Strategy games are often best suited to multiplayer environments and match-based skirmish modes, be it the often short and snappygames ofStarCraft 2or the lengthy sessions associated with the 4X genre. However, within this varied genre are several titles with more open-ended structures.
Be it a level-based structure that rewards experimentation, an open-world sandbox, or a design that revolves around a lengthy campaign, there are many experiences on offer. The lack of a match-based structure doesn’t necessarily mean a longer format, but many of these games are designed to be played over a number of sessions.
Taking great inspiration from tabletop role-playinggames such asDungeons & Dragons,Wildermythis a narrative-focused experience with turn-based strategy combat. The game sees players maneuvering around an overworld map, battling enemies and developing their party of characters over time.
There’s an emphasis on role-playing withinWilderymyth, but combat remains a strategic and often engaging experience thanks to flanking mechanics and a focus on teamwork. Elevating the overall experience is a superbpaper-craft art-styleand the addition of online co-op.
Kenshiis an open-world sandbox RPG with a great deal of depth and a focus on player agency. Players are able to do whatever they see fit withinKenshi’sharsh and hostile world, but it’sa game that requires patience.
InKenshi, players are given control of one character, and are able to slowly accrue party members as they explore. Everything inKenshiis, however, out to kill the player and whatever friends they’ve managed to make. Furthermore, the game’s user-interface and lack of goals may leave less experienced players disoriented. All this is to say thatKenshiis a game that gets better over time, and is perfectly suited to its long-form sandbox structure.
Featuring a level-based structure,Thronefallis an inherentlyshort-form experience. However, its position as a single-player title and the addition of a forgiving retry system makesThronefalla particularly accessible short-form strategy game.
In the game, players build defenses and economic buildings to defend against waves of enemies. The game also features light real-time strategy mechanics that remain accessible through intuitive controls. Furthermore, for players that want a longer experience,Thronefallalso offers a roguelike mode.
Offering a laid-back campaign experience,For The Kingis a unique and accessible strategy RPG with a roguelike structure. In the game, players take control of a party of three adventurers, completing objectives via overworld exploration, dungeon-crawling, and a variety of enemy encounters.
For The Kingis elevated by its minimalist 3D art-style, straightforward mechanics, and variety of playable classes. Best of all,For The Kingcan also be playedin online co-op, somewhat of a rarity in the strategy game genre.
RimWorldis a deep but remarkably accessible colony simulator that takes great inspiration from games such asDwarf Fortressand combines it with a setting/atmosphere reminiscent ofFirefly. Featuring a combination of resource management, construction, and real-time strategy gameplay,RimWorldis a brilliantly diverse experience, only elevated by its open-ended structure and championing of player agency.
RimWorldinvolves a great deal of strategy and mechanical depth, but its greatest strengths are arguably its story-building engine and atmospheric soundtrack. The music is also tremendously evocative, allowingRimWorldto be an immersive experience despite minimalist visuals.
Though not a match-based game,Darkest Dungeondistills its long-form turn-based strategy into bite-sized chunks via its nature as a dungeon-crawler. Wrapped in a rich, grim-dark fantasy setting,Darkest Dungeonis an evocative roguelike RPG that challenges the player at every turn, tasking them with resource and party management under the threat of permanent death.
Darkest Dungeon, similarly to games such asXCOM, can be incredibly unforgiving, and this only becomes more dour with the oppressive atmosphere. However, fans of Gothic, hand-drawn art-styles, Lovecraftian horror, and roguelike dungeon-crawlers will likely find something to love.
This turn-based strategy game features a roguelike/roguelite structure and objective-based, puzzle-like gameplay that’s wonderfully unique. In the game, players take control of a small squad of mechs, defending cities from an alien invasion. This is done through bite-sized, grid-based missions that are tremendously easy to read thanks to expert telegraphing and condensed levels.
The short-form levels combined with the campaign format makeInto The Breacha truly digestible and yet rewarding experience. Furthermore, the overarching threat of defeat keeps the game consistently tense.
Battle Brothersis anopen-world sandboxRPG reminiscent of games such asMount & Blade, but features turn-based combat and a tighter focus. In the game, players take command of a mercenary company, charged with the management of their roster and resources. Players take on a variety of contracts, almost all of which lead to brutally violent encounters, and work their reputation with the game’s factions in the build-up to an end-game crisis.
This long-form nature gives players plenty of time to develop their company from the ground up, creating attachments with particular members and evolving their strategy. Simply put,Battle Brothers’combat, while a deep and rewarding system, is supported - and elevated - by the game’s outside systems.
