Strategy games on a pc over a local network. The best strategies for pc

Engineering systems 23.09.2019
Engineering systems

Games have their own indescribable magic. They give you the opportunity to travel to another era, to completely different worlds and to imagine yourself as a different person, or even a completely different creature. These are absolutely incredible emotions, won't you agree?

However, you can get even more pleasure from the game by playing with friends. You can save worlds together, escape from zombies, participate in races ... The options are incredible, and today we will tell you about games that you can play together with a friend or online with players from all over the world.

Playerunknown's Battlegrounds

Platforms:, PS Vita, PlayStation 2, Xbox, iOS, Android, Windows Phone
Multiplayer:

Multiplayer shooter with a furious title Playerunknown "s Battlegrounds has been in the top of the most popular projects for a long time, despite the fact that it is in Early Access and still has roughnesses and bugs. The essence of the game is quite simple and consists in the fact that you have to remain the last survivor on the map, like" King of the Hill. "

At the very beginning of the battle, you have absolutely nothing, but gradually you need to find weapons, vehicles and other useful things. The area of ​​the map decreases over time and you need to hurry, but also be careful, because other players want to win as much as you do. Be cunning and cunning, shoot when the enemy does not expect it, hide so that no one can find you. The game has received very positive reviews and definitely deserves attention.

Destiny 2

Platforms:
Multiplayer: co-op for 6 players, online multiplayer for 8

The multiplayer component has brought many changes and in general we can say that the game has become even more difficult. Although, on the other hand, now you can rely not only on yourself, but also on your friends. Some creatures have received a higher indicator of health, but the players, in turn, become hungry faster. You can play together online, set up a local network, or survive using one computer.

The mechanics of death also became interesting. Now after one of the players departs to another world, he becomes a ghost and can continue to travel with the group in the form of incorporeal matter until he is resurrected. Considering also the fact that they appear in the game, there is simply no time to be bored there.

League of legends

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Macintosh, Linux
Multiplayer: online co-op for up to 5 people, online multiplayer for 10 players

The multiplayer part can also boast of difficulties and interesting things, but after all, it is much more interesting to solve all this with a friend, will you agree? Joint shots and destruction of enemies are no longer surprising, but puzzles are a completely different kitchen. You can play the game using Split Screen, playing on the same computer, use an online co-op or a local network.

Simply put - grab a friend and not hesitate to purchase Portal 2, especially since now it can be purchased on Steam for absolutely ridiculous money! If you are completely unfamiliar with the game, although it is difficult even to imagine, then you can familiarize yourself with ours.

Trine 2

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Macintosh, Windows PC, PS Vita, PlayStation 4
Multiplayer: 3-player co-op, HotSeat

As you may know, there are only three parts of Trine on this moment, but the second is perhaps the best of them.

The game is designed for four, and you will have to fight against ratmen. Do not think that it will be easy, because these creatures are smarter than many people! You will have to think a lot in the game, because your enemies are cunning and insidious. It will be very hard for you, because the ratmen know how to take you by surprise, how to instill in you a sense of hopelessness. They will pull you apart one by one, crush you in a crowd, not even allowing you to move to a safe distance. Even seasoned players choke on their own blood and have no way to fight back. Even more variety and a horde of rats brought a big addition to the game. The cooperative is possible both online and through a local network.

Aren't you scared yet? Then grab your axes, rapiers, pistols, crossbows and everything else! The battles are just crazy!

Orcs Must Die! 2

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Macintosh, Windows PC, PS Vita, PlayStation 4, Linux, Xbox One
Multiplayer: co-op for 2 players

Murders in Orcs Must Die! 2 is the very reason for purchasing this game. Here you have to not only reflect the waves of the orcs, but also set traps, invent new ways and tactics to destroy these insidious creatures. There is definitely a place for fantasies to roam! In general, the game is a mixture of Tower Defense and Action genres. There will be plenty of hot moments!

A partner is extremely important here, because you can share responsibilities and areas of influence among yourself. You will have a little time before each new wave of orcs, but it must be used extremely wisely. Set up traps, define your positions, and properly prepare to welcome guests. Do not allow capture!

PayDay 2

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Macintosh, Linux, PS Vita, PlayStation 2, Xbox, iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Nintendo Switch
Multiplayer: online co-op for 4 people

Rob caravans in PayDay 2 is not necessary, but banks, ports and the homes of the rich are no problem. This is precisely the highlight of this project.

PayDay 2 is designed for four people and you won't be able to walk alone here. The cooperative is built with the highest quality and requires close teamwork. You need to act quickly, because if you delay, then already heavy juggernauts will go to eliminate you, which are extremely difficult to kill. Do not insure a friend - you will lose him, or even fail the mission. If you play one at a time, everyone will be removed and there will be no chance of winning. In general, the game is notable for its complexity and even aggressiveness. It's about planning, tactics, and teamwork rather than fun. In general, everything is as close as possible to real robberies.

You will have to get used to the role of hardened robbers. Costumes, uniforms, high-end weapons, crime scenes and masks - every detail creates a wonderful game worth trying.

Team Fortress 2

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Macintosh, Linux, PS Vita
Multiplayer: cooperative walkthrough for 6 players, online multiplayer up to 32 players

A multiplayer shooter from Valve called Team Fortress 2 was released over a decade ago, but is still quite popular with gamers around the world.

It's worth playing this brainchild of Valve, if only because it is very suitable for just relaxing after work or school. The battles are fun and easy. The graphics in the game are angular and colorful, even the characters themselves are made with some ease, like weapons.

The game is comic and ironic, so even playing you will get positive emotions, simply because everything that happens on the monitor causes a smile and laughter. There is not a huge amount of variety in weapons, cards or characters, but it is great way relax and while away the evening with friends.

Starcraft 2

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Macintosh, Linux
Multiplayer: online multiplayer for 12 people

Blizzard giant. In general, this studio has, albeit not so many projects, but each of them is consistently good, attracts a huge audience and is supported for a very long time. Starcraft 2 is no exception, and even though it came out quite a long time ago, it has not lost its popularity.

A definite advantage of this game is that it is not very demanding on the hardware, which means that even the owners of weak systems will be able to play without any significant losses. The graphics here are pretty simple, but still pretty. The narration is not carried out immediately, but occurs as new chapters are released, although the plot is far from the main thing here.

Multiplayer component of the game. Here's what's worth your attention. Starcraft 2 is practically a classic RTS genre. Here you will have to focus on tactics, construction and resource extraction. Blizzard did their best to make the game interesting for both beginners and veterans of this world. It is worth trying the game at least for the sake of touching the old classics and finding out what it is. Be careful, the world of Starcraft is addictive. More recently, which should give her a new life.

Arma 3

Platforms: Xbox 360, Macintosh, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PS Vita, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, Linux
Multiplayer: online co-op for up to 16 people, online multiplayer for 64 players

Arma 3 is a great solution for those players who want to try on the guise of a military man, as well as get used to roleplay. If you find yourself in the right company, then you have to experience all the charms and hardships of this type of games.

You will work, go to jail, act by the charter, and stick to the rules. This is not for everyone, but for players who like maximum transformation - this game will be a real treasure.

In addition to all this, you have the opportunity to explore vast territories, go on joint missions, or even engage in extensive battles!

The Elder Scrolls Online

Platforms:
Multiplayer: online co-op for 5 players, online multiplayer for up to 1000 people

TESO is the dream come true for all Scroll fans. The beloved universe appeared before the players in the form of an MMORPG, and its release was a long-awaited event for many.

However, The Elder Scrolls Online cannot be called a typical representative of the genre either, because a lot of classic games... At the same time, you can do exactly what you want and keep your way to where you are interested.

The online component has some simplifications, but you have great chance see your beloved world at a completely different time and under different circumstances, as well as explore those places that you could not reach before.

COD: WWII

Platforms:
Multiplayer: online co-op for 2 players, online multiplayer up to 18 people

The extensive Call of Duty series for all the years of its existence not only has not lost momentum, but also continues to attract more and more new people. V COD: WWII you will find yourself in Western Europe in wartime, more precisely in 1944-1945. You will find not only beautiful graphics, but also military landscapes, the gloom and sadness of which is now even more real to feel.

In the cooperative mode, no changes have come, here are the same old and good (not at all) zombies, which only became more terrible and ferocious. The people who fell after the failed experiment became angry undead, with only one purpose - to gnaw your throat. Are you ready to fight back?

Multiplayer will give you the opportunity not only to arrange a large-scale battle involving tanks, assault rifles, machine guns and other delights, but also to try the mode with the capture of points, which you will like.

Mortal kombat x

Platforms: Xbox 360, Macintosh, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PS Vita, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Android, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 2, Xbox, iOS, Windows Phone, Dreamcast
Multiplayer: HotSeat, online multiplayer for up to 4 people

Do you like cruelty and bloody mess? Then it's clearly time for you to look away Mortal Kombat X, where all this will be in abundance. Break your opponent's neck? Easily! Rip out your spine? With joy!

MKX is a great stress reliever and a way to let off steam when you need it most. Where else will you get the opportunity to look in detail at the crumbling bones of the enemy?

In addition, you can play with a friend, which makes the gameplay even more fun. You can even resolve the dispute by the consequence of who will break whose skull faster.

Starbound

Platforms: Xbox 360, Macintosh, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PS Vita, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Android, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 2, Xbox, iOS, Windows Phone, Dreamcast
Multiplayer: online multiplayer up to 64 players

If you like Terraria then You will love Starbound just as much, maybe even more. Despite the fact that at first glance, these games are quite different and should not be confused.

Here you have to explore many planets that are randomly created, as well as create weapons and everything that you need. There are several playable races, in addition, story quests, various enemies and a wide variety of weapons await you.

To put it simply, Starbound is a more varied Terraria that you should take a look at and play with your friends.

Minecraft

Platforms: Xbox 360, Macintosh, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PS Vita, Wii U, Nintendo Switch
Multiplayer: online multiplayer up to 100 people

Thunderstorm your PC and just a legendary sandbox where you can be king and god, creating masterpieces of cubic architecture. However, not all so simple.

V Minecraft you have to get materials for construction, as well as fight against night monsters and dangers that lurk in the darkness. In addition, you will have ample opportunities for crafting various products, products and everything else that is necessary for life in this funny and diverse world.

You can play alone or in a company, and the company can be very, very large. If you haven't tried Minecraft and similar games yet, then you've lost a lot. It's time to catch up!

Heroes of Might and Magic III

Platforms: Xbox 360, Macintosh, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PS Vita, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Android, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 2, Xbox, iOS, Windows Phone, Dreamcast
Multiplayer: HotSeat, online multiplayer for up to 8 people

This game did not come here by accident, because in Heroes of Might and Magic III you have the opportunity to play on the same screen with your friend not only on PC, but also on mobile platforms.

A legendary turn-based strategy game in a fresh re-release is waiting for you - a great opportunity to remember the past and plunge into a fantasy world where you have to fight back your enemies and bring peace and tranquility to your lands.

Rocket league

Platforms: Xbox 360, Macintosh, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PS Vita, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Android, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 2, Xbox, iOS, Windows Phone, Dreamcast
Multiplayer: Split-Screen, online co-op for up to 4 people, online multiplayer for 8 people

Rocket League is an incredibly simple and fun game in which you have to play soccer using cars!

Ample opportunities for improving the iron friend make the process even more interesting, especially since, in addition to changing technical characteristics machines, you can supplement the gameplay with various chips and effects.

Fierce battles and the ability to crush the enemy into pieces add excitement and madness. Having assembled a team of friends, you can become the kings of the football field!

F1 2017

Platforms: Xbox 360, Macintosh, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PS Vita, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Android, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 2, Xbox, iOS, Windows Phone, Dreamcast
Multiplayer: online multiplayer up to 20 people

Not all of us in cooperative games we run through the forests, shooting zombies, right? It's time to get behind the wheel of a racing car and show who is the king of the roads!

V F1 2017, you can create your own character, as well as customize the iron horse as much as possible, making it more powerful and better over and over again. Isn't this the happiness of true racing fans? There is a great variety of cars here and everyone will find the one that will strike his heart.

Rust

Platforms: Xbox 360, Macintosh, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PS Vita, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Android, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 2, Xbox, iOS, Windows Phone, Dreamcast
Multiplayer: online multiplayer up to 100 people

Rust is a good old-fashioned survival game that stands out for its complexity. In addition to the classic zombies, there is also the animal world, which is by no means always friendly to the player. If a small representative of the fauna can become food for you, then predators will not miss the opportunity to turn you into a victim.

Surviving alone in Rust is not an easy task, so it will be more effective to find like-minded people. Here lies another danger of the game, because there is no guarantee that your ally will not try to kill you at one moment in order to take everything that you have gotten and found with great difficulty.

The forest

Platforms: Xbox 360, Macintosh, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PS Vita, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Android, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 2, Xbox, iOS, Windows Phone, Dreamcast
Multiplayer: cooperative for 2 players

The Forest is another representative of the Survival Horror genre. It is worth noting that the representative is very high quality and interesting. Instead of classic zombies, mutants will kill you here, which already adds variety, right?

The Forest boasts an excellent crafting system, as well as a lively and very rich game world, while having very good graphics.

A good plus is that it is not so difficult to get provisions and consumables necessary for life. The game will show itself as well as possible in a joint passage, so do not forget to take a friend with you.

ARK: Survival Evolved

Platforms: Xbox 360, Macintosh, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PS Vita, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Android, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 2, Xbox, iOS, Windows Phone, Dreamcast
Multiplayer: online multiplayer up to 70 people

It has long been no secret that there have been a lot of survival games lately. ARK: Survival Evolved is no exception, but it has some major differences.

Here you also have to survive, but among the dinosaurs. Some you will have to learn to kill, and others you will have to tame. In addition, you will need to obtain and grow your own food, as well as build dwellings.

However, do not forget that first of all you are playing with people, which means they should be wary of. Someone decides to kill you for food, someone just for fun. Be careful and careful and you will have a chance to survive in this dangerous but incredibly interesting world.

Life is Feudal: Your Own

Platforms: Xbox 360, Macintosh, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PS Vita, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Android, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 2, Xbox, iOS, Windows Phone, Dreamcast
Multiplayer: online multiplayer up to 64 people

Life is Feudal: Your Own - the world of the Middle Ages, which already says a lot. Piercing enemies with a sword, building your castle, pumping a knight and doing much more in this game will be clearly interesting. Especially considering that combat system here is very unpredictable and original.

In addition, if you do not want to fight, and indeed you are a pacifist, then you can engage in farming, as well as other equally interesting and, at the same time, peaceful activities.

DayZ

Platforms: Xbox 360, Macintosh, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PS Vita, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Android, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 2, Xbox, iOS, Windows Phone
Multiplayer: cooperative up to 50 players, online

There are a lot of games in the Survival genre and here's another one that is very, very good. DayZ boasts vast locations, quite a lot of realism, as hunger, thirst, and so on await you ... To survive, you will have to try.

DayZ has very extensive locations, which include forests and cities and small villages. You have to look for weapons, medicines, food and other things you need to survive. You have the opportunity to hunt animals to please yourself with a delicious piece of meat. In addition, of course, no one canceled the opportunity to attack a traveler in order to profit from his "treasures". You will have to hide at night if you do not want to become easy prey for ferocious zombies, so it is better and safer to move around during the day. All in all, you can easily find what to do in DayZ!

H1Z1

Platforms: Xbox 360, Macintosh, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PS Vita, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Android, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 2, Xbox, iOS, Windows Phone, Dreamcast
Multiplayer: online, Split-Screen, HotSeat

Another vision of a zombie apocalypse, which occurred from the massive infection of people with a dangerous virus. Power has been overthrown, it is difficult to survive both alone and in a group, there is not enough food, weapons, water. One of the most frightening phenomena is darkness, as the chances of survival in it melt like snow under the sun.

V H1Z1, among other things, offers trade that must be used wisely, as well as a very extensive craft. With the help of the latter, you can create almost anything your heart desires. The game also boasts a huge variety of locations. Here you will find forests and deserts and cities and much more. The most dangerous are, perhaps, the cities, because most of the zombies live there.
Team up with friends, clear areas of zombies, making them safe for cover, survive and always stay alert.

Conan exiles

Platforms: Xbox 360, Macintosh, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PS Vita, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Android, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 2, Xbox, iOS, Windows Phone, Dreamcast
Multiplayer: online multiplayer up to 100 people

Conan Exiles will meet you in the most unfriendly world, where you will have to die at every turn. Bukalno. Especially when you just plunge into the game, difficulties will await you behind every bush. You will appear in the game as helpless and naked as possible, and you will have to think very quickly, since you have to find food, water, and also acquire at least the simplest clothes.

Players can unite in settlements, build their own homes, and also have slaves. The latter, first, must still be tormented and tried, but after that they will be diligent and obedient.

It is curious that in the game you will even make sacrifices to please this or that god. Also, the developers were pleased with the presence of various tombs, the study of which cannot be missed.

Now the project is in early access and is still quite raw, but there is a great hope that the developers will do everything beautifully and smartly. In this case, we will get a great and original Survival game.

Super mario odyssey

Platforms: Xbox 360, Macintosh, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PS Vita, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Android, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 2, Xbox, iOS, Windows Phone, Dreamcast
Multiplayer: cooperative for 2 players

The legendary plumber Mario is back and ready to go on an adventure again! His company this time will be ... a cap. Yes, it didn't seem to you. In cooperative mode In Super Mario Odyssey, the second player will play the important role of Cappie - Mario's cap, which will help him on his journey and free his beloved.

Keppy is involved in this story for a reason. With its help, you have to move into the bodies of NPCs and various objects in order to be able to control them. This is the kind of partnership.

You can become a Christmas tree, a piece of meat, a dinosaur and much more. Yes, the author was in a completely adequate state at the time of writing the material and vouches for his words. Still in doubt? Then take a friend and test it in practice!

*** What games do you play with your friends? If some cool titles didn't make the list, be sure to share them in the comments below!

Friends, hello everyone. The Gamebizclub team is on the air, and today we will continue to acquaint you with the genres of the world of computer games. At the end of May, we dived into and showed 12 of the best games in this genre. And in this article, we will tell you in detail about the best strategy games on PC over the past few years and compose our top best games in this genre.

It would seem that making ratings is not difficult. It is worth taking a list of your favorite games, choosing the best ones and putting them in order. We would have done so, if not for one nuance - the Gamebizclub team gathered people who found Warcraft 1 and Heroes of Might and Magic.

Since then, a lot of games have been released, one way or another, we managed to play most of them and form our own opinion. Therefore, we made a plausible rating taking into account all opinions - re-tested old games and new products, refreshed the memory. And here's what happened.

In this article, you will learn:

14. DEFCON

The last place in our ranking goes to DEFCON, a nuclear strike tactics game released in 2006. The name translates as "readiness for defense" - this is the actual scale of the readiness of the US Army for possible combat operations.

DEFCON is based on the plot of the American film "War Games", which shows the global nuclear conflict between the USA and the USSR. Not only the events of the game, but also its style echoes the film, as evidenced by the motto “Everybody dies” (translated as “Everyone will die”).

In DEFCON, you will not be able to create units, gather resources and develop technologies. But you can choose the location of forces on the territory of North or South America, Europe, Russia, Africa or Asia. The game starts when the DEFCON scale shows an alarm level of 5. Then you successively go to the next levels. All this time, the conflict is developing, the tension is growing. When the level reaches 1, you can start a nuclear attack.

The main goal is to inflict damage on the enemy, avoiding your own losses. There are no moral restrictions, so you should only follow your own considerations, desires and emotions. Up to 6 people can participate in the game. Nuclear missiles of various types, fighters, bombers, submarines, aircraft carriers, cruisers, airfields, and radars are used as combat units.

DEFCON is like a real command post, where the president of the country sits and plans military action. There is nothing superfluous - only a map, marks of friendly and enemy troops, the most important targets and cities. And you can do whatever comes to mind: enter the role of the main villain, save peoples and countries, destroy cities and entire regions with one click.

The only negative outweighing all the advantages is that DEFCON does not have a graphics engine. Despite the interesting gameplay, after a while the process of exchanging nuclear warheads gets bored - it becomes boring to move warheads and combat vehicles around the map, destroy secondary countries, and so on.

And all because there are no special effects and any kind of accompaniment. Therefore, it will be suitable instead of a sapper or any other game with low requirements - it takes only 60 MB on your hard disk and will run on any PC.

13. Dune

In thirteenth place is the Dune series of games about the world of Arrakis, which became one of the first real-time strategy games. Dune was released in 1992 on the Sega console, and after a while it became available on the PC. At the time, it was a breakthrough that could only be repeated three years later.

Interesting fact: on behalf of the publishing company Virgin Interactive, two independent developers worked simultaneously on the creation of the game. The French company Cryo Interactive released the game first. American Westwood Studios - a little later. Therefore, the name of the game from Westwood Studios has the number "2".

The plot is based on Frank Herbert's science fiction novel "Dune". In the process of passing you will meet with the main characters, take the role of the leader of one of the great houses and conquer the planet Arrakis.

The only drawback is that the events of the book and the game are loosely connected, the gameplay is based on missions to clear the territory from the enemy and extract a useful resource.

In the struggle for dominance on the planet, three great houses clashed - Atreides, Harkonnen and Ordos. Each home has its own pros and cons, unique technologies, and powerful leaders.

You can choose any house, but then you cannot change it. After choosing, you will be taken to the battlefield, you will command an army, build a base, extract resources and destroy the enemy. It is important - in order to win, you need to destroy all opponents on the map.

For example, if you defeated the enemy base, but one soldier is hiding in the corner of the map and is constantly moving, you will not win until you destroy him.

Dune pioneered the approach that became the foundation of the RTS genre. This is a global map, economic model, command bar and mini-map in the user interface, "fog of war" and different capabilities of the opposing sides.

In 1998, a remake called Dune 2000 was released, and in 2001 the developers continued the series by releasing Emperor: Battle for Dune. Unfortunately, after that, no more Dune games appeared. 15 years have passed, but the series remains only in the memory of the most devoted fans - therefore, only the penultimate place.

12. Age of Empires

We give the twelfth place to Age of Empires, which became the basis for many RTS that came out after it. The first part was released in 1997, and since that time Microsoft Game Studios has released 8 games and 4 add-ons to them. The series also includes Age of Empires Online (MMORTS).

In Age of Empires, you will find yourself as the leader of one of 16 civilizations, reflecting a specific architectural style: Egyptian, Babylonian, Greek, Asian and Roman. By completing missions and developing, you will move from era to era - from the Stone to the Iron Age.

Civilization develops through the construction of buildings, technology research and war, where without it. In addition to you, there will be several more civilizations on the map competing for resources. Therefore, you will constantly fight - defend yourself behind walls or attack the enemy.

The game contains campaigns, including educational ones. The learning process is based on 12 scenarios that explain the gameplay. This will help you quickly master the basics of control, work effectively with units and fully use the camera. Other campaigns consist of different missions in which you will defend in a fortified fort, attack castle walls, and much more.

Multiplayer is available for a maximum of eight people. To play online, you can choose with whom to fight - bots or other people. If you choose a mode with other users, you will get the opportunity to make an alliance, declare war on the chosen enemy, or take a neutral position.

Age of Empires doesn't need a powerful computer. Even with the most modest configuration, the game looks realistic, and the image pleases the eye when zoomed in.

For many people, Age of Empires has become a guide to the world of strategies. But the series gradually faded away and lost popularity - the third part was released back in 2005, and there is still no full fourth part, if you do not take into account AoE Online. Therefore, we recommend the game to those who want to see the beginning of the RTS era.

11. Star Wars: Empire at War

In eleventh place, Star Wars: Empire at War is a 2006 game based on the setting of the world famous Star Wars saga. The plot is based on episodes 4, 5 and 6 of Star Wars, namely civil war between rebels and imperials.

You will find yourself in the role of a commander of one of the parties, you will control the fleet, command in battles with opponents, destroy bases and much more. The storyline consists of missions in which you will meet famous heroes - Darth Vader, Palpatine, Firmus Piett, Han Solo, Boba Fett, Chewbacca and other characters.

Each character gives certain bonuses, and if necessary, you can hire additional supporting characters - agents, smugglers and others.

Star Wars: Empire at War consists of two parts:

  • Conquest of the galaxy is a global strategy game on the galaxy map. In this mode, you will control the planets under your control, study (or steal) technologies, seize strategic resources, attack and defend.
  • Tactical mode - consists of space and ground operations. You will spend a lot of time in this mode, because a lot will depend on the outcome of the battle. It is here that you will see the main combat vehicles, infantry and ships of the two sides, you will be able to show command skills and win.

The main thing is to choose the right side. The Imperials have more opportunities to master new technologies, improve weapons and ships. And the rebels cannot do science, but they know how to steal the technological achievements of the Empire.

Become the lord of the galaxy with Darth Vader or free the planets from the tyranny of the Empire with Luke and his friends. Choose a side and go to battle. You will definitely like it.

Star Wars is a hugely popular project by George Lucas. Therefore, it is not surprising that many interesting games have been released based on the film, but we still haven't seen the continuation of Empire at War, which is a pity. Only eleventh place in our rating, we move on.

10. World in Conflict: Soviet Assault

The top ten is closed by World in Conflict: Soviet Assault - a real-time strategy released in 2009 and continuing the events that happened in World in Conflict. In other words, the developers took World in Conflict and added 6 new missions - the game became one and a half times longer.

Gamebizclub opinion: in our opinion, this is the best strategy about the beginning of the Third World War. Events begin with the fall of the Berlin Wall, which is being destroyed by Russian tanks. Soviet troops begin an offensive along the entire front and arrange a meat grinder for NATO forces.

You will find yourself in the role of a Soviet paratrooper and unit commander, who stood at the forefront of the attack, destroying enemy soldiers and equipment. Indescribable feelings!

Combat operations take place either on the territory of Berlin or in the countryside, where one has to fight with NATO troops. You can also command an artillery battery and provide air escort for the convoy.

Each mission has a specific plot, but the main thing is that there is no need to build a base. You command a limited number of troops, but you can request reinforcements.

The developers could not avoid stereotypes about Russians - the representations of Americans, British, Germans and other peoples are very noticeable and often hurt the eye. Therefore, in dialogues, sometimes there is a feeling of unreality of what is happening until the hostilities begin.

You can also choose the side of NATO - in this case, the plot will begin on the territory of the United States, where you will defend cities and the coast. Gradually you will push back the troops of the USSR and move to Europe. We add that both storylines are inextricably linked, so the side you choose will win.

The game attracts with a sharp plot, large-scale battles that take place not only close, but throughout the map - it creates the feeling that you are participating in a large-scale military operation. It all looks very realistic, as if they really were in the center of the battle.

World in Conflict: Soviet Assault is in tenth place only because we did not see the continuation of this series. The game should be on the shelf of every fan of the genre - it's 100%.

9. Stronghold

In ninth place is the Stronghold series of games - a strategy about the Middle Ages, Crusades, knights and kings. The first part of Stronghold was released in 2001, and the last Stronghold 3 in 2011. We add that in 2010 the developers released the first MMORTS - Stronghold Kingdoms, where the game became available online against other people.

The action takes place in times early middle ages, so you will enter the role of a baron or a count - you will build a castle, develop production, establish settlements and fight the enemy. Depending on the part you choose, you will be taken to the territory of Europe or Palestine.

Strongold Crusader takes place in the hot lands of Palestine. In the role of a crusader, you will build and defend a castle, establish production, attack the impregnable fortifications of the desert warriors.

Stronghold 3 takes place in Europe. The plot begins seven years later, after the end of the events of the first part.

The series became successful due to the combination of economic strategy and medieval surroundings. You can build your own castle, lay siege to your neighbor's castle, pour boiling oil and resin over the storming ones - all the medieval romance is present. But before the start of hostilities, you will have to provide the rear with food and develop production so that everything will be enough for the duration of the war.

Computer opponents are controlled by artificial intelligence - like you, they extract resources, build castles, form their own army and start a war. And in multiplayer, you will be opposed by those people whom you invite to the game - friends, acquaintances or family members.

8. Heroes of Might and Magic III

In eighth place is one of the best turn-based strategy games Heroes of Might and Magic III. Despite the fact that the game was released back in 1999, it still remains the most revered in the turn-based strategy genre. And the following parts of "Heroes", released after it, could not surpass the third part.

The game takes place in a fantasy world where dragons, elves, goblins, gnomes and many other mythical creatures exist. You will lead one of the factions, command a squad, capture and manage cities, explore the world.

The adventure map is difficult to pass in places. Movement in game world are not always predictable - there are territories where it is very difficult to get and you have to follow an unobvious path.

One of the main tasks is the development of cities in such a way that they bring income, provide combat power and give power to magic spells. If the city is well developed, then it brings enough gold, allows you to hire a strong army to capture adjacent territories and destroy the enemy.

As it should be in a turn-based strategy, time flows discretely in the game. The main unit of time is a move, which is also called a day. During a turn, you can perform a certain number of actions - make a move with heroes, plan the construction of a building, and so on.

And in battle, the actions take place in turn and resemble a chess game. Each unit has a certain amount of action points, type of attack and amount of health. The stronger the unit, the harder it hits and the harder it is to kill it. The troops are led by a hero who, upon victory, gains experience and artifacts from defeated enemies.

Heroes of Might and Magic 3 is available in single and multiplayer games. Although multiplayer is loudly said. The first mode is called "Hot Seat" and is translated as a hot seat - two people at one computer take turns making moves and finding out who is stronger.

The second mode is network. It is necessary to create a separate "room" and give the address of this room to friends and acquaintances. Then you can not sit on one chair, but really hack on the net.

In 2015, the Heroes of Might and Magic III HD version was released - a remake of the popular game, made for a PC with average characteristics. We advise everyone - HoMM should be on the shelf of every fan of turn-based strategies. And we move on.

7. Command & Conquer

In seventh place is the famous Command & Conquer - a real-time strategy game about the confrontation between the NoD brotherhood and the World Defense Initiative (if translated into modern realities - Terrorists and the Security Service).

The first part was released back in 1995, and the last one is currently out in 2013. Note that the first part, along with Dune, became the basis for the RTS genre. But when compared to the world of Arrakis, the "Command and Conquer" saga lasted much longer. The two games have one developer - Westwood Studios, so it is quite possible that Dune decided to sacrifice in favor of the more popular C&C.

The Command & Conquer universe includes 3 story sub-series: Tiberium, Red Alert, and Generals. There are 15 games in total.

The C&C plot is based on the conflict around tiberium - an alien substance sent to Earth by aliens in a meteor shower. This substance extracts minerals, it can be used as an energy source, and in general, tiberium is a valuable element.

World governments consolidate and begin to mine tiberium. At the same time, terrorists are also beginning to extract it, as a result, they are rapidly gaining strength and receive financial injections from countries where there is no Tiberium.

After a while, IVZ decides to put an end to NoD, but that was not the case - the Brotherhood strikes back and a long and exhausting confrontation begins.

You can become a member of the terrorist brotherhood NoD, which seeks to take over the world. But if high ideals are closer, it is worth choosing IVZ. Although the main emphasis is not on the side of the conflict, but on how you will command in battle.

Each game has missions to complete and achieve the set objectives. In principle, everything is simple - build a base, mine tiberium, recruit troops and build military equipment. And then you send an army to attack and command how, where and whom to destroy. Easy?

But the enemy does not sleep, so it is never easy. You will be constantly attacked and tried to smash the base, attack from unexpected directions and deprive you of the opportunity to earn money. Therefore, you need to constantly be prepared for surprise attacks by the enemy, which suddenly appears in the most vulnerable places. The main factor of victory is not superiority in combat power, but the absence of misses.

It is not known what will happen to the C&C series next. Four years have passed, but there is still no intelligible news and comments. Although there are still many fans of the game who continue to hone their skills in online battles. Therefore, so far only the seventh place.

6. Civilization

We decided to give the sixth place to Civilization - a turn-based strategy about the development of mankind on Earth. The game, created by Sid Meier back in 1991, and its subsequent remakes have been and remain the flagship of the turn-based strategy genre.

Now 6 parts have already been released with modifications and additions. The civilization has received a number of awards and is inducted into the Video Game Hall of Fame. More than 9 million copies sold in various countries - a great success, confirmed by numerous critics from around the world.

The main task is to develop the chosen civilization, from primitive society to modern times. Become Stalin and rule Russia, or take the place of Napoleon, Ramses, George Washington and lead your people on the path to prosperity.

To achieve power and prosperity, you need to build cities, engage in economics and science, create technology and wonders of the world, build up military power, establish diplomatic relations with other civilizations and fight with competitors.

In general, everything is like in real life - put yourself in the shoes of a president or a dictator. Events take place on given map the world, chosen by chance or exactly repeating the Earth.

The development of civilization involves settlers, soldiers, diplomats and other characters (units). You can change the political regime, choosing despotism, monarchy, democracy, communism, republic. The higher the chosen level of difficulty, the better you need to plan your actions.

The easiest way is to be a leader - opponents hardly interfere. And the most difficult thing is to be a deity, in this case the whole world will take up arms against you and will constantly put a spoke in the wheels - declare war, suddenly attack, ravage and destroy cities, and so on.

The score is determined according to the results of the game. When calculating points, the number of the population, the number of created wonders of the world and other criteria are taken into account.

Editorial opinion: there were funny moments in the early versions of Civilization. If one people significantly overtook others in development and began to fight, then its tanks and infantry clashed with knights, swordsmen, crossbowmen and other units of the Middle Ages, and sometimes antiquity. And often tanks lost when several units of earlier eras attacked simultaneously. In Civilization VI, the developers have improved the balance, but moments still arise - with a coordinated attack, crossbowmen and catapults can destroy a tank.

The main feature of the game is the opportunity to see the development of civilization, take part in this process and rewrite history. Imagine the Aztecs launch the first satellite into space, the Egyptians are building the Pentagon in Cairo, the Romans are launching the Stealth bomber.

Anything is possible within the framework of game mechanics. The last part of the game at the moment was released in 2016, and the continuation should be expected in 2019-2020.

5. Total War

Fifth place, we decided to give Total War - a series of historical games where tactics and strategy are organically combined. In the series itself - 10 parts and 7 additions. The first part was created in 2000, and the last one is currently out in 2016 under the name Total War: WARHAMMER.

The main feature of Total War is the transfer in time to a specific epoch of human development. The plot takes you to Japan during the Warring States era, to Napoleon's Europe, the Middle Ages and earlier. In the role of Attila, you will conquer the European continent, in the role of Charlemagne, create an invincible empire, in the role of Peter the Great, bring Russia to the level of the leading world powers.

To describe Total War in a nutshell, the most appropriate are big battles. In addition to capturing cities, establishing economic ties and production cycles you will fight. The war consists of many battles of different scales, and you will command an army in each of them. Sieges of castles, defense of cities, ambushes and wall-to-wall battles - there is everything that fans of the genre need.

In the strategic mode, battles are fought on a global turn-based map, where cities, armies, territorial boundaries, valuable resources and roads are marked. And in tactical mode, you are transported to the battlefield, to a real area with hills, trees, buildings and other details of the landscape.

If you get tired of constant battles - click "automatic calculation of results". With a great superiority of your army, the enemy will be defeated without your participation.

But if the forces are equal or the enemy is outnumbered, then you cannot do without your participation. In the "automatic calculation of the totals" you will most likely lose, but in the manual mode there are chances to win. Moreover, it often happens that a smaller army first defends itself, and then successfully advances and cuts out the fleeing enemy troops - but only if you command the army.

Defeats also happen, so where can we go without them. But after every defeat, you will learn to think and accept. non-standard solutions, manage troops more efficiently and skillfully use the landscape features.

Let's give an example - if you are defending a city, then you have to sit outside the walls and not make sorties. But if the enemy let the army down too quickly, and the siege equipment is only on the way and is slowly moving along the walls - boldly lead the commander and cavalry units into the attack, try to destroy the siege towers and the ram first. Without them, the enemy will not fight much.

V major battles armies of several thousand people collide. Considering that most armies have the maximum number of units (15-20 depending on the version of the game), several units of the maximum size take part in the largest battles - this is enough to cover half of the map with the bodies of fallen warriors.

You could write a lot about Total War, but we will say this - do you want to become Tsar Leonidas and lead the Spartans? So do it. You can take into battle more people than 300 elite fighters. And in the end, kick one place for Xerxes, completely changing the course of history. Therefore, Total War is in the top five.

4. Halo Wars 2

The fourth place goes to Halo Wars 2 - the continuation of the saga about the war between people and alien invaders. The series, developed by Microsoft, has been trending for over 15 years. Several dozen books and one film have already been released on the plot of the game, and this is not the end. The series is developing, and after a while we will see a continuation in the form of a shooter, and maybe another film.

And now the backstory: in the distant future, people populated many planets and controlled a large area of ​​space until they faced the Covenant empire. The collision took place on the outskirts of "human space" and ended with the destruction of several patrol corvettes and a planet with a population of ten million people.

Since that moment, the events have developed badly for people - dozens of lost systems, hundreds of millions of ruined lives and the loss of half of the fleet. In such a situation, KKON decides to send the colonial ship "Spirit of Fire" to an unexplored sector of space for colonization.

Halo Wars 2 begins with people waking up from a cryo sleep at The Ark, a space structure created by a mysterious ancient race. When landing on a space object, the soldiers collide with the army of the Covenants - the war overtakes the colonists.

Battles break out throughout the "Arch", both sides lose soldiers and equipment. The conflict is developing rapidly, and only you can defeat the enemy.

The gameplay in Halo Wars 2 is not very different from other strategies - building a base, collecting energy and supplies (they can be collected by ordinary soldiers), forming an army and fighting. That said, Halo Wars 2 is a story-driven game in which you participate.

The missions have a lot of additional tasks that you need to complete. For example, in one mission you will destroy the enemy with one Spartan with a machine gun, push through force shields and free prisoners - each mission is like that.

Microsoft made more than just RTS, but a high budget strategy. The graphics and image quality look amazing - the soldiers, equipment, buildings and other details are made to a very high level. And you will remember the local beauty for a long time. This is a proprietary Halo feature that Microsoft is actively developing.

Halo Wars 2 is a stunningly beautiful strategy game that you can play for hours without stopping. It will go to Xbox One and PC. However, there is one small drawback. For PC owners, it may seem that tasks are being completed too quickly. I would like to put her in the top three, but by "legendary" she loses more successful strategies... Let's move on to them.

3. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III

We decided to give bronze to Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III - an epic strategy about the war of the empire of people against other races in space. Since its release in 2004, 3 parts of the game have already appeared, and the last one was released on April 27, 2017.

The world of the War Hammer is very large. Everything in it is tied to the tough confrontation of several races - people, orcs, elves, chaos, necromancers and other factions. Moreover, each faction has its own policy, troops, development path and other features that make it different from the rest.

The events of the plot unfold on the surface of the planets, where representatives of different races collide in a bloody battle. As a result, only one winner remains, and the rest are ruthlessly destroyed.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 3 entered the top three, and this is justified - the game is new, made at a very high level, and the plot continues the established traditions of the Warhammer series. The graphics and design of locations and nature, combat vehicles and infantry, buildings and heroes are pleasing to the eye - if you have a widescreen monitor, you seem to be transported into the distant future. But in the gameplay, little has changed - it is still a strategy performed in the classic style.

On the battlefield, you will build a base, recruit infantry and build combat vehicles, form units and throw them into battle with the enemy. Try to take into account the vulnerabilities of each fighter or combat vehicle: light BMs lose to heavy ones, anti-tank squads will quickly multiply the coolest tank by zero, but are vulnerable to infantry, and infantry is afraid of snipers and light vehicles. Sounds familiar, right?

There is also an interesting feature - for the first time, unique super-heavy warriors appeared that turn the battle upside down. Phantom Knight for the Eldar, Imperial Knight for Humans, and Orcish Stompa for Orcs. But they appear closer to the end of the plot, so it won't be possible to steer them for a long time.

Multiplayer - in the classic 1v1, 2v2 and so on. It's simple - choose a race, build a base and try to quickly take out your opponents. Well, or they endure you, it all depends on the skill.

Overall, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III is pure drive. The plot and battles are captivating and literally do not leave the monitor screen. In the heat of battle, you don't even have time to pay attention to the bloopers in the voice acting and the phrases of the heroes. For example, imagine orcs speaking normal Russian - a fantastic sight. Bronze - well-deserved, let's move on.

2. StarCraft II

Second place goes to StarCraft II, a popular real-time strategy game developed by Blizzard Entertainment. The first part of the game, called Wings of Liberty, was released in 2010, and in 2013 and 2015 - the second and third add-ons Heart of the Swarm and Legacy of the Void.

StarCraft 2 is the premier strategy game in esports. Starcraft championships are held regularly, the winners receive valuable prizes. Note that the game is inferior in popularity to other representatives of esports - CS: GO, Dota 2, League of Legends.

But she still has millions of fans from different countries, and the first day after the release of Legacy of the Void, sales amounted to more than 1 million. Simply put, StarCraft II remains very popular.

Time and place of action - a distant part Milky way, XXVI century. The plot is based on the war of three races - protoss, zerg, terrans. Terrans are the descendants of exiled criminals who have severed all ties with their home planet. Zerg are mutated creatures from various planets ruled by the Overmind and the Queen of Blades. Protoss are representatives of a high-tech civilization with psionic abilities.

StarCraft 2 is a classic strategy game. Choosing one of the races, you will build a base and combat units, extract resources, develop technologies, form armies and participate in battles. To win, you must destroy buildings, the main base and destroy all enemies.

For example, if at least one builder survives, then after five or ten minutes of the game you run the risk of running into the second base of the enemy, who will have time to prepare for the defense.

In single-player mode, you will follow the storyline, complete 26 missions, meet the main characters and get used to the gameplay. In addition to the plot, you can go through tests that require special ingenuity. If you pass successfully, you will receive a medal. After everything has passed, you can proceed to multiplayer.

Players from the CIS, USA, Asia and Europe can take part in the network game. Here you can make friends, organize a clan (online community), participate in tournaments and make your way to the big championship. The better your skill, the more chances you have to win something. If you want to achieve good results, train on different maps, communicate with people and see what professional players are doing.

Starcraft II should be on every fan of the genre's list of games. It will stay on trend for a few more years, and then Blizzard will surpass themselves and release the third part. Bliz did this before - an example of Diablo before their eyes. Now let's move on to the winner of our rating.

1. Warcraft III

Gold goes to the legendary Warcraft III, a real-time strategy and RPG game made in the fantasy genre. Blizzard Entertainment developed and released the game in 2002, with sales exceeding 2 million copies in its first month. We put Warcraft III first for just one reason, which is called the best game in every sense.

To be clear, Warcraft has long established the principles of RTS and RPG that remain relevant 15 years later. All modern RPGs and MMORPGs with open world one way or another, they use the development system laid down by Warcraft 3.

Fantasy races, an interesting plot, the mechanics of combat and magic - all this is organically combined and makes you come back to the game again and again. And it is no coincidence that World of Warcraft and Dota 2 remain in the top - they continue the genre laid down in the third Warcraft.

We add that the plot of the game was filmed, released in 2016. The box office grossed more than $ 300 million in several months of rental worldwide - this is a great success that very few people can repeat.

We figured out the popularity, now let's talk about the gameplay and the fundamental differences from other strategies.

Warcraft III is a classic strategy game with RPG elements. Everything from strategy here: from building a base and recruiting an army to tactics of battles on the map. You have a small army at your disposal, limited by the number of farms that produce food for it.

Workers extract gold in mines, cut wood and build structures - barracks, farms, workshops and other buildings. And the RPG component is about leveling up the heroes.

According to the plot, in each task you control a hero who increases the level by destroying the enemy, uses artifacts, applies powerful abilities and spells. The higher the level of the hero, the stronger he is and the more powerful the damage from his abilities.

The plot is based on a bloody confrontation between two races - humans and orcs. There are also night elves, gnomes, undead and other races that influence the balance of power in battle. Someone will be your ally, someone will show fierce resistance and will be destroyed - it all depends on the side you choose.

Fighting takes place on maps - in locations with forests, rivers, lakes, mines and neutral characters. The picture quality may seem a little dated, but this is the level of 2002 when the PC requirements were very different. But W3 will run on any computer, plus you can hack over the network with other people from different countries. There are still enough fans of the game.

Warcraft 3 should be a favorite of every strategy fan. Best of the Best - just like that and nothing else. And we are waiting for news about Warcraft 4, rumors have been circulating for two years, and the Blizzards remain silent.

Summing up

Despite the fact that the strategy genre is gradually losing ground, there are still decent strategies like Halo Wars 2 or Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 3. And we see a new trend - developers are trying to make games interesting. The new games feature an exciting plot, elaborate unit models and beautiful location designs.

Let's see what will happen in two or three years - perhaps we will see a really interesting and exciting strategy and we will definitely write about it. Good luck to everyone, bye-bye.


Good day, dear readers!
So the time has come to draw a line under the next material from the series "TOP-10: Your Choice", the theme of which is the best strategies. If anyone missed the beginning, we remind you that only our users were engaged in the choice of dozens, who first offered their options on the forum, and then voted for the best. Our task now is to tell about the results in this material and, in fact, show them in the video attached to the article. What will we do.
So, here we are - the best strategies in the opinion of our users!

Just a few years ago, the industry was experiencing a flood of games with the age-old theme of World War II. It's even scary to think how many projects were produced, and are still being produced, with the same Third Reichs, endless battles of Kursk and the triumph of the Red Army. It is difficult to stand out from this crowd, but nothing is impossible.

Relic Entertainment once again proved that it can compete with the grandees of the strategic craft. And the secret is very simple - to add Spielberg's intensity to the battles, complete the game with wow-effects, destructibility and stuff all Hollywood grace with excellent balance and tactical tricks. Voila!

Company of Heroes does not fall into infantilism, offering to scold the soldiers in the barracks, stuff the bins with barrels of fuel and ammunition - everything looks much more serious than in any strained one. And then we take the army assembled on the ground and go to crush the fascist reptile with our boots, giving orders to each unit and occupying strategically important points in the cities. It sounds simple, but you can't count how many heads were killed in all these virtual battles. That is why it is attractive Company of Heroes.

"Age of Empires" is a familiar name for many strategists. If your gaming journey dates back to the mid-90s, then you know that without Age of empires it's hard to imagine an RTS skyline. Without exaggeration, the first two games in the series were truly brilliant and amazing in every aspect. Countless players have spent time recruiting enemy mounts with priestly forces, hunting deer, picking berries from fertile trees, felling forests, and mining for gold.

At one moment, when tons of resources accumulated in the bins of civilization, the leader had the opportunity to step into a new century that would raise his country above others. Stone tools were replaced by copper ones, the cavalry was overgrown with armor, new combat units were hatched, and the number of workers grew exponentially. It was so interesting to lead this whole celebration of life that ten-hour marathons for - that's right, seeds.

Age of empires 3 did not become a big breakthrough for the entire series and, by and large, did not surpass its predecessors. Don't tell fans AoE were disappointed, but since the second part, little has changed here. A nostalgic tear, of course, rolled down her cheek, overgrown with stubble over the years, but she did not succeed in becoming a new standard for the strategic genre.

Nevertheless, we pay homage to the now dead Ensemble Studios... She deserved them.

Massive Entertainment has earned a reputation for paying sane strategists snorting at the sight of tank rushes, back in the long-standing Ground control... V World in Conflict it did not change its principles and created, one might say, an ideal tactical component and grandmaster balance of troops - infantry, aviation, heavy ground equipment and support units.

No bases, no construction - only a limited number of points with which you can call for help. Each combat unit in World in Conflict must be appreciated, protected and not thrown into pointless attacks. Each move and decision here must be weighed and only then rush to go on the attack, unleashing a blow on the fortified positions of the enemy both from the air and from the ground.

The paranoid wars between the "Soviets" and the homeland of freedom and democracy in the United States may seem a bit hackneyed, too "noble", but the multiplayer World in Conflict for sixteen commanders more than redeems all the hackneyed plot moves. The joint command of the army and the rank system are made here at such a level that at some point you start to feel a certain resemblance to multiplayer action games like. Meanwhile, a good compliment, if you remember that we have a serious strategy here.

Slow, slow-moving turn-based strategies will never die. So write it down. This unwritten rule proves every time "Civilization", which comes out every four years, but always gathers millions of managers and rulers under its banners. And then! Everyone wants to feel like the ruler of the world for at least half an hour a day and lead their country to world domination.

Religion, travel through the tree of invention and the birth of geniuses that will lead civilization forward - all aspects play an important role in Civilization 4... If digging through all these menus is boring, then you can always unwind by making an alliance with brothers in mind or attacking negligent neighbors, wanting to take resources from them. And then - new technologies, a new era and new horizons to strengthen the position of a superpower. And it would seem that just half an hour ago, prehistoric people were running across the screen and only did what they fought with each other.

This year "Civilization" will dawn again and without a doubt - will take its personal throne on the strategic Olympus. Firaxis Games does not disappoint.

There would be Starcraft- strategies today would look completely different. No jokes. Blizzard Entertainment pushed the entire RTS genre forward. Although on the one hand, the recipe Starcraft well, very simple - create several races, stuff resources into the game, dilute everything with the construction of bases and various landscapes. Stretch the plot into three separate companies and go ahead - trade boxes with a game for 60 bucks a piece.

At first glance, a trifling matter, but here's the bad luck - before Blizzard Entertainment no one was able to work out the balance of each race well, provide the game with a decent storyline (very rare to this day, ask certified strategists PG!) and divine multiplayer. .net has become home to millions of people, and for some it is still twelve years later. No wonder the way out Starcraft 2 wait as the coming of Jesus - after him and the end of the world is not terrible.

In a word, an icon for all fans of good strategic fun. Neither add nor subtract.

Another turn-based lady on the list! Series Total war since the time of the samurai war, it has snatched a solid part of the audience from its venerable rivals. V Rome: Total War the merit of the shogunate and Sengoku period in Japanese history was squared. Or even in a cube!

All the fundamental parts have grown both in breadth and upward. Controlling armies on the global map has become more meaningful. Diplomatic relations now made much more sense to develop, building alliances and plotting conspiracies. Spies and assassins roaming the European map helped in this excellent way - one could easily kill one of the important members of the ruling family and demoralize the troops. How much room for imagination! And how pleasant it was to besiege cities, going behind enemy lines and smashing his army ranks with one cavalry swoop - and words cannot convey.

Rome: Total War gave everything that fans of turn-based and thoughtful strategies have long wanted, combining a slow and measured exchange of moves and dashing RTS battles, not devoid of tactical manners and military tricks. Creative assembly, eternal gratitude to you for this!

Any fan Command & Conquer agree - Red alert 3 well, it does not in any way draw on the title of "great and terrible" and will easily lose the battle to its predecessors. There is not enough strategic depth, the arcade creeps out and puffs up from all places, and the best tactic is throwing hats. In short, the claims can be listed for a very long time.

Nevertheless, the degree of madness in the new part, always famous for its both idiotic and very serious stories, has not dropped. The war between the descendants of Soviet leaders and allies was diversified by naval battles. The balancing of the characteristics of the units, even if it was not ideal, but anyone who wanted could understand the work of the strategic mechanism in a few minutes Red alert 3... Not yet degradation, of course, but not a revolution for a long time. That did not prevent, however, the game to take fourth place.

Bury the series Command & Conquer too early. We do not argue, having received a slap in the face and cracks, is unlikely to indicate a good life C&C, however, nothing prevents us from dreaming that someday "She" will return.

Ha! The third "Heroes" - how could it be without them. Many have been hanging around this fantasy splendor for days. They rebuilt castles, recruited an army and set off to travel across huge levels, smashing monsters blocking the way and collecting chests and resources. And if a whole group of friends gathered at one computer, then that was all - you had to calculate every step of your horse, fill your pockets with experience, recruit new heroes in the tavern and pump faster than your opponents. Why, a lot of people play in and today. Here it is, real immortality!

For "heroic" creators from New World Computing unfortunately, things didn't turn out so well. It existed in the development arena for almost twenty years, and then at one point declared itself bankrupt and very quickly disappeared from the radar. But her work lives on and flourishes!

Continues his life, despite the death of his fathers and mothers. Yes, the last major release in the series is dated 2007. But Ubisoft not one of those companies that throw old episodes into the dustbin of history. Who knows, maybe the French are announcing something this summer. Cross your fingers.

Quite unexpected! Second project Relic Entertainment, who got to the top, managed to climb almost to the top. I must say that deservedly - Dawn of war did not reinvent the genre, but was able to fill the unfunny strategic current with adrenaline and action. And also the Imperium, Orcs, Eldar and Chaos!

The devoted servants of the universe, 40,000 and the battle cry of the Space Marines would be enough to kiss the game to death. Relic Entertainment could have fooled. However, the holy principles of development and the desire to sculpt an excellent RTS still outweighed the pernicious desire for profit. All the hallmarks of the strategic genre are available - several races, building a base, buying upgrades and paying attention to the strengths and weaknesses of each of the parties to the conflict. Filigree!

Warhammer 40,000: Made some major changes to this system. Someone liked them, some not very much, but the main thing is that Dawn of war she is alive, does not complain about her health, and someday she will definitely acquire a third part.

Blizzard Entertainment... Well what can you say? She is a recognized leader, the main guardian of the PC tradition and the initiator of great achievements in the strategic arena. Both technological and financial. The Blizzards are definitely not complaining about the sales of PC games.

Commemorated for the entire franchise Warcraft the beginning of a new era. Two new races were added to the universe, they diversified the hero's life due to role-playing elements, artifacts and magic spells that can and should be brought down on the heads of enemies. Building a base, collecting resources - the traditional elements have not gone anywhere. But the field of their application has expanded. And not least due to the weighty multiplayer mode - the godlike Battle.net did not disappoint even here, having erected Warcraft 3 to the rank of legendary games. A logical result.

Congratulations Warcraft 3... The gold cup has already been sent by diplomatic mail to the den Blizzard Entertainment!

Well, that's all for today in terms of texts, but there is still an excellent video material ahead, which you will find just below. We just have to say thank you for your participation and say goodbye until May 1st. I was with you today Evgeny "Mumby" Molodov.

In addition, we remind you that right at this moment the first stage of preparation of the next material from the cycle "TOP-10: Your Choice" started, in which you can take part. The theme was games that WILDLY PASS you.

Platforms: PC

Game modes:

Released: 2015

Fans of managing a whole team of specialist heroes will love the action cyberpunk Satellite Reign. Your task is to bring down the powerful monopoly of evil and give hope to the world for free prosperity. You will find a living open world of the distant future, pumping characters, heaps of loot and a cannon.

Platforms: PC

Game modes: On one screen (3 players) | Network / Internet (3 players)

Released: 2017

Once again, the world is in danger and on the brink of collapse. Naturally, you act as a savior and in this case the kingdom of Fahrul. This is the storyline of the cartoon-style turn-based strategy For The King. Canadian developers from IronOak worked on the project.

Platforms: PC

Game modes: Network / Internet (4 players)

Released: 2012

Wube Software is an independent game development company that gives you the opportunity to feel like the rightful owner of a whole unknown planet. You can try on the wreath of the ruler of the new world in the game Factorio. An excellent strategy with an original idea won the hearts of a huge number of gamers.

Platforms: PC

Game modes: Network / Internet (2)

Released: 2013

In the segment of games with co-op, there is an acute shortage of certain genres, for example, real RPGs. Not an action-RPG like Diablo, but real role-playing games with character leveling and an active dialogue branch. Space simulators for some reason completely ignore this kind of multiplayer. Another of the genre's deficiencies is strategy. If the ancient tactical toys adored Hotseat mode, then in our time this genre has become a rarity, and, therefore, the co-op mode in them has not become frequent either. Only the developers of the famous Civilization are happy in this regard, constantly adding the beloved mode to many of their products. And now we will make sure that one of the most popular strategies - Total War - is also not averse to showing off in a very rare mode today.

Platforms: PC

Game modes: Network / Internet (4)

Released: 2014

A studio from France with an unusual and funny name Amplitude Studios invented a kind of game development model. The company's developers have produced only three projects, but at the same time managed to get a reputation for talented and original creators. And yet, they managed to create new concept on the creation of game series. The meaning of the idea lies in the fact that all games have one universe - the same resources, the same planets, a common style, even if there are some graphical differences.

Platforms: PC

Game modes: On one screen (4) | Network / Internet (4)

Released: 2014

In today's world of video games, anything can happen. Remakes of the games of a year ago are released, and not always successful. Sometimes even driving the whole series to a standstill. And it happens that a sequel of a forgotten toy 15 years ago comes out. TriumphStudios dropped the successful Overlord series and suddenly returned straight to 1999, to the roots of the first Age of Wonders. The guys unexpectedly took and released the third part of the forgotten step-by-step strategy to the market. This game - one of the main competitors of "Heroes" and the gothic "Disciples" - is back on the warpath. Time will tell who will win the fight.

Platforms: PC

Game modes: Network / Internet (4)

Released: 2014

If not the rarest, then perhaps one of the rarest genres among co-op games, given the development of the console market and the complete absence of any profit from PC players, strategy will of course be. A decade ago, a very prosperous and seemingly eternal segment of the gaming industry presented the modest owners of personal computers with cult toys. In each such game, anyone could think of themselves as the head of the Knights Templar, the commander of a space trooper, or simply the king of the fantasy world. One of those cult games was Stronghold and a hefty addon called Crusaders. The “cult” game was stamped for a reason. Moving from one PC to another, she eventually found a place on the hard disk of every computer of the past generation, bringing all the splendor of the medieval atmosphere to the hearts and minds of people, and, thereby, left an impressive mark on the gaming industry forever. And, of course, the old team cannot pass up the opportunity to try to resurrect an ancient creation in order to rehabilitate themselves for the release of the completely disastrous Stronghold 3.

Platforms: PC | Xbox 360

Game modes: Network / Internet (2)

Released: 2013

The fascinating world of the United States of America of the twenties of the last century is very attractive to all types of art. But even without looking at all the originality of that atmosphere, for some reason in the games the vicissitudes of this time are poorly illuminated. If we talk about gangsters in the gaming world, I only recall the unshakable Mafia, the continuation of which was released not so long ago. The rest of the creations about organized crime of those times were created either on the basis of the movie “The Godfather, or they are absolutely unknown to the broad masses of video game lovers. But there is a place to roam fantasies in such a topic. Studio Haemimont Games competently set about untapped virgin lands. But how successfully they managed to reveal their immense potential is up to you.

Call your friends and enjoy the best co-op games for PC.

Nobody and nothing - except a friend, can compare with a good blaster who also has a good blaster, then you have two blasters in total and you can detonate twice as much. This is the beauty of our favorite co-op games, whether it's online multiplayer. V last years The ranks of the best co-op games, such as the time-tested Left 4 Dead and Arma 3, have been replenished with new RPGs, shooters and insane cooking simulations.

This is our latest collection of the best co-op co-op games. Some can brighten your day, while others can brighten up entire months.

Dropouts from the main list

Vermintide borrowed a lot from another game also featured on this list, or to be more precise, it's Left 4 Dead in the guise of Warhammer. Still, it focuses on smoother, more original hand-to-hand combat, and stunning special effects that make the game a worthy choice for friends when they want to crush a couple of ratlings.

This game is especially appealing to fans of the Warhammer Fantasy universe, which is well known in the gaming world. The main actions in the game will be: selection of dropped items and equipment that can be upgraded. So in the circle of friends, completing missions over and over again guarantees you a good pastime.

Warning - don't play KALIMBA with a new friend... While the game looks like a light-hearted puzzle game, it's actually a powerful tool for pushing the limits of human tolerance. Each player has two colored totems. Solving colored puzzles will not be difficult, it will be much more difficult to coordinate the actions for the jump, especially if you rely on your partner.

Despite the difficulties, it's amazing how intuitive Kalimba feels: watching someone else play is more exciting than picking up a gamepad yourself (for simplicity, it's better to use it). It's hard, but no problem can be solved alone, and every victory is shared.

Magicka 2 is as good as the original in every way. Magicka 2 has fixed bugs, improved graphics, and added several modes to our favorite co-op. The only thing I didn't like was the casting system. Apparently due to a large number From negative reviews, the developers added new elements of spells and casting mechanics to better match the original. In the sequel, even the most hardcore sorcerers will be able to enjoy brilliant magic battles with friends.

If Payday 2 is a mixture of good action movies, then Monaco is one hundred percent distilled from Ocean's Eleven. In Monaco, you have to do superb thefts, hence the excitement and tension, which in itself is the perfect combination for spending a good time with friends. This game is a bunch of all sorts of details, plans, and there is something so beautiful when you cut off the electricity while your partner distracts the guard.

Great RPG from Runic that got me off Diablo III. It had more Diablo than Diablo itself, and this crazy dungeon dive is even harder and more intense when you get in with someone. In Diablo III, the maximum number of players is four, and in Torchlight, you can gather as many as six. Too much? In a game where monsters explode and leave fountains of gold, “too much” is not a good word.

The Trine puzzle game about three characters came out of nowhere, just in 2009, when the heyday of indie games was outlined. Trine's success spawned two more sequels. While Trine 3 has become more of a disappointment this year, Trine 2 takes the very best of the original, smoothes, enhances, and makes it all that much better. With the addition of online co-op, you can transfer control of two other characters to friends. As a gift, you are given a colorful picture and easy, almost relaxing, puzzles.

Is the first game in the series to deviate from the familiar historical setting. The creativity that has accumulated over dozens of years spills out from the updated Warhammer animation and a wide range of classes: from gnomes who take revenge for insults by unleashing wars, to vampire counts who replenish their armies with the living dead. The storyline campaign also looks fresh, where the player will be pleased with the updated RPG mechanics with quests and the selection of equipment for the heroes.

After Rome 2, Creative Assembly has significantly improved the engine and the level of artificial intelligence of opponents, thanks to which Warhammer can be called one of the series. And, as before, the campaign mode can be played with a friend. Do you dare to unite the greenskins and the gnomes, two sworn enemies? You can also install a mod and play with a friend for the same faction. There is no better cooperative strategy.

Year of issue: 2016 | The developer: Ghost Town Games | Buy

Overcooked is the natural embodiment of chaos. This is one of those cooperative games in which you need to join forces for the sake of winning, even if after the end of the game you do not even want to say what, but you don’t even want to see your partner again. But if you manage to catch the general rhythm and become part of the team coping with icy rivers, earthquakes in the kitchen, and even suddenly arriving pirate ships, then you will get indescribable pleasure.

Everything here is like in a real kitchen - one cuts onions, the second watches the stove, and the third (the one who is best kept out of the food) washes the dishes, running out of the kitchen from time to time. Overcooked was originally designed for multiplayer (it's not so fun to play it alone), but, alas, the game only supports connection by local network... But if you convince your friends to go into the game, then it will be one of the most unforgettable cooperatives.

Year of issue: 2016 | The developer: Ubisoft Massive | Buy

In the year since its release, The Division has grown from an endless co-op shooter with cover to a co-op shooter with a very clear end goal. Yes, long quests and chases for pumped equipment are not suitable for everyone, but if you and your friends love character leveling shooters, then you should definitely pay attention to The Division.

Walking through post-apocalyptic Manhattan, regular shootouts with bots and a selection of custom missions will help each member of your team to unleash their skills. The skirmishes look very spectacular, and therefore a coordinated attack with grenade throws, deceitful maneuvers and covering fire will bring the same emotions even for the hundredth time as in the first.

If your team wants to level up, then you can always find quests for any level in each of the five locations. At the Tier 2 location, you will find raids and short missions where you need to show a well-coordinated team spirit. If you are interested not so much in shootings as in quests with a bias in psychology, then choose the Dark Zone location, which can show your friends not from the best side. If everyone has updates installed, we recommend that you test your strength in the Underground, Survival and the upcoming Last Stand modes, where you can play both together and against each other, collecting weapons and equipment along the way.

Year of issue: 2011 | The developer: Overkill, Starbreeze | Buy

Trying to pull off a complex heist in several stages in a team with not the most agile bots in Payday 2 singleplayer is not always fun, and sometimes boring. But here the cooperative mode comes to the rescue. Together with a friend, any robbery turns into a mixture of Ocean's 11 and The Expendables.

And better than a secret robbery can only be a sudden change of plans, as a result of which an alarm sounds and you have to fight your way to the exit. And if the mistakes of bots sometimes frankly enrage, then the mistakes of friends make the game much more interesting.

Year of issue: 2012 | The developer: Gearbox | Buy

With endless fun and weapon extravaganza, Borderlands 2 is one of the few games on this list to boast a great single player experience. You will have a lot of joy while exploring the planet Pandora, shooting goofs from the car, endlessly replenishing your ammunition, as if you are trying to stock up before a gun party.

All this will be many times more fun if you have a bunch of friends next to you. Each character takes his place in the team, for example, at more difficult levels you just need to have a tank, a silent killer and a medic in your team.

It is also worth noting that the resilience of the creature and the value of the reward for killing them directly depends on the number of players in your team, so if you really want hard, furious action, you just need to find more friends.

Year of issue: 2014 | The developer: DrinkBox Studios | Buy

Guacamelee is a vibrant blend of Metroids and Castlevanias styles, with plenty of witty nods and catchy carnival masks. The 2D rendering is simply amazing, as is the exploration of the surrounding world and the combat system. And from the classics from the Metroid and Castlevania series, it is distinguished by support for up to four players.

You can only play on a local network, so if you manage to lure your friends, they are unlikely to unstick from the screen until they explore every corner of Guacamelee.

Release: 2018 | The developer: Capcom | Buy

All parts of Monster Hunter can be played solo or with online strangers, but in co-op (with a friend), the game unleashes its potential. There are bundles of combos here, as in all action games of Capcom, almost like in Devil May Cry, but more risky and deliberate, make you study the attacks of these huge creatures.

More complex monsters force you to cooperate and constantly be on your guard, and fights go much better when you are your partner specializing in various forms weapons. And grinding rare drops and parts of monsters will be much more fun with a couple of friends in discord.

Release: 2018 | The developer: Fatshark | Buy

This sequel to Vermintide definitely expands on the Left 4 Dead formula, adding a completely new group of enemies, in addition to the Skaven, and a clearer leveling and loot system. The game feels good and moderately tough when you slam a ratman in the face with a huge club. The build system is simple and divided into five types of characters. If you like Left 4 Dead, but you've already played it, Vermintide 2 will grab your attention and is perfect for a couple of dozen hours of bloody carnage.

Release: 2018 | The developer: Rare | Buy

Project Rare is a fun co-op sandbox, but really fun to play with friends. Sea of ​​Thieves is a beautiful open world game and absolutely not demanding - climb aboard with your friends, choose a direction and just enjoy the sailing trip, sipping grog, play musical instruments and shoot each other with cannons. Or just chat with each other for an hour against the backdrop of a beautiful sunset.

For the sake of fun and profit, you can chase other teams and engage ship to ship, search for lost treasures, or capture the skeleton fort, but it's just great - chatting with friends like in a chat room with beautiful waves and a sudden Kraken.

Year of issue: 2017 | The developer: Bungie | Buy

Aside from loot boxes, Destiny 2 contains a good Halo-themed campaign, a ton of fun side quests, an ever-increasing number of raid strikes, and two six-man raids.

Destiny 2 includes dozens of hours of co-op, from silly entertainment to serious endgame battles. There is enough fun to be drawn from all of this before the Eververse starts to bother you.

Release: 2018 | The developer: Ghost Town Games | Buy

Overcooked is the epitome of chaos. The type of cooperative where you need to help each other to win, but most likely at the end of the day you won't even talk. Overcooked 2 retains the same idea of ​​breaking the relationship, but before you hate each other, you will really enjoy playing together. The sequel adds new maps and new difficulty. You can play online or locally. Sushi can now be made and teleportation added. Just like in your regular kitchen, really.

Year of issue: 2017 | The developer: Larian Studios | Buy

Divinity: Original Sin 2 is an inventive unfolding adventure and one of the best RPGs ever made. You can play one of the best RPGs with up to three friends in online co-op. Players rule as well as chaos in this world, which means one friend can kill a guard or reveal his second living dead identity at the wrong time, but that's exactly what makes OS2 so great to play with friends.

You no longer need to deal with the loyal group of characters that you form over time. You are dealing with three stubborn people who are trying to achieve different goals. It's a beautiful mess in one of the lush, addictive RPG worlds. And once you're done, Game Master lets you create new campaigns from the ground up with an extensive D&D style toolkit.

Release: 2017 | The developer: The Creative Assembly | Buy

Total War: Warhammer was the first project in which the company moved away from the historical theme and it worked. 10 years of Warhammer creativity flows here, in both animation and versatile factions. In Warhammer 2, Creative Assembly tried the problems of the series that have been present for many years: the gameplay ceases to hold at the time of the growth of the empire and domination of the world map.

What has remained unchanged is the launch of a grand campaign with a friend, to take two friendly factions against the rest of the world. Sharing control of a huge army is really a breakthrough: one of you can take up local control and deployment of troops, while the other will make tactical raids of cavalry. Well, or whatever in Warhammer, lizard-like people, huge bats, and so on. If you have Warhammer 1, you can combine these games into a global campaign.

Year of issue: 2013 | The developer: Digital Extremes | Play

Warframe can quickly get boring, as the main gameplay in it is going through randomly generated levels in an attempt to level up your character. And so over and over again. Some missions are inconvenient to complete alone, and playing online with strangers is not suitable for everyone, especially for beginners. But Warframe transforms when you call your friend into it, turning into a fun virtual shooting gallery where you can shoot hordes of enemies together with a friend.

And if the game hooks you, then you can spend more than one day, understanding all the intricacies. You can sit until the morning, reading the strategies for upgrading things and crafting features on the forums. But you can play it with friends who just started it - you don't have to go through it at the same time. You can go about your business and cross over on the Grineer ship from time to time.

Year of issue: 2017 | The developer: Studio MDHR Entertainment Inc. | Buy

Cuphead doesn't get any easier just because a friend can cover your back in co-op. The addition of a second player overloads an already overflowing world with colorful animations and complicates the passage of this arcade side-scroller, so multiplayer is an option only for reinforced concrete best friends.

But in the same way that your brain and hands merge into perfect power after many failures, and the gradual recognition of patterns takes root at the level of pure instinct, the interaction between two people turns into telepathy. Friendly telepathy in order to complete the cartoon game.

Year of issue: 2016 | The developer: Klei | Buy

For a couple of years, Klei refused to introduce co-op into their gothic survival masterpiece, arguing that co-op would spoil the unique atmosphere, entirely composed of a sense of loneliness and independent exploration of the world. As it turned out, the developers were worried in vain, because the notorious atmosphere in a company with friends is felt even brighter. At the moments when the cyclops-deer burst into your camp, destroying half of the supplies for the winter, you understand that it is better to deal with this in a cooperative.

Klei is renowned for its attention to detail and balance in games, and therefore the three main modes of Together (Survival, Wilderness and Endless) maintain the perfect balance of emerging items and character skills. The most interesting is the Endless mode. Chatting with a friend on Discord or Skype while trying to pool resources to survive the coming harsh winter - isn't that great? And remember: Happiness is a refrigerator full of frog legs.

Year of issue: 2015 | The developer: Asteroid Base | Buy

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime (or LIADS) is truly an achievement in local multiplayer design. Recently we have seen a resurgence of local multiplayer in PC games, but only a few have such a unique style, color and originality as LIADS.

LIADS also promotes intra-team conflict in places where other co-op games don't. So many stations and only two crew members, defeat comes from communication blunders rather than lack of skill. The game, of course, is good, but still annoying that there is no possibility of online co-op. Despite this, it feels like the game is tailored for joint passage while sitting on the same couch, plus there are a lot of settings for the co-op mode.

Year of issue: 2015 | The developer: RuneStorm | Buy

A strange and grotesque cooperative game with an ingenious idea: you and your friends have to play as space cleaners who are forced to clean up all the chaos that the brave Space Marines from other games leave behind. Grab a bucket with a rag and get ready to clean the walls of blood, burn limbs, collect shells and repair pipes by welding. Yes, it's dirty work, but it's dirty work in space and with friends, and, oddly enough, this is enough to have a fun few evenings.

The highlight of Viscera Cleanup Detail lies in its physics, which sometimes throws interesting surprises. For example, if you are carrying a bucket of bloody water and collide with another player, all the water will spill over in no time, creating even more work. Be prepared for rude comments if you forget the dynamite in the stove; and, of course, nothing beats a picture of your friend being hit by a faulty elevator, even if that means another half hour of cleaning.

But the fun doesn't end there: name tags hang on every corpse, and this is where most of the in-game Easter eggs can be found. And you can also find out what happens if you press all the buttons on a device that resembles dynamite (spoiler: this is dynamite), and spoil the final rating for cleanliness at the level, trying to feed the alien octopus a chair, which will lead to a profuse green burp on the ceiling. walls and your friends. This is a real diamond in the gaming industry. And if you have a group of friends who are open to new ideas, then it's time to give the game a chance.

Year of issue: 2013 | The developer: TT Games | Buy

There are a lot of good Lego games on the market that can be advised for lovers of this style: for example, Star Wars: The Complete Saga, Lego Batman 2 or Harry Potter, but Marvel games are superior to all others. They are not tied to specific film adaptations, and therefore you can see a team of Spider-Man, Captain America, Fantastic Four and X-Men in them (you can't wait for this even in modern comics).

The levels are interesting and inventive - you will visit the castle of Doctor Doom, Stark Tower, Asgard and other locations. Basically, this is a big tour of the Marvel Universe, created with a lot of love for the characters, as seen in their animation and voice acting. In addition, you can explore Manhattan or jump off an SHIELD aircraft carrier. This part is much more interesting than the sequel, which focuses on the adventures of the Avengers.

Year of issue: 2014 | The developer: Ubisoft | Buy

Far Cry's main gimmick is waiting. Penetration unnoticed before the outpost creates tension. Removing a couple of guards creates even more tension. Eventually, someone will notice you, raise the alarm, and hell begins.

In the company with a friend, all these outings will be much more interesting. You can always see from the outlines what your partner is doing so risky. When it comes time to go out into the open, the sheer variety of "toys" in Far Cry 4 will create chaos that you can immerse yourself in with great pleasure. Why sneak into the shadows when you can drop grenades from a helicopter while your friend knocks down the main gate on a war elephant?

Year of issue: January 1999 | The developer: Sven Co-op Team | Play

It was conceived as a co-op Half-Life, but the mood strongly resembles the "Interdimensional Cable" series from the "Rick and Morty" TV series. We go to a random server and find ourselves in the colored world of Teletubbies. We go to another - and here we are waiting for a parody of the Mega Man series, a secret military base or Egyptian pyramids, where you have to fight back with grenades from Anubis himself.

Download a set of quirky maps, connect with your friends, and immerse yourself in a retro shooter full of fun and awkward moments. If you play with the right people, then you will have hours of fun in a hilarious booth with monsters, scientists and soldiers from Half-Life.

Year of issue: 2016 | The developer: Chucklefish | Buy

Exploration, mining, crafting and adventure in the vast 2D galaxy from Starbound can pull you in for hours. Passing story quests, creating colonies on other planets, pumping an arsenal, a ship and your abilities are implemented here in a very interesting way. And all this is multiplied by two if your buddies are connected to the game.

In the co-op mode, you can easily invite friends to work on joint projects: destroy a couple of monsters or just walk around the spaceship. It is allowed to complete story quests, as well as fight bosses, which are extremely difficult to defeat alone. The game has an amusingly designed chat - everything written is displayed in bubbles above the heads of the characters. An excellent solution that only complements the wonderful atmosphere.

Year of issue: 2016 | The developer: Playground Games | Buy

Amplitude Studios made a name for itself with Endless Space and Endless Legend, but their most creative and original project was their beautiful (but weird) Dungeon of the Endless. A couple of fragile heroes and resources fall under your control, the main task is to save the crystal during the periodic attack of opponents. Everything here looks painfully familiar, but the small differences will still surprise you. Time only moves when you open the doors to the dungeon. To complete the level, you need to find a crystal and make a crazy dash to the exit, through the creatures teeming everywhere.

If you play alone, then it is more of a tactical game, with the ability to pause during the battle and think over a further strategy. Co-op removes this option and makes the game more intense. To survive on later difficult levels, you need to have a large supply of resources, a clear understanding of where who should be, and what towers to build. It's so easy to get confused or scattered, but that's the whole point of the game.

The roguelike genre, plus tower defense, plus co-op and RPGs, might seem like incompatible things, but it still fits together.

Year of issue: 2015 | The developer: Tripwire Interactive | Buy

The original Killing Floor deserves praise and of course it makes sense to recommend Killing Floor 2, as it is a big step forward, here you will find more players and new levels, plus all sorts of bonuses are added to early access members. Killing Floor 2 is a big game, even in this unfinished state. This is an FPS in which you and the other 5 players have to withstand a series of attacks. During the defense, you have to shoot and beat some very restless test subjects.

Survival can be very difficult (especially in difficult modes), and do not forget that teamwork is vital. It's good that Tripwire cannons are made here at a height: recoil and accuracy of fire.

Year of issue: 2015 | The developer: Steel Crate Games | Buy

What I like the most about this game is paperwork. Wait, wait! Come back! KTNB is a scene-based game in every action movie where a hero has to defuse a bomb and some nerd on the phone asks him, "what do you see?"

KTNB has made a splash with the Oculus Rift, but you don't need experimental VR hardware to enjoy the game. A sapper can grab a laptop from one side of the couch, while advisers can open their mine clearance instructions on the other side. Communication is the most important thing in this game, and any number of players can give advice, making KTNB a team game terrifyingly.

Year of issue: 2015 | The developer: Rockstar North | Buy

GTA has a ton of merit, but co-op heists are probably the best Rockstar has to offer in the open world. Four players team up to overcome a series of story missions in which each hero plays a role in a massive heist. Everything from stealing vehicles as part of a heist preparation to murder and other interrelated tasks will be here.

Missions competently make everyone feel as if he is playing a key role in all these troubles on the way to fabulous wealth.

When all four players come to the end of each heist, dramatically escaping from the cops, you will have much more fun than the main plot of the game. If only Rockstar did more of these missions. They would pay off in full.

Year of issue: 2011 | The developer: Valve | Buy

There is no doubt that Portal 2 has gotten a very crude co-op campaign. As two test robots Atlas and P-Body, you and a friend must explore the darker, more dangerous side of GLaDOS programs, as they are too dangerous for human subjects. The 3D spatial thinking that makes the Portal series so exciting will work even harder when you're not alone in solving problems.

Co-op in the game turns out to be great if neither of you knows the answer: if your partner has to wait patiently every time for you to solve the riddle, you feel like an idiot; if not, they will rush you, which makes the game really cool. True, it is very difficult, several years after the release of the game, to find newcomers. Fortunately, Valve's team of map editors have created a complete set of excellent new maps to play in pairs.

Release: 2018 | Developer: DrinkBox Studios | Buy

For starters, Guacamelee 2 has been on this list for years for its Metroid-style spirit and co-op support. The sequel supports up to four players, allowing you to travel together and lots of fun, colorful combos in classic beat-em-ups. A more recent game, as opposed to the slow and atmospheric Hollow Knight, which is why the co-op fits in so well. Stupid, hypertrophied (in terms of characters) and with really fervent battles. You can also now play as a chicken.

Year of issue: 2014 | The developer: Larian Studios | Buy

This game may have surpassed Original Sin 2, but it's still one of the best: deep, rewarding role-playing game that you can play with a friend.

Divinity: Original Sin can be distinguished for several reasons. First, it is a return to the form of a classic RPG. Secondly, you can explore this deep world and ridiculously funny texts with a friend, this opportunity appeared for the first time in the game, and is popular with gamers.

The Enhanced Edition has completely overhauled the voice acting, artwork and trophies. There are also new modes for fans of brutal combat, or those who want to explore the history of the world.

The massive, 100-hour RPG can be played with friends on a drop-in / drop-out basis, but the most dedicated of you should understand that you will have obligations to your partner in the game. The implications are huge, so it's best to partner with your best friends to experience a story with them that you won't find anywhere else.

Artemis Spaceship Bridge Simulator

Year of issue: 2011 | The developer: Thomas Robertson | Buy

Let's be clear on one thing right away: Artemis is not a Star Trek game. There are a number of legal reasons for this. Deal? Deal. Definitely not based on Star Trek.

So Artemis is one of the best Star Trek games ever. It is presented as a "simulator of a captain's bridge on a spaceship," and its highlight is that each player has his own control scheme with different data. Players (captain, gunners, helmsmen, engineers, operators and scientists) see only a screen in front of them, so, say, an engineer cannot help the gunners or sit at the wheel. But he will be able to distribute energy to the engines.

In the center of everything is the captain, who, oddly enough, does not have any screens in front of his eyes: he simply yells at his subordinates so that they do what is required. In last year's version 2.0, we saw a lot of innovations affecting control schemes and general style drawing. If you have played only the first version of Artemis, then we recommend that you gather a company and play a fresh upgrade on the local network.

It's incredible how quickly you adjust to military system orders and responses (“Helmsman, set course to Deep Space 1, hold half pulse.” “Half pulse to DS1, yes, captain”). And this is not because you got used to the role, but because here you need to formulate commands clearly and concisely, otherwise you will all die. Well, maybe a little because you got used to the role.

Year of issue: 2013 | The developer: Bohemia Interactive | Buy

The ability to play with two or three will not surprise anyone, but the Arma engine supports dozens of players at the same time. There is actually something to see here, one plays as a pilot, takes you and ten more people to the war zone, leaves there to connect with twenty other people for the assault. There is no strict co-op in Arma 3, but I included it on the list because it becomes truly memorable when everyone is on the same side against the overwhelming number of AI opponents.

As you dive into Arma 3, be sure to check out Zeus' multiplayer mode. One player, as Zeus, plays the game as a D&D dungeon master, multiplying equipment and enemies. As soon as you anger Zeus, he will immediately send lightning strikes at you. This is one of the fantastic co-op missions that should never be missed.

Year of issue: 2013 | The developer: Mossmouth | Buy

This is one of the best PC games. Isn't there a reason to download it? No? Most people see Spelunky as a single-player game, but all the fun is centered on the multiplayer. There are so many things that can go wrong here - an accidentally dropped rock, bomb, vase (or any other item) can send your friend to dive towards sharp spikes, but this is only a small part of the potential of cooperative play. Remember, when you play the game together, you cannot underestimate the power of magic.

In two pairs of hands, it is easier to carry important items around the level. The deceased player can be resurrected at the next level, which makes the passage of Spelunky much easier. You can even create cunning plans - one distracts the merchant, and the second drops bombs on him. In most cases, of course, everything goes down the drain, but isn't that why we sit down to play Spelunky?

Year of issue: 2009 | The developer: Valve | Buy

The fanatically balanced, well-written shooter Left 4 Dead 2 is built around the struggle of four surviving members of the same team. As soon as an incredible number of zombie monsters are sent to the team, the team needs to clearly coordinate their actions, and be ready at any time to save a friend at the last second, so that later such a story can be safely retelling.

Valve also deserves credit for how long they've supported L4D2, adding level editors, Steam Workshop support, porting maps and characters from Left 4 Dead 1, continue to offer "mutations", frequently changing game modes that offer something new for the experienced players.

Left 4 Dead 2's vibrant modding community is also a huge part of why this game is so highly regarded as they have produced new campaigns such as. This kept the fun of L4D2 even after the base companies were completely out of date. Plus, you'll be able to play as a Velociraptor, which undoubtedly guarantees our highest rating.

Recommended to read

Up