Summary
- Quality doesn't guarantee sales - factors like market saturation and lack of marketing can impact a game's success.
- Innovation isn't always enough - even with a strong IP, a lack of balance and poor timing can disappoint fans.
- Commercial success is tough - experimental gameplay and indie origins can limit mainstream appeal, hindering a game's sales despite its strengths.
Strategy games have long been a fan favorite in the world of gaming, transporting players into a tactical universe where every move counts and every action has its own set of consequences. The genre spans all kinds of backgrounds, from sci-fi to WW2-style battlefields, each delivering its own unique take on the genre and something new for fans to explore.
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Not every game is a roaring success, and it is sometimes difficult to predict whether a game will perform well, as the quality and praise a game receives are never guaranteed to translate into sales. Some of the best strategy games out there struggle to make headway in the financial department, but it doesn't mean the game is badly made in any way, as the sales can be attributed to many factors outside of the actual design.
7 Warlords 3: Darklords Rising
Turn-Based Excellence Overshadowed By Its Rivals
Warlords III: Darklords Rising
- Released
- August 21, 1998
- Sales: 27,387 units (April 1999)
Warlords 3 expanded upon its predecessor with its enhanced AI systems and array of deep tactical options that leveled up the gameplay in a big way, whilst maintaining all of the simplicity and accessibility of the original. Players can choose between several factions, each with their own strengths, and play through an engaging campaign that rewards strategy over brute force.
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Where the game struggled was due to the market saturation. The late '90s saw numerous high-profile strategy releases, and as a result, the game had a lot of competition that it simply couldn't compete with. Also, a lack of marketing and an arguably dated design made the game feel more fringe and only garnered a small following compared to the rest of the strategy games at the time.
6 Dominion: Storm Over Gift 3
High Expectations, Low Overall Sales
Dominion: Storm Over Gift 3
- Released
- January 1, 1998
- Developer(s)
- Ion Storm, 7th Level
- Publisher(s)
- Eidos Interactive
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy
- Sales: 7000 units first month (1998)
Dominion was ambitious in its scope, boasting full 3D graphics and immersive real-time strategy combat long before the features became commonplace. The game had a lot of depth and replay value, from the customization options to the varied environments that always posed something new to the player.
However, technical issues and a clunky interface design made the initial reception a mixed bag of positives and criticisms. As the game was rushed to market, along with a shoddy release, the consumer interest trailed off quickly, pushing the game into obscurity despite its push for modernity and innovation.
5 Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin
Struggles Despite The IP
- Release Date: 17 November 2023
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X|S
- Sales: 69,330 units (2024)
Realms of Ruin demonstrates that, despite having a fan-favourite IP, not all releases are going to be a hit. Diverse units, beautiful graphics in the world, and a rich lore that spanned over a decade of titles, the game was set up for success right from the start, and delivered a wargame that had all the tools to knock it out of the park.
Despite the brand's stature, the lack of innovation and some poor balance issues disappointed fans of the series, and comparisons were drawn to previous titles that simply did the formula better. The release window was also hotly contested, so even though there was a lot to love and enjoy, the benefits were only seen by a smaller number of players.
4 Silent Storm
Blending History And Sci-fi In An Unsuccessful Risk
- Release Date: 2003
- Platforms: Windows
- Sales: Fewer than 20000 units U.S according to Gamespot
Silent Storm combined squad-based tactical combat with RPG elements, delivering an experience praised for its destructible environments, complex line-of-sight mechanics, and rich customization. Set during an alternate World War II timeline, the game offered intricate missions and tactical turn-based gunplay that rewarded careful planning thanks to its deep systems and emphasis on player decision-making.
But strong reviews don't always help the cause, and its release timing and lack of publisher support severely limited market penetration. Furthermore, the genre’s niche status and the game’s heavy system requirements discouraged more casual players. Without strong branding or a prominent franchise, the game struggled to gain traction, especially outside Europe, despite a fun and compelling experience.
3 Darwinia
Retro Aesthetics Without A Real Impact
Darwinia
- Released
- March 4, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Sales: 60000 units (2024)
Darwinia stood out for its distinct visual style and inventive gameplay, blending real-time tactics with abstract digital aesthetics. The game placed players in a retro-futuristic virtual world inhabited by evolving AI lifeforms that required strategic deployment of units across cyberspace, alongside indirect control mechanics. Critics praised its originality, atmosphere, and minimalist yet meaningful design choices.
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Commercially, however, the game struggled due to its experimental nature and indie origins limiting mainstream appeal. Marketing reach was minimal, and the game's unconventional interface posed a barrier to entry for less patient players, and without a recognizable IP or publisher push, it struggled to break through in a market dominated by flashier, more accessible titles.
2 Unity of Command 2
A Fresh Look But A Niche Subject Matter
- Release Date: 12 November 2019
- Platforms: GeForce Now, Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, Mac operating systems
- Sales: 56,760 (2024)
Unity of Command II delivered operational-level WWII strategy with refined mechanics and a sleek interface, building on the foundation of its predecessor. It offered scenario-based campaigns and a distinctive fog-of-war system that made logistics and supply as important as troop movement. The game was lauded for its clarity and elegant design that balanced accessibility with depth, something that was rarely seen in other war simulations.
Despite its critical strengths, the game didn't make that big of a splash. Its focus on hardcore wargaming audiences limited broader appeal, especially among players seeking narrative-driven or action-oriented strategy. Furthermore, while it featured clean visuals, it lacked the production values of higher-budget titles, making it easy to overlook on digital storefronts. It also came with decently high production costs, which made the overall revenue suffer as a result.
1 The Lamplighters League
Modernizing The Genre In A Way That Few Could Appreciate
The Lamplighters League
- Released
- August 8, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- Harebrained Schemes
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
- Sales: 27,900 units (2023)
The Lamplighters League aimed to reinvigorate the turn-based tactics genre with a distinctive blend of real-time infiltration and squad-based combat. Set in an alternate 1930s pulpy noir world, the game allowed players to recruit a team of unconventional heroes to prevent a global authoritarian cult from rising to power, with a unique atmosphere and witty dialogue that looked to set itself apart from traditional strategy games.
Despite these strengths, the game failed to resonate commercially. Factors such as minimal market visibility and a niche genre appeal made the game less than desirable for fans of strategy, and a hard sell for newcomers as well. It was a good attempt to create something new in the space, but ultimately led to more of a failure than a wave of innovation.
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