The strategy genre is one of the oldest pillars of the gaming community and puts players’ higher cognitive skills to the test. Rather than pure button mashing, strategy game players will have to think on their feet, and plan ahead for all kinds of scenarios. Logistics and resource management are key foundations of the strategy genre, as is combat.
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Battles within strategy games can take a variety of forms. Sweeping military movements are common, smaller more tactical battles also feature, and even political diplomacy can feel like waging a war. With intelligent battle systems being crucial to a strategy game’s success, here are severalstrategy games with the most complicated battle systems.
6Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition
As a remake of the original 1999 game,Age of Empires 2: Definitive Editiondoes a few things differently to step up its level of difficulty. One of the major changes to the game was its AI system. In the original version, many players found that the AI needed to cheat to provide any real challenge, but the newer AI certainly doesn’t need to stoop that low.
The battle system ofAge of Empires 2has many intricaciesfor new players to learn. Firstly, the hotkey system can be crucial to saving valuable time and keeping up with enemies. Maps, weapons, resources, and knowledge all need to be carefully considered for success. But even will all this in mind, when it comes to multiplayer mode players may just find that all their preparation is worthless in the face of the game’s experienced player base. If they’re willing to spend the time, however, the battle system is undoubtedly worth mastering.
5Command & Conquer: Remastered Collection
Another remaster of a strategy game classic isCommand & Conquer: Remastered Collection. The game itself is a compilation of the first two titles ofCommand & ConquerandRed Alert, as well as their expansion packs.TheCommand & Conquerserieswas one of the first real-time strategy franchises and is known for its punishing gameplay.
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Things like money, power, and armor matter greatly inCommand & Conquer’sbattle system. Having a large infantry may seem like a winning tactic, but they can be easily barrelled through with sufficient tanks. There’s also naval combat to consider as well, so players might find their attention divided.
LikeAge of Empires 2, however, even talented players who have sunk hours into the game will find themselves in a crushing defeat from a veteran. For those who don’t mind a sharp learning curve, it’s worth looking into all the ins and outs of the battle system inCommand & Conquer.
4Europa Universalis 4
When discussing complexity in the strategy genre, it would be remiss not to mentionEuropa Universalis 4. Widely regarded as one of the most difficult strategy games of all time,Europa Universalis 4has a more strategic sandbox-style focus than many others in the genre. The depth of gameplay is often its most lauded quality, due to the sheer number of options available to players of the game.
Land combat is the main battle system of importance in the game and involves moving different specialized units into the battlefield. Variables such as terrain, enemy leadership, combat phase, and morale all play into the success of the offensive. Players will need to ensure each variable is under control, as pure might is notenough to ensure victory.
3Frozen Synapse
Frozen Synapseis an indie strategy game that works on a simultaneousturn-based system. Put in control of a small team of combatants, players will have as much time as they need to draft up their orders for their unit. These orders can then be simulated for players to see how the round might go before both teams' turns are resolved simultaneously.
It sounds simple enough, but what makesFrozen Synapseso challenging is its impressively smart AI as well as the ability to play against others online. Each five-second round may not turn out how players expect, as even the best-laid plans can be overcome by a talented enemy. The battle system is somewhat easy to pick up but is impossible to truly master.
2Hearts Of Iron 4
As complicated battle systems go,Hearts of Iron 4may just be the most complex pick of the bunch. Even experienced strategy game players have trouble clawing their way to victory. Set in World War 2,Hearts of Iron 4allows its players tochoose any nationin the conflict and command them to success – if they can.
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Much likeEuropa Universalis 4,Hearts of Iron 4requires its players to keep a plethora of variables in mind for each battle. Features such as equipment, doctrines, terrain, and leadership all have a role to play in the success or failure of combat. The biggest armies aren’t necessarily the best either, astactics will ultimately win the day.
1Total War: Shogun 2
Set in Japanduring the iconic feudal era,Total War: Shogun 2is one of a few titles in the strategy game genre that doesn’t feature a European setting. Rather than focusing on opposing nations,Total War: Shogun 2instead instructs its players to become the most dominant clan and work their way to ruling all of Japan.
In addition to needing to ensure the right balance of combat variables,Total War: Shogun 2also involves a great deal of diplomacy and other political factors. Climactic conditions also have a great impact on battles in the game.
WhatTotal War: Shogun 2is most known for, of course, is the unique Realm Divide event. In this event, all surviving AI-controlled clans will declare war on the player to prevent their domination of the country. Realm Divide will require all of a player’s tactical know-how to survive and can be one of the most punishing and rewarding experiences in gaming.
