A strategy game is one in which thedeliberation abilities of the player and his decision-making talents combine to influence the outcome. Strategy games are a board, computer or video game. Recently, one can find and play online strategy games. Most games involve some tactics of some sort, however, those classified as strategy games tend to use the understanding of the player to determine the outcome. The word strategy evokes martial language, meaning military deliberation and tactics used to achieve results. This is in contrast to games in which players can rely to a large extent on probability to win.

Strategy games can differ a great deal and is usually found with different themes. Some of the genres include abstract strategy, war games, real time tactics or strategy games, simulation, building of cities and God games. In war games for instance, there is usually an extensive simulation of past military battles involving great leaders such as Alexander the Great, some Roman Emperors and even world wars I and II. The player is usually required to take on the role of an important military person such as a general or commander or even an ordinary soldier who literally has an "impossible" mission to save rescue his comarades and save the day. Traditionally, strategy games are played with wooden, ivory or bronze miniatures or on a board. With the advent of the internet, however, one can find many online strategy games to play or for those who prefer, they can download strategy games.

Real time tactics strategy games as opposed to real time strategy games, are usually military based, and require the user to handle all the aspects of warfare. For instance, you have to run into enemy lines without getting hurt. Such games include Warhammer: Dark Omen. With real time strategy games, on the other hand, the state of the game is continuously changing and the player has to keep up by making quick decisions in order to secure a win. Real time strategy games include Blizzards and NukeZone.

Simulation strategy games make use of real life examples as themes. Thus the player's choices and actions result in similar consequences as it would be in in the real world. Abstract strategy games, on the other hand do not necessarily use real life themes. The player must understand the logic to win the game. Examples are Go, Chess, Checkers. Many free online strategy games can be played on the internet as well.

Economic strategy games usually simulate real life business and require the player to win in a business or economic situation. Some examples are Monopoly, Transport Tycoon, Supreme Ruler 2010, Capitalism and Railroad Tycoon. City building strategy games also allow the player to build and manage a city. There are arguments as to whether games such SimCity and City Building Games series employ the player's analytical skills at all. Nevertheless, they are considered as strategy games. There are also the turn based strategy games (TBS) which forces the user to think about the game first before committing to play. They are different from the real time counterparts in that sense.

Strategy games have evolved gradually over the years. Although, for the die-hard traditionalists, there still exist the expensive stratey game miniature market, more and more people are seeking to play test their analytical skills online. More and more strategy games are now available to download online for a small fee. Better still there are some gaming platforms that are offering strategy games for free online. This is perhaps the best way to test out your strategy gaming skills without having to pay for fortune or having the need to download anything.

As time rolls on, we are likely to see many more free strategy games available for game lovers to choose from. Certainly this is a good sign.