Top Strategy Games with Easy Controls

Strategy games

are typically known for their complex mechanics and, often in the case of real-time variants, rather overwhelming control schemes. Dozens of keyboard shortcuts are commonplace in the RTS genre in particular. While they offer opportunities for player expression, complex controls
can hurt a game’s accessibility
.

This also applies to turn-based strategy games, where an abundance of options or a cluttered user interface can spell doom for the learning process.

These strategy games, however, feature simple controls

without skimping on the gameplay, offering satisfying but accessible experiences.

Dungeon Of The Endless

A Simple Combination Of Strategy & Resource Management

Dungeon of the Endless


is a dark and atmospheric sci-fi dungeon-crawler with a gritty pixel-art aesthetic. In the game, players battle through a series of labyrinthine rooms and halls as they attempt to escort a valuable crystal through a sci-fi dungeon.

To do this, players must efficiently manage a party of heroes and the resources they have on hand. Thanks to a heavier focus on resource management and tower defense,

Dungeon of the Endless

manages to remain a strategic experience while maintaining simple controls.

Tinyfolks

A Minimalist Strategy RPG

Tinyfolks


is a simple but strategic RPG that excels with its charming pixel-art visuals and buoyant chip-tune soundtrack. Best of all,

Tinyfolks

provides an experience that borrows heavily from

Darkest Dungeon

but offers a more forgiving approach to design,
allowing for accessible gameplay
and simple controls.

In the game, players control a small party of adventurers in turn-based combat, working their way through a series of dungeon crawls, each with their own unique boss battles. Thankfully,

Tinyfolks

keeps its interface easy to read and its abilities easy to grasp, allowing player interactions to remain simple despite the strategic gameplay that’s present.

StarVaders

An Intuitive Deck-Builder

This turn-based roguelike deck-builder stands out with its slick and stylish art style as much as its elegant game design. In


StarVaders,


players control a mech as they defend against a variety of alien invaders using a variety of simple cards.

Since players have control over a character, these cards are
necessary for moving around
. However, thanks to the deck-building gameplay, every action is done through card interactions, and so the controls remain tremendously simple.

Tooth & Tail

An Accessible RTS

Tooth & Tail


is a remarkably charming and streamlined real-time strategy game that champions simplicity. This innovative title strips back typical RTS mechanics and simplifies player controls to offer
an accessible experience
.

However,

Tooth & Tail

is far from a watered-down game, maintaining much of the genre’s patented blend of base-building, unit production, and management. The variety of units and structures, along with the unique and intuitive control method, ensures that

Tooth & Tail

is both a worthwhile and welcoming experience.

Shogun Showdown

Action-Packed Tactics

Shogun Showdown


is an elegant and action-packed roguelike deck-builder that allows for player interaction and strategy via a set of simple tiles. These tiles allow players to move around the board on a single axis while unleashing often devastating attacks on their foes.
Deck-building elements
keep this strategic, but the control is elegant and simple.

This is primarily thanks to a simple user interface and truly refined tiles that never give the player too much information to digest. Furthermore, enemy intentions are well telegraphed, ensuring players are always able to make informed decisions.

Thronefall

A Minimalist Combination Of Tower Defense & RTS

Thronefall


is
a minimalist combination
of base defense and real-time strategy, offering players an accessible yet strategic experience with simple controls. By streamlining genre trends such as unit production and management,

Thronefall

offers players a fluid and frustration-free experience that still provides frequent challenges.

In the game, players take control of a maneuverable character that can be used to navigate each level. This allows players to freely explore and intuitively construct new defenses and economic structures, while also engaging in combat themselves. The simplified RTS mechanics are also tremendous, allowing players to command small armies with very little input.