When it comes to strategy games on Mac, there are a lot of impressive choices. Some of these are available through Apple Arcade, while others are just a download away from the Mac App Store. Here are our current favorites.

The game now works (well!) with controllers, and it’s now possible to play through the entire game in split-screen co-op. There are a bunch of new items and abilities, the story has been. The best console controllers for playing games on a Mac It's a lot easier to play Mac games with a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One controller than you might think.

Civilization V

When it comes to turn-based strategy games, you can't do better than Sid Meier's series of Civilization titles. In this fifth edition, you begin with 20 historical leaders, and your job is to slowly take over the world from the dawn of man into the space age. Along the way, you'll get to discover surprising new civilizations and wonders, excellent gameplay systems, and much more.

Currently, Civilization V offers 10 in-app purchases, including Brave New World and Gods and Kings. With these options, you get to decide just how far you want to go through the game.

How far will you go?

Civilization V

Diplomacy or War?

Sid Meier's Civilization V offers a brilliant story that's advanced further with a lengthy listing of in-app purchases big and small.

Source: Aspyr Media, Inc.

And here we go again! Similar to the previous installments, Civilization VI has one goal for players: to create and maintain a lasting civilization. In this most recent installment, you achieve victory through military domination, technological superiority, or cultural influence. It offers a nice mix of new and old civilizations. There's also renewed emphasis on the terrain and fresh artificial intelligence mechanics for computer-controlled opponents.

The game's first expansion pack, Rise and Fall, features entry into a prosperous Golden Age and terrifying Dark Age. There's also a Heroic Age. The second expansion pack, The Gathering Storm, features ecosystem difficulties that could impact the entire planet, including floods, volcanoes, and more.

The newest in the series

Civilization VI

Bigger than ever

This game is the newest in the long Civilization series and was first introduced to Mac in 2016.

Source: Dinosaur Polo Club

Being stuck in traffic is never fun unless you're playing Mini Motorways! The strategy simulation game gives you the power to keep existing roads clear while also expanding your digital city by adding new locations and road networks.

Featuring different color modes, including colorblind and night, Mini Motorways is for anyone with an imagination. Better still, like all Apple Arcade games, it comes without in-app purchases or any additional costs.

They will come

Mini Motorways

Create your city

As your city expands, make sure it remains easy to get from point A to point B. Otherwise, no one will be happy.

Source: Feral Interactive

Offering 3D real-time battles on land and at sea, Total War: Empire allows you to lead one of 12 great nations. Your success is determined by your diplomatic skills and military force, when necessary. Set in the 18th century, the game allows you to conquer overseas territories to establish colonies and profitable trade networks. Along the way, you'll need to learn more about your enemies and beat them on the battlefield accordingly.

First introduced on Mac in 2014, Total War: Empire is the fifth installment in the Total War series, which, as a whole, comes recommended. The turn-based strategy game was released for Windows in 2009. Before purchasing the game, just check the Mac App Store for compatibility with your Mac, since some older machines aren't supported.

Non-stop action

Total War: Empire

How will you succeed?

Empire is a thrilling installment in the Total War series. Just make sure your Mac supports it!

Source: Blindflug

In this multi-player real-time strategy game, you are fighting for control of distant planets. You have just seven minutes to destroy your opposition or the world as you know it will collapse and explode right before your eyes.

To accomplish your goal, you slowly gain access to rockets, tanks, and stealth generators. Futuristic troops are also available if you can find a way to unlock them.

Stellar Commanders is currently one of the best-reviewed Apple Arcade games available. Download it today.

Fly those rockets

Stellar Commanders

The world needs your help

You have seven minutes until success or destruction. Which path will you take?

Source: Tortuga Team

Old-school meets the 21st century in this impressive turn-based strategy game from Tortuga Team. Featuring a unique system of dynamic turn-based battles that last no more than 15 minutes, Spaceland features 10 different enemies from alien animals to unnerving monsters.

Offering a squad of space rangers, each with a unique fighting style, the game includes an exciting backstory about a mysterious planet, which you must protect. Use rifles, machine guns, grenade launchers, and more to get the job done. Fail, and you must start again!

Single player fun

Spaceland

Protect this fascinating world

Shoot, kick, blow up, and destroy and achieve greatness in this Apple Arcade game.

Source: iMore

In This War of Mine, you aren't a great commander or a space fighter looking to protect the outer reaches of the universe. Instead, you're just one in a group of civilians trying to survive in a besieged city. Along the way, you must struggle with the lack of food, water, and medicine. At the same time, there's a constant worry that snipers and hostile scavengers could cause further pain.

This War of Mine has been well-received since it was first released and continues to receive kudos with each new expansion. While it's not necessarily a 'fun' game to play, per say, it tells a relevant and emotional story that should not be missed.

Can you survive?

The War of Mine

There's no escape

Can you find and explore all of the different outcomes of the game?

What's your favorite?

Strategy games and Macs go together well. Which games are you currently enjoying on your desktop or laptop? Let us know in the comments below. Perhaps we'll add it to our list on a future update!

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Apple is now redirecting (PRODUCT)RED purchases to COVID‑19 relief fund

Now through September 30, Apple is redirecting 100% of a portion of (PRODUCT)RED purchases to the Global Fund’s COVID‑19 Response.

While it’s pretty hard to find some worthwhile free games for Mac, it doesn’t mean that there is no free game for Mac. It just means the number is very low. However, the case of Free RPGs is different.

Just like we did in the Strategy Games for Mac, most of the titles are available via Steam. If you have Steam installed on your Mac, it will be easy to download and play these games. That said, here are some of the best role-playing games for Mac. Let’s begin.

Free RPG Games for Mac

1. Dota 2

One of the most-played game on Steam, Dota 2 is one of the best RPG titles for Mac. The game never keeps you bored, since there’s a lot to discover. You can become one of the Dota 2 heroes and keep exploring the world while combating with others. It’s a skill-based game, since there are no in-app purchases for talent or extra perks. You can choose the role and start playing. You are going to love the enhanced graphics and the big user-base that Dota 2 boasts.

System Requirements: Intel Dual Core, 4GB RAM, NVIDIA 320M, Radeon HD 2400 or Intel HD 3000 or higher, 15GB Storage space

2. Shakes and Fidget

If you are looking for a fun-filled, fantasy RPG, Shakes and Fidget should be your first stop. With a user-base of more than 50 Million, you will love its online battles too. Even when we keep the humor aside, the game offers a bunch of options like customizable characters, thousands of collectibles and hundreds of quests you can achieve. The game gives you a feel of being inside a comic book, which is great for role-playing. The title is comparatively newer, too.

System Requirements: Intel Pentium, 1GB RAM, 100MB Storage space

3. Tactical Monsters Rumble Arena

It’s been just four months since Tactical Monsters Rumble Arena was released. In the meantime, this game has become a superb choice of players across the globe. In this RPG, you have to use your strategy as well as tactical combat. Thanks to multiple playing modes, you can get your hands on real-time battles as well as normal missions. You have almost full control over monsters, who happen to have unique skills to. You are the winner if you know how to deal with them.

System Requirements: Intel Core 2 Duo, 512MB RAM, 512MB Video Memory, 500MB Storage space

4. The Lord of the Rings Online

The Lord of the Rings Online is one of the most popular MMORPGs for Mac, since thousands of players play this wonderful title. The game is awesome if you know anything about the popular series by JRR Tolkien. You can explore the Middle Earth and craft the perfect hero the land deserves. There are more than 105 ways to customize your hero, which is great. It also offers options like PvP battles and online arenas. It’s all about fun, and you get one visual treat too.

System Requirements: 2.0GHz Intel i5, 2GB RAM, Intel HD3000 or better, 25 GB Storage space

Check Out The Lord of the Rings Online

5. Spiral Knights

Spiral Knights calls itself a co-operative adventure, for a good reason. You have to team up with the knights who are stranded in an alien planet. The plot progresses as you explore this amazing planet and what stays under the seen surface. While the character customization isn’t the best, your Knight gets to compete with others in this game. Of course, the core of Spiral Knights is in multiplayer combat, and you should not miss that.

System Requirements: 1.3GHz Processor, 1GB RAM, 64MB Video Memory, 700MB Storage space

6. GuildWars 2

GuildWars 2 is another massively multiplayer online RPG for Mac devices out there. It’s definitely more than a simple multiplayer game, thanks to the wonderful community it has got. Released back in 2012, GuildWars 2 has been the favorite of those who need a real-life role-playing gaming experience. There are various races in the game, and you — if you are a beginner — surely need some catching up. It offers multiple modes such as the PvP one.

System Requirements: Intel Core i5 or better, 4GB RAM, 50GB Storage space, GeForce 320MATI, Radeon HD 6630M, Intel HD 3000 or better.

7. Trove

Trove is an open-world, action-based role-playing game that you can play on Mac. It lets you explore a world that isn’t restricted to earth. As the hero character, Trove wants you to rescue the multiverse from threats as well. There are different classes like Knights, Pirates and a lot of realms you can explore. Trove also comes with a bunch of world-building and strategy-based elements. You can take care of loots, build more stuff and get rich on the way.

System Requirements: Core i5, 1GB RAM, Intel HD 4000, 1GB Storage space

8. SMITE

With more than 25 Million players on the board, SMITE brings an awesome combination of role-playing and action. If you know the ancient mythology — Thor from Norse, for instance —, you will love the storyline of this title. You can choose one of the mythological characters as well as their skills. The game is fast-paced, in addition to the collectible and open-combat arena. You can get into the battleground and win if you want to move on. SMITE gets regularly updated too.

System Requirements: Core 2 Duo, 2GB RAM, 512MB Video Memory, 10GB Storage Space

9. SAS: Zombie Assault 4

Released in 2017, SAS: Zombie Assault 4 is one of the high-end action RPGs for Mac. When a virus outbreak has turned almost every human into zombies, you can take up the role of the savior and fight them. The title offers three roles you can play. Of course, SAS: Zombie Assault 4 is more about the action and combat, but its RPG-like upgrades and features are unbeatable. Fast-paced gameplay and collectibles and loot support and some reasons why people love this RPG.

System Requirements: 2GHz Processor, 1GB RAM, OpenGL Graphics, 512MB Storage space

10. Gaytective

Here’s a different title from the role-playing game category. In this game, you take up the role of a detective. Wait, you are not going to solve any murders. On the other hand, the detective has to talk to some people and tell if they are homosexual. The title comes with the retro outlook and some cool dialogues with others as well as the lady who hired you. Gaytective is all about interaction and dialogues, but it’s a small game. You should check this if you’re looking for pure fun.

System Requirements: Nothing specified, it’s a small game, works perfectly on 2015-late MacBook Air

11. Pixel Dungeon

Just to clarify, we are talking about Pixel Dungeon for Desktop, which is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. You can enjoy the same awesome gameplay that you used to get in Android. One of the best RPGs for Android, Pixel Dungeon is noted for the pixel-art and simple interface. You can choose a character, who will be exploring the dungeon and killing all the bad stuff on the way. There are also some collectibles you get in the long run.

System Requirements: Nothing specified, Pixel Dungeon is really minimal

12. Realm of the Mad God

At the first look, Realm of the Mad God is a simple pixel-art-based game. However, it has some of the coolest gameplay. In case you did not know, it’s one of the MMORPGs as well. You can focus on action and battle, but there are always some RPG elements in the game. The game also features some options like looting and team-up battles. But, what really matters is whether your character is powerful enough to take up all those challenges.

System Requirements: Intel Core Duo or later, 1GB RAM, 100MB Storage space

13. RuneScape

RuneScape is a free-to-play, fantasy-based MMORPG available for Mac and other platforms. Once you have downloaded the client and have created an account, the adventure starts. It also happens to be the most popular free MMORPG. RuneScape also comes with a huge-enough community, where thousands are online. Unlike many of the RPGs we listed, RuneScape is pretty huge and there is a lot to explore. It starts at the island of Ashdale and explores further.

System Requirements: It varies depending on the detail level. High Details require i5/i7, 4GB RAM and NVIDIA or ATI Radeon dedicated graphics

14. Clicker Heroes

Clicker Heroes is an impressive casual clicker game with some great RPG elements in it. All you do is clicking with your mouse, but there are different characters and enemies to choose from. Clicker Heroes also comes with some great strategy stuff and a visually-pleasing design. You can also keep hiring different heroes who have better skills to offer. Altogether, although not completely an RPG, Clicker Heroes is one of the superb choices for Mac.

The Best Games To Play On Pc For Free

System Requirements: Intel Core Duo, 512MB RAM, 90MB Storage

15. MINDNIGHT

Best Games To Play On Mac 2019

With this popular online multiplayer, we end our list of the best free RPG games for Mac. MINDNIGHT works by assigning you a random role — either a Hacker or Agents. The idea is to defeat the other so that you can succeed. The best part about MINDNIGHT is that it offers a lot of things like communication systems and hi-tech stuff. Please note that MINDNIGHT is set in a distant future, where your cyberpunk dreams come true. It is a highly-addictive title too.

System Requirements: Dual Core Processor, 1GB RAM, 512MB Graphics, 120MB Space

Wrapping Up: RPG Games for Mac

Most of the above-mentioned RPGs offer online PvP mode, which is great. Also, some of them are a combo of RPG, Strategy and action gaming so that you don’t get bored. We have also tried to include games that are completely free, instead of those with thousands of in-app purchases. Still, if you think we missed some great free RPG, do let us know via comments.