Top 10 strategy games on PC

Strategy games are a vital part of the PC's heritage. Whether you favour real-time bouts or brainy turn-based simulations, great strategy games throw you into uniquely massive scenarios that let you rule empires, control spacefaring races, and marshal cavalry charges against armies of hundreds. While there is not always the thrill of the fight, there is often a deep satisfaction achieved from outsmarting both other players and particularly AI. From intricate wargames to soothing peacegames, the broad expanse of the genre contains something for everyone, and we've gathered the best of the best.

XCOM 2

XCOM 2 is a turn-based tactical video game in development by Firaxis Games and published by 2K Games. New gameplay systems offer more tactical flexibility in combat. Five soldier classes, each with its own skill tree, X-COM 2 let you create specific soldiers for your tactical plan. Mix-and-match squads of humans and aliens and battle head-to-head on randomly-generated maps.

Civilization V

Sid Meier's Civilization V is a 4X video game in the Civilization series developed by Firaxis Games. Based on the popular Civilization game series created by Sid Meier, Civilization Online is the first Free-to-Play title in the franchise. The game is multi-passenger vehicles! Each session is time-based, instead of being a persistent online game. Even if you're late to join a game, you can always ride in one of the multi-passenger vehicles and contribute to the war.

Crusader Kings II

Crusader Kings II is a grand strategy game set in the Middle Ages, developed by Paradox Development Studio and published by Paradox Interactive as a sequel to Crusader Kings. Explore one of the defining periods in world history in an experience crafted by the masters of Grand Strategy in Crusader Kings II.

Age of Empires II

Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings is a real-time strategy (RTS) video game . The Age of Kings is set in the Middle Ages and contains thirteen playable civilizations. They are the Britons, Byzantines, Celts, Goths, Teutons, Franks, Mongols, Chinese, Japanese, Persians, Saracens, Turks and the Vikings. Players aim to gather resources, which they use to build towns, create armies, and defeat their enemies.

Endless Legend

Endless Legend is a turn based 4X fantasy-strategy game developed by Amplitude Studios and published by Iceberg Interactive. Control every aspect of your civilization as you struggle to save your homeworld Auriga. Create your own Legend!

Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak

Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak is a real-time strategy video game developed by Blackbird Interactive and published by Gearbox Software. Homeworld was always about loneliness. It was always about clarity and focus. Kharak isn't new in that regard, but it is special. It shows us that when you get things right - and excel - that formula isn't easy to exhaust.

Total War: Shogun 2

Total War: Shogun 2 is a strategy video game developed by The Creative Assembly and published by Sega. Take charge of any of the nine major factions of Japanese feudal history, from the mighty Oda to the more delicate but well positioned Tokugawa clan. All of these clans could rise to take the position of Shogun under your leadership.

Company of Heroes 2: Ardennes Assault

Ardennes Assault offers a compelling standalone single-player campaign starring the American Armed Forces. Assume control of US Allied forces as they face tactical challenges and harrowing terrain during a surprise offensive manoeuvre led by the relentless resurgent Oberkommando West. Watch the dramatic Battle of the Bulge unfold through the eyes of 3 different Officers.

World In Conflict

World in Conflict is a 2007 real-time tactical video game developed by the Swedish video game company Massive Entertainment and published by Sierra Entertainment. War is Coming Home. West Germany, 1989. To avoid certain collapse, the Soviet army boldly advances into Europe. NATO responds only to be met on a second front - a diversionary attack on the American homeland. You are a field commander, leading the era’s most powerful military machines in the campaign to retake America’s cities and suburbs.

Supreme Commander

Supreme Commander is a real-time strategy computer game designed by Chris Taylor and developed by his company, Gas Powered Games. In the 37th Century, you are the Supreme Commanderof three races, with a single goal in mind - to end the 1000 year Infinite War and become the reigning power supreme. After centuries of struggle, the battle for supremacy has at last reached a turning point. Under your strategic command and leadership, will your faction will reign supreme?

Guide of preload and play early! Save days for game!

This article will introduce a simple way of getting you early start on preload of the game, and unlock game on top earliest. All you need is a VPN, and Origin/Steam account. Some players may find you are unable to unlock game early even use a VPN. It may because you are not doing the correct setting. Read on the article to fix the problem. It's useful for Europeans because of days later of release dates, even for Americans that have the same release date, can get some 'time saving' from this as well.

What do you need?

1. VPN
2. Origin/Steam

FlyVPN's free VPN is the most commonly used. As New Zealand is the first region enter into a new day, we usually use their free New Zealand VPN to unlock games early. Refer to instructions for setup VPN if you can't figure out.

Check release date

It gives you days head start on preload and at release you get to play hours or even days earlier. Check the release date days before.
Close Origin and start VPN. Usually earliest place where games come out is New Zealand so find NewZealand VPN server to connect to. Start Origin. Login process will take time as data is routed through VPN. Check preload & release times.

Preload Early

1. Close Origin.
2. Connect to NewZealand VPN server.
3. Open Origin and let it boot up, can take longer than usual.
4. Start games preload process.
5. After it has downloaded over 10 MB of data through VPN connection, disconnect the VPN.
6. Let preload continue. It's for fast speed.

Note: DO NOT pause preload before or after disabling VPN!

Play Early

1. Close Origin.
2. Open VPN, connect to NewZealand VPN server.
3. Open Origin and let it boot up, can take longer than usual.
4. Start the game while VPN connection is on, and let it go all way into main menu. Then close the game.
5. Close VPN Connection, DO NOT close Origin, and boot game back up.

Note: You may need unlock game each time you play it before its release in your region or alternatively you can try putting Origin into offline mode after unlocking game with VPN.

Buy Need for Speed cheap from Origin Mexico Store, save $25

Need for Speed PC version will be releasing on March 15th, and you can pre-order it on Origin now. The dominant part of Need for Speed is race, taking absolutely no original forms, with time trials, points-gathering, straight up races to a finish line, etc. Race incredible cars with an unlocked frame rate, wheel support & manual transmission. Now let's check the basic information of Need for Speed:
Genre: Racing
Release Date: March 15, 2016
Rating: ESRB: Teen
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Ghost Games
Supported Languages: Deutsch (DE), English (US), Español (ES), Français (FR), Italiano, Português (BR)

Buy Need for Speed cheaper from Origin Mexico Store

As we all know the same game in different Origin stores has different pricing. Origin Mexico store always offers the cheapest price. From above, we can see Need for Speed costs $39.99 at Origin Mexico store, but $59.99 at Origin USA store, €59.95 at Origin Spanish store. That means Mexico players can save about $25, compare to European players. Fortunately, European players can easy to buy Need for Speed from Origin Mexico store.

1. Log out your Origin account.
2. Connect to a Mexico VPN, make sure your IP changed to Mexico.
3. Check Need for Speed price - https://www.origin.com/en-mx/store/buy/needforspeed/pc-download/base-game/standard-edition .
4. Go on to pre-oreder.
5. Disconnect the VPN when it requires logging.

If you still have problem cheap purchase Need for Speed from Origin Mexico store, refer to my previous article about how to buy games cheaper from Origin Mexico.

Get a free Mexico VPN

Don't have a VPN yet? You can use FlyVPN's trial accounts. It's one of the most used VPN to unlock games earlier or buy games cheaper from online stores. Follow the simple three steps to get a free Mexico IP. Download their free VPN software, use the free accounts https://www.flyvpn.com/freetrial. After logging, click on "America" button, and connect to Mexico server. Now you have a free Mexico IP address.

Play Hitman among top earliest with free NewZealand IP

Hitman is an action-adventure stealth video game will be released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on 11 March 2016. It is the sixth entry in the Hitman video game serie, published by Square Enix in an episodic release format. Hitman seems to be the most interesting video games in 2016. The Full Experience gives you everything in HITMAN. Upon release players have access to the Intro Pack content - Prologue Mission, the Paris Sanguine Fashion Show, full access to Contracts Mode, Escalation Mode, elusive targets and other live content. If you are a Hitman series fans, I think you want to play it as earlier as possible. Unblock Hitman earlier with NewZealand VPN is the best way to play it earlier.

Because there is time gap between different time zone. New Zealand is the earliest place to play Hitman. So if you are living in EU, you will have to wait more 12 hours than players who are living in New Zealand. Previously, many players used New Zeland VPN to unlock Fall Out 4 earlier from USA or Euorpe. It is the same principle to play Hitman earlier with New Zealand VPN.

How to unlock Hitman earlier with New Zealand VPN

1. Download FlyVPN client, install and run it. Then FlyVPN username and password will be required. If you just want to use trial VPN account, please access https://www.flyvpn.com/freetrial to get trial account and password. Or sign up a FlyVPN account, it's also allowed to use the NewZealand VPN server.
2. After login FlyVPN client, then click NewZealand VPN server. Tap Connect button and get NewZealand IP.
3. Pre-download and play Hitman when it released at New Zealand.

There is only 20 minutes per time for trial, 3 times per day. So don't use up the time before unlocking Hitman.

Play Far Cry Primal earlier with a NewZealand VPN

The award-winning Far Cry franchise returns with the new game Far Cry Primal on PC on 1st March, 2016. It was released for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on February 23, 2016. PC players can pre-purchase Far Cry Primal on Steam now. Games in Steam are released by different time zone. So there is time gap between different countries release date. You may hours later, even one day later to play Far Cry Primal. But for guys who are living in NewZealand, they can play it the first time the game released on Steam. It's a long time to wait for Far Cry fans. To play the game at top earliest, you will need a free NewZealand VPN to load and play Far Cry Primal. Steam allows players unblock games earlier with VPN, so your account won't be ban.

About Far Cry Primal

Far Cry Primal is an action-adventure video game developed and published by Ubisoft, offering something totally different to the hugely popular Far Cry 4. The game is set in the Stone Age, 10,000 BC. Gone are the guns and vehicles, replaced by bows, clubs, spears and beasts. Far Cry Primal is a game about magic rather than technology. Its innovative open world gameplay, bringing together massive beasts, breathtaking environments, and unpredictable savage encounters.

Unlock Far Cry Primal Earlier

I think a bunch of players would like to play this game earlier. Most of players will use VPN service to unlock it earlier. I will introduce how to get free New Zealand IP address, follow instructions below:

1. Pre-download Far Cry Primal Client.
2. Once done, please log out Steam or other platforms account. Must close the application completely via Task Manager.
3. Connect to NewZealand VPN Server to get New Zealand IP address.
4. Download a free VPN Client.
5. Login with free VPN accounts, use the user names in above image. The password would change, so please get the latest password from https://www.flyvpn.com/freetrial.
6. Connect to New Zealand VPN server, it's under Oceania.
7. Once got New Zealand IP, run your game and play this game on Mar 1.

How to play League of Legends Japan server from outside Japan

Riot Game's long-awaited League of Legends Japanese servers are finally about to make their debut in the spring of 2016, with its Closed Beta ended. League of Legends servers are set to hit Japan, along with a brand new cast of voice actors for the champions in-game. The voice actors dubbing the game into Japanese have plenty of anime experience! Because League of Legends Japan server blocks foreign IP addresses. You need to use a Japan VPN to change IP to a Japanese IP. Otherwise, you are unable to register, download or play it from abroad. We will show you how to pick the best and fast Japan VPN service to play LOL JP server later.

League of Legends Japan official website: http://jp.leagueoflegends.com/

Create a League of Legends Japanese Server account

It is very easy to create League of Legends JP account. If you don't know Japanese, you can use Google translate webpage tool. It is very helpful. If you are living outside of Japan and unable to create LOL JP account with your local IP address, you can connect to Japan VPN server to unblock the IP-block.

Download and Launch League of Legends Japanese Client

Players can download League of Legends Japanese client from website. With the Closed Beta ends, we are unable to play it right now. When it released in Japan late, you can play it. Please take note that you should connect to a Japan VPN, then launch game from the game website.

Best Japan VPN for League of Legends Japanese Server

If you haven't got a VPN yet, you should take caution to pick Japan VPN service. There are many Japan VPN services search from Google. But some Japanese IP addresses provided by VPN providers are blocked by Japanese online games. So not all Japan VPN server will work. You should test their Japan VPN servers first before making subscription. Here we pick FlyVPN service, it provides free VPN accounts, and has multiple Japan VPN servers. I have used FlyVPN to unblock Black Desert Japan.

Now let me show you how to get connected on their free Japan VPN on PC:

1. Download FlyVPN client. Install and run it.
2. Register an account to logging on client. Any of your account can be used to have free test. If you don't want to register account, just use their VPN trial accounts listed.
3. After logged in, click on Asia tab, you can see Japan VPN server under it.
4. Hit one Japan VPN server and Connect button to get connected.

Buy Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 cheaper from Origin Mexico and play it 2 days earlier

Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 is the sequel to Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare and the fourth game in the Plants vs. Zombies series. It is an upcoming third-person shooter and tower defense video game developed by PopCap Games and published by Electronic Arts. The game is scheduled to be launched on February 23, 2016 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. When the game launches, there'll also be more than 100 playable variants to unlock. It's a crazy new world - the zombies have taken over Suburbia, and the plants are on the attack to take it back! On YouTube's Top Trending Games list, Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 is placed top of the most popular list.

Pre-order Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 at lower price from Origin Mexico

First let's pre-order Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 from Origin, Xbox One or PlayStation Store. We have checked from Origin stores, and found Origin Mexico store provide the cheapest Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2. See the prices listed above, it's $39.99 in Origin Mexico store, $59.99 in Origin US store, ￡49.99($73) in Origin UK, €59.99($67) in Origin Germany store. So the Mexico player can save at least $20. Players living outside of Mexico can use a free Mexican VPN to access Origin Mexican store and save money now.

1. Download free VPN Client.
2. Get free VPN accounts from https://www.flyvpn.com/freetrial.
3. Login with the free account and connect to Mexico VPN server, under the America server list.
4. Check if your IP changed to Mexico.
5. Go to Origin, find Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2, then you will get the price ($39.99), click proceed to check out.
6. Disconnect from VPN, then sign in Origin and make payment. If you meet error message during payment, try again later or try to use another credit card. Visa and Master is more acceptance for foreign websites.

PS. Origin won't block your account for you use a VPN to buy games from other country store.

Play Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 two days earlier

Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 will launch on February 23, 2016, but will be released on February 25 in Europe. European player can use VPN to play the games the same day as players in other countries. The VPN can change your IP address in seconds. I have mentioned above how to get FlyVPN's free accounts. They have listed some free VPN servers for trial. Click the servers to choose one with lower response time. If you have problem when using VPN to play Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 earlier, refer to my previous article to get detailed steps about how to unblock game earlier.