8 Best Strategy Games That Are Not Part Of A Franchise

Key Takeaways

• Strategy games offer diverse gameplay options and challenging decisions for players to enjoy.
• Single-installment strategy games like Tharsis and Planetbase shine with unique experiences.
• Titles like Bad North and They Are Billions pose challenging scenarios for players to overcome.

Strategy games are very fun and challenge players when it comes to the different approaches they must take to succeed in their campaigns and vanquish their enemies. Regardless of what a game is about, players will always have a ton of options when it comes to the decisions they can make and what they want their playthrough to feel like.

While there are many strategy titles that have multiple prequels and sequels, as well as spin-offs, others are single installments. These shine for what they are and are often carefully made to make an outstanding first impression that players remember for years after completing them. Here are some of the best strategy games that are not part of a franchise.

8 Tharsis

An Interesting Space Adventure

• Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, macOS, Wii U
• Released: January 11, 2016
• Developer(s): Choice Provisions
• Genre(s): Strategy, RPG, Adventure
• A signal from Mars is believed to be alien contact
• Space-themed gameplay that feels fun

Set in a not-so-distant future on Earth, Tharsis begins when a bunch of space explorers are sent to Mars after scientists receive a signal from the Martian region of Tharsis. Believing this is a sign of intelligent life on the red planet, the brave explorers set out to uncover the mysteries behind it.

With an overall interesting space theme and strategy-based gameplay that is very fun, Tharsis is a great title that fans of this genre should try at least once. To date, there have been no other titles released around this universe, even though many players have wished otherwise for years.

7 Planetbase

A Space Colony’s Fate Rests In Players’ Hands

• Platform(s): PlayStation 4, GeForce Now, Xbox One, PC, macOS
• Released: October 15, 2015
• Developer(s): Madruga Works
• Genre(s): Strategy, Simulation Game
• Deep-space thematic that works well with the game’s concept
• Players must tell their settlers where to build and help them manage resources

As this title and the previous entry prove, the deep-space thematic is popular in strategy games, and with good reason, as it often makes for inhospitable environments that require resource management and strategic planning. Planetbase doesn’t really have much going on story-wise. In a nutshell, it’s just a bunch of settlers trying to establish themselves on a remote planet. However, as simple as that sounds, what this game does, it does well.

Players will take on the role of the colony manager, telling the colonists what to do and where to build structures in order to thrive.

6 Rusted Warfare

A Great Strategic Approach To Armed Conflict

• The concept isn’t innovative, but works very well and offers a fun experience
• Players must build bases, manage units, and plan out their strategies

As far as concepts go, Rusted Warfare isn’t really innovating much, as it takes clear inspiration from other similar titles, such as Supreme Commander, Total Annihilation, Command & Conquer, and more.

That said, it’s often unnecessary to break the mold when what’s already in place works well. Players will have to build bases, command units and take different strategic approaches to defeat their enemies and proclaim themselves the victor on the battlefield. Those who like long strategy games will deeply enjoy the roughly 40 hours of gameplay this title offers, presenting various opportunities for varied gameplay.

5 Bad North

A Game That Leaves Players Outnumbered And With Terrible Odds

• Players must defend a small group of islands from invaders
• Exciting real-time strategy mechanics

Bad North is probably the poster boy for strategy games that pit players against impossible odds while challenging them to face and survive them. This title will have players defend their small territories against invading forces after the chieftain of a small group of islands is slain. While not the only strategy game based on the Viking era, Bad North offers a unique experience that strategy game lovers will certainly enjoy.

With real-time strategy mechanics, well-crafted environments, and demanding combat that requires careful planning, this title should certainly be on everyone’s list.

4 They Are Billions

A Peri-Apocalyptic World Demanding Tactical Approaches

• Players must survive the zombie apocalypse and rebuild society
• Up to 20,000 zombies can appear on-screen

Similar to what players might have seen on TV shows and horror films, They Are Billions focuses on a version of the world where humanity has been overrun by relentless, bloodthirsty zombies. Players’ job will be to rebuild civilization and survive the vicious zombie hordes as they try their best to ensure that what’s left of humanity survives.

Thanks to its custom engine, this title can show up to 20,000 zombies on screen, which adds to the experience and makes gameplay feel more challenging. Cooperation, resource management and strategic approaches are key in this one-of-a-kind game.

3 Offworld Trading Company

A Title With A Strong Focus On The Free Market And Ways To Exploit It

• Players must focus on resource management
• Implementing monopolies is possible, but requires more than luck

As its name suggests, Offworld Trading Company focuses more on resource gathering and management than it does on actual warfare and destruction tactics. Players can take various approaches to expanding their wealth and control of the free market by using different tactics, including the implementation of monopolies.

This is harder than it sounds, though, as players will not only have to ensure their monopoly is well established, but also that it’s valuable and necessary to the market. All in all, Offworld Trading Company is great all-around and offers a wonderful experience.

2 Northgard

An Exciting And Challenging Title Following Viking Clans

• A Viking story about revenge and leading various clans
• Players take on the role of Prince Rig

In Northgard, players take on the role of Prince Rig, who seeks revenge after his father was murdered by the merciless Hagen, leader of the Clan of the Raven. Presenting players with an epic story set around the Viking era, Northgard offers real-time strategic combat that requires a careful approach and smart moves. This title has more than 10 different clans, each with their own unique traits, strengths and weaknesses.

Although Northgard isn’t the only game set in this period, it’s arguably one of the best in the strategy genre, as playing it feels complex and interesting.

1 Into The Breach

The Vek Must Be Vanquished One Way Or Another

• Humanity faces off against the Vek, an evil threat
• Players must defend cities, improve their Mechs and survive

In Into the Breach, humanity is forced to face off against an evil monster collective known as the Vek. Players will have various Mechs (gigantic robotic suits) at their disposal, which they can use to defend themselves against the Vek threat. While this title doesn’t feature a real-time strategy approach, but rather a turn-based one, the stakes still feel like high, and the overall combat experience is very exciting.

Players will have to defend cities, improve their Mechs and increase their chances of survival in one way or another to guarantee the supremacy of humanity.