Summary
The strategy game genre is one that is broad and diverse, offering an array of experiences that vary wildly in complexity and challenge. However, some of these titles can feel like there’s only ever one solution to any given situation, and when this solution becomes obvious, it can suck the fun out of the game.
Some strategy games, however, attempt to circumvent this design problem by offering players a tremendous number of approaches to take. Games such asKenshioffer basic combat but champion player agency by providing a great number of options. Meanwhile, titles such asDune: Spice Warsprovide multiple approaches in the form of numerous victory conditions.
Arguably one of the most accessible roguelike deck-builders,Balatroremains a strategic game through its diverse variety of potential strategies and synergies. Each run is made unique by giving the player a choice of starting decks, and this is only elevated by the random Jokers (passive upgrades) and distinct cards that can be acquired and even upgraded throughout each run.
Balatrocan begin to feel somewhat repetitive due to the simplicity of its moment-to-moment gameplay, a loop that’s heavily based on Poker and score-attack games. However, the diversity of available strategies ensures the game remains fresh for a good while.
Mount & Blade: Warbandmay be a little rough around the edges, but it makes up for it in spades with its unique gameplay and variety of strategic approaches. In the game,players take command of their own army, working their reputation with the in-game factions and participating in near-constant conflict.
The RPG elements of the game, as well as the variety of army units, help to keepMount & Bladea diverse experience. However, this is further elevated by the dynamic real-time battles, during which players can use commands to maneuver their army into strategic positions, potentially changing the course of a battle.
This dark, Gothicturn-based strategy gameis a harsh and unforgiving experience that not only offers multiple strategies, but encourages them. InDarkest Dungeon, players are given the task of managing a roster of not-so-stalwart adventurers and sending them into dangerous dungeons populated by Lovecraftian horrors.
The end goal is to rid the land of these creatures, but the journey is a long and arduous one. Thankfully, the experience is packed with variety; not only are there amultitude of character classes, but each has multiple ability options and can even be equipped with a variety of unique items. Furthermore, only four adventurers can go on any given mission, meaning that players must frequently switch up their party and experiment with different strategies.
AlthoughKenshi’scombat is relatively basic, the real-time strategy, tactical pause feature, and squad dynamics keep it an engaging experience. However, the multiple approaches present inKenshi’sdesign take place outside of combat, in preparation and progression.
Kenshiisa sandbox RPGthat champions player agency at every turn, allowing them to play the game at their own pace and set their own goals. There’s a diverse variety of ways to build any given character inKenshi, and there are a multitude of activities to focus on. Overall, this results in an experience that’s consistently rewarding, as players are encouraged to experiment and follow the path that suits them best.
Super Auto Petsis an accessibleauto-battler with a truly elegant designthat combines elements of traditional auto-battlers and games such asHearthstone. This results in a loop that’s both simple and strategic, elevated by a truly diverse set of potential strategies and synergies.
In the game, players are given the task of building a small squad of pets, buffing them with unique items and doing battle in asynchronous multiplayer. The variety of pets and items, as well as the randomization within its gameplay, typically result in unique squads each match. Optimal strategies do pop up, but the game’s weekly mode switches up the roster of available pets and items on a regular basis, helping to keep the experience fresh.
This charmingroguelike deck-builderfeatures a unique twist, tasking players with building a party of adventurers and managing their turn timers in battle. A variety of status effects, card types, and companions also help to inject some variety into the gameplay, along with a unique charm system that helps players to gear party members toward a specific strategy.
What allowsWildfrostto support such a wide variety of approaches, however, is its array of playable factions. Each of these three unique groups offer their own distinctive play-styles and a variety of strategies within, allowing players to take a different approach near every run.
2Dune: Imperium
Deck-Building Strategy With A Variety Of Options
Dune: Imperiumisa tremendous and complex board gamesuperbly adapted by Dire Wolf for the digital format and supported by a slick user-interface. Mechanically dense and yet easy to learn,Dune: Imperiumis a deck-building game with a worker-placement structure, giving players a wealth of choice in both how to build their deck and how to use it.
Dune: Imperiumis fleshed out with a wide array of cards that can be added to any given deck, and many of these cards have multiple uses. Combined with the diverse ensemble of leader characters, each with their own strengths and weaknesses,Dune: Imperiumoffers a tremendous number of strategic approaches.
Combining elements of both the 4X andreal-time strategy genres,Dune: Spice Warsis a unique beast that elevates itself with thematic mechanics that tie in with its legendary source material. Despite featuring gameplay that’s simplified in certain regards,Dune: Spice Warsremains mechanically deep through a series of systems, each of which offer players a variety of bold strategies. Furthermore, the game can be won in a variety of ways.
Taking place on the harsh desert world of Arrakis,Dune: Spice Warstakes full advantage of its hostile environment by working it into the gameplay. Attrition is a very real problem for any player’s armies, as well as the infamous sandworms. In keeping withthe source material, politics and espionage are also integral to the design ofDune: Spice Wars, further adding to the dense landscape of strategies. Best of all,Dune: Spice Warsfeatures a variety of playable factions that each offer their own play-styles and a set of advisors to choose from. Each of these factions plays dramatically differently from one another, resulting in a multitude of approaches.
