Strategy games require the player to take on a leadership role, such as a general, king or warlord, and oversee every detail of a nation's development. Generally, these games require the user to move and deploy troops or units, manage resources and attain set goals. The most popular games in this genre are the Real-Time Strategy titles, like the acclaimed "Civilization" series from Microprose, which feature 3D polygonal graphics and real-time action. This means that while you are building a base or mining minerals, your opponent is simultaneously organizing an attack. This style of game-play relies on quick thinking and swift reflexes to manage everything as efficiently as possible.

Equally popular are the "Turn-Based" Strategy games. While they, too, often feature 3D polygonal graphics, they differ from thier Real-Time counterparts by allowing the player to carefully plan out movements before ending a turn. These games rely on thinking rather than the quick reflexes associated with Real-Time Strategy games. However, both types usually include elements such as building structures, checking maps, creating troops or vehicles, plotting movements and issuing commands.

Another well-known Strategy style is "Empire Building." These games challenge the user to develop empires or civilizations that can last for decades or even centuries. Build and populate cities, create governments and plan for the long-term future of your realm. Many players who begin with these games soon crave more complex challenges and gravitate toward Multi-Player, On-line Strategy games. Designed specifically to be played online, these games can often support hundreds of players at once. This style usually calls for each player to directly control one aspect of the on-line senario and to combine efforts with other players in order to win. If you are enthralled by complex challenges, these on-line games might be for you. But whatever your taste in Strategy, there is always games out there to slake your thirst.