Whether it’s short rounds of Clash Royale or the long scenarios/short sessions of Plague Inc, strategy is one of the best genres for mobile gaming. Many strategy and tactics games are far easier to control with the touch screen of a modern phone than with any controller. What's more, with no need for complex animations and detailed graphics, even older phones shouldn't have any problem playing the best mobile strategy games.

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What makes a great mobile strategy game isn’t just the tactical depth or the bite-sized missions, but the delicate balance between the two. Few players look for mobile titles to play at their leisure. It's more likely that they’re trying to fill time while moving or when waiting in line. That’s why the ability to stop and start at any moment takes priority when talking about any mobile game.

Updated September 9, 2024, by Hamza Haq: Mobile gaming has evolved significantly over the years, and while it may not yet rival consoles or PCs for the absolute best gaming experiences, its convenience has made it the go-to platform for most of the world. With new titles dropping daily on iOS and Android, the mobile gaming landscape continues to grow. Although strategy games traditionally benefit from larger screens, developers have found clever ways to adapt these complex genres to mobile's smaller form factor.

19 Guns Of Glory: Lost Island

character in Guns of Glory Lost Island

Developer

FunPlus

Genres

Strategy, MMO

Platforms

Android, iOS

Release Date

August 29, 2017

Guns of Glory: Lost Island is one of the most exciting MMORPGs gamers can also play on mobiles. This adventurous mobile strategy game transports players into a world where old wars persist, and new ones are on the horizon. During their adventures, players will get to explore an enigmatic island and its ancient civilizations while hunting for treasures.

They'll lead an expedition team to uncover the island's secrets before anyone else. Players will also have to defeat ghosts and sea monsters, and outmaneuver their foes and cunning pirates during their adventures. Guns of Glory: Lost Island skillfully blends exploration, treasure hunting, and strategic gameplay to keep players entertained at all times.

18 Stormshot: Isle Of Adventure

Rozabela in Stormshot Isle of Adventure

Developer

FunPlus International A.G.

Genres

RPG, Free-to-play, Massively Multiplayer, Adventure, Strategy

Platforms

Android, Microsoft Windows

Release Date

September 9, 2022

Stormshot: Isle of Adventure is a gripping mobile shooting puzzle game that takes players on an adrenaline-fueled journey across 300 mind-bending levels. Players will be sharpshooters on Skull Isle and will be tasked with finding long-lost treasures hidden beneath the island's dangerous terrain.

However, if players want to succeed they will have to do much more than just use bullets. They'll need to rely on their wit, precision, as well as their strategic skills. It's a fantasy-inspired strategy game, so players can also meet ghosts and fearsome sea monsters while completing their quest and collecting treasures. Gamers can also decide to forge alliances with fellow adventurers and enjoy this captivating treasure-hunting adventure with other fans.

17 Demise of Nations

Demise of Nations official image

Developer

Noble Master Games

Genre

4X Strategy, Free-to-Play

Platforms

Android, Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS

Release Date

Aug 8, 2017

Demise of Nations is one of the few 4X Grand Strategy games on mobile that successfully captures the genre's essence. The gameplay is similar to the Civilization series but with less depth and complexity. Campaigns can be played against AI enemies or alongside friends in co-op.

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As a bonus, single campaigns don't last nearly as long, and achieving victory is not as time-consuming. This makes Demise of Nations a very easy entry point for players who haven't had the courage to learn all the ins and outs of more complex games and want a more streamlined experience.

16 Birth of the Empires

Birth of the Empires official image

Developer

Blotunga

Genre

4X Strategy, Casual

Platforms

Android, Itch.io

Release Date

July 7, 2015

Where most 4X Grand Strategy games offer a chance to relive an alternate history and the rise and fall of civilizations, Birth of Empires takes a different route, inviting players to a Science Fiction universe where wars are fought with spaceships and futuristic weapons instead of swords and shields.

Based on the classic Birth of the Federation title from PC, Birth of the Empires aims to invoke the same fantasy as the Star Trek universe. The goal is to create an intergalactic hegemony, taking control of entire galaxies, farming them for resources, and then using them to fuel further expansion.

15 Doomsday: Last Survivors

fight in Doomsday Last Survivors

Developer

I Got Games

Genre

RPG, Strategy

Platforms

Android, Microsoft Windows, iOS, MacOS

Release Date

September 15, 2021

Doomsday: Last Survivors immerses players in a post-apocalyptic world that's overrun by zombies, and offers a fun experience for players of all levels. Players will step into the shoes of the Commander and will have to lead fellow survivors while constructing a shelter, navigating fog-draped territories, and defeating zombies as well as rival factions.

It's a thrilling survival game that challenges players' tactical and team-playing skills since making strategic decisions is the key to thriving in this ruthless world. Players will also have to train diverse troop types, employ Hero skills, and craft tactical brilliance to outmaneuver the relentless zombies and help humanity survive.

14 Rise Of Kingdoms

city in Rise of Kingdoms

Developer

Lilith Games

Genre

Real-time strategy

Platforms

Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, MacOS

Release Date

April 2, 2018

Rise of Kingdoms is an entertaining strategy game anyone can play on their mobiles no matter their gaming level and get immersed in a fun fantasy world where they can manage their cities, expand their territories, and even conquer new lands.

It's one of the most customizable mobile strategy games since players can choose from over eleven unique civilizations, and can battle against other players or powerful AI-controlled enemies. Players will have to research new technologies and train their troops as well as use their diplomatic skills to forge strong alliances with other players among many other fun things.

13 Viking Rise

settlement in Viking Rise

Developer

I Got Games

Genre

Real-time war strategy

Platforms

Android, Microsoft Windows, iOS

Release Date

February 12, 2023

Viking Rise is one of the most entertaining mobile games with Vikings but it's not just for Viking fans but for all players who appreciate beautiful graphics and captivating stories. Thanks to this fun game, players will get to travel back in time to the Viking age and experience what their life was like.

Viking Rise offers players a unique and immersive gameplay experience and takes its players on a fun adventure during which they'll have to lead their clan to glory while also building and managing their own Viking settlement, and expanding their territories. Players can also choose to battle against other players or AI-controlled enemies.

12 Boom Beach

beach in Boom Beach

Developer

Supercell, Space Ape Games

Genre

Massively multiplayer online real-time strategy game

Platforms

iOS, Android, iPadOS

Release Date

June 18, 2014

Boom Beach is one of the best mobile strategy games for beginner players since it's highly praised for its supportive community of players. However, players can also enjoy great graphics, while getting transported to a beautiful tropical island.

During their adventures players will have to rely on their strategic thinking skills and quick reflexes if they want to successfully defeat their enemies. Boom Beach also offers its players strategic depth and fast-paced action, but it's not just about battles, so players will also have to manage resources, upgrade their defenses, train troops, as well as share resources and strategies while engaging in friendly competitions with other players.

11 Into the Breach

a screen from into the breach
Into the Breach
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Turn-Based Strategy
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Released
February 27, 2018
Developer
Subset Games
Genre(s)
Turn-Based Strategy

Into the Breach is a turn-based tactics game from Subset Games, well known among strategy fans for their space combat roguelike FTL: Faster Than Light. Into the Breach takes the formula of Fire Emblem and Advanced War and adds a roguelite twist: every time the player is defeated, and they often will be, they’ll send help back in time to an alternate timeline, making their next attempt just a little easier.

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The mobile port of Into the Breach is available at no additional cost to Netflix subscribers, but it can’t be bought normally. Good news for those subscribed to the streaming service, while everyone else still has plenty of alternate choices for their mobile strategy game.

10 Door Kickers

Door Kickers - gameplay

Developers

KillHouse Games, QubicGames

Genres

Sim, Action, Strategy

Platforms

Android, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Windows, Linux, MacOS

Release Date

October 20, 2014

Door Kickers and Frozen Synapse aren’t quite like any other strategy game before them, and of the two, Door Kickers is easily the more complete, polished product. They play a bit like the planning phase in old Rainbow 6 titles, where the player uses a bird’s eye view of the action zone to plan the movement of a SWAT team.

Being developed as a PC game first, the game is full of different weapons, gadgets, and characters to unlock and experiment with. A mix of bite-sized missions and many different angles from which to approach them makes Door Kickers an engaging strategy game in a form factor that's ideal for mobile gaming.