Best games
Best Strategy games of 1996
The 8 best Strategy games released in 1996, ranked from 781 critic and player ratings.
The best Strategy game of 1996 is Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares, with a critic score of 92/100 — updated September 2026.
How this ranking is built
- Games are ranked on the aggregated critic score out of 100 imported from IGDB and Metacritic, never on Tier's own grades.
- A game only enters the ranking with at least 30 external ratings, so a single enthusiastic review never outranks a proven classic.
- Each game is ranked in one genre only, the one that defines it best, so the same title never tops two different genre charts.
- Community grades from F to S are shown next to every game, and only stated as a fact above 5 Tier ratings.
- Release window covered: 1996.
- 8 games are listed on this page, carrying 781 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 28 September 2026.
Top 8
01
Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares
Master of Orion 2 also known as MOO2 is considered the classic 4x turn based strategy game set in space. The game has a kind of cult status and even by to days standards is still only matched in game play by very few of its competitors.
92
/100
02
Sid Meier's Civilization 2
94
/100
03
Sid Meier's Civilization II
A turn-based strategy video game set around several different historic civilizations.
82
/100
Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares
Master of Orion 2 also known as MOO2 is considered the classic 4x turn based strategy game set in space. The game has a kind of cult status and even by to days standards is still only matched in game play by very few of its competitors.
92
/100
02
Sid Meier's Civilization 2
94
/100
03
Sid Meier's Civilization II
A turn-based strategy video game set around several different historic civilizations.
82
/100
04
The Settlers 2: Veni, Vidi, Vici
The Settlers II: Veni, Vidi, Vici is a real-time strategy computer game, released by Blue Byte Software in 1996. Its gameplay is very similar to that of its predecessor, The Settlers, albeit with a Roman theme and improved graphics. It is the second game in The Settlers series. Many fans of the franchise consider this the best game of the series, primarily because future instalments changed the transport management aspect considerably. This popularity encouraged Blue Byte to publish a remake of the game, The Settlers II (10th Anniversary) for Windows and release a port of the original game on Nintendo DS.
82
/100
05
Command & Conquer: Red Alert
Travel to an alternate universe where dark experiments have permanently altered time. Or have they? Soviet tanks crush city after city while Allied cruisers shell bases. Spies lurk, landmines await, and strange new technologies aid both sides in the struggle for ultimate control. In this parallel reality, the mighty Soviet Empire has begun to “liberate” all of Europe. Cities fall and countries collapse before the overwhelming might of the Red Storm. The Allies are scrambling to meet the onslaught, but they have been caught by surprise. Red Alert puts the fate of the world in your hands!
81
/100
06
Z: The Game
Everything is in here from the terrific comedy cut scenes to the frantic game play making this is the definitive version of Z. Z is a real time war game played in a totally free environment where you undertake a breathtaking race to capture territory and resources. Crush your enemy before they overpower you.
70
/100
07
Fantasy General
Fantasy General is a turn-based strategy game based on a traditional hex map. The game is situated in a fantasy world. The player can play either a scenario or a campaign. There are two sides, Good and Evil, each with unique units. In campaign mode, the player selects a heroe and his goal is to defeat the Shadowlord and his four generals. The game ends with the final defeat of the Shadowlord at his Fire Isle.
52
/100
08
Syndicate Wars
Welcome to an urban hell of ultra-violent mayhem. Welcome to Syndicate Wars where you’ll take control of a squad of cybernetically enhanced Agents and wreak havoc on the enemy. Funnel money towards research that will allow you to upgrade your team and make them into more efficient killing machines. Use the environment to assassinate, destroy, and eliminate your targets all from a classic isometric perspective. If you need cannon fodder, why not set your Agents loose armed with Persuadertrons to control huge crowds, or even enemy agents, and get them to do the dirty work for you? So whether you’re keeping EuroCorp in the black or burning infidels for the New Epoch, Syndicate Wars will have you giddily carving a path to victory. Welcome to the merciless future of violent squad-based real-time tactics!
50
/100
The Settlers 2: Veni, Vidi, Vici
The Settlers II: Veni, Vidi, Vici is a real-time strategy computer game, released by Blue Byte Software in 1996. Its gameplay is very similar to that of its predecessor, The Settlers, albeit with a Roman theme and improved graphics. It is the second game in The Settlers series. Many fans of the franchise consider this the best game of the series, primarily because future instalments changed the transport management aspect considerably. This popularity encouraged Blue Byte to publish a remake of the game, The Settlers II (10th Anniversary) for Windows and release a port of the original game on Nintendo DS.
82
/100
05
Command & Conquer: Red Alert
Travel to an alternate universe where dark experiments have permanently altered time. Or have they? Soviet tanks crush city after city while Allied cruisers shell bases. Spies lurk, landmines await, and strange new technologies aid both sides in the struggle for ultimate control. In this parallel reality, the mighty Soviet Empire has begun to “liberate” all of Europe. Cities fall and countries collapse before the overwhelming might of the Red Storm. The Allies are scrambling to meet the onslaught, but they have been caught by surprise. Red Alert puts the fate of the world in your hands!
81
/100
06
Z: The Game
Everything is in here from the terrific comedy cut scenes to the frantic game play making this is the definitive version of Z. Z is a real time war game played in a totally free environment where you undertake a breathtaking race to capture territory and resources. Crush your enemy before they overpower you.
70
/100
07
Fantasy General
Fantasy General is a turn-based strategy game based on a traditional hex map. The game is situated in a fantasy world. The player can play either a scenario or a campaign. There are two sides, Good and Evil, each with unique units. In campaign mode, the player selects a heroe and his goal is to defeat the Shadowlord and his four generals. The game ends with the final defeat of the Shadowlord at his Fire Isle.
52
/100
08
Syndicate Wars
Welcome to an urban hell of ultra-violent mayhem. Welcome to Syndicate Wars where you’ll take control of a squad of cybernetically enhanced Agents and wreak havoc on the enemy. Funnel money towards research that will allow you to upgrade your team and make them into more efficient killing machines. Use the environment to assassinate, destroy, and eliminate your targets all from a classic isometric perspective. If you need cannon fodder, why not set your Agents loose armed with Persuadertrons to control huge crowds, or even enemy agents, and get them to do the dirty work for you? So whether you’re keeping EuroCorp in the black or burning infidels for the New Epoch, Syndicate Wars will have you giddily carving a path to victory. Welcome to the merciless future of violent squad-based real-time tactics!
50
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Strategy game of 1996?
Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares currently tops the ranking with a score of 92/100 across 70 ratings. Ranking updated September 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.