The best strategy games for Mac
The best strategy games you can play on a Mac right now. Every title here has a verified way to run on macOS, whether native, through Rosetta 2, or via CrossOver, and links to its exact compatibility and a step-by-step guide.
Crusader Kings III runs natively on Apple Silicon, with no extra software needed. Metacritic 91.
Satisfactory has no native build, but the Windows version plays on Mac through CrossOver (rated Platinum on ProtonDB). Metacritic 91.
Factorio runs natively on Apple Silicon, with no extra software needed. Metacritic 90.
Rhythm Doctor runs natively on Apple Silicon, with no extra software needed. Metacritic 89.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown has no native build, but the Windows version plays on Mac through CrossOver (rated Gold on ProtonDB). Metacritic 89.
Sid Meier's Civilization VI runs natively on Apple Silicon, with no extra software needed. Metacritic 88.
Total War: Warhammer III runs natively on Apple Silicon, with no extra software needed. Metacritic 86.
Frostpunk 2 runs natively on Apple Silicon, with no extra software needed. Metacritic 85.
Total War: Three Kingdoms has an official Mac build that runs on Apple Silicon through Rosetta 2. Metacritic 85.
Timberborn runs natively on Apple Silicon, with no extra software needed. Metacritic 85.
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition runs natively on Apple Silicon, with no extra software needed. Metacritic 84.
Frostpunk has no native build, but the Windows version plays on Mac through CrossOver (rated Gold on ProtonDB). Metacritic 84.
FTL: Faster Than Light has an official Mac build that runs on Apple Silicon through Rosetta 2. Metacritic 84.
Magic: The Gathering Arena has an official Mac build that runs on Apple Silicon through Rosetta 2. Metacritic 84.
Hearts of Iron IV has an official Mac build that runs on Apple Silicon through Rosetta 2. Metacritic 83.
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 has no native build, but the Windows version plays on Mac through CrossOver (rated Gold on ProtonDB). Metacritic 82.
Ratropolis has an official Mac build that runs on Apple Silicon through Rosetta 2. Metacritic 82.
Age of Wonders: Planetfall has an official Mac build that runs on Apple Silicon through Rosetta 2. Metacritic 81.
Northgard has an official Mac build that runs on Apple Silicon through Rosetta 2. Metacritic 81.
Barotrauma has an official Mac build that runs on Apple Silicon through Rosetta 2. Metacritic 81.
World of Warships has no native build, but the Windows version plays on Mac through CrossOver (rated Gold on ProtonDB). Metacritic 81.
Planet Zoo has no native build, but the Windows version plays on Mac through CrossOver (rated Gold on ProtonDB). Metacritic 81.
Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition has no native build, but the Windows version plays on Mac through CrossOver (rated Gold on ProtonDB). Metacritic 81.
Old World has an official Mac build that runs on Apple Silicon through Rosetta 2. Metacritic 80.
Company of Heroes 2 has an official Mac build that runs on Apple Silicon through Rosetta 2. Metacritic 80.
Teardown has no native build, but the Windows version plays on Mac through CrossOver (rated Gold on ProtonDB). Metacritic 80.
For The King has an official Mac build that runs on Apple Silicon through Rosetta 2. Metacritic 79.
Terra Nil runs natively on Apple Silicon, with no extra software needed. Metacritic 79.
Imperator: Rome has an official Mac build that runs on Apple Silicon through Rosetta 2. Metacritic 76.
Legends of Kingdom Rush runs natively on Apple Silicon, with no extra software needed. Metacritic 71.
Jurassic World Evolution has no native build, but the Windows version plays on Mac through CrossOver (rated Gold on ProtonDB). Metacritic 69.
Age of Empires II (Retired) has no native build, but the Windows version plays on Mac through CrossOver (rated Gold on ProtonDB). Metacritic 68.
Patrick's Parabox has an official Mac build that runs on Apple Silicon through Rosetta 2. Rated 99% positive on Steam.
Monster Prom 3: Monster Roadtrip has an official Mac build that runs on Apple Silicon through Rosetta 2. Rated 97% positive on Steam.
Monster Prom 4: Monster Con has an official Mac build that runs on Apple Silicon through Rosetta 2. Rated 99% positive on Steam.
Linelith has an official Mac build that runs on Apple Silicon through Rosetta 2. Rated 99% positive on Steam.
Dota Underlords has an official Mac build that runs on Apple Silicon through Rosetta 2. Rated 82% positive on Steam.
Victoria 3 runs natively on Apple Silicon, with no extra software needed. Rated 70% positive on Steam.
Pacify has an official Mac build that runs on Apple Silicon through Rosetta 2. Rated 86% positive on Steam.
RISK: Global Domination runs natively on Apple Silicon, with no extra software needed. Rated 79% positive on Steam.
ShellShock Live has an official Mac build that runs on Apple Silicon through Rosetta 2. Rated 93% positive on Steam.
20 Minutes Till Dawn has an official Mac build that runs on Apple Silicon through Rosetta 2. Rated 91% positive on Steam.
HUMANKIND™ has an official Mac build that runs on Apple Silicon through Rosetta 2. Rated 69% positive on Steam.
Blackwake has an official Mac build that runs on Apple Silicon through Rosetta 2. Rated 81% positive on Steam.
Schedule I has no native build, but the Windows version plays on Mac through CrossOver (rated Platinum on ProtonDB). Rated 98% positive on Steam.
Space Engineers has no native build, but the Windows version plays on Mac through CrossOver (rated Gold on ProtonDB). Rated 89% positive on Steam.
Dyson Sphere Program has no native build, but the Windows version plays on Mac through CrossOver (rated Platinum on ProtonDB). Rated 97% positive on Steam.
Cookie Clicker runs natively on Apple Silicon, with no extra software needed. Rated 96% positive on Steam.
Manor Lords has no native build, but the Windows version plays on Mac through CrossOver (rated Platinum on ProtonDB). Rated 84% positive on Steam.