10. Grit and Valor – 1949
This roguelike strategy game would rank higher if the VR version received more consistent updates. That said, Grit and Valor – 1949 is still immensely satisfying to physically grab units, place them on the battlefield, and watch the chaos unfold. Improved menu handling and UI flexibility would significantly elevate the experience. Read the Strategy and Wargaming review for it’s non VR-version here.
9. Dagger Directive
Many longtime Delta Force fans, including myself, were disappointed with the franchise’s revival. A revival that ditched everything that made them beloved by players in the first place. Thankfully, MicroProse stepped in with Dagger Directive, a modernized take on classic ’90s tactical shooters. It delivers smoother gameplay, better AI, and that old-school feel we’ve been missing. I do wish it included AI squadmates like the original Ghost Recon, but even without them, it’s a worthy spiritual successor.
8. Tank Squad
I’m planning a full review once proper save functionality and controller support are added. For now, I’m having a blast. Tank Squad sits comfortably between hardcore simulation and arcade action—a sweet spot somewhere between Steel Fury: Kharkov 1942 and Panzer Elite: Action – Gold Edition. With friends, it would be even better. As a new parent with limited gaming time, a proper save system matters, and I appreciate developers who respect that.
7. Arete: The Battles of Alexander the Great
I practically begged the developer on Facebook to release this on Steam, and I’m glad he did. At $10, Arete: The Battles of Alexander the Great is a steal for fans of ancient warfare and tabletop wargames. Even dice rolls are presented with detailed charts, just like a physical board game. The AI is competent, the systems are deep, and there’s no reason for fans of the genre to skip this.
6. Tempest Rising
I’ll be doing a full review of this one next year once I’ve finished the campaign. Tempest Rising looks, sounds, and plays like a modern Command & Conquer, which is high praise coming from me. Unfortunately, the lack of FMV and personality holds it back slightly, but at least they have plans for the future and are currently adding some new cool super weapons that’ll going a long way to fix this. Still, it’s one of the most visually impressive RTS games of 2025.
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