Strategy games and stories have a complicated relationship. It’s hard to tell personal and intricate stories when the characters you’re trying to connect with aren’t on your screen most of the time, and if they are, they’re probably fighting somewhere on the ground, and you’re using a bird’s eye view to control your massive armies.

Does Story really matter in strategy games? Or is it all about the mechanics of how in-depth of an experience they provide? Are there any games that rise above the fray to tell compelling and interesting tales in this genre? This is what me and the guys at the Critical Moves Podcast are discussing this week.

I think that while a story can elevate a great game, I don’t think that a bad story can bring a great game down. For me, strategy games are all about the mechanics and how well those mechanics represent the world they’re trying to emulate. I also think that strategy games have a special place in emergent storytelling, as they’re the perfect medium for players to craft their own narratives and worlds. But do my podcast mates agree? Or not?

Give us a listen, a like, and subscribe if you like what you hear. Also, we would love to know your opinion about this topic, and if you have any suggestions for us, please let us know!

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