So you just got a new iPad and you’re looking for some interesting games to spend the time? There are a lot of games you can try on your new tablet, however, if you’re specifically looking for strategy titles for iPadOS, we’ve got you covered. Here are the 10 best strategy games for iPad that you can play in 2021.

There’s a lot to choose from when it comes to picking out the best strategy games on iPad. You can go with games that offer turn-based action, simple strategy games, real time strategy (RTS) games, and so much more. Plus there are both free and paid options to choose from.

  • Civilization VI
  • ROME: Total War
  • The Bonfire 2: Uncharted Shores
  • Spaceland
  • Iron Marines
  • Banner Saga 2
  • The Battle of Polytopia
  • Codex of Victory
  • Outlanders
  • Overland

1. Civilization VI

Sid Meier’s Civilization VI is one of the most acclaimed and widely loved strategy games of all time and it was made available on iPad just a year or two ago. The game starts off with a handy tutorial to teach you the ropes of how to play it, and then you’re off to the races.

In Civilization, you get to be a part of an empire’s development and you’re in charge of the rise and fall of the civilization. This is a turn based strategy game, which means you need to think about the decisions you’re taking because every move will cost you a turn. It’s a paid game, but you can get a trial that lets you play 60 turns for free. Once these 60 turns are over, you can buy the full game and carry forward your progress.

Rome: Total War is another turn based strategy game that’s widely renowned as one of the best strategy games you can play on an iPad. There are multiple ways you can enjoy this game. If you’re like me, you will probably like playing the Imperial Campaign that lets you choose a faction and then build your kingdom, win allies, and conquer your enemies. You get to decide how you want your kingdom to progress as well.

Buy ROME: Total War from the App Store (Rs. 899)

If you like low-poly designs and strategy games, The Bonfire 2 is definitely a game you should check out. Unlike a lot of other popular strategy titles, Bonfire 2 has you collecting resources and building up your defenses during the day. Why? Because things go bump in the dark. You will be attacked by hordes of monsters and raiders at night and you will have to ensure your survival.

4. Spaceland

Apple’s game subscription service, Apple Arcade has a lot of impressive games, and you get unlimited access to them, with no IAPs for just Rs. 99 per month (lower, if you use Apple One to bundle a few services).

5. Iron Marines

If you like space oriented strategy titles, you should also check out Iron Marines. This is a real time strategy sci-fi game where you are in charge of space soldiers and mecha-soldiers. Your mission is to defeat the hordes of space monsters, insectoids, and robot armies.

There’s also Banner Saga 2 that you can play on your iPad for a pretty impressive strategy game. This is a tactical RPG, but one where the strategic choices you make affect your personal life in the game and evolves your character’s story as well.

The game has a realm inspired by norse mythology, and your character has embarked on a journey to save their people. It features over 25 playable characters with 7 different classes, and each one has its unique characteristics in terms of relationships, combat, and more.

Another game for fans of strategy games with low-poly design, The battle of Polytopia features incredibly cartoonish graphics but it’s a fun game for you to check out.

This one is another space-based strategy game. In Codex of Victory you have to defend humanity against the Augments. These are actually experiments gone wrong when humans were trying to make themselves more adaptive to the harsh environments in outer space.

The game brings a story-driven extensive campaign where you will be building an army of high tech drones, tanks and robots. You will also have to build your base to withstand attacks from the Augments, and travel between planets and territories to find the Augments and destroy them all.

Outlanders is another Apple Arcade strategy game that you should check out if you used to love games like Age of Empires, without the battles. In Outlanders you have to establish a settlement from scratch, build resource gathering buildings and stockpiles, and ensure that your villagers have enough to eat, jobs, and a house over their head.

Download Outlanders from the App Store (Apple Arcade)

Lastly, you should also check out Overland if you’re looking for a turn-based zombie RPG with elements of strategy in it. In Overland you start off as a single person stuck in a zombie apocalypse. You have to navigate levels in order to find food, fuel and other items, and save people that you come across.

Play These Strategy Games on Your iPad

Well those are the 10 best strategy games you can play on iPad in 2021. As you can see, we have included strategy games of all genres here, including empire building strategy games, turn-based games, sci-fi games and even Apple Arcade strategy games.