Your TOP 10 strategy games ever

[octavius]

X-Com is not a strategy game

How'd you figure that mate?

To me you play the game using turn bast strategies to beat the opposition.

That's tactics.
But the game has a Strategy overlay, deciding on how to build base, economics, research and so forth.

 

[mondblut]

Not a single mention of Jagged Alliance 2. Checkmate, "JA2 is not RPG" retards.

 

[Taka-Haradin puolipeikko]

Not a single mention of Jagged Alliance 2. Checkmate, "JA2 is not RPG" retards.

"As a strategy game JA2 isn't one of the best there is", would be more accurate.

 

[Darth Canoli]

Not a single mention of Jagged Alliance 2. Checkmate, "JA2 is not RPG" retards.

Or maybe because JA2 is an hybrid.
If it was a CRPG, it'd be a terrible one.
If it was a strategy game, it would be mediocre.
As an hybrid, it stands out.

 

[Catacombs]

Because I find it damn good? For real. One of the best games ever IMO. It does something quite unique, which is mixing strategy/simulation with engrossing storytelling.

I was interested in more technical details, not just "because I find it damn good."

 

[mondblut]

Not a single mention of Jagged Alliance 2. Checkmate, "JA2 is not RPG" retards.

"As a strategy game JA2 isn't one of the best there is", would be more accurate.

Bullshit. The retards' claim has always been "JA2 can't be an RPG because it's sooooo awesome as tactics".

Turns out, it suddenly isn't, unlike xcom.

 

[Taka-Haradin puolipeikko]

Not a single mention of Jagged Alliance 2. Checkmate, "JA2 is not RPG" retards.

"As a strategy game JA2 isn't one of the best there is", would be more accurate.

Bullshit. The retards' claim has always been "JA2 can't be an RPG because it's sooooo awesome as tactics".

Turns out, it suddenly isn't, unlike xcom.

Oh.
Tactics part of JA2 is one of the best, but strategic map layer and resource management is way more limited than the one in X-com.

 

[Darth Canoli]

I'm not big on strategy games, it usually bores me if there is no RPG elements (levelling up troops, equipment) so knowing that, here's my short list :

1- UFO Enemy Unknown - it's not pure strategy, i believe it was labeled as Strategy/Management on release and we can add with RPG elements.
2- Fantasy General.

They're on my favorite top 5 games of all times.

In no particular order :

• Civilization I
• Civilization II
• Master of Magic
  
• Warhammer : Shadow of the Horned Rat
• Heroes of Might & Magic 2
• Heroes III aged better than 2 even if i considered it a piece of shit for a long time.
• Warhammer : Dark Omen
• Dungeon Keeper, not sure there's a lot of strategy involved in the combat but there is through base management and training.

 

[mondblut]

Not a single mention of Jagged Alliance 2. Checkmate, "JA2 is not RPG" retards.

"As a strategy game JA2 isn't one of the best there is", would be more accurate.

Bullshit. The retards' claim has always been "JA2 can't be an RPG because it's sooooo awesome as tactics".

Turns out, it suddenly isn't, unlike xcom.

Oh.
Tactics part of JA2 is one of the best, but strategic map layer and resource management is way more limited than the one in X-com.

But "tactics" do not exist as a standalone genre. Unless a "tactics" game qualifies as an RPG with detailed combat, it is filed under strategy games. The poll says nothing about "only 4x allowed", even visual novels with superficial strategy elements slip inside.

 

[Darth Canoli]

"Tactics" do not exist as a standalone genre. Unless a "tactics" game qualifies as an RPG with detailed combat, it is filed under strategy games. The poll says nothing about "only 4x allowed", even visual novels with superficial strategy elements slip inside.

Where do you put these games then :
- Final Fantasy TACTICS
- Ogre TACTICS
- Alvora TACTICS
- Telepath TACTICS
- ...

It should be called JA2 Tactics.

 

[Falksi]

X-Com is not a strategy game

How'd you figure that mate?

To me you play the game using turn bast strategies to beat the opposition.

That's tactics.
But the game has a Strategy overlay, deciding on how to build base, economics, research and so forth.

It's a fair POV. I like to define games by their core though, and the biggest part of X-Com by far are the tactical missions.

Much like Dark Souls, it's never been an RPG. There's no real roleplaying of any sorts, it's a modern day Beat 'Em Up with stats attached and expanded level design.

Witcher 3? Never an RPG, it's core has way more in common with Assiasins Creed & sandbox games than anything.

S'all POV though I guess. That's just mine. If others see different fair fucks.

 

[Humanophage]

1. Victoria 2 (merged with Victoria 1)
2. Heroes of Might and Magic 3
3. Civilization 4 (+ mods, especially Fall from Heaven 2 modmods)
4. Eador: Genesis (+ New Horizons)
- King of Dragon Pass
5. Age of Wonders 2: Shadow Magic
6. Crusader Kings 2
7. Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri
8. King's Bounty - new (any of the early entries)
9. X-Com (+ Long War mod) - new
10. Thea: The Awakening
11. Dominions 4
12. Age of Wonders 1
- Jagged Alliance 2
13. Rome: Total War
14. Warhammer 40k: Dawn of War
15. Hearts of Iron II
16. Master of Magic
17. Europa Universalis IV
18. Warlords 2
- Battle Brothers
- Faster than Light
19. Age of Empires 1
20. Master of Orion 2
21. Thea 2: The Shattering
22. Rimworld
23. Knights of Honor
24. Twilight Struggle (mobile)
25. Heroes of Might and Magic 2

The top-10 is too much like the recent vote all over again, so I added more positions. Just cut them off mentally if you find it grating.

 

[octavius]

I'm not big on strategy games, it usually bores me if there is no RPG elements (levelling up troops, equipment) so knowing that, here's my short list :

The Age of Wonders games should be to your liking, then. They are better CRPGs than most CRPGs.

 

[Darth Canoli]

The Age of Wonders games should be to your liking, then. They are better CRPGs than most CRPGs.

I played Shadow Magic last year, it's good and i'm sure i'd haven enjoyed them a lot more back in the days, i know i enjoyed Lords of Magic even with its real-time combat.

 

[Silva]

mondblut ,

If you find King of Dragon Pass a storytelling game, try ignoring your clan population, mood, gods, or your neighbours stances towards you and just "pick options in story events". In other words, ignore all the management layer of the game, and see where your clan - and you as their a leader - will end.

1. Victoria 2 (merged with Victoria 1)
2. Heroes of Might and Magic 3
3. Civilization 4 (+ mods, especially Fall from Heaven 2 modmods)
4. Eador: Genesis (+ New Horizons)
- King of Dragon Pass
5. Age of Wonders 2: Shadow Magic
6. Crusader Kings 2
7. Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri
8. King's Bounty - new (any of the early entries)
9. X-Com (+ Long War mod) - new
10. Thea: The Awakening
11. Dominions 4
12. Age of Wonders 1
- Jagged Alliance 2
13. Rome: Total War
14. Warhammer 40k: Dawn of War
15. Hearts of Iron II
16. Master of Magic
17. Europa Universalis IV
18. Warlords 2
- Battle Brothers
19. Age of Empires 1
20. Master of Orion 2
21. Thea 2: The Shattering
22. Rimworld
23. Knights of Honor
24. Twilight Struggle (mobile)
25. Heroes of Might and Magic 2

The top-10 is too much like the recent vote all over again, so I added more positions. Just cut them off mentally if you find it grating.

I like your idea of listing but sidelining the hybrids. But why the exception with X-com?

BTW, I find hybrids tend to offer better experiences myself. Like a whore who also happens to be adorable and have a good chat, besides fucking well.

 

[coldcrow]

Too few people mention Sacrifice. Any list without that game is preposterous.

 

[Galdred]

1. Master of Magic
2. Master of Orion 1/2
3. Dominions 1-5
4. Civilization
5. Sid Meier : Alpha Centauri
6. Kohan
7. Dawn of War
8. Gary Grigsby 'sWorld at War
9. Advanced Tactics WW2 (for some reason, The Operational Art of War didn't click with me)
10. Field of Glory: Empires

Great but flawed:
Birthright (wonky adventure mode)
Star Wars Rebellion (atrocious UI)
Armageddon Empires (atrocious UI, weak AI).
Deity Empires (worse than atrocious UI, but correct AI).

Hybrids :
Age of Wonders
X-COM: UFO Defense
NuXCOM
King Arthur: The Roleplaying Wargame
Total War: Warhammer
Shogun Total War

Tactical Games:
Silent Storm
Invisible Inc
Chaos Gate
Steel Panthers

 

[Gregz]

Too few people mention Sacrifice. Any list without that game is preposterous.

Genre defying

 

[Lady_Error]

Civilization
Civilization V
Uncharted Waters (KOEI)
History Line 1914-1918
Colonization
Crusader Kings 2
Europa Universalis IV
FTL
Into The Breach
Battletech

 

[Silva]

Civilization
Civilization V
Uncharted Waters (KOEI)
History Line 1914-1918
Colonization
Crusader Kings 2
Europa Universalis IV
FTL
Into The Breach
Battletech

Good list, but Into the Breach is tactics. Or hybrid at best.

Edit: Btech too. And it's so shit you should seek medical help for liking it.

 

[Humanophage]

I like your idea of listing but sidelining the hybrids. But why the exception with X-com?

I don't really see X-Com as a hybrid because I think 'tactics' falls under the larger umbrella of 'strategy'. X-Com is a hybrid of subtypes, at most. If tactics is a separate genre, then I see no point in unifying regular RTS like Starcraft, grand strategies like Crusader Kings, classic 4X like Civ, base management like Rimworld, and so on into one genre either. If anything, I think RTS deviate more from that appeal because they are often pretty fast-paced and action-driven.

 

[Lady_Error]

Good list, but Into the Breach is tactics. Or hybrid at best.

Edit: Btech too. And it's so shit you should seek medical help for liking it.

Aren't tactics a form of strategy?

And yeah, Battletech has its share of bad choices, but I enjoyed the combat side of it a lot. Fight me.

 

[Binky]

King Arthur: The Roleplaying Wargame

This game definitely needs more love. Seelie archers send their regards.

 

[Heroic Liberator]

In no particular order:

Victoria 2
Crusader Kings 2
Europa Universalis IV
Battle Brothers
Darkest Dungeon (which should be kosher given that y'all have no problem with including Battle Brothers)
SMAC
Civ V
DoW 1 DC
WC3 ROC & TFT (both for the vanilla experience and for the custom maps)
Spellforce 1

 

[Galdred]

Good list, but Into the Breach is tactics. Or hybrid at best.

Edit: Btech too. And it's so shit you should seek medical help for liking it.

Aren't tactics a form of strategy?

And yeah, Battletech has its share of bad choices, but I enjoyed the combat side of it a lot. Fight me.

1) Homeworld
2) Homeworld: Cataclysm
3) Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak
4) Sudden Strike
5) Combat Mission: Barbarossa to Berlin
6) Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri
7) Graviteam Tactics (any of them, really - it would be impossible to fit all the battles Graviteam has simulated in a single numbered list)
8) John Tiller's Campaign Series
9) Nexus: The Jupiter Incident
10) Victoria 2 (was tempted to put Stellaris here but I much prefer Vicky 2's ambitious political and social simulation)

It really depends on whether we talk about strategy as a scale or as a skillset.
Given the answers, I suppose there is no strict consensus here