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- Best overall: Xbox Game Studios Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition (Xbox Series X|S)
- Best budget: Ubisoft The Settlers: New Allies Standard Edition (PC)
- Best premium: Ubisoft Anno 1800 Console Edition (PS5)
- Best for fantasy campaigns: Ubisoft Might & Magic Heroes VII Standard Edition (PC)
- The Settlers: New Allies suits players who want accessible city-building and real-time strategy across four listed platforms.
- Might & Magic Heroes VII is a stronger match for fantasy campaigns, turn-based battles, and six distinct factions.
- Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition is the best fit here for players who want historical real-time strategy on Xbox.
- Compare platform, play style, and multiplayer needs before choosing a Black Friday 2026 strategy game.
The Settlers: New Allies and Might & Magic Heroes VII offer two very different strategy experiences: one centers on building and real-time resource management, while the other pairs fantasy exploration with turn-based battles. For Black Friday 2026, I researched and compared specs, reviews and owner feedback to make the choice easier.
The Settlers: New Allies is a strong pick for players who want a modern, approachable settlement builder. Might & Magic Heroes VII is the better fit for fantasy fans who enjoy thoughtful, turn-based decisions. Below, you’ll also find five alternatives, including Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition and Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, plus platform and play-style comparisons.
How We Picked
- Genre fit: We separated settlement building, real-time strategy, turn-based tactics, and grand strategy so each game has a clear audience.
- Platform access: We compared the listed platform and edition for each full product name.
- Replay and campaign appeal: We considered the variety of modes, factions, and strategy choices described for each game.
- Buyer feedback: We researched and compared specs, reviews and owner feedback rather than relying on a single review score.
- Black Friday usefulness: We favored recognizable strategy games with distinct reasons to choose them, from accessible play to deep campaign planning.
Comparison Table
| Product | Best for | Release year | Platform | Key count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ubisoft The Settlers: New Allies Standard Edition (PC) | Accessible settlement strategy | 2023 | PC | 3 factions |
| Ubisoft Might & Magic Heroes VII Standard Edition (PC) | Fantasy turn-based battles | 2015 | PC | 6 factions |
| Ubisoft Might & Magic X – Legacy Deluxe Edition (PC) | Classic fantasy party adventure | 2014 | PC | 4 heroes |
| Ubisoft Anno 1800 Console Edition (PS5) | Console economic city-building | 2023 | PS5 | 4 campaign chapters |
| Xbox Game Studios Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition (Xbox Series X|S) | Historical real-time strategy | 2022 | Xbox Series X|S | 4 campaigns |
| 2K Sid Meier’s Civilization VII Standard Edition (PS5) | Turn-based empire building | 2025 | PS5 | 3 ages |
| Shiro Games Northgard Standard Edition (Nintendo Switch) | Portable settlement strategy | 2019 | Nintendo Switch | 6 clans |
Best Picks Reviewed
#1
Ubisoft The Settlers: New Allies Standard Edition (PC)
The Ubisoft The Settlers: New Allies Standard Edition (PC) is the best entry point for players who want accessible real-time settlement strategy, with 3 playable factions. The Ubisoft The Settlers: New Allies Standard Edition (PC)'s resource chains and base-building give each match a clear, satisfying loop.
Best for: Accessible settlement building and real-time strategy
- Release year
- 2023
- Playable factions
- 3
- Edition
- Standard
- Platform
- PC
- Clear resource and settlement-building focus
- Three factions add variety
- Good fit for strategy newcomers
- Less suited to players seeking deep fantasy role-playing
Is Ubisoft The Settlers: New Allies Standard Edition (PC) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Ubisoft The Settlers: New Allies Standard Edition (PC) is worth considering for players who enjoy real-time settlement building. The three factions offer distinct starting identities, while resource management and expansion keep the strategy focused and easy to follow.
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#2
Ubisoft Might & Magic Heroes VII Standard Edition (PC)
The Ubisoft Might & Magic Heroes VII Standard Edition (PC) is the best fantasy strategy pick for players who favor turn-based battles, with 6 factions to explore. The Ubisoft Might & Magic Heroes VII Standard Edition (PC)'s hero development and tactical combat reward careful planning over fast inputs.
Best for: Fantasy campaigns and tactical turn-based combat
- Release year
- 2015
- Factions
- 6
- Edition
- Standard
- Platform
- PC
- Six factions support varied approaches
- Turn-based battles allow deliberate decisions
- Strong fantasy setting
- PC-only listing limits platform choice
Is Ubisoft Might & Magic Heroes VII Standard Edition (PC) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Ubisoft Might & Magic Heroes VII Standard Edition (PC) is a good match for fantasy fans who want tactical, turn-based battles. Six factions and hero progression give campaigns room to develop, while its PC format suits players who prefer mouse-and-keyboard strategy.
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#3
Ubisoft Might & Magic X – Legacy Deluxe Edition (PC)
The Ubisoft Might & Magic X – Legacy Deluxe Edition (PC) is the best pick for players who want a first-person fantasy party adventure, with 4 heroes in the player’s party. The classic grid-based movement gives exploration a deliberate, old-school rhythm.
Best for: Old-school fantasy exploration and party building
- Release year
- 2014
- Party size
- 4 heroes
- Edition
- Deluxe
- Platform
- PC
- Four-character party building
- First-person fantasy exploration
- Deluxe edition adds bundled content
- A slower, old-school format is not for every player
Is Ubisoft Might & Magic X – Legacy Deluxe Edition (PC) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Ubisoft Might & Magic X – Legacy Deluxe Edition (PC) is a worthwhile choice for players who enjoy classic first-person role-playing and party management. The Ubisoft Might & Magic X – Legacy Deluxe Edition (PC)'s four-hero party and grid-based exploration create a different experience from the series’ large-scale turn-based strategy games.
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#4
Ubisoft Anno 1800 Console Edition (PS5)
The Ubisoft Anno 1800 Console Edition (PS5) is the best city-building pick for console players who want layered economic planning, with 4 campaign chapters. Production chains and island expansion give long sessions a steady stream of strategic decisions.
Best for: Console city-building and economic strategy
- Release year
- 2023
- Campaign chapters
- 4
- Edition
- Console Edition
- Platform
- PS5
- Detailed production-chain planning
- Island expansion gives a strong sense of growth
- Built for console play
- Complex systems ask for patience from newcomers
Is Ubisoft Anno 1800 Console Edition (PS5) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Ubisoft Anno 1800 Console Edition (PS5) is a strong choice for console players who like city-building with economic depth. Four campaign chapters introduce its systems, while island development and connected production chains provide plenty of long-term planning.
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#5 · Top pick
Xbox Game Studios Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition (Xbox Series X|S)
The Xbox Game Studios Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition (Xbox Series X|S) is the best historical real-time strategy pick for Xbox players, with 4 campaigns. The Xbox Game Studios Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition (Xbox Series X|S)'s civilizations, base-building, and battlefield choices make it a natural alternative for Settlers fans seeking more direct combat.
Best for: Historical real-time strategy on Xbox
- Release year
- 2022
- Campaigns
- 4
- Edition
- Anniversary Edition
- Platform
- Xbox Series X|S
- Four campaigns offer historical variety
- Combines economy, expansion, and combat
- Designed for Xbox Series consoles
- More combat-forward than a settlement-focused game
Is Xbox Game Studios Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition (Xbox Series X|S) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Xbox Game Studios Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition (Xbox Series X|S) is a solid choice for players who want historical real-time strategy on console. Four campaigns and a mix of economy, expansion, and combat make it a versatile alternative to The Settlers: New Allies.
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#6
2K Sid Meier’s Civilization VII Standard Edition (PS5)
The 2K Sid Meier’s Civilization VII Standard Edition (PS5) is the best long-session strategy pick for players who enjoy building an empire across 3 ages. The 2K Sid Meier’s Civilization VII Standard Edition (PS5)'s turn-based structure gives each move room for diplomacy, development, and competition.
Best for: Turn-based empire building on PS5
- Release year
- 2025
- Ages
- 3
- Edition
- Standard
- Platform
- PS5
- Three-age structure shapes each campaign
- Turn-based play suits thoughtful planning
- Empire-building offers broad strategic choices
- A wider grand-strategy scope differs from direct settlement management
Is 2K Sid Meier’s Civilization VII Standard Edition (PS5) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
2K Sid Meier’s Civilization VII Standard Edition (PS5) is a strong option for players who want turn-based empire management. The 2K Sid Meier’s Civilization VII Standard Edition (PS5)'s three ages create a broad campaign arc, and the PS5 edition suits console players who prefer planning moves at their own pace.
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#7
Shiro Games Northgard Standard Edition (Nintendo Switch)
The Shiro Games Northgard Standard Edition (Nintendo Switch) is the best portable strategy pick for players who want settlement management with Norse mythology, with 6 clans to choose from. The Shiro Games Northgard Standard Edition (Nintendo Switch)'s compact map-based sessions suit handheld play.
Best for: Portable settlement strategy and Norse mythology
- Release year
- 2019
- Clans
- 6
- Edition
- Standard
- Platform
- Nintendo Switch
- Six clans support different play styles
- Portable format suits short sessions
- Blends settlement growth and survival
- Smaller scale than sprawling empire builders
Is Shiro Games Northgard Standard Edition (Nintendo Switch) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Shiro Games Northgard Standard Edition (Nintendo Switch) is a good pick for handheld players who enjoy settlement management with a survival edge. Six clans offer different strategic identities, and the map-based format makes its sessions easy to pick up and continue.
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Which is better, The Settlers: New Allies or Might & Magic Heroes VII?
The Settlers: New Allies and Might & Magic Heroes VII are best for different strategy tastes: The Settlers: New Allies emphasizes settlement growth, while Might & Magic Heroes VII focuses on fantasy factions and turn-based battles. Choose based on the decisions you want to make most often.
The Settlers: New Allies keeps attention on gathering resources, developing a settlement, and expanding its economy in real time. Three factions provide variation without changing the core focus. Might & Magic Heroes VII shifts the pace: players develop heroes, explore a fantasy world, and plan battles one turn at a time across six factions.
Here's the bottom line: pick The Settlers: New Allies for city-building and real-time momentum. Pick Might & Magic Heroes VII for fantasy campaigns and tactical combat. Players who want both approaches can start with the game that matches their preferred platform and add the other as a contrasting strategy experience.
Is The Settlers: New Allies a good game for strategy beginners?
The Settlers: New Allies is a good starting point for strategy newcomers who want resource management and settlement building presented as a clear central loop. The game’s three factions offer different identities, while the basic appeal remains easy to explain: develop a base, manage resources, and expand.
New players should expect real-time decisions rather than the pause-and-plan rhythm of a turn-based game. That pace gives matches energy, but players who prefer to consider every move without a clock will find Might & Magic Heroes VII or Sid Meier’s Civilization VII a closer fit.
For a first strategy purchase, compare the platform and preferred pace before choosing. The Settlers: New Allies works for players drawn to building and steady expansion. Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition adds a stronger historical combat focus for players ready for more battlefield pressure.
What makes Might & Magic Heroes VII different from Might & Magic X – Legacy?
Might & Magic Heroes VII is a turn-based fantasy strategy game, while Might & Magic X – Legacy is a first-person party role-playing adventure with a 4-hero party. The shared series name links their fantasy worlds, but their core gameplay and pacing are distinct.
Choose Might & Magic Heroes VII for faction choices, hero development, and tactical army battles. Choose Might & Magic X – Legacy for dungeon exploration, party composition, and a more traditional role-playing structure. The Deluxe Edition listing identifies a bundled edition, so check the included content for the exact storefront version.
Both products in this guide are PC editions. That makes platform less of a deciding factor than genre: strategy fans who want to command forces should start with Heroes VII, while players who want to explore in first person should look at X – Legacy.
Which strategy game is best for console players?
Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition is the strongest historical real-time strategy choice on Xbox Series X|S, while Anno 1800 Console Edition and Sid Meier’s Civilization VII give PS5 players distinct city-building and turn-based options. Console preference narrows the field quickly.
Choose Anno 1800 Console Edition for economic chains and island development. Choose Sid Meier’s Civilization VII for empire growth across three ages and turn-based decisions. Xbox players seeking battles, base-building, and four campaigns should look at Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition.
Northgard Standard Edition brings settlement management to Nintendo Switch. Its six clans and portable format suit players who value handheld access. Check each full edition and platform listing before buying, especially when comparing console versions with PC editions.
What should strategy-game shoppers compare for Black Friday 2026?
Black Friday 2026 strategy-game shoppers should compare platform, edition, and gameplay pace before choosing a title. A familiar series name does not guarantee a familiar genre: Might & Magic Heroes VII and Might & Magic X – Legacy share a universe but play very differently.
Start with your hardware. The products here include PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch versions. Next, identify the experience you want: real-time settlement building, turn-based battles, economic city management, or long-form empire development. Then check whether the product name specifies Standard, Deluxe, Console, or Anniversary Edition.
Worth it for most players. A strategy game makes a stronger purchase when its main loop matches your usual play style. Use the comparison table and product cards to shortlist the right genre first, then confirm the platform and edition on the retailer’s listing.
Buying Guide
Choose the strategy pace you enjoy
Real-time games such as The Settlers: New Allies and Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition keep decisions moving. Turn-based games such as Might & Magic Heroes VII and Sid Meier’s Civilization VII give each move more breathing room.
Match the game to your platform
The Settlers: New Allies, Might & Magic Heroes VII, and Might & Magic X – Legacy are listed here as PC editions. Anno 1800 and Civilization VII are PS5 picks; Age of Empires IV is for Xbox Series X|S; Northgard is for Nintendo Switch.
Check the edition name
Standard, Deluxe, Console, and Anniversary editions identify different product listings. Review the included content and supported platform before checkout, especially when comparing a PC version with a console edition.
Pick a clear reason to buy
For settlement building, start with The Settlers: New Allies or Northgard. For fantasy strategy, choose Might & Magic Heroes VII. For console economy management, consider Anno 1800. A precise match beats choosing only by franchise name.
FAQ
The Settlers: New Allies vs Might & Magic Heroes VII: which should I choose?
Choose The Settlers: New Allies for real-time settlement building and resource management. Choose Might & Magic Heroes VII for fantasy campaigns, six factions, and turn-based battles. Both games reward planning, but their genres and moment-to-moment pace are different.
Is The Settlers: New Allies available on console?
The Settlers: New Allies is available across PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch listings. Confirm the exact edition and storefront platform before purchase, since availability and product packaging vary by retailer.
Is Might & Magic Heroes VII the same type of game as Might & Magic X – Legacy?
Might & Magic Heroes VII is a turn-based fantasy strategy game built around heroes, factions, and battles. Might & Magic X – Legacy is a first-person fantasy role-playing adventure with a four-hero party. The series connects them, but the gameplay is different.
Which strategy game on this list is best for PS5?
Anno 1800 Console Edition is the PS5 pick for economic city-building and island growth. Sid Meier’s Civilization VII Standard Edition is the PS5 choice for turn-based empire development across three ages. Pick the one that best matches your preferred strategy pace.
Which game is best for handheld strategy play?
Shiro Games Northgard Standard Edition is the Nintendo Switch choice in this guide. Six clans offer different approaches to settlement and survival, while the handheld platform suits players who want strategy sessions away from a desktop or television.