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Best Strategy Game
2009 proved to be a remarkably diverse year for strategy games across all platforms. Whether it's guiding the life of a virtual family, combating the zombie apocalypse with flowers, or battling aliens on a series of comets, what our nominees share are the near-constant need for strategic planning and the satisfying rewards for smart decision-making.
Editorial Nominees
Editors' Choice Winner
Click to reveal winner
Readers' Choice Voting
- Winner
- Results
And the winner is…
The Sims 3
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
- Developer: The Sims Studio
The Sims 3 allows you to immerse your unique Sims in an open living neighborhood right outside their door. The initial feature-set unveiled includes the new seamless, open neighborhood, new Create-A-Sim, new realistic personalities(every Sim is a unique person, with a distinct personality) and new unlimited customization, You can customize everything!
| Info | Title | Vote Result Graph | % of Votes | # of Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
The Sims 3 |
26% | 5,724 | |
|
Comet Crash |
4% | 904 | |
|
Dawn of Discovery |
7% | 1,538 | |
|
Plants vs. Zombies |
21% | 4,578 | |
|
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II |
23% | 5,163 | |
|
Little King's Story |
3% | 612 | |
|
Hearts of Iron III |
2% | 363 | |
|
Empire: Total War |
12% | 2,731 | |
|
PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe |
2% | 444 | |
|
Defense Grid: The Awakening |
1% | 230 |
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417 comments
Holy crap i was mad when sims 3 got editor's choice award, but now even the readers!? Sims 3 isnt a strategy game!! DOW 2 is a million times better!
For all that wonder, Sims 3 was put in there because no other simulators came this year. Else, they would have a different category. And it totally deserved this award.
GS probably put Sims 3 in this category just so the game can get an award for something
@parrot of adun: Well, I agree with that. When it comes to more stimulating strategy aspects, Anno and Warhammer offer more. Strategy is more needed in them. But simulators still need strategy, just not at the same level. It would be much like JRPGs and WRPGs: large differences, same genre.
@calvinsora Well there's definitely overlap for most genre's, and I suppose there's no definitive resolution for that. But in regard to which game provides a better strategy experience? Anno or Warhammer definitely win there. You may argue that the Sims is overall a better game, but the game just doesn't rely on strategy to a degree that would make it's implementation superior to that of it's competition. Don't use strategy in the Sims? It will be difficult to play it out as intended. Don't use strategy Warhammer or Anno? You lose.
@parrot_of_adun Agreed , it's a life simulator not a strategy game, GS just had to put it somewhere and it was the only remotely appropriate choice. If this won best strategy it clearly means we need some good strategy titles and fast 'cause this is ridiculous.
@parrot of adun: Why shouldn't they be classified as strategy games? Strategy isn't all about warfare or trade. Making the Sims have a happy life takes a lot of strategy (I've played 1 and 2, without strategy, the game really punishes you). Platformers are about jumping (often on platforms), shooters are for shooting, RPGs focus on playing a role and focusing on improving the character, puzzle games are about puzzle elements, driving games are about driving, fighting games are about fighting, sports games about sports, action/adventure about a blend of action and adventure, and strategy games are about strategy. Almost all sims need much strategy, thus, they deserve to be put on the strategy games list. Trying to separate sims and strategy bears no point. For all intents and purposes, they're the same. Some just don't want to acknowledge a game about "life" to require strategy.
@calvinsora People voted for it because they liked it, they most likely didn't give a damn if it fit in this category. And, no, most would not consider this a strategy. Simulation games are not, by any standard (outside of GS) a type of strategy game. Period. "" is a genre all it's own. GS just wants to be able to at least nominate a sims game, and they have no category for sims (despite the number of possible nominees).
@parrot_of_adun: You seem to have misunderstood me. The first sentence was to those that complained that Sims 3 isn't a strategy game. It's a sim, which falls under strategy in the broader look of things. It winning both awards proves (in some way), that the majority thinks it is a strategy game. The other sentence, other than it being meant as a joke, was meant for those that think it's a girly game (seen quite a few of those), and I simply can't understand why they'd think that. As for simulating life, it does that, and is, for all intents and purposes, pointless. But what games aren't pointless. And you more control the life of the Sims, more than living it.
@calvinsora It's an awful game by any standard. It's meant to simulate everyday life, you know, the thing your completely capable of doing already. But you're probably right, it's likely just the surging hormones in my brain that make me want to violently develop the **** out of uncultivated islands, a la . I tell ya, nothing gets you more pumped than founding settlements.
A barbie playhouse game just out-ranked Empire Total War. RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGE!
Well- I don't really consider the Sims 3 a strategy game... :| But then again- we can't be entirely sure where it WOULD fit in. And since it has won both EC and RC- we don't have too much reason to complain I'd say. At least Empire: Total War was kept away from this award like the plague... That's all I needed to know.
Well, people should stop complaining now. Sims 3 won both the RC and EC. It's a great game. If you're testosterone-riddled mind can't help it, then just go elsewhere.
WTF???????? This confirms my suspicion that 99% of the time these awards are a popularity contest...Dawn of Discovery should have won this. It was great all around.
The Sims 3! Strategy Game of The Year!! YEE HAW!!! Intense!! I sweat bullets when I play and so do all of my friends!!! That game is hardcore and many can't handle it! Be prepared! NOthing compares!!!
*FACEPALM* The sims? A strategy game? HAH. Sigh.... that's horrid, that's worse than IGN giving Halo Wars strategy game of the year...
Personally I thought this was Military Madness Nectaris but apparently that isn't even Top 10. @ raptor400k good point
Can I ask what really is the strategy in sims? I mean some people say you can't LOSE in that game, where's the strategy?
Dawn of Discovery is the most overlooked game of the year! It gets my pick for best strat game hands down!
Should be in a Simulation category. Oh wait there is none, they'd better have one next year to prevent stupid stuff like this happening.
Gamespot guys must be on drugs. Sims 3 a strategie game? and the winner of the vote? That is just ridiculous!
I am REALLY starting to question Game Spot?s credibility. I mean The Sims as a strategy game and not a Life SIM game? Gamespot must really be in EA?s pocket.
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