Best Strategy Games With Unique Settings

Strategy games, while part of a broad and varied genre, tend to feature wartime settings. WW2, civil wars, alien invasions, all are common settings in this genre. However, there are plenty of games that bend these cliches in unique ways, or take place in entirely distinct worlds.

An effort has been made to include all kinds of strategy game, including real-time, turn-based, 4X, and even deck-builders. Some titles feature minor twists or a particularly unique tone, while others combine distinctive art-styles with individualistic worlds.

8 Battle Brothers

Gritty Violence In A Grim-Dark Medieval-Fantasy World

The grim, medieval setting of Battle Brothers may seem bland on the surface, but its unabashed dark tone and low-fantasy elements give it a unique spin. The game itself is a turn-based strategy game with heavy elements of resource/party management, tasking players with running a company of gritty mercenaries.

The grim-dark tone, gritty violence, and medieval-fantasy setting are surprisingly fresh. Battling against the game’s monstrous creatures feels particularly heroic at times, though players should expect to frequently lose characters in battle.

7 Mutant Year Zero: Road To Eden

Turn-Based Strategy In A Unique Post-Apocalypse

Taking place in a post-apocalypse populated by mutants of extreme varieties, this turn-based strategy game combines classic strategy with elements of stealth. Mutant Year Zero: Road To Eden offers players a unique setting that trades drab wastelands and gloomy NPCs for lush, overgrown wilderness and charismatic characters.

Mutant Year Zero: Road To Eden describes its world as “post-human,” a setting overtaken by nature and populated by mutated characters. These mutants, and the eerie atmosphere provided by the post-human setting, allow Mutant Year Zero to be a distinctive experience.

6 Darkest Dungeon

A Grim-Dark Dungeon-Crawler With A Lovecraftian Spin

Gothic, hand-drawn visuals, Lovecraftian creatures, and a wholly grim tone result in a look and feel that’s unique to Darkest Dungeon. The downbeat atmosphere and unforgiving gameplay to match may be too much for certain players, but Darkest Dungeon ‘s grim-dark setting is dense.

Darkest Dungeon is a turn-based strategy game with a dungeon-crawling structure and elements of resource/party management. Players can expect harsh gameplay that’s frequently frustrating, but equally strategic. Furthermore, the near-constant gloom that hangs over the game makes the few moments of heroism truly memorable.

5 Griftlands

A Unique Sci-Fi World Illustrated In A Distinctive Style

This roguelike deck-builder, developed by the prolific Klei Entertainment (Oxygen Not Included, Don’t Starve), stands out with its narrative-driven design and unique sci-fi setting. Klei’s unique art-style certainly helps, but Griftlands’ setting is elevated by imaginative character designs, evocative writing, and fantastical elements.

Griftlands also succeeds with its gameplay, featuring two separate systems for combat and negotiation using unique decks. This allows for plenty of strategy and diverse gameplay that encourages players to tackle challenges from different angles.

4 Tooth And Tail

An Accessible RTS In A Redwall-Style Setting

• Platform(s): PC, PlayStation
• Released: 2017
• Developer(s): Pocketwatch Games
• Genre: RTS

Tooth And Tail is an accessible real-time strategy game that doesn’t require intense speed to be successful. Its gameplay alone makes it a unique title, but Tooth And Tail also succeeds with its distinctive setting.

Tooth And Tail takes place during a civil war between anthropomorphized animals, offering a setting reminiscent of Redwall, albeit with a darker tone. For fans of real-time strategy games, anthropomorphized animals, and quick matches, Tooth And Tail is worth a try.

3 Wildfrost

A Challenging Deck-Builder In A Cartoon Winter Wonderland

One of Wildfrost’s greatest strengths is its charming cartoon art-style, depicting a unique, whimsical world trapped in an eternal winter. However, players shouldn’t let the oodles of charm and whimsy misdirect them; Wildfrost can be a challenging game.

This unique roguelike deck-builder tasks players with battling enemies using a variety of companions, weapons, and spells. The game uses an innovative “cooldown” system that controls the turns of both the player and their enemies, though this can sometimes be tedious to read. Despite the challenges Wildfrost offers, it never ceases to charm, thanks in large part to its setting. This winter wonderland is packed with creative character designs and unique creatures, constantly offering up imaginative surprises.

2 Dune: Spice Wars

Deep Strategy In Frank Herbert’s Iconic Sci-Fi Setting

The iconic universe of Frank Herbert’s Dune is one of science fiction’s most unique and detailed settings. Ecology, complex politics, and economics are at play at all times in Dune, and Dune: Spice Wars does an admirable job of adapting it to the video game format.

Dune’s unique flavor is present in Dune: Spice Wars, complete with dangerous sand-worms and utterly hostile terrain. On its surface, Dune may look like a simple desert, but the mechanical way in which Dune: Spice Wars adapts Dune’s ideas keeps the distinctive setting intact.

1 Kenshi

A Truly Alien Wasteland

Much of Kenshi’s world is completely and utterly strange, a setting mostly made from stretches of desolate wasteland. There are a variety of biomes present in this world, however, and they are all dangerous in their own unique ways.

The gameplay of Kenshi is mostly free-form, with its unique world offering an open sandbox for players to explore in whichever way they see fit. It’s a harsh and unforgiving place to be, however, and players should expect to struggle at first.