Best Strategy games of 2012
The 42 best Strategy games released in 2012, ranked from 14,504 critic and player ratings.
The best Strategy game of 2012 is Fire Emblem Awakening, with a critic score of 92/100 — updated augusti 2026.
Fire Emblem Awakening
92
/100
02
B
Mass Effect 3
Earth is burning. The Reapers have taken over and other civilizations are falling like dominoes. Lead the final fight to save humanity and take back Earth from these terrifying machines, Commander Shepard. You'll need backup for these battles. Fortunately, the galaxy has a habit of sending unexpected species your way. Recruit team members and forge new alliances, but be prepared to say goodbye at any time as partners make the ultimate sacrifice. It's time for Commander Shepard to fight for the fate of the human race and save the galaxy. No pressure, Commander. Fight smarter. Take advantage of new powers and combat moves. Shepard can now blind fire at enemies and build tougher melee attacks. Plus, when you fight as a team you can combine new biotic and tech powers to unleash devastating Power Combos. Build the final force. Build a team from a variety of races and classes and combine their skills to overcome impossible odds. You'll be joined by newcomers like James Vega, a tough-as-nails soldier, as well as EDI, a trusted AI in a newly acquired physical form. Keep an eye out for beloved characters from your past, but beware. Some may not survive the final battle... Face off against friends. Enjoy an integrated co-op multiplayer mode and team up with friends online to liberate key conflict zones from increasingly tough opponents. Customize your warrior and earn new weapons, armor, and abilities to build war preparedness stats in your single player campaign.
91
/100
03
XCOM: Enemy Unknown
XCOM: Enemy Unknown will place you in control of a secret paramilitary organization called XCOM. As the XCOM commander, you will defend against a terrifying global alien invasion by managing resources, advancing technologies, and overseeing combat strategies and individual unit tactics. The original XCOM is widely regarded as one of the best games ever made and has now been re-imagined by the strategy experts at Firaxis Games. XCOM: Enemy Unknown will expand on that legacy with an entirely new invasion story, enemies and technologies to fight aliens and defend Earth. You will control the fate of the human race through researching alien technologies, creating and managing a fully operational base, planning combat missions and controlling soldier movement in battle.
88
/100
Football Manager 2013
86
/100
05
FTL: Faster Than Light
In FTL you experience the atmosphere of running a spaceship trying to save the galaxy. It's a dangerous mission, with every encounter presenting a unique challenge with multiple solutions. What will you do if a heavy missile barrage shuts down your shields? Reroute all power to the engines in an attempt to escape, power up additional weapons to blow your enemy out of the sky, or take the fight to them with a boarding party? This "spaceship simulation roguelike-like" allows you to take your ship and crew on an adventure through a randomly generated galaxy filled with glory and bitter defeat.
84
/100
06
Orcs Must Die! 2
83
/100
07
Galactic Civilizations I: Ultimate Edition
83
/100
08
Pokémon Black Version 2
Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 are the second and final paired versions of Generation V and are the sequels of Pokémon Black and White, respectively. Both games were revealed on Pokémon Smash! by Junichi Masuda, and subsequently the official Japanese and international Pokémon websites, on February 26, 2012. They were released in Japan on June 23, 2012, in North America on October 7, 2012, in Australia on October 11, 2012, in Europe on October 12, 2012 and in South Korea on November 8, 2012. The games feature two new forms of Kyurem that serve as the game mascots of the games: Black Kyurem for Black 2 and White Kyurem for White 2.
82
/100
09
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
82
/100
10
B
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive expands upon the team-based action gameplay that it pioneered when it was launched over 2 decades ago. CS:GO features new maps, characters, weapons, and game modes, and delivers updated versions of the classic CS content (de_dust2, etc.).
81
/100
11
Stronghold HD
81
/100
12
Age of Empires III: Complete Collection
81
/100
13
Wargame: European Escalation
81
/100
14
Game Dev Tycoon
80
/100
15
Natural Selection 2
80
/100
16
Plague Inc.
80
/100
17
Hitman: Absolution
79
/100
18
Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition
78
/100
19
Awesomenauts
78
/100
20
Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition
78
/100
21
Endless Space - Collection
77
/100
22
Quantum Conundrum
77
/100
23
Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013
77
/100
24
F1 2012
76
/100
25
Super MNC
76
/100
26
Scribblenauts Unlimited
75
/100
27
Hero Academy
75
/100
28
King's Bounty: Warriors of the North
74
/100
29
Fieldrunners 2
73
/100
30
Warlock - Master of the Arcane
71
/100
31
Home
69
/100
32
Worms Revolution
68
/100
33
Long Live The Queen
67
/100
34
Oil Rush
67
/100
35
Sniper Elite V2
67
/100
36
A Virus Named TOM
65
/100
37
Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault
64
/100
38
Jagged Alliance - Back in Action
62
/100
39
Guardians of Middle-earth
56
/100
40
Port Royale 3
55
/100
41
Krater
52
/100
42
Confrontation
51
/100
What is the best Strategy game of 2012?
Fire Emblem Awakening currently tops the ranking with a score of 92/100 across 247 ratings. Ranking updated augusti 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.