Free Orion is an open-source, platform-independent galactic conquest game in the tradition of the Master of Orion games. Its commercial competitors, just to give you an idea, are VGA planets, Galactic Civilizations and Space Empires. Free Orion instead is a collaborative promising project, a community effort that moves forward based on the motivation and contributions of users and it is currently in the alpha stage.

Although graphics can be interesting, the game is somewhat difficult to enjoy for new players. There is little in the way of guidance and at the beginning, FreeOrion appears rather boring. In theory, victory is achieved by eliminating all ships and planets belonging to other empires, that's fairly standard, but at this stage there isn't any combat yet.

You must read the 'quick' play guide, (which isn't that quick) in order to understand a bit what to do. The guide starts in a very step by step way: 'to start a game, run the freeorion executable, then click on the 'Single Player' button on the main menu, then 'OK' on the Galaxy Setup screen. You should then see a starmap which you can drag around with the mouse and zoom in/out with the scrollwheel. The triangle next to the star is a fleet. Clicking the fleet opens the fleet window. Try moving fleets around to explore, making a new colony or clicking on techs in the Research screen to read their descriptions.’

If you are patient enough, and you are really passionate about strictly strategic games you might want to try this project and maybe collaborate in the related forum for further, more exciting releases. As specified in the game's Wiki, the easiest way to contribute when new to the project is simply to join in brainstorming discussions on the forums.

Strictly for strategic games lovers, an intriguing, promising game.

Download FreeOrion 0.3.9 in Softonic

Freeciv is a free turn-based multiplayer strategy game, in which each player becomes the leader of a civilization, fighting to obtain the ultimate goal:To become the greatest civilization. Freeciv is maintained by an international team of coders and enthusiasts, and is easily one of the most fun and addictive network games out there! That also means it has very extensive multilanguage support, something rare in games.

The goal of Freeciv is to build cities, which in turn can build armies to attack the other players. You start with 2 settlers and 1 explorer. Using the numeric keypad, move the settlers to a good location and build a city by pressing b (for build). Freeciv is turn based; every unit can move once per turn.

Cities also produce units, which can be used for various purposes, from fighting wars to enhancing infrastructure. Different strategies depend on different focuses between things external and internal to a city.

The eventual goal of the game is to win either by using military units to conquer all opposing civilizations, or by using massive scientific knowledge and production to build a spaceship to send to Alpha Centauri before your rivals can do so.

Download Freeciv 2.1.4 in Softonic

Your aim in UFO: Alien Invasion is to fight the forces of evil in a world that has turned over a leaf in the next stage of it's evolution.

While war and famine have been virtually eradicated, one major threat remains hanging over mankind - the threat of alien invasion. UFO: Alien Invasion is a free game rich in background history and strategy. You have to lead a crack commando team to destroy and investigate the increasingly dangerous extraterrestrial technology which threatens to wipe out the human race. The game takes the shape of a strategy/shoot-em-up action based thriller which requires a certain amount of guile and map reading ability as well as a quick trigger finger. The missions are incredibly well thought out and rich in detail and although the graphics aren't exactly stunning, there are some excellent special effects. It's easy enough however to pick up pretty quickly although to get the most out of the game, you'll have to consult the Wiki which has extensive details of the how to play.

A very well designed and thought-out game that, considering it's completely free, will thrill any UFO enthusiast or strategy game fan.

Download UFO: Alien Invasion 2.2 in Softonic

Scorched 3D is a game based on the classic DOS game Scorched Earth "The Mother Of All Games". You can pick up the game and begin playing very quickly. Then, you can delve in to the dimmer recesses of the game and get into the strategy.

At its lowest level, Scorched 3D is an artillery game with two or more tanks taking turns to destroy opponents in an arena. Choose the angle, direction and power of each shot, launch your weapon, and try to blow up other tanks.

But Scorched 3D can be a lot more complex than that, if you want it to be. You can earn money from successful battles and use it to invest in additional weapons and accessories. You can play with up to twenty four other players at a time, mixing computer players with humans. There's a variety of changing environmental conditions and terrains to be dealt with. After the end of each round (which ends when everybody dies or there's only one person left), you get to buy stuff using the prize money you won from previous matches.

Download Scorched 3D 41.3 in Softonic

In TaskForce you are the commander of an assault force that faces the threat of battle with mutant monsters from another world. The game is reminiscent of the classic TaskForce X-Com, (in fact it's almost the same game) except that in this version, you get to control a lot more soldiers - almost double that in X-Com. This means greater difficulty but also the option to create some sophisticated tactics and battle plans.

The controls are very simple and it includes accessible menus. However, the graphics in TaskForce are depressingly basic and even if you increase the resolution, the soldiers still appear very pixelated. Nevertheless, the gameplay makes up for what the graphics lack and you'll still get hooked managing your platoon as they slash through the mutant army.

A worthy successor to Taskforce X-Com let down by the fact that the graphics could have been better.

Download TaskForce in Softonic

Making History is an amazing turn-based strategy game in the style of war board games like Risk. It includes several game scenarios, each one of them set at different critical moments during the previous years to WWII.

This game beats any other strategy adventure I've ever seen so far. It really makes you feel like you're rewriting History. You can choose any nation in the world and take any decisions on how to manage resources, establish diplomatic relationships with other countries, create alliances or even declare war and try to conquer a foreign territory. In a way, Making History enables you not only to create your own version of History, but also to test historical hypotheses and check, for example, what would have happened if the Republicans had won the Civil War in Spain.

That said, I strongly recommend you to follow the 30-minute tutorial, because this is a true strategy game with loads of detail and many elements to take care of. It's a pity that the demo doesn't allow you to save the game or play multiplayer games, but still it gives an excellent overall view of the game. Really worth a try!

An excellent turn-based strategy game that challenges you to rewrite History in your own way.

Download Making History Demo in Softonic

The Battle for Wesnoth is a turn-based strategy game with a fantasy theme.

Build up a great army, gradually turning raw recruits into hardened veterans. In later games, recall your toughest warriors and form a deadly host against whom none can stand! Choose units from a large pool of specialists, and hand-pick a force with the right strengths to fight well on different terrains against all manner of opposition.

Wesnoth has many different sagas waiting to be played out. Fight to regain the throne of Wesnoth, of which you are the legitimate heir... step into the boots of a young officer sent to guard a not-so-sleepy frontier outpost... vanquish a horde of undead warriors unleashed by a foul necromancer, who also happens to have taken your brother hostage... guide a band of elvish survivors in an epic quest to find a new home.

200+ unit types. 16 races. 6 major factions. Hundreds of years of history. The world of Wesnoth is absolutely huge and limited only by your creativity - make your own custom units, compose your own maps, and write your own scenarios or even full-blown campaigns. You can also challenge up to 8 friends - or strangers - and fight in epic multi-player fantasy battles.

Download Battle for Wesnoth 1.2.5 in Softonic

Defender of the Crown is completely addicting strategy game fun.

Battle five cunning lords for control of medieval England in Defender of the Crown. Lead your armies of knights and archers on the battlefield, and conduct daring raids to rescue princesses and pillage treasuries from enemy castles.

In Defender of the Crown you will compete in jousting and archery tournaments, and lay siege to your foes with catapults and Greek Fire. Gain fame, outsmart and outmuscle your foes, then claim the British crown!

Download Defender of the Crown Demo in Softonic

You are manager of Grandpa's Mickey DeeDees, a popular fast food restaurant with a drive through. Take an order by clicking on the appropriate buttons (burger, fries, etc.). If the customer changes his mind, you can reduce the quantity of an item by clicking on the small button to the left of the item's quantity. When all items have been entered, click on the "Total" button and 5% tax will be added. If you want to have a sale, click on the "Yes" button under the 20% Sale label and prices will be adjusted. Enter the amount paid by the customer by clicking on the cash buttons at the bottom left and click on the "OK" button. The change will be calculated for you.

Download Mickey DeeDees 2.0.1 in Softonic

Uncover the mystery that lies at the heart of Oasis as you go back to a mystical time. Explore your kingdom as you seek out the mystical Glyphs of Power that lie within the Oasis.

With every click you may uncover a village, discover a secret gem or reveal powerful technology.

Use your turns wisely to defeat the barbarian attack. Will your empire stand the test of time?

Download Oasis in Softonic

The year is 2225. The galaxy is on fire as the evil Drengin Empire and their allies battle for control of the galaxy against a coalition of free civilizations led by the Terran Alliance.

Galactic Civilizations sees you play as the Terran Alliance or as one of 9 alien races - or why not even create your own!

You can design your own ships both in how they look and how they function and watch them do battle with advanced diplomatic options give players more options for victory.

It also features some unique worlds, asteroid fields, epic events to create a whole new game experience.

Download Galactic Civilizations II Gold Edition in Softonic

PeaceMaker challenges you to succeed as a leader where others have failed. Experience the joy of winning the Nobel Prize or the agony of plunging the Middle East into disaster. PeaceMaker will test your skills, assumptions and prior knowledge. Play it and you will never read the news the same way again.

This is what PeaceMaker has to offer:

• Inspired by real events in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
• Be a leader and win the Nobel Prize before your term in office ends
• Two games in one: play both the role of the Israeli Prime Minister or the Palestinian President
• Play the news: how would you react to the events in the Middle East presented using real news footage and images?
• Depending on what you bring to the table, we have three difficulty levels to choose from including calm, tense and violent

Download PeaceMaker 1.04 Demo in Softonic

Clouds of war are shaping over the endless Folvos desert. You cannot wait any longer. Choose your side and take command!

This is the simple plot for War On Folvos, a turn-based strategy game with a unique story set in a fictitious future world. The game features a very easy control system that allows you to command your whole army with just a mouse click.

Though moving around the desert may be easy, taking the right strategic decision is not. You'll have to carefully think about every single detail before giving any order, or either your mission will end too fast.

Lead your soldiers, tanks and aircraft to victory through Folvos' varying landscapes across dozens of battles. Experience the stirring struggle, defeat your enemy and become the true commander!

Download War On Folvos in Softonic

UFO: Afterlight is a mixture of squad based tactical action and global strategy with the gamer controlling the actions of elite ground troops, and the running and construction of an intricate network of interlinking bases while collecting resources.

UFO: Afterlight takes us to Mars, where a human colony has been built with the help of the Reticulans not long before the events of UFO: Aftershock took place. Mars base is self-sustainable and provides all the necessities for survival of humans on a foreign planet. Their only activity is the research of a nearby excavation site, which proves the existence of an ancient intelligent and highly developed alien civilization.

The player will enter the game when the research drastically affects all Mars inhabitants. New and unexpected enemies appear in the form of robots, built centuries ago by the unknown aliens for their protection, whose purpose is to eliminate any traces of other civilizations on Mars.

This is what UFO: Afterlight has to offer:

• combination of global strategy and tactical missions
• completely new story built on the events from UFO: Aftershock
• large number of new technologies, weapons and equipment to develop
• completely new environments on a different planet than Earth
• highly replayable game because of the player’s key decisions on diplomacy and research
• new enemies and new alien races with variable weapons and battle tactics
• several character classes with different attributes, skills and trainings
• improved and transparent construction and building management
• friendly interface and easy orientation in the game

Download UFO: Afterlight in Softonic

Europa Universalis III delves deeply into the areas of exploration, trade, warfare and diplomacy. This epic strategy game lets players take control of a nation and guide it through the ages to become a great global empire. Unparalleled in its depth and historical accuracy, Europa Universalis III gives the player unprecedented freedom in how they choose to rule their nation from an impressive choice of over 250 historically accurate countries.

Here's what Europa Universalis III has to offer:

• Players can enjoy over 300 years of game play by starting at ANY date between 1453 and 1789.
• Nation building is flexible: decide your own form of government, the structure of your society, trade politics and much more. The possibilities are endless.
• The great people and personalities of the past are on hand to support you. Take history in your hands and call personalities like Sir Isaac Newton, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart or René Descartes to your court.
• A lush topographic map in full 3D allows for a rich and complete world view, and contains more than 1700 provinces and sea zones.
• Lead any one of more than 250 countries that originally existed during the game’s extensive time span.
• Have more than a thousand historical leaders and over 4000 historical Monarchs at your disposal.
• Manage more than 100 individual unit troops to secure as much power as possible.
• Co-operative multiplayer mode allows several players to work together to controla single nation.
• Customize your game: Europa Universalis III gives you the chance to customize and mod practically anything your heart may desire.Join the constantly growing and incredibly talented Paradox modding community!

Download Europa Universalis III in Softonic

We invite you to the world of Gunbound, which takes place in Planet "Lond" and its 8 moons. Gunbound means "The infinite war between each unique mobile and its riders." In Lond 16 unique mobiles are available.

Each of these different environments has its own unique character and you'll soon find yourself in the middle of some intense gun battles. The surrounding environment set in Gunbound dynamically changes according to the "Moon Disk." Pay attention to the Moon Disk as it changes every other turn.

Players will participate in battle after wearing their own avatars and choosing the mobile they want. Winners will receive their reward at the end of each battle and with the reward, the players will purchase an avatar item(s) of their choice to use in future battles.

The overall objective is to excite the audiences that are watching the battle with your amazing skills and beautiful avatars. The player will receive special rewards if the audiences are pleased but bad performances means you will be booed off by the crowd.

Download GunBound World Champion 551 in Softonic

From Sumeria to Egypt, India to China, Greece to Rome, Ancient Empires Lux takes you on a comprehensive trip through early history. You can play as 58 different nations overall. Background information and links to full Wikipedia histories are included for each empire.

Four varying levels of difficulty provide a good challenge for newcomers and experienced Luxers alike. Beat the game on Emperor level and a special super-hard difficulty will unlock itself.

Download Ancient Empires Lux in Softonic

A 3D think-based strategy game based on an original Secret Allies concept. Rivals struggle for global domination in a sci-fi environment. The gameplay is easy to understand, but difficult to conquer, and most importantly, very addictive. Are you smart enough? Prove it! Lead your divisions, fleets and air squadrons to crush the enemies with no mercy!

Download Massive Assault Network 2 2.0.233 in Softonic

The heavy clouds on the horizon gather as there are troubled times to come. The kingdom of a wise king is in danger. Legions of unearthly adversaries come from the unknown to spread the plague and disease across the ancient kingdom.

Your investigation and actions will take you through many adventurous quests in deep forests, hot deserts and frozen icebergs. You and your party will look for the clues to solve the mystery in ancient monasteries, countryside villages and blood bathed battlefields. Adventure awaits those who hear the callling. Lost treasures wait to be found.

Download Styrateg 1.09 in Softonic

Yokka Wars is a turn based strategy game. You start with a friend or two on an island that simply is not big enough for you and your enemies. So you grab neutral provinces and raise armies, plunder treasures, and engage in combat.

The rules of the game are simple enough and you sure master them in a minute. Mastering the game, liberating all islands, and winning the Big Campaign will take a LOT longer.

The rich enemy homelands field huge armies and by force alone you will not win much. You have to outsmart the computer, avoid towers, isolate hostile forces, occupy provinces of strategic importance, and sacrifice lesser ones to preserve your troops for a final onslaught on the fortified capitals of your arch enemies.

Download Yokka Wars 1.1 in Softonic