In 2025, most of us are aware that gaming offers a whole host of benefits beyond simple entertainment. One of those benefits is improved decision-making, which can come about thanks to strategy games that put you in various situations that will demand all of your brainpower. In just this one category, you’ll find a wide variety of options for every type of player, from timeless classics to AAA masterpieces. Let’s take a look.
Digitised Classics
There are countless strategy classics that have been digitized for modern consumers, introducing them to a wider audience. And the first one that comes to mind is poker, which is now available online via https://www.pokerstars.uk/poker/, along with other platforms. Here, you can either play poker directly on your browser, PC, tablet or phone, or download it to your device.
The aim of the game is to make the best hand possible out of the cards available to you. However, a win can also be achieved not only by learning all the rules, rankings, and strategies but also by bluffing your way to the top. Just like in its physical version, you have the option to test out your skills via online poker tournaments. But if you’re not quite ready for that, you can practice with Play Money and then explore poker for real money once you feel more confident.
If you want to try out something a bit more economics-themed, then you can’t go wrong with Monopoly. This classic board game has been ported to practically every modern console you can think of, from the Nintendo Switch to the PlayStation 5. Here, you’ll get to experience the same joy as when playing the physical variant, as the digital version has been impeccably translated to the screen with hyper-realistic 3D designs, although you do have the option to play in 2D.
So, even if you can’t gather a group of friends to meet up, you can either play against AI or strangers online. As such, digital Monopoly makes for a much more convenient option for busier adults who want to revisit a timeless classic. Moreover, you can choose from one of the available rules and themes, or customize the game according to your preferences. From resource management to negotiating deals, your decision-making skills will be tested thoroughly here.
Turn-Based Favorites
For those looking for something more action-packed, we can’t recommend Baldur’s Gate 3 highly enough. This epic RPG is based on 5e Dungeons and Dragons rules, set in Faerun. Every choice you make impacts everything, from relationships with other characters to the game’s ending. When it comes to the fights, you roll for initiative to determine the order of attack for you and your enemies. And every attack will vary in damage based on the dice mechanism.
From the exquisite writing to the immensely talented voice actors, you will struggle to find any faults with this game. And unlike many studios, you buy the game complete, with no added microtransactions or DLCs. You can tell that Baldur’s Gate 3 was a labor of love from Larian Studios, so we’re excited to see what else they come up with in the future.
If you prefer slower-paced games, where you can carefully consider every decision, then Sid Meier’s Civilization VI may be more up your street. This installment is arguably one of the best strategy games available to date. Here, you take on the role of a historic world leader of your choosing, advancing your nation to achieve a win through one of the available victory conditions.
If you enjoy the game, you can explore the rest of the Civilization series, including the recently released Civilization VII. While there are still some kinks that they need to iron out, it’s still a promising title. And it’s something to be expected with the series, as major improvements are often made after release.
Conclusion
Strategy games are one of the most popular categories for good reason, blending entertainment with intellectual stimulation. So whether you go for a good old classic game of poker, or opt to dive into the fictional world of Faerun, there’s no wrong choice. All that’s left for you to do is to pick your game and get ready to put your brain to the test.