Modern tabletop games are wonders of design and narrative, running the gamut from cooperative dice-rolling adventures to elaborate setups that allow for tense negotiations over resources. But sometimes you want to walk away from the table knowing that your carefully considered decisions (not fickle chance or fast-talking negotiations) are what led you to sweet victory (or, more often than I care to admit, crushing defeat). This is where strategy games shine.We spoke with board-game experts and retailers. And we spent 44 hours researching and 48 hours playing 15 different games with 25 people, to find the best options for players looking for a deep and rewarding strategic experience.Whether you prefer exploring the ruins of a lost civilization, building a logistics network in turn-of-the-century England, waging a war to control a woodland forest, building a really nice zoo, brewing the best booze possible, or fighting an evil machine for control of a city, these games provide the framework for hours of fun while you try to outthink your friends.