Best Indie Strategy Games

Strategy games are one of the oldest genres, taking heavy influence from tabletop tactics games and their turn-based nature before the advent of real-time strategy in video games. Although some of the biggest companies used to release strategy games plenty in the past, nowadays, that duty has fallen almost exclusively on smaller, independent teams.

This topic will cover a broad variety of strategy games, including both turn-based tactics games and RTS games alike, developed and released by indie developers and publishers. These games vary in their style and gameplay, so there's plenty to like for all kinds of strategy fans.

Updated April 12, 2024 by Harry Ted Sprinks: Strategy games were a cornerstone of PC gaming for a long time, predominantly in the 90s and early 00s during the RTS boom. Despite a dip in popularity among bigger game studios, strategy games are continuing to be popular on the Steam storefront thanks to indie developers.

The recent success of the strategic base defense game, Thronefall, and the strategic city-builder, Against The Storm, are just a couple examples of indie games taking advantage of this genre's newfound popularity. With indie games only getting bigger, more and more indie strategy games are released every year. There's arguably never been a better time to be a fan of the genre.

1 They Are Billions – Base-Defense Against Hordes Of Zombies

Steam User Rating: 85%

Set on a post-apocalyptic planet after a zombie apocalypse annihilated most of humanity, They Are Billions tasks players with building and defending a colony in a Steampunk setting and defending it against hordes of zombies with static defenses and units controlled in real-time.

The game is a unique blend of base-building and real-time strategy and even lets players pause the action to figure out their next move, adding a layer of tactics to the gameplay as well. They Are Billions features a 48-mission campaign, as well as a Survival Mode that follows a more rogue-like structure with a randomly generated world in which players must keep their colony alive for a specific period of time.

2 Warpips – An Easy-To-Learn Tug-Of-War

Steam User Rating: 88%

• Platform(s): PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox
• Released: 2022
• Developer(s): Skirmish Mode Games
• Genre: Strategy

This easy-to-learn tug-of-war strategy game features a crunchy, voxelized 3D aesthetic and gameplay mechanics freed of complex micromanagement. This makes Warpips an extremely accessible strategy game that's perfect for players looking for a laid-back experience that's still strategic.

One of Warpips' greatest strengths is its play-time, featuring short but sweet rounds that last anywhere from ten to twenty minutes. This makes Warpips a great game for a lunch break, or a simple palette cleanse between more demanding games.​​​​​​​

3 No Plan B – A Tactical SWAT Game

Steam User Rating: 88%

• Platform(s): PC
• Released: 2024
• Developer(s): GFX47
• Genre: Strategy

This unique, tactical SWAT game is reminiscent of titles such as Door Kickers. In the game, players manage and control a squad of units as they attempt to sweep various buildings, taking out opponents and completing objectives.

No Plan B features a timeline system that allows players to plan out their squad's every move, all before watching it play out in real time. The result is a cinematic, tactical experience that's worth the relatively low price point.

4 HighFleet – A Unique Diesel-Punk Dystopia

Steam User Rating: 88%

• Platform(s): PC
• Released: 2021
• Developer(s): Konstantin Koshutin
• Genre: Strategy

Set in a unique, "diesel-punk" dystopian world, HighFleet is an action-packed strategy game with an immersive setting. The game features arcade-style combat and distinctive visuals that depict battles between massive flying ships.

In HighFleet, players must explore the world, manage their resources carefully, and even engage in diplomacy with other factions. The well-realized setting, visceral combat, and management elements make HighFleet a distinctive indie strategy game that's worth checking out.

5 Hero's Hour – A Minimalist Combination Of Turn-Based Strategy And RTS

Steam User Rating: 79%

Combining turn-based strategy with real-time combat and RPG elements, Hero's Hour aims to be an accessible but deep strategic experience with plenty of content to keep players interested.

In the game, players will explore an over-world map and build up an army in turn-based gameplay, giving players plenty of time to plot out their moves. However, the combat in Hero's Hour takes place in real-time, during which the player's army fights automatically.

Players can cast spells and give orders, adding a layer of strategy that prevents combat from being pure RNG and/or numbers-based. Despite this, some battles may not require any player input, making Hero's Hour extremely accessible.

6 Tooth And Tail – An Accessible RTS From A Top-Down Perspective

Steam User Rating: 82%

• Platform(s): PC, macOS, Linux, PS4
• Released: 2017
• Developer(s): Pocketwatch Games
• Genre: RTS

Anthropomorphized creatures lead the charge in this indie RTS focused on tight 5-12 minute matches with controls optimized for the gamepad, a feature uncommon in RTS games. Tooth And Tail is aimed at both veterans and newcomers to the RTS genre.

Tooth and Tail has players select a roster of units before the start of a match, which determines the units they will be able to deploy during the game, adding a level of tactics and experimentation to the gameplay. Once in a match, players will spend their time rallying their troops to take control of various mills that provide resources. The game is extremely easy to pick up and play, due to its low levels of micromanagement, but has a lot of room for strategic decisions.

7 Wargroove – Turn-Based Strategy In The Style Of Advance Wars

Steam User Rating: 84%

Heavily reminiscent of Advance Wars, Wargroove is a turn-based war game taking place on small maps where up to four players are tasked with battling over strategic locations. The game's unique combat system focuses on countering enemy armies with different strategies and higher numbers.

Wargroove features twelve different commanders that each have their own playstyles, four different factions, and a campaign mode. The game also has in-game editors that allow players to create custom maps, cutscenes, and even their own campaigns, making it one of the most replayable strategy games on the market.

8 Northgard – A Modern RTS With An Old-School Style

Steam User Rating: 87%

Northgard plays like a more traditional RTS game compared to other games previously mentioned. This Norse-themed strategy game has players building settlements and assigning jobs to gather resources and expand their territory. The game plays out almost like a round of Civilization, but its gameplay is also reminiscent of classic RTS games like Warcraft 3.

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Northgard features plenty of resource management and is focused more on broad strategic decisions and base-building than micromanagement-heavy combat. There are plenty of factions to choose from in Northgard, leaving room for experimentation and replayability, although some factions are unlocked through paid DLC. The game also features a Story Mode as well as online play.

9 For The King – A Simplistic, Low-Poly, Turn-Based RPG

Steam User Rating: 88%

This turn-based strategy game mixes things up by throwing in RPG and roguelite elements to create a challenging, long-form experience. For The King procedurally generates its maps and various loot and quests, making the game highly replayable, and the game can even be played in both local and online co-op.

For The King has players maneuvering around a tabletop-style over-world to defend the land from various creatures. The game's combat also takes inspiration from board games, using a unique dice system that blends a hefty amount of RNG into the tactics. For some, the RNG might get in the way of making this a great game, but it adds a level of unpredictability to the combat that some might find entertaining.

10 Fights In Tight Spaces – Close-Quarters Brawling With Card-Based Combat

Steam User Rating: 93%

• Platform(s): PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox
• Released: 2021
• Developer(s): Ground Shatter
• Genre: Deck-Builder

This highly stylized deck-building action-strategy game features thoughtful, tactical combat in close-quarters environments. Throughout a run, players use cards to pull off devastating blows against their opponents, making each encounter feel like a slick action sequence.

Fights In Tight Spaces features a minimal, stylish art style that's not only striking but helps to make the game easily readable at all times. Overall, fans of tactics, card games, and action movies alike are likely to enjoy the fast-paced and strategic action of Fights In Tight Spaces.