Although strategy games might not be associated with home consoles nowadays, the PlayStation 2 was a vehicle for an abundance of strategy games in all forms; strategy-RPGs, turn-based tactics, and even more experimental strategy games like Full Spectrum Warrior were common on the PS2.

Strategy games can be difficult for a variety of reasons, whether that be clever AI opponents, inaccessible gameplay systems, or encounters specifically designed to be hard. Because the difficulty of most strategy games often comes down to how experienced the player is, the games mentioned below provide a variety of experiences that offer their own unique challenges regardless of if they are just strategy games or strategy-RPGs.

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6 Gladius

This mostly forgotten hidden gem from LucasArts was released back in 2003 and tasks players with working their way up the ranks as one of two gladiators with their own distinct narratives, though the gameplay between the two characters remains mostly the same.

Gladius features many similar mechanics to other strategy RPGS, but it's much more focused on combat; Gladius has an initiative system based on speed, a rock-paper-scissors system based on the weight of attacks, and even rules for high ground and unit facing that puts a massive emphasis on strategic unit positioning. Furthermore, Gladius features a variety of quick-time events and mini-games that must be completed in order to pull off attacks, adding a layer of skill to the strategic gameplay. Like many strategy RPGs, Gladius also features a skill system that helps add a layer of depth and decision to the gameplay. However, Gladius's decision to prevent units from dying permanently means that the is experience is never too punishing.

5 Disgaea: Hour Of Darkness

Taking place in a surprisingly dark setting full of demons, Disgaea: Hour Of Darkness is an isometric turn-based strategy RPG that was clearly designed with experienced strategy gamers in mind, making it a difficult affair for most newcomers to the genre.

Fans of games like Final Fantasy: Tactics and Ogre Battle will be right at home with the game's turn-based combat, but Disgaea: Hour Of Darkness has a few innovations up its sleeve that add depth and difficulty to the experience. In Disgaea, succeeding in combat is as much about planning as it is about the combat itself; in the game's hub, players can purchase and unlock new items, and picking the right tools is essential to having an easier time.

4 Ring Of Red

This alternate history strategy RPG tells a unique story of intrigue and secret conflict in which mechs are used to fight explosive battles. Ring Of Red is an innovative and action-packed strategy game that keeps a fast pace, something that is arguably necessary to play well on a console.

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Although Ring Of Red's narrative is strong, it unfortunately falls down in its presentation, which is primarily made up of fairly dry dialogue boxes. This doesn't help players stay engaged between the game's fairly challenging encounters, which are made more difficult through the game's clunky, busy user interface. Despite this, fans of mechs and strategy combined should still have a good time with Ring Of Red's cinematic combat.

3 Front Mission 4

This fourth entry in the strategy-RPG mech series is more strategy game than RPG thanks to its hardcore turn-based combat. Like the games that came before, Front Mission 4 is a long, difficult, and slow-burning game that won't be for everyone.

Front Mission 4 is often overlooked due to its arguable inferiority to Front Mission 3, a beloved entry in the franchise. Front Mission 4 has an extremely slow and difficult start that doesn't do much in the way of easing players into the experience, especially if they are new to the series. Furthermore, the harder missions in the game can take an extremely long time to beat even without failing.

2 Dynasty Tactics 2

This sequel streamlined and improved upon the gameplay of the original while injecting more challenging gameplay through a deeper set of strategic options. In Dynasty Tactics 2, players must worry about building their army through recruiting, upgrading, and carefully editing before going into battle.

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Players who fail to efficiently strategize and make the right decisions when building and editing their army will have an even tougher time than most throughout Dynasty Tactics 2's variety of encounters. Combat-wise, Dynasty Tactics 2 is very Chess-like, with a variety of unit types, and an emphasis on positioning. Dynasty Tactics 2 also features rules for the direction units are facing, and an initiative system that relies on unit morale.

1 Commandos 2: Men Of Courage

This squad-based strategy game is set in WW2 and features gameplay that feels almost puzzle-like, similar to how the tactical gameplay in the indie strategy gameInto The Breach often morphs into a puzzle as players attempt to decipher what the best possible move is. This cycle of trial and error can make Commandos 2 challenging in a completely different way to the other games mentioned previously.

Commandos 2 features some unfortunate UI choices and clunky controls that make it difficult to get started with, but its combination of squad-based strategy and stealth elements make it an intense and engaging game to play, even when the difficulty of the missions starts to ramp up.

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