Best strategy game 2023: Age of Wonders 4

Pikmin 4 is getting a lot of deserved love at various awards given out this year in the strategy category, but it misses some crucial elements that make it my best strategy game of 2023. Most critical of all, the Nintendo Switch title doesn’t let me play as cybernetic bird conquistadors that burn down the hostile jungle around them by using giant steam tanks. It also fails to provide me with the option of playing as an ancient dragon whose sole goal in life is to amass wealth, for the purpose of which it cultivated a loyal following of felines – the only other species with as fine a sense for aesthetics as the majestic reptile. Pikmin 4 also doesn’t allow me to throw the world into an eternal winter as my powerful spells rob the populations of entire cities of their souls to add them to my growing undying legions. My choice for best strategy game of 2023, Age of Wonders 4, enables me to do all of that and more. Developed by Triumph Studios and published by Paradox Interactive, Age of Wonders 4 is the heir to