Summary
- Strategy games offer different difficulty levels requiring various skill sets, but can scare players away with challenging gameplay.
- Unforgiving gameplay loops & challenging combat systems in these games require time & practice to master.
- Overcoming challenges in games like Quasimorph, Wildfrost, and Kenshi reward players with an expressive and engaging experience.
Strategy games offer myriad experiences across a variety of sub-genres, each requiring their own skill sets. These experiences offer a wide range of difficulties, and while some are more accessible than others, many titles can scare players away with their challenging gameplay.
These games offer unforgiving gameplay loops that are typically difficult to learn, often requiring time and practice. In addition, many of these games feature challenging combat systems that rarely if ever hand over victory freely.
Best Strategy Games That Reward Creative Thinking
When facing a difficult situation, these games reward players who can think outside of the box.
8 Quasimorph
Grim-Dark Tactics & Survival
Quasimorph
- Released
- October 2, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+
- Developer(s)
- Magnum Scriptum
- Genre(s)
- Extraction, Shooter, Roguelike
- Platform(s)
- PC
Quasimorph is a tactical roguelike that features hardcore survival mechanics and a grim-dark setting. The survival mechanics and lethal nature of most enemies ensures a challenging experience that can be difficult at first. However, the extraction-shooter structure of Quasimorph provides some forgiveness, making the overall experience somewhat less frustrating.
Best Strategy Games With A Focus On Combat
For gamers who love to strategize in battle, these titles provide a rewarding experience.
Taking advantage of the game's stance system is a particularly unique learning experience, a task that encourages players to manipulate their action points to gain the upper hand. Furthermore, knowing when to fight, sneak, and simply run for it is an instinct that needs to be learned in order to survive. However, overcoming these challenges is what provides the fun, and once players have gained a deeper understanding of its systems, the game can become an expressive experience.
7 Wildfrost
A Challenging & Tactical Deck-Builder
Wildfrost
- Released
- April 12, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ // Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood
- Developer(s)
- Deadpan Games, Gaziter
- Genre(s)
- Digital Card Game, Strategy, Roguelike
- Platform(s)
- Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Wildfrost is a roguelike deck-builder that's able to provide a great deal of expression with its tactical battlefields and generous rewards system. In the game, players battle enemies on chaotic battlefields, playing cards to aid their companions and perform powerful attacks.
In and between each combat is a generous helping of loot that enables players to quickly develop a unique build on any given run. However, Wildfrost is also quick to punish mistakes, offering increasingly difficult combat encounters that reward patience.
6 Kenshi
A Harsh & Hostile Sandbox RPG
Kenshi
- Released
- December 6, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- nr
- Developer(s)
- Lo-Fi Games
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Open-World, Survival
- Platform(s)
- PC
Kenshi dumps players into an incredibly hostile environment full of dangerous mobs and aggressive factions. It's an immediately difficult experience that hinders the player at every step, forcing them to overcome overwhelming odds and learn its myriad systems with little to no direction.
The complete lack of hand-holding may result in an inaccessible experience, but this also allows Kenshi to champion player agency. With no set goals, players are able to explore of their own free will, carving their own path through the game's harsh world.
5 Battle Brothers
Challenging Combat In An Unforgiving World
Battle Brothers
- Released
- April 27, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Overhype Studios
- Genre(s)
- Indie Games, Tactical, RPG, Strategy, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
Battle Brothers is an open-world RPG with a sandbox structure and strategic combat. In the game, players manage a rag-tag crew of mercenaries in a low-fantasy world populated by royal houses, aggressive monsters, and greedy brigands.
Best Strategy Games That Aren't About Controlling Territory
For strategy games who are tired of the struggle over territory, check out these titles for a change of pace.
The variety of dangers in the world of Battle Brothers aren't avoidable; the player's position as a mercenary makes combat a mandatory experience, and completing any of the game's contracts without casualties can be incredibly challenging on higher difficulties. However, the wide variety of perks allow for expression, and the game's myriad enemies and items keep gameplay fresh.
4 Dune: Spice Wars
Asymmetric Factions & Unique Resources
Dune: Spice Wars
- Released
- September 14, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Teen // Fantasy Violence, Drug Reference
- Developer(s)
- Shiro Games
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Dune: Spice Wars is an atmospheric strategy game that offers tremendously crunchy gameplay that can at first be overwhelming. This is thanks to its complex variety of resources, thematic mechanics, and deadly environment.
It's easy to lose an entire army to the unpredictable sandworms, or fail to properly manage any of the myriad resources. However, Dune: Spice Wars becomes an engaging and expressive experience once players have gained a better understanding of its systems and factions.
3 Darkest Dungeon 2
A Brutal Crucible Of Turn-Based Combat
Darkest Dungeon 2
- Released
- May 8, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
Darkest Dungeon 2 is a challenging roguelike that offers players a non-stop gauntlet of turn-based combat, careful decision-making, and resource management. However, it can be a brutally punishing and awfully unforgiving experience, especially at first.
This difficulty is controlled, however, by a roguelite progression system. This won't be for everyone, but Darkest Dungeon 2's gameplay loop encourages the collection of meta-currency in unique ways. Furthermore, the game's upgrades never take too much from the game's difficulty, ensuring victory is always earned.
2 Dune: Imperium
A Dense Board Of Possibilities
Dune: Imperium
- Released
- March 13, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Dire Wolf Digital
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, Deckbuilding, Board Game
- Platform(s)
- PC
As is the case with many tabletop games, the complex mechanics of Dune: Imperium must first be understood before players can express themselves. It can be difficult at first, as players must not only learn the mechanics of the game, but learn how to find a clear path in a sea of opportunities.
This complex decision-making can be incredibly challenging, and mistakes aren't always immediately obvious; poor decisions can have an impact on the remainder of the game. However, once players have gained some experience navigating Dune: Imperium's diverse board spaces, the fun in its risky gambits and long-term strategies begins to show itself.
1 StarCraft 2
Highly Competitive Real-Time Strategy
StarCraft 2
- Released
- July 27, 2010
WHERE TO PLAY
StarCraft 2 or, more specifically, its competitive multiplayer, offers a particularly cut-throat experience that requires practice and patience in order to succeed. While it may at first seem like more effort than it's worth, StarCraft 2's asymmetric factions and dense build variety offer plenty of opportunities for player expression and creativity.
Once players have become accustomed to the speed of play, its breakneck pace becomes more fun than frustrating, allowing even longer matches to zip by. It takes time to find the fun, but StarCraft 2 is an RTS unlike any other, offering a truly expressive arena that's quick to punish mistakes and reward creativity.
Best Strategy Games That Get Better As You Play
These great strategy games might feel overwhelming at first, but they just get better and better the more you play.