We can tell a lot about people from the sort of games that they like to play. Some people are drawn to games with a huge amount of activity and action whereas others are the sort to spend their time mulling things over and using strategy as a big part of their playing.

Strategy comes in lots of different forms in gaming. It can refer to strategizing in terms of getting ready for in-game battles or evaluating what cards or characters someone has available to them in the game.

Older games often revolved around strategy using cards and pieces – chess and poker are two of the top historical games that involve strategy and now there are even a huge number of games that have more depth to them. Console games where people can control economies and huge armies have even more possibilities and outcomes than some of the older card or board games. 

Poker – A Historic Game With Strategy

One of the first games that pops into peoples’ heads when they think of strategic games is poker. It is a blend of skill and chance and this has made it one of the iconic strategic games around. Players must juggle the unpredictability of the cards with their ability to read their opponents and make calculated decisions. A single hand can swing dramatically based on how well a player bluffs or bets

Success in poker hinges on knowing when to push forward and when to cut losses. It’s not just about the cards in a player’s hands and it’s also about the story they can tell at the table. Bluffing can create tension while reading opponents’ tells can tip the balance. Add in the ever-present element of luck and you’ve got a game where strategy is crucial and that people can have an impact on. When playing online poker real money is often at stake which means people are keen to have a positive impact if they possibly can.

Even without strategy or by doing something that they might not ordinarily do then the game can flip based on luck. Playing 7s and 2s might not be the wisest move in the eyes of some poker players but there are times when it can still work out…

Chess

Another game that is historic (and even more historic than poker). Chess is a game that people have approached in a lot of different ways and this helps keep it fresh even after thousands of years. It has more than 1400 years of history and playing as well as some slight evolution.

If there’s a Hall of Fame for strategic games then chess would have a permanent spot. It’s been played for centuries and its elegance lies in its simplicity. The rules are straightforward: each piece moves in a specific way. But the strategies? Endless.

Chess rewards players who can think several moves ahead as well as visualize different scenarios and adapt to their opponent’s tactics. Masters of the game don’t just react – they dictate the flow of play.

Civilization Series – Building Empires One Decision at a Time

Civ (as it has become known by fans) is one game that has endless possibilities and also allows people to make decisions on pretty much every aspect of life and…well, civilization.

This is a turn-based video game and players guide a civilization from ancient times to the modern era making decisions about all aspects of diplomacy.

Every choice has consequences. Researching a new technology might unlock powerful tools but it could also leave a civilization vulnerable to attack. Expanding too quickly risks overextension (something we have seen in actual history) while focusing on cultural achievements might leave other areas lagging. The appeal of the Civilization games lies in the balance between short-term gains and long-term planning. Civ is so popular that there is a seventh installment coming out soon!

Call of Duty – Strategy and Action

People tend to associate these types of games with action and quick reflexes. Those are definitely key skills in the world of COD. The very best Call of Duty players combine these sorts of skills with strategy. 

COD has become one of the most successful game franchises of all time and there is clearly an element of strategy. This is especially true when it comes to high-level playing such as people who are playing in esports tournaments.

People can play this game and get by with skills like reflexes at a basic level but they are not likely to reach the top of the game.

Conclusion

A lot of people like games that challenge them in some way. Strategy is one of the ways people can test themselves and games that have strategic elements to them tend to do pretty well. Even games where this is not obvious might have some underlying skill behind them and people need to plan to get the best results.