The best strategy games for Android depend on how you like to think: turn-based like The Battle of Polytopia, EA's classic lane defence game, real-time battles like Stick War: Legacy, or big online empire games such as Rise of Kingdoms. Polytopia is the one whose listing says it plays offline. Lords Mobile says it needs a connection.
Strategy fans tend to be picky. Some want a slow, turn-based game they can mull over on the bus, while others want a sprawling empire with alliances and wars that run for months.
I looked at each game's Google Play listing and noted the developer, installs, content rating, the Contains ads and In-app purchases labels and any wording about the internet. They're grouped by style rather than ranked.
One thing to know up front: many of the biggest strategy games on Android are online empire games, built around other players and regular events. They're deep, but they're a commitment, so I've put the solo-friendly games first.
Strategy games compared
| Game | Developer | Google Play installs | Ads / in-app purchases | Offline wording on the listing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Battle of Polytopia | Midjiwan AB | 10M+ | No ads label, in-app purchases | 'It can be played offline' |
| Plants vs. Zombies | ELECTRONIC ARTS | 500M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| Stick War: Legacy | Max Games Studios | 100M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| Boom Beach: War Strategy Game | Supercell | 100M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| Lords Mobile: Kingdom Wars | IGG.COM | 500M+ | No ads label, in-app purchases | Says 'This game requires an internet connection' |
| Whiteout Survival | Century Games PTE. LTD. | 100M+ | No ads label, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| Doomsday: Last Survivors | IGG.COM | 100M+ | No ads label, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| Total Battle: War Strategy | Scorewarrior | 50M+ | No ads label, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| Rise of Kingdoms: Lost Crusade | LilithGames | 50M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| DomiNations | Big Huge Games. | 10M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
Ten strategy games, from solo to empire
The Battle of Polytopia
The Battle of Polytopia from Midjiwan AB is a turn-based civilization game where you lead a tribe, explore the map and master new technologies. Its listing says it can be played offline, which makes it suitable for travelling.
Plants vs. Zombies
EA's Plants vs. Zombies is the classic lane defence game where you plant an arsenal of plants to stop a mob of zombies reaching your home. It's rated Everyone 10+, and the listing notes optional in-game items.
Stick War: Legacy
Stick War: Legacy from Max Games Studios started as a web game and lets you control a stickman army in formation or take over single units. It's rated Teen.
Boom Beach: War Strategy Game
Boom Beach from Supercell has you plan attacks on enemy bases to free islanders from the Blackguard. It mixes base building with planned raids and is rated Everyone 10+.
Lords Mobile: Kingdom Wars
Lords Mobile from IGG.COM is a kingdom war game where you recruit heroes and build an empire. It's rated Teen, shows no Contains ads label, and its listing says it requires an internet connection.
Whiteout Survival
Whiteout Survival from Century Games is a frozen-world survival strategy game where you gather a crew and rebuild after a blizzard. It shows no Contains ads label and is rated Everyone 10+.
Doomsday: Last Survivors
Doomsday: Last Survivors, also from IGG.COM, mixes zombie survival with real-time strategy and multiplayer competition. You build a shelter and command heroes, and it's rated Teen.
Total Battle: War Strategy
Total Battle from Scorewarrior is a multiplayer war strategy game across ancient civilizations and magic kingdoms. It shows no Contains ads label and is rated Everyone 10+.
Rise of Kingdoms: Lost Crusade
Rise of Kingdoms from LilithGames lets historic civilizations clash on the same battlefield. It's a large-scale empire game, rated Everyone 10+.
DomiNations
From Big Huge Games., this one has you grow a base into an empire and lead armies through the ages. It's rated Everyone 10+.
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Turn-based, defence, real-time or empire?
Turn-based: The Battle of Polytopia lets you take your time over every move. Lane defence: Plants vs. Zombies is about placing the right plant in the right row. Real-time: Stick War: Legacy has you command an army as the battle unfolds.
Empire games: Lords Mobile, Whiteout Survival, Doomsday, Total Battle, Rise of Kingdoms and DomiNations are big, online, ongoing games where you build a base and deal with other players. Boom Beach sits between, with planned raids on enemy bases.
Strategy you can play on a plane
Polytopia is the only game here whose listing says it can be played offline. Lords Mobile's listing says it needs an internet connection, and the other empire games are built around online players. For journeys, these free offline chess and board games with no signup are another reliable choice.
Ratings and shop labels
- Teen: Lords Mobile, Stick War: Legacy and Doomsday: Last Survivors.
- Everyone 10+: the other seven games on this page.
- No ads label: Polytopia, Lords Mobile, Whiteout Survival, Doomsday and Total Battle.
- In-app purchases: all ten have the label, so switch on approval in Google Play.
Thinking like a general
Good strategy is about trade-offs. Do you use this turn to build or to attack? Do you defend one lane or spread out? Those decisions are the same whether you're playing on a phone or around a table.
If you enjoy that kind of thinking, this guide to strategy board games, by type is a great way to take it off the screen.
A younger strategist in the house
For children, Plants vs. Zombies and Polytopia are easier starting points than the online empire games, which involve other players and lots of events. For more child-friendly options, see these free offline games for kids on Android tablets.
How to choose between them
- Decide if you want to play alone or against other people.
- Pick a pace: turn-based, real-time or always-on.
- Check the rating if a child will play.
- Try one solo game and one empire game for a week each.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best strategy games for Android?
It depends on your style. The Battle of Polytopia for turn-based, Plants vs. Zombies for defence, Stick War: Legacy for real-time and Rise of Kingdoms or Lords Mobile for empire building.
Which Android strategy games play offline?
The Battle of Polytopia says it can be played offline. Lords Mobile says it requires an internet connection.
Are these strategy games free?
Yes. All ten are free to install from Google Play, and all of them have in-app purchases.
Which strategy games have no ads?
Polytopia, Lords Mobile, Whiteout Survival, Doomsday: Last Survivors and Total Battle show no Contains ads label.
Is Plants vs. Zombies a strategy game?
Yes. It's a lane defence game where you choose and place plants to stop zombies.
Which strategy games suit kids?
Plants vs. Zombies and The Battle of Polytopia are rated Everyone 10+ and work well solo. Three games here are rated Teen.
