10 Strategy Games Coming in 2026 You Need to Wishlist Now

The strategy genre has become increasingly popular over the years, and 2026 looks to be one of the most promising in recent memory when it comes to the range and ambition of upcoming games. Whether it's turn-based grand campaigns or on-the-fly RTS skirmishes, the strategy genre has something for everyone, and this year is no exception.

From unique medieval fantasy titles to experimental sci-fi aesthetics, there is certainly a large menu to choose from, and this year it is hard to narrow it down to a top ten. However, these are the top ten upcoming strategy games set for release in 2026 which have us most excited.

10 Dust Front RTS

A Very Dark Future Indeed

If you're looking for a futuristic RTS which really leans into the grimdark aesthetic, Dust Front RTS is a game you'll want to stick on your wishlist. Featuring both a grand campaign as well as large-scale RTS battles, Dust Front RTS presents a truly nightmarish vision of future warfare, and plunges you directly into the chaos alongside radioactive soot, gigantic military structures and the husks of a long-dead civilization.

There are several playable factions in the game, ranging from robotic and tech-heavy factions to more organic mutants and human resistance fighters. Environmental hazards such as superstorms could also be a factor in gameplay, so there will be plenty to think about and plenty of threats to keep at bay.

9 Here Comes The Swarm

Over-the-Top Insectoid Chaos

Perhaps one of the most unique upcoming strategy titles of the year is CableHook Games' debut title Here Comes The Swarm. Blending strategy with tower defence, this game is all about mashing up hordes and hordes of insectoid enemies, unleashing huge amounts of destruction in the vein of Ultimate Epic Battle Simulator.

The game promises to bring high-stakes pressure and plenty of action as you need to gather resources and experience in order to improve your base and units. There are also a wide variety of upgrades to choose from, so there should be a rewarding progression system and plenty of reasons for replayability.

8 Dinolords

A Unique Blend of Genres

Coming from the same publishers as the Deep Rock Galactic series, Dinolord is a medieval fantasy RTS in which players can command armies, build castles, and even tame dinosaurs to use in combat. Unlike conventional RTS games, you won't be controlling things from an omniscient position far away, but instead, you'll control the commander directly on the field alongside the troops.

The game is an interesting blend between several genres, including RTS and settlement management, but through more of an action RPG lense than we are traditionally used to. Dinolords certainly looks ambitious, charming, and original, and is scheduled for early access this year to allow for player feedback.

7 Sudden Strike 5

A Very Long Awaited Follow-Up

After ten long years, the Sudden Strike series is finally set to return and provide some competition for Company of Heroes in the WW2 RTS space. With an emphasis on large-scale tactical warfare, destructible environments, and combat spanning land, air, and sea, Sudden Strike 5 is certainly an ambitious title.

Map sizes are even expected to be up to four times larger than before, which should lead to even more tactical battles than ever. Coming from renowned publishers Kalypso Media (Tropico, Commandos), a lot of faith is clearly being shown in the reboot of a classic franchise.

6 Veil of Ashes

Dieselpunk Mecha Warfare

Veil of Ashes is currently being described as a combination of Iron Harvest and Company of Heroes, which is a pretty flattering comparison to have within the strategy genre. Centered around powerful dieselpunk mechs, Veil of Ashes already boasts cutting-edge visual fidelity and is probably the most realistic-looking game in the strategy genre this year.

Much like Iron Harvest, the game takes place in an alternate history, only this time with more of a sci-fi twist. The game focuses on combat and strategy rather than management and base building, so it should be perfect for players just looking to jump in for some quick and very satisfying mechanical warfare.

5 Game of Thrones: War for Westeros

Fight for the Seven Kingdoms

A Game of Thrones RTS sounds like a match made in heaven thanks to the different factions present in the lore-rich universe. Fans should finally get what they've been asking for this year thanks to this upcoming strategy title from developer PlaySide. From House Stark, House Lannister, House Targaryen, and even the Night King, the game has made an effort to feel as authentic as possible within the Westeros setting.

The game will also feature a grand campaign in which players vy for control of the seven kingdoms, and isn't limited to the events of the books or TV series. If that wasn't enough, there are also varied unit types, including Giants and, yes, even dragons.

4 Sanctuary: Shattered Sun

A Gigantic Sci-Fi Warfare Sim

Set in the year 2758, Sanctuary: Shattered Sun is a grand-scale sci-fi RTS set on a dyson sphere surrounding the sun. Players will command huge armies comprised of thousands of units and construct bases across huge maps tens of kilometers wide. The game also promises to have a dynamic resource economy, further adding to strategy and management elements.

What raises the stakes even higher is the inclusion of super weapons which can obliterate entire enemy bases at once. On top of that, there is even supposed to be weather manipulation technology, so the battle is truly being fought on every imaginable front. The game is certainly not one for players looking for a light skirmish, but instead aims at simulating an entire futuristic war.

3 Ashes of the Singularity 2

More of the Same, Please

The highly anticipated follow-up to sci-fi RTS Ashes of the Singularity is scheduled for release this year, and early indications are that it could be even bigger and better than the first. With a focus on large-scale, fast-paced combat, Ashes of Singularity is something of an underrated classic for dedicated RTS players.

Ten years in the making, this sequel promises to up the stakes not just in terms of combat, but also much better visuals. Considering how good-looking the original was, it's no surprise to see that this is one of the most eye-catching strategy titles set for release this year.

2 Anvil Empires

An MMO with Huge Potential

Anvil Empires has been on the radar of many strategy fans for quite a while now, but 2026 is the year that it should finally get its official release, letting loose thousands of players in a massive medieval open world as warfare breaks out across a huge multiplayer front. With everything from resource collection to fortress construction and, of course, frontline combat, Anvil Empires looks like it could end up being among the very best in the genre.

Not only is the game very ambitious in what it hopes to accomplish, it will need a strong player-count in order to thrive. If it does get the player base that is expected, it could be here to stay for quite some time. If you're into huge, large-scale conflicts and MMOs, this is definitely one to look out for.

1 Total War: Warhammer 40,000

A Match Made in Heaven

Arguably the biggest strategy announcement of the year so far has been the newest entry in the Total War series, Total War: Warhammer 40,000. Unlike the previous games, this will be the first attempt from Creative Assembly at taking on a futuristic setting. Judging from the initial reveal trailer, it seems that the game is going to be everything a strategy fan could hope for.

Despite the rumours that Creative Assembly were working on a Star Wars strategy game, I think many fans will be happy with the decision to embrace Warhammer's 40K universe, particularly given the success of the original Total War: Warhammer trilogy. The game promises to be larger scale than ever before with entire inter-planetary campaigns and huge battles with immense army sizes.