Elements of strategyVideo Games

Simulation 27 October 2016

A strategy-simulation game developed by German studio Osmotic Studios. The title references the Orwellian theme of Big Brother and the internet surveillance of the modern society in face of global terrorism. The titular Orwell is the name of a computer system that tracks the citizens and finds people suspected of criminal activity. When the fictional city of Bonton becomes the victim of a series of terrorist attacks, the player assumes the role of an operator of the system and is tasked with identifying the terrorists. The gameplay mechanics are focused mostly on watching recordings and files related to the citizens and reporting any suspicious activity to specialized units. In the game the player will frequently bend constitutional laws and dig through private data, hack computers and even impersonate other people. However, one must be very careful because all actions can lead to various consequences.

RPG TBA

A sequel to the popular Mount & Blade game series, which skillfully combined action with strategy and RPG elements. The sequel was developed by the creators of the original game – Turkish developer TaleWorlds. The story throws you right into the dark Medieval Times, forcing you to adapt to that harsh reality. Two of the game's most characteristic features are the open world and complete freedom to your actions. In order to gain fame and fortune, you have to prove yourself as a tactician, a diplomat, and a fighter. Similarly to its predecessor, the game consists of two gameplay layers. The strategic layer is set on a map, where you travel from one place to another and plan your overall strategy. The other one is action – where you take part in dynamic battles, sitting on a horseback or on foot, with a wide array of various weapons at your disposal in either first or third person perspective.

RPG 30 March 2010

A standalone expansion to Mount & Blade, a popular game by TaleWorlds Studios, which gained acclaim for being a unique combination of strategy game and action-RPG. The developers responded to community feedback implementing an array of innovations and improvements to enrich the gameplay. First of all, artificial intelligence of commanders and vassals was significantly improved and the diplomacy options were expanded, giving you more control over your lands. Another thing that went through much improvement were the game’s visuals. However, the biggest novelty is the multiplayer gameplay for up to 64 people playing together in one of 7 different game modes. Warband features all locations present in the original Mount & Blade, as well as a brand new faction - the Sarranid Sultanate - and lots of new missions.

Action 22 May 2018

An official sequel to the 2013’s sandbox action game by Undead Labs. The action of State of Decay 2 takes place in a post-apocalyptic open world after an outbreak of a zombie epidemic. While playing, we get a chance to led a group of survivors, each of whom has their own biography, skills, and character traits. We can freely switch between them while building a shelter, exploring the world, and searching nearby buildings for resources necessary for survival. Fighting zombies, we use various kinds of improvised weapons. The title features a character development system in which we can perfect our heroes by engaging in certain activities. Apart from the story campaign, the production offers an indefinite survival mode and a full-fledged multiplayer that allows up to four players to cooperate, each managing their own group.

RPG 02 August 2018

Another expansion pack to one of the most awarded sandbox MMO games on the market – EVE Online, developed by CCP Games. The expansion takes the players to an unknown area of the galaxy where they compete over mutaplasmids that can change the balance of forces in the galaxy.

RPG 25 September 2018

Pathfinder: Kingmaker is a classic RPG developed by Owlcat Games in cooperation with the one and only Chris Avellone. The game is based on the popular Pathfinder RPG system and takes the players to a typical fantasy land where they will have to build their own kingdom and defend it. We observe the game from an isometric point of view and, as we play, control a party made of characters with different abilities. During our adventures we will explore a vast realm where we will complete primary and side quests, and fight with the encountered enemies. In combat, we can use magic and typical fantasy weapons. Managing our kingdom plays a crucial role in the game. We will have to build settlements, towns, and strongholds, and make various decisions that reflect our hero's nature.

Simulation 03 September 2008

An unusual simulator, in which your objective is to bring to life a perfectly functioning species of organisms, starting from the lowest step on the evolution ladder. The game is developed by the legendary studio Maxis, led by Will Wright – the man responsible for such cult series as SimCity and The Sims. Mechanics combine elements of many game genres and each stage of your organism’s evolution offers a bit different quests and altered gameplay. Starting with the cell cycle and ending with a whole community, the game offers enormous scope of modification in regard to the appearance and other traits of your species. In later stages of evolution, the primitive organism gets a mouth, limbs, and other attributes that influence its ability to adapt and cope in various external conditions. With the game's progress, elements of competition with other species emerge and our, initially small, village becomes a huge metropolis with the newest technology.

RPG 16 September 2008

A unique combination of RPG mechanics with a strategy game, created as the debut project of an independent developer, TaleWorlds. The player assumes the role of an adventurer who arrives to Calradia, a realm divided into several rivaling kingdoms. What he does next depends completely on him. Mount & Blade does not offer a story campaign, rather giving the player the freedom of shaping his adventures. Initially, the hero has only the eponymous mount and blade, but in time he comes into possession of full combat equipment and an actual army, and even being given the option of becoming a vassal to one of Calradia’s rulers. Mount & Blade lets the player to move freely around the world’s map — in this view you get to travel to towns and villages, encounter enemy armies, and find mission targets. On the other hand, in towns and during battles you control your character like in a purebred RPG with TPP view. During battles the player not only fights along his soldiers, but also gets to command them. Among other Mount & Blade’s highlights we should mention expansive economy, character progression, variety of missions, and tournaments.

RPG 26 July 2018

The Banner Saga 3 is the third game of the turn-based strategy games series with RPG elements, developed by Stoic and inspired by Viking culture and beliefs. The plot continues the story from the previous games of the series. Once again, we lead a caravan of brave warriors who, in the face of the impending end of the world, have to defeat evil once and for all. When it comes to gameplay mechanics, not much has changed. The game is still a turn-based strategy with RPG elements. We will meet many NPCs, some of them will join us, and some will give us various quests to do. In combat, we lead a group of heroes who have different abilities and equipment. We can set up a camp to level up our warriors and equip them with better items between the battles. The Banner Saga 3 has a bit more darker, hand drawn 2D visuals that bring to mind Disney animated movies.

RPG 27 April 2017

Set in a historical setting, a classic, tactical, turn-based RPG developed by Logic Artists studio. The game is the second consecutive installment in the game series launched in 2013 with Expeditions: Conquistador. The action takes place by the end of the 8th century. With the death of your father, you become the new leader of a small Viking village. Your objective is to strengthen your power, ensure the safety of your people, and make your village the strongest one in the area. However, your mission is threatened by hostile neighbors and conspiring members of your own clan. Apart from village management, you will be plundering and raiding, but to do so, you will have to begin with gathering the necessary resources and assembling a good crew. The combat, observed from the top view, takes place on battlefields covered in hexagon grid. The turn-based combat system allows you to come up with devious tactics. The non-linear plot of the game can be influenced by your choices, both strategic and personal.

Logic December 2018

A collectible card game set in the universe of Dota 2 and created by Valve company. Like in other games from the genre, the players construct decks using cards from their collections and then face each other in duels. There are many heroes available from the original MOBA game, which can be played and moved between three lanes. There are also creatures controlled by artificial intelligence and gold earned by destroying hostile units, later used to buy item cards that can be equipped by heroes to increase their battle potential.

RPG 23 March 2018

Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom is the next installment in the jRPG series developed by Level 5. Young king Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum is the game's protagonist. After our hero was banished from his own kingdom, a fellow named Roland decides to help him get his throne back. Things got much more complicated when the city of Ding Dong Dell was faced with the danger that threatens the entire world. Our heroes have no other choice than to face it. Just like in the previous game, gameplay in Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom focuses on the exploration of the game's vast world, doing many various main and side quests, recruiting new team mates, and fighting with the encountered enemies. In combat, we can switch between our party members to use their individual abilities anytime we want to. Once again Higgledies play an important role in battles. They can draw our enemies' attention and aid us in battle by giving us powers to control various elements. A new system that allows us to create our own kingdom was introduced in Ni no Kuni II. The game features colorful visuals, visibly inspired by the Ghibli animated movies.

Simulation 22 March 2017

A continuation of the mobile construction simulator with strategy elements, developed by weltenbauer studio from Germany. Construction Simulator 2 takes place in a fictional state in the USA, Westside Plains. In the game we play as an owner of a company that builds roads and buildings. The game is set in an open world, in which you can complete 60 different jobs. In the beginning of the game we start with simple tasks but as we develop our company and increase its reputation we can get more complicated but also much better paid contracts. The game allows us to manually control 36 licensed and recreated with intricate details machines, among which we can find those that are produced by such companies as Caterpillar, Liebherr, Palfinger, Bell, STILL or ATLAS. The economic aspect, that requires players to manage their company and budget, complements the simulation elements.

RPG 23 March 2018

A tactical RPG, which is the debut project of Aurum Dust. The game revolves around the adventures of characters traversing the world of Terminum - their goal is to find a way to defeat the so-called "reapers". The player talks to NPCs, fights in the turn-based combat system, and constantly makes difficult choices.

RPG 26 June 2007

An action game with RPG features. The title was developed by Triumph Studios. The player is taken to a classic fantasy world. However, contrary to the typical genre tropes, this time they assume the role of a lord of darkness. The main character’s greatest wish is to take over the world. Hordes of minions with various abilities are helping them in achieving this goal. In Overlord the player is fighting legions of opponents by sending his small, brave, but very stupid followers to a certain death. They are for example very effective when it comes to triggering explosives, but if needed they can also jump into a fire or down a cliff. Although the game is filled with unique humor and a bit tongue-in-cheek, it also contains a bar that represents the corruption level of the protagonist. The player can transform the protagonist into a true evil lord. However he can also change him into a lord protector, for example by helping the citizens of a besieged city. The title has nice looking, colorful graphics that use a slightly cartoonish style.

Sports 28 June 2018

RPG 23 June 2009

A sequel to the unusual action game with RPG features, that was developed by Triumph Studios. Similarly to its predecessor, in this game the player assumes the role of an antihero who wants to become a dark lord. However, an evil empire inspired by Roman Empire is standing in his way. The protagonist must conquer various kingdoms in order to eliminate his opponents. In Overlord II the player once more controls not only the main character, but his minions as well. The minions gained some new abilities, including the ability to ride various creatures, assemble into military formations and destroy the surrounding objects. This time the player participates in a war on a much greater scale than in first entry in the series. The game features catchy graphics that use a slightly cartoonish visual style.

Action 23 September 2016

A multiplayer war game set in the World War II period and a debut production of Danish studio Reto-Moto. Heroes & Generals stands out from the competition with its three game modes, each being able to exist as a separate game. The first one is a classic FPS that emphasizes teamwork and realism on the battlefield. The second one is a browser MMO strategy, where the players command their troops, recruit new units, and launch military operations. The third one, intended for casual player focuses on social networking, featuring support role minigames available as a smartphone app or via social networks. Heroes & Generals is free to play, although some extras require payment.

RPG October 2018

An MMORPG developed by Soulbound. Chronicles of Elyria is set in a fantasy world inspired by the medieval Europe. The game received financial support on the Kickstarter crowdfunding platform. The mechanics combine elements borrowed from the classics of the genre with innovative features. Therefore, the player explores a diverse, extensive world, completes various quests, but also caters for the basic needs of their character - food, drink, rest and shelter from cold and heat all have to be provided. Interestingly, the player's avatar can get married and have children. What is especially innovative however, is that one's character ages and eventually dies - their soul reincarnates and the player can continue the adventure in the body of the deceased's relative. What is also worth mentioning, is the game's character development system (which is based on skills learned alongside progression), and a complex and demanding combat system. Furthermore, both NPCs and players can give quests. Chronicles of Elyria offers both the PvE and PvP components. Obviously, the player is capable of founding guilds and making alliances as well.

Adventure 09 November 2016

Beholder is an indie adventure game, inspired by the works of George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, and Ray Bradbury. The game takes place in a dystopian world, where the lives of its citizens are fully controlled by the regime, and privacy and freedom of speech are relics of the past. The players take on the role of the manager of an apartment complex. His job is to - under the guise of care - surveil and report any signs of opposition against the government. The game's plot is non-linear - the ending, and the fate of many characters, depend on the player's choices. In Beholder, the players must observe and eavesdrop on the apartment complex's residents, and - when they are gone - search their apartments. When the investigation is complete, a proper report must be submitted, alongside collected evidence. Then, the players can see the consequences of their actions, like a suspect being arrested. Beholder features gloomy 2D graphics which, together with the music, fit in quite well with the game's grim vibe.

Adventure 30 March 2017

The result of the independent Polish studio Pixel Crow's cooperation with 11 bit studios, the creators of This War of Mine. Beat cop is a point-and-click time management game. You play as Jack Kelly, a former NYC detective who was framed for murder and demoted. Hated by everyone around, Jack is trying to reconcile his duties with conducting a private investigation in order to discover who framed him. The plot of Beat Cop is non-linear and its many endings depend on your decisions. Interestingly, the game was inspired by American crime TV shows from the 70s and 80s, which is reflected in its atmosphere and humor. The time-management element of the production is most visible when you're patrolling the streets of Brooklyn, while during the investigation segments it becomes a detective/adventure game. Beat Cop has a distinct retro feel thanks to its pixel-art graphics and oldschool soundtrack.

Adventure December 2018

An adventure game that takes players to a totalitarian country and allows them to become a ministry official, who gradually climbs the career ladder by eliminating potential opponents, to eventually become the prime minister.

Simulation 24 February 2017

911 Operator is a game, a strategy-simulator developed by Polish studio Jutsu Games, which is a reiteration of a project which won the Indie Showcase competition held during Digital Dragons 2016. In 911 Operator you become a rescue service operator, and your job is to answer calls from people in danger. The story campaign takes place in 10 cities – you will face many different challenges; some of them amusing, some serious, some frustrating. During the game you have to give advice concerning administration of first-aid as well as choose the right number of people and equipment to send to the scene. A nice touch in the game is the fact that you can sometimes receive prank calls, which have to be recognized and ignored.

Action 06 December 2017

A competitive free-to-play multiplayer game that combines the characteristics of a space simulation, action game, and strategy. It was created by Yager Development, a team known for the FPS Spec Ops: The Line. The game takes you into the future, putting you amid a heated rivalry between powerful factions that aim to colonize space. As a mercenary you pick up various jobs from whoever pays the most. Gameplay focuses on battles fought between the players both in space and in the atmosphere of nearby planets. One of the title’s characteristic features, is the fact that instead of a fast and agile fighter you command a massive space dreadnought and are given the control of every element of your vessel: starting from individual mechanical parts through weapons to her crew. You can also assembly squads of smaller ships and command them in battles. Dreadnought boasts excellent graphics that translate into great visual experience.