Looking for a game that will give your brain a bit of a workout? Well we’ve got you covered.
In this article we’ll be going through 15 indie strategy games and whether you’re a seasoned strategy gamer or someone totally new to the genre, this list has something for everyone.
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Clickyland
In this clicker tower defense game, clicks are your primary resource. You’ll build a village, using clicks to harvest resources, fight enemies, and manage your village. But there’s a catch – you only get 20 clicks per day! Strategic use of clicks and your hard-earned coins to buy upgrades and buildings is key to survival. With procedural levels, over 35 buildings to unlock, and 30+ enemies, Clickyland offers a surprising amount of depth for a clicker game. Can you survive 100 days? Wishlist the game here
Republic of Pirates
Ahoy there, mateys! Set sail and conquer the Caribbean in this swashbuckling strategy sim. You’ll build a pirate colony, collect resources to construct ships, hire the best captains, and take down your rivals. Each island boasts unique resources, so strategic island capture is crucial for your success. With real-time naval combat and a focus on resource management, Republic of Pirates offers a thrilling blend of action and strategy. Read our full review here
Crab God
Calling all crab enthusiasts! In this charming side-scroller, you’ll protect your fledgling crab colony as you prepare for the arrival of the next Crab God. Build up your colony crab by crab, migrate deeper into the ocean to hatch the next deity, and generate favor from the outgoing Crab God. Plant sea plants to attract sealife, gather food, and prepare for the dangers of the nighttime. Build defenses, perform rituals to upgrade your colony, and protect the Crab God in this delightful strategy game. Read our full review here
Balatro
Looking for a unique strategy experience? Look no further than Balatro, one of 2024’s hottest indie games. This deckbuilding roguelite combines poker with a strategic twist. You’ll build poker hands with special joker cards to create powerful synergies. Every pick-up, discard, and joker has the potential to change your run, keeping you on your toes as you discover hidden decks and bonus hands. Earn enough chips to defeat the blinds and ultimately reach the final ante, securing your victory in this strategic card game. Wishlist the game here
Kingdom Two Crowns
Kingdom Two Crowns is a side-scrolling adventure that throws you into the fight against greed. In this kingdom-building strategy game, you’ll need to build up your defenses while fending off the encroaching Greed. Explore a shrouded world, uncovering ruins, treasures, and hidden knowledge to fuel your kingdom’s growth. Construct an army, walls, resource buildings, and more to ensure your kingdom’s survival. Feeling bold? Take the fight directly to the Greed’s lair and vanquish them for good! With solo and co-op modes available, Kingdom Two Crowns is a fantastic strategy choice with a kingdom-building twist. Wishlist the game here
Teeny Tiny Town
Calling all puzzle enthusiasts! Teeny Tiny Town is a charming merge game where you’ll build cities by merging identical tiles. While it seems simple, the small map size and strategic tile placement make this game surprisingly deep. With various tile types, map styles, and more to explore, Teeny Tiny Town is a great casual strategy puzzle game that will give your brain a workout. Wishlist the game here
Inscryption
This deckbuilding game is not for the faint of heart. Inscryption blends roguelike elements, escape room puzzles, and psychological horror into a dark and suspenseful strategy experience. You’ll face off against interesting characters in a bizarre card game, building your deck of woodland creatures through draft, surgery, and…self-mutilation. If you enjoy dark themes and strategic deckbuilding, Inscryption is a must-play. Wishlist the game here
Necrosmith 2
Undead fans rejoice! Necrosmith 2 is a strategy tower defense game where you reanimate an army of the dead to defend your tower. Collect skeletal parts, merge them together, and reanimate them to form a formidable army. Each day brings new enemy hordes, forcing you to strategically decide where to deploy your undead defenders. With a quirky art style, roguelike elements, and an emphasis on building the perfect undead army, Necrosmith 2 is a great choice for strategy fans with a taste for the macabre. Read our full review here
Into the Emberlands
Calling all cozy gamers! Embark on a perilous journey into the Miasma to rescue lost villages in Into the Emberlands. As a chosen lightbearer, you’ll wield a magical lantern filled with embers, allowing you to venture into the darkness. Each ember grants you a step deeper, where you’ll collect resources, discover lost treasures, and rebuild your village. Strategically choose your exploration path and know when to turn back – if your lantern fades, you’ll be lost until the next lightbearer finds you. Still in early access, Into the Emberlands offers a unique blend of strategy and cozy vibes. Read our full First Sip here
Inkulinati
For those who enjoy dark humor and turn-based strategy, Inkulinati is a perfect choice. This medieval game puts you in charge of living ink, where you’ll build your own bestiary to take down historical figures. Each battle has you drawing your ink beasts and strategically spilling your enemy’s ink to claim victory. Unlock new creatures, equip them for battle, and utilize hand actions to interact with the page in this hilarious and strategic experience. Wishlist the game here
Backpack Battles
Backpack Battles offers a unique twist on turn-based strategy. In this inventory management game, you’ll carefully arrange items in your backpack before facing off against other players. You’ll buy and craft items, strategically filling your backpack with the tools you need to deal damage and counter your opponent’s arsenal. Ranked and casual modes, along with various hero classes, make Backpack Battles an addictive blend of strategy, puzzle elements, and action. Wishlist the game here
Reus 2
Ascend to godhood and shape the world in Reus 2, a god game where your choices determine the fate of humanity. You’ll create a resource ecosystem to enable civilization to thrive, guiding their development from early societies to modern advancements. Choose from 6 unique giants, each with special abilities, and unlock further skills as you progress. Reus 2 lets you literally sculpt the world with strategic decision-making, making it a perfect fit for strategy lovers. Wishlist the game here
Imagine Earth
Manage colonies across a multitude of worlds in Imagine Earth, a sci-fi strategy game. Take on the role of a space colony manager, responsible for exploring and populating distant planets. But this isn’t your typical colony sim. Imagine Earth challenges you to build civilizations on a global scale, trading resources and goods across the cosmos. You’ll grapple with the delicate balance between expansion and environmental impact, carefully maintaining healthy ecosystems while growing your cities and turning a profit. If you enjoy complex colony sims with strategic depth, Imagine Earth is a must-consider. Wishlist the game here
Emberward
Here’s a unique take on tower defense! In Emberward, you’ll build mazes out of block cards to shield your precious ember from enemy attacks. This roguelike deckbuilder throws you into strategic battles where you must make the most of limited blocks to construct an impenetrable defense. Utilize wall blocks, strategically deploy towers, and collect ruin cards for powerful upgrades. Each run features different maps, tower compositions, and mazes, ensuring no two games are the same. Emberward’s addictive blend of deckbuilding and tower defense will keep you coming back for more. Wishlist the game here
Teeny Tiny Trains
All aboard the nostalgia train! Teeny Tiny Trains takes you on a delightful journey of constructing miniature railway tracks. You’ll guide your train from point A to point B by strategically laying down track pieces. The game starts simple, but soon introduces new track types and additional trains, upping the challenge and fun factor. Teeny Tiny Trains is the perfect casual strategy puzzle game to satisfy your nostalgic itch and test your spatial reasoning skills. Wishlist the game here
We hope this list has given you some inspiration for your next strategy adventure. If you’re looking for more indie game recommendations, be sure to check out some of our other features!
