Summary
Nintendo systems are usually seen as being the more casual choice compared to their competitors due to theiraccessible library of games, but this isn’t to say that they lack titles that drastically ramp up the intensity and challenge. Strategy games might not be the most popular genre for Nintendo, but systems like the 3DS actually have a handful of these titles to pick up and play, which never go too overboard in their difficulty, but are still deeply layered in their core gameplay and mechanics.
The majority of thesestrategy titlesare made by third parties, but there are still some that Nintendo themselves had a hand in making which turned out to be some of the handheld’s bestsellers by the end of its lifespan. For any strategy fans out there who are looking for a new game to sink their teeth into, these are the very best strategy games that are available right now for the Nintendo 3DS.
Anyone who has played the immensely popularValkyria Chronicleswill feel right at home jumping intoCode Name: S.T.E.A.M.since the gameplay works very similarly, combining a turn-based gameplay loop with a third-person perspective. The game takes place in a steampunk comic-book world where aliens have arrived to invade the planet, and it’s up to the player to guide their squadron of trusty heroes to victory.
The major mechanic of the game is the Steam system which depletes every time a character performs an action. This adds an extra layer of strategy that ensures players aren’t just sprinting around the map for the sake of it, especially since saving up Steam can allow for some devastating attacks. The major downsides are the fact that the game doesn’t allow for a top-down perspective, which can make it hard to follow the course of a battle, and the lackluster level design, but it’s still a ton of fun in very short bursts.
Project X Zone 2might just be the best fanservice game ever made, featuring a large cast of characters from multiple developers includingCapcom, Sega, and Bandai Namco. The star-studded cast, mixed with the charming sprite art style, is already enough to make this game worth playing, but the gameplay itself is also very fun and has a decent amount of strategy to it.
The game takes a top-down perspective where the player must guide their characters across the stage so that they can get in range to duke it out with an enemy, or to buff an ally in the midst of battle.Customizing unitsis also a huge part of this game, allowing the player to adjust their favorite characters into a specific playstyle. The combat animations that occur are also incredibly expressive and a joy to watch, and while the gameplay can feel a little repetitive after a while, the endless amount of charm and nostalgia this game offers still makes it extremely fun to jump into.
Culdcept Revolthasoften been compared to Monopolydue to its board game presentation, but there’s a lot more strategy that goes into this game which helps it stand out from pretty much any other strategy title on the system. To win a game ofCuldcept Revolt, players must amass enough magic to control the board, but this is much easier said than done as this can only be achieved by collecting cards, sabotaging enemies, and battling with powerful summoned monsters.
The game can end up becoming deep and addictive, primarily because of the 400 cards which all have their special abilities that players can collect to create their type of build.Culdcept Revoltis a little hard to get into due to just how many mechanics are available from the get-go, but if players can get to grips with it, they’ll be in for an extremely fun and unique strategy experience.
On the surface,Ghost Recon Shadow Warscan seem like a pretty simple and easy-going strategy game, but it’s when digging into the finer mechanics that the game reveals just how complex and captivating it can become. Each unit inShadow Warshas its special perks and weapons which must be used appropriately to deal with enemy encounters. The Commando, for example, is the all-rounder of the group who can deal good AOE damage with his missiles, while Recon on the other hand can turn invisible and is best suited for flanking enemy groups.
There are also plenty of environmental resources and tools that can help navigate the levels that become increasingly more difficult as they go along. The game also feels very fast-paced, which lends it a tension that is guaranteed to keep players on the edge of their seats. The visuals might not have aged the best, and the multiplayer is a little rough around the edges, butthe core gameplay here is pretty amazing.
TheShin Megami TenseiandPersonagamesare very well-known for their intuitive RPG mechanics and colorful cast of characters, butSMT: Devil Survivor 2 Record Breakertakes what fans loved about those series, and implements them into a strategy formula. What this results in is one of the most engaging, challenging, and fun strategy games on the 3DS, which is a real thrill ride from start to finish.
The whole Confidant system of building a relationship with allies that was featured in otherShin Megami Tenseigames is even incorporated into the gameplay where characters can share their abilities with others who can then learn them for themselves after enough practice. Outside of battle, players can freely roam the world and hang out with their friends, which will increase their Fate level, something that can be the difference between life and death in battle. Some veteran strategy players might not like the downtime between battles, but it’s a great way to flesh out the characters while also improving their capabilities in combat.
Out of the threeFire Emblem Fatesgames that were released for the 3DS,Conquestwas advertised as the most challenging one out of the bunch, and while it can be extremely difficult, the game still gives the player plenty of mechanics to help make their team strong. The game also has a much darker edge to it that calls back to the classic games which makes every battle feel extremely intense, especially when permadeath is activated.
The story is admittedly nothing too special, but it’s largely overshadowed by the stellar gameplay which makes it one of the best games in the entire series. The variety of map designs, a plethora of enemy archetypes, and the sheer amount of flexibility that comes with the Skills and class system makeConquestan excellent strategy game that eases the player into the experience. It would undoubtedly be the best game of its genre to appear on the 3DS, if not for one other game, which was also developed by Intelligent Systems.
With the series at an all-time low, and sales figures dwindling, Nintendo told Intelligent Systems during the development ofFire Emblem Awakeningthat it would need to sell at least 250,000 copies to save the franchise from being canceled. Luckily,Awakeningsmashed this target and would go on to become one ofthe best-selling games on the system, and when playing the game, it’s clear just how much passion and love the developers poured into every single department.
Whether it’s the lovable cast of characters, heartfelt story, or the gameplay which features some creative new mechanics like the pairing system, it all comes together to create a wonderful experience that both newcomers and longtime fans can enjoy. There’s also a ton of additional content outside the main missions to enjoy such as levels where the player can recruit extra allies to their army. There are additionally several smaller elements that have helped make the game so beloved such as the charming art style andincredible soundtrack. Overall,Awakeningis a high point in theFire Emblemfranchise that any strategy fans, even if they haven’t tried out the series before, really do need to play for themselves.
