Games to Watch 2024 - Strategy
It’s time again to peer into the future, all so I can highlight games that I think are worth watching. It is worth noting two things, the first is that this list is for announced games only and the second is due to the nature of classifying genres these days, I have placed the games where I feel they fit best so don’t shoot me if your most anticipated game isn’t here, it may be in another list. With that in mind, let’s get to the games. Put your thinking caps on, because it is now time to look to the strategy games landing this year.
Solium Infernum
What if, instead of trying to conquer the world in Civilization you were trying to conquer Hell? What if instead of Ghandi being an aggressive neighbour it was the Archangel Michael? What if studying science led to new torture methods instead of rocket propulsion?
Welcome to Solium Infernum, where these hellish ideas come to life.
A 4X strategy game developed right here in Australia by League of Geeks, Solium Infernum is a remake of sorts, taking the 2009 game of the same name and reimagining it in a more modern way. The concept is solid and one that hasn’t been over done in the genre so it should be a fresh experience for fans of the genre.
League of Geeks are ever-reliable so I have no doubt this will be a high quality release that strategy fans should be keeping an eye on.
Homeworld 3
It has been a long time between drinks for fans of Homeworld, but the wait is almost over. Homeworld 3 is coming and strategy fans are once again in for a treat.
The Homeworld franchise has long been hailed by fans of the genre as one of the best. Its mix of management and combat in the 3 dimensions of outer space has never been topped, so there is a rabid anticipation for more from its community.
Every indication is that Homeworld 3 will take what the previous entries did so well, polishing, improving and expanding along the way and that is all that the fanbase wants. There is a little worry that this sort of game just isn’t as financially viable these days but it is my sincere hope that Homeworld 3 proves that worry wrong on its way to becoming both a commercial and critical success.
Frostpunk 2
Are you ready for another dose of deep engaging strategy with a side order of crushing depression? If so, you are in luck. Frostpunk 2 is coming and it promises to build on what made the first game so wonderful and so heartbreaking when it releases later this year.
No longer tasked with managing a small outpost, you are placed in charge of a full city of survivors, all trying to just live in a long-dead world. The first game really pushed players to the limit with tough choices and moral quandries and I fully expect the sequel to push those ideas even further.
Frostpunk 2 is promising some fantastic strategical gameplay all the while asking the question, “What is survival worth?” There really isn’t anything else out there like it.
Stormgate
I long for the return of games like Starcraft and Command and Conquer. I had a massive obsession with the classic RTS games of the late 90s and early 2000s but sadly those days seem to be long behind us. All hope is not lost however with Stormgate coming along to hopefully save the day for every RTS fan out there.
Developed by a host of ex-Blizzard devs, Stormgate is really leaning in that Starcraft direction, from the gameplay to the unit design, so fans should have plenty to look forward to. The interesting thing here is that Stormgate is going free-to-play but is still promising single-player campaigns. It will be super interesting to see how this is implemented. Will the multiplayer be F2p and the single-player be purchased DLC? Will there be season passes? Will people ignore the game because of the F2P base? Who knows, but boy I am really in the mood for a new RTS game so I hope they stick the landing.
Ara: History Untold
The saying goes “go big or go home” and I feel like that is exactly what ARA is doing. It is taking on one of the biggest franchises in not only the strategy genre but in all of gaming by trying to out Civ Civilization. It is a gutsy move and one that may even pay off.
You see it has been quite a while since Civ 6 so the timing is right for Ara to jump in and grab some strategy fans who are looking for something new. The fact it is coming to Gamepass will undoubtedly give it a good initial burst of players too. The question will then remain is there enough here to keep people from going back to Civilisation?
Only time will tell on that score but I am always excited to see a plucky upstart take on a seasoned champion. I hope Ara: History Untold comes out swinging and perhaps even pushes the champ to its limits.
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