine, Parallels, Bootcamp, or any other third-party app to run. Just install any of these games on your machine and enjoy.

Performance: Obviously, we think every game on this list is solid in terms of graphics, gameplay, and stability. But performance is also a key factor to consider: we Mac users keep our computers for a long time. Mac Gamer HQ is the only place that tests and benchmarks games on several machines and shows you actual performance, not just listed system requirements.

Critical acclaim: To counter the fact that games are extremely subjective, we focus only on the games that have received good reviews by critics and average gamers. We’re not looking to please everyone, but we want to make sure these games have been generally enjoyed.

Pricing: Price tags are not the most important factor, but they still count. Sometimes a game that is only $10 will be superior to a game that costs $60. We know you’re looking for the best value for money. We are too.