Our Favourite Strategy Games at Gamely Connect

Strategy games slow down the pace and emphasise thinking, planning, and decision-making over quick reflexes. These titles can develop executive function skills while creating space for discussion and collaborative problem-solving.

Age of Empires: Building Civilizations To

gether

Age of Empires is a real-time strategy series where players build civilizations from ancient times through history. Players gather resources, construct buildings, train armies, and advance through technological ages. The team-based modes allow allied players to trade resources, coordinate military strategies, and support each other's development. The game develops planning skills (resource management, build orders), strategic thinking (when to attack vs. defend), and cooperation (coordinating with allies). The slower pace compared to action games creates natural space for discussion and negotiation between players.

Company of Heroes 2: WWII Strategy and Teamwork

Company of Heroes 2 is a real-time strategy game set during World War II. Players control armies, capture strategic points, and coordinate with teammates to achieve objectives. Unlike faster action games, Company of Heroes 2 rewards tactical thinking and teamwork over quick reflexes. The game develops skills like resource management, strategic positioning, and coordinated timing of attacks. Research on strategy games suggests they can improve planning abilities, problem-solving, and cognitive flexibility - all valuable executive function skills.

Assassin's Creed: Strategic Stealth and Planning

The Assassin's Creed series combines action with strategic planning. Players take on the role of assassins throughout different historical periods, from Renaissance Italy to Ancient Egypt to Viking England. Missions can be approached multiple ways - stealth, combat, or environmental manipulation. The games encourage players to survey areas, plan approaches, consider consequences, and adapt when plans go wrong. The rich historical settings also provide educational value and conversation starters about different cultures and time periods. While single-player, these games work well for collaborative play where one person controls while others offer strategic advice.

We love strategy games because they prove that engaging gameplay doesn't require fast reflexes or quick decisions. The thoughtful pace creates natural opportunities for discussion, planning, and the development of executive function skills that translate beyond gaming.