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- Best overall: Xbox Game Studios Age of Mythology: Retold Standard Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC
- Best budget: Xbox Game Studios Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S
- Best premium: Xbox Game Studios Age of Mythology: Retold Premium Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC
- Xbox Game Studios State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S: 11 bit studios Frostpunk 2 Standard Edition for Xbox Series X|S
- State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition is the pick for zombie survival and four-player co-op.
- Age of Mythology: Retold is the stronger choice for mythic real-time strategy and a 50-mission campaign.
- Age of Mythology: Retold Premium Edition suits players who want the base game with added content.
- Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition and Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition offer historical strategy alternatives.
- Frostpunk 2 and They Are Billions suit players who want survival planning with a city-building or tower-defense edge.
State of Decay 2 vs Age of Mythology: Retold is a choice between zombie survival and mythic strategy, not a contest between two versions of the same game. For Black Friday 2026, I researched and compared specs, reviews and owner feedback across seven picks, from co-op survival to civilization-building campaigns. The right game depends on whether you want to scavenge for supplies, command armies or keep a city alive.
State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition leads for squad-based survival, while Age of Mythology: Retold Standard Edition is the better match for myth-driven real-time strategy. The rest of this guide adds premium editions and related games for players who want deeper historical campaigns, harsher survival systems or a different scale of strategy. Here's the bottom line: choose the game loop you will return to, then match the edition and platform to your setup.
How We Picked
- Compared each game’s core genre, campaign structure and replay options.
- Checked platform availability and multiplayer details to separate solo picks from co-op options.
- Prioritized clear, distinctive reasons to choose each title, rather than treating every strategy game as interchangeable.
- Considered edition content so standard and premium versions have a clear purpose.
- Researched and compared specs, reviews and owner feedback; recommendations do not rely on research.
Comparison Table
Best Picks Reviewed
#1
Xbox Game Studios State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S
The Xbox Game Studios State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S is the best survival pick for players who want 4-player co-op. The five-map sandbox rewards scavenging, base management and careful choices.
Best for: Zombie survival and co-op
- Platforms
- 2 Xbox generations
- Co-op
- Up to 4 players
- Maps
- 5
- Flexible sandbox survival
- Supports four-player co-op
- Includes the Juggernaut Edition content
- Combat and resource runs can feel repetitive
Is State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Xbox Game Studios State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S is worth buying for players who want a replayable zombie sandbox. The Xbox Game Studios State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S's five maps, base management and 4-player co-op give groups plenty to plan together.
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#2 · Top pick
Xbox Game Studios Age of Mythology: Retold Standard Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC
The Xbox Game Studios Age of Mythology: Retold Standard Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC is the best mythic RTS pick for players who want a focused campaign. Four mythological cultures shape its armies, gods and strategy.
Best for: Mythology and real-time strategy
- Platforms
- 2
- Core cultures
- 4
- Campaign missions
- 50
- Combines familiar RTS play with mythic powers
- Offers a substantial campaign
- Available on Xbox and Windows PC
- Premium add-on content is not included
Is Age of Mythology: Retold Standard Edition worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Xbox Game Studios Age of Mythology: Retold Standard Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC is worth buying for players who want mythic real-time strategy without premium add-ons. Four cultures and a 50-mission campaign provide a strong foundation.
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#3
Xbox Game Studios Age of Mythology: Retold Premium Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC
The Xbox Game Studios Age of Mythology: Retold Premium Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC is the best expanded-edition pick for mythology fans who want extra content alongside the base game. The package adds multiple bonus content items.
Best for: Players who want the expanded edition
- Platforms
- 2
- Core cultures
- 4
- Edition type
- 1 premium package
- Includes the full base game
- Adds bonus content beyond the standard edition
- Keeps the same core campaign and strategy systems
- Extra content is less important for players focused only on the base campaign
Is Age of Mythology: Retold Premium Edition worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Xbox Game Studios Age of Mythology: Retold Premium Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC is worth buying for fans who want the base game and added content in one package. Choose Standard Edition if the core campaign is all you need.
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#4
Xbox Game Studios Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC
The Xbox Game Studios Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC is the best historical RTS pick for players who want varied factions and campaigns. Ten civilizations give matchups distinct strategic identities.
Best for: Historical RTS and faction variety
- Platforms
- 2
- Civilizations
- 10
- Campaigns
- 4
- Distinct civilizations encourage varied strategies
- Includes four campaign stories
- Works for solo and multiplayer play
- Historical warfare offers less fantasy than Age of Mythology
Is Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Xbox Game Studios Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC is worth buying for players who want historical real-time strategy. Ten civilizations and four campaigns provide clear variety for both solo play and multiplayer.
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#5
Xbox Game Studios Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S
The Xbox Game Studios Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S is the best value-oriented RTS pick for players who want a deep historical game. The Xbox Game Studios Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S's campaign library spans dozens of story paths.
Best for: Long-term historical strategy
- Platforms
- 2 Xbox generations
- Players
- Up to 8 online
- Game types
- 2 core modes: campaign and multiplayer
- Large selection of campaigns
- Supports online multiplayer
- A strong fit for classic RTS fans
- The interface and pacing feel older than newer RTS games
Is Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Xbox Game Studios Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S is worth buying for players who want extensive historical strategy. Campaign and multiplayer modes support long sessions, while its classic design rewards patient planning.
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#6
Numantian Games They Are Billions for Windows PC
The Numantian Games They Are Billions for Windows PC is the best pick for players who want base building under constant pressure. The Numantian Games They Are Billions for Windows PC's campaign includes 48 missions, with zombie hordes demanding tight defenses and resource planning.
Best for: Zombie defense and base building
- Platform
- 1: Windows PC
- Campaign missions
- 48
- Core modes
- 2
- Tense defense-focused strategy
- Campaign offers 48 missions
- Useful pick for players who enjoy difficult planning
- No co-op campaign
Is They Are Billions worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Numantian Games They Are Billions for Windows PC is worth buying for strategy fans who enjoy defending settlements from zombie waves. The 48-mission campaign emphasizes preparation and efficient building, but players seeking co-op should choose another game.
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#7
11 bit studios Frostpunk 2 Standard Edition for Xbox Series X|S
The 11 bit studios Frostpunk 2 Standard Edition for Xbox Series X|S is the best city-survival pick for players who want difficult social decisions. Two core modes pair a narrative campaign with an open-ended city-building option.
Best for: City survival and tough decisions
- Platform
- 1: Xbox Series X|S
- Core modes
- 2
- Players
- 1
- City building ties into hard political choices
- Campaign and sandbox-style modes add variety
- A distinct alternative to combat-focused strategy
- The bleak tone and management pressure are not for every player
Is Frostpunk 2 worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
11 bit studios Frostpunk 2 Standard Edition for Xbox Series X|S is worth buying for solo players who enjoy city management and consequential decisions. The 11 bit studios Frostpunk 2 Standard Edition for Xbox Series X|S's two core modes deliver a narrative campaign and an open-ended approach to survival.
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Which game is better: State of Decay 2 or Age of Mythology: Retold?
State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition is better for players who want zombie survival, base management and co-op for up to 4 players. Age of Mythology: Retold is better for players who want real-time strategy, mythic armies and a 50-mission campaign. The games serve different moods, so genre is the deciding factor.
Pick State of Decay 2 for scavenging runs, survivor management and shared survival stories. Pick Age of Mythology: Retold for building an army, expanding an economy and using god powers to turn a battle. Both suit replay, but State of Decay 2 leans on sandbox sessions while Age of Mythology: Retold has a clear campaign structure.
Which edition of Age of Mythology: Retold should you buy?
Age of Mythology: Retold Standard Edition is the right pick for players who want the base game, four mythological cultures and its campaign. Age of Mythology: Retold Premium Edition is for fans who want extra content bundled with the base experience. The standard edition keeps the choice simple for players focused on the core RTS.
Compare the edition contents before choosing, especially if bonus content is important to your plan. Both editions share the same central strategy experience, so premium is not a requirement for enjoying the main campaign. For a first strategy game, the Standard Edition gives a direct route into the core systems.
Which game is best for co-op on Xbox?
State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition is the strongest co-op pick here, with support for up to 4 players. Squadmates can help gather supplies, defend a base and handle threats together, making it the clearest choice for a group looking for a shared survival game.
Age of Mythology: Retold and the Age of Empires titles focus on real-time strategy rather than co-op survival. They fit players who want to plan armies and play online, while They Are Billions and Frostpunk 2 are mainly solo experiences. Check each game’s platform and multiplayer details before buying for a specific group.
What are the best alternatives to Age of Mythology: Retold?
Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition is the closest alternative for players who want modern historical RTS, with 10 civilizations and 4 campaigns. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition suits players who want a classic strategy foundation and a broad library of campaigns. Both shift the setting away from mythology.
They Are Billions is a better fit for defense-focused play, with 48 campaign missions built around surviving zombie attacks. Frostpunk 2 trades battlefield tactics for city management and difficult decisions. Choose by the challenge you want: commanding armies, holding a settlement or governing a frozen city.
What should you compare before choosing a Black Friday 2026 game?
Compare the platform first: State of Decay 2 and the Xbox editions of Age of Empires II work across 2 Xbox generations, while several other picks target Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC. Confirm the store listing matches your console or computer before checkout.
Next, choose a game loop and player count. State of Decay 2 supports 4-player co-op; Age of Mythology: Retold centers on campaign and RTS battles; Frostpunk 2 focuses on solo city survival. Review the exact edition contents and multiplayer support so the game fits your plans.
Buying Guide
Start with the genre
Choose survival for State of Decay 2, mythic RTS for Age of Mythology: Retold, historical strategy for Age of Empires, zombie defense for They Are Billions or city management for Frostpunk 2.
Match the platform
Check the product listing for your exact Xbox generation or Windows PC. Platform names in the product title identify the intended version; do not assume every edition supports every device.
Choose solo or co-op
State of Decay 2 supports up to 4-player co-op. Frostpunk 2 and They Are Billions are solo-focused choices. Check multiplayer details for strategy titles if online play is central to your decision.
Compare standard and premium content
Age of Mythology: Retold Premium Edition adds content beyond the base game. Select it for bundled extras; choose the Standard Edition when the main campaign and core strategy are your priorities.
Check the exact store edition
Before buying, confirm the full title, platform, edition and included content on the retailer’s listing. A correct match helps avoid ordering a version meant for another system.
FAQ
Is State of Decay 2 better than Age of Mythology: Retold?
State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition is better for zombie survival and 4-player co-op, while Age of Mythology: Retold is better for mythic real-time strategy. Choose based on whether you want to manage survivors or command armies.
Does State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition have co-op?
Yes. Xbox Game Studios State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition supports co-op for up to 4 players. The group shares survival sessions built around scavenging, base defense and fighting zombie threats across its maps.
How many missions are in Age of Mythology: Retold?
Xbox Game Studios Age of Mythology: Retold features a 50-mission campaign. The campaign pairs mythological storytelling with real-time strategy, letting players build armies and use divine powers across its four core cultures.
What is the difference between Age of Mythology: Retold Standard and Premium Edition?
Age of Mythology: Retold Standard Edition contains the base game, while Premium Edition includes the base game with additional content. Players focused on the main campaign can choose Standard; fans who want bundled extras can choose Premium.
Which games in this guide are available on Xbox Series X|S?
Age of Mythology: Retold, Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition and Frostpunk 2 are listed for Xbox Series X|S. State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition and Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition also support Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
Which game is best for a solo strategy player?
Age of Mythology: Retold is a strong solo strategy pick for players who want a 50-mission campaign and mythic battles. Frostpunk 2 is a better match for city management, while They Are Billions focuses on defending settlements from zombie hordes.