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Best Strategy games of 2004

The 8 best Strategy games released in 2004, ranked from 1,206 critic and player ratings.

The best Strategy game of 2004 is ROME: Total War, with a critic score of 91/100 — updated November 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.
  • 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: 2004.
  • 8 games are listed on this page, carrying 1,206 ratings between them.
  • Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 13 November 2026.

Top 8

Played them? Give your tier with the + next to each game. No account needed to try — create one to keep your tiers.

01 ROME: Total War ROME: Total War 2004 · 325 ratings Set during the rule of the late Roman Republic and the early Roman Empire, Rome: Total War is a real-time tactics and turn-based strategy game that takes place across Europe, North Africa and the Near East. The player assumes control of one of three Roman families with eight other factions playable outside the main campaign. The main goal of the campaign is to become emperor of Rome by conquering fifty provinces with the support of the people before capturing Rome itself although a short campaign is also available wherein success depends on besting other factions in a race to seize control of 15 provinces. 91 /100
02 Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 2004 · 212 ratings Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War is a revolutionary science fiction real-time strategy (RTS) game set in the violent, post-apocalyptic universe of the 41st Millennium. Utilizing the exceptional game design skills of Relic Entertainment, Dawn of War provides an immersive entertainment experience of epic proportions. Command hardened troops, deadly vehicles and high-tech weaponry with one goal in mind, the complete extermination of the opposition. Whether you lead Humanity's finest - the Space Marines, - the masters of mechanized warfare and billions-strong human army of the Imperial Guard, the diabolic and villainous traitors of man - the Chaos Space Marines, the brutal and savage beasts - the Orks, or the psychic and technologically advanced alien warriors - the Eldar, you control the action and the fate of your race! 86 /100
03 The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth 2004 · 252 ratings The players control the heroes or villians from the famous Lord of The Rings movies. With a hero characters similar to the Warcraft series you control both the armies and all the unique heroes. The game follows the movies very closely and even got scenes from the films appear in game. Not only does the game contain a giant campaign where you play through the journey of the ring as the good side, the game also features an evil campaign where as the players play as the evil forces of Middle Earth. With multiple diffrent races from all over Middle Earth, a giant spell tree to customize your game and a unique basebuilding layout the game was great for its time. 84 /100
04 Silent Storm Gold Edition Silent Storm Gold Edition 2004 · 86 ratings 83 /100
05 Pikmin 2 Pikmin 2 2004 · 113 ratings In Pikmin 2, Captain Olimar returns to the planet he was originally stranded on, to collect trinkets for his failing company to sell back at home. The game features a 2-character mechanic, which allows players to switch between two spacemen while collecting items. Two-player co-op challenge missions and a competitive mode are also available. 87 /100
06 Evil Genius Evil Genius 2004 · 36 ratings · finished by 3% Evil Genius focuses on building an island lair and the management of minions that are employed by the Evil Genius, allowing the player to progress through the main storyline with achieving world domination as the end goal of the game. Although not explicitly stated the use of historic regions the Eastern Block and events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis within the game suggest that it is set in the 1960s and 70s and that the game is progressing through an alternate timeline. 82 /100
07 Space Rangers 2: Dominators Space Rangers 2: Dominators 2004 · 44 ratings Reboot is an expansion pack for the critically acclaimed Space Rangers 2: Rise of the Dominators. It adds new missions, equipment, maps, and other additional content to the original game. 82 /100
08 Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones 2004 · 138 ratings In Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones, you must help protect the nation of Renais from the invading Grado Empire. Plan your strategy, choose your units, and then lead your soldiers in to battle. The more experience your soldiers gain, the more you can upgrade their abilities. This time, your soldiers can gain experience by fighting new monsters in the Tower of Valni. 76 /100
Browse all Strategy games

Other years

Best Strategy games of 2020Best Strategy games of 2019Best Strategy games of 2018Best Strategy games of 2017Best Strategy games of 2016Best Strategy games of 2015Best Strategy games of 2014Best Strategy games of 2013Best Strategy games of 2012Best Strategy games of 2011Best Strategy games of 2010Best Strategy games of 2009

Same year, other platforms

Best PC games of 2004Best PlayStation 2 games of 2004Best Xbox games of 2004Best Mac games of 2004Best GameCube games of 2004Best Game Boy Advance games of 2004Best Linux games of 2004

Nearby rankings

Best Strategy games of 2003Best Strategy games of 2005Best Arcade games of 2004Best Platformer games of 2004Best Shooter games of 2004

Catalog statistics

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best Strategy game of 2004?

ROME: Total War currently tops the ranking with a score of 91/100 across 325 ratings. Ranking updated November 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.