10 – Company of Heroes Complete Pack
The end all be all of the RTS genres, yet to be surpassed a decade and a half later. Right at the end of the World War 2 fad that permeated the gaming industry in the late nineties and early two-thousands, Company of Heroes not only innovated the genre but absolutely revolutionized it. Getting rid of all the fat and zooming in the combat mechanics, it did its best to transpose the tactical conundrums of small-scale engagements. The four Fs (Fire; Fix; Flank; Finish) of infantry combat were perfectly implemented. The cover system was expertly implemented, lending the combat s new layer of depth and realism games never had until then. It was (and still is) a glorious display, watching US paratroopers taking potshots while ducking under walls and ditches while German MG 42s pinned them in place. A flanking element would chug grenades into the enemy position and a picturesque image of Saving Private Ryan and the HBO series, Band of Brothers would take hold of your imagination.
9 – Crusader Kings 3
My favorite Paradox title, Crusader Kings III is a grand strategy game set in the medieval world, where players can control a dynasty and rule over their lands. The game offers a deep and immersive story, with a complex web of relationships and politics to navigate.
8 – Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
Every single time anyone mentions the Real-Time-Strategy genre, it’s inevitable that Age of Empires II is the game that instantly comes to mind. The seminal RTS was released way back in 1999 and it still remains one of the most-played games in the genre. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is a real-time strategy game that allows players to build and manage their civilization while battling against other nations.
7 – Combat Mission: Battle for Normandy
Combat Mission: Battle for Normandy is a war game that takes players back to the historical events of World War II. As the name suggests, this game is set in Normandy, France, during the summer of 1944. Players can choose to command either Allied or Axis forces, with each side having its own unique set of units and equipment. The game offers an immersive and realistic battlefield experience, where players must use strategy, tactics, and a bit of luck to achieve their objectives. Combat Mission: Battle for Normandy is an excellent choice for wargame WW2 enthusiasts who are looking for a realistic and immersive experience. The game offers a wide range of scenarios and campaigns and a powerful scenario editor that allows players to create their own battles. There’s also a healthy modding community with hundreds of custom-made scenarios.
6 – Starship Troopers: Terran Command
Starship Troopers: Terran Command is a videogame that screams homage and exudes reverence for the films of the franchise. A stellar presentation in combination with an expansive campaign that’s going to last you a good dozen hours before you’re done with it, allied with a fantastic friendly and enemy unit variety that is both movie-accurate and interesting to play with, plus the tactical conundrums present that are sure to stir some of your brain cells to make Starship Troopers an obvious purchase. If you’re either a fan of the franchise or want to play one of the best real-time strategy campaigns since the release of the first Company of Heroes and Starcraft II, Starship Troopers don’t fret.
“Despite some of the bugs and lighter criticism, I can’t help myself and must award Terran Command a Strategy and Wargaming Golden Seal of Approval. Starship Troopers: Terran Comand is what happens when the theme meets the mechanics with exquisite care. You made the Federation proud!”
5 – Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865)
Don’t be fooled by the naysayers that shout how inferior Grand Tactician: The Civil War (1861-1865) is inferior to its tactical counterparts like Scourge of War: Gettysburg, and Sid Meyer’s. Name me one other game that allows you to take control of either side in a Grand Campaign while also giving players the ability to lead their troops from the front?
Despite its rocky launch, the team behind the game has been steadily toiling away and have launched massive patches adding new weapons, quality of life upgrades, 3D models and even going as far as revamping the whole economy.
4 – The Great War: Western Front
The Great War: Western Front has become my go-to game during these two-week-long vacations away from my gaming rig. It’s a nifty little thing you can pick it up, play a couple of battles and go back to having a swim on the beach or whatever you were doing. Getting over a single campaign is probably going to take around 20 or so hours, even more so if you decide to play every battle. However, have in mind that this is a World War 1 game set on the Western Front, meaning that most battles will inevitably turn into a meat-grinding slog. The Great War is also the only video game on the market that gives you the possibility of playing out your strategy on a grand map while taking tactical control of your units on the ground. It’s a very interesting mix that works surprisingly well if you can stomach somewhat repetitive battles, but the persistency of terrain damage and trench layouts across a campaign is sure to shake up things well enough that fighting over the same piece of terrain time and time again doesn’t become too boring. But then again, isn’t that what WWI was all about after 1914?
3 – Second Front
This is a deceivingly traditional wargame, slapped with some digital lipstick and disguised as something new. It is a World War II turn-hex-based, 3D tactical game at the squad level, meaning that every unit you control is either a squad, a vehicle, a gun, a tank, or officers. The combatants have a go at each other in turns, but not quite as you would expect it. You see, every turn is comprised of four distinct moments: an explicit “movement and fire”; a reaction fire phase; an advance phase that lets you move one more hex; and a recovery/melee phase when routed units have a chance to regain their composure and engage in melees.
Second Front excels in the amount of detail it packs into every single unit and almost every single engagement. I’ve called it a “Magnum Opus despite all its flaws” in my review.
At launch, the game features 48 scenarios, 40 different types of infantry units, and more than 200 tanks, vehicles, and guns. Add to that the game launched with Steam Workshop integration working from the get-go (and it already has an extra 53 scenarios), and a very robust mission editor and Second Front is sure to keep you entertained for ages.
2 – Marvel: Midnight Suns
It’s hard to put into words just how amazing Marvel: Midnight Suns really is. The best way to describe it is XCOM meets Marvel, meets Persona 4, in a genre-blend that works surprisingly well. There’s an overarching story with surprising plot twists and heroic moments. The battles are done using a well-designed and complex card system that creates ample opportunity for customizability and player expression. After every mission, you’ll spend some time on the Abbey (the party’s base), where some side-quests take place, you unlock new costumes, explore its grounds, uncover every character’s motivations and personal dreams and demons (some literally), upgrade cards, customize your Hunter’s room and looks. It’s a lot. It reminds me fondly of games from yesteryear, with just so much content I can see myself playing it for another hundred and fifty hours (yes, that’s how long it took me).
It’s a shame that the departure of Jake Solomon and the poor commercial performance of the title placed a burial stone on further content, but what’s already there is more than enough, and I’m predicting that this is going to be a cult classic in a few years.
1 – XCOM: Ultimate Bundle
XCOM is a turn-based tactics game where players lead a squad of soldiers to fight against an alien invasion, and XCOM: Ultimate Bundle has all the alien-busting action you will need for months. The bundle has 2 mainline games (with their respective expansions), and the excellent Chimera Squad spin-off.
They all offer some good enough narratives, but the main draw is a challenging campaign that will keep you engaged for dozens of hours. XCOM’s graphics still hold up pretty well, more than a decade later, and the tactical battles are still absolutely fantastic. Permanently losing an invaluable team member never loses its punch. You could argue, for some reason, that XCOM 2 should be here, but If you’re looking for a turn-based tactical game, you cannot go wrong with this reboot of the 90’s original.
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