Best games
Best Strategy games of 2014
The 24 best Strategy games released in 2014, ranked from 4,921 critic and player ratings.
The best Strategy game of 2014 is Monument Valley, with a critic score of 89/100 — 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: 2014.
- 24 games are listed on this page, carrying 4,921 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 28 September 2026.
Top 24
01
Monument Valley
In Monument Valley, the player leads the player-character princess Ida through mazes of optical illusions and impossible objects, which are referred to as "sacred geometry" in-game, as she journeys to be forgiven for something. The game is presented in isometric view, and the player interacts with the environment to find hidden passages as Ida progresses to the map's exit. Each of the ten levels has a different central mechanic. Interactions include moving platforms and pillar animals, and creating bridges. The player is indirectly cued through the game by design elements like color, and directly cued by crow people, who block Ida's path. Critics compared the game's visual style to a vibrant M. C. Escher drawing and Echochrome. The game includes a camera mode where the player can roam the level to compose screenshots. It includes filters à la Instagram.
89
/100
02
Rise of Nations: Extended Edition
89
/100
03
This War of Mine
In This War Of Mine you do not play as an elite soldier, rather a group of civilians trying to survive in a besieged city; struggling with lack of food, medicine and constant danger from snipers and hostile scavengers. The game provides an experience of war seen from an entirely new angle. The pace of This War of Mine is imposed by the day and night cycle. During the day snipers outside stop you from leaving your refuge, so you need to focus on maintaining your hideout: crafting, trading and taking care of your survivors. At night, take one of your civilians on a mission to scavenge through a set of unique locations for items that will help you stay alive. Make life-and-death decisions driven by your conscience. Try to protect everybody from your shelter or sacrifice some of them for longer-term survival. During war, there are no good or bad decisions; there is only survival. The sooner you realize that, the better.
83
/100
Monument Valley
In Monument Valley, the player leads the player-character princess Ida through mazes of optical illusions and impossible objects, which are referred to as "sacred geometry" in-game, as she journeys to be forgiven for something. The game is presented in isometric view, and the player interacts with the environment to find hidden passages as Ida progresses to the map's exit. Each of the ten levels has a different central mechanic. Interactions include moving platforms and pillar animals, and creating bridges. The player is indirectly cued through the game by design elements like color, and directly cued by crow people, who block Ida's path. Critics compared the game's visual style to a vibrant M. C. Escher drawing and Echochrome. The game includes a camera mode where the player can roam the level to compose screenshots. It includes filters à la Instagram.
89
/100
02
Rise of Nations: Extended Edition
89
/100
03
This War of Mine
In This War Of Mine you do not play as an elite soldier, rather a group of civilians trying to survive in a besieged city; struggling with lack of food, medicine and constant danger from snipers and hostile scavengers. The game provides an experience of war seen from an entirely new angle. The pace of This War of Mine is imposed by the day and night cycle. During the day snipers outside stop you from leaving your refuge, so you need to focus on maintaining your hideout: crafting, trading and taking care of your survivors. At night, take one of your civilians on a mission to scavenge through a set of unique locations for items that will help you stay alive. Make life-and-death decisions driven by your conscience. Try to protect everybody from your shelter or sacrifice some of them for longer-term survival. During war, there are no good or bad decisions; there is only survival. The sooner you realize that, the better.
83
/100
04
Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth
Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth is a new science-fiction-themed entry into the award-winning Civilization series. Set in the future, global events have destabilized the world leading to a collapse of modern society, a new world order and an uncertain future for humanity. As the human race struggles to recover, the re-developed nations focus their resources on deep space travel to chart a new beginning for mankind. As part of an expedition sent to find a home beyond Earth, you will write the next chapter for humanity as you lead your people into a new frontier and create a new civilization in space. Explore and colonize an alien planet, research new technologies, amass mighty armies, build incredible Wonders and shape the face of your new world. As you embark on your journey you must make critical decisions. From your choice of sponsor and the make-up of your colony, to the ultimate path you choose for your civilization, every decision opens up new possibilities.
82
/100
05
Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth
81
/100
06
Puyo Puyo Tetris
"Two puzzle game juggernauts collide as Tetris, one of the largest-selling and recognized brands in gaming history, and Puyo Puyo from SEGA have combined to create a fun-to-play, fast-paced, competitive party game like no other! The game has tons of different styles of gameplay – from the single-player Adventure and Challenge modes to the ferocious competition of the up-to-four player Arcade modes. There's plenty of Tetris/Puyo variety, even an in-game Shop where players can unlock new characters, new skins for Puyos and Tetriminos, new backgrounds and more."
81
/100
07
LUFTRAUSERS
The skies will be set aflame and the seas will overflow with wreckage in Vlambeer's stylish arcade shooter LUFTRAUSERS! Select from over 125 combinations of weapons, bodies, and propulsion systems and take to the skies to battle enemy fighter planes, battleships, submarines, and rival aces for glory, honor, and high scores.
80
/100
08
AirMech Arena
AirMech Arena is a highly competitive fast-paced real-time strategy game, where players use versatile AirMechs to amass combat forces and destroy enemy fortresses. In the future, the last survivors of the Great War continue their fight alongside the ultimate war machine: the AirMech. Created using lost technology, pilots have found, salvaged, or stolen AirMechs to protect the weak or to pillage. Which side do you fight for? By Land and by Air: Transform between air assaults and ground attacks with the touch of a button. With nine AirMechs available, each with unique traits, there’s an ultimate war machine for every play style. Team Up or Go Solo: In AirMech Arena, gamers engage in ferocious real-time battles up to 3v3 in PVP or Co-Op Modes. Players can form teams and skirmish at any time, with the teams in battle matched by their skill level. Unlock a large arsenal of AirMechs, pilots, units, upgrades, special items, customizable skins and more!
80
/100
09
Hitman GO
Hitman GO is a turn-based puzzle game with beautifully rendered diorama-style set pieces. You will strategically navigate fixed spaces on a grid to avoid enemies and take out your target or infiltrate well-guarded locations. You really have to think about each move and all the Hitman tools of the trade you would expect are included; disguises, distractions, sniper rifles and even 47’s iconic Silverballers.
78
/100
10
Wargame: Red Dragon
Wargame Red Dragon is thrilling in single-player mode with its new dynamic campaign system, and also offers an extensive multiplayer mode where up to 20 players can compete against each other simultaneously.
78
/100
11
Xenonauts
77
/100
12
Hexcells Infinite
75
/100
13
Hexcells
73
/100
14
MouseCraft
72
/100
15
Five Nights at Freddy's
72
/100
16
Hexcells Plus
72
/100
17
Banished
68
/100
18
Men of War: Assault Squad 2
68
/100
19
Age of Mythology: Extended Edition
66
/100
20
Stronghold Crusader 2
65
/100
21
Gods Will Be Watching
64
/100
22
Planetary Annihilation
62
/100
23
Five Nights at Freddy's 2
62
/100
24
The Culling Of The Cows
33
/100
Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth
Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth is a new science-fiction-themed entry into the award-winning Civilization series. Set in the future, global events have destabilized the world leading to a collapse of modern society, a new world order and an uncertain future for humanity. As the human race struggles to recover, the re-developed nations focus their resources on deep space travel to chart a new beginning for mankind. As part of an expedition sent to find a home beyond Earth, you will write the next chapter for humanity as you lead your people into a new frontier and create a new civilization in space. Explore and colonize an alien planet, research new technologies, amass mighty armies, build incredible Wonders and shape the face of your new world. As you embark on your journey you must make critical decisions. From your choice of sponsor and the make-up of your colony, to the ultimate path you choose for your civilization, every decision opens up new possibilities.
82
/100
05
Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth
81
/100
06
Puyo Puyo Tetris
"Two puzzle game juggernauts collide as Tetris, one of the largest-selling and recognized brands in gaming history, and Puyo Puyo from SEGA have combined to create a fun-to-play, fast-paced, competitive party game like no other! The game has tons of different styles of gameplay – from the single-player Adventure and Challenge modes to the ferocious competition of the up-to-four player Arcade modes. There's plenty of Tetris/Puyo variety, even an in-game Shop where players can unlock new characters, new skins for Puyos and Tetriminos, new backgrounds and more."
81
/100
07
LUFTRAUSERS
The skies will be set aflame and the seas will overflow with wreckage in Vlambeer's stylish arcade shooter LUFTRAUSERS! Select from over 125 combinations of weapons, bodies, and propulsion systems and take to the skies to battle enemy fighter planes, battleships, submarines, and rival aces for glory, honor, and high scores.
80
/100
08
AirMech Arena
AirMech Arena is a highly competitive fast-paced real-time strategy game, where players use versatile AirMechs to amass combat forces and destroy enemy fortresses. In the future, the last survivors of the Great War continue their fight alongside the ultimate war machine: the AirMech. Created using lost technology, pilots have found, salvaged, or stolen AirMechs to protect the weak or to pillage. Which side do you fight for? By Land and by Air: Transform between air assaults and ground attacks with the touch of a button. With nine AirMechs available, each with unique traits, there’s an ultimate war machine for every play style. Team Up or Go Solo: In AirMech Arena, gamers engage in ferocious real-time battles up to 3v3 in PVP or Co-Op Modes. Players can form teams and skirmish at any time, with the teams in battle matched by their skill level. Unlock a large arsenal of AirMechs, pilots, units, upgrades, special items, customizable skins and more!
80
/100
09
Hitman GO
Hitman GO is a turn-based puzzle game with beautifully rendered diorama-style set pieces. You will strategically navigate fixed spaces on a grid to avoid enemies and take out your target or infiltrate well-guarded locations. You really have to think about each move and all the Hitman tools of the trade you would expect are included; disguises, distractions, sniper rifles and even 47’s iconic Silverballers.
78
/100
10
Wargame: Red Dragon
Wargame Red Dragon is thrilling in single-player mode with its new dynamic campaign system, and also offers an extensive multiplayer mode where up to 20 players can compete against each other simultaneously.
78
/100
11
Xenonauts
77
/100
12
Hexcells Infinite
75
/100
13
Hexcells
73
/100
14
MouseCraft
72
/100
15
Five Nights at Freddy's
72
/100
16
Hexcells Plus
72
/100
17
Banished
68
/100
18
Men of War: Assault Squad 2
68
/100
19
Age of Mythology: Extended Edition
66
/100
20
Stronghold Crusader 2
65
/100
21
Gods Will Be Watching
64
/100
22
Planetary Annihilation
62
/100
23
Five Nights at Freddy's 2
62
/100
24
The Culling Of The Cows
33
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Strategy game of 2014?
Monument Valley currently tops the ranking with a score of 89/100 across 546 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.