If you are a lover of video games, read on as we discuss some of the best strategy-based games for iPhone.
Traditionally, mobile gaming has been associated with lighthearted games that help you pass the time while commuting or procrastinating.
However, advancements in mobile technology have created a few welcome niches in mobile gaming in recent years. Strategy games are, however, one of the genres that stands out!
The best strategy games force you to think critically and stay one step ahead of your opponent, requiring you to employ real mental power to achieve your goals.
Tactical RPGs, digital versions of board games or collectible card games, and epic battles where you must carefully consider how you develop a base and deploy troops are all examples of this broad genre.
Strategy games for iPhone are perfect if you’re seeking something more adventurous while yet being instructive.
I’ve compiled a list of some of the best strategy-based games for iPhone and iPad that you’ll like playing. Let’s have a look.
1. Raiders Of The North Sea
Raiders of the North Sea is a digital version of the famous board game Raiders of the North Sea. He became a Viking raider and conducted raids on various communities in the Viking Age, searching for lost treasures.
The game aims to raid for as many resources as possible while impressing your Viking clan’s Chieftain.
The more resources you have, the more impressed Chieftain is. Also, you can enhance your crew and ship with greater resources to go on more challenging raids.
Furthermore, the game is turn-based. The digital version has some animation — you can watch your ships gliding across foreign waterways as you plot an attack on an unsuspecting community.
Also, you can play the campaign mode to understand the game’s mechanics better. Once you’re ready, you can compete with pals online for the most loot.
2. DomiNations
This is one of the best strategy-based games for iPhone available. Despite drawing inspiration from some of the best strategy games on several consoles, DomiNations adds its twist and has a great deal of replayability.
The game challenges you to follow the evolution of human civilization from the Iron Age’s implements through the Space Age’s age of flying cars.
You get to conduct raids and construct your empires while overseeing all of human history and growth. However, there are a few microtransactions in DomiNations.
You’ll need to make certain in-game purchases to level up or gain additional resources if you want to go faster.
Also, you can still play the game without spending any money if you don’t want to. Your development, however, will be slower.
In addition, this game is still a blast to play, even with the microtransactions. DomiNations is for you if you enjoy strategy games with pivotal moments that have a big impact in the later phases of your campaign.
3. Slay The Spire
Slay the Spire is a deck-building game mixed with a roguelike dungeon crawler that offers never-ending challenges, with the different layout of levels, enemies, and bosses changing each time you play.
To overcome adversaries and ascend higher, you’ll need to carefully design your decks to use the synergy between the cards and powerful relics located in the Spire.
There are hundreds of cards to find, more than 50 combats, and over 100 objects. Your experience will be affected by the character you choose at the start of the game, and you can gain points from past runs to unlock new characters and relics.
If you want to put your talents to the ultimate test, consider unlocking some of the game’s accomplishments, such as just using your beginning relic or common cards—Check in every day to accomplish challenges and see how you compare to other players.
4. The Elder Scrolls: Legend
Numerous entries on video game consoles have helped popularize the Elder Scrolls brand. The Elder Scrolls: Legends combines the fantastic storylines of the Elder Scrolls universe with the strategic components of a strategy game.
The game deviates from other similar card and strategy games in gameplay. Instead of one, there are two pathways for fighting animals. Also, you can apply effects to the lanes, modifying how they function for the rest of the game.
Because the game does not believe in microtransactions, you will not need to spend large sums of money to gain any benefit.
In fact, with a bit of patience, you’ll be rewarded with higher-tier cards and some worthwhile challenges.
Furthermore, you can compete with your friends in tournaments and ranking challenges if you want to play this game with them. These tasks change every month, so you’ll need to alter your playstyle to stay on top.
Again, if you’re a lover of the Elder Scrolls universe, you won’t be disappointed since the smartphone game includes aspects from past console titles. There’s also a campaign for you to play through!
5. Clash Of Clan
The purpose of Clash of Clans is to become the land’s biggest and baddest township. You construct a fortified stronghold and dig for gold and healing elixirs.
After that, you must raise an army and attack the remote goblin outposts. It is better for your livelihood if you ruin as much as possible.
But don’t think you’re safe just because you’ve slain off the goblins in your neighborhood. However, they come from far and wide to steal your gold.
Furthermore, You can construct an unstoppable clan by allying with other players or fighting them to steal their prizes.
Because this is one of the most popular strategy games on the App Store, there are millions of people with whom to collaborate or compete. This is one of the best strategy-based games for iPhone you should try.
6. Reigns
Choose-your-own-adventure game with a nasty twist Reigns will anoint you king and ask you to choose between two options available by swiping left or right. Almost all of these decisions will result in your premature death, putting your entire dynasty in jeopardy.
As you hear demands from your advisers, subjects, and opponents, decide whether to be a kind king or a tyrant.
To keep everyone pleased and ensure a lengthy reign, you’ll need to strike a balance between the desires of the church, military, treasury, and citizens.
7. Sid Meier’s Civilization IV
Sid Meier’s Civilization titles have been the pinnacle of strategy games on video game consoles for a long time. This strategic game’s powerhouse is now available on iOS as well.
The game has been adapted to mobile devices, but there are no additional features. It is the complete game, as beautiful as it can be on a laptop or gaming PC.
Civilization VI is one of the best war strategy-based games for iPhone and iPad, with a high learning curve and extensive gameplay elements.
You determine how humans grow through time in Civilization VI. Also, You may do everything from build empires to establish corporate structures in a bleak future. It’s a turn-based game where you can gain resources for your city through fighting or political connections.
Furthermore, it’s a competition to become the world’s most technologically advanced town. The game’s maps are also rather huge, implying that there will be a lot of exploration.
Moreover, if you enjoy Sid Meier’s strategy games, such as Civilization VI on consoles, this game is a must-have for your smartphone.
After 60 rounds, you must purchase the game, although the fee is well worth it. This is one of the best strategy-based games for iPhone you should try.
8. Subterfuge
Subterfuge is a war strategy game in which you command bases and submarines while attempting to manage your resources to survive the conflict.
The mechanics of war strategy games are altered in this game. Instead of being limited to a single play session, the matches in Subterfuge are much longer.
However, when you issue an order to your base or submarines, the instructions are executed in real-time over several hours, basically, as a participant. You must plan ahead of your opponents and track how long it takes the game to carry out your commands.
Furthermore, the mechanics are somewhat tricky for a strategy game. You’ll need to learn how the game works and decide on your playstyle or diplomatic approach.
Modifiers can help you improve your battle force. However, their bonuses to your bases or submarines are only temporary.
9. Plague Inc.
Play as a deadly disease to eradicate humanity. Infecting humans earns you DNA points, which you can use to upgrade your disease, which can range from a bacteria to a zombie outbreak.
However, the world will not stand by while your disease spreads, and laboratories worldwide will begin investigating treatments. You’ll need to think out a way to assassinate doctors and scientists before they can eliminate you.
In addition, the game replicates the spread of the disease using advanced AI and real-world data, with 3D graphics displaying how your germ looks and its impact on an individual human body or a metropolis.
Play through 23 situations solo, compete against other players, or join up with a companion to infect the globe.
10. FTL: Faster Than Light
Faster Than Light took the gaming world by storm when released on PC in 2012. Fans adored the game’s addictive gameplay and rewarding challenge-based progression system.
However, with the game’s release for Apple devices, you can now play this award-winning game on the go. You’ve been responsible for piloting your starship while attempting to save the galaxy. Along the way, you must also manage your crew and fight hostile forces.
There are eight sectors in the game. Its system is procedurally constructed, and the game adjusts to your actions and creates stages and events in response to them. As a result, the game’s events will differ for each participant.
Furthermore, the game will end if you lose all of your crew members or your ship is destroyed. In such a case, you must restart the game.
Faster Than Light also features plenty of combat and diplomacy, and it is one of the best strategy-based games for iPhone you should try.
11. Fallout Shelter
In a post-apocalyptic world, you’ll be in charge of a Vault – an underground bunker created to shield humanity from nuclear war — and you’ll have to keep its residents safe and happy.
This entails finding them work, training them to improve their skills, and providing them with weapons and clothing.
Furthermore, you’ll also want to expand your Vault by bringing in new people. You’ll have to deal with enemies both outside and inside your Vault, but you’ll need to send your Dwellers to the surface to level up and collect new weapons and loot.
In addition, Fallout Shelter will reward your knowledge with recognized names, jokes, and events if you’re a fan of the Fallout video game franchise.
On the other hand, this game provides enough thrill and challenge for newbies, making it a terrific game for all.
12. Invisible, Inc.
Invisible, Inc. is an excellent example of combining a unique concept with a traditional strategy game to create something entirely new. Its vision of a dismal future is unique among mobile games.
The game is set in a dystopian future where multinational companies rule the planet. These businesses keep track of the people who work and live for them using a database.
As a player, you are placed in the shoes of a crew of spies and specialists whose goal is to rob as many resources as possible and eventually go off the grid.
You must direct the operatives as they attempt implausible heists to evade these corporations’ curious eyes. Every successful robbery has the potential to harm businesses.
Furthermore, Invisible, Inc. also supplies several agents to control, each of whom specializes in specific jobs.
You can personalize the agents to your desire, resulting in various playing styles. However, each decision must be carefully considered, as any mistake could result in an agent’s death.
13. Ticket To Earth
The story of Ticket to Earth is full of unexpected plot twists, memorable characters, and a well-written narrative that will keep you immersed in New Providence’s complex world.
The vibrantly colored backgrounds and sceneries combine with manga/comic-book-style artwork to make Ticket to Earth leap off the screen in a joyful explosion of color.
The Movement system is an innovative battle system that breathes fresh life into the strategic RPG genre. Also, it provides a vibrant and complicated combat experience that never gets old because new skills and abilities are constantly acquired. Collect matching tiles and unleash mighty special powers by positioning your team.
If you’re not careful, Ticket to Earth will kill you, so study the map carefully and make good decisions. Also, when you’re first learning the game, it can be a little irritating, but it’s a lot of fun when you win.
You can perfect your tactics and personalize your team across more than 120 missions with no in-app purchases. This is one of the best strategy-based games for iPhone available.
14. Rome: Total War
The PC version of Rome: Total War garnered positive reviews for its strategy-based gameplay and storyline. It has now been adapted to mobile devices, allowing you to enjoy the popular series.
The game also includes all of the expansion packs for the PC game. Rome: Total War puts you in charge of one of history’s most powerful armies. As you build an empire from the spoils of war, lead the Roman army to triumph.
Fans of the game’s PC version will recognize the importance of tactical knowledge as you micro-manage every facet of your army.
However, You’ll have to oversee these areas both before and during the war, from the resources needed to run the entire army to the construction of each army unit.
In addition, You can also participate in a few campaigns. You will be in charge of your empire’s economic and civil affairs.
These points are critical since they will aid in expanding your empire and army. As your opponents become more difficult, you will need to upgrade your army.
15. Plants Vs. Zombie
Plants vs. Zombies has been a popular game for mobile devices for quite some time. After 13 years since its first release, the game remains popular worldwide.
The gameplay is straightforward. To protect yourself from the zombies trying to devour you, you’ll have to grow plants outside your in-game home. Plants come in various types and with various weapons for destroying zombies.
To fight with the army of zombies, you’ll need to manage your resources and strategically arrange your various weaponry.
There are also several varieties of zombies that can counteract your plant-based weapons. To keep them at a few distances, you’ll have to think quickly and move quickly.
16. XCOM: Enemy Within
XCOM is regarded as one of the best squad-based strategy games available, featuring dramatic turn-based warfare presented in stunning 3D.
Every element of the game that you already know and love will be included, but on a somewhat smaller screen than on the PC version. Although some stages may appear to be a little too simple, they won’t stay long.