If you're searching for a strategy games benchmark, one that's always top of the list is Clash of Clans.

For millions, Clash of Clans was their entry point into strategy games. Arguably, few games have been as influential at popularizing an entire gaming genre.

If you are at all strategy game-curious, Clash of Clans is an excellent place to start. Even If you are a veteran of other strategy gaming platforms, it's never t● late to try out Clash of Clans.

Features

● Join a clan or start your own

● Compete in the Clan Wars as a team against millions of other players worldwide

● Test your fighting prowess in the Clan War Leagues

● Forge alliances with other clans to earn Magic items

● Create a village and fortify it against attacks by collecting resources and stealing from other players

More

There are now millions of players internationally building villages, raising clans, and competing in truly epic wars. Clash of Clans defines a strategy game at scale with an almost endless cast of warriors, wizards, and unique troops with special powers and skills.

The latest version of the game has added some great new features, including a dragon air force for aerial attacks on your opponents and rocket balloons.

These are great additions to the canon of Clash of Clans, a game that still enthralls after so many years.

One thing that has kept players on board with Clash of Clans is that you can make significant headway in the game without having to pay-to-win. If you have the patience, it is perfectly feasible to make substantial progress and not spend a penny. However, you always have the option of speeding things up by buying extra gems should you so wish.

PROS

● Benchmark setting strategy game

● Great gameplay and storyline

● It has spawned several spin-offs you should check out

● Multi-language support

CONS

● It has been widely copied, so it may not seem as fresh as you expect

● Some in-app purchases are expensive

● You can't play offline

Price - Free with in-app purchases

How to use

Clash of Clans is downloadable from Google Play and Apple's App Store. Interestingly, neither the developers, Google Play, nor the App Store can agree on the age rating for this game.

Google Play reckons 7+ while the App Store has a more cautious age rating of 9+. This is curious as the developer's listing on both platforms insists that under the game's terms of service and privacy policy, players need to be at least 13 years old.

Other than this, Android users should note Clash of Clans requires 182 MB of storage space and a minimum of Android 4.4.

iOS users require 330 MB of free space and iOS 10.0 or later.

C of C is an Editors' Choice at Google Play and scores a highly respectable 4.5 out of five off the back of more than 56 million reviews.

The App Store reviewers reckon it's worth more, giving the game an enviable 4.8 out of five.