Summary
- Tactical games offer varied experiences, accessible even to newcomers, with turn-based combat and unit management.
- Titles like Battle Brothers and Wildfrost provide accessible gameplay with deep, challenging content.
- Games like Invisible Inc blend tactics and stealth, Tinyfolks offer stress-free gameplay, and Into The Breach balance challenge with fairness.
Tactical games come in many forms; from the unforgiving battles of XCOM to the minimalist gameplay of Tinyfolks, there are plenty of experiences to be had. Turn-based combat and the management of individual units can be complex, but many of these titles can be fun even for newcomers.
Best Strategy Games That Reward Creative Thinking
When facing a difficult situation, these games reward players who can think outside of the box.
The best of these titles are able to offer accessible gameplay that remains deep, allowing for experiences that are easy to learn and hard to master. These are titles like Battle Brothers, with its simple gameplay loop and unforgiving combat, or Wildfrost, with its approachable tone and challenging encounters.
8 Invisible, Inc.
A Combination Of Stealth & Tactics
Invisible, Inc.
- Released
- May 12, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Klei Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Klei Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- Turn-Based Strategy
- Platform(s)
- Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Fans of Klei Entertainment's iconic style will immediately get a kick out of Invisible, Inc's slick presentation, but it's the innovative blend of tactics and stealth that holds this title together. Tasking players with the control of just a few characters at once, Invisible, Inc is a methodical experience that puts a great deal of weight on each and every move.
Great Indie Games With Amazing Production Value
Some indie games are able to punch above their weight, delivering excellent production values to their players.
This is elevated by a healthy dose of random generation and a unique sense of style, complemented by a great deal of build variety. Best of all, Invisible, Inc's stealth-focused gameplay plays like no other stealth game, offering a truly unique experience.
7 StarVaders
A Tactical Arcade Deck-Builder
StarVaders
- Released
- April 30, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike, Deckbuilding
StarVaders is a stylish roguelike deck-builder with a unique twist. In the game, players battle waves of diverse enemies using card play to control a mech suit. But players can't die in StarVaders; instead, they must prevent enemies from reaching the bottom of the screen, where they'll inflict "doom" and eventually end any given run.
This creates a unique gameplay loop that's reminiscent of Space Invaders, elevated by deck-building mechanics. The intuitive cards and addition of a tactical grid allow StarVaders to maintain a brisk pace, and the fun is further fueled by immense variety that encourages multiple builds.
6 Tinyfolks
Charming Stress-Free Tactics
Tinyfolks
- Released
- June 1, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
Tinyfolks is a charming pixel-art strategy game with tactical turn-based combat reminiscent of games such as Darkest Dungeon. Combining simple mechanics with tremendous variety and an addictive gameplay loop, Tinyfolks is able to offer players a fun-first tactics game that's free of the frustrations of its clear inspiration.
Driving the overall experience is this title's incredible chip-tune soundtrack, packed with memorable tunes that control the mood and pace of the game. The minimalist but deeply nostalgic pixel-art is another strength, providing a simple but well-crafted presentation that's easy on the eyes.
5 Battle Brothers
A Sandbox RPG With Brutal Combat
Battle Brothers
- Released
- April 27, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Overhype Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Overhype Studios
- Genre(s)
- Indie Games, Tactical, RPG, Strategy, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Battle Brothers is a sandbox RPG that excels with its unforgiving combat. The turn-based and tactical encounters of Battle Brothers are consistently tense thanks to deadly enemies and unforgiving game mechanics, such as morale and permanent injury, that can quickly snowball out of control.
Best Strategy Games With Complex Decision-Making
These great strategy games offer a wide variety of scenarios and require complex decision-making, creating fantastic environments for dynamic play.
While sure to scare some players away, this unforgiving nature only makes Battle Brothers more rewarding. Furthermore, the game features customizable difficulty settings that allow players to make the experience more accessible, providing a perfect starting point for newcomers.
4 Into The Breach
Open Information & Player-Friendly Tactics
Into the Breach
- Released
- February 27, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
With its tight, grid-based levels and abundance of open information, Into The Breach offers a small-scale experience that's extremely player-friendly. In the game, players battle various aliens with a small squad of mech suits, battling it out in turn-based, tactical encounters.
The tremendous variety of mechs to field, each with their own expressive abilities, is perhaps the game's greatest strength. However, it's the generous telegraphing of enemies and ability to undo moves — and even reset turns — that keep Into The Breach free of frustration. As a result, Into The Breach is able to balance challenge and fairness in equal measure.
3 Wildfrost
Charming, Tactile, And Tactical Deck-Building
Wildfrost
- Released
- April 12, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Deadpan Games, Gaziter
- Publisher(s)
- Chucklefish
- Genre(s)
- Digital Card Game, Strategy, Roguelike
- Platform(s)
- Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
From its charming cartoon visuals to its whimsical character designs and fantastical soundtrack, Wildfrost is an enchanting experience from the get-go. For fans of roguelike deck-builders, Wildfrost also offers tremendous staying power with its diverse build variety and unique mechanics.
In the game, players control a variety of companions on a tactical battlefield, battling enemies and supporting their team with a variety of cards. All in all, the tactile user-interface and satisfying player feedback are a great part of what makes Wildfrost so fun, and it's only elevated by its diverse gameplay and charming visuals.
2 Cobalt Core
Tactical Spaceship Battles
Cobalt Core
- Released
- November 8, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Rocket Rat Games
- Publisher(s)
- Brace Yourself Games
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike, Digital Card Game
- Platform(s)
- PC, Nintendo Switch
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Cobalt Core is a colorful roguelike deck-builder with charming pixel-art visuals and uniquely tactical spaceship battles. In the game, players control their own spaceship via cards that represent three unique crew members. These crew members each have their own personalities and styles, adding a great deal of diversity to the gameplay and elevating the overall experience.
However, Cobalt Core is also supported by a wonderful soundtrack and a unique combat system. The ability to control a spaceship with cards, even on a single axis, presents a unique puzzle, and the game's design takes full advantage of this clever twist.
1 Tactical Breach Wizards
A Tightly-Designed Urban Fantasy
Tactical Breach Wizards
- Released
- August 22, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
Presenting a design that combines elements of games such as XCOM and Into The Breach while very much remaining its own beast, Tactical Breach Wizards offers a finely-tuned tactical experience. With its synergistic blend of witty writing, tactical puzzles, and cinematic presentation, this title offers a well-crafted adventure that barrels along at a steady clip.
Best of all, Tactical Breach Wizards offers an immediately fun experience with its cinematic introduction, quickly getting players into the tactical action. Complementing this immediate pace is a steady stream of new characters, abilities, and upgrades that constantly work to provide players with more options in combat. As a result, Tactical Breach Wizards is a fun tactics game with tremendous staying power.
Best Strategy Games With Great Graphics
These excellent strategy games deliver striking visuals and graphics to go along with their dynamic strategic mechanics.