When it comes to strategy games, there’s a certain type of player who’s never content to merely conquer what the developers set before them. For the creative strategist inside every fan of the genre, the scenario editor is sort of like the main course.
Whether it’s because fans want to replicate the achievements of their favorite generals from history or conjure up devious meatgrinders so that their friends can inevitably fail, the following strategy games possess some of the best scenario/campaign editors on the market. Each of these titles gives players plenty of tools to invoke their inner Alexander.
StarCraft 2
A Toolkit That Features Arcade Publishing
StarCraft 2
8/10 9.2/10
- Released
- July 27, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITAL
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
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Blizzard has always understood that the real fun begins when players are let loose with the tools. StarCraft 2’s editor is legendary, to the point where it’s spawned entire sub-genres. The Galaxy Editor for StarCraft 2 is a behemoth, offering scripting, triggers, cinematic tools, and nearly limitless customization of units and mechanics.
Beginners might find it intimidating at first, but the wealth of tutorials and robust community support smooths out the learning curve. The best part is that if players put in the effort, they can create a fully-functioning new game mode, complete with custom UI, win conditions, and narrative arcs. For fans who want to do more than move marines and zerglings around a map, StarCraft 2’s editor is essentially a game development bootcamp in disguise.
Panzer Corps 2
Granular Control & Fun What-Ifs
Panzer Corps 2
Strategy Systems
- Released
- March 19, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITAL
- ESRB
- e
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Wargame aficionados know that Panzer Corps 2 is a spiritual successor to Panzer General. Nevertheless, its scenario editor represents the creative playground grognards. The in-game editor lets fans sculpt every aspect of a battle: map layout, unit placement, weather, victory conditions, and intricate event scripting. Panzer Corps 2’s editor is built for both historical accuracy and wild what-ifs. Want to see what happens if Italy invades Norway in 1939? Players are welcome to try!
There’s a thriving modding community constantly churning out alternate history campaigns and ultra-difficult challenges, many of which are very well balanced and difficult. The UI is refreshingly modern, making it easy to whip up a custom scenario without a 300-page manual. In short, Panzer Corps 2’s editor is the best sandbox this side of the Eastern Front.
Warcraft 3: Reforged
A Fantasy Lover's Dream
Warcraft 3: Reforged
Strategy Systems 9.0/10
- Released
- January 28, 2020
- ESRB
- t
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Despite its controversial launch, Warcraft 3: Reforged maintains the old magic when it comes to scenario editing. The World Editor is the star of the show, responsible for spawning mods that became full-blown phenomena (like Defense of the Ancients). Warcraft 3’s editor features intuitive scripting with triggers and the ability to customize everything from unit abilities to weather effects. It’s simple enough for beginners to bang out a decent map in an afternoon, yet deep enough for obsessive creators to spend months crafting a new campaign or custom game mode.
The visual upgrade means that maps look better than ever, and Blizzard’s continued support has kept the editor alive (like the 1.35 patch, which reintroduced custom campaigns), even as the base game’s reputation took a few hits. If fans ever wanted to remake their favorite Lord of the Rings battle, set up an elaborate RPG with dialogue trees and quests, or see what happens when 100 Tauren are pitted against 1,000 Footmen, this is the editor for them.
Age Of Mythology (Extended Edition/Retold)
Freedom Mixed With The Divine
Age of Mythology: Retold
8/10 6.0/10
- Released
- September 4, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITAL
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Violence
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Age of Mythology’s editor is a lesser-sung hero compared to its Age of Empires sibling, although it’s arguably more versatile. The editor’s event triggers and cinematic tools allow players to craft wild mythological adventures with scripted gods, monsters, and environmental cataclysms. The Extended Edition and Retold versions add new quality-of-life features, better compatibility, and improved Steam Workshop support (for the Extended Edition; the Retold version uses an in-game mod browser), so sharing custom campaigns is easy.
The editor has a playful, experimental vibe. It’s the perfect choice for would-be demigods who want to create their own legends, or just see what happens when an army of villagers has access to every god power at once!
Wargroove 2
A Very Accessible Map Builder