Summary
- Many modern strategy games offer great graphics alongside innovative gameplay mechanics.
- Games like Thronefall and Tactical Breach Wizards combine style with engaging strategy.
- Unique art styles in games like Dune: Spice Wars and Wildfrost enhance immersive experiences.
Strategy games are more typically known for their granular mechanics, heavy systems, and naturally steep learning curves. While not always the case, many strategy games aren't always the most graphically impressive titles. That said, even classic titles such as Warcraft 3 excel with their visuals, and have even aged tremendously.
Fun But Difficult Strategy Games Worth Playing
While these games are quite challenging to overcome, players will have a lot of fun with them.
Today, there are many strategy games that blend finely tuned gameplay with great graphics. These strategy games offer everything from stylish minimalism to charming cartoon visuals, providing a little something for everyone.
1 Thronefall
A Stylish & Minimalist Tower Defense
Thronefall
- Released
- October 11, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- GrizzlyGames
- Publisher(s)
- GrizzlyGames
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, City Builder
- Platform(s)
- PC, Nintendo Switch
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Thronefall is an innovative combination of tower defense and accessible RTS mechanics. In the game, players build and defend miniature kingdoms from waves of enemies, managing their economy while constructing and upgrading defensive structures.
Best Strategy Games That Reward Creative Thinking
When facing a difficult situation, these games reward players who can think outside of the box.
In keeping with its lightweight gameplay, Thronefall wraps itself in a minimalist art style that instantly conveys its accessibility. The stylistic lack of detail is bolstered by striking colors and stark shadows, which also helps to keep the game consistently readable.
2 Against The Storm
A Nostalgic & Colorful Wilderness
Against the Storm
- Released
- December 8, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Eremite Games
- Publisher(s)
- Hooded Horse
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, City Builder, Simulation
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Against The Storm provides players with an innovative blend of city-builder and roguelite gameplay. In the game, players develop and manage small settlements in a dangerous wilderness, battling against the elements as they attempt to fulfill various objectives.
Against The Storm features a nostalgic art style that fans of Warcraft 3 may enjoy, though it's decidedly distinct in its approach. There's a softer, well-rounded edge to Against The Storm, and its colors are bold and striking. All this is elevated by a rain-soaked wilderness setting that provides a consistent and immersive atmosphere.
3 Mutant Year Zero: Road To Eden
A Lush & Green Apocalypse
Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden
- Released
- December 4, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Mutant Year Zero: Road To Eden blends snappy turn-based combat and real-time exploration, offering players a fast-paced experience that remains tactical. It's elevated by unique character designs and cinematic lighting, providing an immersive atmosphere.
Mutant Year Zero: Road To Eden's post-apocalyptic world, though typical in its approach, is able to provide refreshing environments with its abundance of lush greenery. There are plenty of overgrown locations, covered in moss, brush, and creeping vines. As a result, exploration is dark, but it's rarely bland.
4 Tactical Breach Wizards
Stylish Urban-Fantasy Tactics
Tactical Breach Wizards
- Released
- August 22, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
Tactical Breach Wizards offers players a slew of tightly designed, tactical puzzles, interwoven with witty dialogue and an exciting narrative. All this takes place in a creative urban fantasy setting, presented in staggering style.
Best Strategy Games With A Focus On Combat
For gamers who love to strategize in battle, these titles provide a rewarding experience.
The graphics of Tactical Breach Wizards are decidedly minimalist. However, the low-poly 3D visuals have been designed, directed, and implemented with love and care. The clean style also helps to keep each battlefield readable, kept visually interesting with splashes of colorful effects.
5 Dune: Spice Wars
A Heavily Stylized Desert
Dune: Spice Wars
- Released
- September 14, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Shiro Games
- Publisher(s)
- Funcom, Shiro Games
- Genre(s)
- Real-Time Strategy
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Dune: Spice Wars blends 4X and RTS gameplay to great effect, offering a dense sandbox of strategy, espionage, and political intrigue that excels with its variety. Asymmetric factions, multiple victory conditions, and the overwhelmingly harsh environments of Dune allow this title to stand out from the crowd.
The graphics of Dune: Spice Wars are decidedly stylized, offering an almost cartoon-like take on the iconic source material. But through this unique style, subtle visual effects, and effective use of minimal colors, Dune: Spice Wars is able to get the most out of its repetitive environments.
6 Cobalt Core
Soothing Pixel-Art Presentation
Cobalt Core
- Released
- November 8, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Rocket Rat Games
- Publisher(s)
- Brace Yourself Games
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike, Digital Card Game
- Platform(s)
- PC, Nintendo Switch
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Cobalt Core is a tremendously cozy roguelike deck-builder, infused with thematic mechanics and a tactical twist that elevates its sturdy combat system. In the game, players take part in dynamic spaceship battles, maneuvering along a single axis and firing weapons with clever card play.
While its gameplay is well-implemented and unique, Cobalt Core also excels with its pixel-art graphics. In keeping with the charming music and overall tone, Cobalt Core's pixel-art is crunchy and colorful, offering a nostalgic look that's always easy on the eyes.
7 Darkest Dungeon 2
A Gritty Grimdark Fantasy
Darkest Dungeon 2
- Released
- May 8, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
Although there are similarities, primarily in its turn-based combat system, Darkest Dungeon 2 is in many ways different from its predecessor. Dropping the persistent town and long-term party management of the original for a snappier roguelite structure, Darkest Dungeon 2 offers a different experience that maintains the grimdark look and feel of the original.
While the first game still holds its own charm and distinctive style, Darkest Dungeon 2 mostly expands and innovates on its pre-established ideas. However, it heightens the overall style with 3D visuals and immersive environments.
8 Wildfrost
A Charming Cartoon Deck-Builder
Wildfrost
- Released
- April 12, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Deadpan Games, Gaziter
- Publisher(s)
- Chucklefish
- Genre(s)
- Digital Card Game, Strategy, Roguelike
- Platform(s)
- Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Wildfrost is a tactical deck-builder that tasks players with battling a variety of enemies and bosses on chaotic battlefields. This is elevated by a generous rewards system and unique turn mechanic that facilitates tactical gameplay.
The strategic gameplay and tactile user interface, blended with unique mechanics, are a particular standout. However, Wildfrost also excels with its charming cartoon art style. These light-hearted graphics are consistently enchanting and diverse, with an abundance of unique character and card designs that pop off the screen.
Most Unforgiving Strategy Games
For gamers looking to really challenge themselves, these unforgiving strategy games are likely to impress.