Are you looking for the best strategy PC games under 1GB? Then you’ve landed in the correct place. Strategy games refer to a genre of video games that require gamers to use their tactical and decision-making skills to achieve specific objectives. These types of games often involve building something, be it an army, a civilization, or an economy. You’ll need to gather resources, allocate them wisely, and plan your development carefully. Popular examples of strategy games for computer include real-time strategy (RTS) games, turn-based strategy games, and 4X (explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate) games. In this article, I will share my ten best strategy games for PC under 1GB which are available on Steam to download and play.
How to Play Strategy Games
Playing strategy games requires a combination of critical thinking, decision-making, and long-term planning. Here are some tips to help you excel at strategy games:
- Understand the Game Rules: Before you start playing, make sure you really know the rules of the game. This will help you make good plans for how to play.
- Analyze the Game Mechanics: Every strategy game has its own rules and ways of working. If you understand these rules, you can figure out the best plans to use in different situations.
- Develop a Long-Term Strategy: To do well in strategy games, it’s important to think about what moves you and your opponent might make in the future. This can help you make a plan for how to win.
- Adapt to Changing Situations: In strategy games, it’s important to be flexible. You should be ready to change your plan based on how the game is going.
- Learn from Experience: If you play more, you’ll get better at strategy games. Spend time thinking about your past games and learn from what you did well and what mistakes you made.
Best Strategy Games for PC Under 1GB
10. RimWorld
- Genre (s): Indie, RPG, Simulation, Strategy
- Platform: Windows
- Developer(s): Ludeon Studios
- Publisher(s): Ludeon Studios
- Released on: October 17, 2018
- Campaign Mode: Single Player, Multiplayer (Mod)
- Minimum System Requirements: Windows 7 OS/ 2 GHz Processor/ 4 GB RAM/ 1 GB Storage/ Intel HD 4000 Graphic Card.
- Age-Rating: 12+
RimWorld is a single-player strategy game, developed by Ludeon Studios and was released on October 17, 2018. But you can also play this game as online multiplayer with the popular community-developed mod called RimWorld Multiplayer that allows you to play with friends, whether it’s not officially supported by the game developers and may have bugs or compatibility issues.
RimWorld combines elements of several genres. It’s a game where you:
- Build and manage things: You’ll create your colony from nothing, and take care of resources, making things, and the buildings.
- Manage a colony: You’ll be in charge of a group of people who live in the colony, making sure they have enough food, are healthy, and are happy.
- Play a real-time (RTS) strategy game: The game goes on in real-time, but you can stop it at any time to give orders or decide what to do.
9. Dwarf Fortress
- Genre (s): Indie, RPG, Simulation, Strategy
- Platform: Windows
- Developer(s): Bay 12 Games
- Publisher(s): Kitfox Games
- Released on: December 06, 2022
- Campaign Mode: Single Player, Multiplayer (Mod)
- Minimum System Requirements: Windows XP (64-bit) OS/ 2.4 GHz Processor/ 4 GB RAM/ 500 MB Storage/ 1GB Intel HD 3000 Graphic Card.
- Age-Rating: 12+
Dwarf Fortress is mostly for people who are patient and like to think strategically. The game has a complicated layout and very detailed simulation systems, so it might take some time to learn how to play. But if you stick with it, the game’s open-ended style and the stories that come out of playing it can be really satisfying.
It’s a game where you take care of a group of dwarves. You’ll build an underground fortress, manage supplies, and make sure your dwarves are happy and working hard. You also get to design and build your fortress. You can create bedrooms, dining halls, workshops, and even make complicated machines. The game also simulates a whole world. The world is always changing with its own history, weather, and many different creatures.
8. Northgard
- Genre (s): Indie, Simulation, Strategy
- Platform: Windows
- Developer(s): Shiro Games
- Publisher(s): Shiro Games
- Released on: March 07, 2018
- Campaign Mode: Single Player, Multiplayer
- Minimum System Requirements: Windows Vista (64-bit) OS/ 2 GHz Processor/ 1 GB RAM/ 1 GB Storage/ Nvidia 450 GTS Graphic Card.
- Age-Rating: 12+
Northgard is one of the best strategy games for lowend pcs, developed by Shiro Games and was released on Steam on March 07, 2018. This is a fun game for different types of strategy game fans. If you like fast-paced strategy games, Northgard has real-time mechanics that you will enjoy. You will also get to build and manage Viking settlements, focusing on gathering resources, production, and infrastructure, which is great for city-building fans. Additionally, if you like exploring and conquering new territories, Northgard offers a mix of base building and exploration, giving you opportunities to expand your territory and conquer your rivals.
In this game, you control a Viking clan that has traveled to a new land. Your main goal is to create and grow a successful Viking community and ultimately secure your group’s power. This can be done in different ways depending on your style of play:
- Conqueror: Become the only ruler of the continent by defeating your competitors in battles. Develop a strong military and expand your territory strategically to achieve dominance.
- Explorer and Trader: Gain fame by discovering the secrets of the land, forming trade alliances with other groups, and completing difficult quests. Focus on exploration, gathering resources, and building a strong economy.
- Lore Seeker: Uncover the mysteries of the land and satisfy the Norse gods. Explore the lore of Northgard, accomplish goals related to ancient secrets, and gain favor with the deities.
- Religious Devotee: Attain religious victory by earning favor with the Norse gods. Construct temples, satisfy the gods through offerings and sacrifices, and ultimately achieve religious supremacy.
7. Galaxy Life
- Genre (s): Indie, Strategy, RPG
- Platform: Windows
- Developer(s): Phoenix Network
- Publisher(s): Phoenix Network
- Released on: September 01, 2022
- Campaign Mode: Single Player, Multiplayer
- Minimum System Requirements: Windows 7 OS/ 1.2 GHz Processor/ 2 GB RAM/ 1 GB Storage/ No dedicated Graphic Card required.
- Age-Rating: 7+
Galaxy Life is a game that you can play for free. It is a strategy game, similar to Clash of Clans that takes place in space and allows many people to play at the same time. In the game, you are in charge of a group of friendly alien creatures called Starlings. Your goal is to create a successful space empire. The game involves exploring new places, building colonies, managing resources, and making strategic decisions in real time.
You can play against other people or work together with friends to accomplish different tasks such as colonizing new planets, growing your empire, collecting resources, defeating rivals, reaching the top of the leaderboards, and taking part in special events that happen at certain times of the year.
Galaxy Life is made for a wide range of people with its mix of casual and strategic features. Since it’s an MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online), you will need a PC with an internet connection to play.
6. Project Highrise
- Genre (s): Simulation, Strategy
- Platform: Windows
- Developer(s): SomaSim
- Publisher(s): Kasedo Games
- Released on: September 08, 2016
- Campaign Mode: Single Player
- Minimum System Requirements: Windows 7 OS/ 2.4 GHz Processor/ 2 GB RAM/ 1 GB Storage/ No dedicated Graphic Card required.
- Age-Rating: 12+
Project Highrise is perfect for strategy game enthusiasts who love simulation and management. It puts you in the role of architect, developer, and manager of a skyscraper. Your goal is to create and oversee a world-renowned skyscraper that is both visually appealing and a successful, functional environment for its residents. Here are the following:
- Build your skyscraper from the scratch, making sure it’s safe and space-efficient.
- Take charge of attracting and keeping tenants happy, whether they’re residential, office, or retail.
- Manage essential operations like power, water, and waste disposal to keep everything running smoothly.
- Your goal is to make your skyscraper profitable by keeping tenants satisfied and managing resources effectively.
- Create a bustling and prosperous skyscraper while tackling the challenges of construction, management, and financial success.
5. Door Kickers 2: Task Force North
- Genre (s): Indie, Simulation, Strategy
- Platform: Windows
- Developer(s): KillHouse Games
- Publisher(s): KillHouse Games
- Released on: November 04, 2020
- Campaign Mode: Single Player, Multiplayer
- Minimum System Requirements: Windows 10 OS/ 2.2 GHz Processor/ 4 GB RAM/ 1 GB Storage/ No dedicated Graphic Card required.
- Age-Rating: 12+
Door Kickers 2: Task Force North is a top-down strategy and tactics game where you command elite special operations units in daring raids against terrorists in the fictional Middle Eastern country of Nowheraki. You’ll be looking at everything from the top, like a bird’s eye view (2D view), and making all the important decisions. It’s one of the great low graphic games on pc which I like the most.
You’ll be using tactics and plans that are used in the real world. Your primary objective is to complete missions successfully which may involve neutralizing terrorists, capturing enemies and rescuing hostages.
4. Summerhouse
- Genre (s): Indie, Simulation, Strategy
- Platform: Windows
- Developer(s): Friedemann
- Publisher(s): Future Friends Games
- Released on: March 08, 2024
- Campaign Mode: Single Player
- Minimum System Requirements: Windows 10 OS/ 2.2 GHz Processor/ 2 GB RAM/ 500 MB Storage/ Nvidia GeForce GTX950 Graphic Card.
- Age-Rating: 7+
Summerhouse is a sandbox-style strategy game with pixel graphics where the objective is to create miniature worlds through building, not following a storyline. This is a game about creativity. You can create a small neighborhood of pretty homes in different places like by the sea, in the city, or in the mountains. There are no strict rules and the game doesn’t have a winner or loser. It’s basically a tiny interactive love letter to the feeling of a childhood summer holiday with long lazy afternoons and no rules or responsibilities. You build little houses, find some hidden secrets and that’s it.
The game starts by choosing one of the four empty Landscapes a grassy wilderness, a mountain view desert or the outskirts of a city. You need to build the cabin of your dreams. There is a foundation to build on where you can scroll around a little bit to find the right spot you pick tiles from a menu and start to lay them in the world. You can choose the style of your cabin whether it’s modern newly built or falling apart with brick or wooden or concrete walls different styles of roof pointed or flat tiled or sheet metal different kinds of doors and windows.
And the favorite part was adding the decorations like stringing up a clothesline to a lamp post or a tree and watching the drying clothes blowing in the breeze and you can add a lot of personal details like mailboxes, Flags pipes and graffiti an Airon unit or a balcony that helped to give each house a bit of character.
3. Democracy 4
- Genre (s): Indie, RPG, Simulation, Strategy
- Platform: Windows
- Developer(s): Positech Games
- Publisher(s): Positech Games
- Released on: January 13, 2022
- Campaign Mode: Single Player
- Minimum System Requirements: Windows 7 OS/ 1.6 GHz Processor/ 4 GB RAM/ 800 MB Storage/ No dedicated Graphic Card required.
- Age-Rating: 12+
Democracy 4 is a complex political simulation game where you take the role of a national leader. There’s no predefined storyline, but the game dynamically simulates the opinions and behaviors of your citizens, creating a unique narrative for each playthrough.
Your main goal is to lead your country successfully and get re-elected by:
- Creating plans: Come up with and put into action plans in different areas such as the economy, healthcare, education, and environment, while considering how they will affect different social groups.
- Managing popularity: Keep the support of the public by balancing your plans, meeting the needs of citizens, and handling media reports.
- Political strategy: Form alliances, handle internal political pressures, and manage relationships with other countries.
- Dealing with emergencies: Handle unexpected events like economic problems, social unrest, or terrorist attacks.
2. Havendock
- Genre (s): Indie, Simulation, Strategy
- Platform: Windows
- Developer(s): Yeo Ying Zhi (YYZ)
- Publisher(s): Different Tales, IndieArk
- Released on: April 20, 2023
- Campaign Mode: Single Player
- Minimum System Requirements: Windows 7 OS/ 2.2 GHz Processor/ 4 GB RAM/ 1 GB Storage/ GTX 700 series Graphic Card with DirectX 11 compatible.
- Age-Rating: 7+
Havendock is a cozy colony simulation and strategy-based video game. You start playing as a castaway stranded alone in the heart of the ocean. Your survival depends on collecting driftwood, catching fish, and securing drinkable water. As you manage these essential resources, you’ll have the opportunity to invite other travelers to join your growing community. Your role involves taking care of their needs and constructing various facilities to enhance their lives, from basic shelters and kitchens to more elaborate buildings like a church and a dance floor. You have to make a place where people can live on their own. This needs planning, using resources well, and finding a balance between growth and keeping things going.
1. Clash of Clans (COC)
- Genre (s): Strategy
- Platform: Windows
- Developer(s): Supercell
- Publisher(s): Supercell
- Released on: September 30, 2013
- Campaign Mode: Single Player, Multiplayer
- Minimum System Requirements: Windows 10 OS/ 2.2 GHz Processor/ 4 GB RAM/ 300 MB Storage/ No dedicated Graphic Card required.
- Age-Rating: 7+
Clash of Clans is a popular free-to-play strategy game where you build a village base Townhall from scratch (and a builder base), train troops, and battle other players. Your aim is to make your village defenses stronger, gather resources, and take over other players’ villages to loot their stuffs like Gold, Pink Elixr and Dark Elixr. You can also join a Clan (group) to collaborate with friends, get additional reinforcement troops in Clan Castle and participate in Clan Wars against other Clan etc.
Clash of Clans game was limited to a mobile game only, but Supercell has officially launched this game on PC since October 23, 2023. You have to download it via Google Play Games.
Conclusion
In conclusion, strategy games continue to be a popular choice for PC gamers, and there are plenty of options available for those with limited storage space. Whether you’re into real-time strategy or turn-based gameplay, I’ve covered a wide range of titles in this list of 10 Best Strategy Games for PC Under 1GB. Also, share your favorites in the comments below!
FAQs
Are strategy games more CPU intensive?
Strategy games can be more CPU intensive compared to other types of games, especially if they involve complex AI, large numbers of units or entities, and detailed simulations. This is because strategy games often require the CPU to handle a lot of simultaneous calculations and processes in order to manage the game's mechanics and AI behavior.
Additionally, modern strategy games with high graphics and physics simulations can also put a heavier load on the CPU.
What are some good strategy games similar to Prison architect and Rimworld?
If you like strategy games like Prison Architect and RimWorld, here are some similar games you might enjoy:
1. Dwarf Fortress - A game where you manage a colony of dwarves, build structures, and survive various challenges.
2. Oxygen Not Included - Manage a group of space colonists as they build a base and try to survive in an asteroid.
3. Factorio - Build and manage factories to produce items and protect your base from enemies.
4. Surviving Mars - Create and manage a colony on Mars, ensuring your colonists have everything they need to survive.
5. Banished - Lead a group of exiled travelers to build a new home and survive in the wilderness.
6. Frostpunk - Manage a city in a frozen world, balancing resources and making tough decisions to keep your people alive.
Are there any underrated classic strategy games that I can run on a PC under 1GB?
You can start playing these underrated classic strategy games that require less than 1GB of storage:
1. Age of Wonders - A turn-based strategy game with fantasy elements, involving armies, heroes, and cities.
2. Europa Universalis II - A grand strategy game where you control a nation from the Middle Ages to the early modern period.
3. Imperialism - A strategy game focused on building an empire through economic, military, and diplomatic means.
4. Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri - A sci-fi turn-based strategy game where you build and manage a colony on an alien planet.
Highly replayable single-player strategy titles under 1GB for solo gamers?
Here are ten highly replayable single-player strategy titles under 1GB for solo gamers:
1. FTL: Faster Than Light
2. Into the Breach
3. Darkest Dungeon
4. Slay the Spire
5. Invisible, Inc.
6. XCOM: Enemy Unknown
7. Into the Breach
8. Don't Starve
9. Mini Metro
10. Into the Breach
Are there any modern strategy games that run well on low-end PCs with minimal RAM?
Here are ten strategy games that run well on low-end PCs with minimal RAM:
1. Age of Empires II
2. Civilization III
3. Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2
4. RollerCoaster Tycoon
5. Stronghold Crusader
6. Total War: Shogun 2
7. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War
8. XCOM: Enemy Unknown
9. Heroes of Might and Magic III
10. Company of Heroes
What kind of game is Into the Breach?
It's a turn-based strategy game with mechs fighting aliens.
What is DEFCON game about?
It's a strategy game about global nuclear war.
Is Age of Empires II (HD Edition) the same as the original?
Yes, but with better graphics and modern system support.
