4 – Battle Brothers
Battle Brothers once had the fame of being one of the hardest and most punishing strategy games around, especially when it initially came out in 2017, and there weren’t many like it. Players take control of a band of mercenaries (who are really bad at their job initially), and have to manage their warband, equip them, feed them, and take them into turn-based strategy combat in some of the most brutal fights you’ll ever see in a strategy game. Once a soldier is dealt a powerful and damaging blow, there’s a very high chance he’ll be damaged forever with things like broken bones, permanent brain damage, traumas, and missing body parts. With MENACE, a new game from the same coming soon, get Battle Brothers on the cheaper side during the Hooded Horse Steam Sale 2026 and give it a go.
2 – Manor Lords
After years of teasers and promises, Manor Lords finally came out in 2024 to major acclaim. This medieval strategy game is a mix of Anno with its city-building aspects, and Total War, with some very spectacular and realistic real-time strategy combat. The only reason Manor Lords isn’t my favorite medieval game of all time is that it needs a mode where people like me can create their own battles. Just do it!
2 – 9 Kingdoms
One of the best strategy games of 2025, and the most addictive game to have ever come out of the Hooded Horse catalogue. I loved 9 Kings!
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