AOE2 (Age of Empires 2) is _still_ going strong some twenty years later. Active reddit, youtube, and twitch communities. Still releasing new civ expansions on Steam. I think it's success is due to just how balanced the game is. It's like a really fast moving chess game.<p>I like factorio as well, but honestly it started to feel like work after I got the hang of it (needing to refactor etc).
For videogames involving strategy I recommend Hell Let Loose (on Steam, and the only game I keep W10 around for). While it is first-person action, there is a commander who has an overview and can spend resources accrued by placement of nodes by other players. I mostly play with two others as a tank crew, and it is the best co-op videogaming experience we’ve had; each an important third of a whole, working together as a cog in a larger strategic effort.<p>HLL players are generally supportive and helpful to me when I ask for help or advice; it is the first multiplayer game in which I’ve felt at ease using the proximity-voicechat and mic in general to talk with strangers. I recommend using a mic, especially if winning matches is important.<p>Highlights: coordinating with two other armor units to prevent breakthrough; protecting infantry squad during advance; asking for and getting repairs in the field; getting useful orders from commander; and blowing up with a Stewart (light tank) a Tiger from behind, much to the relief of those pinned down by the Tiger.
Power Grid is pretty fun and is a board game if you're looking to change it up - <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2651/power-grid" rel="nofollow">https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2651/power-grid</a>
Age of Empires II. After 20 years, and a few rereleases, the entire series is currently seeing a renaissance. Lots of strategy, developed meta, and still evolving balance.
Advance Wars, Joan of Arc, Hyperdevotion Noire, Fire Emblem...<p>And Nobunaga's ambition -- which I didn't start because the setup screen (in English) looked so complicated I figured it would be easier to just play the game in Japanese (or for that matter, play Assassin's Creed with Slovenian voices and Cantonese subtitles... Doesn't make it any harder to make the fall off that tower...)
Give Rimworld a try.<p>>A sci-fi colony sim driven by an intelligent AI storyteller. Generates stories by simulating psychology, ecology, gunplay, melee combat, climate, biomes, diplomacy, interpersonal relationships, art, medicine, trade, and more.<p><a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/294100/RimWorld/" rel="nofollow">https://store.steampowered.com/app/294100/RimWorld/</a>
I highly recommend 0ad <a href="https://play0ad.com/" rel="nofollow">https://play0ad.com/</a>
It's a popular free RTS with a passionate development team and an active player community.
I can see plenty of AoE2 recommendations in this thread too and 0ad is very similar!
Have you tried Wesnoth, the Open Source game? Also Hearthstone is great. How about Final Fantasy Tactics? Roller Coaster Tycoon (I heard Factorio is similar)?<p>If you liked Diablo 2 you should research "rogue-like" games.
Personally a fan of the Fire Emblem series (on various Nintendo platforms). It's lasted since the early 1990's, so there's a variety of consoles you can choose to jump in.<p>Three Houses (the newest) is probably the most strategically complex one if you're into the gameplay, but I've been a long-time fan of the series for the characters and surprisingly deep story turns before the gameplay. For an incredibly rich story/cast, I'd try Path of Radiance & Radiant Dawn as a duology - my favorite.
Have you tried slay the spire? It is a remarkable card game that is simple to learn but hard to master. Also available on mobile devices so you can play on the go :)
Planetary Annihilation. While difficult, each game can span a system of moving planets, has no unit caps, which means unit numbers can get in the thousands.
Majesty.<p><a href="https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/majesty-retrospective" rel="nofollow">https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/majesty-retrospective</a><p><i>The appeal of Majesty is simulation, and the passivity of the player character. You're ruling a fantasy kingdom but rather than directing every small affair yourself, you set broad instructions and watch as they're carried out.</i>
Civilization series. I've been playing them since last century mid 90s and still enjoing them. I play mainly Civilization IV but V is also good. Don't like VI though.
Supreme Commander Forged Alliance with the LOUD mod.<p>Stellaris for grand strategy.<p>Sins of a Solar Empire for a 4x game a bit smaller and less complicated than Stellaris.
Tried and true list:<p>1. Side Meier's Alpha Centauri<p>2. Heroes of Might and Magic 3<p>3. Age of Empires 2<p>4. X-Com<p>5. Jagged Alliance 2<p>6. Crusader Kings II<p>7. Civilization IV<p>8. Master of Orion II<p>9. Dwarf Fortress<p>10. Rimworld<p>11. Homeworld