Most Unforgiving Strategy Games

Accessible strategy games do exist in varying degrees, with games such as Into The Breach, for example, giving players plenty of room for mistakes. However, this genre is abundant with unforgiving experiences that are quick to punish mistakes.

Related

7 Most Satisfying Strategy Games

Between their design and visuals, these strategy games provide players with a highly satisfying experience.

Whether it’s permanent death mechanics, dangerous enemies, or a fast rate of play, there are many strategic experiences on the market that challenge players in unique ways. These unforgiving strategy games can be frustrating, but beneath their challenging exteriors are often rewarding gameplay loops.

8

Duskers

Methodical Exploration Of Dangerous Environments

Systems

Released

August 20, 2015

ESRB

nr

DUSKERS is a distinctive top-down strategy game that hinges its design around a unique method of controlling units. In the game, players are tasked with salvaging what they can from derelict spaceships by controlling a small squad of drones via a command console.

4:10

Related

Best Slow-Paced Strategy Games

Strategy fans who prefer a more methodical and slow approach to their favorite genre should look no further than these games.

This slow and methodical control adds a great deal of tension to the already-tense atmosphere; the laborious and intentionally-clunky process of moving drones around emphasizes cautious play and careful planning, punishing players for acting rashly or misreading the situation. As a result, DUSKERS can be a tremendously unforgiving experience.

7

Quasimorph

Brutal Survival Mechanics & High Lethality

Extraction

Shooter

Roguelike

Systems

Released

October 2, 2023

ESRB

M For Mature 17+

Quasimorph is a turn-based strategy game with the structure of an extraction shooter, tasking players with looting industrial facilities and completing objectives while contending with a myriad of threats. In keeping with its grim-dark setting, Quasimorph is an unforgiving experience, thanks in large part to the brutal nature of its survival mechanics.

Players must not only worry themselves with fighting or fleeing from the game’s abundance of enemies, but they also must contend with starvation, injury, and impending insanity. This results in a gameplay loop that requires constant attention on the part of the player and solid planning if they’re to survive any of its sci-fi dungeon-crawls.

6

Kenshi

A Harsh & Hostile Open-World

Systems

Released

December 6, 2018

ESRB

nr

This open-world sandbox allows for a great deal of freedom, championing player agency with emergent gameplay and RPG mechanics. However, this comes at the expense of accessibility, not only in the game’s controls and busy user-interface but also with the sheer hostility of its world.

This is in large part thanks to the deep well of knowledge required to navigate the world appropriately. There are many, many threats, both obvious and not, lurking in Kenshi‘s crevices, and it takes time and practice for players to gain the strength and knowledge needed to survive.

Turn-Based Tactics & Permanent Death

Released

February 5, 2016

ESRB

T For Teen due to Blood, Use of Tobacco, Violence

XCOM 2‘s deeply tactical turn-based combat encounters offer tense, nail-biting scenarios that can be tremendously rewarding. However, this addictive tension is only possible via the game’s addition of permanent death mechanics.

With each squad member under the constant threat of kicking the bucket for good, XCOM 2‘s combat becomes deliberate and entirely consequential. For better or worse, this makes XCOM a fairly punishing and unforgiving strategy game.

4

Wildfrost

A Tactical Deck-Builder That Can Quickly Snowball

Digital Card Game

Strategy

Roguelike

Released

April 12, 2023

ESRB

E10+ For Everyone 10+ // Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood

Wildfrost is a game of open information. It’s a roguelike deck-builder with a tactical twist, providing players with dynamic battlefields with which to freely maneuver units and play cards. However, with its generosity of rewards and information, Wildfrost can be tremendously punishing; just one mistake or one misread can result in a steady death spiral or even instant defeat.

Related

Best Tactical Games That Are Immediately Fun

These excellent tactical video games forgoes the slow onboarding typical in the genre, providing fun and engaging mechanics right away.

In sharp contrast to the game’s unforgiving combat, however, is an innovative rewards system that allows for tremendous freedom when build-crafting. Furthermore, the wealth of rewards between battles ensures that Wildfrost maintains a brisk pace, keeping defeat from feeling too crushing.

3

Battle Brothers

Quick & Unforgiving Deaths Lead To Downward Spirals

Indie Games

Tactical

RPG

Strategy

Adventure

Released

April 27, 2015

ESRB

t

​​​​​​​Battle Brothers is a sandbox RPG that takes place in a dark and hostile low-fantasy setting. In keeping with the tone of its world, Battle Brothers is quick to punish mistakes in a swift and often brutal manner, resulting in an unforgiving gameplay loop that’s rarely kind to newcomers.

In Battle Brothers, players are tasked with managing a company of mercenaries, completing dangerous contracts in order to make a living. This means that conflict is simply not avoidable in Battle Brothers, and sooner or later, players will have to face down its myriad dangers.

2

StarCraft 2

A Competitive RTS In Which Mistakes Can Quickly Add Up

Systems

Released

July 27, 2010

ESRB

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

​​​​​​​Despite its age, StarCraft 2 remains a competitive game in online play, featuring a multiplayer versus mode that can be a deeply unforgiving experience for newcomers. This is in large part due to the pace of the gameplay, with every decision and every mistake having a potentially massive impact on the state of the game.

Since a single mistake can quickly snowball into a full-on death spiral, StarCraft 2 can be a frustrating experience at times. However, those who stick out the frustrations and learn to overcome the weaknesses in their play will find a truly expressive and diverse sandbox of competitive strategy.

1

Darkest Dungeon

Brutal Combat That Punishes The Unprepared

Released

January 19, 2016

ESRB

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

​​​​​​​Darkest Dungeon is a strategy RPG in which death and defeat are ultimately unavoidable. While preparing properly and exercising caution during its harrowing dungeon-crawls can increase a player’s chance of success, the game’s combat mechanics and dangerous array of enemies aren’t afraid to punish even those who have made the necessary preparations.

As a result, Darkest Dungeon can be a decidedly unforgiving experience. However, this synergizes with the game’s grim-dark tone. Furthermore, this difficulty only makes victory all the more rewarding to accomplish.

​​​​​​​

More

Game Settings That Would Be Perfect For A Soulslike

These rich video game worlds would fit perfectly into a soulslike formula, offering new avenues for exploring their diverse settings.