Summary
Offering gaming experiences that range from satisfying to downright frustrating, strategy games are very rarely dull. Whether themechanics are simple or complicated, and gameplay is easy or difficult, it’s always a laborious task for developers to ensure that such games are balanced in their approach, providing a fair challenge.
Strategy games cover a vast array of genres, from tactical RPGs and roguelikes to 4X and everything in between, including some of the very best games ever made. The more heralded strategy games always manage to balance difficulty perfectly, whether it’s through giving players different options and gameplay sliders to cater for individual desires or by providing a tough but fair challenge where mechanics are gradually introduced as the game progresses.
One of thefinest turn-based tactics gameson the market today,Into the Breachfeatures multiple difficulty options, allowing players to choose the right experience for themselves. Played on a chessboard grid, players take control of giant mechs as they aim to defeat the invading Vek forces.
Many feel that normal difficulty is a fair challenge, with strategic planning and coordinated attacks required to overcome certain obstacles. The elements of randomness with procedurally generated maps retain some level of parity, and many feel that the harder modes can be quite demanding for any unprepared tacticians. Easy mode is a good option for those who are struggling to gain an understanding of the game’s mechanics and enemy behaviors.
Blending city-building with real-time strategy,Anno 1404is an excellent game in the long-running series forboth beginners and veterans alike. Featuring a comprehensive tutorial and a well-structured campaign, there is also a sandbox mode for those who want to build without restrictions.
Anno 1404can be complicated for new players, so competing with the somewhat passive Easy-level computer-controlled players may be advised to learn the mechanics. Hard AIs are rather prone to war, even those without the aggressive trait, so it’s often best to stick with Medium-level opponents if aiming for a more equitable competition, especially given that they seem to “cheat.” Whatever is chosen, it’s always a fair challenge, and custom settings can allow for a completely catered experience.
Part of the wider tabletop wargame franchise,BattleTechis a turn-based strategy game where players lead their powerful team of mechs into war in the distant future. Channeling the spirit of the board game, the valuable battlemechs can be customized and equipped as desired, and the pilots can gain specialized abilities through progression in a skill tree.
ThoughBattleTechpresents a challenge for some, there are various difficulty options, and some settings can be adjusted to help those who are struggling. The campaign generally starts as fairly manageable and becomes harder as it progresses, but the difficulty spikes are not particularly unfair, given that pilots gain experience.
Despite slimming down gameplay options and mechanics to make it more appealing to players unfamiliar with the 4X genre,Civilization Revolutionis heralded asone of the best games in the series. Playing as one of sixteen leaders, from Alexander the Great to Otto von Bismarck, each with their unique strengths, it’s possible to play an entire game in one session, thanks to the faster gameplay.
Speeding up proceedings and streamlining many mechanics are just two waysCivRevis more appealing to a wider audience, acting as a bite-sized version of the full game. Somehow, it remains well-balanced in terms of challenge, especially when played at Prince or King level, to ensure neither the player nor AI civs have any particular bonuses.
After many consecutive entries set in Europe,Total War: Shogun 2takes the series back to its Japanese origins, following up on the debut entry in the series,Shogun: Total War. One of the bestgrand strategy games set in Asia, players take control of a warlord and their clan as they aim to unite Japan under their shogunate, defeating all others before them through military, economic, or diplomatic means.
The mixture of real-time and turn-based combat is well-balanced for newcomers and series veterans, with neither the player nor their AI rivals having any particular advantages on Normal difficulty. Of course, some experienced warlords may enjoy the slightly imbalanced challenge of tougher difficulties.
One of the best 4X strategy games of modern times,Age of Wonders 4takes place in a fantasy world where players can carefully craft their own empires. Even the game world can be sculpted, with previously created empires potentially appearing as either friends or foes in future games.
As with many 4X games,AOW4features several difficulty options to appeal to both new players and those more familiar with the series and genre. Several tweaks can be made during setup to craft the desired experience, with each AI character possessing its individual difficulty level, plus options to give them an advantage and provide a handicap for the player.
Widely regarded as one of the best games of 2024,Balatrois the surprising smash-hit poker roguelike. An excellent gateway for those possessing little orno experience with strategyand roguelike games, it tasks players with building their decks to complement various colorful and quirky jokers to create illegal poker hands that earn them ridiculously high scores. Maximizing chips and mult through strategic planning and potentially risky choices usually leads to the best outcomes.
The game’s mechanics are gradually introduced as players progress, with the lowest stake and basic deck being uncomplicated compared to those encountered later. As players defeat each stake,Balatrobecomes a tougher prospect, with new jokers, vouchers, planets, and tarot cards becoming available, plus there are some unique challenges to tackle.
A crossover of theMarioandRabbidsuniverses,Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battleis amongUbisoft’s best outings on the Nintendo Switchand is regarded by many as one of their best games in general. Featuring many of the most popular characters from the Mushroom Kingdom, and their rabbid counterparts, players must battle invading rabbid forces inXCOM-style battles.
As part of theMariofranchise, the game has a mass appeal for audiences both young and old, meaning that it must present just the right amount of challenge. The first few missions are fairly easy, but it does get harder toward the end and especially during boss battles. Still, each character levels up and gains abilities, so it remains fairly balanced throughout, plus the challenge seekers can aim for better scores in missions.
TheFire Emblemseries generally aims for a fair balance of strategic challenge without any frustration or severe punishment for mistakes.Fire Emblem: Three Housesarguably straddles this fine line the best, though it does offer many options and modes to suit each player.
Set on the continent of Fodlan, players assume the role of a professor at the Garreg Mach Monastery, before swearing their allegiance to one of the three major royal houses. Balancing social simulation and turn-based tactics, there are many twists and turns. Difficulty levels range from Normal to Maddening, and the difficulty curve is balanced with character progression. Classic mode also gives the option of permadeath for fallen comrades.
As one of the most popular turn-based tactics games,XCOM 2and the widerXCOMseries are often the measuring stick for the genre in general,spawning many similar games. Building and customizing a team of elite soldiers to defend humanity from invading alien forces, players also get to research and test new technologies as they seek any advantages in this existential war.
Ironman mode is a popular and optional feature that causes permadeath for any soldiers who fall in battle, really emphasizing cautious and strategic gameplay. The AI difficulty level has options for everybody, and though Legendary difficulty may be punishing, especially with Ironman enabled, it’s neither unfair nor impossible. It is, however, exclusively for masochists.
