Top Wishlisted Strategy Games on Steam — 2026 Picks
- Key Takeaways:
- Steam wishlist counts remain the clearest signal of player excitement for upcoming strategy releases.
- High-profile entries on the 2026 wishlists include Star Wars Zero Company, Transport Fever 3, and Prison Architect 2.
- Developers behind these titles include teams tied to XCOM veterans, Urban Games, and Paradox Interactive.
Why Steam wishlists matter
Steam wishlists are a direct, public gauge of interest: players add a game when they want updates, discounts, or a future purchase. For strategy titles—where communities, mods, and long-term engagement matter—wishlists often predict launch momentum.
How this list was compiled
The ranking reflects games appearing in Steam’s strategy category with the largest wishlist totals at the time of data collection. Numbers fluctuate as announcements, trailers, and demos change public interest.
Top wishlisted strategy games — notable entries
#10 — Star Wars Zero Company
Developer & premise
Star Wars Zero Company reunites veterans of XCOM development with the Star Wars universe. Set in the final days of the Clone Wars, it tasks players with leading a squad of special operatives on covert missions for the Galactic Republic against the Confederacy of Independent Systems.
The game is positioned as one of 2026’s most anticipated strategy releases and is slated for a late-2026 release window.
#9 — Transport Fever 3
Developer & scope
Urban Games’ Transport Fever 3 aims to expand the series’ deep transport-tycoon simulation. Steam notes promise a broader timeline—from wagons to modern air travel—and a living world where individual citizens have homes, jobs, and daily routes.
The sequel is marketed as “bigger, deeper, and more dynamic” than its predecessors and is positioned to appeal to players who enjoy infrastructure planning and economic systems.
#8 — Prison Architect 2
Developer status
Published by Paradox and following the original Kickstarter success, Prison Architect 2 remains in development with intermittent developer-branch updates. The series focuses on designing, building, and managing a prison while handling inmate needs and unexpected incidents.
Despite limited recent news, Prison Architect 2 continues to attract wishlists, reflecting enduring interest in the franchise’s offbeat simulation style.
Other high-profile names to watch
The broader top-10 also features major tentpoles mentioned in coverage: Slay the Spire 2 and Total War: Warhammer 40,000. Expect wishlist standings to shift as gameplay reveals and release dates arrive.
Bottom line
Steam wishlists provide a transparent snapshot of player expectations. In 2026, both established franchises and ambitious sequels are driving the strategy genre’s buzz, with developers from Paradox, Urban Games, and XCOM talent drawing strong attention.
