Strategy games always do best on a PC. Click here to learn why.
Strategy games have found their true home on PC, and there's no denying it. Consoles and mobile devices offer different gaming experiences, that's for sure, but the depth, complexity, and precision that strategy games demand are best catered for on a personal computer. That's why PC gaming is considered the ultimate platform for strategy gaming.
Read on for five reasons why strategy games do best on PC.
Precision and Control Through Keyboard and Mouse
The most significant advantage of playing strategy games on PC is the accuracy of controlling things through a keyboard or mouse setup - it's the same with games like Call of Duty. If you think you're playing against a cheat, it's probably a PC gamer.
Unlike controllers, which are great for action games like first-person shooters, a mouse is highly accurate when selecting units, issuing commands, or managing resources. The keyboard complements this by offering various hotkeys and shortcuts that help carry out complex strategies quickly.
Games like StarCraft II and Civilisation VI emphasise the importance of fast menu navigation while multitasking several units. The level of customisation offered by PC peripherals and tactile feedback are among the reasons players can play how they want to play their preferred game genre.
This degree of flexibility and mastery over other platforms makes the PC an ideal option for strategy enthusiasts who value precision when playing.
Extensive Modding Community
PC gaming has a vibrant modding community, which is one of its unique aspects. User-created content benefits strategy games - even simple strategy games like online casino games - because it adds new layers to the gameplay. These mods can vary from small-scale cosmetic alterations to complete game overhauls, introducing fresh mechanics, units, and even whole campaigns. This customisation keeps a title fresh and exciting well after its initial release.
XCOM 2 and Crusader Kings III are two titles whose long lives have been sustained by highly active modding communities. The perfect example would be Long War, a modification of XCOM. On PC, because there are convenient modding tools available, including Steam Workshop, for finding, installing, and managing mods.
PC remains the best platform for strategy gamers who want new experiences and challenges, thanks to the creative freedom.
Superior Graphics and Performance
PCs have superior graphics cards with high-performance ratings, which is why they are suitable for any strategy video game. PCs can run games at higher resolutions and frame rates if users can upgrade components like graphics cards, RAM, or processors, and consoles can't. A more detailed breakdown of visuals and improved performance are desirable features in these types of strategy video games.
For example, Total War: Three Kingdoms has stunning details brought to life on an upper-end PC with intricate battle scenes and large-scale maps. In less powerful computers, you can't zoom into individual units to see actions performed with so much animation detail within them, thus making it hard to reproduce such an immersive experience on weaker hardware.
And, faster loading times - thanks to better performance - guarantee that players remain invested in their strategy games.
Better User Interface and Customisation Options
Strategy games tend to come with intricate interfaces that require cautious navigation. PCs have an edge over others here as they offer larger screens with higher resolutions, enabling more detailed user interfaces that are easy to use. It's an added advantage that users can customise the UI if they wish - and many players do want to do that.
Players can also choose to put different elements of the interface in whatever order or size they feel comfortable with. With such customisation options, players can access necessary information all at once, making it easy to play complex strategies and manage large-scale operations.
A Well-Supported Multiplayer and Community
Finally, the experience of multiplayer on PC is second to none, especially for strategy games. On PCs, you will find strong network connections supporting online gaming through various platforms like Steam, Battle.net, and the Epic Games Store. These networks support seamless multiplayer experiences and facilitate community features, including forums, leaderboards, in-game chats, and more, promoting socialisation in gaming.
For example, established communities dedicated to Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition and StarCraft II thrive primarily on PCs. The ability to connect easily with other players, join clans, or even participate in tournaments adds an element of fun and friendship that many gamers look out for in strategy games. And - regular updates from developers keep the game new, thus providing a dynamic multiplayer platform.
So, if you appreciate great strategy games, then the PC is definitely what you need. You can check out buying guides to find the best one. Yes, we know that PCs are more expensive, but they're good value for money. A good PC will last years, and you can keep the quality of the graphics and overall running high by upgrading parts over the year.