Best One-Shot Strategy Video Games

Summary

• Real-time strategy games like FTL offer strategic, accessible gameplay with brisk pacing for varied experiences.
• Titles like Wildfrost and Super Auto Pets provide unique, fast-paced, one-shot gameplay experiences different from traditional strategy genres.
• Dune: Imperium and Balatro offer one-shot, enthralling experiences, with engaging AI opponents and unique gameplay mechanics.

The strategy genre covers a broad variety of titles, from real-time strategy games such as StarCraft 2 to the turn-based strategy of Darkest Dungeon or XCOM. There are many experiences for all kinds of player, but a great number of them require a hefty chunk of time to play.

Some strategy games are able to offer faster-paced and generally more accessible experiences by avoiding gameplay that requires extensive play sessions. A few titles even manage to do this without sacrificing mechanical depth.

8 FTL: Faster Than Light

Real-Time Strategy Keeps A Brisk Pace

Essentially an indie classic, FTL: Faster Than Light is a painstakingly designed roguelike that features real-time strategy gameplay with the addition of a tactical pause. This allows FTL to be both strategic and accessible, and the real-time gameplay keeps a brisk pace.

This fast pace helps to elevate the inherent one-shot structure of FTL that’s brought about by its genre, with moments of reprieve provided by its random events. The ensemble of playable ship classes and potential builds also keeps the gameplay varied from run-to-run. However, FTL runs tend to play a little longer than the average roguelike.

7 Wildfrost

A Fast-Paced Roguelike With A Tremendous Daily Mode

Wildfrost is a superbly stylish deck-builder that centers itself around a unique core mechanic, bolstered by an evocative setting and a tactile user-interface. A roguelike, Wildfrost is naturally built to be played in one sitting, though it’s entirely possible to quit and return later on.

This run-based nature is supported by a light unlock system, but more importantly, it’s elevated by a unique mechanic wherein winning a run turns the player’s squad into the next final battle. Furthermore, Wildfrost’s strengths as a one-shot experience are boosted by the addition of a fantastic daily mode that dramatically shakes up the starting position.

6 Super Auto Pets

A Unique And Accessible Match-Based Auto-Battler

Super Auto Pets is a highly strategic and surprisingly deep auto-battler that tasks players with building a squad of synergistic animals. Visually, Super Auto Pets may be quite simple, but its mechanical depth keeps the game consistently engaging.

This depth is achieved through a variety of passive abilities, and unlike many auto-battlers, Super Auto Pets forgoes sets, a mechanic that will be familiar to fans of the genre. However, this allows players to mix and match squad members without consequence. Best of all, a match of Super Auto Pets takes very little time to play, and the simplicity of its gameplay loop makes it tremendously easy to learn.

5 Thronefall

An Accessible RTS & Tower Defense Combination With A Tight Structure

Thronefall combines the easy-to-learn structure of a tower/base defense game with strong elements of real-time strategy. Despite working in mechanics from the RTS genre, Thronefall is a remarkably accessible experience thanks to its intuitive controls and minimalist design.

This minimalism prevents Thronefall’s variety of mechanics from getting in the way of its pace, and the limited number of waves in each level puts a satisfying capstone on play sessions. Thronefall asks players to balance their defense and economy in equal measure, and it remains strategic in both the preparation and action phases of the game, resulting in an experience that’s consistently engaging without being overly long or complex.

4 Slay The Spire

An Act-Based Structure And Intuitive Map

Known for bringing the tabletop-focused gameplay of deck-building to the forefront of indie games, Slay The Spire is a cornerstone of modern indies and a tremendously addictive roguelike. Its tight three-act structure and intuitive node-based map keeps each run focused and relatively similar in length, making it a perfect one-shot experience.

Slay The Spire follows a simple structure focused on node-based exploration and strategic battles fought with cards. Elevating this experience is a variety of bosses, unique playable characters, and potential builds and synergies. This, along with the game’s “Ascension” system for ramping up the difficulty, gives Slay The Spire tremendous replay value.

3 Dune: Imperium

A Match-Based Digital Board Game With Competent AI Opponents

• Platform(s): PC, Xbox, Mobile
• Released: 2024
• Developer(s): Dire Wolf
• Genre: Digital Board Game

As an adaptation of a tabletop game, Dune: Imperium is inherently match-based, offering a one-shot experience designed to be played over an hour or two. Despite being designed to play with other players, the digital adaptation of Dune: Imperium features surprisingly engaging AI opponents that make it great for single-player as well.

Dune: Imperium combines classic deck-building gameplay with unique cards and worker-placement mechanics, resulting in a distinctive structure. This creates a veritable playground for strategy, especially when combined with the multitude of unique leaders to play as.

2 Balatro

A Deck-Builder With A Score-Attack Structure & Rigid Hand Limit

With its winning combination of roguelike deck-builder synergies and accessible Poker gameplay, Balatro is ultimately deserving of its tremendous praise. Each run through Balatro’s uncertain gauntlet is a fast-paced thrill, thanks to its nature as a score-attack game.

Ensuring Balatro remains a do-or-die experience is its limited number of hands, preventing players from being caught in a slug-fest. This elegant design offers an addictive one-shot experience that’s likely to keep players coming back, only elevated by thoroughly tactile UI and a unique art-style.

1 Dune: Spice Wars

An Expansive 4X Title That Can Be Played In One Sitting

Dune: Spice Wars is not a quick game. However, when playing its skirmish mode, it’s a surprisingly fresh and fast-paced experience when compared to similar games. Matches are slow-burning, but each of them can take anywhere from one to three hours to play (depending on speed settings), keeping it an experience that can still be enjoyed in a single sitting.

Based on Frank Herbert’s expertly-crafted world, Dune: Spice Wars is a deeply thematic experience that does its best to tie its mechanics in with the source material. The thematic setting helps in making the mechanics feel more natural — and therefore easier to learn and remember. Furthermore, the variety of playable factions and multitude of win conditions keep it replayable.