Great Strategy Games That Aren't Match-Based

As a seasoned strategy gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that this list truly resonates with me. I remember the days of huddling around a CRT TV, playing games like Battle Brothers’ spiritual predecessor, Mount & Blade, late into the night. The thrill of leading a band of mercenaries, managing resources, and engaging in brutal turn-based combat still gives me goosebumps.

Strategy games typically thrive in multiplayer settings and battles structured like matches, whether it’s quick and intense games like StarCraft 2 or long gaming sessions that come with the 4X genre. Yet, within this diverse strategy game category, there are numerous titles featuring less structured open-ended designs.

There are various types of game structures available: some are level-based and encourage exploration, others are open-world sandboxes, and yet others focus on long campaigns. Not all of them have a match-based structure, but many are intended to be played across multiple sessions rather than in one sitting.

8. Wildermyth

A Narrative-Focused Experience That Suits A Longer Format

Drawing considerable influence from games like Dungeons & Dragons, Wildermyth offers a story-centric adventure that incorporates turn-based strategic combat. Players navigate through an expansive world map, engage in battles with adversaries, and gradually shape their cast of characters over the course of the game.

In the game Wilderymyth, there’s a strong emphasis placed on role-playing elements, yet combat maintains its strategic importance and often proves to be an engaging experience due to tactics like flanking and a focus on collaboration. The gaming experience is significantly enhanced by a striking papercraft art style and the availability of online cooperative play.

7. Kenshi

An Open-Ended Sandbox RPG With Real-Time Tactics Gameplay

In simpler terms, Kenshi is an extensive open-world role-playing game that emphasizes player freedom. You can explore and interact with the game’s challenging environment as you please, but keep in mind that this game demands a bit of time and perseverance.

In the game known as Kenshi, each player takes charge of a single character, gradually gathering companions as they traverse the world. However, every aspect within Kenshi aims to eliminate the player and their newly formed allies. The game’s interface might be confusing for less experienced players due to its absence of clear objectives. Essentially, Kenshi is a game that improves with time, ideally tailored to its expansive sandbox format.

6. Thronefall

A Minimalist Tower Defense Game With Compact, Replayable Levels

As a gamer, I’d say that “Thronefall” is designed with a progression system based on levels, making it a compact gaming experience. Yet, being a solo player game and offering a lenient retry mechanism, this compact strategy game becomes incredibly accessible for gamers like me.

In this game, players construct defensive structures and economic buildings to fend off hordes of adversaries. The game incorporates simple real-time strategy elements that stay user-friendly due to their intuitive controls. Additionally, for those seeking an extended gaming session, Thronefall provides a roguelike mode as well.

5. For The King

A Strategy Roguelike With A Campaign Structure

As an enthusiast, I’d describe my experience with “For The King” as immersing myself in a relaxed yet engaging strategy RPG journey. This game stands out with its distinctive blend of accessibility and unique roguelike structure. In this adventure, you lead a troop of three heroes, navigating objectives through exploration of the overworld, delving into dungeons, and confronting an assortment of challenging foes.

For The King shines with its simplistic 3D art design, uncomplicated mechanics, and numerous character classes to choose from. What truly sets it apart is the option for multiplayer cooperation, which isn’t commonly found in strategic gaming.

4. RimWorld

A Slow-Burning & Strategic Colony-Sim

In simpler terms, RimWorld is an engaging colony simulator that draws influences from games like Dwarf Fortress and evokes the feel of Firefly. It offers a blend of resource management, construction, and real-time strategy gameplay. With its open-ended structure and emphasis on player freedom, RimWorld offers a richly varied gaming experience that’s truly unique.

RimWorld offers a wealth of strategy and intricate mechanics, however, its standout features might just be its narrative construction tool and captivating soundtrack. The music in particular, is exceptionally evocative, making RimWorld an immersive game despite its simple graphics.

3. Darkest Dungeon

An Unforgiving Campaign Distilled Into Bite-Sized Dungeons

In contrast to games that rely on match mechanics, Darkest Dungeon transforms its extensive turn-based strategy into manageable segments thanks to its dungeon-crawling format. Immersed in a dense, somber fantasy atmosphere, Darkest Dungeon is a compelling roguelike RPG that continually tests players with demanding resource management and the constant risk of permanent character demise.

In a manner similar to games like XCOM, Darkest Dungeon can be extremely demanding, with an increasingly somber ambiance adding to the challenge. Nonetheless, enthusiasts of Gothic aesthetics, intricate hand-drawn art styles, Lovecraftian themes, and roguelike dungeon exploration are likely to discover aspects they’ll appreciate.

2. Into The Breach

A Strategic Puzzle Built From Condensed Grid-Based Levels

As a gamer, I’ve found myself immersed in a captivating turn-based strategy game where I command a squad of mechs to defend our cities from an alien onslaught. The gameplay is a delightful blend of roguelike/roguelite mechanics and objective-driven, puzzle-like challenges that sets it apart from others in the genre. Each mission, presented in bite-sized, grid-based levels, is strategically designed for easy comprehension due to its expertly telegraphed objectives and concise level layouts.

Playing “Into The Breach” is an extremely engaging and fulfilling journey due to its compact stages and campaign-style structure. Moreover, the constant looming danger of failure ensures that the game remains thrilling throughout.

1. Battle Brothers

A Sandbox RPG With Brutal Turn-Based Combat

In “Battle Brothers,” you embark on an open-world role-playing adventure similar to games like “Mount & Blade.” However, it offers turn-based combat and a more concentrated gameplay experience. As a player, you lead a mercenary company, overseeing your team’s management and resources. You complete various assignments, most of which result in intense, bloody conflicts. Your reputation with the game’s factions grows as you progress, culminating in a climactic end-game crisis.

In Battle Brothers, players are granted ample time to build their company from scratch, fostering connections with specific characters and refining their strategies. Essentially, the intricate yet satisfying combat mechanics of the game are bolstered and enhanced by its broader features.

2024-12-20 04:35

Great Strategy Games That Aren’t Match-Based