Introduction
The Summer is in full swing; the sun is shining bright outside, the beach sands are glowing, and the outdoors are looking pretty inviting. But what if you just want to stay inside, blast that air conditioner, and just boot up some great video games to relax and pass the time before you inevitably have to go back to school, work, or any other obligation? Well, join me as I show you the 10 best strategy games to play and relax to during your Summer Vacations.
No AI was used while creating this article, and if you want to check out my other recommendation lists, go ahead. If you want more Summer recommendations, make sure to check these as well. What about you, dear reader? Do you have any particular game you enjoy booting up during Summer? Let me know in the comments down below!
10 – Aquapark Tycoon
Just released last month, Aquapark Tycoon slid its way into Early Access to what can only be described as a Very Positive reception! A couple of years back, I was actively looking after a waterpark-focused game, and I was extremely surprised to find out that there were really no great options there. Fortunately, in 2026, things are a bit different, with Planet Coaster 2 and now Aquarpark Tycoon. I have played its demo during the Steam Next Fest and instantly fell in love with it. It’s still in its early stages, and it’s a bit bare-bones, but what’s already on display is more than enough to justify a purchase and support the team.
9 – Corsair Cove
Another very recent entry, Corsair Cove comes from Hooded Horse, one of the best publishing houses around the strategy gaming space in 2026, and like all other games released by them, it was extremely well received by the strategy gaming community. Players take control of a titular Corsair Cove and are tasked with creating a haven for pirates on one hand, and reclaiming control of the seas on the other. To help players out, there’s a complex system of bridges, ziplines, and all other kinds of crazy pirate contraptions that make it possible within their lovely cove. One might not be able to go to the Caribbean Sea and spend a couple of weeks in its warm waters, but at least we have Corsair Cove, and this is the second best thing.
8 – Civilization VI
A turn-based strategy is always a relaxing affair in my opinion, but I would be hard-pressed to put something like Xenonauts or XCOM in here, especially considering that a lot of people love playing Ironman mode, and that RNG can be quite a cruel mistress. Fortunately, we have the best Civilization game (and 4X) of all time, Civilization VI, going on sale very often for around 5 bucks, and that makes it a great, cheap pick for anyone looking to commandeer the fate of their Civ across the ages. The game is also 10 years old, so it should be able to run on nearly all existing machines, making it a perfect portable option for laptops and Steam Decks.
