When it comes tostrategygames, they can look intimidating for new players — thinking quickly, planning ahead, and having to memorize resources and mechanics. The last thing any beginner wants is to get stuck playing some of themore complex strategy video gamesand getting stuck. That’s okay though, because not every tactical game requires a college degree.
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It doesn’t matter if it’s anRTSor some strategicturn-basedvideo game, because the genre is packed with loads of choices new players can enjoy. Once you’ve found the right niche, you’ll find it hard to put it down, as with every fun tactical game, it can get addicting and time-consuming. So, clear out your schedule and throw on your thinking cap, it’s time to check out the best strategy games for starting players.
10Persona 5 Tactica
Role-Playing Rebellion
Persona 5 Tactica
If you’re a fan ofRPGs, especially the Persona games,Persona 5 Tacticamight be more your speed. After being whisked away to a strange new world, Joker and his team have no choice but to spark a revolution against the tyrannical force keeping them trapped.
As far as strategy games go, the best way to describe Tactica would be to call itPersona 5meets a game of chess. The combat and gameplay are easy to understand from the get-go. The battles take place on a grid-based map, with each character having a limited amount of movement and choices for each turn. To attack, you can use your firearms or summon your Persona to use its abilities. Even the environment plays a role, providing cover or unique tricks to take out your opponents.
The game takes place amid the events of Persona 5, so the plot for Tactica does require prior knowledge of P5’s story.
9FTL: Faster Than Light
Captain Your Own Spaceship
FTL: Faster Than Light
For players that love Sci-Fi and want somethingRoguelite, Faster Than Light has enough to offer. You command a spaceship and crew as you head into space for adventure. From the beginning, you can pick your ship and crew, and the game allows you to name them.
Not every adventure will be the same. With each sector you travel to, there’s a new encounter, and you’ll have to decide how to proceed. As you progress, you’ll be able to acquire better ships and hire new crewmates. In battle, you and your team manage the weapons as you can target enemy vessels and their weak points, with each faction being different. Although combat happens in real time, you can stop the clock to plan your next move. FTL may require some trial and error, but once you get into it, it becomes an addictive adventure.
8Plague Inc: Evolved
End The World Your Way
Plague Inc: Evolved
It’s time to let your evil genius flow. You get to create your own plague to unleash upon the world. Where it starts, how it transmits, and how it spreads are all up to you. There’s only one objective. Spread the plague until all of mankind is wiped out.
Yes, this is one of the darker strategy games out there, but it’s also the most laidback. Between hopping through menus to upgrade your disease, you’ll mostly be staring at the map the whole game to watch the effects and collect plague points. This is also a short game, as most outbreaks will take you under an hour to complete. For replay value, the game features alternative scenarios, and other viruses to unlock, such as the Necroa Virus where you unleash a zombie epidemic. The only thing truly hard about this game is how real it can get.
7Surviving Mars
City Building in Space
Surviving Mars
For those wanting to explore something along the lines of a city builder — the subgenre of strategy games — turn your eyes to the red planet inSurviving Mars. With only a small team, it’s up to you to mine for resources like water and metal and colonize Mars.
How your colony develops is up to you. Use solar and wind to power everything while researching better machinery and equipment. Expand your terrain and search for new sights to mine or build upon. Decide where to construct your dome for your colonists and how they’ll function. A place for research and science? Or a place where your citizens can relax and enjoy the amenities of home? This is one of the easiest city builders to pick up, but also the hardest to put down.
6Unicorn Overlord
Build Your Army & Reclaim Your Kingdom
Unicorn Overlord
Don’t let the name deter you. Unicorn Overlord has the look and feel of a fantasy tactical role-playing game from theSuper Nintendoera, but made for modern audiences. With an easy-to-follow story and a beautiful range of sprite work, the gameplay is simple to understand as it’s rather basic, yet not in a bad way.
The bulk of the game is spent building and managing your units. How you choose to shape your army is up to you. Every fighter has their strengths and weaknesses which you and your opponent can exploit in battle. Everything about this game looks great too, from the characters to even the towns and shops. You can also hire mercenaries to build up your numbers or patch the weaknesses in your units. This can come in handy as Unicorn Overlord features over 64 recruitable characters you’ll meet throughout the story, all with their own backgrounds and rapport to form.
5Halo Wars 2
Finish The Fight Your Way
Halo Wars 2
Looking for a more military-based RTS?Halo Wars 2is often praised asamong the best in the Halo series. You lead the Spirit of Fire in the first encounter with the Banished. Lost in uncharted space for nearly three decades, you awaken from cryosleep to discover a Forerunner installation taken over by the Banished. With no way of contacting Earth, the crew begins a campaign against the rogue faction.
Each mission eases new players to the controls and mechanics. Build bases and use resources to send out troops and vehicles to conquer enemy strongholds and complete objectives. Even if you’re unfamiliar with theHaloseries, newcomers should be able to follow the story without issue. And for those interested inmultiplayer, the game also allows you to battle other players online.
If you’re a die-hard Halo fan, play the first Halo Wars before checking out the sequel.
4Frostpunk 2
Survive The Frost
Frostpunk 2
For players who want a more unique strategic city builder, you can’t do better than one set in a cold post-apocalypse. InFrostpunk 2, it’s up to you to rebuild society in a frozen world. With the enormous generator keeping back the cold, you’ll have to mine for coal and build around the only thing keeping your people alive.
Though the game tends to get challenging as it progresses, Frostpunk 2 gives you time to acclimate to each mechanic, because the longer the game goes on, the more you’ll want to play. As your city grows, you’ll be constructing superior homes and structures to better society. However, you’ll also be governing it with rules and restrictions. Because no matter your intentions, you won’t be able to keep everyone happy. How your city survives and thrives is up to you.
3XCOM: Enemy Unknown
The Rebooted Classic
XCOM: Enemy Unknown
A reboot of a classic franchise.XCOMis hailed as a flawless example of the strategy genre. XCOM: Enemy Unknown stands as a great teacher for any beginner, and a good jumping-on point as well. You are the commander of XCOM. The Earth is under attack as aliens are invading. Assemble a team and oversee operations as you expand your main headquarters through each mission.
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This game is fun, though it can be punishing if you aren’t careful. When a squad member dies, they aren’t coming back. However, should they survive, you may promote and upgrade them to a class of your choosing: Assault, Heavy, Support, Sniper, or Psionic. Managing the base is another fun feature as you construct the HQ to your specifications, with each floor serving a purpose. Just be prepared to defend it when the time comes.
2Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
The Tactical Yet Crazy Crossover
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
That lovable plumber namedMariohas had a lot of occupations: a kart racer, a tennis pro, a golfer, a soccer player, a tournament fighter, an Olympic athlete, a painter, and even a doctor. Now you’re able to add strategist to that list as he teams up with the Raving Rabbids from theRaymangames in the strangest crossover imaginable.
If you’re a Mario fan interested in strategy games,Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battleis for you. It’s still the same colorful world of platforms and floating coins, except now the Rabbids are running around causing a muck. It’s up to you and your team to combat them using cover, weapons, and your own assortment of unique abilities to save the Mushroom Kingdom. Now, how long until we get a Mario first-person shooter?
1Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Who Will You Lead?
You can’t talk about strategy games without mentioningFire Emblem. Even if you’re unfamiliar with them, none follow a chronological order — so you can start wherever. However, the best pick for newcomers to the series, and the strategy genre in general, would beFire Emblem: Three Houses. Considered thebest game within the Fire Emblem franchise, the intuitive turn-based gameplay is easy to master, and with no time, you’ll feel like a true leader commanding units into battle.
If the combat wasn’t already enticing, the story is hailed for its writing, voice acting, and lovable characters. With three factions, you’re free to choose which to lead, but only one, and every decision will lead down a branching route. Best of all, you’re free to set the difficulty between casual, normal, and hard. Given the replay value, don’t be surprised if you’re playing on hard mode none too soon.
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