Summary
There are entire genres of games dedicated to that feeling of triumph and satisfaction that comes from mastering something difficult. Whether it’s an intricate puzzle that needs solving, an overwhelming challengefound in soulslike titles, or an in-depth combat system, wrestling with something until it finally clicks is part of what makes so many video games addictive and enjoyable. Strategy titles are often no exception to this rule, asking players to think tactically and consider all angles to solve a problem. That problem is usually someone or something with a really big gun.
Thebest strategy titlesdon’t just give players a set of rules. They encourage experimentation, getting people to dig in order to truly discover the potential within the game — and themselves. In this regard, many strategy games have fantastic combat systems that are somewhat obscured by difficulty, whether that’s finicky mechanics, overwhelming enemies, or simply a lot of information that needs to be processed. Get through that difficulty, and players will find that these games have some extraordinary combat systems.
One of the most celebrated strategy games in recent years (and for good reason),XCOM 2has all the customization and tactical combat to make any strategy fan lose hours of their lives. But even at lower difficulties, this game does not hold players' hands.
Players have to learn quickly how to deal with enemies who have unique properties or incredibly high stats, and if they fail,the squad they’ve builtwill be gone forever. This title has served as the foundation of many strategy games since, but none have had combat quite as difficult and exhilarating as the original.
More contemporary Paradox games have retained their incredible depth, but placed it along a more manageable learning curve. On the other hand, the combat inHearts of Iron 4can feel like it requires an actual military general to work with. And that’s only after supply lines have been set, combat width and battalions decided,and a host of other decisionshave been made.
For those that can wrap their head around this combat system, however, there is an excellent game here that allows players to feel like they’re shaping history. Forging an alternate timeline at one of the most precarious moments in history through tactical combat is immensely satisfying, once players get the hang of it.
The minds behindFaster Than Lightreturned to give players a game with just as much depth, but reframed as an exceedingly challenging strategy game. The difficulty inInto The Breachdoesn’t just come from direct PvE combat, but also all the mechanics surrounding it.
How does one fight colossal kaiju bugs while minimizing collateral damage? Or protecting essential power generators? If players can’t figure it out, don’t worry — they can always go back in time and try again. And again.
Stillbeing tweaked and updatedto this day,Total War: Warhammer 3provides an incredibleWarhammerexperience for diehard fans and novices to the series alike. TabletopWarhammeris quite difficult for new players to pick up, however, and this game is no exception.
Managing an entire fantasy army is no small feat. Players will frequently find themselves overwhelmed not just by the enemy troops, but their own units as well, each of which needs unique instructions to maximize their effectiveness.
Released in 2014,Endless Legendhas the perfect mix of sci-fi and fantasy that few other strategy games have tried to replicate on such a huge scale. However, the learning curve for this game is more of a learning right angle, and it’s very easy for players to lose within the first 20 turns ofEndless Legends.
Players that can work past this difficulty will be able to move past the pre-made factions and design a unique nation to inhabit a unique, procedurally generated world, where they can rule and conquer to their hearts' content.
ToAge of Wonder 4’s credit, the combat in this game feels quite approachable and streamlined in the beginning. The game doesn’t overwhelm players with massive armies to command or cities to defend from hordes of enemies…at first.
While the game might let players take their time whenthey’re starting out, that soon changes when things like unit strengths and weaknesses, 18-unit armies, sieges, and hostile enemy empires start becoming more common. For players that can work through this, though, there’s an incredibly immersive and engaging combat system here.
Players who get a grasp on the many different modes of combat inRomance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remakewill be left with a title that is essentially a political thriller generator, ready for hours of gameplay whenever they are. To get there, however, they first have to work through several different layers of both physical and verbal combat, not to mention all the mechanics beyond combat that need to be focused on to master this game.
Mechabellumis crunchy, in-depth sci-fi combat at its best, leaving players feeling like some kind of cyberpunk commando taking control over a legion of murderous war-drones. It’s not a game that’s particularlyeasy on beginners, however.
Players need to adjust their strategy with every fight, keeping up with enemy units and having a perfect memory of what each unit’s counters are. If they can’t manage this — and if the opponent can — then a swift and violent defeat awaits them.
