Critical Moves - Strategy Gaming

How important is narrative in strategy games and what kind of story actually works? In Episode 39 of Critical Moves, Adam, Jack, and Al dig into the role of storytelling in the genre, from scripted campaigns to player-driven chaos. We cover: • Emergent vs scripted storytelling, and where each one shines. • Why some strategy games succeed without a story, and others absolutely need one. • A heated...

Before Olden Era, there was Heroes of Might and Magic, the series that defined turn-based strategy for an entire generation. In this episode, we unpack what made HoMM so addictive: the layered overworld maps, the chess-like battles, the base-building loop, and the sheer variety of factions and creatures. We trace its rise from the early days through the glory of Heroes III and the missteps that fo...

Why are strategy game tutorials so bad and who’s fixing it? In Episode 41 of Critical Moves, we’re joined by Joe from Example of Play to talk about the gap between what strategy games teach and what players actually need to know. We cover: Why tutorials often fail in complex strategy titles. How content creators like Joe step in to bridge the gap. Joe’s own gaming background and what’s on his rada...

Can indie strategy games do what big studios won’t... or can’t? In Episode 36 of Critical Moves, we highlight the independent titles that impressed us, surprised us, and in some cases outclassed their AAA counterparts. We talk about: The design risks indie games are willing to take. How smaller studios punch above their weight in innovation and depth. Why some of these titles stick with us more th...

What separates a good strategy game from a great one? And what does it actually take to earn “Game of the Year” in a genre built on complexity, depth, and replayability? In Episode 35 of Critical Moves, we break down the criteria that matter most - gameplay systems, balance, innovation, pacing, longevity, and presentation - and discuss how strategy games are judged compared to other genres. We ask...

When did the best RTS games get made and why have we seen nothing like them since? Let's take a look back at the golden age of real-time strategy. From peak base-building to iconic faction design, we talk about what made this era so good, the games that defined it, and the influence they still have today. Whether you grew up on it or missed it entirely, this is a look at RTS when it was fast, focu...

What does it take to build a strategy game that stands out in a crowded genre? Game developer Tatsu (Sanctuary: Shattered Sun, ZeroSpace, Ablight) joins us to break down the craft behind deep, immersive RTS experiences. From indie passion projects to ambitious sci-fi warfare, we explore how worldbuilding, player agency, and innovative mechanics shape the future of strategy games. This is a no-fluf...

What’s the greatest World War II strategy game ever made and why do we keep coming back to this war? On the anniversary of D-Day, Nuno walks through the best WW2 strategy games ever made. It’s a sharp look at what these games get right, where they fall short, and how they handle the weight of real history. From high-level operations to close-quarters tactics, we talk realism, pacing, decision-maki...

Why do games like Victoria 3 , Anno 1800 , and Football Manager destroy your sleep schedule, and why are they so hard to quit? These are the strategy games that don’t just pull you in, they erase your evening and leave you wondering how it’s already morning. We talk about what makes these games so addictive, from perfectly tuned systems to that never-ending sense of progress. What’s the line betwe...

What’s the best Warhammer strategy game, and why do so many still miss the mark? With Warhammer Skulls in full swing, we dig into the long and messy history of Warhammer strategy games. From Total War: Warhammer to Dawn of War to the weird forgotten spin-offs, we look at what’s worked, what hasn’t, and why this universe keeps drawing strategy developers in. The setting is built for conflict, with...

What happens when Halo, Minecraft, and Gears of War try to become strategy games? Some franchises are built for action. Fast-paced, explosive, focused on moment-to-moment chaos. But when they make the jump to strategy, things get complicated. In this episode, we look at Halo Wars , Minecraft Legends , Gears Tactics , and more. Some of these games pull it off. Others feel like a branding exercise w...

What’s keeping us hooked right now, and which strategy games are actually worth your time? We run through what we’re playing at the moment and why. From deep-space colony management to explosive mech battles, it’s a mix of genres and styles with one thing in common, they’re keeping us coming back. We talk about what’s working in the design, what’s starting to wear thin, and how these games compare...

Is Star Wars finally getting a strategy game worth your time? Star Wars: Zero Company is set during the Clone Wars and aims to deliver the tactical experience fans have been waiting for. We break down everything revealed so far, including gameplay mechanics, squad structure, and story setup. We also compare it to past Star Wars strategy titles, looking at what sets it apart, what might still fall...

What do you actually want to know about strategy games and about us? This episode is all Q&A, with questions from the community covering everything from our favourite mechanics and design trends to behind-the-scenes podcast stuff. Some are thoughtful, some are weird, and some have nothing to do with strategy games at all. We answered as many as we could. It’s unscripted, unpredictable, and the...

Can a new RTS really bring back the feel of Command & Conquer? We talk to Brandon Casteel, lead designer on Tempest Rising, about building a modern RTS that doesn’t forget its roots. He explains how the team approached base-building, unit roles, and multiplayer balance while keeping the game grounded in the spirit of classic Command & Conquer. We also get into the realities of reviving a g...

Which is better, turn-based or real-time strategy? And why does it still divide players? This episode tackles the long-standing split at the heart of the genre. We look at how pacing, control, and decision-making change depending on the format, and what that means for gameplay, accessibility, and replay value. There’s no winner declared, but the differences matter. Whether you prefer careful plann...

Is Broken Arrow the next great modern military RTS or just another missed opportunity? We take a close look at Broken Arrow , a large-scale strategy game built around real-world military hardware and combined arms tactics. From interface design to unit control, we break down what the game is doing well and where it still feels rough. It’s a grounded take on a promising RTS that’s caught attention...

Can a game about leadership, ethics, and World War II actually be fun to play? We’re joined by Dr Luke Hughes, lead developer of Burden of Command , to talk about designing a strategy RPG where your choices as an officer shape the outcome more than your aim ever could. Luke explains how the game balances historical authenticity with accessibility, why emotional realism matters, and how they built...

Sick of Civilization VII already? Here’s what you should be playing instead. We skip the usual complaints and get straight into better options. This episode runs through strategy games that outclass Civ in all the ways that matter: deeper systems, smarter pacing, more satisfying decisions. From standout 4X titles to grand strategy heavyweights and overlooked gems, we lay out what’s actually worth...

Is strategy gaming better alone or with others? And why does it matter more than people think? This episode tackles the divide between singleplayer and multiplayer strategy. We look at what each experience offers - whether it’s the quiet satisfaction of beating the AI or the chaos and challenge of human opponents. We also talk about community behaviour, why multiplayer can be so hard to get right,...

Which upcoming strategy games are actually worth your time? Fresh from Steam Next Fest, we talk through the strategy demos that stood out and the ones that didn’t. From grand campaigns to tight tactical battles, we share first impressions and early verdicts on what might be worth following. It’s not a hype reel. Just straight talk about what works, what’s broken, and which games have real potentia...

Is Civilization 7 a true step forward or just Civ 6 with extra polish? Joe leads the review while Al pushes back with the tough questions. We break down what Civilization 7 changes, what it carries over, and whether any of it actually improves the formula. From AI behaviour to core mechanics and balance, we look at what works, what feels stuck, and where the series stands in 2025. If you're wonder...

How did Civilization define an entire genre and why does it still matter today? We look back at the legacy of Sid Meier’s Civilization and how it shaped the 4X strategy genre. From the original game to the latest release, we track how the series evolved, what stayed the same, and why the formula still works decades later. We also get into favourite factions, best mechanics, and how Civ continues t...

Why did AAA studios abandon real-time strategy—and is there any chance they’ll come back? RTS was once a major force in gaming. Now it’s mostly left to indie developers. In this episode, we dig into what happened. From shifting market priorities to the rise of other genres, we lay out why big publishers moved on and what that’s meant for the games that followed. We also talk about the studios keep...

What’s the best way to get into strategy games without getting overwhelmed? Strategy can be brutal if you start in the wrong place. In this episode, we look at which games actually help new players learn the ropes. From real-time tactics to grand strategy, we break down which titles are accessible without being shallow and explain how they teach core mechanics without drowning you in systems. If y...