Strategy games

Vikings: War of Clans is a strategy browser game set in the thematic world of Vikings, where as Jarls, players must build their kingdoms, armies and heroes to wage war against each other.

The game offers the traditional, addictive kingdom-building gameplay that we've learnt to appreciate in many games of the same genre, on top of an in-depth progression system and an interesting hero system to provide some much-appreciated variety and additional complexity.

The game also features truly excellent 3D animations that give Vikings: War of Clans terrific scores for graphics and presentation. Our town is alive, and you can see the townsfolk bustling around your buildings, working the forges, mines and farms...
This, paired with the pleasant and thematic soundtrack, really does a great job in letting the player enjoy and "live" the atmosphere of the game.
It comes with some cons though, such as pretty high loading times.

Overall, Vikings: War of Clans is a great browser strategy game that, despite not being able to offer anything new to the veterans of this genre, does provide a top-notch and addictive war game experience to all those looking for an old-school, traditional gameplay.

➔ Main points:

• A 2017 strategy browser game built under the most classical gameplay standards of the genre.
• Excellent graphics and convincing atmosphere based on the world of Vikings.
• Hours of addictive kingdom building and strategic warfare solo or with a clan.
• Deep progression systems for strategy lovers that offer many different ways to play.
• Does not require payment to enjoy the full experience, although advantages for paying users are quite visible.

Throne: Kingdom at War is a Browser game, released by Plarium in August 2016. While it does have its little quirks that can serve to be an annoyance to some, its overall gameplay, visuals, and gaming structure make it yet another incredible addition to the avid gamer’s collection. With new players continuing to join every day, it is a game that is well worth checking out, with some heavy addiction warnings in place (coming from personal experience).

➔ Main points:

• Free Browser Game set in a medieval fantasy realm
• Build your own kingdom and watch it come to life
• Assemble an unstoppable army and take other kingdoms by force
• Building takes time (or just some money instead)
• Join an Order and have allies watching your back

World of Warships is a tactical naval war MMO game developed by Wargaming. The game can be downloaded for free and features a number of majestic vessels and warships from the navies of different World Powers.

As the game progresses players can buy new upgrades and improve their ships in order to cope with the ever increasing competitive nature of high sea battles. The realistic 3D graphics of World of Warships are another one of the game's numerous merits and help to make it a must-try experience for any RPG gamer. Even those who may not necessarily be fans of the genre.

➔ Main points:

• 2015 naval battles simulator focusing on teamwork
• Good ship variety, with realistic vessels from different nations
• Great attention to details
• Fun gameplay

Stormfall: Age of War is a browser-based MMO strategy game by developer Plarium.
In the game you must create and upgrade your castle, while also building an army to pillage the castles of other players and defend yourself from their attacks.

While the combat mechanics of Stormfall are not particularly interesting, there is enough to do in this well-crafted game to make up for it.
Between the endless buildings, units and skills to construct and upgrade within your castle, and the different kinds of conquests to plan and execute outside it, the game can almost feel too busy for a beginner.

However, this also ensures that you won’t get bored of Stormfall too quickly – there’s almost always something new to learn.

➔ Main points:

• Classical fantasy browser game by Plarium
• You'll have the chance to meet Oberon, the sarcastic, world-weary soldier who will guide you through the quests while poking fun at you, other non-playable characters and even the game itself
• Lots of things to do, even for beginners: events, daily missions, pillages (both PvE and PvP)
• Recommended for people looking for a game to play for more than a couple of minutes per day.

Pirates – Tides of Fortune is a complex and charming browser game released by Plarium Games. In this game you are a commander of your own haven (base of operations), where your goal is to expand, conquer and form brotherhoods with other players.
Tides of Fortune allows you to take several approaches on your gameplay; economical, defensive and offensive. The game leaves you enough room to learn how to fend for yourself during the first few levels, so you don’t have to worry about getting raided and pillaged by other players right off the bat.

➔ Main points:

• Classical strategy browser game.
• Fetch resources (or steal them), recruit an army of pirates and build your fleet.
• Complete daily missions to earn even more resources and units.
• Funny, entertaining, multilanguage voice-over (in pirate tongue too!).
• Much appreciated humoristic approach.

Shaiya holds a place in many people’s hearts as the first MMO they’ve ever played. And as such, people looking back on it today might be viewing it through those dark-tinted nostalgia glasses which may obscure their objectivity when talking about it.

Over 11 years since its’ release, does Shaiya hold up? In a way (Private servers), yes, but for the most part, Shaiya is as dead as an MMO can get. The way it works with old-school MMOs is they either need to have a large enough player base to keep them going, or they need to modernize with the times to draw in newer players.

Shaiya does neither. Few veterans of the game are left, and the changes that the developers have made to the game over the years have only pushed old-school players away even more. There’s nothing on offer here that the new generation of gamers won’t find somewhere else. Somewhere better. The uniqueness of Ultimate Mode, is little more than a novelty feature now, and the P2W aspects of the PVP just kill the game, despite its’ potential. Shaiya still has its’ high points, but the official game is long past its’ prime.

➔ Main points:

• Downloadable F2P traditional MMORPG
• Good versus Evil, Faction-based PVP battles
• Permadeath Ultimate Mode Difficulty
• Heavily P2W PVP
• Very low player base on official servers, dead community
• Fairly active community on private servers

This free to play browser-based game allows you to create your very own empire, starting in the early Bronze Age and advancing towards the Industrial Age and beyond (if you can).

Forge of empires is not just a city building simulation; as your city expands you must fend off other players who attack mercilessly in an attempt to plunder your resources. Cunning, strategy and economic balance all come into play to make Forge of Empires a challenging and enjoyable game.

The free to play model works well here and it is completely possible to experience all features of the game without having to purchase "extras" in order to succeed. A real benefit with Forge of Empires is that game play is really easy-going and there are no lengthy downloads required to play, which is even more reason to give it a try!

➔ Main points:

• Completely free to play browser based strategy game.
• No download required to play, simply sign in via a webpage and away you go!
• Resources and experience are plentiful, making the cash shop almost unnecessary.
• Easy going and non-demanding game play.

Desert Operations is a highly realistic military themed strategy game that is free to play and has a modern day setting. The gameplay revolves around familiar strategy mechanics such as building, researching, resource management and real time-based PvP warfare. The game worlds are populated and advancing your nation is a fun challenge as players navigate through mechanics like a dynamic weather system that could change the outcome of battles. In addition to that, joining social Alliances will be crucial for the late game, but there are there things to do like hunting Achievements which is rare for games of this genre.

Other aspects of Desert Operations aren't the best such as graphics and aesthetics, but that won't matter too much if you're used to browser-based strategy games. While Desert Operations is easy to jump into, it does have a high learning curve for non-military enthusiasts and there is a very slow rate of progression which encourages you to spend real money on Diamonds to progress things like building or recruiting faster.

➔ Main points:

• Modern day setting with familiar strategy mechanics
• Realistic depiction of military units, buildings and tech to reflect today's era
• Active player-base thanks to more than 6 worlds to play on
• Short and succinct tutorial to get new players up to speed and playing in less than 5 minutes

Game of Thrones: Winter Is Coming is an officially licensed Game of Thrones game that is authentic, fun and a challenge. Kingdom building is what you'll be doing mostly, but there are some interesting gameplay elements like RPG 3D battles that is very welcomed. The graphics are phenomenal and uses likenesses of the TV show characters. While it is very unforgiving to solo players, the game shines in group play with it's stellar Alliance System that promotes team work in order to reach end-game and rule the Iron Throne. Overall, this is a solid free to play game.

➔ Main points:

• Free to play browser based strategy game
• Authentic Game of Thrones experience
• Clever diversity in gameplay
• Heavy social aspects with good alliance system
• Very unfriendly to solo players

Travian is a 2D browser-based military strategy game that was released in 2004 to critical acclaim. For strategy enthusiasts, the game features resource management and empire building in the early game which supplements its mid-game combat and PVP expansion gameplay.

The hero system is a unique feature that allows players to explore an alternate RPG progression, by embarking their heroes on quests and missions to gain powerful equipment which will aid in attacking and defending villages.

While Travian isn't a perfect game it is a staple title that offers hours of addictive fun to players seeking a strategic browser-based masterpiece.

➔ Main points:

• Large player population that makes the game competitive today
• Fun and strategic empire building
• Excellent user interface for a browser game
• Unique hero system to complement kingdom management
• Will keep you addicted daily