The future is bright for the strategy game genre. Despite the circumstances, in 2021 and beyond we will receive important video games, for all tastes. Whether you are more of classics or new bets, turns or real time, realism or fantasy, in this report you will find a very varied selection.
The strategy game genre has a very unconditional audience, which year after year searches a wide variety of experiences, because there is also practically everything. We have verified this when making this selection, with turn-based or real-time strategy, with historical or science fiction plots, as well as an endless number of graphic styles that go from the technically more cutting-edge to the pixelart. For this 2021 (and beyond) we will have powerful strategic exponents that will surely excite you.
As we were saying, there are so many titles that it has been impossible to incorporate them all. For example, we have exponents like Industries of Titan that look very good, as well as sequels to famous titles in the style of Blood Bowl 3 . In between, endless experiences: Falling Frontier , Spacebase Startopia , Inkulinati , Ancient Cities , Knights of Honor II , The Guild 3 … The truth is that the list is practically endless , since we have not only focused on the games that will arrive this year (many still to be confirmed), but in those that are still in an early stage of production.
That is why we have selected some of them, the ones that we believe may have more potential . Of course, the list is not closed, and that is where you come in with those strategy games that you think can give more to talk about in the future. Which of the video games in our selection do you consider the most promising? Are there any that we missed? How do you see the state of health of the gender? We believe that these are going to be good years for strategy lovers… and the following games confirm it!
Age of Empires IV
Few sagas of strategy exist with the tradition of Age of Empires . With its first installment released back in 1997, Microsoft’s license has grown all these years under the cautious tutelage of Ensemble Studios. What can we expect now with the fourth numbered installment? Many things, mainly because Relic Entertainment has taken the reins of this hopeful project. Without a doubt, we can expect something great from the authors of strategy references such as Dawn of War or Company of Heroes . Do you want to know more? We dedicate a report to the title, with everything we knew so far .
What we can expect:
- Great production values, with a renowned and experienced studio: Relic.
- Action and epicity in battles, with a great strategic pace.
- Variety of civilizations and historical epochs, what will they surprise us with?
- Technically cutting-edge, with massive battles.
Evil Genius 2
Those who expected this game know that it was the never ending story. In 2004 it was announced that it was working on this sequel, but various problems led to its cancellation. It was recently re-announced , and after another delay , it was said that we would see it in 2021. And so it will be! Let’s hope that Rebellion knows how to reward the loyal followers of this particular villain simulator with good strategy. How? Well, with a great game that honors the first installment, which stood out for its originality and sense of humor. That, and polish everything in which he has just convinced.
What we can expect:
- A particular vision on strategy and how to conquer the world.
- Put yourself in the role of a villain who must properly manage his minions.
- Variety of missions and objectives, both in your secret base and abroad.
- Great sense of humor, with charismatic characters.
Homeworld 3
Another classic of strategy, with more than 20 years behind it. Homeworld returns with a delivery that picks up the legacy of its predecessors, developed by none other than Relic Entertainment. On this occasion, responsibility passes to Blackbird Entertainment , authors of Deserts of Kharak. What can we expect from this space strategy game? Much, or at least that is what many followers expect, thanks to a crowdfunding campaign that swept the FIG platform .
What we can expect:
- A great campaign focused on the individual player.
- Spectacular fights with a very elaborate plot in between.
- Much emphasis on satisfying the fan, but also the new player.
- An overwhelming visual section, with the immensity of space, ships and explosions.
Humankind
Lovers of Civilization- style strategy are in luck. The French team at Amplitude Studios (creators of Endless Space ) wants to try their luck in the peculiar 4X subgenre: Explore, Expand, Explode and Exterminate. In other words, building an empire using economic and technological resources over various eras. Of course, the game will have its own distinctive elements , such as the opportunity to choose between ten civilizations within each era, and also the concept of “fame”, which rewards players who are the first to achieve certain achievements in the advancement of your society.
What we can expect:
- An interesting alternative to Civilization, with its own essence and characteristics.
- It covers a wide historical period, from Antiquity to the Modern Era.
- Possibility to choose from many cultures: more than a million possible civilizations!
- Introduction of moral issues that affect the development of our people.
King’s Bounty 2
Another great of the strategy returns. The King’s Bounty saga , designed by American Jon Van Caneghem, is known for its medieval fantasy world and turn-based RPG mechanics. It’s been a long time since we tested the first video game (it appeared in MS-DOS in 1990), and the good news is that we are going to have it back in a direct sequel… more than 30 years later! How will do? Just knowing it is worth the wait. The Russian developer 1C Entertainment is in charge , previously involved in games such as IL-2 Sturmovik.
What we can expect:
- Direct sequel to a true turn-based strategy classic.
- Mix of realism and fantasy with tactical combat that promises deep.
- High importance of the decisions we make, with consequences that will affect the kingdom.
- Ability to choose between three characters, each with their own story.
Manor lords
Medieval strategy has many followers, but there is still room for improvement and to propose things that had not been seen. This is what the developer Slavic Magic offers us , with an organic city construction (that does not depend on the classic grid), inspiration in medieval Europe and massive large-scale battles that take into account things like morale, fatigue or the weather. The most amazing? According to official information, it is being developed by a single person . We will have to keep track of it, since it also promises to listen to the community to improve the title on a regular basis.
What we can expect:
- Realistic medieval strategy in the Europe of the eleventh to fifteenth centuries.
- Massive battles in which morale, flanking or equipment are vital.
- City building with a powerful and versatile editor, which allows a lot of freedom.
- A changing environment affected by the weather, disease and even hunger.
Pharaoh: A New Era
Surely there are some other Pharaoh players around here, the magnificent city builder of Sierra who delighted us back in 1999. The game designed by Chris Beatrice will receive a remake in the near future that will bet on a wide renovation, both playable and visual. All original content will be included, which will provide for more than 100 hours of gameplay. Campaign with more than 50 missions, free mode and a map editor, to give free rein to the imagination, complete a set that will allow us to travel six times through the ancient kingdom of the pharaohs.
What we can expect:
- The remake of a classic from 1999, with a complete graphic and interface renovation.
- Recovery of the original campaign and expansion Cleopatra: Queen of the Nile.
- 53 missions that give for more than 100 hours of gameplay.
- Possibility of creating your own maps thanks to the included editor.
Songs of Conquest
If you are looking for something different, this interests you, more than anything because of the captivating pixel-art style that this production treasures. This is a very classic turn-based strategy in which you will have to recruit troops to fight some very peculiar battles, as they combine the strength of your soldiers with the magic known as “wielders”. Interesting approach in a game where you can forge your own kingdom. We will give the benefit of the doubt to the Swedish studio Lavapotion, because the truth is that this indie looks very good.
What we can expect:
- Very indie turn-based strategy with a classic flair and a charming pixel-art look.
- Importance of the wielders, specialized units in spells.
- The developers hope to incorporate a level editor.
- It will have multiplayer, at least locally.
Starship Troopers: Terran Command
If you are followers of the film directed by Paul Verhoeven, this will surely interest you. A real-time strategy video game in the purest Starcraft style is here . The best of the game? The waves of aliens that we will have to endure in a massive and very bloody battlefield. It is set in the Starship Troopers universe, with a new story, missions, and characters. Many types of units are promised, terrain elevations that incentivize tactical action and of course resource management through position capture and infrastructure construction.
What we can expect:
- Lots of shots, explosions, and aliens en masse, just like in the movie.
- Campaign with a story that promises varied and interesting missions.
- Presence of the tactic, thanks to characteristics such as terrain elevations.
- Possibility to capture positions, expand your base and strengthen yourself with new weapons.
Stronghold: Warlords
We are facing another historical saga within the genre of strategy, and more particularly in that of military conquests in medieval times. The Firefly Studios series strikes again this year to put us in the shoes of a feudal lord with the aim of growing his people. Where? When? In Warlords, the action is set in China and spans nothing more and nothing less than until the Mongol invasions of the 13th and 14th centuries. Good excuse to learn while playing, as we already told you on occasion . Of course, you will have individual campaign , but also cooperative and competitive.
What we can expect:
- Set in the Far East and focused on the military and economic.
- Unique features, such as the customization of the defenses of our castle .
- It includes a cooperative mode in which two players face an enemy AI.
- Steam Workshop support for creating and sharing custom maps.
The Settlers
Another true classic of the strategy genre promises to return in the near future. It is the original work of Blue Byte , also responsible for the Anno saga . When do you plan your return? It is not known exactly, but the idea is simple: bring back all the good we knew about their video games, using the most current technology (in particular, the Snowdrop engine, used in The Division ). Therefore, many hopes are placed on a kind of reboot that will surely please lovers of good and classic strategy titles focused on city building.
What we can expect:
- Everything we knew about Settlers, but brought to the present day.
- Classic city building mechanics, coupled with new ones.
- Possibility of playing individually or cooperatively, with optional missions.
- The use of the Snowdrop engine ensures a graphic section at the height of the license.
Total War: Warhammer 3
The strategy experts at Creative Assembly return to finalize the Total War: Warhammer trilogy. The way to do it will be with a video game that will concentrate all the accumulated experience, improving everything seen so far in the saga. This delivery marks the arrival of the armies of Kislev and Cathay, in addition to the Chaos factions. The best? That each race provides a unique experience in the journey through the Realm of Chaos. The game will be released sometime this year 2021.
What we can expect:
- A scale never before seen in Total War: Warhammer.
- New races from the Warhammer Fantasy Battles universe.
- Variety of legendary heroes, monsters and magical powers.
- Importance of player decisions.
War mongrels
Do you remember the mythical strategy game Commandos ? Surely yes. Well, what we bring you here looks quite similar. He uses the isometric perspective to tell us some of the most heroic, but also darkest, stories that occurred on the Eastern Front during World War II. An adult plot that is combined with a gameplay supported by stealth, distractions, the use of the environment and of course the murders. Undoubtedly a very promising game, which is currently in development by the Polish Destructive Creations .
What we can expect:
- The Second World War, but with a chapter in history not so well known.
- Supported by stealth and in a very interactive environment, with a lot of replayability.
- Various characters, each with their own personality, story, and abilities.
- It will have online cooperative mode for two players.
Warhammer: Age of Sigmar
We will give a chance to what the developers at Gasket Games have to prove to us. We wouldn’t do so much if we didn’t know that their ranks include some former employees of iconic Relic Entertainment, as well as Blackbird Interactive. Its theme? The dark fantasy, with legends, creatures from another world and great battles. All in a non-linear campaign that marks the first time that Games Workshop’s epic Age of Sigmar has been adapted to a video game.
What we can expect:
- It is the first adaptation to a strategy game of Age of Sigmar.
- Turn-based gameplay, with extensive unit and skill upgrade possibilities.
- Epic, action-packed battles with lots of tactics involved.
- Possibility to play online in 1v1 battles.
