Best games
Best Strategy games of 2012
The 14 best Strategy games released in 2012, ranked from 2,677 critic and player ratings.
The best Strategy game of 2012 is Angry Birds Space, with a critic score of 83/100 — 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 80 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: 2012.
- 14 games are listed on this page, carrying 2,677 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 28 September 2026.
Top 14
01
Angry Birds Space
Play over 300 interstellar levels across 10 planets! Whether it’s the icy orbs of Cold Cuts, the volcanic explosiveness of Red Planet, Utopia – a planet made entirely of junk food, or the new Brass Hogs episode ruled by evil Hektor Porko, each episode offers intergalactic fun at every turn! And the low-gravity environment of space results in spectacular gameplay ranging from slow-motion puzzles to lightspeed destruction. With brand new birds, special abilities, and a whole galaxy to explore, the sky is no longer the limit!
83
/100
02
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
The Next Installment to the Award-Winning RTS. While many were hopeful that diplomacy would finally end the war, differing opinions on what should be done, along with the depleted power of the controlling factions, has led to a splintering of the groups involved. The loyalist members of the Trader Emergency Coalition adopt a policy of isolation, focusing on enhanced defenses to ride out the rest of the war. Those who rebel against the coalition take on a purely militant view, coming to the opinion that the only way to bring peace is by ultimately crushing all who oppose them - especially xenos. For the first time in their history, the war creates a schism in the Advent Unity. The loyalists seek to continue their policy of revenge against the Traders, and to assimilate all others to the Unity’s influence. However, others amongst the Advent suspect that a corrupting influence from within has diverted the Unity from its proper destiny. The divide created in the Vasari Empire is less pronounced, but just as severe to their people. With the Vasari now practically frantic to move on to new space, the loyalist faction abandons cooperation and decides to take the resources they need by any means necessary. Having accepted the need to work together, the rebel faction feels that their best chance for survival is to work with the other races and bring them along to flee the approaching enemy. Take the battle for galactic supremacy to its ultimate level in Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion – a standalone RT4X game that combines the tactics of real-time strategy with the depth of the 4X genre (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, eXterminate).
82
/100
03
Stronghold HD
The original castle sim, Stronghold HD allows you to design, build and destroy historical castles. Engage in medieval warfare against the AI in one of two single player campaigns or online with up to 8 players. With 21 missions to test your mettle and four renegade lords to defeat, it is up to you to reunite medieval England and take back your lands from the treacherous Rat, Pig, Snake and Wolf. Missions range from breaking sieges and capturing enemy castles to raising gold and holding off enemy attacks. Also featured is a full economic campaign, tasking players to gather resources and build weapons within the time limit. Wield greater control over your army than ever before with new high resolution graphics! The new HD battlefield view allows you to zoom out and play in real-time, with the whole map on one screen. Advance on the castle gates while flanking the enemy from behind, feign retreat and lead your foe into a deadly trap or just sit back and watch the destruction unfold.
81
/100
Angry Birds Space
Play over 300 interstellar levels across 10 planets! Whether it’s the icy orbs of Cold Cuts, the volcanic explosiveness of Red Planet, Utopia – a planet made entirely of junk food, or the new Brass Hogs episode ruled by evil Hektor Porko, each episode offers intergalactic fun at every turn! And the low-gravity environment of space results in spectacular gameplay ranging from slow-motion puzzles to lightspeed destruction. With brand new birds, special abilities, and a whole galaxy to explore, the sky is no longer the limit!
83
/100
02
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
The Next Installment to the Award-Winning RTS. While many were hopeful that diplomacy would finally end the war, differing opinions on what should be done, along with the depleted power of the controlling factions, has led to a splintering of the groups involved. The loyalist members of the Trader Emergency Coalition adopt a policy of isolation, focusing on enhanced defenses to ride out the rest of the war. Those who rebel against the coalition take on a purely militant view, coming to the opinion that the only way to bring peace is by ultimately crushing all who oppose them - especially xenos. For the first time in their history, the war creates a schism in the Advent Unity. The loyalists seek to continue their policy of revenge against the Traders, and to assimilate all others to the Unity’s influence. However, others amongst the Advent suspect that a corrupting influence from within has diverted the Unity from its proper destiny. The divide created in the Vasari Empire is less pronounced, but just as severe to their people. With the Vasari now practically frantic to move on to new space, the loyalist faction abandons cooperation and decides to take the resources they need by any means necessary. Having accepted the need to work together, the rebel faction feels that their best chance for survival is to work with the other races and bring them along to flee the approaching enemy. Take the battle for galactic supremacy to its ultimate level in Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion – a standalone RT4X game that combines the tactics of real-time strategy with the depth of the 4X genre (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, eXterminate).
82
/100
03
Stronghold HD
The original castle sim, Stronghold HD allows you to design, build and destroy historical castles. Engage in medieval warfare against the AI in one of two single player campaigns or online with up to 8 players. With 21 missions to test your mettle and four renegade lords to defeat, it is up to you to reunite medieval England and take back your lands from the treacherous Rat, Pig, Snake and Wolf. Missions range from breaking sieges and capturing enemy castles to raising gold and holding off enemy attacks. Also featured is a full economic campaign, tasking players to gather resources and build weapons within the time limit. Wield greater control over your army than ever before with new high resolution graphics! The new HD battlefield view allows you to zoom out and play in real-time, with the whole map on one screen. Advance on the castle gates while flanking the enemy from behind, feign retreat and lead your foe into a deadly trap or just sit back and watch the destruction unfold.
81
/100
04
Age of Empires III: Complete Collection
81
/100
05
Game Dev Tycoon
In Game Dev Tycoon you replay the history of the gaming industry by starting your own video game development company in the 80s. Create best selling games. Research new technologies and invent new game types. Become the leader of the market and gain worldwide fans.
80
/100
06
Plague Inc.
As a new disease, it is your job to destroy the entire human species by evolving to a deadly plague.
80
/100
07
Cook, Serve, Delicious!
Cook, Serve, Delicious is a hardcore restaurant sim, one of the few in its genre that gives the players total control over where they want to take their restaurant.
79
/100
08
Endless Space - Collection
77
/100
09
S
Clash of Clans
Clash of Clans is an addictive mixture of strategic planning and competitive fast-paced combats. Raise an army of Barbarians, War Wizards, Dragons and other mighty fighters. Join a clan of players and rise through the ranks, or create your own Clan to contest ownership of the Realm.
75
/100
10
Organ Trail: Director's Cut
In The Organ Trail, players must cross a post-apocalyptic United States in an old station wagon in order to reach a sanctuary free of zombies. Players must manage their limited resources, including food, ammunition and fuel for their vehicle, in order to complete their journey and keep everyone in their party alive and healthy. At the beginning players can choose from a number of characters to play as including a cop from Kentucky, a clerk from New Jersey, or a lawyer from Miami. Each character has different bonuses in gameplay; for example the cop will offer more hours for the player to scavenge for supplies at the beginning of the game but will earn less points if the player beats the game, while the lawyer will give the player the least time to scavenge for supplies but earn the most points.
73
/100
11
Warlock - Master of the Arcane
71
/100
12
Assassin's Creed III: Liberation
70
/100
13
Angry Birds Star Wars
59
/100
14
Guardians of Middle-earth
56
/100
Age of Empires III: Complete Collection
81
/100
05
Game Dev Tycoon
In Game Dev Tycoon you replay the history of the gaming industry by starting your own video game development company in the 80s. Create best selling games. Research new technologies and invent new game types. Become the leader of the market and gain worldwide fans.
80
/100
06
Plague Inc.
As a new disease, it is your job to destroy the entire human species by evolving to a deadly plague.
80
/100
07
Cook, Serve, Delicious!
Cook, Serve, Delicious is a hardcore restaurant sim, one of the few in its genre that gives the players total control over where they want to take their restaurant.
79
/100
08
Endless Space - Collection
77
/100
09
S
Clash of Clans
Clash of Clans is an addictive mixture of strategic planning and competitive fast-paced combats. Raise an army of Barbarians, War Wizards, Dragons and other mighty fighters. Join a clan of players and rise through the ranks, or create your own Clan to contest ownership of the Realm.
75
/100
10
Organ Trail: Director's Cut
In The Organ Trail, players must cross a post-apocalyptic United States in an old station wagon in order to reach a sanctuary free of zombies. Players must manage their limited resources, including food, ammunition and fuel for their vehicle, in order to complete their journey and keep everyone in their party alive and healthy. At the beginning players can choose from a number of characters to play as including a cop from Kentucky, a clerk from New Jersey, or a lawyer from Miami. Each character has different bonuses in gameplay; for example the cop will offer more hours for the player to scavenge for supplies at the beginning of the game but will earn less points if the player beats the game, while the lawyer will give the player the least time to scavenge for supplies but earn the most points.
73
/100
11
Warlock - Master of the Arcane
71
/100
12
Assassin's Creed III: Liberation
70
/100
13
Angry Birds Star Wars
59
/100
14
Guardians of Middle-earth
56
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Strategy game of 2012?
Angry Birds Space currently tops the ranking with a score of 83/100 across 105 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.