Summary
Strategy games are deeply rooted in the PC community, primarily thanks to their mechanics beingwell-suited for a mouse and keyboard. Typical console controllers don’t often suit the complex inputs and micromanagement required of real-time strategy games, and even turn-based games can quickly become tedious on a controller.
Despite many modern strategy games having console ports, there are still titles that are exclusive to the PC. These are just a few examples of well-crafted strategy games that, at the time of writing, have yet to be ported to consoles.
10Xenonauts 2 - A Homage To Classic XCOM
Steam User Rating: 79%
This well-crafted homage tothe classicXCOMgamesfeatures tactical turn-based combat from an isometric perspective. In the game, players manage a variety of units in tactical battles against an overwhelming alien threat.
In between these tactical battles, players will also have to defend against UFOs, train their units, and research new technologies. Despitebeing in Early Accessat the time of writing,Xenonauts 2is already a worthwhile foray for fans of turn-based tactics and old-schoolXCOMalike.
Despite its daunting appearance and dense gameplay mechanics,Terra Invictacan be a deeply rewarding experience.Terra Invictafeatures a hard sci-fi aesthetic and tone, with a focus on grand strategy and tactical combat.
InTerra Invicta, players control one of several factions in a dynamic solar system, engaging in geopolitics and competing with the other factions.Terra Invictaisa truly unique game, and many players are likely to bounce off its steep learning curve, but it’s an experience that offers an abundance of strategic depth.
8No Plan B - A Tactical SWAT Game
Steam User Rating: 88%
No Plan Bis a unique tactics game that uses a timeline system to set itself apart. InNo Plan B, players coordinate their squad of units, carefully planning every move before watching it play out in real-time.
No Plan Bfeatures four playable factions and a variety of missions to complete, including everything from bank robberies to hostage rescue. With roguelike campaigns and short skirmishes to play through, there’s plenty of replay value to be had in this tactical indie game.
This combination of management and real-time strategy offers a tactical experience with a grim tone and atmosphere.Last Train Hometasks players with managing a train and its crew in the middle of a civil war, managing resources, and fighting real-time battles.
Last Train Homefeatures a dark and unique narrative thattakes place in the aftermath of World War 1and follows the lives of the Czechoslovak Legion.Last Train Hometakes place in Siberia, and its environments are mostly well-crafted, making it a particularly immersive strategy game. The train management mechanics are a welcome palette cleanser between the real-time battles.
6Starship Troopers: Terran Command - Horde-Fighting Tactics
Set in the universe of theStarship Troopersfilms,Starship Troopers:Terran Commandis a real-time strategy game that tasks players with battling against hordes of the iconic Arachnids.Terran Commandfeatures a variety of specialized units and masses of bugs to kill, making it the perfect game for fans ofStarship Troopersand RTS games alike.
Starship Troopers: Terran Commandis a fairly straightforward real-time strategy game, but it manages to stand out somewhat with its focus on line-of-fire. This makes tactically positioning units a huge priority and failing to do so often results in the Arachnids tearing apart the player’s infantry.
Reminiscent of the space battles inthe science-fiction show,The Expanse,Nebulous: Fleet Commandis a deeply tactical real-time strategy game. What makesNebulousso deep is its focus on heavy simulation, particularly its advanced movement controls.
Nebulous: Fleet Commandtakes place in 3D space, making maneuvering the game’s lumbering warships an advanced process. While the in-depth controls and hefty simulation won’t be for everyone,Nebuloushas plenty to offer for particularly patient players.
For fans of auto-battlerssuch asSuper Auto PetsandBackpack Hero,Backpack Battlesis a worthy contender. In the game, players manage an ever-expanding inventory as they attempt to maximize their offensive and defensive abilities.
After spending their money in the shop and organizing their inventory as best they can, players fight a random player to the death.Backpack Battlesworks similarly toSuper Auto Pets, with players attempting to reach ten victories before losing all of their lives. However,Backpack Battlesis somewhat more competitive and offers a completely different set of gameplay mechanics that help it to stand out.
With a visual style reminiscent ofWarcraft 3and a distinctive gameplay loop,Against The Stormsucceeds on both a visual and mechanical level.Against The Stormis a strategic city-builder condensed into a roguelite structure, featuring meta-progression that ensures players progress with every run.
Against The Stormalso features several modifiers and six unique biomes that help to make each run feel unique, along with a dynamic weather system that keeps players on their toes. Overall,Against The Stormis perfect for fans of both roguelites and objective-based city-builders.
2Creeper World 4 - A Strategic Tower Defense Game
Steam User Rating: 95%
This fourth entry in the truly uniqueCreeper Worldseries distinguishes itself with its 3D environments, which further add toCreeper World’scomplexities, offering players more strategic options.Creeper Worldis known for its physics-based antagonistic goo, the “Creeper,” andCreeper World 4’s 3D aesthetic helps to make the Creeper even more threatening.
Despite its upgrade to 3D,Creeper World 4is not the most visually appealing game. However, the game’s in-depth mechanics and heaps of replay value dramatically help in looking past its lackluster aesthetic.
This minimalist base defense game combines elements of real-time strategy and tower defense games, offering a uniquely strategic experience. InThronefall, players ride across their miniature Kingdom on horseback, fighting off enemies with the help of their various defenses and units.
Thronefallfeatures several distinct levels, a variety of challenging enemies, and plenty of strategies to think of using the game’s perk system. When combined with the roguelike mode and well-crafted minimalist art style,Thronefallis more than worth its relatively low price.
