Best strategy games for PvP and co-op

Key insights

• Strategy games offer varied gameplay and compelling narratives through unique mechanics and storytelling.
• Multiplayer in top strategy games enables alliances, PvP and co-op experiences that enhance gameplay.
• Titles like Age of Wonders 4, Stellaris and Victoria 3 offer excellent PvP, co-op and role-playing experiences.

Strategy games excel at delivering fantastic narratives and gameplay through novel mechanics and storytelling devices – it's a genre that has been around for decades and has evolved and thrived over the years in a variety of sub-genres. No matter what type of strategy title players are looking for, whether it's something tactical and complicated or story-focused and expansive, there will be a game that satisfies that appeal.

But a cornerstone of the strategy genre that remains some of the best titles to date is the ability to play with other people. Sometimes that means facing off against another player, strategizing and making plans for their armies to bring them a quick defeat. In other cases, this means teaming up with a friend to face an alliance of similarly united enemies. These games excel at offering players both PvP and co-op experiences.

1 Age of Wonders 4

Team up or attack players in an environment

There are multiple paths to victory Age of Wonders 4but all can be divided when two or more powers are in an alliance. This leads to some incredibly interesting developments in a multiplayer game where alliances have not been established before the game. Players may end up allying with each other to form larger factions working toward a single goal, or early discovery of each other's civilizations on the map could lead to some deadly early-game wars.

Towards the end of the game, when players are close to reaching an end-game goal, such as expansion or magical victory, where enemies can begin attacking the placed beacons or golden wonders that are essential to these more peaceful victories, it is important Having allies defending these spots is essential, and combining PvP and co-op in the same playthrough makes for an incredibly fun RP-heavy experience.

2 Stellaris

Navigate galactic politics with friends

Since each empire has such a wide variety of origins and nationals to choose from, every game of Stellaris feels like its own unique space opera. Perhaps players will march across the galaxy in a game with peaceful diplomatic empires that only want to grow and expand their settlements in harmony. Other games might be full of colossal warmongers so hostile and influential that the galactic community never even forms.

Everything is lost when playing with friends. Will you and your fellow players forge a galactic alliance to help keep the peace? Or will the galaxy be the scene of war on an unprecedented scale? Both options are available at any time Stellaris' Multiplayer experience, so players should always be prepared.

3 Mechabellum

PvP is the focus of the game, but there is an excellent co-op mode

Mechabellum is a highly complex, highly tactical real-time strategy game that doesn't engage players beyond the tutorial. Every unit has a counter, every army has a weakness, and it's up to the player to find new ways to defeat their opponents unless they want to be destroyed by an opposing army. Unit modernization is an exercise in risk management; Is it worth upgrading a lower tier unit or buying a higher tier base unit?

But for players who want to take a break from PvP, there is an incredibly entertaining PvE mode that can be played in “Duo”, where two players fight in similar pairs against AI or other humans. Synergizing with a partner and fending off not just one, but two strategies (or perhaps a mega-strategy from both players at the same time) is a difficult but incredibly satisfying way to experience this game's co-op mode.

4 Storm Gate

A fresh and exciting RTS

After a long period of hype, Storm Gate Today it is considered a great early access RTS that is free to play in both 1v1 PvP format and 3-player co-op mode. Additional multiplayer formats will be available as development progresses. This is a fantastic title that already has a lot to offer in Early Access, giving players free access to fantasy strategy games on a scale rarely seen.

Players who choose PvP or co-op mode will have their work cut out for them, as the game isn't exactly easy to learn, but is still an incredibly satisfying experience that any strategy fan should look out for, especially since the game continues to grow and evolve.

5 Victoria 3

An excellent multiplayer experience for role-playing and strategy

There are many economic mechanisms Victoria 3 This makes it one of the best realized and deepest grand strategy titles of all time. Players can lead and shape their nation through one of the most turbulent periods in human history, and they can do so while understanding how their political and economic management shapes the lives of their citizens.

The role-playing potential of this title is limitless in multiplayer mode, as larger and smaller nations form customs unions, wage war against each other, or negotiate advantageous deals with one another. It's an excellent game that allows for PvP and co-op alike.