Why I’m Playing These 10 Short Strategy Games Between Work and Family Life

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Introduction

Let’s face it, we’re not young anymore. I used to be able to play Hearts of Iron for twelve hours straight without even noticing the time pass. Now, with running Firaxis, my job, and even simple tasks like laundry, my free time for gaming is limited. But just because we’re busy adults doesn’t mean we have to give up really engaging and strategic games.

After playing strategy games for 25 years, I’ve found a collection of what I call ‘Micro-Strategy’ games – titles that offer deep, thoughtful gameplay without requiring huge time commitments. These aren’t simple casual games; they’re complex experiences that are respectful of your busy life. I personally keep these 10 games installed so I can enjoy a quick tactical challenge whenever I have a few free minutes – whether it’s during lunch or while taking a break from childcare.

Looking for strategy games you can enjoy in short bursts? You don’t need hours of free time to have fun with this genre! If you like what you read here, be sure to check out my other lists for more recommendations, including indie titles and classic real-time strategy games.

10 – Grit & Valor – 1949

If you enjoy quick, strategic games that are easy to pick up but still challenging, I recommend checking out Grit & Valor – 1949. Missions are short – usually under five minutes, though boss fights take longer – and require careful planning. Success depends on positioning your units well, understanding when to deploy them, and building a strong, lasting team. The game features simple mechanics, clear objectives, and plenty of replay value. I even described it as a streamlined strategy game perfect for short breaks.

9 – Mini Motorways

I’ve been a fan of Mini Motorways ever since it launched in 2021. It’s a go-to game for short bursts of fun, and I always have it installed on all my devices. Whenever I have just a few minutes, I love booting it up for a quick, relaxing, and rewarding experience. The core gameplay is simple: you connect residential areas with matching commercial districts using a limited supply of road pieces like roads, roundabouts, and highways. If traffic gets too congested, the game ends. It’s incredibly easy to learn and play, and the randomly generated maps keep things interesting. Plus, you’ll constantly discover new and better ways to manage traffic and improve your score. It’s easily one of my favorite games.

8 – Thronefall

Okay, so I’ve been playing Thronefall, and it’s seriously good if you’re looking for a strategy game you can pick up and play quickly. It’s all about building up your city, managing resources – but not in a super complicated way – and then defending it in fast-paced battles. Every choice you make feels important, but it’s easy to learn, which is awesome. You can finish a round in just a few minutes! Things definitely get more intense later on, but that’s part of the fun. And if you’re still not convinced, it has a 96% positive rating on Steam, which says a lot. It’s easily one of the best games on there right now.

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2026-02-20 16:43