Tactical and strategic games have been a part of the video game industry for decades at this point. While there are examples of games that have had an element of strategy in them for a while, such as thePokemonorFinal Fantasyseries with their turn-based combat, modern tactical entries are on the rise again, as seen with theimmense love for theWarhammer 40,000franchise and its numerous games, or theever popularCounter-Strikeseries.
A part of what makes these games enjoyable is the cooperative element, a feature that always proves popular with players. However, not every tactical game is available to play in co-op, such asXCOM 2when it shut down its multiplayer. Many other games involving tactics are still available with co-op, ranging from more typical strategy titles to military shooters.
TheWastelandseries is a surprisingly old franchise, nearing its forty-year anniversary, dating to 1988. Taking place in a post-apocalyptic setting,Wasteland 3involves squad-based gameplay in a turn-based system. A pioneer for the post-apocalyptic genre, even theFalloutseries was inspired by Wasteland.
A large part of this game is the dynamic RPG element, where characters and decision-making are center stage. Mature themes are dominant, implementing violence, gore, and sexual content as would be expected for a post-apocalyptic theme. The co-op mode only allows for two players, but the characters that are controllable can be split between users. Players can even separate from each other and do their own thing as long as both are at equal levels.
TheRainbow Sixseries had been around for a while beforeSiegecame along, but the 2015 release propelled the franchise into stardom.
With similar features to its previous iterations, such as various tools and gadgets to execute strategies,Rainbow Six: Siegecontained updated controls and graphics. Similar toCounter-Strike,Rainbow Six: Siege’smain gameplay revolves around two teams competing against each other in various game modes involving objectives. The game separates teams into five players thatcontrol different Operators in order to emerge victorious.
Games likeUnreal TournamentandQuakemay have been released before the originalCounter-Strike, but theHalf-Lifemod only further proved the popularity of the FPS genre.
With a very simple premise,Counter-Strikeinvolves a team of players planting and detonating a bomb while the other team tries to stop them. The absurdly high skill ceiling is where this game showed how important tactics can be. Important in regular play, professional teams demonstrated just how dominant team play and strategy will be when used correctly.
Recently released on Steam, Ready or Not has shot up in popularity. The game focuses on the experience of SWAT teams as theyinfiltrate and take down hostile scenarioswith impressive graphics and immersive gunplay.
Praised for its tactical gameplay, Ready or Not offers aselection of weaponry, each with different attachments for specific situations. Scenarios must be approached realistically, following rules of engagement and relaying commands to other members of the team. The incapacitation of enemies is also a solution to situations that can be executed via the use of non-lethal weapons. If this non-lethal force is chosen, handcuffs must be used as the A.I. can be devious, playing dead in order to get the jump on players later.
Halo Warswas an attempt to bring the classic 2000sHaloseries to the strategy genre, and a rather successful one at that.
The game features elements from the main FPS games, with the different Covenant and UNSC vehicles and troops being present.Halo Warsfollows the UNSC human faction battling against the antagonistic Covenant and offers an insight into events before the main games, taking place before evenHalo: Reach.Much like other RTS games,Halo Warsonly allows for two-player co-op, but still follows the single-player campaign and doesn’t offer an alternative multiplayer story.
When it comes to milsims, theArmaseries has taken the cake for the most well-known, even spawningDayZ, a game that originated as a mod forArma 2.
Arma 3is the latest of the main series entries, with the developers, Bohemia Interactive, doing such a good job on these games that they have created simulators for real-world militaries. InArma 3, players have access to numerous vehicles and weapons, with the cooperative element featuring campaigns to progress through. There are also various DLCs that can be downloaded to add to the already impressive content.
Before Larian Studios became a household name in 2023 with their release ofBaldur’s Gate 3, they were still making highly popular fantasy tactical RPGs.
Much likeBaldur’s Gate 3, Divinity: Original Sin 2’scombat is executed via a turn-based system. With environmental effects,vast amounts of armor, weapons, spells, and a plethora of different classes to choose from, it seems likeDivinity: Original Sin 2was a precursor toBaldur’s Gate 3.Just look at both games’ trailers on Steam, and they look incredibly alike. Even the co-op is similar, allowing for four players to go off and cause shenanigans in the world.
TheTotal Warfranchise has so many entries that picking one as the definitive best is nigh impossible. Withdifferent games that span numerous time periodsand hold various gameplay features, the series is a goldmine for anyone who favors the tactical and strategic. Despite this,Total War: Medieval 2 - Definite Editionstands as the highest-rated in the series on Steam.
The co-op element permits players to embark on different campaigns, which, as the name suggests, takes place during the medieval period, specifically from 1080 to 1530. Most obviously, the game can take place in Europe, but also in the Middle East and Africa.
2Door Kickers 2: Task Force North
96% Positive Reviews On Steam
A sequel to the originalDoor Kickers,Door Kickers 2: Task Force Northis almost a birds-eye view Ready or Not.
InDoor Kickers 2: Task Force North, players must enter buildings and take down enemies using tactics, communication, and utility. An interesting feature comes in the form of line of sight. Since the game takes place in a birds-eye view, areas of the map can be seen anywhere, but the player will only truly know what’s inside a room by breaching it, creating a strategic element where infiltrating must be dealt with tactically.
Larian Studios’ breakout game,Baldur’s Gate 3has proven to be one of the most popular games in years. The game takes ideas implemented from their previous game,Divinity: Original Sin 2, and works on those foundations to deliver an immersive narrative and strategically driven experience.
Based on theDungeons and Dragonsuniverse,Baldur’s Gate 3can host up to four players who can explore the world and most likely make mistakes that will lead to combat situations. The game is vast, with various weapons, armor, spells, and classes that all play into each other. Even the dialogue can be tactical, with careful planning needed on what to say in order not to anger a character.
