Strategy games are a blast to play through, compelling players to utilize a wide range of tactics and come out victorious against their opposition after a grueling session of managing resources and deploying units. Of course, not all strategy games follow the same template, with some focusing more on reaching an end goal in a fairly laidback manner while others emphasize strategic combat and heavily punishing players for making mistakes.
Regardless of which kind of strategy game players prefer, there's one thing that can't be denied — many successful games in this genre use a 2D aesthetic to great effect, either simplifying the graphics to focus more on gameplay or utilizing a unique art style that ends up making the experience far more enjoyable.
10 The Banner Saga
The Banner Saga is a beautiful 2D game featuring a striking and detailed art style that makes its turn-based strategic combat feel all the more alive. The game also mixes elements of titles like Oregon Trail, with the player controlling a convoy that explores the world and makes several critical choices along the way.
The first game was great until its ending, and the second title learned from its mistakes and made for a far more exciting experience. Players who want to go through two epic games with excellent writing should look no further than The Banner Saga.
9 Into The Breach
Into the Breach is a game made by the developers of FTL, a title that arguably propelled the roguelike genre to new heights. Into the Breach continues this legacy, replacing ships with a host of armed mechs as they explore different islands and protect the world from the Vek, an alien species that is threatening to overtake humanity.
There's a constant theme of sacrifice present in Into the Breach, with players having to give up on key control points for the greater good time and time again. While some people found it inferior to Subset Games' breakout hit, Into the Breach is still a masterclass of combining roguelike and strategic combat elements.
8 Factorio
Factorio is a unique management simulation game with strategic elements that players can get lost in for hours on end. At a glance, the idea of forming an operational factory on a foreign planet doesn't sound that exciting, but it's how Factorio rolls with this concept that makes it so enjoyable.
Players have to create complex machinery, form defenses, and ensure a constant supply of resources to work toward their end goal. Factorio may not be the most accessible game, but players who decide to go through this grueling learning curve will find themselves enjoying an extremely deep game that combines simulation and strategy elements to great effect.
7 Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade
In modern times, most people know Fire Emblem as a great turn-based strategy series that may have too much representation in Super Smash Bros. However, the allure of this series wouldn't have reached such high levels if The Blazing Blade didn't become such a massive hit.
Chronicling the story of Lyn, Eliwood, and Hector, players loved their adventure through the continent of Elibe, which is currently going through major political unrest. Featuring amazing sprite work and a fun combat section, The Blazing Blade's massive commercial success in the West paved the way for the localization of other titles in the series, and the rest is history.
6 Wildermyth
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Most people assume that storytelling in video games involves a structured narrative with scripted set pieces and moments that follow a chronological order. This notion was completely dispelled by Wildermyth, which proved that good writing is king when it comes to character and story writing.
The main campaigns of Wildermyth may follow a given structure, but the events in between are completely random and organic. The minimalist art style does a great job of adding to the life of this game, with party members becoming lovers, friends, or rivals as they adventure together.
5 Dwarf Fortress
Dwarf Fortress is a game that was known for two things — its rudimentary graphics and extremely addictive gameplay that rewarded players for struggling to learn the basics early on. The title pulls no punches, and players will see their colonists die over and over again as they come to grips with how the game works.
Once players learn the basics, then the sheer creativity they can display in this game is truly immense. With a wealth of game modes that accompany its main gameplay loop, Dwarf Fortress is a masterpiece of strategy and simulation gameplay that fans of the genre owe it to themselves to check out.
4 Age Of Empires 2: The Age Of Kings
Age of Empires 2 is one of the greatest RTS games ever made that most people are quite familiar with. Forming settlements, creating soldiers, gathering resources, and raiding enemy bases makes for a tantalizing gameplay loop that players simply can't get enough of even now!
The fact that Age of Empires 4 pretty much adapted this title's gameplay with a few modern innovations is a testament to how timeless this title's gameplay really is. The campaign mode is still a blast, and multiplayer sessions end up being mind-blowing strategic affairs where players try and debilitate their foes by sending wave after wave of soldiers to disrupt their economy.
3 FTL: Faster Than Light
FTL: Faster than Light is a legendary sci-fi strategy game that needs no introduction. The title is rough on beginners, with their death being downright guaranteed if they aren't familiar with how the mechanics of this game work.
However, with enough luck and better ships, players can slowly but surely make progress with each run. It makes for a satisfying affair, and players can easily put in over a hundred hours into the game if not more!
2 Crusader Kings 2
Most people's introduction to the Crusader Kings series came with the third game, which is arguably one of Paradox Interactive's most accessible titles. However, most hardcore veterans still fondly remember the second title, mainly due to the sheer wealth of content it boasts.
Crusader Kings 2 is extremely hard to get into, but worth all this effort once players grasp its many facets. Forming alliances, waging wars, engaging in affairs, developing dynasties — there are simply too many things to do in this amazing title, with the 2D art style being quite effective in communicating the stories formed in each playthrough.
1 Rimworld
Rimworld is a brutal game, and players will struggle quite a bit as their colonists die due to a myriad of reasons over and over again.
The moment-to-moment gameplay of Rimworld leads to many memorable moments as the colony grows and its inhabitants form relationships over time. Keeping these people happy and safe is a challenging endeavor, but players who weather through the early storm of failures will be more than pleased when they finally help a colony thrive and become one of the most habitable places on the planet they crash-landed on oh-so-long ago.