Best games
Best Strategy games of 2021
The 14 best Strategy games released in 2021, ranked from 2,851 critic and player ratings.
The best Strategy game of 2021 is Mass Effect Legendary Edition, with a critic score of 87/100 — 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.
- 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: 2021.
- 14 games are listed on this page, carrying 2,851 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 28 September 2026.
Top 14
01
Mass Effect Legendary Edition
One person is all that stands between humanity and the greatest threat it’s ever faced. Relive the legend of Commander Shepard in the highly acclaimed Mass Effect trilogy with the Mass Effect Legendary Edition. Includes single-player base content and over 40 DLCs from Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3 games, including promo weapons, armors and packs. Experience an amazingly rich and detailed universe where your decisions have profound consequences on the action and the outcome.
87
/100
02
Loop Hero
The Lich has thrown the world into a timeless loop and plunged its inhabitants into never ending chaos. Wield an expanding deck of mystical cards to place enemies, buildings, and terrain along each unique expedition loop for the brave hero.
85
/100
03
Hitman 3
Hitman 3 is the dramatic conclusion to the World of Assassination trilogy. Become Agent 47, a legendary assassin and use creativity and improvisation to execute the most ingenious and spectacular eliminations, in sprawling sandbox locations all around the globe.
83
/100
Mass Effect Legendary Edition
One person is all that stands between humanity and the greatest threat it’s ever faced. Relive the legend of Commander Shepard in the highly acclaimed Mass Effect trilogy with the Mass Effect Legendary Edition. Includes single-player base content and over 40 DLCs from Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3 games, including promo weapons, armors and packs. Experience an amazingly rich and detailed universe where your decisions have profound consequences on the action and the outcome.
87
/100
02
Loop Hero
The Lich has thrown the world into a timeless loop and plunged its inhabitants into never ending chaos. Wield an expanding deck of mystical cards to place enemies, buildings, and terrain along each unique expedition loop for the brave hero.
85
/100
03
Hitman 3
Hitman 3 is the dramatic conclusion to the World of Assassination trilogy. Become Agent 47, a legendary assassin and use creativity and improvisation to execute the most ingenious and spectacular eliminations, in sprawling sandbox locations all around the globe.
83
/100
04
The Riftbreaker
The Riftbreaker is a base-building, survival game with Action-RPG elements. You are an elite scientist/commando inside an advanced Mecha-Suit capable of dimensional rift travel. Hack & slash countless enemies. Build up your base, collect samples and research new inventions to survive.
82
/100
05
Inscryption
Inscryption is an inky black card-based odyssey that blends the deckbuilding roguelike, escape-room style puzzles, and psychological horror into a blood-laced smoothie. Darker still are the secrets inscrybed upon the cards...
82
/100
06
The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante
A narrative-driven RPG set in a gritty world where a person's Lot is determined at birth, while the gods are real and preside over the fates of men. Set out on a lifelong journey and carve out your own destiny. Will you become a judge, an inquisitor, or conspire against the old order? You decide!
82
/100
07
Age of Empires IV
One of the most beloved real-time strategy games returns to glory with Age of Empires IV, putting you at the center of epic historical battles that shaped the world. Featuring both familiar and innovative new ways to expand your empire in vast landscapes with stunning 4K visual fidelity, Age of Empires IV brings an evolved real-time strategy game to a new generation.
81
/100
08
Dyson Sphere Program
As an engineer of Dyson Sphere Program, you will go to an alien galaxy building “Dyson Sphere”. Collecting resources, plan and designing production lines, gradually create a full automated factory. Develop your factory from a small workshop to a huge cross-galaxy Industrial empire.
80
/100
09
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
Kena: Bridge of Spirits: a story-driven, action adventure combining exploration with fast-paced combat. Untangle the past as Kena, a young Spirit Guide in search of the sacred Mountain Shrine. Help free the spirits trapped in a forgotten village with the help of the Rot, Kena's adorable (yet powerful) spirit companions.
80
/100
10
Black Book
A fusion of card-based RPGs and Adventure games, “Black Book” is a haunting tale of a young sorceress, who gave her life to serve the dark forces. Dive into the cold, yet alluring world of folk tales - and uncover the secrets that hide in the darkness.
78
/100
11
Humankind
77
/100
12
Pokémon Unite
75
/100
13
Totally Accurate Battle Simulator
73
/100
14
Crab Game
52
/100
The Riftbreaker
The Riftbreaker is a base-building, survival game with Action-RPG elements. You are an elite scientist/commando inside an advanced Mecha-Suit capable of dimensional rift travel. Hack & slash countless enemies. Build up your base, collect samples and research new inventions to survive.
82
/100
05
Inscryption
Inscryption is an inky black card-based odyssey that blends the deckbuilding roguelike, escape-room style puzzles, and psychological horror into a blood-laced smoothie. Darker still are the secrets inscrybed upon the cards...
82
/100
06
The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante
A narrative-driven RPG set in a gritty world where a person's Lot is determined at birth, while the gods are real and preside over the fates of men. Set out on a lifelong journey and carve out your own destiny. Will you become a judge, an inquisitor, or conspire against the old order? You decide!
82
/100
07
Age of Empires IV
One of the most beloved real-time strategy games returns to glory with Age of Empires IV, putting you at the center of epic historical battles that shaped the world. Featuring both familiar and innovative new ways to expand your empire in vast landscapes with stunning 4K visual fidelity, Age of Empires IV brings an evolved real-time strategy game to a new generation.
81
/100
08
Dyson Sphere Program
As an engineer of Dyson Sphere Program, you will go to an alien galaxy building “Dyson Sphere”. Collecting resources, plan and designing production lines, gradually create a full automated factory. Develop your factory from a small workshop to a huge cross-galaxy Industrial empire.
80
/100
09
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
Kena: Bridge of Spirits: a story-driven, action adventure combining exploration with fast-paced combat. Untangle the past as Kena, a young Spirit Guide in search of the sacred Mountain Shrine. Help free the spirits trapped in a forgotten village with the help of the Rot, Kena's adorable (yet powerful) spirit companions.
80
/100
10
Black Book
A fusion of card-based RPGs and Adventure games, “Black Book” is a haunting tale of a young sorceress, who gave her life to serve the dark forces. Dive into the cold, yet alluring world of folk tales - and uncover the secrets that hide in the darkness.
78
/100
11
Humankind
77
/100
12
Pokémon Unite
75
/100
13
Totally Accurate Battle Simulator
73
/100
14
Crab Game
52
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Strategy game of 2021?
Mass Effect Legendary Edition currently tops the ranking with a score of 87/100 across 319 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.