Develop your skills: Games that require strategic thinking

Strategic thinking involves planning, problem-solving, and critical decision-making. Games which contain these elements are therefore great sources for you to demand and practice these skills, which in the end can enhance your cognitive abilities in many ways. There is a great variety of games out there which are great sources to develop your skills within strategic thinking. 

Table games: The easy and classic way to learn

Many traditional table games, also known as boardgames, have transitioned into the online gaming world. Various online table games are great sources to challenge your ability to strategize and make decisions. 

Chess

Chess is the quintessential strategy game. To be successful in the game, you have to be able to think several moves ahead, anticipate your opponent's actions, and devise long-term strategies. Since each piece has unique movements on the board and different roles, you have to be able to navigate a complex web of possibilities. 

Go

Go can age-wise be classified in the same category as chess as an ancient game. It originated in China over 2,500 years ago, and originally it involved placing stones on a grid to control the territory of the board. This is still the foundation of the game in its online shape today, but don't be fooled by the simplicity of the rules: They contrast the depth in strategy, since you have to balance offense and defense, while also anticipating your opponent's next move. 

Settlers of Catan

A more modern addition to the online table game variety is Settlers of Catan. Here players have to build settlements, roads, and cities by collecting and trading resources. To master this game, you have to be able to negotiate, manage your resources, and plan strategically. 

Real-time strategy games: Dynamic decision-making

Real-time strategy games, also known as RTS games, is a game genre that allows you to develop your strategic thinking skills. RTS game requires you to make decisions and take actions in real time, which adds both urgency and complexity. 

StarCraft II

Within the wide selection of RTS games, StarCraft II is a renowned one. It requires quick thinking, resource management, and tactical execution to excel in this game. As a player, you control one of three factions, which each has unique units and abilities. In here, you have to gather resources, build structures, and defeat your opponent. You are forced to constantly adapt your strategies based on your opponent's actions, so that you can defeat them. 

Age of Empires

It is safe to say that Age of Empires can be considered a classic RTS game. This game spans throughout different historical periods, from various ancient civilizations to the early modern era. Your goal is to build and develop society, including developing economies, building armies, and conquer territories. This means you constantly has to balance short-term needs and long-term goals, making it a game relying on careful planning, efficient resource allocation, and strategic foresight. 

Multi-player online battle arenas: Team-based strategy

Moving to yet another genre, multi-player online battle arenas, also called MOBAs, is a genre combining elements of real-time strategy and role-playing games. Teams are at the core of these games, where coordinated strategies and individual skill goes hand in hand to destroy the opposing team's base. 

League of Legends

There is no doubt that League of Legends is one of the most popular and well-known MOBAs in the world. Here players have to work together to control the map, while also defeating enemies and achieving objectives. There is a great emphasis on teamwork, communication, and adaptability.

Dota 2

In Dota 2, players are forced to think strategically and collaborate effectively to win. It is essential to constantly adapt strategies based on the flow of the game, the strengths and weaknesses of their heroes, and the actions of the opponents. 

Turn-based strategy games: Thoughtful planning

Different from any of the previously mentioned genres, turn-based strategy games, also known as TBS, offer a different approach to strategic thinking. In these games, players have time to think and consider options before making moves. 

Civilization VI

In the TBS game Civilization VI, you lead a civilization from its ancient times, and develops it into the modern era. To do so, you have to manage resources, research technologies, conduct diplomacy, and wage wars. Since each of your decisions will have long-term consequences, the game requires a high level of strategic thinking, by setting a goal and contemplating how to achieve them. 

XCOM 2

In XCOM2, tactical combat and resource management and base-building are combined. Here you command a squad of soldiers who has to complete a mission, while defending against alien threats and uncovering a larger conspiracy. The game encourages the player to think carefully about strategies and adapt to changing situations due to the permadeath feature of the game.