Summary
Strategy gamesare often centered around warfare and conquest, with players typically vying for control over territory. This can sometimes lead to a lack of decision-making, as players losing territory often enter death spirals, and those that manage to take it are typically able to do as they wish.
There are some strategy games, however, that forgo designated regions and territory entirely, replacing any sense of control with fluid gameplay. From the dungeon-crawling strategy ofDungeon Of The Endless, to the deck-building gauntlets ofWildfrost, there’s something here for all kinds of players.
Thisroguelike dungeon-crawlerexcels with its distinctive combination of tower defense, resource management, and meaningful exploration. In the game, players attempt to make their way through an industrial dungeon rife with alien foes, escorting a fragile power crystal with the help of myriad defenses.
As a dungeon-crawler, players have no ability to capture and control territory. Instead, they’re always on the move.The wave-based natureof the enemy encounters also ensures players are given time to strategize, while simultaneously providing constant pressure to keep them moving.
Ditching the town management of its predecessor in favor of grueling road trips through a failing kingdom,Darkest Dungeon 2is a brutal strategy game that excels withits immersive atmosphereand dismal tone.Darkest Dungeon 2is a combat-focused experience, offering a gauntlet of unforgiving turn-based battles that work to test the knowledge and skills of the player.
As a roguelite,Darkest Dungeon 2relies on a permanent death structure that sweetens the deal with permanent progression. However, this makes the game no less brutal, and players will frequently find themselves in frustrating death spirals. Overcoming this brutality, however, can be tremendously rewarding as players finally move past the points that had them stuck.
For The Kingisa strategy roguelikethat shines brightest when enjoyed in online co-op. In the game, players control a party of three adventurers in a fantasy setting, fighting an abundance of foes and bosses in accessible turn-based battles.
The strategic overworld exploration plays almost like a board game and, combined with the fast-paced battles and miniature dungeon-crawls, offers a diverse experience. Best of all,For The Kingfeatures a variety of classes and items to play around with, allowing players to strategize and adding a great deal of replay value to the experience.
As a roaming mercenary company in aharsh and hostile low-fantasy world, players aren’t afforded the opportunity to own and control territory inBattle Brothers. In fact, they’re given little time to even rest, with the constant pressure of paying wages and feeding the company weighing on their shoulders.
This results in a fast-paced, unforgiving strategy game in which there’s rarely a dull moment. However, the roaming nature of the game can sometimes lead to frustrating turns of bad luck. Stumbling across a pack of bloodthirsty orcs when not properly equipped to fight them and, as a result, losing valuable soldiers on the retreat, can sting a little. Players have to plan carefully if they want to succeed.
Deck-builders provide great strategic experiencesfor fans that don’t want to worry about controlling territory.Wildfrostis particularly great for fans of strategy games thanks to its tactical combat encounters, which take place on dynamic battlefields that offer plenty of room for expression.
In the game, players must manage a leader character alongside a variety of companions, dispatching enemies and empowering their units with myriad cards. In addition to its innovative cooldown system and tactical gameplay,Wildfrostexcels with a generous abundance of loot, allowing players to craft diverse and unique builds across each run.
StarCraft 2is areal-time strategy gamethat plays at a breakneck pace. Though it requires a great deal of time and patience to learn (at least to compete in its multiplayer versus mode), it can be a tremendously rewarding experience. Best of all,StarCraft 2’smultiplayer matches don’t revolve around territory. Instead, the game is a decidedly combat-focused experience that never gets dull.
While it’s true that players vie for control over all-important mineral lines,StarCraft 2is a game without borders, offering a fluid battle for resources. The focus on micromanagement is a clear strength, offering an expressive sandbox of strategy that rewards practice and creative thinking.
Dune: Imperiumis a digital board game that tasks players with making strategic decisions on a diverse board of possibilities. Tasking players with gathering resources from various board spaces and developing a strong deck of powerful cards,Dune: Imperiumis a game of constant decisions that’s packed with opportunities for risky gambits and clever comebacks.
Since players can’t simply overwhelm their opponents and coast by on early victories,Dune: Imperiumrequires players to think ahead and plan for the endgame. This is thanks to the general lack of territory in the game, with every board space being available to potentially every player in the lobby.
