Best Strategy Games Where You Start With Almost Nothing, Ranked

There are many games that give players an almost instant sense of gratification, quickly giving players the means to progress with little effort. However, by giving players access to few initial resources, some games are able to provide gameplay that’s more rewarding in the long term.

Related

Best Survival Games With Turn-Based Combat, Ranked

Survival games don’t often rely on turn based combat, but there are a few excellent games that prove to be exceptions to the rule.

Strategy games don’t often give players much to start with, especially those that are match-based. However, starting players at rock bottom doesn’t always result in a positive player experience; the best of these titles typically use a lack of resources as a point of conflict to facilitate engaging gameplay. By asking players to overcome challenges with little resources, these games are able to champion creative and efficient play.

8

Thronefall

A Minimalist Combination Of RTS & Tower Defense

Systems

Released

October 11, 2024

ESRB

E10+ For Everyone 10+ // Fantasy Violence

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Thronefall is a minimalist combination of tower defense and real-time strategy that starts players with very little. In the game, players are given but a handful of gold coins with which to kick-start not only their defenses, but their economy, and both must be managed with equal efficiency in order to be successful.

Related

9 Most Unique Tower Defense Games

Players in the mood for creative tower defense games should take a look at these examples.

Thronefall’s accessible approach to design is commendable, but players looking for a challenge won’t be disappointed, especially thanks to the addition of a score system. However, Thronefall is relatively fast-paced, and players won’t have to work too hard before their kingdom begins to fill out.

7

Quasimorph

Extraction

Shooter

Roguelike

Systems

Released

October 2, 2023

ESRB

M For Mature 17+

Developer(s)

Magnum Scriptum

Although Quasimorph does give players a small stock of supplies, to begin with, that’s the only kindness it affords them. In this gritty turn-based strategy game, players are thrust into a grim-dark future packed with Eldritch horrors and aggressive goons, tasked with scavenging what they can from a variety of decrepit facilities without dying.

Death is inevitable in Quasimorph. However, despite the inclusion of permanent death, players are always able to make use of whatever they’ve got stashed in their cargo hold. This allows for a sense of progression without artificially lowering the difficulty of the game, making for a particularly rewarding experience.

6

Dune: Imperium

Slow-Burning Deck-Building & Minimal Actions

Strategy

Deckbuilding

Board Game

Systems

Released

March 13, 2024

Developer(s)

Dire Wolf Digital

In Dune: Imperium, players are given a small starting deck and very little means with which to improve it; cards are typically expensive in Dune: Imperium, and even acquiring the cheaper cards often means sacrificing turn efficiency. Resources are also valuable in this digital board game, and, barring some exceptions, players start the game with a few of them.

Dune: Imperium’s worker-placement structure also makes it difficult to get started, giving players just one action to perform every turn. However, this slow and methodical pace only results in a more rewarding experience.

5

Battle Brothers

An Unforgiving Sandbox RPG With Slow Progression

Indie Games

Tactical

RPG

Strategy

Adventure

Released

April 27, 2015

ESRB

t

Developer(s)

Overhype Studios

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Battle Brothers is a sandbox RPG that tasks players with running a mercenary company in a dangerous low-fantasy world. Though it does feature customizable starting positions, Battle Brothers tends to start players with very little.

Related

Open World Sandbox Games With Strategic Combat

The following open-world games are all either inherently sandbox or have sandbox modes, and they all require players to use their heads in combat.

Depending on the options players choose, they’re given very little in the way of cash. Regardless of options, resources and numbers are limited and, as a result, Battle Brothers can be an unforgiving experience from the very start. Furthermore, it’s mighty easy to lose valuable members of the company in battle, and it takes a good few hours of play before players can become comfortable with their situation. However, this only makes each victory more rewarding.

4

Darkest Dungeon

A Constantly Punishing Dungeon-Crawler

Released

January 19, 2016

ESRB

T For Teen due to Alcohol Reference, Blood and Gore, Mild Language, Partial Nudity, Suggestive Themes, Violence

Developer(s)

Red Hook Studios

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Darkest Dungeon is a deeply unforgiving strategy RPG, thanks in large part to its roguelike influences. It’s no easy start, either, as Darkest Dungeon starts players with very little in the way of party members or gear, and even much of the town is in dire need of upgrades.

This meager start makes overcoming Darkest Dungeon’s various challenges all the more rewarding. It’s not all doom and gloom, though, as players are given a hefty sum of cash to start with. However, it doesn’t take long to dwindle.

3

Kenshi

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​An Open-Ended Sandbox In A Hostile World

Systems

Released

December 6, 2018

ESRB

nr

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Providing players with a truly expansive and utterly harsh open world, Kenshi is a sandbox RPG that offers genuine agency to its players. With no set goals to follow and a total lack of hand-holding, the game allows for immense freedom. However, this also makes Kenshi relatively inaccessible to newcomers.

What makes Kenshi even less approachable is the complete lack of assets it starts players off with. Now, this depends on the player’s chosen game start. However, the default start gives players control over a single character with little to their name. Nevertheless, this fresh start does allow players to take their character in whichever direction they’d like.

2

Dune: Spice Wars

A Methodical Combination Of RTS & 4X Mechanics

Dune: Spice Wars

Systems

Released

September 14, 2023

ESRB

Teen // Fantasy Violence, Drug Reference

Developer(s)

Shiro Games

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Dune: Spice Wars is a slow-burning strategy game that deftly combines elements of the 4X and RTS genres to great effect. Part of this slow burn is the game’s lack of generosity when it comes to starting assets, giving players access to very little of the many resources available throughout the game.

Players are also encouraged to immediately expand in Dune: Spice Wars, as they’re given no territory to begin with besides a main base, which – at the start of the game – can’t be built in. Furthermore, players are given no military units or spice harvesters, and only a single ornithopter with which to scout. This makes the opening minutes of Dune: Spice Wars fairly frantic, as players rush to acquire important territory and build a wealth of resources.

1

StarCraft 2

A Fast-Paced Race From Zero Resources

Systems

Released

July 27, 2010

ESRB

T for Teen: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence

StarCraft 2 is a classic real-time strategy game that’s still worth playing today for its distinctive asymmetric factions and incredible build variety. However, it can be overwhelming at first, not only because of the speed required to compete on the ranked ladder but also because of the blank slate players are given at the start of each match.

Players start each game of StarCraft 2 with zero resources and just twelve workers. This gives players complete freedom at the start of the game, but it also requires them to be efficient; building army units or investing in technology too soon can have a severe impact on a player’s economy. While it can be easy for newcomers to get overwhelmed, learning a simple build order can make StarCraft 2’s online play much more accessible, providing a jumping-off point for players to express skill and get creative.

MORE

Great Strategy Games That Let You Play Your Own Way

These great strategy games allow you the space to define your experience, letting you play your own way in their diverse worlds.