There are some phenomenal titles in the Strategy genre, so it’s not surprising many players are interested in diving in.
The issue is that strategy games are known for being particularly insurmountable to newcomers.
If you want your first foray into the genre to be positive, here are some superb games to put your fledgling tactics to the test.
8Frostpunk 2
You Can’t Make Everyone Happy
Frostpunk 2
Frostpunk 2is ableak but rewarding city-building strategy gameset in a frigid wasteland where the fate of humanity lies in the balance.
I use the term city builder as it’s a massive part of the game, but you can never rest on your laurels, and resources are always scarce.Frostpunk 2isn’t a war sim like many other strategy games.Survival is all that matters, and you must deal with hazards outside the city and rising tensions within.
It’s a delicate balance, and you’re constantly forced to make tough decisions for the greater good of your people.
I debated puttingFrostpunk 2on the list because I even managed to fail the tutorial the first time I played it, so perhaps it isn’t entirely beginner-friendly. That said, thecampaign does an admirable job of introducing new systemsorganically and as part of the story.
It’s a challenging game, but not because you don’t understand what’s happening.
7Halo Wars
Finish The Fight
Halo Warsis an impressive real-time strategy game set in the Halo universe. The title has a surprising level of depth for aconsole-friendly game, and it’s a real treat to see the franchise from a new perspective.
Halo Warsis an RTS, so it’s a vast departure from the mainline games. You control the UNSC forces from above and can command all the military toys you know and love. you may even play as the Covenant, and yes, even the Scarab is playable.
TheSpartans are just as powerful as you’d expect, and the tutorials are decent and easy to follow.Halo Warsis mechanically simple, thanks to its console roots. There are plenty of ways to get granular with your strategies, but this title is accessible by design, making it perfect for beginners.
6Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
Rabbid Noises Intensify
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battleis far better than it has any right to be and is a superb turn-based strategy title for newcomers and veterans alike.
You play as beloved characters from the Super Mario games alongside an adorable selection of Rabbids. Combat is played on a grid, although it’s easy to forget as the environments and graphics are absolutely gorgeous.
There’s a decent variety of objectives, and the key to winning fights is to out-position your opponents so you can attack before they do. Your effectiveness depends on things like height and terrain, and all aspects of combat are intuitive and well-explained.
The funniest part about this entry isthat the director thought fans would hate the game. Fortunately, the opposite is true, andthere’s even a sequel.
5Terra Nil
A City Builder With A Twist
Terra Nilis a fantastic strategy game that does something I’ve never seen before in the genre.
Many strategy games task you with building a city or a base, butTerra Nilasks players todo the opposite. Instead of creating cities, you’retearing down old ruinsand packing them away, so nature can flourish.
You must meticulouslymanage natural resourcesand plan your approach carefully so you can extract without leaving a trace.Terra Nilis very different from many other strategy gamesand plays at a relaxed pace.
Many skills you learn will transfer nicely into other titles, and it’s a superb game to try if you like real-time strategy but get overwhelmed by the genre.
4FTL: Faster Than Light
An Addictive Space-faring Adventure
FTL: Faster Than Light
FTL: Faster Than Lightoffers a genius combination ofreal-time strategy and Roguelite gameplay.
Your goal in every run is to travel across the galaxy andprepare for a battle against a mighty Starship. That preparation includes assembling a crew and upgrading your vessel with new weapons and systems.
AsFTLis aRoguelite, no two runs are the same. Combat happens in real-time, but you can freeze the clock and plan your approach.
Youplay an overseeing role as a ship commanderand can only influence events by directing crew members and controlling ship systems, like doors and power.
FTLmay look simple but is laced with nuance and complexity. Factions have different strengths and weaknesses, as do any potential crew mates.
Poor decisions can quickly spell the demise of your ship, but there’s nothing mechanically tricky, and you’ll be hooked by the time you land your first win.
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3Advance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Camp
Strategy Made Accessible
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp
TheAdvance Warsgames are some of the greatest titles on the GameBoy Advance and are now beautifully reimagined for the Nintendo Switch inAdvance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Camp.
Advance Warsis easily the most accessible game on the list. It’sdesigned for a console with two buttons, and the mechanics are pretty simple.
You control an army, and each Commanding Officer (CO) has a special ability. For example, Olaf’s units work well in the snow, and he can summon a blizzard to give his army a temporary advantage.
Battles often feel like bouts of rock, paper, and scissors, with each unit having clearly defined strengths and weaknesses. You’llunderstand the rules within a few minutes, and there’s enough depth to execute technical battle plans.
Advance Warshas lovely, simple mechanics, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. You’ll need to knowwhat the best units are, and I assure you that Sturm will kick your ass if you make it that far!
2Into the Breach
Compact And Turn-Based
Into the Breach
Into the Breachis a superb turn-based strategy game that favorssmall-scale engagements over grand campaigns.
You command a squad of Mechs and attempt to defend civilian settlements against an alien race called the Vek. Each map is built on a tiled grid, and you must wipe out enemy threats before they do the same to you.
Combat seems pretty simple at first, butthere’s a “push” systemthat makes battles more interactive. Specific attacks will nudge targets away from the blast area.
You can use this simple mechanic to ferry enemies into multiple damage sources per turn, and these combos are so satisfying to pull off.
High damage combinations take planning to land consistently, but the system isbeginner-friendly and accessible.Into the Breachproves you don’t need a library of mechanics to make a decent strategy game, and it’s one of the most approachable titles in the genre.
WhileInto The Breachcame out on PC first, it’s also on the Nintendo Switch and is easily one ofthe best Strategy gameson the platform.
1Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2
Kirov Reporting!
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2
Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3was one of my first RTS games, and while I enjoyed it, I believethe prequel is better in every way, regardless of your skill level.
Red Alert 2is an incredible real-time strategy game thatset in an alternate realitywhere Hitler was erased from time. It’s a cool concept, and there are two factions to choose from.
The Allies and Soviets boast dramatically different units and strategies, and the DLC, Yuri’s Revenge, introducesa faction that utilizes mind control!
The best part about the beginner experience forRA2is while you can get lost in the minutia of high-strategy, it’s optional when you’re new. You can accomplish great things by simplydrawing boxes around tanksand telling them where to go.
Story missions are fun, but you can start custom battles in the Skirmish mode and fight simple AI opponents until you’re comfortable.
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