The genre of turn-based tactical strategies on the PC attracts a considerable number of game fans. But recently, it is forgotten by the efforts of adherents of the Strategy genre in principle. There is an opinion that step-by-step projects are devoid of dynamics and become boring. More details will be discussed in the article.
About TBS in general
The name of the genre stands for Turn-Based Strategy. The gameplay is built on sequences of time points during which people perform actions. Such segments were called - moves. Tactical turn-based strategies on the PC are characterized by globality. In them, control is carried out not by separate units, but by entire states.
Not only firepower and the number of units on the battlefield are used, but also diplomacy, logic and economics. Fans of TBS, although not as numerous as fans of RBS, but they have much to be proud of. The most famous projects will be discussed below.
Civilization V (09/21/2010)
The first game that comes to mind when mentioning tactical strategies on a PC is Civilization, the brainchild of Firaxis Games. The project is improving from one part to another, giving players the opportunity to control the fate of the state from the Stone Age to the present day. The task is to reach unprecedented heights, to conquer other states and become the sole ruler of the world, or simply to die, trying to do it. The project has many fractions.
Gamers have to make complex economic, political, social and military decisions on which the fate of the inhabitants of the state depends. Each action is a step that affects the future. Complete freedom of action - a feature that attracts fans. The Sid Meier's Civilization series captures the idea and scope. The term "still move and sleep" arose thanks to the "Civilization".
System requirements are as follows:
- OS: Windows XP SP3 / Vista SP2 / Windows 7.
- The optimal processor option is 1.8 GHz (for 2 or 4 cores).
- RAM: 2 GB - minimum, 4 GB - maximum.
- 512 MB video card.
- 8 GB of free disk space.
Civilization: Beyond Earth (10.24.2014)
The list of tactical strategies on PC continues the next project Firaxis Games, blowing beyond the borders of the Earth, setting the player the task of developing and maintaining colonies in far and cold space. Other worlds present resources, unique friendly and hostile life forms and game experiences.
For the prosperity of human civilization, it is necessary to build defensive lines, lay trade routes, get alien artifacts and tame outlandish animals. Thanks to the many fractions, philosophies and development paths, the game keeps you in suspense even after several walkthroughs.
The project does not require heavy-duty modern computers, but it will not start on very old machines:
- Windows Vista or 7.
- A processor for two (minimum) or four (maximum) cores with a clock frequency of 1.8 GHz.
- From 2 to 4 gigs of RAM.
- Graphics card with DirectX 11 support (nVidia GT400 or AMD HD5000 example) at 256 MB or higher.
- 8 GB of hard disk space.
Galactic Civilizations 2 (02.21.2006)
The brainchild of Stardock is the ideal tactical strategy on the PC for those who want to subjugate the entire galaxy to their will, managing custom Doomsday barges. Thanks to the developed artificial intelligence, it will take a long time to achieve a balance in the economy, technological development, diplomacy, culture and military affairs in order to successfully interact with other factions and create indestructible alliances.
Each race in the Galaxy is unique in its own way: merchants, militarists, vicious, friendly, and so on. The player chooses the people from the existing ones or creates a unique civilization with his views and social principles. Then he selects the type of galaxy and goes in search of adventure.
The smallest galaxy is for quick play. Cards move empires away from each other and hold many fractions. For those who want to stretch the fun fit the largest possible cards.
In addition to the standard set in the form of a keyboard and mouse, for a comfortable game, the PC must meet the following criteria:
- Windows 7/8/10.
- RAM from 4 to 6 GB.
- 15 GB of hard disk space.
- Recommended NVIDIA GeForce GTX 500 graphics card.
- The processor is dual-core at 1.8 GHz (minimum) or i5 at 2.3 GHz (maximum).
Heroes Of Might and Magic 3 (02.28.1999)
One of the leading places in the list of the best tactical strategies on PC is occupied by the project “Heroes of Might and Magic” from New World Computing. The plot was never distinguished by originality, therefore it is not the hallmark of the series. Fans are attracted to the gameplay, riveting to the screen for many sleepless nights.
Like turn-based strategies, HoMM allows you to create an empire by choosing one of the game fractions. Each side has advantages and disadvantages. Proper use of these allows you to achieve a balance in the cruel world of "Sword and Magic." The power of the troops depends on the number of soldiers and the strength of the hero, which can be equipped with artifacts. The latter are obtained by drop from enemies or by opening caches.
Battles take place step by step on the field in the form of a grid. It is important for the player to correctly arrange his units in order to win the battle.
The distant nineties were not characterized by high demands on the hardware, because the game will start on most machines:
- Windows 95/98 / NT 4.0 and higher.
- Pentium processor 133 MHz.
- The RAM is only 32 MB.
- 100 MB of free space.
Valkyria Chronicles (11/11/2014)
Sega tactical PC strategy. It is an attempt to combine the genres of TBS and RBS. Typically, such experiments lead to inferior products that scare the player with awkward gameplay and out of the ordinary inconvenient controls. But the Chronicles of the Valkyries are an exception. The developers were able to compensate for the shortcomings of both genres by mixing.
Everything in the game is interconnected: interpersonal relationships, raising the level of units, learning new teams and a thoughtful alternative story showing the dark moments of World War II.
The highlight of the project is the battlefield. Management of the battle takes place step by step. Top view, but when action points are spent, the camera is transferred over the shoulders of an individual unit. This brings elements of a tactical turn-based strategy into the project.
PC games with a colorful atmosphere are not uncommon. In this case, the graphics conveys this - everything is painted with watercolors (even dust puffs underfoot). Separate small effects make the game a masterpiece to which you want to return.
The plot starts in the small state of Gaul, which is trying not to get involved in the war between the Eastern European Empire and the Atlantic Federation. Maintaining neutrality becomes impossible after the attack of the empire with the aim of mining in Gaul. The story revolves around several key characters, one of which is a young scientist Gunther. The game tells about their survival among the horrors of war.
For comfortable work, you need the following hardware:
- Windows Vista / 7
- Dual core processor at 2.0 or 2.8 GHz.
- Video card NVIDIA GeForce GTS 240 or 280 MB.
- 25 GB of free space.
The Banner Saga (01/11/2014)
A special project, released thanks to Kickstarter and the efforts of Stoic Games. The game contains elements of a turn-based tactical strategy on PC - RPG, and is implemented as a cartoon about the Viking era. The hero is expected to wander through colorful landscapes and interact with incredulous refugees, hiding from a merciless enemy in a world balancing on the brink of falling.
Battles are fought step by step. Each move should be carefully thought out, otherwise the hero is threatened with defeat. The lack of an autosave system makes the game much more difficult than it seems. Conversations with other characters oblige you to make difficult decisions and make deals with your conscience. Actions can lead to the fact that yesterday’s friend will be in the ranks of the enemy tomorrow.
Stoic Games is represented by a group of people with experience in Bioware. Because The Banner Saga gives gamers an unforgettable experience, challenging tasks, tactical gameplay and a carefully crafted atmosphere.
You can enjoy a masterpiece provided that the hardware matches the following indicators:
- OS - Windows XP SP3 / 7 Sp1.
- Memory: 2-4 GB.
- 3-6 GB of free disk space.
- Pentium 4 at 1.8 GHz or a dual-core analog at 1.6 GHz.
- A 512 MB video card, and preferably 1 GB. Examples: GeForce 9500 GT, Radeon X1900.
Verdict
Tactical strategies on PC are games from the category of imperishable classics. Projects that do not age, but become something unforgettable even against the background of others with modern gameplay and graphics that meet the latest technology. In the piggy bank of every gamer, there will definitely be a couple of your favorite games in the TBS genre, which occupy an honorable place on the shelf of pleasant memories.