The lion's share of strategy games are viewed from a top-down perspective. It is just easier for players to view their units and their enemy's movement from this perspective. It also makes things easier to navigate and leads to intuitive strategic elements to challenge players, be it enemy ranges or terrain bonuses, they simply operate better from a top-down view.
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Consequently, there are very few strategy games that operate from a third-person perspective, but the ones that do, almost always have unique designs and amazing features. They utilize this field of view to provide an incredible and innovative experience. Although this may take some time to get used to, the games that do it will stand at the summit of the strategy game genre, especially in terms of offering something different.
5 Sacrifice
Metascore: 89
- Released: November 17, 2000
- Developer: Shiny Entertainment
- Platforms: PC
Sacrifice is a cult-classic video game that didn't get too much mainstream success, but it stands out as a real-time strategy game that incorporates the third-person perspective seamlessly. Sacrifice features wizards whom players can control and, use to summon different types of units for combat. Each class has its own strengths and weaknesses. The game also features a unique 'sacrifice' feature; players can destroy enemy bases by sacrificing their own units.
This game features a lot of technical depth and unique mechanics, and can easily be considered to be beyond its own time. The visuals were striking and the different enemies and environments were unique and impactful. It didn't feature large armies like other real-time strategy games, but there were still tons to manage.
4 Valkyria Chronicles 4
Metascore: 85
The Valkyria Chronicles series has had tons of ups and downs and even an identity crisis, but it seems to have found its footing with Valkyria Chronicles 4. It is set in the same war as the original game in the series, featuring Kai, Claude, and Raz, with their squad E operating in a different region compared to the original Squad 7. The gameplay is largely the same as the first game in the series, third-person movement and turn-based combat. The game features large sprawling maps with tons of enemies littered about. Players can capture enemy bases, and the game focuses even more on tank-based combat. The new Grenadier class is a welcome addition as well.
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Claude and the entirety of Squad E are entertaining and unique characters, fleshed out by their relationships and interactions with different units in the squad. As Claude and his team fight through the war, the players are treated to a host of unique villains, different challenging maps, and lots of twists and turns.
3 Mount and Blade
Metascore: 72
- Released: September 16, 2008
- Developer: TaleWorlds Entertainment
- Platforms: PC
The original Mount and Blade game is a one-of-a-kind success that is able to emulate certain aspects of war, and warring factions effortlessly, and to a level never seen before. A lot of this is due to the third-person perspective players operate from. The premise of the game is quite simple, players are dropped into a sandbox world, and they must build up their forces, increase their renown, and battle enemy factions.
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Mount & Blade allows players to experience war in a unique manner; players are within their army charging at the foe, battering shields, and evading the charge of cavalry. There are different avenues of battle, be it an open field, a settlement, or a full-blown siege. This game involves intricate strategy, lots of grinding, and endless combat possibilities, making it one of the best third-person games out there.
2 Valkyria Chronicles
Metascore: 86
The most unique feature of Valkyria Chronicles is the incredible art style that resembles a war painting in motion. This is fitting considering the game is set during a continent-wide war and focuses on a group of soldiers, part of the local militia, attempting to resist the invasion by the Empire. The game follows Squad 7, led by Welkin and Alicia.
Valkyria Chronicles is a strategy game based around the third-person perspective where players control their units on a large map, and then engage in battle when they reach enemy units. There are different modes of movement and action and enemies have their own phase too. Imagine Fire Emblem, but when players are moving, the perception field changes. The game has tons of different units with their own backstories, abilities, strengths, and synergies. Moreover, there are tons of traps and environmental hazards to utilize and, overall, it's a fun and at times difficult game with a solid albeit cookie-cutter plot.
1 Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord
Metascore: 77
Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord was the long-awaited sequel to the original Mount & Blade game, and while it didn't quite reach the expectations set by its predecessor, it is an incredible game that builds on and polishes the original premise. The biggest change is how the game improves on the siege mechanics. The buildings players can siege have tons of new features, such as interactable walls, chokepoints, and an array of different entry points. Players can also use siege weapons to balance the battle. Nevertheless, sieges are built to be difficult, arduous yet extremely rewarding battles that are time-consuming and scratch that strategic itch. These sieges are even better with mods.
Beyond sieges, the game has made tons of quality-of-life improvements. The game world is more densely populated, featuring caravans, trade settlements, merchants, bandits, and civilians. Players also have more interactions with the NPCs and everything simply feels more fleshed out. Bannerlord continues to offer that incredible third-person view of hordes of rival factions charging in battle, and despite the minor differences between it and its predecessor, it stands out as the pinnacle of what this perspective can offer to strategy games.
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Some of the best turn-based strategy games have been around the market for a while, and many are definitely worth revisiting for a unique experience.
