Another season has arrived, and so do the Steam Sales. If you’re looking for the best deals around in this Steam Spring Sale 2024, you’ve come to the right place. Sit down, browse the list, and pick yourself some nice games to keep you occupied this Spring.
As with everything around here, this list is going to be mainly composed of strategy game deals. Don’t expect to find me recommending Helldivers 2, Palworld or Rainbow Six Siege here (even though those are some of the best games you can play right now). This time, I’m changing the format a bit, and trimming down my recommendations quite a lot. If you want to check other great deals, there are a ton of other lists you can check out here.
Have fun and check out the Best Steam Spring Sale 2024 deals.
Best Ancient History Game – Total War: Rome Remastered
A timeless childhood classic for yours truly, Rome: Total War lives on as a game I daydreamed about during school hours, anxiously waiting for the upcoming Friday night when I would be able to stay up late and try out the different tactics I had been sketching during the week.
To me, Rome: Total War was the inaugural masterpiece of the Total War series, and still stands as a monumental achievement that significantly raised the bar for the real-time strategy (RTS) genre and was nothing short of revolutionary. Its impossibly large scope paired with top-tier graphics made almost every other RTS hard to go back to in an instant.
Released at a time when the RTS landscape was rapidly evolving, Rome: Total War showcased a level of scale, depth, and historical authenticity that was unparalleled. Its grand strategic gameplay, coupled with epic real-time battles, made it a groundbreaking title that set new standards. Even when compared to the original Medieval: Total War, Rome marked a massive improvement over its counterparts in every aspect.
What made Rome: Total War a standout was its innovative integration of turn-based strategy and real-time battles. The seamless transition from managing an empire on a grand scale to commanding troops amid epic clashes was a game-changer. This innovative approach to gameplay solidified its status as one of the best RTS games available.
For me, Rome: Total War wasn’t just a game; it was a transformative experience. The historical accuracy, the strategic depth, and the sheer spectacle of massive battles left an indelible impression. The game’s impact on the RTS genre and my gaming journey is immeasurable.
Best World War 1 Strategy Game – The Great War: Western Front
The Great War: Western Front stands out as one of the best RTS games of World War 1, offering a unique and engaging experience in 2024. It’s a convenient yet captivating option—ideal for a quick gaming session before returning to other activities. Completing a single campaign demands approximately 20 hours, more if you opt to engage in every battle. Positioned on the Western Front, the game naturally transforms most battles into challenging, meat-grinding slogs.
Distinguished as one of the best RTS in 2023 by Strategy and Wargaming, The Great War innovatively combines strategic planning on a grand map with tactical control of units on the ground. This distinctive blend proves remarkably effective, notwithstanding somewhat repetitive battles. The persistent terrain damage and trench layouts across campaigns prevent monotony, ensuring that revisiting the same battleground remains compelling. The game’s ability to capture the essence of World War 1 is particularly noteworthy.
Consider The Great War: Western Front as your go-to choice for the Best RTS set during the First World War, offering a refreshing take on historical strategy gaming with its intriguing mix of grand strategy and tactical control.
Best World War 2 Strategy Game – 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.
Best Modern Military Strategy Game – Combat Mission: Shock Force 2
Combat Mission: Shock Force 2 is a wargame (Shocker! I know) that takes place in a hypothetical “modern-day” conflict in the Middle East. Players can take control of either NATO forces or Syrian forces in a variety of scenarios, ranging from small-scale skirmishes to large-scale battles. The game features a wide range of modern weaponry and equipment, as well as realistic terrain and weather conditions, making it a true-to-life representation of modern warfare in its established setting. A unique one, for sure, but one that’s severely under-represented, and despite all the commotion in the Middle East, not many strategy titles ever took root. Apart from Command and Conquer: Generals way back in the early 2000s and Syrian Warfare, no other comes to mind.
Akin to its World War counterpart, the standout feature of Combat Mission: Shock Force 2 is its attention to detail. The game includes a wide range of authentic military equipment, including tanks, IFVs, infantry weapons, and a lot of miscellaneous equipment, each faithfully recreated to simulate the strengths and weaknesses of their real-life counterparts. The game’s physics engine also adds to the realism, with bullets and shells behaving as they would in real life. It’s also the first game of the series to feature unconventional forces. Be aware if you’re planning on jumping into SF2 with the full confidence of being an experienced commander of the Second World War. Despite the base engine being the same, the way combat pans out is vastly different: weapon systems are way more accurate and lethal at longer ranges, meaning that fights will start a lot sooner, and end up way faster. There’s also a larger technological gap between the forces of NATO and Syria, making way for vastly different styles of play and experimentation.
To round things up, Combat Mission: Shock Force 2 is an excellent choice for wargame enthusiasts who are looking for a modern combat experience. The game’s attention to detail, realism, and immersive gameplay make it the go-to option for desert-inclined war simmers. The game’s complex mechanics don’t come without its learning curve, but persevere and you’ll surely enjoy it. Don’t make the mistake of assuming all Combat Mission games are the same, lest you wish to fail.
Best Sci-Fi Strategy – Starship Troopers: Terran Command
Everyone is going crazy with Helldivers 2 and how close it goes with its Starship Troopers inpiration. But 2022 Starship Troopers: Terran Command is a videogame that also 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 Command is what happens when the theme meets the mechanics with exquisite care. You made the Federation proud!”
Strategy Games | Strategy and Wargaming 
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