Summary
Traditional strategy games, typically those played in real-time, usually feature structures built around single-player campaigns and multiplayer components. Tactical games may be played on a level-by-level basis, whereasa 4X strategy gameis typically played in tight matches.
However, the strategy game genre is broad and varied. Strategy games have begun to embrace sandbox gameplay more than ever, and these are arguably some of the most popular in the genre. Titles such asRimWorld,Kenshi, andBattle Brothersall offer strategic gameplay combined with a focus on player agency and creative decision-making.
8Stellar Tactics
A Sci-Fi Sandbox With Tactical Combat
Stellar Tacticsis a sci-fi sandbox RPG with an emphasis on tactical ground combat. Although its visuals are somewhat rough around the edges,Stellar Tacticsfeatures a great deal of customization and a focus on exploration.
Stellar Tacticscombines a main story to follow with a variety of sandbox activities that include hunting bounties, space mining, and trading. Despite being in Early Access since 2016,Stellar Tacticsis still being updated, with its latest progress update being posted back in August 2024.
7Besiege
A Puzzle-Box Sandbox Strategy Game
Besiegeisn’t a strategy game in the traditional sense, but many of its puzzles require strategic thinking to complete. This intuitive but deep title is a construction game that tasks players with building mechanical siege weapons/vehicles, either to complete missions or simply for the joy of it.
Thanks to simulated physicsand a variety of modular building blocks, players are able to construct all manner of machines inBesiege, allowing for a variety of strategies. There’s less strategy to be found inBesiege’ssandbox mode, but there’s no doubt that fans of both strategic gameplay and sandbox games are likely to enjoyBesiege.
ISLANDERSis a minimalist city-builder with an emphasis on strategic choices and puzzle elements. The game plays similarly to a tabletop game with its focus on strategic score-attack, elevated further by accessible gameplay.
The colorful minimalist visuals and ease of use makeISLANDERSan experience with a low barrier to entry. The gameplay itself is extremely free-form, allowing plenty of opportunities for creative thinking, and the game even featuresa sandbox mode.
Sporting a more accessible approach to management-focused gameplay than its clear inspiration,Dwarf Fortress,RimWorldisan intuitive colony-simulatorthat features elements of real-time strategy. Giving players total control over how to manage their colony, especially when including the game’s variety of DLCs,RimWorldtakes a sandbox approach to its design that balances survival-focused gameplay with creativity.
RimWorldisn’t the most combat-focused experience, but the defense of a player’s colony can be tremendously strategic in the later stages of the game. Building defensive structures and planning ahead is integral to success, especially against larger numbers.
Players thatenjoy large-scale battlesshould look no further thanMount & Blade: Warband, or perhaps its sequel,Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord. In the game, players recruit and command large armies of soldiers from the ground, running/riding about the battlefield and barking out orders in the midst of battle.
Mount & Blade: Warbandtasks players with the efficient management of armies, giving them control over when and where to do battle, which quests to complete, and which factions to align with. There’s plenty to do, and a variety of angles to approach each obstacle, makingMount & Blade: Warbanda unique, large-scale sandbox.
Battle Brothersisa turn-based strategy gamethat tasks players with managing a mercenary company in a dark, medieval-fantasy open-world. This grim-dark game lives and dies with its strategic combat, but players can also expect to spend plenty of time managing their resources and the members of their company.
Battle Brothersis a relatively challenging experience, especially when playing on harder difficulties, and it can be especially painful to lose a long-running campaign. However, there are a variety of ways to play the game, andBattle Brothersthrives on player agency.
Offering two unique turn-based combat systems and a sandbox gameplay loop,Star Traders: Frontiersputs players in the role of a ship’s Captain, striking a path through the galaxy. The game features plenty of combat, dialogue, and exploration, with a focus on simulation.
Star Traders: Frontiersisn’t the most complex experience, but it overcomes its low-budget constraints with ambitious ideas and solid writing. Furthermore, the high level of customization, both with the ship and its crew, increases the game’s replay value and allows for a variety of strategies.
Kenshitakes place inan open-worldwasteland fraught with danger in many forms. From the variety of monstrous creatures and the bands of cannibalistic bandits, to the simple threat of starvation, there are many threats at play inKenshi, all working to make the player’s life as hard as possible.
The level of agency thatKenshiaffords its players is one of its greatest strengths, sending them into its harsh and unforgiving world with little to no guidance and allowing them to set their own goals. Combat encounters play out in real time, but with an option for tactical pausing, allowing players to strategize. These encounters become more strategic as players acquire more squad members, should they want to.
