Best games
Best Strategy games of 2002
The 19 best Strategy games released in 2002, ranked from 5,749 critic and player ratings.
The best Strategy game of 2002 is Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, with a critic score of 93/100 — updated August 2026.
01
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos
Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos is an RTS made by Blizzard Entertainment. Take control of either the Humans, the Orcs, the Night Elves or the Undead, all with different unit types and heroes with unique abilities.Play the story driven single player campaign, go online to play default- or custom maps against people around the world or create your own maps with the map creation tool.
93
/100
02
Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos
92
/100
03
Freedom Force
90
/100
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos
Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos is an RTS made by Blizzard Entertainment. Take control of either the Humans, the Orcs, the Night Elves or the Undead, all with different unit types and heroes with unique abilities.Play the story driven single player campaign, go online to play default- or custom maps against people around the world or create your own maps with the map creation tool.
93
/100
02
Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos
92
/100
03
Freedom Force
90
/100
04
Medieval: Total War
88
/100
05
Age of Wonders II: The Wizard's Throne
86
/100
06
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell
Infiltrate terrorists' positions, acquire critical intelligence by any means necessary, execute with extreme prejudice, and exit without a trace! You are Sam Fisher, a highly trained secret operative of the NSA's secret arm: Third Echelon. The world balance is in your hands, as cyber terrorism and international tensions are about to explode into WWIII.
85
/100
07
Gothic II
Gothic II is a role-playing video game and the sequel to Gothic, by the German developer Piranha Bytes. It was first released on November 29, 2002 in Germany, with North America following almost one year later on October 28, 2003. The game was published by JoWooD Entertainment and Atari.
80
/100
08
Robin Hood: The Legend of Sherwood
80
/100
09
Stronghold: Crusader
78
/100
10
Hitman 2: Silent Assassin
Enter the realm of a retired assassin, forced back into action by treason. You may be a hired killer but you still have a sense of loyalty and justice. Visit the dark recesses of a world corrupted by crime, greed, degradation and dishonor. And a past that catches up with you. Trust no one - if the price is right, the finger of your most trusted ally will be on the trigger. Your targets may hide in the most remote areas of the planet, but their destruction is never prevented - only postponed. Learn your trade - master your tools - overcome your obstacles - outsmart your enemies - eliminate your targets. Remember: rash decisions bleed consequences. Know when to strike instantly, know when to take your time. Chance favors the prepared. Failure is not an option.
77
/100
11
American Conquest
76
/100
12
Age of Mythology
76
/100
13
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2: Triple Thrill Pack
74
/100
14
Worms Blast
73
/100
15
Conflict: Desert Storm
67
/100
16
Army Men RTS
67
/100
17
Red Faction II
64
/100
18
Cossacks: Back to War
60
/100
19
Digimon World 3
47
/100
Medieval: Total War
88
/100
05
Age of Wonders II: The Wizard's Throne
86
/100
06
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell
Infiltrate terrorists' positions, acquire critical intelligence by any means necessary, execute with extreme prejudice, and exit without a trace! You are Sam Fisher, a highly trained secret operative of the NSA's secret arm: Third Echelon. The world balance is in your hands, as cyber terrorism and international tensions are about to explode into WWIII.
85
/100
07
Gothic II
Gothic II is a role-playing video game and the sequel to Gothic, by the German developer Piranha Bytes. It was first released on November 29, 2002 in Germany, with North America following almost one year later on October 28, 2003. The game was published by JoWooD Entertainment and Atari.
80
/100
08
Robin Hood: The Legend of Sherwood
80
/100
09
Stronghold: Crusader
78
/100
10
Hitman 2: Silent Assassin
Enter the realm of a retired assassin, forced back into action by treason. You may be a hired killer but you still have a sense of loyalty and justice. Visit the dark recesses of a world corrupted by crime, greed, degradation and dishonor. And a past that catches up with you. Trust no one - if the price is right, the finger of your most trusted ally will be on the trigger. Your targets may hide in the most remote areas of the planet, but their destruction is never prevented - only postponed. Learn your trade - master your tools - overcome your obstacles - outsmart your enemies - eliminate your targets. Remember: rash decisions bleed consequences. Know when to strike instantly, know when to take your time. Chance favors the prepared. Failure is not an option.
77
/100
11
American Conquest
76
/100
12
Age of Mythology
76
/100
13
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2: Triple Thrill Pack
74
/100
14
Worms Blast
73
/100
15
Conflict: Desert Storm
67
/100
16
Army Men RTS
67
/100
17
Red Faction II
64
/100
18
Cossacks: Back to War
60
/100
19
Digimon World 3
47
/100
FAQ
What is the best Strategy game of 2002?
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos currently tops the ranking with a score of 93/100 across 1,610 ratings. Ranking updated August 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.