Best Strategy Games for Fans of Board Games

Board games and strategy video games share a deep connection. Both emphasize critical thinking, tactical decision-making, and long-term planning. This connection is even evident in mechanics, where turn-based gameplay, resource management, and board placement serve as common ground. The crossover is so natural that many beloved tabletop games have inspired video adaptations, and vice versa. However, what truly draws board game fans to strategy video games is the genre’s ability to balance complexity and accessibility, providing layers of depth without overwhelming players.

For lovers of classic tabletop experiences that require thoughtful pacing, or deck-battling adventures filled with competitive tension, there’s a digital counterpart ready to scratch that same strategic itch. From turn-based tactics to resource-driven campaigns, these strategy games can immerse fans of board games in the same kind of satisfying, strategic gameplay found on a game night with friends.

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8

Slay The Spire

Craft A Deck For The Perfect Strategy

Released

January 23, 2019

Developer(s)

Mega Crit

Publisher(s)

Humble Bundle

For those searching for a game that mirrors the experience of deck-building board games, Slay the Spire is the pinnacle of this genre. The game provides a compelling roguelike approach to card collection and doing battle. It challenges players to ascend a bizarre tower, battling enemies and adapting to unpredictable scenarios as players collect cards to refine and synergize their decks.

Each run is unique, presenting new challenges and requiring strategic adjustments at every decision point, from card collection to battle management. And with four distinct characters to play, each with its own set of mechanics and cards, Slay the Spire provides endless strategic possibilities.

7

For The King 2

A Tabletop-Inspired RPG To Share With Friends

Released

November 2, 2023

Developer(s)

Ironoak Games

Publisher(s)

Curve Games

Blending turn-based combat and tabletop RPG mechanics, For The King 2 invites players on a whimsical adventure to save a kingdom from impending doom. Players control a party of four heroes as they navigate a hex-based world map to solve the structured storyline. Along the way, they undertake numerous side quests, battle foes, face events, and scour dungeons — all hallmarks of a classic fantasy RPG adventure.

To capture the essence of gathering around the game table for a board game night, For the King 2 facilitates cooperative play for up to four players. This much-needed feature enriches the game , creating a dynamic experience reminiscent of a more streamlined version of Dungeons and Dragons. For the King 2 delivers substantial depth in its RPG mechanics and a worthwhile gameplay loop, offering a perfect set of adventures that are sure to be enjoyable when shared with friends.

6

Slipways

A Straightforward Puzzle-Like Take On 4X Strategy

• Platform(s): PC
• Released: 2021
• Developer(s): Beetlewing
• Genres: Strategy, Puzzle

Slipways simplifies the complexities of the 4X strategy genre, transforming it into a puzzle-like journey of galactic expansion. Rather than grappling with convoluted micromanagement or juggling numerous tasks, as seen in many similar spacefaring civilization games, this game focuses on a more straightforward premise: establishing trade routes between planets. It’s a relatively simple task that requires meeting the resource demands of new planets to integrate them into a growing trade network. The endgame is to fine-tune the galaxy’s economy and maximize prosperity, culminating in a total score based on performance at the end of the game.

What will attract board game enthusiasts to Slipways is its strong resemblance to various optimization puzzles found in many board games. In these puzzles, success is achieved by creating the most efficient and interconnected systems. Furthermore, it offers an accessible experience that is quick to play — games usually last just a couple of hours. It also encourages multiple playthroughs thanks to the wide array of satisfying strategies available.

5

Crying Suns

A Sci-Fi Roguelike With Tactical Fleet Management

• Platform(s): PC, Nintendo Switch, Mobile
• Released: 2019
• Developer(s): Alt Shift
• Genre: Strategy, Roguelike

A tactical roguelike that evokes the essence of a narrative-rich strategy board game, Crying Suns places players in command of a battleship as they explore a dying galaxy, making space jumps to various sectors. Along the way, they’ll encounter random events and engage in tactical space battles on a compact hex-based grid. The combat system is a standout feature and a significant strength of the game. It unfolds in pausable real-time, allowing players to issue orders and maneuver squadrons to unleash fire on the enemy. The emphasis is on strategic positioning and fleet management.

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With its turn-based combat and randomized events, the gameplay is strikingly similar to Faster Than Light (FTL). However, this game features a much grittier aesthetic and a substantial narrative that provides a rich experience of world-building combined with an equally engaging strategic adventure. For fans of sci-fi board games, Crying Suns is worth a look.

4

Civilization 7

Turn-Based Strategy On The Grandest Of Scales

Grand Strategy

Turn-Based Strategy

4X

Released

February 11, 2025

Civilization 7 brings the complex world of grand strategy board games into the digital realm. It places players in the role of an omnipotent leader, immersing them in an empire-building journey that spans centuries. With various victory conditions that provide unique gameplay experiences, the game underlines recognized board game elements such as resource management, diplomacy, and warfare, all while balancing long-term strategies with tactical decisions.

It may not be the most accessible entry in the series, as Civilization 7 is a lengthy game that requires grand vision and strategic insight. For newcomers, these strategies will require multiple playthroughs to master. However, seasoned board game enthusiasts will appreciate this challenge. The game’s stunning visuals, along with its irresistible “one-more-turn” allure, make it an excellent choice for repeated play.

3

Inscryption

Strategy Meets Psychological Horror In A Deckbuilder Like No Other

Systems

Released

October 19, 2021

Developer(s)

Daniel Mullins Games

A wholly original mix of horror, deck-building, and roguelike elements defines Inscryption. Players find themselves seated at a spooky, dimly lit table across from a mysterious entity, and they are tasked with playing against this enigmatic creature in a rather unusual game of cards. It initially seems like a straightforward deck-building game with basic mechanics of cost, attack, and health. However, a more profound, captivating labyrinth of intriguing mechanics awaits to be explored.

The card-battling system is easy to grasp but challenging to master, as the game continually introduces unexpected twists to stutter plans. Yet, the thrill of trying again is part of its charm, offering an evolving strategic layer that board game enthusiasts will appreciate. Coupled with engaging storytelling and its haunting atmosphere, Inscryption emerges as a must-play indie gem, particularly for those who may not typically enjoy the deck-building genre.

2

Armello

Dice Rolls And Card Play In A Board Game-Inspired Strategy

Strategy

Adventure

Indie Games

Released

September 1, 2015

Armello is perhaps the game on this list that most closely resembles a physical board game, because it essentially is one. Using a tabletop environment on a hexagonal board, players traverse a fantasy kingdom as adorable, occasionally maniacal animal characters, engaging in battles and leveling up, all while employing various strategies in an attempt to secure victory. The game features turn-based mechanics for movement, decision-making, and combat. Combat revolves around a combination of card battling and dice rolling, where stats are influenced by collected cards, gear, and special effects, which are then converted into dice for attacking and defending.

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Armello boils down to a charming strategy game with a nice mix of skill, chance, and tactics to create a pleasurable experience. By taking full advantage of its digital format, it eliminates the need for tracking damage numbers or dealing with the setup often required by physical board games. The game also offers options for both competitive and private matches with up to three friends, turning a traditional tabletop game night into a seamless digital affair.

1

Into the Breach

Small-Scale Combat, Massive Strategic Depth

Released

February 27, 2018

Mechs, aliens, and grid-based battle — Into the Breach is a sci-fi turn-based tactics game that delivers puzzle-like combat that requires intelligence rather than brawn. Like a well-designed board game, Into the Breach distills its mechanics into its purest strategic form. There’s no randomness in the core combat system. Every action has a clear consequence, and success relies on careful planning and execution. This makes it feel like a digital version of a tightly designed tabletop tactics game or even chess, where positioning and decision-making matter.

Adding to its appeal, Into the Breach is orientated towards short, replayable sessions, with brilliant, unpredictable events that ensure each campaign is unique. An experience that rewards strategic mastery, this title is an excellent choice for board game enthusiasts who love tactical gameplay and logical problem-solving.

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