Strategy Games With The Most Complicated Lore

Key Takeaways

Strategy games come in various subgenres like real-time, turn-based, and grand strategy.
Many strategy games focus on deep lore using mythology, history, or existing franchises.
Each game, from Endless Space 2 to StarCraft, leverages unique lore to enhance the gaming experience.

As a lifelong strategy gaming enthusiast who’s spent countless hours immersed in these intricate worlds, I can confidently say that the lore-rich strategy games listed here are nothing short of masterpieces. Each title offers a unique blend of storytelling and gameplay that keeps me engaged for hours on end.

Strategy games come in various forms, such as real-time, turn-based, and grand strategy games. These genres frequently use fictional or historical backgrounds to offer an engaging gaming adventure. Over time, they have established themselves as a significant foundation for professional esports competitions.

As a dedicated strategy game enthusiast, I can attest that not every strategy game is about high-speed action. Some strategy titles offer a rich and immersive experience, complete with intricate lore and history that extends across numerous installments within the same franchise. These games often draw upon mythology and ancient legends to create a deeper narrative, especially during campaign modes. It’s fascinating how some strategy games have such an extensive backstory, one that has grown over multiple games.

7 Endless Space 2

The Story Of The Endless Race

In simple terms, “Endless Space 2” is a turn-based strategy game belonging to the 4x category, set within the universe of Endless Space. As is common in this type of game, you pick an empire to manage and then strive to conquer all other empires, aiming to fulfill a specific objective for victory.

In the realm of galactic strategy games, I find myself drawn to Endless Space 2 for a unique twist: it’s set in a universe once inhabited by ancient beings, now extinct. This intriguing lore sets the stage for my cosmic conquest, and opens up fascinating gameplay aspects like the Dungeon of the Endless and Endless Legend.

6 Sins Of A Solar Empire

3 Factions With Their Own Lore

In simpler terms, “Sins of a Solar Empire” is a strategic video game involving live battles. Players must utilize their military power, diplomatic skills, and wise resource allocation to construct an empire. The objective is to achieve victory against rival empires.

The tale of “Sins of a Solar Empire” revolves around the distinct characteristics of its three playable groups: the TEC, Advent, and Vasari. The TEC, with their industrial roots, form one group, while the Advent, who possess mystical abilities and concealed motives, constitute another. Lastly, the Vasari, once a powerful faction, are now in decay. Each of these factions designs their vessels and specializes according to this narrative background.

5 Star Wars: Empire At War

Because It’s Star Wars!

Star Wars: Empire at War offers an engaging real-time strategy experience with a unique twist. The action unfolds in both outer space and terrestrial settings. Additionally, a galactic map is integrated throughout the game, providing a strategic layer to enhance the overall gameplay.

In terms of backstory, not many fictional universes offer as much digging ground for game narrative as the Star Wars franchise. Star Wars: Empire at War makes ample use of this established lore, allowing players to command hero characters straight from the series. The campaign mode also has its unique storyline that unfolds as you advance in the game.

4 Homeworld

A Journey Home

As a gamer, I’d say “Back in the day, I played the original version of ‘Homeworld’, a real-time strategy game that took place among the stars. Later on, it got an overhaul with improved graphics and adjusted gameplay, making it even more amazing. Today, it’s known as one of the best space RTS games ever created.

The game’s action is shaped by its unique storyline. Players assume command of a spaceship, tasked with navigating it through a series of missions aimed at returning Kushan exiles to their native planet. The narrative and cinematic sequences are top-notch, skillfully unfolding the storyline and historical context in a way that was pioneering in its time.

3 Warhammer 40,000: Dawn Of War

Based On The Warhammer 40k Universe

The first installment, titled “Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War,” is part of the “Dawn of War” series, which includes three main games and five downloadable content packs. This game stands out with its real-time strategy format, but it offers a unique twist. In this game, strategic battles frequently revolve around employing special hero units, while the units you produce are more like ordinary troops serving as cannon fodder.

Drawing from the rich and intricate universe of the Warhammer 40k tabletop game, it’s remarkable how few real-time strategy (RTS) games can boast such a wealth of predefined history to draw upon when constructing a campaign. This becomes evident when playing Warhammer 40,000: Dawn Of War, as each faction and heroic unit adheres faithfully to the established lore of Warhammer 40k.

2 Command & Conquer: Tiberium Wars

Kane Dies In The End

In the sequence of the “Command & Conquer” series, the game titled “Command & Conquer: Tiberium Wars” continues the narrative initiated in its predecessors, yet presents it with advanced visuals powered by a contemporary graphics engine and enhanced game mechanics.

In the timeframe of “Command & Conquer: Tiberium Wars”, both factions, GDI and NOD, have a rich background and mythology behind them. At this stage, Kane, the mysterious leader of NOD, is still alive and his actions contribute significantly to the game’s lore. However, due to unfortunate circumstances, the full unraveling of these events did not occur as planned. The game effectively compiles the history of the GDI-NOD conflict up to this point.

1 StarCraft

3 Very Different Factions With Their Own Lore

StarCraft is often hailed as one of the greatest real-time strategy (RTS) games ever made. It paved the way for the evolution of modern eSports gaming and competitive play, leaving a lasting impact on the genre. Although it may seem outdated now, playing it still offers a dose of nostalgia that makes it worthwhile.

One distinctive aspect that makes StarCraft stand out is that each of the three playable races – Terrans, Zerg, and Protoss – are entirely unique. They have their own specialized units and, crucially, distinct strategies. What’s more, each race has its own rich lore, which is gradually revealed as the campaign progresses, contributing to one of the most captivating narratives found in real-time strategy games.

2024-10-10 08:05